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With a sprawling district in one of California’s top employment hubs, Bob Wieckowski is focused on areas like job creation, clean technology use, and reducing regulations. A member of the state legislature since 2010, Wieckowski has been named legislator of the year by multiple organizations and even mulled a bid in 2019 for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Background
Like many legislators, Wieckowski has a legal background, earning his juris doctorate from Santa Clara University after doing his undergraduate work at University of California, Berkeley. Admitted to the State Bar of California in 1987, he remains an active and practicing member, with law offices in the same building as his state senate district office. He has focused on bankruptcy law in his time as an attorney.
Aside from his legal career, Wieckowski was first elected to Fremont City Council in 2004, eventually serving as vice mayor. He was elected to the assembly in 2010, with the support of labor groups and his predecessor, Alberto Torrico, and served until 2014, representing the 20th and 25th districts.
Wieckowski lives in Fremont with his wife since 2015, Sue Lemke, and her son.
Committees
Appropriations
Budget & Fiscal Review
Budget Subcommittee 2—Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation (chair)
Environmental Quality
Housing
Judiciary
Transportation
Select Legislation
SB 16, Wage garnishment restrictions: exempt earnings: student loans: Wieckowski authored this 2017 bill, which limits private student debt collectors to taking no more than 15 percent of an individual’s income. The Consumer Federation of California noted that the bill would ensure “the maximum garnishment is the same for both federal and private student loan borrowers in default.”
SB 229, Accessory dwelling units: With accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years, state and local legislators have had to scramble to catch up. This bill, which Wieckowski authored, clarified water and sewer connection and capacity fees associated with ADUs.
SB 316, Attorneys: pro bono legal aid services: In a nod to his legal career, Wieckowski authored this bill which requires disclosure of pro bono legal services in California to low-income residents.
District Boundaries and Office Locations
Wieckowski’s district spans much of the East Bay, from north of the 880-238 connector to northern parts of San Jose, with more than 900,000 residents as of the 2010 census. He maintains the following offices: