Senator Laird and Assemblymembers Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), and Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), along with dozens of bipartisan coauthors, introduced a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act, the landmark 1976 law that made California a global leader in coastal resource management.
Senator Laird announced the introduction of SB 1081 – sponsored by the City of San Juan Bautista – to give small communities more flexibility when facing state water quality fines, allowing them to invest in infrastructure solutions instead of paying penalties that strain local budgets.
Senator Laird announced the introduction of SB 1261, which will ensure that the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties can continue operating during a major transition affecting regional aging services.
Senator Laird, author of SB 106, issued a statement following the bill’s passage. SB 106 provides $90 million in one-time funding to support reproductive health services – including clinics such as Planned Parenthood – facing immediate losses in federal funding.
Senator John Laird announced the introduction of Senate Bill 917 that will create opportunities for small winemakers to connect with consumers face-to-face by expanding who can sell wine and offer tastings at certified farmers markets.
Senate Bill 575, authored by Senator John Laird, was approved by members of the State Senate with bipartisan and unanimous support. SB 575 re-establishes the California Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund, allowing taxpayers to once again support sea otter conservation and near-shore ecosystem protection through voluntary donations on their state tax returns.
Lawmakers must demand accountability from our federal government. The rule of law is meaningless if federal agents are empowered and even encouraged to operate with impunity in American cities with no oversight from their handlers in Washington. We cannot allow the protections we all have fought for to be hollow words while people are shot and killed in the streets.
From State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz): The Governor’s Proposal for 2026-27 is roughly balanced, with few new spending commitments and includes General Fund reserves totaling $23 billion.
State Senator John Laird issued a statement in response to the reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur, ending the longest sustained closure of the roadway in the region’s history after nearly three years of disruption caused by consecutive major landslides.
Senator John Laird announced the introduction of Senate Joint Resolution 12, a bipartisan measure opposing the federal government’s proposed 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and calling for California to be removed from the proposed plan, stronger environmental review and public engagement in the process.