Assembly adopts a slate of awareness resolutions and moves budget-related bills to the Senate

The California Assembly adopted a series of ceremonial and policy-adjacent measures on March 6, including resolutions marking Down Syndrome Awareness Week, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Women in STEM Day, California STEM Robotics Day, Nowruz, and an assembly resolution recognizing the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Lawmakers also voted to move a package of budget-related bills to the Senate.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 41 (ACR 41), presented by Assemblymember Patterson, proclaimed March 16–22, 2025, as Down Syndrome Awareness Week and March 21 as California Down Syndrome Day. "These are great steps in the right direction," said Assemblymember Patterson, who urged greater awareness and opportunities for people living with Down syndrome. The clerk recorded 64 coauthors added and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

House Resolution 24 (HR 24), presented by Assemblymember Wynne, recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Wynne and several members described personal connections and caregiving challenges in testimony supporting the resolution. Wynne said her daughter, Hannah, had progressed significantly over the previous year and urged colleagues to support families and programs that help children with developmental disabilities. The clerk recorded 72 coauthors and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 48 (ACR 48) and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 49 (ACR 49), both introduced by Assemblymember De Maio, designated March 22 as Women in STEM Day and California STEM Robotics Day, respectively. Supporters highlighted the need for role models, mentorship, and access to education to address underrepresentation of women in STEM. ACR 48 had 66 coauthors; ACR 49 had 63. Both were adopted.

Assemblymember Gabriel presented House Resolution 18 (HR 18) celebrating Nowruz, noting the holiday’s wide observance and its themes of renewal and unity. The clerk recorded 67 coauthors and the resolution passed by voice vote.

Assemblymember Jackson presented Assembly Concurrent Resolution 2 (ACR 2), recognizing March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Jackson called for members to speak up against xenophobic and dehumanizing language and encouraged cultural learning; the resolution recorded 64 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote.

On a procedural but consequential matter, Assembly Bill 100 (AB 100), described on the floor by Assemblymember Gabriel as a vehicle to move 120 budget-related bills to the Senate and facilitate the two-year budget process, passed on a roll-call vote, Ayes 51, Noes 16. Majority Leader Agi R. Curry requested and the floor agreed to substitute the roll call for items 31 through 149, allowing a single recorded vote to apply to many companion measures.

The Assembly also adopted the second-day consent calendar, including AB 414 and several concurrent and house resolutions, by voice vote (Ayes 63, Noes 0). Members used the floor to introduce and recognize guests, students, and community groups throughout the session.

Votes at a glance - ACR 41 (Down Syndrome Awareness Week): coauthors added 64; adopted by voice vote. - HR 24 (Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month): coauthors added 72; adopted by voice vote. - ACR 48 (Women in STEM Day): coauthors added 66; adopted by voice vote. - ACR 49 (California STEM Robotics Day): coauthors added 63; adopted by voice vote. - HR 18 (Nowruz): coauthors added 67; adopted by voice vote. - ACR 2 (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination): coauthors added 64; adopted by voice vote. - AB 100 (budget vehicle and roll-call substitution for items 31–149): roll-call vote Ayes 51, Noes 16; measure passed. - Second-day consent calendar (including AB 414): adopted Ayes 63, Noes 0.

Context: Several of the adopted resolutions included personal testimony from members and guests. HR 24 drew notably personal accounts from legislators describing caregiving responsibilities and the challenges families face in accessing services. AB 100’s floor action was procedural, designed to accelerate the budget process by substituting a single roll-call vote for a large set of companion bills.

The Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 24, 2025, at 1 p.m.