AV Represented at CA Assembly Hearing

Lake Los Angeles - The Antelope Valley is home to approximately 413,966 residents. Despite this large population, community feedback on legislative matters is sorely limited. An online survey was carried out to cast votes on the matter. Specifically, 67 people voiced approval for Senate Bill SB1230, and 80 individuals expressed support for Assembly Bill AB2310.

When it comes to the issue of commercial illegal dumping, only 147 residents out of the entire Antelope Valley population have expressed concern. This minimal level of engagement raises obvious questions about the likelihood of the California Senate or Assembly taking significant action based on such limited input. With so few individuals speaking out, it may be challenging for legislative bodies to view the issue as a priority to the valley residents warranting serious attention.

Despite the limited number of Antelope Valley residents voicing concerns about legislative matters, both the California Senate and Assembly have demonstrated their willingness to listen. They scheduled a hearing to receive testimony from the minute number of local representatives on the issue of commercial illegal dumping on Tuesday April 7, 2026.

Erika Schwerdt, Lake Los Angeles resident, who serves as the Program Manager and Community Organizer for the Antelope Valley Region at Strength Based Community Change (SBCC), has taken the leading role in bringing the valley’s and community’s perspective to state lawmakers.

Accompanied by her 10-year-old daughter, Ms. Citlali Schwerdt, Erika traveled to Sacramento to personally present facts and figures regarding the devastating impact of commercial illegal dumping in the Antelope Valley. The entire environment, water supply, wildlife and air quality and more are at stake, and at extremely long-term. One resident remarked,

“The air is not breathable.”. Appearing at the hearing, Ms. Lali Schwerdt submitted to the legislators the names of the residents who signed in support of addressing this issue, ensuring that the voices of these 147 concerned community members were formally recognized and entered into the legislative record.

When Ms. Lali Schwerdt completed her testimony in front of the California Assembly Public Safety Standing Committee recommending for a yes vote on AB 2310, she received an applause from everyone in the room. She spoke on behalf of the 413,966 residents. One legislator said, “It’s hard to follow that!”

Some background, iHeart Lake LA by SBCC was formed over two cups of coffee over 10 years ago, did numerous clean ups and filled dozens of WM dumpsters with the mom-and-pop kitchen dumping, furniture and miscellaneous construction/remodeling trash and marijuana manufacturing discards. The group had to discontinue all activities after warning gun shots were fired at them by the illegal growers. Then recently, the commercial illegal dumping became an instant issue far greater and more dangerous and destructive than household trash. In the construction trash, arsenic and asbestos are part of the toxicity of the dumping, piles are sometimes as high as 3-story buildings.

Schwerdt will continue to urge valley residents, the State of California, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles County Public Works and others to continually pursue legislation that would increase penalties and guarantee the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and others prosecution of these crimes.

Results of the two hearings:

AB2310 – Passed committee without any dissenting votes.

SB1230 – No vote taken as the full committee was not in attendance. A return visit is in the making.