Friends and Neighbors,
Friday was our House of Origin deadline, when all Senate bills must make their way to the Assembly, and vice versa. This means that all of my active bills are now in the Assembly. The next bill deadline is for the Budget bills, which must be passed by midnight on Monday, June 15th. Below is a brief update on the status of my bills that are still moving through the legislature, and events from around the district. You can find more information on my legislation here.
Senator Steven S. Choi, Ph.D.
Representing State Senate District 37
Legislative Update
Bills:
SB 897: Laguna Woods: Vehicle Code: SB 897 would explicitly authorize the City of Laguna Woods to use the funds they received from the Orange County Service Authority for Abandoned Vehicles to address Vehicle Code violations. This would enable the City to use dormant funds to enforce Vehicle Code violations on public streets. This bill is sponsored by the City of Laguna Woods and has passed out of the Senate. It is currently assigned to the Assembly Transportation Committee.
SB 927: Foreign Adoptees: SB 927 would allow an adult whose foreign adoption in California was not finalized by either their adoptive parents or their adoption agency by the time they were 16, to petition for their adoption to be finalized. This bill has passed out of the Senate and is at the Assembly Desk for assignment to a policy committee.
SB 935: Design-Build Authorization: This bill would repeal the January 1, 2031 sunset date of the design-build project authorization, making design-build a permanent procurement method available to local governments. Studies show that design-build projects cost approximately 6% less and are delivered more than 30% faster than traditional design-bid-build projects, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office has found the method to be a valuable contracting option. This bill is sponsored by the Design-Build Institute of America Western Pacific Region and has passed out of the Senate. It will be heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee on June 3rd.
SB 971: Older Adult Education: This bill would authorize local health departments, school districts, and area agencies on aging to offer voluntary older adult education and technology training, in partnership with community organizations. SB 971 is sponsored by the California Senior Legislature. This bill has passed out of the Senate and is currently at the Assembly Desk for assignment to a policy committee.
SB 1021: Expand Hunting and Fishing Opportunities for Youth Facing Life-Threatening Illnesses: This bipartisan legislation would expand access to hunting and fishing opportunities for youth who are battling life-threatening illnesses. SB 1021 directs the California Fish and Game Commission to offer reasonable accommodations for children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses who want to access existing fishing and hunting programs, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and nonprofit conservationist organizations. SB 1021 bill is sponsored by Field of Dreams. This bill has passed out of the Senate and is currently at the Assembly Desk for assignment to a policy committee.
SB 1126: Local Government Financial Records: This bill would require governing boards of local governments to post their audited financial statements on their websites within 30 days of the report being completed, and that the records be maintained for at least three years. The measure will incentivize local governments to be transparent with their finances and inform the public about how their tax dollars are being spent. SB 1126 has passed out of the Senate. It will be heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee on June 3rd.
SB 1242: CARE Court Reform to Strengthen Family Involvement: This bill modernizes the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Proceedings process by ensuring families can remain involved in CARE Court program for individuals with serious mental illness. SB 1242 allows family-member petitioners to participate throughout their loved ones’ CARE Court program for the purposes of care coordination and information sharing, unless a judge determines their involvement would be detrimental to the respondent’s well-being. This bill has passed out of the Senate. It will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
2026 Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Honoree Suzie Sue
In May, the California State Senate celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. I was proud to honor Suzie Suh, the first Korean American primetime news anchor in Los Angeles and a proud Orange County native. Through her distinguished career in journalism, Suzie has informed, uplifted, and represented communities across Southern California with excellence and integrity. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to future generations, and it was a privilege to recognize her on the Floor of both the Assembly and Senate during this important celebration.
From the District
Team Choi will be participating in the Costa Mesa Community Health Resource Fair on Saturday, June 6th. You can find more information on the event here.
Small Business of the Month
I was proud to recognize Tlaquepaque Restaurant in Placentia as the May Small Business of the Month for Senate District 37. Established in 1965, Tlaquepaque is one of the oldest businesses in Placentia and a cornerstone of the Old Town district. For generations, the Davis family has served not only outstanding food, but also the broader community through decades of civic involvement and leadership.
Owners Raul and Rosalina Davis proudly continued the legacy started by Raul’s father, and today the family tradition carries on with Raul Jr. managing day-to-day operations.
Rosalina has served as President of the Placita Santa Fe Merchants Association for nearly 40 years and helped organize Placentia’s beloved Tamale Festival for 30 years. Tlaquepaque has also been a strong community partner to Cal State Fullerton and countless local organizations. Congratulations to the entire Davis family on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your continued commitment to serving the Placentia community and all of Orange County.
5th Annual Dia del Niño Festival 2026
On May 1st, I had the pleasure of attending the 5th Annual Festival del Niño in Lake Forest. It was an honor to speak at this wonderful celebration and reflect on how the event has grown over the years to bring families, students, and community members together in support of our children. As a lifelong educator, I shared my belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for strengthening our communities and creating opportunities for future generations. My staff and I also enjoyed meeting with families at our booth, where children spun a prize wheel, received coloring books, and picked up helpful community resources.
Thank you to Ralph A. Gates Elementary School and the City of Lake Forest for inviting us to be part of this special event. It was inspiring to see so many families come together to celebrate and invest in the success of our young people.
Hyo Ceremony, Korean American Seniors Association of Orange County
In celebration of May as the Month of Family, I was honored to attend a special event recognizing Korean seniors in our community. More than 300 seniors gathered for an afternoon of fellowship, featuring traditional Korean music and dance performances that celebrated our rich cultural heritage. I had the opportunity to offer remarks expressing my gratitude and appreciation for the many contributions our seniors have made to our communities and future generations. U.S. Representative Dave Min, Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, and Councilmember Joyce Ahn also joined in recognizing these valued community members. The event brought together numerous local leaders and community organizations, all united in thanking and honoring the senior community for their lifelong dedication and service.
Love Costa Mesa Day
On May 16, Team Choi participated in Love Costa Mesa Day, an annual event dedicated to strengthening the community through service, volunteerism, and charitable projects. The event brings together local businesses, churches, community organizations, and residents to improve the quality of life for those who call Costa Mesa home. Our team joined community service projects throughout the morning and spent the afternoon connecting with residents, sharing state resources, and providing fun activities and books for children. During the luncheon program, our office presented a Certificate of Recognition honoring the positive impact and continued success of Love Costa Mesa Day.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Trellis, Love Costa Mesa, and the City of Costa Mesa for their leadership and commitment to serving our community.
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