Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
- Bill Dodd
Person
The Senate Governmental Organization Committee will come to order. The Senate continues to welcome the public in person and via the teleconference service. For individuals wishing to provide public comment. Today's participant number is 877-226-8163 and the access code is 736834. We're holding our Committee here in the O Street Building and I ask all Members of the Committee to be present in room 1200 so we can establish a quorum and begin our hearing before we get started. Although she's not here right now.
- Bill Dodd
Person
We'll have Senator Grove today replacing Senator Wynn for our hearing today. We have 21 bills on today's agenda. However, we have 11 bills on consent. And those are item two, AB 277, item 3, 296, item 6, 1505, item 9, 619, item 10, 553, item 12, 608, item 14, 696, item 17, 1348, item 19, 1768, item 20, 1769, and item 21 AB 1770.
- Bill Dodd
Person
I do want to note that item number 12 by AB 608 by Assemblymember Shiavo, which was on today's proposed consent calendar, will be amended today. Those technical amendments were agreed upon in the Senate Health Committee, but given the tight window, the author agreed to amend it in this Committee. The analysis reflects those amendments. They are in your binder and Member staff has been notified. Seeing no objection, we will adopt these amendments. So we're going to start as a Committee Subcommittee, of course a Subcommittee.
- Bill Dodd
Person
And with that, we're going to move to item number one, AB 258 by Assembly Member Reyes. Good morning and welcome.
- Eloise Gómez Reyes
Legislator
Good morning, Mr. Chair and Senators. I've got a really good Bill. AB 258 will create a small business portal which will provide access to information and resources for small businesses. There's a demonstrable need to make it easier for small businesses to access state resources. Many small businesses in California would love to partner with the state, but do not have the technical knowledge or the expertise to navigate the different state processes such as accessing technical assistance, the procurement process, and locating grants.
- Eloise Gómez Reyes
Legislator
Centralizing the state's small business financial opportunities in one location will make it easier for small businesses to get access to these critical resources. Here to testify and support are Pat Fong Kushida, President and CEO of the Cal Asian Chamber of Commerce, and Julian Cañete, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- Pat Kushida
Person
Good morning, Chairman Dodd, Senators. Pat Fong Kushida and I'm Presidency of the California Asian pacific Chamber of Commerce. We represent the interests of over 746,000 AAPI owned businesses here in California, and we are proud to be a joint sponsor of AB 258. A practical Bill that addresses a common problem for small business owners seeking assistance to start and grow their businesses.
- Pat Kushida
Person
While various state and federal programs exist, including grants, loans and business incentives, identifying what resources are available and how to access them remains opaque to many small businesses. AB 258 updates an existing state web portal to aggregate information and streamline program information delivery. Adding a basic search function will allow the web portal to be more responsive and interactive to a small business needs. Today, businesses are overloaded with information.
- Pat Kushida
Person
Without internet search technologies, busy small business owners have to manually read through multiple web pages hoping to uncover a program for which they may be eligible. Alternatively, they can sign up for e-alerts, which triggers a seemingly unending bombardment of flyers and announcements from which they similarly have to read through on the off chance of finding an eligible program.
- Pat Kushida
Person
With the enhanced AB 258 web portal, a business would only need to answer a few basic questions about their business to receive information directly related to their actual needs and circumstances. As we are all aware, COVID-19 devastated many small businesses post COVID, these businesses face new challenges due to rising operational costs and supply chain interruptions. We can take an essential step in supporting these businesses by simply making their access to existing resources faster, easier and more efficient. I'd like to thank the Assemblywoman for authoring this Bill. Thank you so much.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you, next speaker.
- Julian Canete
Person
Good morning, Chairman Dodd and Senators. And thank you for the opportunity to speak for you this morning. Julian Cañete, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
- Julian Canete
Person
We are proud to be co sponsors, along with our partners at the Cal Asian Chamber and the California African American Chamber of AB 258, and appreciate the hard work and the opportunity to work with Assemblywoman Reyes and her leadership on this Bill. As you know, small businesses are the backbone of California's economy. Healthy small businesses mean a healthy economy.
- Julian Canete
Person
However, small businesses most often do not know of the opportunities to help them manage, grow or comply, whether through grants, access to capital, procurement opportunities and other business resources and knowledge. AB 258 is an answer as it will help bring this valuable information to small businesses together in one place. AB 258 would not require new activity from GoBiz or the Office of the Small Business Advocate.
