Senate adopts a slate of ceremonial resolutions, confirms three governor appointments and honors fellows and science fellows

The California State Senate on the floor adopted a wide slate of ceremonial and commemorative measures, confirmed several governor appointments and recognized this year’s senate and science fellows. Many of the resolutions were presented under unanimous roll call or eligible for unanimous roll call and were adopted without extended debate.

Highlights and confirmed appointments: The Senate confirmed three governor appointments (file items 8–10) by recorded roll calls. The confirmed appointments included Brett Ladin as Director of Financial Information Systems (Fiscal), reappointments to the Building Standards Commission and Housing Partnership Corporation Board, and Karen Morrison as Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Each appointment was reported as approved by the Rules Committee and confirmed by the full Senate.

Ceremonial resolutions and observances: The chamber adopted multiple commemorative resolutions recognizing specific days and months, including SCR 93 (First Responders Day), SCR 95 (Soju Day), SR 53 (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month), SCR 85 (Latino Veterans Day), SCR 96 (50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American resettlement), SCR 100 (California Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education Month) and other proclamations. Several authors used the floor time to introduce guests and community representatives associated with each resolution.

Fellows and science fellows recognition: Senators used floor time to introduce and thank this year’s Senate Fellows cohort and the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) science fellows; multiple members delivered personal remarks highlighting individual fellows’ work in member offices and committees. The science fellows honored were credited with staffing and analyzing complex technical policy issues in environmental quality, water law, climate and health.

Votes at a glance - File item 8 (Brett Ladin confirmation, Director of Financial Information Systems) — Confirmed (Ayes 37, No 0). Mover: Senator Grove. - File item 9 (Reappointments: Building Standards Commission; Housing Partnership Corporation; California Veterans Board) — Confirmed (Ayes 38, No 0). Mover: Senator Grove. - File item 10 (Karen Morrison, Director, Department of Pesticide Regulation) — Confirmed (Ayes 38, No 0). Mover: Senator Grove. - SCR 93 (First Responders Day) — Adopted (Ayes 36, No 0). Presented by Senator Ochoa Bog. - SCR 95 (Soju Day) — Adopted (Ayes 36, No 0). Presented by Senator Choi. - SR 53 (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) — Adopted (Ayes 38, No 0). Presented by Senator Rubio/Cortese. - SCR 85 (Latino Veterans Day) — Adopted (Ayes 37, No 0). Presented by Senator Archuleta. - SCR 96 (50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American resettlement) — Adopted (Ayes 37, No 0). Presented by Senator Wahab. - SCR 100 (California Youth HOPE Month) — Adopted (Ayes 37, No 0). Presented by Senator Adegin.

What senators said: Presenters used the floor to recognize guests from advocacy groups, community organizations, hospitals, veterans groups, and cultural associations. For example, Senator Grove introduced and presented a resolution honoring retired NFL player Derek Carr and his philanthropic work; Senator Becker introduced SR 51 addressing concerns about oil sourced from the Amazon and called attention to indigenous leaders who had visited the chamber.

Process notes: Many items were placed on the special consent calendar or deemed eligible for unanimous roll call; the clerk recorded multiple roll calls and the secretary called the roll on consent items. Several bills and consent calendar items were removed at the request of authors and moved to inactive or amended files during the floor session.

Next steps: The Senate will transmit confirmations to the relevant state departments and notify stakeholders named in adopted resolutions where applicable. The floor calendar included additional committee notices and invitations to participants recognized on the floor.