California Senate adopts resolutions on Alzheimer’s awareness, Juneteenth and hypertension; rescinds past calls for constitutional convention

The California State Senate on June 18, 2025, adopted multiple concurrent and joint resolutions recognizing public-health observances and rescinding prior legislative calls for a federal constitutional convention.

Senators unanimously voted to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution 75 (SCR 75), recognizing June 2025 as Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month and June 20, 2025, as “the longest day.” The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 86 (SCR 86) recognizing Juneteenth and Senate Concurrent Resolution 83 (SCR 83) recognizing Hypertension Awareness Month. Separately, the Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1), rescinding prior California legislative calls for an Article V constitutional convention.

SCR 75: Alzheimer’s awareness

SCR 75, authored by Senator Weber Pearson, recognizes June 2025 as Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month and highlights caregiver burdens and research needs. In floor remarks, Weber Pearson cited figures reported in the debate, saying that among “the 7,200,000 Americans living with Alzheimer’s today, 4,400,000 are women” and describing projected growth in prevalence and caregiver hours. Multiple senators spoke in support and shared personal experiences; Senator Rubio said, “Alzheimer’s disease is often called the long goodbye because it doesn’t happen all at once.” The resolution passed by recorded vote: Ayes 35, No 0.

SCR 86: Juneteenth

SCR 86, also carried by Senator Weber Pearson, recognizes Juneteenth as a commemoration of the end of chattel slavery and calls for ongoing policy work to address racial disparities. The measure drew extended floor remarks from members of the California Legislative Black Caucus and other caucuses emphasizing historical context and policy commitments. Debate emphasized Juneteenth as both commemoration and impetus for policy change; Senator Smallwood Cuevas and several other senators spoke in support. The resolution was adopted; the roll call and debate are included in the official record (vote tally not specified in the transcript excerpt).

SJR 1: Rescinding prior calls for an Article V constitutional convention

Senator Scott Wiener presented SJR 1, which rescinds seven prior calls by the California Legislature for an Article V constitutional convention. Wiener argued that an open-ended convention poses risks to civil rights and liberties and asked colleagues to rescind the prior calls. The Senate adopted SJR 1 by recorded vote: Ayes 27, No 0.

SCR 83: Hypertension awareness

Senator Stern presented SCR 83 to designate Hypertension Awareness Month and highlighted disproportionate impacts on American Indian, African American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations. Stern described local examples of early detection and urged public education. The resolution was adopted by recorded vote: Ayes 35, No 0.

Votes at a glance

- SCR 75 (Weber Pearson) – Recognizes June 2025 as Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month and June 20 as the Longest Day. Outcome: Adopted (Ayes 35, No 0). - SCR 86 (Weber Pearson) – Recognizes Juneteenth as a day of commemoration and calls for continued policy action on racial equity. Outcome: Adopted (vote tally not specified in transcript excerpt). - SJR 1 (Wiener) – Rescinds previous California calls for an Article V constitutional convention. Outcome: Adopted (Ayes 27, No 0). - SCR 83 (Stern) – Recognizes Hypertension Awareness Month; urges education and screening. Outcome: Adopted (Ayes 35, No 0).

Why this matters

The measures are nonbinding but signal the Legislature’s priorities: increased attention to Alzheimer’s disease and caregiver supports, formal recognition of Juneteenth coupled with calls for equity-focused policy work, public-health outreach on hypertension, and a legislative decision to withdraw prior invitations to a federal constitutional convention. SJR 1 moves beyond ceremonial recognition and alters California’s formal posture on a potential federal constitutional process by rescinding prior calls.

Meeting context and next steps

All four measures were taken up on the Senate floor during the June 18 session and carried by unanimous or near-unanimous support in recorded roll calls shown in the official record. These resolutions do not create binding state law but may influence future budget requests, committee work on caregiver and public-health programs, and the Legislature’s public positions on national constitutional issues.