- Julian Canete
Person
The Office would be the place to have all the information to come together, and it's all information that already exists. AB 258 creates one place for small businesses to find important information and resources of what is available to small businesses here in California. Nothing new is being created here, simply gathering tools, knowledge and resources from existing programs. We have been working with GoBiz and the Office of Small Business Advocate in shaping this Bill and respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you very much.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Anybody else in the room here, 1200 wishing to testify?
- Assagai, Mel
Person
Good morning. Mel Assagai for the California African American Chamber of Commerce in strong support.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Good morning, Chair and Members Andrea [indeterminate] on behalf of NAWBO California in support.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Seeing no other witnesses in support, is there anybody in the room in opposition to this Bill, seeing none. We're going to bring it back to our Members. Really? We're going to do that? All right.
- Bill Dodd
Person
So we're going to go to the phone lines now. Operator.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, on the phone lines, if you wish to speak in support or opposition of AB 258, please press one, then zero on your telephone keypad. We do have a line in queue here. One moment, please. And we have line 13. You may go ahead.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Hi. My name is Addison Peterson with CAMEO, which stand for the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity. We want to say we're in strong support of AB 258. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
This is anybody wishing to add on to opposition or support?
- Chris Micheli
Person
Sorry to be tardy, Mr. Chair. Chris Micheli on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in support.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Moderator do we have any other calls?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Mr. Chair, we do not. You may proceed.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Well, thank you for doing that in spite of me. I appreciate it. Okay, back to now, the membership. Senator Archuleta.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Yeah. Good. Thank you. Assembly Member great Bill, and I think it's a great partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and GoBiz in a really enhance the opportunities for people in my district, in surrounding cities that will now be able to look at the grants and everything else. Great opportunity. I'd like to move it at the appropriate time.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Senator Seyarto
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
No need to report the good Senator's, or, repeat the good Senator's words.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay, anybody else here seeing? None. Assembly Member would you like to close?
- Eloise Gómez Reyes
Legislator
Thank you so much. I think every once in a while we do get some bills that do provide information to the community that California offers already, and especially for our small businesses to have them go through so many different websites and so many different offices. I think we owe it to them to provide them one portal where they can get the information they need, get it quickly without having to go through so many emails, as our witnesses have talked about. And with that, I respectfully ask for your I vote at the appropriate time.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Assembly Member as you know, we are working as a Subcommittee, and as soon as we get a quorum, we'll be voting on your Bill. Thank you so much. Okay, we're going to move to item number four, AB 474. Assemblymember Rodriguez. Good morning. Four and five, and two on consent. Three on consent. Boy, you've got a big day.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
So with that, are you ready? Thank you. Master Chair and members, I'm proud to present AB 474, a bill requiring the State Threat Assessment Center at the California Office of Emergency Medical Services to support state and local Fentanyl task forces. As you know, transnational criminal organizations are supplying the drugs that are addicting and killing our children as part of the overall strategy combating the illegal opioid crisis. We must disrupt these networks of criminals and get opioid drugs off our streets. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were almost 200 million deadly doses linked to the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels. Fentanyl distribution in the United States in the last year alone. This bill complements the governor's master plan for tackling the fentanyl and opioid crisis, and the Department of Justice's Operation Overdrive, which addresses this strategy by targeting the criminals doing the most harm, removing fentanyl from our streets and reducing related violence. It also supports the initiative recently announced by the governor in San Francisco to establish a partnership between the California Highway Patrol, the California National Guard, San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco District Attorney's Office to combat drug trafficking. It's time to put an end to this tragedy, which is stealing lives daily, tearing families apart, and shattering our communities. For all these reasons, I respectfully ask for aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay. Anybody in room 1200 here wishing to testify in support, please come forward.
- Kyra Ross
Person
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members. Kyra Ross on behalf of the City of Burbank, in support of the bill.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Next. Seeing none. Anybody in opposition? Seeing none. We're going to move to the phone lines. Moderator.
- Committee Moderator
Person
Thank you. To speak in support or opposition of AB 474, please press one, then zero. One moment, please.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Moderator we're going to have one more person in here speak. Please proceed.
