LEGISLATIVE LEGACY

Throughout her career in public service, Carole Migden championed bold, progressive legislation that improved lives across California. From advancing LGBTQ rights and protecting the environment to strengthening consumer protections, expanding healthcare access, and securing vital investments in arts, culture, and local communities, her leadership helped shape a more just and equitable state.

Migden was known for tackling tough issues with courage and vision—whether it was preserving ancient redwood forests, securing landmark domestic partnership laws that laid the groundwork for marriage equality, or protecting consumers from predatory lending. She also directed millions of dollars in state funding toward San Francisco’s cultural institutions, parks, and neighborhood projects, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to enrich communities today.

Her legislative record reflects a deep commitment to people, fairness, and progress. The following highlights showcase the breadth and impact of her work across key areas, including animal rights, arts and culture, consumer and worker protection, education, environment, healthcare, housing, public safety, and LGBTQ rights.

GROUNDBREAKING LEGISLATION

  • AB 1986

    (1998) Authorized the state’s purchase and permanent protection of the ancient redwood groves in the Headwaters Forest, establishing conservation safeguards, habitat protections, and funding to preserve old-growth ecosystems in Northern California.

    Sunlight shining through tall redwood trees in a forest with green ferns and lush foliage.

  • AB 1104

    (1999) Strengthened California’s Clean Water Act by requiring polluters to surrender profits gained from illegal discharges, ensuring accountability for protecting state waterways.

    Mountain river flowing through a lush green landscape with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

  • AB 489

    (2001) Commonly described as California’s “anti-predatory lending” law also known as the “Covered Loan Law” which regulates high-cost home loans and predatory lending practices by defining “covered loans,” limiting fees and prepayment penalties, and requiring lender disclosures.

    Retro-style sign with the words 'LOANS' and 'TOP KICK' on a tall pole against a clear blue sky.

  • AB 117

    (2002) Established Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in California, enabling cities and counties to purchase power for their residents and giving communities more control over electricity generation and local sustainability.

    Several large white wind turbines on a hill in a desert landscape with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

  • SB 484

    (2005) California’s Safe Cosmetics Act requires manufacturers to report and publicly disclose any cosmetic products sold in the state that contain chemicals known or strongly suspected to cause cancer or birth defects, making California the first state to enforce such protections.

    Close-up of an eyeshadow palette with pink, purple, and neutral shades, accompanied by two makeup brushes resting on it to represent California’s Safe Cosmetics Act.

  • AB 1860

    (2000) Strengthened California’s media shield protections by clarifying that journalists cannot be forced to waive their source-confidentiality rights even if subpoenaed, and by requiring advance notice of subpoenas for unpublished information.

    Journalists taking notes with notebooks and pens to represent AB 1860 (2000) strengthened California’s media shield protections by clarifying that journalists cannot be forced to waive their source-confidentiality rights even if subpoenaed, and by

  • Domestic Partnership Bill Package

    A series of landmark laws—AB 26 (1999), AB 25 (2001), SB 565 (2005), and SB 1827 (2006)—that established and expanded legal rights for same-sex couples in California, laying the groundwork for marriage equality.

    Two brides wearing white wedding dresses holding hands, each holding a bouquet of white flowers.

  • DNA Database Package

    Through a series of laws—AB 1332 (1999), AB 281 (2000), and related measures—expanded California’s DNA collection program to include sex offenders, carjackers, and other serious felons. These laws strengthened law enforcement’s ability to solve violent crimes, prevent repeat offenses, and bring justice to victims through modern forensic science.

    A person with tattoos on their arm, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, is behind metal bars, resting their arm on the bars of a jail cell.

BILLS THAT INSPIRED FUTURE LEGISLATION: 

  • AB 2412 (2000): Would have expanded the reach of California’s sales and use tax law include out-of-state internet sales to California residents. (Read more at: SFgate.com) 

  • SB 662 (2005): Would have provided that spent hens (no longer able to lay eggs) and small game birds shall be slaughtered by the same methods as other poultry.

