Biography
Championing Environmental and Community Resilience
Dedicated environmental champion and Angeleno, Senator Henry Stern proudly represents the 27th Senate District, spanning from Los Angeles to Ventura County. First elected in November 2016, Senator Stern has been at the forefront of legislating sustainable practices and protecting California's natural resources.
Legislative Achievements
Climate Legislation: Most recently, Senator Stern authored SB 261 and co-authored SB 253, landmark climate laws that establish the nation’s first requirements for large corporations to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, carbon embedded in supply chains, and climate risks. These efforts contribute significantly to his legacy of combating climate change and protecting vulnerable communities.
Wildfire Resilience: After the devastating 2018 Woolsey fire destroyed his home, Senator Stern authored the Wildfire Resilience through Community and Ecology Act (2021). This legislation led to the creation of Governor Newsom’s CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, which identifies high-risk buildings in wildfire-prone areas and enhances fire-safe building standards.
Environmental Justice: A fierce advocate for environmental justice, Senator Stern has taken on the oil and gas industry to protect his community and the environment. He led efforts to close down the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility, site of the largest recorded methane leak, and pushed for increased disclosure requirements for toxic acid treatment procedures used in drilling operations.
Leadership Roles
Senator Stern currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies and Chair of Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, overseeing California's carbon neutrality efforts and supporting the acceleration of resilient climate infrastructure. He also serves as the Senate's Ex Officio member to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
From 2018 to 2022, as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee, Senator Stern spearheaded building decarbonization efforts to reduce indoor air pollution caused by fossil fuels. He authored SB 1477, establishing the Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) initiative, which provided $200 million in incentives for low-emission space and water-heating technologies in existing buildings. The program expanded in the 2022 budget to include over $750 million in incentives for water pump and water heating technologies. Additionally, he authored SB 801 (2017), requiring Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to deploy cost-effective, grid-connected energy storage solutions to reduce natural gas demand.
Senator Stern also serves as a member of three standing Senate Policy Committees: Judiciary; Natural Resources and Water; and Energy, Utilities, and Communications.
Advocating for Vulnerable Communities
In both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 budget cycles, Senator Stern championed funding for programs aiding those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He successfully pushed for $250 million in additional IDD funding in 2019-20 and sought another $400 million the following year, although the latter was not approved due to COVID-19 budget constraints. However, the existing IDD budget was preserved.
In 2020, SB 596 was signed into law, helping to provide lower utility rates and generators to IHSS recipients affected by power outages caused by Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Personal Background
Senator Henry Stern's unwavering dedication, expertise, and legislative achievements make him a respected advocate for the environment and a leading force in California's pursuit of sustainable and resilient practices. A former educator and environmental attorney, Senator Stern attended public schools through K-12, received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, and earned his law degree at UC Berkeley. Raised in Malibu, California, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.