- Becca Cramer Mowder
Person
Thank you. Sorry about that. In three places at once. Becca Cramer Mowder on behalf of ACLU California Action in respectful opposition. AB 474 further entrenches the work of fusion centers known as the State Threat Assessment Center, or STAC, in ways that exacerbate the harms of fusion centers. Fusion centers function like government-run data brokers, enabling problematic surveillance and facilitating the dangerous sharing of people's data with out-of-state authorities while also exacerbating harmful policing practices. Fusion centers are also susceptible to abuse and undermine the rights and safety of community members, including labeling pro-choice activists as violent extremists. Unfortunately, AB 474 builds on this problematic remit of fusion centers, including the targeting of particular communities. The bill's final legislative finding muddles opioid distribution with immigration and thefts of intellectual property, singles out people from a particular country, and using heated rhetoric threatens to further exacerbate improper targeting based on nationality or family ancestry. AB 474 has other problems as well. Its operative language mandates STAC to take action against unspecified criminal organizations while providing no basis for assuming that these unspecified organizations cause the problem the bill hopes to remedy, nor providing any metrics or guidelines to establish what success looks like in this endeavor. Rather than appreciating the domestic causes of opioid addiction and the Fentanyl crisis or providing support for proven non-law enforcement approaches to curtailing the demand for these drugs, the bill assumes that transnational criminal organizations are the causes for these crises and further entrenches the misguided assumption that we can police and criminalize our way out of our drug problems. We have tried this before with the failed war on drugs and seen the devastating consequences on people's lives. How it harms communities most impacted by drug addiction without addressing the public health issue these laws were meant to solve. We urge you to instead approach drug crises in restorative and life-affirming, public health-oriented ways that do not have dangerous collateral consequences on people and communities of color and of lower incomes. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Moderator.
- Committee Moderator
Person
We have a line, and it's line 12. You may go ahead.
- Cassandra Smith
Person
Hello, Cassandra Smith on behalf of the City of Carlsbad and the City of Bakersfield in support. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much.
- Committee Moderator
Person
Mr. Chair, you may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much, moderator. Okay, with that, I'm going to turn it back over to I'm going to go with Senator Wilk because, Senator Archuleta, you just, like, dominate this committee.
- Scott Wilk
Person
Actually, I was putting on my mic so I could yield my time to Senator Archuleta.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Senator Archuleta.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Thank you. Well, I will concur with the League of California Cities and a number of cities in my district, and with my law enforcement background, it's about time. I think this is what we have to do. We have to save lives, save children's lives. We've got to stop this. And I would love to be a co-author. So please, let's go forward with this and get all the support you can, because I think this is great for California and great for everyone, and I thank you for bringing it forward. And again, I will be the aye vote and endorse it and whatever it is you want. Mr. Chair. I thought I'd give it to you because I interrupted you. You didn't interrupt me. No.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay. All right. With that, I see no other comments on the diets, do we, Senator? Senator.
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
He said, what, no, I'm just kidding. This is a good bill. It doesn't trample on people who are doing nothing. It doesn't trample on their rights. This is trying desperately to get a handle on an issue that is plaguing not only California but the rest of the United States. And it is there's a federal component to it and there's a state component to it. And we have to do something to try to figure out where this is coming from and who is responsible for bringing it here, as well as trying to figure out how to treat and do some of those issues here that will help curtail both the usage side but also the delivery side. So there is no one-size-fits-all for this. And for that, I appreciate your approach to this part of it. There's going to be more, I hope. And I have a bill that will be heard later on today that is a very broad bill that hopefully will do this. So anyway, if you could add me as a co-author, if I'm not already, I would appreciate it and when the time comes, I'll be supporting your bill. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you, Senator. I concur with those comments. Senator Rodriguez, Assemblymember Rodriguez. Would you like to close?
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
Well, I want to thank the senators for your thoughtful discussion. I'm looking forward to adding you on the bill as well. And with that I respectfully ask for an aye vote, thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. At the appropriate time, when we have a quorum, we'll be voting on the bill. Thank you. Assemblymember we got one more here for you. That would be item number five, AB 513. You can proceed when you're ready.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
Thank you once again, chaired Members, this Bill established the California Individual Assistance Act, to be administered by the California Office of Emergency Services. CalOES. The purpose of this Bill is to provide timely and direct assistance to families and individuals who have suffered harm due to local and state declared disasters, but would not be eligible for that or many or may not warrant federal disaster assistance for individuals.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
This Bill provides local governments, community based organizations, and individuals with assistance they need to quickly recover from a disaster. All too often, FEMA and CalOES have been unable to provide assistance to the most vulnerable communities where disaster survivors have few paths to recovery. This is because critical aid from FEMA remains out of reach for families and individuals who have survived a disaster if the local disaster does not meet the criteria for federal assistance.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
After the community Pajaro was flooded, I visited the evacuation shelter in Watsonville, where there are too many displaced families with unmet needs. While the community based organizations were stepping up to help disaster survivors, at this point they had not received no federal assistance and felt forgotten. With that, I feel we need to do better.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
This Bill will help as it will require CalOES to retroactively provide individual assistance for the recent winter storms and for the magnitude 6.4 earthquake off the California, Northern California coastline near the City of Ferndale in Humboldt County. With that, I have David Knight, California Community Action Partnership Association, and Noe Paramo, California Rural Assistance League Foundation, here in support.
