Joseph S Simitian

Saren Joseph Simitian (born February 1, 1953) is a California Democratic politician. From 2004 to 2012, he was the State Senator representing California's 11th State Senate district, which encompasses all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.[1] Approaching his term limit at the end of 2012, he ran for and was elected as a Santa Clara County Supervisor.[2] He was re-elected to the same seat in 2016. Simitian’s legislative and supervisorial record includes work on housing affordability, healthcare, government accountability, education, environmental protection, energy/climate, consumer protection, privacy, and highway safety. Simitian has been recognized as "one of the most effective legislators in Sacramento,”[3] and has been commended for improving educational access and housing for low-income families.[4] In the state legislature, Simitian chaired the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee and the Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources. He is the author of California's 20% renewable energy portfolio standard and California's data breach notification law, which requires companies and agencies to notify individuals when their personal information is compromised.[5] Simitian also authored several high-profile transportation safety laws, including California's hands-free cell phone bill.[6][7]