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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 45 bills:
18 Passed
2 Failed
25 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 45 bills: 18 passed, 2 failed, and 25 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 1139
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District: nonfunctional turf: noncompliance and enforcement.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

Passed
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District: nonfunctional turf: noncompliance and enforcement.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
SB 963
California Coastal Act of 1976: coastal development permits: appeal: de novo review.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

In Progress
California Coastal Act of 1976: coastal development permits: appeal: de novo review.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
SB 922
Vehicles: local agency charges: use of streets or highways.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Local Government

In Progress
Vehicles: local agency charges: use of streets or highways.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Local Government
SB 931
Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant: Community Impacts Mitigation Program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications

In Progress
Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant: Community Impacts Mitigation Program.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 10553MIN
Jul 1, 2026

SB 1055

Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency: contracts.

Preview image for SB 9229MIN
Jul 1, 2026

SB 922

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

Preview image for SB 11112MIN
Jun 29, 2026

SB 111

Budget Act of 2026.

Preview image for SB 9177MIN
Jun 24, 2026

SB 917

Alcoholic beverages: certified farmers’ market sales permit.

Preview image for SB 9316MIN
Jun 24, 2026

SB 931

Diablo Canyon nuclear powerplant: Community Impacts Mitigation Program.

Preview image for SB 10786MIN
Jun 23, 2026

SB 1078

Civil rights violations: service of process: Civil Rights Department.

Preview image for SB 126110MIN
Jun 23, 2026

SB 1261

Aging and Disability Resource Connection program.

Preview image for SB 1102MIN
Jun 18, 2026

SB 110

Budget Act of 2026.

Preview image for SB 10555MIN
Jun 17, 2026

SB 1055

Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency: contracts.

Preview image for SB 128822MIN
Jun 16, 2026

SB 1288

Property: nonprobate transfer of ownership.

Preview image for SB 9393MIN
Jun 10, 2026

SB 939

Public employees’ retirement: service credit: payments.

Preview image for SB 10383MIN
Jun 10, 2026

SB 1038

The Public Employees’ Retirement System.

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