State Sen Joe Simitian, who will be termed out of the Legislature next year, announced Sunday that he will run again for Santa Clara County supervisor.

If successful, Simitian, 58, will replace Liz Kniss, who next year reaches the three-term limit for supervisor. She represents north county areas on the five-member board.

"I know the job," said Simitian, who served as county supervisor from 1997-2000. He added, "Frankly, the county is often overlooked as a place where some of the toughest challenges as a state and society are addressed -- health care, welfare, law enforcement and land use."

Simitian has served in the Legislature since 2001, first in the Assembly then in the state Senate. Although widely known as an expert in education, his most recognized bills may be those requiring hands-free cell phones for drivers making calls and prohibiting texting while driving. He previously served on the Palo Alto school board, and was an attorney in private practice.

Simitian made his announcement at a panel discussion in Palo Alto featuring three winners of his There Ought to Be a Law contest, in which he invites constituents to propose legislation. The winners -- nurse Amy Colton, tow truck driver Daniel Leon and Palo Alto police officer Wayne Benitez -- all proposed bills that Simitian decided to sponsor.

Leon's idea, to require drivers to slow when approaching emergency personnel on the road, became law. Benitez's proposal, to prevent minors from purchasing cold medication with dextromethorphan, which can cause people to get high, will become law Jan. 1. Colton's idea, to require women be given certain information after receiving a mammogram, passed the Legislature but was vetoed. Simitian has vowed to reintroduce it.