Assembly adopts ACR 8, designating second Saturday of January as World Desert Day

The California State Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 8 on Jan. 6, 2025, designating the second Saturday of January as World Desert Day.

Assemblymember Wallace presented ACR 8, saying deserts "are among the most vibrant yet least understood ecosystems in the world," and asked members to vote in favor of the measure. Assemblymember Gonzalez spoke in support and described recent conservation actions in his district, including designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument. Assemblymember Lackey offered a brief personal remark in support. The clerk recorded that 59 members were added as coauthors, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote; the presiding officer declared, "The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted."

ACR 8 calls attention to desert biodiversity and names projects such as head-starting programs for the desert tortoise; in the floor remarks sponsors emphasized public awareness and conservation as the resolution's purpose rather than creating a regulatory or funding mandate.

Votes and formal motions: the resolution was taken by voice vote after the clerk added coauthors; no roll-call tally of the final passage was recorded in the transcript. The resolution was presented as a ceremonial/state-recognition measure rather than an implementing statute or budget item.

The action places symbolic recognition and a call for public awareness on the Assembly record; any policy or funding actions referenced in members' remarks would require separate legislation or committee action.