Press Releases

I wholeheartedly support the recent legislative proposal championed by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D — Encinitas) recognizing its critical importance in revitalizing the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. It is a vital transportation link for San Luis Obispo to Southern California.




SACRAMENTO — Today, State Senator John Laird (D - Santa Cruz) introduced Senate Bill 977, a proposal to establish an independent redistricting commission for the County of San Luis Obispo. 




SACRAMENTO — State Senator John Laird, chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education released the following statement today regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent January Budget proposal for 2024-2025.

 




SACRAMENTO, CA – This weekend, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 38, authored by State Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz). Senate Bill 38, introduced in response to battery storage fires within the community, requires battery storage facilities to establish safety and communication protocols. 

“Increasing the state’s battery storage is essential to reaching our clean energy goals,” said Senator Laird, “but we also have to ensure that these facilities have safety systems in place to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities.”




SACRAMENTO – This weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 416 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which will require new and renovated state buildings to be more energy efficient. It does this by requiring LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold or higher certification on all new state buildings or major renovation projects larger than 10,000 square feet unless certain circumstances are met that require LEED Silver.




SACRAMENTO – This weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 540 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). SB 540 will promote safe cannabis use by requiring the state to develop an informational brochure that will serve as a valuable resource for individuals and new customers interested in cannabis use. This bill will also require the state to review labeling requirements every five years to ensure warnings keep up with evolving science.




SACRAMENTO, CA – This weekend, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 272, authored by State Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz), to ensure coastal communities are prepared to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and to support local governments with sea level rise project funding. 




Contact: justin.tran@sen.ca.gov

 

SACRAMENTO – This past weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 862 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which will allow Santa Cruz voters to decide if the County of Santa Cruz should raise the transaction and use tax above the combined tax rate limit to support the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s (METRO) long-term financial health and operational goals.