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 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.