  • SB 63 (2007)/SB 1121 (2008): Would have required consumer labeling for meat products produced from cloned animals. (Read more at: EcologyCenter.org) 

  • SB 962 (2007): Would have enacted state standards for informing mothers of newborn babies about options to preserve and store or donate umbilical cord blood for future use to treat babies for various life-threatening illnesses. 

  • SB 1712 (2008): would have banned lead in lipstick and other cosmetic products.

  • SB 1713 (2008): would have enacted the Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act to expand state regulation of bisphenol A (BpA) in consumer products to include food or liquid containers for children 3 and under. (Read more at: SFgate.com)

    • AB 1635 (1998): Animal protections for traveling circuses and carnivals.

    • AB 1709 (2001): Increases scope of liability for animals who create great bodily injury to those who are handling or in custody of pet.

    • SB 51 (2006): Establishes rights for women horseowners and makes other changes to the California Horse Racing Board.

    • Budget (2000): $1 Million San Francisco Zoo.

  • Museums

    • Budget (1999): $2 Million San Francisco Jewish Museum.

    • Budget (1998): $264K Randall Museum.

    • Budget (1998): $5 Million Asian Art Museum.

    • Budget (2000): $3 Million for Palace of Fine Arts.

    • Budget (2000): Asian Art Museum.

    • Budget (2000): $4.6 Million De Young Museum.

    • Budget (2000): $500K Mexican Museum.

    • Budget (2000): $250K for Sonoma County Museum Project

    San Francisco

    • Budget (1998): $5 Million for San Francisco Academy of Sciences.

    • Budget (1998): $200K Golden Gate Park Lake Restoration.

    • Budget (1998): $500K Collingwood Park acquisition in Castro.

    • Budget (1999): $550K Chinese Recreation Center in Chinatown.

    • Budget (1999): $1.1 Million for Kids Power Park in the North Mission.

    • Budget (1998): $50K Glen Canyon Park.

    • Budget (1999): $2.5 Million San Francisco Conservatory for Flowers.

    • Budget (1999): $45K for San Francisco Philharmonic.

    • Budget (2000): $500K San Francisco Ballet.

    • Budget (2000): $150K for Golden Gate Park monument restoration.

    • Budget (2000): $150K Restoration of Mission Dolores.

    • Budget (2000): $550K Nihonmachi Little Friends to buy a building in Japantown.

    • Budget (2000): $189K Bayview Hunters Point Mural Project.

    • Budget (2000): $500k Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

    • Budget (2000): $1 Million for San Francisco Jewish Community Center

    • Budget (2001): $100K San Francisco Organizing Project.

    • Budget (2001): $100K San Francisco Tall Ships.

    • Budget (2001): $100K San Francisco Organ Pavilion.

    • AB 2612 (1998): Authorizes raw or rare foods to be used in restaurant dishes, e.g., a raw egg in traditional Cesar salads.

    • AB 2671 (1998): Allows casualty insurers to form a holding company for stocks etc.

    • AB 631 (1999): Collective bargaining for charter school employees.

    • AB 50 (2000): Increases death benefits for retired school employees from $600 to $2000.

    • AB 489 (2001): Anti-predatory Lending Act. Protects vulnerable people from unscrupulous lenders.

    • AB 1046 (2001): Requires the state to publish a list of updated safe needle technology to protect workers against needle stick injuries.

    • AB 1262 (2001): Makes trucking companies report to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) every time they turnover more than 50% of their truckers.

    • AB 1752 (2001): Expanded the public records the state Board of Equalization is require to make open to the public.

    • AB 1753 (2002): Magazine subscription labeling. Requires magazine expiration dates to appear on each issue’s label.

    • SB 322 (2005): Required the Department of Alcohol Beverage control to share liquor license transfer records with the state Board of Equalization.

    • SB 484 (2005): Required cosmetics manufacturers to report carcinogenic ingredients all including trace elements.

    • SB 663 (2005): Closed corporate tax loopholes involving offshore tax shelters.

