California Heart at the Capitol Lobby Day: Turning Passion into Policy for Healthier Communities

On April 8, 2026, the American Heart Association united its passionate Heart Powered advocates with statewide volunteers at the California State Capitol in Sacramento for its annual California Heart at the Capitol Lobby Day, a day dedicated to elevating voices around the shared mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities. Upwards of 89 advocates, including students from Galileo High School in San Francisco, came together to champion policies that prevent cardiovascular disease, improve overall health, and save lives.

Throughout the day, advocates held over 65 meetings with legislative offices and conducted approximately 80 drop-in visits. Conversations with legislative offices focused on key priorities including expanding access to CPR training in Schools, healthier children’s meal options in large chain restaurants, and menu warning labels for added sugars in beverages, thus sparking meaningful dialogue about how policy can create environments where everyone can live longer, healthier lives.

In addition to legislative meetings, the California team co-hosted a press conference with Senator Weber Pierson, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and author of Senate Bill 869 (SB 869), Added Sugars – Informed Dining bill. The presser showcased the bill ahead of its committee hearing in the Senate Health Committee that same afternoon. AHA partnered with the American Diabetes Association to co-sponsor the bill and both organizations recruited speakers to speak in the press conference. AHA recruited Sarah Boctor, a student at Galileo High School, who spoke about how ordering sugary drinks is often part of socializing with friends before and after school. She urged lawmakers to ensure young consumers are informed about excess added sugars at the point of purchase to protect their health. The Senator was impressed by Sarah and has since expressed interest in engaging her in ongoing advocacy efforts for the bill.

Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts that day, SB 869 (Added Sugars) passed the Senate Health Committee that afternoon with a unanimous 9–0 vote. Additional priority bills, SB 977 (Healthy Children’s Meals) and SB 945 (CPR in Schools), also continue to advance through the legislative process, demonstrating the power of coordinated advocacy in driving meaningful change.

During the Senate Health Committee hearing, Dr. Arthur Jey, an emergency medicine physician and American Heart Association volunteer, shared both his professional experience treating patients with Type 2 diabetes and his personal perspective as the son of a mother living with the disease. His story highlighted the real-world consequences of excessive added sugar consumption and was impactful in our efforts to secure a majority vote to pass the bill out of Committee.

Stories like Sarah and Dr. Jey’s serve as a powerful reminder that behind every policy is a person. Advocacy is about transforming lived experiences into action that protects health and saves lives. California Heart at the Capitol Lobby Day demonstrated what’s possible when advocates unite under a shared mission.

Want to learn more? Check out media coverage from the event here and help us spread the word by liking and sharing our Facebook post.

Your voice matters—act now! Join American Heart Association Heart Powered and help shape policies that save lives. Visit https://heartpowered.org or text HEART to 46839 today to make an immediate impact.