California state Sen. Steve Padilla speaks during a press conference to promote SB 243 at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento, California, on July, 8 2025. He was joined on stage by Rob Eleveld, CEO of the nonprofit Transparency Coalition (far left), Megan Garcia (left), state Sen. Josh Becker (right) and state Sen. Weber Pierson (far right). (Sophia Fox-Sowell / Scoop News Group)