The Overview
If you live in California, Sept. 25 is now officially Dolly Parton Day every year. California's Senate Bill 931, the Dolly Parton Day bill, became law when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 20. Parton's Imagination Library, which began in 1995 in her home county and later expanded to multiple countries, mails a free book each month to enrolled children from birth through age five, according to NPR and the Associated Press.
What the Law Does
California law already requires the governor to proclaim various days of remembrance or recognition. This law adds to that existing requirement, directing the governor to annually proclaim Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day. The measure recognizes Parton's musical and philanthropic legacy, FOX40 reported. That legacy includes the Imagination Library, which began in 1995 in Parton's home county and later expanded to provide free books to young children in multiple countries.
Legislative Status
Grove is the bill's lead author, and Caballero, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, Krell and Addis are principal coauthors, with 58 cosponsors in all.
The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee passed it 13 to 3 on April 21. The full Senate passed it 29 to 10 on May 19. The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee passed it 13 to 1 on June 24. The Assembly passed it 73 to 0 on Sept. 1, and the Senate concurred in Assembly amendments 39 to 0 the same day. That unanimous final tally across both chambers reflects the broad, bipartisan coalition behind the bill, which drew sponsors from both parties and more than 50 coauthors.
In coverage by NBC Bay Area, Gov. Gavin Newsom said: "We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble, and have some fun… Be a diamond in a rhinestone world." The Lodi Public Library planned a "Dolly's Imagination Celebration" for Sept. 25 to mark the new designation, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported.
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