AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 20, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

98

Introduced by Assembly Member Caloza

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Rivas, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, and Zbur)

March 24, 2026

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Relative to National Public Works Week.

WHEREAS, Public works professionals focus on facilities, infrastructure, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities, and to the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of the State of California; and

WHEREAS, These facilities, infrastructure, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, including engineers, managers, and employees, at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens; and

WHEREAS, It is in the public interest of California communities to gain knowledge of, and maintain an ongoing interest in and understanding of, the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities; and

WHEREAS, Public works is often considered “the silent arm of public safety,” usually without fanfare. Public works professionals provide vital support to emergency response partners, helping to protect essential services and restore those services following an emergency, and are often the first on scene and the last to leave the scenes of disasters, no matter the peril; and

WHEREAS, Public works professionals play a vital role in disasters and other emergencies and are often considered the “silent arm of public safety,” working diligently, often without fanfare, to support emergency response partners, regardless of hazard. Public works maintenance and operations staff are among the most visible and essential elements during the response and recovery phases of disasters, frequently among the first to arrive and the last to leave. They assist with rescue, evacuation, flood control, and sheltering; provide temporary traffic control and perimeter security; transport critical supplies and equipment; and restore damaged infrastructure, making their broad capabilities a critical component in nearly every type of disaster or emergency; and

WHEREAS, The year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association; and

WHEREAS, The American Public Works Association applauds the national recognition of the “Public Works First Responder” status and its use to support and promote public works first responders; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Legislature hereby declares the week of May 17, 18, 2026, to May 23, 24, 2026, inclusive, as National Public Works Week in the State of California, and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling on the people of the great State of California to observe the week with appropriate programs and educational activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the authors for appropriate distribution.

REVISIONS: Heading—Line 2.