Legislation
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to reflect students’ needs and interests in the California public education system by improving youth representation and promoting student civic engagement in local and statewide legislative procedures, accomplished through transparent ground-up advocacy that makes the legislative process accessible to the statewide student population.
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VISION
All K-12 students in the state of California feel empowered to succeed within inclusive educational environments that provide them with equitable access to opportunities and resources, such that they are familiar with the civic process, regardless of background or identity.
IMPACT
We've introduced sixteen student-written bills into the California State Legislature and passed twelve into law, spanning issues from student representation and civic engagement, to mental health and sexual violence and drug overdose prevention, across K-12 and higher education institutions.
In addition, we've co-sponsored and supported over 200 pro-student bills since 2020, and over 100 have passed into law.
Through our peer-to-peer legislative training model, built from knowledge passed down between GENup students, we've taught dozens of students how to navigate the legislative process and make their voices heard at the statewide level.
2026 POLICY SLATE
Our 2026-2027 policy slate was announced at our annual Policy Reveal on April 9, 2026 at 4pm on Zoom.
2026 VALUES & PRIORITIES
The following guiding principles were determined by public student town halls and surveying GENup members, then consolidated by GENup students at our annual retreat. These were used to inform our bill proposals and construct our policy slate.
Funding & Basic Rights - GENup aims to ensure funding is equitably allocated such that basic resources are accessible to all students, cultivating a culture of learning and academic freedom.
A Safe School Environment - GENup aims to balance responsive campus security and safety infrastructure with a culture of trust between students and staff, including restrictions on gun violence, trafficking, and physical violence, and protections for immigrant students on campus.
Equal Access - GENup aims to ensure students with disabilities and nontraditional students have sufficient resources to improve each student’s educational achievements and reduce chronic absenteeism. Targeted resources may include increased academic counseling support, mental health resources, and college/career readiness.
Curriculum - GENup aims to ensure students receive a vibrant, rich curriculum reflective of California’s diversity. The curriculum should equip students with the academic and life skills required for success, whether it be in secondary education or career readiness.
Technology in Schools - GENup aims to ensure schools respond to technological advancements with online literacy and an emphasis on ethics.