The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Senate Bill 931 by Senator Laird, legislation to ensure continued funding for communities impacted by the ongoing operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Senate Bill 1261 by Senator Laird, legislation to protect continued access to critical services for older adults and people with disabilities on the Central Coast during a regional transition affecting aging services.
Governor Gavin Newsom released his updated budget proposal to reflect new revenue numbers in California. The May Revise provides a more accurate reflection of the economic health of the state. With these new numbers, the Legislature can move forward with negotiations for a finalized 2026-27 budget.
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Senate Bill 1023 by Senator Laird, legislation to improve access to injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective medication used to prevent HIV infection.
Senator Laird, Chair of the Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, commended Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill 108, an emergency budget measure providing urgent financial relief to hospitals at immediate risk of closure and helping preserve access to critical healthcare services in vulnerable communities across California.
The Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 146, introduced by Senator Laird, which proclaims May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in California.
As Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Older LGBTQ+ Californians, Senator Laird convened a hearing that highlighted the growing challenges facing LGBTQ+ older adults – many of whom survived decades of stigma, loss, and activism but now face barriers accessing the care and support they need to age with dignity.
The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 917 by Senator Laird, a measure to expand opportunities for small winemakers to sell wine and offer tastings at certified farmers’ markets. The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
On California Ocean Day, the State Senate passed two measures led by Senator Laird to protect and celebrate the state’s coastline – Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 12 and Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 136. Both measures now head to the Assembly for consideration.
The California State Senate unveiled its “Foundation for the Future” budget plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This proposal aims to bring stability to the state and address the current funding shortfall. The framework helps protect vital programs while strengthening our financial health for the future.