    • SB 1542 (2006): Required car manufacturers to make spare keys available to ensure owners are not stranded.

    • SB 1338 (2008): Enables a worker to predesignate their personal physician for workers compensation purposes.

    • SB 1729 (2008): Required nursing home personnel to undergo training to eliminate discrimination against LGBT residents.

    • AB 1292 (1998): Creates grant program for college preparation activities at schools with low rate of kids going to college.

    • AB 636 (1999): Required a comprehensive capital outlay planning process for state agency infrastructure, adopting recommendations of the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office.

    • AB 2409 (2000): Keeps summer session fees equal to regular session fees for UC & CSU students.

    • AB 493 (2001): SF State & Canada College joint degree program.

    • AB 2834 (2002): Create stronger audit procedures for K-12 schools. 

    • SB 661 (2005): Gives CSU scholar athletes more opportunities during summer sessions to obtain their degree.

    • SB 319 (2005): Novato school funding.

    • SB 665 (2005): Vocational education federal grant program.

    • SB 682 (2006): Expand library bond by $21 million for San Francisco State University library.

    • Budget (1998): $100K Sonoma County Development Center.

    • Budget (2000): $2 Million Sonoma "A Place to Play". Removes dangerous obstructions to children’s play.

    • Budget (2000): $172K College of Marin Child Development Center.

    • Budget (2000): $700K Computer Learning Center in Western Addition.

    • Budget (2000): $142K Coleman Children & Youth Stewardship Program.

    • Budget (2000): $129K for computer center at Wajumbe Center in Western Addition.

    • Budget (2000): $230K Maritime Museum Summer Camp for low-income kids.

    • Budget (2001): $200K San Francisco City College Mission District.

    • AB 117 (2001): Creates community choice aggregation Act.

    • ABx2 28 (2001): Expands authority of the state Electricity Oversight Board in response to energy crisis of 2001.

    • AB 208 (1997): Makes changes to the Smog Check program to curtail abuses.

    • AB 228 (1997): Increases penalties on illegally dumping tires.

    • AB 1799 (1998): Increases fines for illegal dumping of solid waste.

    • AB 1986 (1998): Preserves Ancient Redwood Trees at the Headwaters Forest.

    • AB 2038 (1998): Bike lanes on the Bay Bridge.

    • AJR 21 (1998): Calls on President to halt transportation of nuclear waste through San Francisco Bay Area on its way to Idaho.

    • AB 1104 (1999): Clean Water Act ensures that polluters relinquish profits gained by dumping in waterways.

    • AB 1364 (1999): Expands "Recycling Development Loan Programs" of the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

    • AB 398 (2000): Appropriates $30 million for San Francisco Baylands Restoration Program.

    • AB 62 (2001): Appropriates $3 million for Sudden Oak Death prevention.

    • AB 81 (2001): Shifts assessments of power plants from local assessors to the Board of Equalization.

    • ACR 213 (2002): Clean Air Vehicles on the Golden Gate Bridge.

    • SB 488 (2007): Increases the amount of open space Sonoma can preserve from 10 to 40 acres.

    • Budget (2000): $100K for San Francisco Friends of the Urban Forest urban tree project.

    • Budget (2000): $100K for San Francisco Tree Corps urban tree project.

    • Budget (2000): $200K Quail Ridge Wilderness Conservatory (Sonoma & Napa).

    • Budget (2000-01): $3 Million for Bolinas Lagoon Restoration.

    • Budget (2001): $500k Bodega Bay beach cleanup.

    • AB 2791 (2002): Clarifies notification of tax liability from the FTB to LLPs, LPs & LLCs.

    • SB 663 (2005): Closes corporate tax loophole that could start to bring $50 million annually in 2008-2009 FY.

    • SB 1449 (2006): BOE-sponsored bill that establishes penalty for vendors who collect sales tax and knowingly fail to remit sales tax to the state.

    • AB 1261 (2001): Increases the amount of cash savings held by foster youth from $5000 to $10,000.

