CalPIRG, UCSC chapter -- given Oceans Champion award

San Andreas Regional Center -- recognized for advocacy and support for the Developmental Disabilities Community

Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center Lambda Awards -- Timothy Warford Leadership Award

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce -- Ruth Vreeland Memorial Public Official of the Year

University of California Alumni Associations -- named 2008 Legislator of the Year

CALPIRG, the consumer advocate -- earned grade A for 2007 legislative session

California Small Business Association – recognized for commitment to small businesses in 2007 

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California -- earned 100% Pro-choice score for 2007 legislative year

PawPAC, Committee for Animals Legislative Report Card -- earned A+ score for 2007

California Food Policy Advocates -- given "Stampy" State Policy Maker Award

California Congress of Seniors -- earned 100% rating for 2007 legislative session

Consumer Federation of California -- earned 100% rating for 2007 legislative session

AFSCME -- earned 100% rating on 2007 legislative scorecard

Consumer Attorneys of California -- named 2007 Legislator of the Year

California Alliance for Retired Americans -- earned 100% rating for 2007 legislative session

Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club -- given 2007 Legislator of the Year Award

ECCO -- given the Political Service Award

American Civil Liberties Union -- given Hammer of Justice Award

AIDS Coalition Silicon Valley -- given Award of Distinction

The Good Times Newsweekly -- named 2007 Best Local Politician

Environment California -- received 2006 Environmental Champion Award

Metro Santa Cruz -- named Goldies 2007 Best Politician

Rotary Club of Watsonville -- received Book Award in Support of Literacy

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California -- earned 100% Pro-choice score for 2006 legislative year

California League of Conservation Voters -- received 100% rating for 2006 legislative year

California Labor Federation – earned 100% score for 2006 legislative session

CA Community College System--Friend of California Community Colleges Award

CALPIRG, the consumer advocate -- earned 100% score for 2006 legislative session

Children's Advocacy Institute Legislative Report Card -- earned 100% score for 2006

AFSCME Legislative Report Card -- earned 100% score for 2006

PawPAC, Committee for Animals Legislative Report Card -- earned A+ score for 2006

Applied Research 2006 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity -- earned 100% rating

United Way/Success By 6 -- given a 2006 Family Friendly Employer Award

Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition -- named a Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace

Equality California -- given Building a State of Equality Award

West Valley-Mission Community College District -- given Community Recognition Award

The Good Times Newsweekly -- named 2006 Best Politician and Best Mover & Shaker

The Children's Advocacy Institute -- given 2005 Legislator of the Year Award

National Association of Social Workers, CA Chapter -- earned 100% rating for 2005 Legislative scorecard

Health Services Association of California Community Colleges -- given Legislative Advocate for Students Award

Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality -- earned 100% rating for 2005 legislative report card

CA National Organization for Women -- earned perfect score for 2005 legislative scorecard

California Alliance for Retired Americans -- earned 100% rating for 2005 legislative scorecard

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) -- earned 100% rating for 2005

CALPIRG, the consumer advocate -- earned 100% score for 2005 legislative session

Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute -- given Leadership Award

Equality California -- earned 100% rating for 2005 Legislative Scorecard

The Applied Research Center -- earned 100% rating for 2005 California Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity

Children's Advocacy Institute -- earned 95% rating (highest given) for 2005 Legislative Report Card

CA Conference of Local AIDS Directors -- given HIV/AIDS Policy Leadership Award

Drug Policy Alliance -- named "California Hero" for authoring legislation on more effective needle exchange programs

Faculty Association of California Community Colleges -- given Legislator of the Year award

Sierra Nevada Alliance -- given Dean Malley Sun Tzu Award

California League of Conservation Voters --given Byron Sher Environmental Leadership Award

California Hunger Action Coalition -- given "Hunger Fighter Award" for authoring AB 1385, The Food For Schoolchildren Act of 2005

Metro Santa Cruz -- named Goldies 2005 Local Visionary

The Good Times -- named 2005 Best Local Politician

California Federation of Teachers -- named 2005 Legislator of the Year.

California Council of Land Trusts -- given award for work on the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation -- given award for work on ocean legislation.

Nature Conservancy -- given award for work on statewide environmental issues.

State Parks Foundation -- given award for work on behalf of California's state parks.

California League of Conservation Voters -- given award for work on statewide environmental issues.

Applied Research Center's Report Card on Race -- given 100% legislative score for 2004

Association of California Community College Administrators -- named 2004 Legislator of the Year

California League of Conservation Voters -- given 100% legislative score for 2004

California Park & Recreation Society -- given 100% legislative score for 2004

Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality -- given 100% legislative score for 2004

La Raza Lawyers of Santa Cruz County - Award of Distinction for dedication to: non-violence, volunteerism, public action, "Si Se Puede," egalitarianism, education of heart, solidarity/unity, and respect for all cultures, religions and lifestyles - June 3, 2004

Water Bond Coalition -- Certificate of Appreciation for Able Leadership and Service in Support of Fair and Equitable Water Bond Programs for All Californians - April, 2004

Vote the Coast "Coastal Champion". Special Recognition of 100% rating in the following categories: Introduction of Coastal Measures, Committee Votes and Floor Votes - April, 2004

UCSC Alumni Association Achievement Award of 2003 -- 2004 to Recognize Exemplary Accomplishments

California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) -- "Freshman 100" award for 100% Voting Record in Support of the Environment. Also, CLCV "Gold Star" for "Strong Leadership as Chair of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee" - March 2004

Santa Cruz AIDS Project -- 2003 Legacy Award for Exemplary Service and Commitment to the HIV and AIDS Community of Santa Cruz County

Friends of Castroville Library in Appreciation of Help and Support in Obtaining Bond Act Grant -- October 28, 2003

Equality California - 2003 Legislative Leadership Award in Recognition of Equality for LGBT Californians

Metro Santa Cruz Goldies -- Bronze Award for Local Visionary 2003

The Committee for Tobacco Free Campaigns - recognized Assemblymember John Laird for his Commitment to the Health of All Californians