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.
When the state extended operations at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant through 2030, it did not extend the community funding established to offset local impacts. Senator Laird and principal coauthor Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced legislation to address that funding gap and ensure continued support for local governments and schools in San Luis Obispo County.
Three years after a catastrophic levee breach along the Pajaro River forced thousands of residents to evacuate and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, Senator Laird has introduced SB 1055 to help accelerate critical flood protection projects along the river.
To address insurance reimbursement barriers that make it difficult for community health providers to offer HIV prevention medication, Senator Laird introduced SB 1023 to expand access to injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective medication used to prevent HIV infection. SB 1023 increases access to injectable PrEP by requiring health plans that already cover the medication to also reimburse it through their outpatient prescription drug benefit.
Senator Laird has selected Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, as the 2026 Woman of the Year for Senate District 17, recognizing her decades of leadership in public education and her commitment to supporting students, educators, and families throughout Monterey County.
Senator Laird introduced SB 963 to bring greater clarity and predictability to the coastal development permitting process by establishing clear timelines for the California Coastal Commission to act on appeals of Coastal Development Permits.
Senator Laird announced SB 1288, legislation sponsored by CalNonprofits to ensure charitable gifts left to nonprofits are delivered efficiently and without unnecessary barriers.
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.