08/22/2026
Release: On August 13, the Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) advanced out of the California Senate Appropriations Committee on a 5–2 vote and is set for a vote by the full Senate. It has already passed the California Assembly with bipartisan supermajority support.
The ambitious bill was introduced by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward, jointly authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, sponsored by Rebuild Local News and has gathered a notably broad coalition of support. The bill would create refundable journalist employment credits that would help local news organizations sustain and grow essential coverage of schools, local government and other community affairs. The legislative session ends on August 31.
“Local journalism is essential infrastructure for a healthy democracy, but newsrooms across California are being asked to do more with fewer reporters and fewer resources,” said Assemblymember Ward. “The Community NEWS Act is about investing directly in the people who keep our communities informed—helping local outlets retain journalists, hire new reporters, and continue telling the stories that would otherwise go uncovered. At a time when independent journalism is under increasing economic and political pressure, California has an opportunity to strengthen trusted local news and ensure communities across our state continue to have access to the information they depend on.”
The Community NEWS Act provides financial support tied to the number of full-time and part-time local journalists. (Read Free)
On August 13, the Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) advanced out of the California Senate Appropriations Committee on a 5–2 vote and is set for a vote by the full
