Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Senate Select Committees for the 2021-22 Legislative Session

March 24, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today announced the establishment of the 2021-22 Legislative Session Senate Select Committees. These committees, and member appointments, are effective immediately. Senate Rules Committee adopted the Senate Select Committees today.

 

Senate Select Committee on the 2020 United States Census

Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), Co-Chair

Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Co-Chair

Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas)

SB 1: Critical Protections for California’s Coast, Communities

March 22, 2021

SACRAMENTO – On World Water Day 2021, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), and climate change experts called on Californians to encourage their communities to support SB 1, legislation authored by Pro Tem Atkins to provide tools for California to combat sea level rise. 

California Officials Announce California Privacy Protection Agency Board Appointments

March 17, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) today announced the establishment of the five-member inaugural board for the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA), a new administrative agency charged with protecting the fundamental privacy rights of consumers over their personal information. The CPPA board consists of experts in privacy, technology, and consumer rights.

Natural Resources Committee Passes Atkins’ Bill to Protect California from Sea Level Rise

March 16, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today presented SB 1, a landmark bill to help California address the impacts of sea level rise, to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, which approved the bill in a 7-2 vote.

Senate Leader Atkins on American Rescue Plan: California’s Fair Share Will Mean Additional Help for Struggling Families, Communities

March 11, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding President Biden’s signing of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan:

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Updated Committee Appointments

March 11, 2021

SACRAMENTO –Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) announced the following update to committee appointments today, following the swearing in of the Senate’s newest member, Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles). The committee appointments are effective immediately.

 

Standing Committees
Appropriations

  • Appoint Senator Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) to fill the vacancy.

Budget and Fiscal Review

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Appointment of Vernita Todd to the Health Professions Education Foundation Board of Trustees

March 10, 2021

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee appointed Vernita Todd to the Health Professions Education Foundation Board of Trustees during its hearing today. As Chair of the California Senate Rules Committee, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), who recommended Todd to serve on the board, issued the following statement:

Senate Launches ‘Blueprint for a Fire Safe California’

March 4, 2021

SACRAMENTO – With another hot and dry fire season on the horizon and potential drought settling in over California, preparedness efforts throughout the state are underway. In anticipation of this, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and the Senate’s Wildfire Working Group have released a plan and introduced a budget framework to prioritize fire prevention and response efforts.

Atkins Bill Expanding CEQA Streamlining Program to Include More Housing Passes Senate; Bipartisan Vote Sends SB 7 to Assembly for Action

March 1, 2021

SACRAMENTO – On a 34-0 bipartisan vote, the California State Senate today approved SB 7 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), which restores California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining provisions and allows small-scale housing projects to benefit from those provisions.

Senate Leader Atkins on Schools Agreement: An Important Milestone on a Long Journey

March 1, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the agreement and legislation to return California students to classrooms: