This measure would designate the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

This measure would designate the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

This measure would designate the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety; and

WHEREAS, The development, refinement, and safe clinical application of anesthesia, including ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, and later modern agents, including halothane, sevoflurane, propofol, and remifentanil, were advanced through the leadership and expertise of anesthesiologists, making painless surgery possible and transforming medicine; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists pioneered modern airway management and continue to lead the advancement of endotracheal intubation techniques and devices that protect patients breathing and life-sustaining functions during surgery and critical illness; and

WHEREAS, The Apgar Score, a standardized assessment used worldwide to evaluate the health of every newborn at birth, was created by anesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar and significantly transformed obstetric and neonatal care; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists played a leading role in advancing mechanical ventilation and ventilator management, helping to give rise to the modern intensive care unit and saving millions of lives worldwide through expertise in physiology, monitoring, and life support; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists play a critical role in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality by providing expert obstetric anesthesia care and leading rapid responses to life-threatening emergencies, including hemorrhage, hypertensive crises, and cardiac events, while advancing multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based protocols, and health equity; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists led the advancement of regional anesthesia techniques, including nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia, transforming pain management, reducing opioid exposure, and contributing to efforts to address the opioid epidemic; and

WHEREAS, The advancement of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma anesthesia by anesthesiologists has made once-impossible, high-risk surgical proceduresincluding open-heart surgery and organ transplantationsafe and achievable; and

WHEREAS, The California Society of Anesthesiologists is a physician organization with more than 3,000 physician members dedicated to promoting the highest standards of anesthesiology, fostering excellence through continuing medical education, advancing patient safety, and advocating for anesthesiologists and the patients they serve; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges all Californians to recognize anesthesiologists as physician leaders of the anesthesia care team and critical care specialists whose expertise in patient safety, pain management, and life-sustaining care protects the health and well-being of surgical, obstetric, and chronic pain patients every day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety; and

WHEREAS, The development, refinement, and safe clinical application of anesthesia, including ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, and later modern agents, including halothane, sevoflurane, propofol, and remifentanil, were advanced through the leadership and expertise of anesthesiologists, making painless surgery possible and transforming medicine; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists pioneered modern airway management and continue to lead the advancement of endotracheal intubation techniques and devices that protect patients breathing and life-sustaining functions during surgery and critical illness; and

WHEREAS, The Apgar Score, a standardized assessment used worldwide to evaluate the health of every newborn at birth, was created by anesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar and significantly transformed obstetric and neonatal care; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists played a leading role in advancing mechanical ventilation and ventilator management, helping to give rise to the modern intensive care unit and saving millions of lives worldwide through expertise in physiology, monitoring, and life support; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists play a critical role in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality by providing expert obstetric anesthesia care and leading rapid responses to life-threatening emergencies, including hemorrhage, hypertensive crises, and cardiac events, while advancing multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based protocols, and health equity; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists led the advancement of regional anesthesia techniques, including nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia, transforming pain management, reducing opioid exposure, and contributing to efforts to address the opioid epidemic; and

WHEREAS, The advancement of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma anesthesia by anesthesiologists has made once-impossible, high-risk surgical proceduresincluding open-heart surgery and organ transplantationsafe and achievable; and

WHEREAS, The California Society of Anesthesiologists is a physician organization with more than 3,000 physician members dedicated to promoting the highest standards of anesthesiology, fostering excellence through continuing medical education, advancing patient safety, and advocating for anesthesiologists and the patients they serve; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges all Californians to recognize anesthesiologists as physician leaders of the anesthesia care team and critical care specialists whose expertise in patient safety, pain management, and life-sustaining care protects the health and well-being of surgical, obstetric, and chronic pain patients every day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety; and

WHEREAS, The development, refinement, and safe clinical application of anesthesia, including ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, and later modern agents, including halothane, sevoflurane, propofol, and remifentanil, were advanced through the leadership and expertise of anesthesiologists, making painless surgery possible and transforming medicine; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists pioneered modern airway management and continue to lead the advancement of endotracheal intubation techniques and devices that protect patients breathing and life-sustaining functions during surgery and critical illness; and

WHEREAS, The Apgar Score, a standardized assessment used worldwide to evaluate the health of every newborn at birth, was created by anesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar and significantly transformed obstetric and neonatal care; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists played a leading role in advancing mechanical ventilation and ventilator management, helping to give rise to the modern intensive care unit and saving millions of lives worldwide through expertise in physiology, monitoring, and life support; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists play a critical role in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality by providing expert obstetric anesthesia care and leading rapid responses to life-threatening emergencies, including hemorrhage, hypertensive crises, and cardiac events, while advancing multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based protocols, and health equity; and

