Press Releases

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.

Contact: justin.tran@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 857 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). This new law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene an LGBTQ+ advisory task force to identify needs and make recommendations to create a safe and supportive learning environment for LGBTQ+ students. 

Contact: justin.tran@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Newsom has signed Senate Bill 544, authored by State Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz), which updates the Bagley-Keene Act provisions for state boards and commissions. 

“Senate Bill 544 is a significant step forward in modernizing the Bagley-Keene Act to embrace the power of technology by fostering equity and enhancing public engagement, while also preserving public access to the decision-making process,” said Senator Laird.

CONTACT: Justin.Tran@sen.ca.gov