HR 40
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 19, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
HR 40 (Lackey) – As Amended May 12, 2025
SUBJECT: Rosenda’s Day.
SUMMARY: Declares May 25, 2025, Rosenda’s Day, to raise awareness about the impacts of
drunk driving and impaired driving crashes. Specifically, this resolution makes the following
legislative findings:
1) Memorial Day holiday weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a period notorious for
a surge in impaired driving crashes according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Drunk
driving continues to be a major cause of preventable accidents and fatalities in California.
2) In 2024, the California Highway Patrol reported a total of 42 deaths over Memorial Day
weekend. Rosenda (Rose) Elizabeth Smiley, at 14 years of age, was one of the 42 people
killed when she was struck by a drunk driver.
3) On May 25, 2024, Rose’s life was stolen in an instant. While at the beach with friends, she
stepped into the crosswalk where all lanes of cars had stopped to let her, her friend, and her
stepsister pass. But before they could make it across, a reckless drunk driver swerved into
the right turn lane to bypass traffic, killing Rose instantly.
4) Her story is tragic and it must be told to bring awareness to the preventable choices that led
to her death. She was a free spirit, a kind and compassionate soul who saw the good in
everyone. She lived life fully, embracing each experience and loving without hesitation. Her
presence was magnetic, drawing people in with her warmth, courage, and unwavering sense
of self.
5) Her legacy lives on, not only through the memories of those who loved her, but through the
lasting tribute of Rosenda’s Gift, a charity founded in her name to ensure that lives lost to
tragedy are honored, remembered, and never erased. Rose’s life was extraordinary, and her
absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
6) Alcohol abuse is the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according
to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
7) Every 85 seconds in the United States, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash.
And, two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime, according to
the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
 HR 40
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800