    • AB 1119 (2002): Expanded the number of emancipated foster youth eligible for transitional housing services. 

    • SB 436 (2005): establishes the Transitional Housing for Foster Youth Fund to fund transitional housing placements for emancipated foster youth, ages 18-21.

    • SB 701 (2005): Creates 5-year pilot program for childcare programs in San Francisco where the high cost of living has taken toll on childcare industry.

    • SB 1712 (2006): Created a pilot program to encourage the adoption of older foster youth. (Ultimately enacted via the state budget in AB 1808.)

    • SB 39 (2007): allows public access to information on children who die in the state’s foster care system.

    • SB 518 (2007): Created a Bill of Rights for foster youth in California.

  • WOMEN’S HEALTH

    • AB 1860 (2002): Morning After pill for rape victims.

    • Budget (2000): $500K Breast Cancer Research for Marin County.

    • Budget (2001): $250K Marin Services for Women.

    HIV/AIDS

    FAMILY & CHILDREN

    • AB 2415 (2000): Allows children of undocumented immigrants to be eligible for Healthy Families Program.

    • AB 1793 (2002): Strengthens physical education requirements for K-12 student.

    • SB 570 (2005): Provides mental health assessment and treatment to juveniles within the corrections system.

    • SB 22 (2007): Expands breast feeding counseling for Women Infants and Children (WIC) beneficiaries. 

    • SB 962 (2007): Enables parents of newborn babies to save their umbilical cord blood for future transplants.

    • SB 1420 (Padilla/Migden, 2008): Requires venders to list calorie counts all foods sold. 

    GENERAL HEALTH

    • AB 204 (1998): Lets an injured employee choose an acupuncturist for covered treatment.

    • AB 986 (1998): Appropriates $7 million for disabled inmate needs.

    • AB 1208 (1998): Requires California Occupational Safety and Health Standards board to include safe needles technology standards; national model for a federal OSHA standard protecting workers from needle-stick injuries.

    • AB 55 (1999): Gives patients right to challenge decisions of denied care by HMO to an independent review board of doctors.

    • AB 1557 (1999): Requires licensing of phlebotomy technicians.

    • AB 352 (1999): Requires the Board of Behavioral Sciences to maintain a list of licensed marriage & family therapists.

    • AB 1595 (1999): Cigar Labeling health warnings.

    • AB 1046 (2001): Requires the state to publish a list of updated safe needle technology to protect workers against needle stick injuries.

    • AB 2191 (2002): Expands the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act for pharmaceutical companies.

    • SB 169 (2006): Extends phlebotomist licensing deadline to ensure proper implementation.

    • SB 438 (2006): Allows oral surgeons to perform certain cosmetic elective surgery procedures.

    • Budget (2000): $1 Million for UCSF AIDS Research Organ Transplant Program. (move)

    • Budget (2000): $250K for Marin Detox Center.

    • Budget (2001): $250K Marin Brain Injury Network.

    PUBLIC HEALTH

    • AB 1208 (1997): Mandated the use of safer needle devices to prevent needlestick injuries in healthcare.

    • AB 1263 (2001): Expanded access to rapid HIV testing across California.

    • SB 484 (2005): Required cosmetic manufacturers to report hazardous ingredients.

    • SB 570 (2005): Provides mental health assessment and treatment to juveniles within the corrections system.

    • SB 443 (2007): Allowed HIV-positive individuals access to reproductive assistance.

    • SB 1115 (2008): Bars discrimination in workers compensation disability reports.

    • AB 1044 (2001): Increases housing bonds that can be issued by $2.2 billion.

    • AB 2330 (2002): Provides increased inspection and deposit rights to tenants.

    • SB 237 (2005): Protects the rights of mobile home owners to sell their property without restriction from landlords. 

    • SB 436 (2005): Requires counties to report on transitional housing stock for emancipated foster youth.

    • SB 1701 (2006): Saved 130 houseboat dwellings on Richardson Bay in Marin County.

