SMCMA meets with local Legislators in Sacramento May 4, 2026 Areas of interest(s): advocacy, grassroots, legislative affairs In April, SMCMA was represented by physician leadership at CMA's 52nd Annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Sacramento. During the event, the SMCMA Delegation met with Assemblymember Marc Berman (AD-23) and the offices of Senator Josh Becker (SD-13) and Assemblymember Diane Papan (AD-21) to discuss priority bills that are currently in the legislative process, including the following: PRIORITY SUPPORT BILLS Assembly Bill 2346: E-Bike Safety (Wilson) – This CMA-sponsored bill would modernize e-bike regulations by requiring that e-bikes be equipped with speedometers and lights, establishing a statewide speed limit of 15 mph for riders age 15 and under, and mandating that manufacturers and retailers provide consumers with a summary of applicable e-bike laws. Assembly Bill 2431: Automatic Downcoding (Patel) – This CMA-sponsored bill would prohibit automatic downcoding tactics that reduce payments for services provided and threaten the viability of physician practices and patient access to care. Senate Bill 1146: Artificial Intelligence Deepfake Doctors (Gonzalez, L) – This bill would require that advertisements for health-related consumer products or services include a disclosure when the image, audio, or video of a natural person is generated or altered using artificial intelligence, and would empower the CA Attorney General to take enforcement action against fraudulent actors. PRIORITY OPPOSE BILL Senate Bill 1333: Naturopath Scope Expansion (Jones) – This bill would expand the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors (NDs) by authorizing them to independently prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances and perform procedures that are beyond their current scope, including treating lacerations, managing skin lesions / abrasions, draining abscesses, removing foreign bodies, and conducting diagnostic biopsies. The SMCMA Delegation included Dr. Sunil Bhopale, SMCMA Officer; Dr. Barbara Weissman, Past President; and Keith Darby, SMCMA Executive Director. SMCMA leadership is grateful for the willingness of each office to take the time to discuss these important issues affecting patient access, patient safety, and the practice of medicine. This event and open dialogue continues the legacy of strong relationships maintained by SMCMA with our local elected officials.
