Senator Steve Glazer announced the recent death of former Senator Richard Rainey who served California's 7th Senate District. Senator Glazer currently represents the same district.

Senator Richard "Dick" Rainey served California's 7th Senate district (1996-2000) and Assembly's 15th district (1992-1996). He is survived by his wife, Sue, and seven adult children.

The California Senate honors the legacy of former Senator Richard Rainey by adjourning in his memory.

Senator Steven Bradford presiding over the Senate

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Anthony Portantino

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins and Senator Brian Jones

Senators Josh Newman and Monique Limón

For the first time since March of 2020, members of the Senate are seated at their own desks.

Although California's stay-at-home order has been lifted and pandemic restrictions eased, the California Senate continues to encourage social distance and requires face masks at all times.  

Senator Monique Limón

Senators Brian Jones, Susan Eggman, and Brian Dahle confer during Senate session

Senators Mike McGuire and Bill Dodd

Senators Ben Allen and Bob Wieckowski

Senator Patricia Bates

Senator Ben Allen

Senator Anna Caballero

Senator Andreas Borgeas

Senator Josh Becker

Senator Brian Dahle

The Capitol dome is illuminated in rainbow colors in recognition of Pride Month, 2021

Senator Susan Eggman

Senate President pro Tempore, Toni Atkins

Senator John Laird

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Steven Bradford stands in support of a resolution recognizing June 19th as a day for Californians to honor and reflect on the important role African Americans have played in American history. Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” “Emancipation Celebration,” and “Freedom Day,” is the oldest African American holiday observance in the USA.

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senator Dave Min

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh presents a resolution recognizing the month of June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month 

Members of the Senate wear purple face masks in recognition of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. 

Senator Monique Limón

Senator Ben Hueso

Senator Scott Wiener

In recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month, the Pride flag will be flown on the main flagpole of the State Capitol for the month of June.

Senator Bob Hertzberg presents a resolution memorializing the achievements of Sugihara Chiune in saving thousands of Jewish lives during WWII. Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who risked his job and the lives of his family to help thousands of Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so they could travel through Japanese territory.

Senator Richard Pan speaks in support of a resolution recognizing the week of May 9, 2021, to May 15, 2021 as Hospital Week, and recognizes the life-saving contributions of hospitals in this state during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. Senator Pan is a pediatrician in the Sacramento area. 

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins adjourned the Senate in memory of Navy veteran Clayton Schenkelberg, who, at age 103, was believed to be the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor. Mr. Schenkelberg was born October 17, 1917 and died April 14, 2021

Senator Brian Jones

Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk

Senator Bob Archuleta

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Robert Hertzberg adjourns the Senate in honor of former Vice President, Walter "Fritz" Mondale who died on April 19, 2021. Mondale served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter.  

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Jim Nielsen, considered the "Dean of the Senate" because of his lengthy service to the Legislature, served alongside Senator James Mills in the 1970s and early 1980s and shared his recollections of the former pro Tem.  

Senator Hertzberg shares memories of former Senator James Mills before the Senate adjourns in his memory.

Senator Mike McGuire

Senator Henry Stern

Senator John Laird

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator Richard Pan, chair of the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus opens the Senate with a prayer calling for support and unity against the rising tide of violence facing Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Richard Roth

Senator Steve Glazer

Senator Bill Dodd

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Bob Wieckowski

Senator Ben Hueso

Senators Atkins, Gonzalez, Durazo, Rubio, Skinner, Leyva, Bates, Kamlager, Caballero, and Eggman wore beaded "dissent collars" in honor and remembrance of the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Senators Gonzalez and Leyva greet each other with an "elbow bump"

Senator Bill Dodd

Senator Ben Allen

Mindful of social distancing protocol, Senators Bob Archuleta and Susan Rubio greet each other with an "elbow bump" on the Senate floor.

Senator Josh Becker leads the Senate in prayer at the start of the session.

Senators Josh Newman and Tom Umberg

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins confers with Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk at the start of Senate session

Senator Steven Bradford introduces a measure recognizing February 2021 as Black History Month. SCR 10 urges citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month and encourages the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions of African Americans.

Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Scott Wiener confers with Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Happy Lunar New Year 2021. The Year of the Ox 农历新年快乐

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senators Josh Newman and Richard Roth

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Ben Hueso

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Connie Leyva

Senate Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg

Senator Susan Eggman

Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove

Senator Richard Pan speaks on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Island caucus in recognition of Dr. King's contributions to the civil rights movement.  

Senator Scott Wilk 

Senator Dave Cortese

Senators John Laird and Dave Min greet each other with an elbow bump before the start of session

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins welcomes members back to the Senate for the start of the new year.  

Senators Jim Nielsen, Shannon Grove and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Scott Wiener

Senators Mike McGuire and Dave Min

Senators Bill Dodd and Bob Wieckowski

Senator Jim Nielsen

Senator Susan Eggman

Senators Anthony Portantino and Ben Allen

Senators Richard Pan, Nancy Skinner and John Laird

Senators Anna Caballero and Richard Roth

Senators Josh Becker and Susan Eggman

In the abbreviated ceremony, 17 senators were sworn into office, including new and re-elected members; three others will be sworn in at a later time. In compliance with county health directives, family members and guests were not permitted on the Senate floor.

Seats in the Senate Gallery are marked off to enforce social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Senator Mike McGuire

Senator Bob Archuleta