SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate, led by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), convened to begin the 2025-26 Legislative Session today, welcoming in newly elected, re-elected, and returning members, and kicking off the Extraordinary Session that is focused on protecting California’s people, policies, and progress from federal interference.

During his remarks, Pro Tem McGuire highlighted the hard work members put in to secure their place in the Senate, and the work that lies ahead for the next two years.

“It’s time to get to work and we couldn’t be more excited about this outstanding group of new Senators who were sworn in today. They’re hard-working, innovative and ready to tackle the tough challenges ahead,” Pro Tem McGuire said. “California is where the nation meets the Pacific Ocean, and our future. We feed the country and supply the world. We export everything from minerals to movies to medical miracles. Californians are always reaching, always discovering, and always delivering – and the California State Senate is proud to represent them every day.”

The Senate also gaveled-in the First Extraordinary Session called by Governor Newsom to safeguard California values and fundamental rights from the incoming federal administration. Senate Democrats, led by Pro Tem McGuire and in partnership with Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), have introduced a budget bill as part of the special session.

SBX1-1, authored by Senator Wiener, includes $25 million in funding proposed by Governor Newsom for the California Department of Justice to bolster legal resources, and adds $10 million for County Counsels and City Attorneys for similar purposes. It also expands on that effort by including $25 million for Legal Aid efforts and legal services for local communities.

“We’re in the calm before the storm and we know the hurricane force winds are about to hit from the incoming federal administration—it’s time to get prepared and batten down the hatches. This funding will help protect the people, policies, and progress of the Golden State along with our nation-leading economy,” Pro Tem McGuire said. “We share and appreciate the Governor’s concerns that California values and fundamental rights could be in the eye of that storm, so we have put forward a budget bill focused on bolstering legal resources at the state and local level. We look forward to working with our Assembly partners and the Governor as we fine-tune this legislation, and hold robust public hearings and take action on this in January.” 

In keeping with the focus of the Governor’s proclamation, the bill specifies that the grant funding for County Counsels and City Attorneys would be related to issues of reproductive health, the state’s clean air, clean water and climate laws, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ civil rights. It also would add funding for legal services focused on grants for nonprofit pro bono legal teams, immigration and detention legal services, and data security projects. 

“Shoring up our state agencies is absolutely critical, as is making sure that there is funding available for legal protections our cities and counties may need to safeguard local laws targeted by the new Administration. It’s our job to protect the most vulnerable in this state and that is exactly what this proposal will do,” said Senator Wiener. “This is a pragmatic first step in protecting Californians from attack, and I’m grateful for the partnership and support of the Pro Tem and my colleagues as we work to protect our progress, and protect our people.”

“Let’s be candid: Our immigrant communities are the backbone of our state’s nation-leading economy and we are going to do all that is in our power to protect families and the progress we’ve made over the past many years,” said Senator Gonzalez. “We can’t thank Pro Tem McGuire enough for stepping up and investing in protections for the people and polices that will help make California thrive. As Latino Caucus Chair, I’m proud that we are taking this bold move and doing everything we can for Californians, with progress as our guiding light.”

The Extraordinary Session will run concurrently with the regular Legislative session. For more information about SBX1-1, click here.

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Mike McGuire is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. He represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin Counties. Website of Senate Leader McGuire: https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/