Sen. Steve Choi

Maddy summarySCR 95 is a ceremonial resolution that would establish September 20, 2025, and every September 20 thereafter, as "Soju Day" in the state. It does not create new laws or regulations, nor does it affect any specific individuals or groups. The resolution solely designates an annual date for recognition and celebration. This is purely symbolic, with no concrete policy changes or practical impact beyond the ceremonial observance.

This measure would proclaim September 4, 2025, as Taekwondo Day in California and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the positive impact of Taekwondo on individuals, families, and communities throughout the state.

This measure would declare October 28, 2025, as First Responders' Day and would urge all Californians to observe and promote the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the contributions of first responders in California.

This measure would commemorate 50 years since Southeast Asian refugees began resettling in the United States, honor their sacrifices, recognize their contributions, uplift the principles of second chances, rehabilitation, and intergenerational healing for Southeast Asian Americans who resettled in the United States and California, and resolve the Legislature's continued pursuit of comprehensive policies for Southeast Asian American communities.

Maddy summaryACR 70 designates September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month within the state. This resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding; it is a symbolic designation to highlight suicide prevention efforts. The bill directly affects state agencies, community organizations, and the public by encouraging awareness activities during that month. It has no direct impact on specific individuals or groups beyond promoting the designated month for suicide prevention focus.

Existing law requires a county elections official to take various actions to confirm voters' residency, including by, among other things, mailing a postcard to each registered voter of the county. This bill would instead require the Secretary of State or the county elections official, in addition to mailing a residency a postcard to each registered voter of the county, to contract with the United States Postal Service or its licensees to obtain use of postal service change-of-address data. By requiring county elections officials to provide a higher level or service, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

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 establishes the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation in the Governor's office for the purpose of serving the Governor and the Governor's cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research and constituting the comprehensive state planning agency. Existing law authorizes a local agency to finance infrastructure projects through various means, including by authorizing a city or county to establish an enhanced infrastructure financing district to finance public capital facilities or other specified projects of communitywide significance that provide significant benefits to the district or the surrounding community. This bill would require the office, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish the Infrastructure Gap-Fund Program to provide grants to local agencies for the development and construction of infrastructure projects, as defined, facing unforeseen costs after starting construction. The bill would authorize the office to provide funding for up to 20% of a project's additional projected cost, as defined, after the project has started construction, subject to specified conditions, including, among other things, that the local agency has allocated existing local tax revenue for at least 45% of the initially budgeted total cost of the infrastructure project. When applying to the program, the bill would require the local agency to demonstrate challenges with completing the project on time and on budget and how the infrastructure project helps meet state and local goals, as specified. The bill would require the office to develop guidelines to implement the program that establish the criteria by which grant applications will be evaluated and funded. The bill would make these provisions operative on January 1, 2030.

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 63, adopted by the California State Senate on August 29, 2025, celebrates the 41st anniversary of the California-Taiwan sister-state relationship and the 26th anniversary of Taiwanese American Heritage Week. The resolution acknowledges Taiwan's economic contributions to California, including $50 billion in bilateral trade and $280 million in agricultural exports in 2024, and supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO and UN climate talks. It reaffirms the Senate's recognition of Taiwan's vibrant democracy as vital to Asia-Pacific stability and commends efforts to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan economic collaboration. As a symbolic gesture, the resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups legally, but expresses legislative support for the California-Taiwan partnership.