ACR 140: Women in STEM Day.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-04-21
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-04-21: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 39, Statutes of 2026.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
This measure would proclaim March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day.
This measure would proclaim March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day.
This measure would proclaim March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day.
WHEREAS, California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and
WHEREAS, Throughout history, women have made extensive contributions in the areas of STEM; and
WHEREAS, Data indicates that gender image, as it relates to STEM subjects in school, may impact a young womans aspirations to pursue college-level studies and careers in STEM industries; and
WHEREAS, Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6 percent of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall; and
WHEREAS, Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55 percent) and chemical and material sciences (36 percent) as compared to the past; and
WHEREAS, The percentage of women occupying engineering has remained stagnant (15 percent), while chemical and material science occupations have decreased compared to the past (40 percent); and
WHEREAS, Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in todays society; and
WHEREAS, California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers; and
WHEREAS, California celebrates, supports, and commends those who have aided in furthering the participation and involvement of women in STEM careers and activities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM 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, California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and
WHEREAS, Throughout history, women have made extensive contributions in the areas of STEM; and
WHEREAS, Data indicates that gender image, as it relates to STEM subjects in school, may impact a young womans aspirations to pursue college-level studies and careers in STEM industries; and
WHEREAS, Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6 percent of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall; and
WHEREAS, Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55 percent) and chemical and material sciences (36 percent) as compared to the past; and
WHEREAS, The percentage of women occupying engineering has remained stagnant (15 percent), while chemical and material science occupations have decreased compared to the past (40 percent); and
WHEREAS, Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in todays society; and
WHEREAS, California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers; and
WHEREAS, California celebrates, supports, and commends those who have aided in furthering the participation and involvement of women in STEM careers and activities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM 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, California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and
WHEREAS, Throughout history, women have made extensive contributions in the areas of STEM; and
WHEREAS, Data indicates that gender image, as it relates to STEM subjects in school, may impact a young womans aspirations to pursue college-level studies and careers in STEM industries; and
WHEREAS, Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6 percent of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall; and
WHEREAS, Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55 percent) and chemical and material sciences (36 percent) as compared to the past; and
WHEREAS, The percentage of women occupying engineering has remained stagnant (15 percent), while chemical and material science occupations have decreased compared to the past (40 percent); and
WHEREAS, Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in todays society; and
WHEREAS, California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers; and
WHEREAS, California celebrates, supports, and commends those who have aided in furthering the participation and involvement of women in STEM careers and activities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 39, Statutes of 2026. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 3 p.m. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Adopted and to Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 3922.) |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Adopted and to Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Mar 24, 2026 | In Senate. To Com. on RLS. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Adopted and to Senate. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Adopted and to Senate. (Page 4373.) |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Coauthors revised. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to Third Reading. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 19). |
| Feb 23, 2026 | Referred to Com. on RLS. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | From printer. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Introduced. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 2026 | Special Consent ACR140 Patel et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Mar 19, 2026 | Be adopted. To third reading. | Assembly Standing Committee on Rules |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | ACR 140 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 140
Author: Patel (D), et al.
Introduced: 2/18/26
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Women in STEM Day
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This resolution proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM day.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6% of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall.
- Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55%) and chemical and material sciences (36%) as compared to the past. Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in today’s society.
- California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers.
This resolution proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day.
Related/Prior Legislation
ACR 48 (DeMaio, Resolution Chapter 55, Statutes of 2025)
ACR 160 (Weber, Resolution Chapter 55, Statues of 2024)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 4/2/26)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/2/26)
None received
Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-4171
4/8/26 14:53:13
**** END ****
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:ACR 140
Author:(Patel)
As Introduced Ver:February 18, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day.
Major Provisions
- California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Throughout history, women have made extensive contributions in the areas of STEM. Data indicates that gender image, as it relates to STEM subjects in school, may impact a young woman's aspirations to pursue college-level studies and careers in STEM industries.
- Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6% of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall.
- Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55 %) and chemical and material sciences (36 %) as compared to the past. The percentage of women occupying engineering has remained stagnant (15 %), while chemical and material science occupations have decreased compared to the past (40 %).
- Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in today's society.
- California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers. California celebrates, supports, and commends those who have aided in furthering the participation and involvement of women in STEM careers and activities.
COMMENTS
According to the Author
With decreases in representation for chemical and material science and stagnant participation in fields related to engineering, women are often a marginalized group in STEM related fields. They continue to face societal norms that influence their ambitions of pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. California will uplift and ensure that there are equal opportunities for all.
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: 6-0-4
YES: Pacheco, Ahrens, Dixon, Garcia, Mark González, Michelle Rodriguez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Lackey, Irwin, Sanchez, Zbur
UPDATED
VERSION: February 18, 2026
CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002315
Date of Hearing: March 19, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 140 (
Author:Patel) – As Introduced Ver:February 18, 2026
SUBJECT: Women in STEM Day.
SUMMARY: Proclaims March 21, 2026, as California Women in STEM Day. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- California as a state is committed towards promoting diversity and gender equality by ensuring that all genders have equal opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Throughout history, women have made extensive contributions in the areas of STEM. Data indicates that gender image, as it relates to STEM subjects in school, may impact a young woman’s aspirations to pursue college-level studies and careers in STEM industries.
- Women are underrepresented in STEM-related fields, comprising approximately 17.6 percent of workers in STEM-related jobs, despite advancements in technology which have resulted in an increased number of STEM jobs overall.
- Female scientists and engineers have made enormous strides in occupations concentrated in the fields of biological sciences (55 percent) and chemical and material sciences (36 percent) as compared to the past. The percentage of women occupying engineering has remained stagnant (15 percent), while chemical and material science occupations have decreased compared to the past (40 percent).
- Without women, many of the advancements in STEM would not be seen in today’s society.
- California encourages the participation of women to join STEM careers to level the gender imbalances within those careers. California celebrates, supports, and commends those who have aided in furthering the participation and involvement of women in STEM careers and activities.
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
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
