Sen. Suzette Valladares

The Small Business Procurement and Contract Act permits a state agency or the California State University to award a contract for goods, services, or information technology with an estimated value between $5,000 and $250,000 to a certified small business, including a microbusiness and a disabled veteran business enterprise, without complying with specified competitive bidding requirements. This bill would increase the maximum estimated value of a contract for goods, services, or information technology awarded pursuant to the act from $250,000 to $350,000. Commencing January 1, 2028, and biennially thereafter, the bill would require the Director of General Services to conduct a review of that maximum value, and would authorize the director to adjust that value to reflect changes in the California Consumer Price Index.

Existing law, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Act of 2003, creates the Division of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation and requires the division to develop and implement a grant and cooperative agreement program for specified purposes, including to support the planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, restoration, and conservation of trails, trailheads, areas, and other facilities associated with use of off-highway motor vehicles. Under existing law, eligible grant and cooperative agreement applicants include, among others, cities, counties, districts, state agencies, agencies of the United States, and federally recognized and state-recognized Native American tribes, as specified. This bill would expand eligible grant and cooperative agreement applicants to include special districts that employ sworn personnel, as provided.

Existing law requires that any payment required to be remitted to the Franchise Tax Board by an individual pursuant to specified law be remitted electronically in the form and manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board if specified conditions are met. Existing law, where payment is required to be made electronically but is made by some other means instead, imposes a penalty equal to 1% of the amount paid, except as provided. This bill would, for payments made on or after January 1, 2026, change the penalty for the above-described violation to instead be waived for the first violation.

Existing law establishes a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (smog check) program that is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The smog check program requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership, and in certain other circumstances. Existing law exempts specified vehicles from being inspected biennially upon renewal of registration, including, among others, all motor vehicles manufactured prior to the 1976 model year. Existing law also exempts from specified portions of the smog test, both biennially and at transfer, a collector motor vehicle that is insured as a collector motor vehicle, is at least 35 model years old, complies with the exhaust emissions standards for that motor vehicle's class and model year as prescribed by the department, and that passes a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2027, additionally fully exempt from the smog check requirements, both biennially and at transfer, a motor vehicle that was manufactured prior to the 1981 model year, has been assigned a special identification plate indicating that it is a historical vehicle, and is insured as a collector motor vehicle, as specified. The bill, beginning January 1, 2028, would expand this exemption by one model year, every year, for 5 years. The bill would be known, and may be cited as, Leno's Law.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 64 designates September 2025 as "California Wine Month" to celebrate the state's wine industry. The resolution recognizes the industry's economic impact (supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, 95% of U.S. wine exports), cultural significance, and sustainability efforts (90% of wine made in certified sustainable wineries). It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy or funding requirements, solely honoring the wine community's contributions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 60 designates November 25, 2025, as "Elimination of Violence Against Women Day" in California. It formally recognizes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed globally since 1999 to honor the Mirabal sisters. The resolution urges policymakers to advance efforts against violence toward women year-round but does not create new laws or funding. As a symbolic declaration, it directly affects state recognition and public awareness, not specific individuals or policies.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 56 designates September 2025 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in California. The resolution highlights statistics on ovarian cancer (including 2025 U.S. estimates of 20,890 new diagnoses and 12,730 deaths) and emphasizes the importance of early detection through symptom awareness. It does not create new laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic proclamation to honor those affected by the disease and encourage community awareness efforts. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the California Senate on August 29, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 62, introduced by Senator Valladares, designates November 2025 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in California. The resolution highlights pancreatic cancer's high mortality rate (third leading cause of cancer death, with a 13% five-year survival rate) and notes that only 3.3% of National Cancer Institute funding in 2022 supported pancreatic cancer research. It urges all Californians to support efforts to improve early detection and treatments, though the resolution itself has no legal effect or funding mechanisms. This symbolic gesture aims to raise awareness about a disease with significant health impacts but does not change policies or allocate resources.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 designates October 8, 2025, as "California Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" to recognize the state's leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The resolution highlights California's advancements in clean energy, environmental sustainability, and innovation in these fields, including applications in transportation, power generation, and industrial decarbonization. It does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's role in advancing clean hydrogen solutions.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 54 designates August 15, 2025, as Korean Independence Day in California. The resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonization on August 15, 1945, and recognizes the contributions of California's Korean American community - home to over 530,000 residents - to the state's cultural and economic life. As a symbolic gesture without legal effect, it formally honors this historical milestone and the enduring U.S.-South Korea alliance.