Catching Up With Cottie - 04/29
Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
Exciting news from the Capitol! My bill, AB 366, passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee this morning! This critical legislation aims to reduce repeat DUI offenses by expanding the use of ignition interlock devices statewide, helping keep our roads and communities safer.
A heartfelt thank you to Senator Bob Archuleta and Colin Campbell for your powerful testimony and everyone who came forward to share the deeply personal stories of lives lost to drunk driving. Your voices were powerful and moving. I'm also grateful to the committee members for their support. Together, we’re taking an important step toward preventing further tragedy and saving lives.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am committed to addressing the issues that are important to you. As always, if there is anything that my team or I can do to assist you with a local or state issue, if you have questions or concerns about what I am working on, or anything in between, please contact my office. My team and I are here to help!
Yours faithfully,
Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman
I'm also pleased to share that three other bills have moved forward in committee — advancing our climate goals, creating good green jobs, and ensuring accountability when public dollars are spent.
AB 881 – Strengthens safety standards for CO₂ pipelines
AB 420 – Cuts red tape for housing and clean energy projects
AB 963 – Promotes transparency in publicly funded projects
We held an important hearing in the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation to examine our state’s wildfire investments. Experts from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and CAL FIRE joined us to discuss which programs are delivering results—and where we need to improve.
Thank you to the Orange County Fire Authority for hosting our Young Legislators for an incredible hand-on tour! Our students got a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of OCFA, learned about fire safety and emergency response, and experienced firsthand the dedication it takes to serve and protect our communities. Experiences like this inspire the next generation of public safety leaders, and we are so grateful for your time, knowledge, and hospitality!
There’s something truly magical about watching young artists express themselves through their work. At City Hall, Irvine high school students shared their creativity, passion, and unique perspectives in an inspiring art exhibition. Every piece told a story—and we were honored to celebrate their talent and cheer them on! See the student art exhibits at Irvine City Hall through May 23 during regular business hours.
In honor of Oral Health Month, we partnered with UCI Delta Delta Sigma and Aldersgate Church to offer free dental care—exams, cleanings, and more—for our Tustin constituents! Huge thanks to our volunteers and partners for making healthy smiles accessible to all. We will be hosting another Dental Clinic in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. For more information click here.
Team Cottie had a great time at the City of Costa Mesa’s Earth Day Festival! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community, celebrate our shared commitment to sustainability, and highlight the importance of protecting our planet for future generations. Events like these remind us that local action plays a big role in driving environmental change.
Congratulations to the American Arab Business Council of California on their official launch! During Arab American Heritage Month, it is especially meaningful to celebrate efforts like this that uplift entrepreneurs, strengthen community connections, and champion economic opportunity. Wishing you continued growth and success ahead!
Team Cottie was proud to join the 19th annual Taiwanese American Heritage Week, celebrating the rich cultural legacy and meaningful contributions of the Taiwanese American community here in Orange County. It was a wonderful tribute to the vibrancy, resilience, and impact of Taiwanese Americans in our region.
Thank you to Blue Buoy for hosting the annual Water Safety Challenge! Team Cottie was excited to join the demonstration and help promote the importance of water safety in our community.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
So proud of these Save Our Youth students! They spent ten weeks diving into civic engagement and public policy, and wrapped up their leadership program with a service project, collecting blankets for individuals at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter. Their work earned them well-deserved recognition — and it is a reminder that real leadership starts with heart, action, and community!
IN THE NEWS
Every statistic about drunk driving is a story of heartbreak — and a reminder that we must do more. Drunk driving remains an epidemic in California. Enough is enough. In my latest Orange County Register op-ed, I’m calling for stronger laws and urgent action to save lives.
RESOURCES
Applications are now open for the Minerva Scholarship, established by Women in California Leadership.
The Minerva scholarship offers female students financial assistance to meet educational expenses. This year there are up to 126 one-time $3,000 scholarships and one $10,000 Golden Minerva Scholarship. The deadline to apply is May 31st, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Requirements to be eligible for a Minerva Scholarship:
- All California residents may apply and will be considered
- Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Eligible students must gender identify as a woman or girl, or are female regardless of gender identity
California is launching a new incentive on April 29 that will provide income-eligible Californians up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new e-bike – the latest example of how the state is expanding access to zero-emissions transportation options to residents who need the boost the most. Up to 1,000 online applications will be approved. Check eligibility and apply below.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 3 - CycloIrvine
The City of Irvine is excited to celebrate community, connection, and clean air through its second annual car-free open streets event, CicloIrvine, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Residents, visitors, and businesses are invited to stroll, bike, and roll along a 1.4-mile car-free stretch of Campus Drive between University Drive and Culver Drive.
May 6 - State of the Great Park
Attendees will enjoy interactive exhibits from Great Park partners, a unique virtual reality (VR) experience that immerses guests in the present and future of the Great Park, a look at the updated walkable timeline at the Great Park, live music, refreshments, and more. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the entire community.
Join Trellis, the City of Costa Mesa, and your neighbors for the 8th Annual Love Costa Mesa Day, a community-wide event where we come together to serve, connect, and celebrate our city! This is a day dedicated to making a difference through meaningful volunteer projects that benefit our local community.
May 21 - Protect Yourself From Fraud Webinar
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) are hosting a free webinar to help you learn how to protect yourself from fraud. Topics will include identity theft, email/texting scams, mail fraud, credit monitoring, and much more.
May 28 - Earthquake & Wildfire Preparedness Webinar
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the American Red Cross invite you to join us to learn how you can prepare yourself and your household for earthquakes and wildfires.
In this virtual 1-hour presentation, we will talk about how to take action at home during the focus hazards and what steps to take to prepare yourself and your loved ones. We will also have time for you to ask your preparedness-related questions.
May 31 - Costa Mesa Compost Giveaway & Shredding Event
Costa Mesa Sanitary District, CR&R Environmental Services, and Orange Coast College invite CMSD customers to a free drive-thru Shredding and Compost Giveaway Event!
