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Headshot of John Laird

John Laird

Democrat, State Senate
District 17, Santa Cruz
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2002-2008
  • Senate: 2020-present

News coverage of John Laird

Bio

John Laird, 76, was a member of former Gov. Jerry Brown’s cabinet, a city council member and a member of the Assembly. Laird was Brown’s secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. Prior to his appointment, he served three terms in the Assembly and several years on the Santa Cruz City Council, where was one of the country’s first openly-gay mayors. Laird was executive director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, taught environmental policy at the University of California Santa Cruz, hosted a talk radio show and was an analyst for Santa Cruz County. Laird and his spouse live in Santa Cruz.

Leader Badges

Higher Education Badge
Environment Badge

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 40 bills:
15 Passed
2 Failed
23 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 40 bills: 15 passed, 2 failed, and 23 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
Don Ernst$350Nov 22, 20213 bottles of wine
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 - Haley & Company$158.2May 24, 2021member dinner
Rivas for Assembly 2022$151.74Oct 4, 2021dinner
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 - Haley & Company$92.79May 11, 2021member dinner
Adam Gray for Assembly 2020$91.5Feb 24, 2021gift basket
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 - Haley & Company$80.71Feb 23, 2021senate jacket
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 - Haley & Company$45Mar 3, 2021champagne
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 - Haley & Company$45Apr 13, 2021campagne

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#31/120

This legislator is ranked 31st highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by John Laird

SB 575
California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Revenue and Taxation

In Progress
California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Revenue and Taxation
SCR 146
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Committee: Senate Floor

In Progress
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.Committee: Senate Floor
SB 1261
Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services

In Progress
Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Human Services
SB 952
State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications

In Progress
State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for SB 9522MIN
May 26, 2026

SB 952

State Water Project: renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources.

Preview image for SB 9316MIN
May 19, 2026

SB 931

Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant: Community Impacts Mitigation Program.

Preview image for SB 10232MIN
May 18, 2026

SB 1023

Health care coverage: antiretroviral drugs, drug devices, and drug products.

Preview image for SB 12883MIN
May 18, 2026

SB 1288

Property: nonprobate transfer of ownership.

Preview image for SB 9222MIN
May 18, 2026

SB 922

Vehicles: local agency charges: use of streets or highways.

Preview image for SB 10381MIN
May 7, 2026

SB 1038

The Public Employees’ Retirement System.

Preview image for SCR 1463MIN
May 4, 2026

SCR 146

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Preview image for SCR 13617MIN
Apr 27, 2026

SCR 136

California Coastal Act of 1976.

Preview image for SB 9171MIN
Apr 27, 2026

SB 917

Alcoholic beverages: certified farmers’ market sales permit.

Preview image for SJR 1228MIN
Apr 23, 2026

SJR 12

Proposed 2026–2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: opposition.

Preview image for SB 93118MIN
Apr 21, 2026

SB 931

Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant: Community Impacts Mitigation Program.

Preview image for SB 10783MIN
Apr 16, 2026

SB 1078

Transactions and use taxes: County of Santa Cruz.

View All Hearings

District

The maps and information about this district reflect the boundaries when this Senator was last elected in 2020. Since then legislative districts have been redrawn according to the latest US Census. This district will change after the 2024 election.

District 17 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

John Laird
65%
WON
Tony Virrueta
35%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age