Your City, Your Voice: Local Leadership and the Bills That Need Watching

805speakeasy
Jul 30
3 min read

NON-ELECTED POSITIONS 2026 SPOTLIGHT

While November 2026 seems far away, now is the time to start thinking about running for office. There are lots of opportunities from parks and recreation to school board, to city council and so much more. If you’re not interested in an elected position, there are committees across each city in Ventura County where you can volunteer your time a few hours a month and make a difference in the lives of your neighbors and your community in general. Those positions can be held before November of next year.

Start doing your research today. Talk to your family and friends and make a list of what might interest you. Reach out to 805 Speakeasy leadership. We are here to help you connect with others if you’re interested in being a leader in Ventura County.

We’ll be highlighting some potential opportunities each month. This month it’s all about non-elected positions

Thousand Oaks Planning Commission:

The Planning Commission's primary function is to guide the development, growth, and sustainability of the city. This multifaceted responsibility involves assessing proposed projects, land use, zoning regulations, and urban design to ensure they align with the city's goals, policies, and community needs. Commissioners must be residents of the city. They serve for 4 years. For more information, visit Planning Commission | Thousand Oaks, CA.

Camarillo Council on Aging (CCoA):

The CCOA is an advisory body whose purpose is to provide a mechanism for the senior community to make recommendations regarding matters of concern to the City Council, the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, and other appropriate organizations and agencies. Members must be residents of the city. This Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month and serve for a term of 2 years.

For more Information visit LOCAL APPOINTMENTS.

SPOTLIGHT ON CALIFORNIA BILLS

AB84 will be coming up for a vote between 8/18 and 9/12. This is the bill that holds charter schools that receive your tax dollars to similar financial transparency as public schools. Beyond the A3 charter school scandal, which nearly cost taxpayers millions in misused public funds,there’s growing urgency for a bill like this. Just this July, more financial scandals tied to the lack of charter school oversight have made headlines, including issues at California's Ezequiel Tafoya Alvarado Academy and Highlands Community Charter .Contact your CA Senator today below to let them know you believe in transparency and want them to vote YES. visit our previous blog about AB84 for more information on why you should support this bill.

AB665 aligns standards of mental health care consent in California for all youth ages 12 and older. Currently, young people 12 and older who receive health care through private health insurance plans are able to consent to outpatient mental health care on their own behalf when considered mature enough to participate in the care. Youth relying on the state's Medi-Cal program — offered to families with lower incomes — cannot access mental health care on their own without approval from a parent or guardian, unless they meet a much higher need level.

AB495 protects children in immigrant and mixed-status families by ensuring emergency contact information and plans for family safety are up-to-date in the event immigration enforcement impacts children at schools and licensed childcare facilities. This law is more critical than ever!

AB727 mandates that all 7-12 schools—both public and private—as well as public and private universities print the contact information of an LGBTQ advocacy organization, the Trevor Project, on every student identification card.

Call or write to support these bills!! Your representatives are:

Senate

Henry Stern District 27

Email: Senator.Stern@senate.ca.gov

Capitol Office: (916) 651-4027

Calabasas Office: (818) 876-3352

Monique Limon District 21

Email: Senator.Limon@senate.ca.gov

Capitol Office: (916) 651-4021

Oxnard Office: (805) 988-1940

Assembly

Jacqui Irwin District 42