Senate approves Special Olympics Day, arts education month, Justice Ginsburg Day and confirms multiple appointments
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Summary
On March 24 the California State Senate adopted several ceremonial resolutions and confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments, including the chiefs for CalOSHA and CDCR information services and an appointment of John Laird to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The California State Senate on March 24 adopted a slate of ceremonial resolutions and confirmed several governor’s appointments during a routine floor session following debate on a separate resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility.
The Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 (SCR 41), declaring March 24, 2025, as Special Olympics Day in California. Senator Jim Ashby presented the resolution and several senators spoke in support of the Special Olympics’ role in inclusion and health screenings. The resolution passed by a recorded tally of 35 ayes, 0 noes.
The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 (SCR 32), recognizing March 2025 as Arts Education Month in California. Senator Allen described arts instruction as a critical part of student success, and Senator Rubio recounted classroom and district arts programs. SCR 32 passed on a recorded vote of 35–0.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 (SCR 39) designating March 15, 2025, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day was presented by Senator Maria Durazo and coauthors. Senators on both sides praised Ginsburg’s legal career and legacy; the resolution passed 34–0.
On appointments, the Senate confirmed Deborah Lee as chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) within the Department of Industrial Relations. Senator Grove introduced Lee’s confirmation; the Senate recorded the confirmation vote as 35–0.
The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Ed (name per transcript) Blagdon as director of the Division of Enterprise Information Services at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The roll call for that confirmation was recorded as 35–0.
Senators confirmed former Natural Resources Secretary John Laird to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission; the Rules Committee had reported his nomination with a unanimous recommendation, and the floor recorded the appointment as confirmed by an aye vote (34–0 as recorded in the minutes).
Each of these items was presented briefly on the floor and then adopted or confirmed; debate was ceremonial and supportive in tone. The measures are symbolic (resolutions) or personnel confirmations that put nominees into the roles described by the Governor’s appointments and do not by themselves create new regulations or programs.
Votes at a glance
- SCR 41 (Special Olympics Day): presented by Senator Ashby; adopted, recorded vote 35–0. - SCR 32 (Arts Education Month): presented by Senator Allen; adopted, recorded vote 35–0. - SCR 39 (Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day): presented by Senator Durazo; adopted, recorded vote 34–0. - Deborah Lee confirmation (CalOSHA chief): presented by Senator Grove; confirmed, recorded vote 35–0. - Ed Blagdon confirmation (CDCR enterprise information services director): presented by Senator Grove; confirmed, recorded vote 35–0. - John Laird appointment (Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission): presented by Senator Grove; confirmed, recorded vote 34–0.
The Senate then moved to committee announcements and adjourned; the next floor session was scheduled for March 28, 2025.