SACRAMENTO – Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s final bill consideration actions of the 2023-2024 legislative session, State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) issued the following statement:
“During the second year of the legislative session, I introduced a comprehensive package of twelve bills aimed at enhancing the quality of life for my constituents in the 17th Senate District. These legislative efforts address a wide range of issues affecting Californians, from improving access to safe drinking water, to promoting good governance through electoral reforms. Twelve bills were sent to the Governor this year, and all twelve were signed. That makes thirty bills signed in this two-year session.
I began the year by working with the Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association (CHISPA, Inc.) to ensure that the Alfred Diaz Infante Apartments, a 66 unit affordable housing project in Monterey County, was fully electrified and ready for occupancy before the holidays. I continued to advocate for rural and underserved communities by advancing proposals to expand access to clean energy for mobilehome residents and protect organic farmers from unfair competition. Additionally, I safeguarded our environment and coast with proposals to regulate wasteful propane cylinders and reduce methane emissions through enhancements to small and medium-sized compost facilities.
These legislative achievements were complemented by on-the-ground efforts to address local needs across the district. In partnership with Assemblymember Addis, we successfully secured $40 million in funding to preserve Wild Cherry Canyon, a 2,400-acre property near the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, ensuring public access for generations to come. Furthermore, we allocated another $5 million to explore potential green energy projects and other compatible uses for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant site once it closes, supporting local jobs and economic viability while securing an additional $5 million to conserve the broader 12,000-acre Diablo Canyon Lands. I was also an early advocate for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, set to be finalized by year-end, to protect Central Coast waters and habitats, in an area slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut, further cementing our region’s commitment to environmental conservation. And it was an immense honor to get a resolution passed to commemorate the late Assemblymember Achadjian by designating a portion of U.S. Route 101 in San Luis Obispo County as the Katcho Achadjian Memorial Highway.
I collaborated with Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Pellerin to ensure the City of Santa Cruz retained over $2 million in critical funding to address the city’s homelessness crisis, preventing any budget clawbacks. Additionally, I worked tirelessly to save Watsonville Community Hospital from closure by a private hedge fund, previously getting a bill signed in just 19 days to establish a hospital district and secure hundreds of jobs. Earlier this year, I helped pass Measure N, providing over $100 million through a bond to support the hospital's long-term success. The Capitola Wharf sustained severe damage during last year's storms, and I pushed to secure funding in the 2023 budget to support critical repairs. Thanks in part to this funding, the Wharf was able to reopen this month to great fanfare, restoring an important community asset.
Following the closure of Highway 1 in Big Sur, I brought together key stakeholders to support small businesses and local residents affected by the disruption. This collaborative effort helped sustain the local economy while ensuring that work to fully reopen Highway 1 is carried out as efficiently as possible. I addressed the California Coastal Commission when they convened in Monterey to emphasize my strong support for Monterey Salinas Transit’s SURF! Busway Project, assuring its approval by the Commission. In 2022, I secured $2.5 million in funding for this project, which aims to enhance coastal access for underserved communities and expand public transit options along the coast. In South Monterey County, I am proud to have partnered with the local state delegation to provide $17 million in dam safety funding for the Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. This funding is critical for addressing long-overdue operations and maintenance, helping to ensure the continued safety and functionality of these vital water resources.
As a leader on several key committees, I have consistently advocated for those whose voices are too often overlooked in Sacramento. As Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, I worked to maintain full funding and provide a modest cost of living increase for K-12 schools and community colleges, protect full funding for the Middle Class Scholarship program, and increase funding for higher education systems like the University of California and California State University, even during a challenging budget year. I also ensured that schools that experience disaster will have continued flexibility as they navigate their recovery. We also pushed back on cuts towards the 624 unit housing project between UC Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College, so that more students can have educational access on the Central Coast.
Additionally, as Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I requested an audit of the California Office of AIDS to assess the effectiveness of the office when it comes to coordinating state programs, services, and activities relating to HIV/AIDS. My commitment to this cause runs deep, dating back to my time as Executive Director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, where my mission was to save lives. This year, I’m proud to have passed legislation recognizing World AIDS Day, allowing us to stand with those living with HIV or AIDS and honor the lives we've lost.
My work in the California State Senate continues to be driven by a strong commitment to advocate for all communities and families within the 17th Senate District. I always look forward to returning to the district during fall recess to engage with residents and to continue working together to make California stronger and better for everyone.”
Legislation authored by Senator Laird during the second year of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session:
SB 977: Establishes an independent redistricting commission in the County of San Luis Obispo for the five county supervisorial seats that make up the County Board of Supervisors. Signed into Law
SB 1046 – Requires CalRecycle to develop a program environmental impact report for small and medium compost facilities to accelerate local infrastructure development while maintaining comprehensive and thorough environmental review. Signed into Law
SB 1064 – Simplifies the licensing process for commercial cannabis activities by adding a combined activities license classification, which allows for two or more commercial cannabis activities, except testing, at the same premises to be authorized under a single license and streamlines the submission of owner-related information Signed into Law
SB 1097 – Updates the Military and Veteran Code to use gender inclusive language, clarifies that benefits and protections provided to surviving spouses are also available to domestic partners, and closes a minor loophole to clarify only service members on active military orders shall be exempt from jury duty. Signed into Law
SB 1117 – Makes several technical changes intended to enhance the integrity of organic products sold in the state, ensuring the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s State Organic Program has adequate mechanisms to enforce organic standards. Signed into Law
SB 1150 – Updates a chapter title of the California Family code to align with the section’s gender-neutral language, ensuring all Californians regardless of gender identity are able to restore their former name following the end of their marriage. Signed into Law
SB 1188 – Advances safe drinking water access for Californians by establishing minimum standards of operational capacity in small water systems serving less than 3,300 service connections or 10,000 people. Signed into Law
SB 1190 – Clarifies that mobilehome residents can install solar energy systems on their mobilehomes. Signed into Law
SB 1278 – Directs the Governor to annually declare December 1st as World AIDS Day in California. Signed into Law
SB 1280 – Requires propane cylinders sold in the state to be refillable or reusable starting January 1, 2028. This bill will promote sustainable outdoor recreation as millions of cylinders are improperly disposed of each year, becoming health and safety hazards. Signed into Law
SB 1440 – Authorizes the Stony Creek Joint Unified School District to operate on a 4-day school week to ensure the school district can meet unique needs of their rural and tribal community. Signed into Law
SB 1473 – Streamlines reporting methods for sexual offender risk scores by allowing certified treatment professionals to directly submit scores into the existing database, thereby ensuring accurate and timely scores are being provided to law enforcement agencies. Signed into Law
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Senator John Laird represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, the majority of Monterey County, as well as parts of Santa Clara County. More information on Senator Laird can be found here.