WHEREAS, Anesthesiologists led the advancement of regional anesthesia techniques, including nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia, transforming pain management, reducing opioid exposure, and contributing to efforts to address the opioid epidemic; and

WHEREAS, The advancement of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma anesthesia by anesthesiologists has made once-impossible, high-risk surgical proceduresincluding open-heart surgery and organ transplantationsafe and achievable; and

WHEREAS, The California Society of Anesthesiologists is a physician organization with more than 3,000 physician members dedicated to promoting the highest standards of anesthesiology, fostering excellence through continuing medical education, advancing patient safety, and advocating for anesthesiologists and the patients they serve; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges all Californians to recognize anesthesiologists as physician leaders of the anesthesia care team and critical care specialists whose expertise in patient safety, pain management, and life-sustaining care protects the health and well-being of surgical, obstetric, and chronic pain patients every day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 122

Author: Ahrens (D), et al.

Introduced: 1/15/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Anesthesiologists Week

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety.
2. Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty.
3. Anesthesiologists play a critical role in addressing maternal morbidity and mortality by providing expert obstetric anesthesia care and leading rapid responses to life-threatening emergencies, including hemorrhage, hypertensive crises, and cardiac events, while advancing multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based protocols, and health equity.

This resolution designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 11 (Ahrens, Resolution Chapter 13, Statutes of 2025)

ACR 123 (McCarty, Resolution Chapter 18, Statutes of 2024)

ACR 3 (Haney, Resolution Chapter 10, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 2/10/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 2/10/26)

None received

Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-4171

2/12/26 9:08:39

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 122

Author:(Ahrens)

As Introduced Ver:January 15, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week.

Major Provisions

1. Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety.
2. Anesthesiologists pioneered modern airway management and continue to lead the advancement of endotracheal intubation techniques and devices that protect patients' breathing and life-sustaining functions during surgery and critical illness.
3. Anesthesiologists played a leading role in advancing mechanical ventilation and ventilator management, helping to give rise to the modern intensive care unit and saving millions of lives worldwide through expertise in physiology, monitoring, and life support.
4. Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty.
5. Anesthesiologists led the advancement of regional anesthesia techniques, including nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia, transforming pain management, reducing opioid exposure, and contributing to efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
6. The advancement of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma anesthesia by anesthesiologists has made once-impossible, high-risk surgical procedures—including open-heart surgery and organ transplantation—safe and achievable.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

From anesthesia and airway management to patient safety monitoring and alternatives to opioid based pain management, physician anesthesiologists have pioneered essential medical findings and advances. Anesthesiologists have significantly improved surgical outcomes and reduced surgery related deaths. Anesthesiologists Week looks to bring awareness and formally recognize the profession's impact on patient safety.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 9-0-1

YES: Pacheco, Lackey, Ahrens, Dixon, Garcia, Mark González, Irwin, Sanchez, Zbur

ABS, ABST OR NV: Michelle Rodriguez

UPDATED

VERSION: January 15, 2026

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002271

Date of Hearing: January 26, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 122 (

Author:Ahrens) – As Introduced Ver:January 15, 2026

SUBJECT: Anesthesiologists Week.

SUMMARY: Designates the week of January 25, 2026, to January 31, 2026, inclusive, as Anesthesiologists Week. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Anesthesiologists have advanced patient care throughout the history of modern medicine and have been instrumental in pivotal milestones in medical history. Through leadership, innovation, and scientific rigor, anesthesiologists have shaped what is possible in surgical care, pain management, critical care, and patient safety.
2. Anesthesiologists pioneered modern airway management and continue to lead the advancement of endotracheal intubation techniques and devices that protect patients’ breathing and life-sustaining functions during surgery and critical illness.
3. Anesthesiologists played a leading role in advancing mechanical ventilation and ventilator management, helping to give rise to the modern intensive care unit and saving millions of lives worldwide through expertise in physiology, monitoring, and life support.
4. Anesthesiologists are recognized physician leaders in patient safety science and have established the foundation of modern perioperative safety through the development of safety standards, crisis management systems, and the widespread adoption of physiologic monitoring technologies, including pulse oximetry, resulting in the largest sustained reductions in perioperative mortality of any medical specialty.
5. Anesthesiologists led the advancement of regional anesthesia techniques, including nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia, transforming pain management, reducing opioid exposure, and contributing to efforts to address the opioid epidemic.
6. The advancement of cardiothoracic, transplant, and trauma anesthesia by anesthesiologists has made once-impossible, high-risk surgical procedures—including open-heart surgery and organ transplantation—safe and achievable.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800