    • SB 1842 (2006): Allows SF to add housing to the 49er Stadium project without having to go back to the ballot.

    • AB 26 (1999): Created California's domestic partners registry.

    • AB 25 (2001): Expands domestic partner benefits to include health care coverage, right to make medical decisions, to sue for wrongful death etc.

    • SB 565 (2005): Prevents reassessment of property that transfers to a domestic partner after the death of the homeowner.

    • SB 1827 (2006): Allows domestic partners to file income taxes jointly just as married couples.

    • SB 1729 (2008): Required nursing home personnel to undergo training to eliminate discrimination against LGBT residents.

    • Budget (1999): $1 Million for Fallon Building LGBT Center.

    • Budget (1999): $300K Harvey Milk Plaza.

    • Budget (2000): $250 to LGBT Historical Society for archives.

    • Budget (2001): $250K Open House LGBT Senior Services.

    • Budget (2001): $100K UCSF Lesbian Health Project.

    • SB 663 (2005): Close Corporate Loopholes.

    • SB 667 (2006): Pilot program for UCSF to change bidding requirements for construction projects (sponsored by electrical unions).

    • AB 1860 (2000): Media Shield Law. Enacts a legal privilege for media personnel to avoid being forced to reveal sources.

    • AB 2406 (2000): Jury Selection. (prop. 115) restores attorney questioning voir dire prospective jurors.

    • AB 2418 (2000): Prohibits jurors from being challenged for being gay.

    • AB 2866 (2000): Budget Bill that increases juror fees from $5 to $15 a day and childcare.

    • AB 276 (2001): Extends from 1 to 2 years the time that Fair Employment & Housing Department can investigate hate crime violations.

    • SB 22 (2005): Funds the DNA “finger printing” database for felons and sex offenders.

    • SB 1756 (2006): Increases license suspension from 6 to 10 months for first time DUI with a blood alcohol % of .02.

    • SB 376 (2007): Ensures the San Francisco City Attorney's office to bring "unfair competition" actions.

    • AB 699 (1997): Creates TIDA for redevelopment of Treasure Island.

    • Budget (1998): $500K Martin Luther King, Jr. (Bay View) Swimming Pool.

    • Budget (1998): $1.9 Million "Sonoma Air Attack Base".

    • Budget (1998): $2 Million For Marin County Civic Center.

    • Budget (2001): $750K San Francisco Jewish Community Center.

    • Budget (2000): $6 Million for Sonoma State Telecommunications upgrades.

    • Budget (2001): $200k Soccer Fields in San Francisco.

    • Budget (2001): $100K Back on Track. (low-income youth)

    • Budget (2001): $1.5 Million for Fisherman's Wharf. (Maritime museum)

    • Budget (2001): $1.6 Million Salazar Building in Sonoma.

    • Budget (2000): $10 Million Bel Marin Keys Restoration.

    • AB 2793 (1998): Allows a pass through of federal dollars for local detention centers for violent offenders.

    • AB 637 (1999): Adds "training and treatment" to the mission statement of the California Youth Authority.

    • AB 673 (2001): Adds residential burglary, residential robbery and robbery of a transit operator, carjacking, arson to the DNA database.

    • Budget (1999): $107K Tiburon Fire Station.

    • Budget (1999): $118K Corte Madera Fire Station. 

    • Budget (1999): $29K Stinson Beach Fire Station.

    • Budget (2000): $38K Bolinas Fire Station.

    • Budget (2000): $479K Sonoma Schill Vista Fire Station.

    • AB 2308 (1998): Bike Lanes on the Bay Bridge.

    • SB 988 (2006): Biker Protection.

    • SB 1749 (2006): Allows SF MUNI to ticket fare evaders rather than having to issue a court summons.

    • Budget (2000): $300K SF Muni Nextbus Program, to aid commuters with real-time arrival information.

    • AB 957 (1997): Created a grant program to provide scholarships to students to become licensed child care providers.

    • AB 2811 (2002): Permanently extends the child development grant program created in AB 957 (1997).