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California Senate adopts multiple resolutions, confirms three gubernatorial appointees
Summary
The California State Senate on May 19 adopted five resolutions recognizing National Safe Boating Week, Family Justice Center Day, Harvey Milk Day, California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month and Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, and confirmed three governorappointments to the CPUC public advocates office and the State Mining and Geology Board.
The California State Senate on May 19 unanimously adopted a package of ceremonial resolutions and confirmed three governorappointments during a midday floor session at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
Senators voted to adopt measures recognizing National Safe Boating Week; designating May 19 as Family Justice Center Day; declaring Harvey Milk Day; recognizing May 2025 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month; and proclaiming May 19'3, 2025, Contractor Fraud Awareness Week. The Senate also confirmed Linda Sarazawa to lead the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission and confirmed two members to the State Mining and Geology Board.
The resolutions were presented on the floor by the authors: Senator Richardson presented SR 39 recognizing boating safety; Senator Grayson presented SCR 67 designating Family Justice Center Day; Senator Padilla presented SR 38 honoring Harvey Milk; Senator Alvarado Gill presented SCR 65 recognizing fairgrounds; and Senator Nilo presented SR 41 declaring contractor fraud awareness week. Several authors and supporters described the public-service or public-safety rationale for their measures on the floor.
Senator Richardson said of SR 39, which recognizes boating safety efforts, "87 percent of reported boating accident victims who drowned in 2023 were not wearing life jackets." He told colleagues the Division of Boating and Waterways and the U.S. Coast Guard statistics show human error, navigation violations and alcohol are major contributing factors in recent boating injuries and deaths. Senator Richardson also introduced members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary who were present in the gallery.
Senator Grayson, introducing SCR 67, said, "Family Justice Centers, or as we call them, FJCs, provide collaborative trauma-informed wraparound services for survivors of interpersonal violence." Grayson noted the California Family Justice Center Network represents 27 Family Justice Centers serving tens of thousands of survivors and introduced network leaders and local prosecutors who were on the floor and in the gallery.
Senator Padilla said SR 38 recognizes Harvey MilkDay and reviewed Milk s a pioneer in LGBTQ representation and civil-rights advocacy, and several caucus leaders rose in support. Senator Alvarado Gill described fairgroundsas multiuse community assets and emergency-response hubs in support of SCR 65. Senator Nilo said SR 41 is intended to raise consumer awareness after disasters, when homeowners can be vulnerable to predatory contractors.
On confirmations, Senator Grove presented the nomination of Linda Sarazawa for the director of the Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission. The Senate confirmed her by roll call. The Senate also confirmed Alan Driscoll and George Kinlein for appointment and reappointment, respectively, to the State Mining and Geology Board.
All five resolutions were adopted by voice and roll-call votes recorded on the daily file. The confirmations were approved by roll call as noted on the record. No recorded opposition was shown on the adopted resolutions and confirmations announced during the floor session.
Votes at a glance
- SR 39 (Senator Richardson) — Recognizes National Safe Boating Week and promotes boating-safety education. Outcome: adopted (ayes reported 37, no 0). File: item 56. Presentation and statistics cited on the floor; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members introduced.
- SCR 67 (Senator Grayson) — Designates May 19 as Family Justice Center Day and acknowledges services provided by the California Family Justice Center Network. Outcome: adopted (ayes reported 37, no 0). File: item 79. Network leaders and prosecutors introduced on the floor.
- SR 38 (Senator Padilla) — Recognizes Harvey Milk Day and commemorates Milk s a civil-rights and political figure. Outcome: adopted (ayes reported 29, no 0). File: item 48.
- SCR 65 (Senator Alvarado Gill) — Declares May 2025 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, noting fairgrounds' roles in community events and emergency response. Outcome: adopted (ayes reported 36, no 0). File: item 78.
- SR 41 (Senator Nilo) — Declares Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, May 19'3, 2025, to highlight predatory practices after disasters. Outcome: adopted (ayes reported 36, no 0). File: item 81.
- Appointment: Linda Sarazawa — Nomination to be director, Public Advocates Office, California Public Utilities Commission. Outcome: confirmed (ayes reported 36, no 0). File: item 3.
- Appointments: Alan Driscoll (appointment) and George Kinlein (reappointment) — State Mining and Geology Board. Outcome: both confirmed (ayes reported 36, no 0). File: item 5.
Context and next steps
The adopted measures are ceremonial or commemorative resolutions and do not impose regulatory changes; they were accompanied on the floor by authors' statements and guest introductions. Confirmed appointees will take up their assigned duties according to the protocols of the respective agencies. The Senate concluded other routine business and scheduled subsequent floor sessions as noted on the record.
Reported floor supporters included members of multiple legislative caucuses and local program leaders; no recorded floor opposition was reported in the roll-call tallies for the items listed above.