- Noe Paramo
Person
Good morning, Chairman Dodd and Committee Senators. Noe Paramo representing California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. Thank you to Assemblymember Rodriguez and the coauthors for presenting AB 513.
- Noe Paramo
Person
CRLA Foundation supports the Bill which establishes the California Individual Assistance Act within CalOES. AB 513 will require CalOES to award grants to community based organizations as trusted messengers to address the needs of immigrant migrant rural farmworker communities so that they not only provide prevention, outreach and education that they have funding to provide direct assistance to impacted individuals with immediate response needs to help in the longer term recovery from the effects of storms, excessive heat, wildfires earthquakes and drought.
- Noe Paramo
Person
California's 800,000 plus farm workers and their families have been at the forefront during the pandemic as essential workers and before and after the impacts of climate change affecting them economically. More than 250,000 are undocumented, lack immigration status that live in the communities that have been under declared disaster notices. Yet we're excluded from federal assistance, many from mixed status families speaking mostly Spanish in indigenous languages such as Mistico, Zapotec, Triqui, and Purepecha.
- Noe Paramo
Person
A closer look at Planada tells us that in January 2023, the town sustained flooding, displacing residents. A May 2023 survey by the UC Merced Community Labor Center found that 83% of households suffered economic losses. Most of the homes did not qualify for federal disaster assistance. AB 513 will provide funding to build capacity of the CBOs for immediate, intermediate, long term assistance to provide for the residents to be more resilient, ensure sustainability and livelihood of their farm workers, children, and their communities.
- Noe Paramo
Person
Thank you for your consideration in support of this important Bill, AB 513.
- David Knight
Person
Good morning. David Knight on behalf of the California Community Action Partnership Association and our 60 Members of community action agencies in all 58 counties, we are in support of this Bill. As many of you know, the Federal response and other national organizations response typically takes time.
- David Knight
Person
And these local CBOs are the ones with the boots on the ground that typically are having to reach deep into their own pockets, even in their own personal pockets, to Fund this until that recovery happens, as mentioned before, they're typically here way sooner than anybody else. They're the ones that are tapped into immediately, and then way after the federal response is gone, they continue to be that resource. This funding will maximize their ability to react quickly. And so we're in support. Thank you very much.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Any others in support?
- Bill Dodd
Person
Catherine Freeman on behalf of the California State Association of Counties, in support. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Anybody in opposition in the room seeing none. Moderator can we see if there's anybody either pro or against AB 513?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Thank you. We do have several lines already in queue. We'll first start with line 17. You may go ahead.
- Audra Hartmann
Person
Audra Hartmann on behalf of Genesis, the San Diego Company in support.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Next we go to line 20. Please go ahead.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Good morning. Cole Klein on behalf of [indeterminate] shelters in support. Thank you.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Next, we go to line 16. Please go ahead.
- Alejandro Solis
Person
Alejandro Solis on behalf of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in support.
- Committee Secretary
Person
And next we go to line 21. Please go ahead.
- Karen Schmelzer
Person
Yes, good morning. Karen Schmelzer with Nossaman on behalf of the County of Monterey, in support. And we thank the author for bringing forward this Bill.
- Committee Secretary
Person
And, Mr. Chair, no other lines. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Moderator we'll bring it back to the Committee. Senator Archuleta.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Do it. When I think of disaster relief, I think of FEMA. And I didn't realize that the state was so far behind or lacking. My concern, of course, would be with the tenants. Property owners always seem to find resources. And this does take care of the tenants as well, I'm sure.
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
Yes. Mostly focusing on the individual families and individuals themselves that are affected by that disaster.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Okay, very good.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Yeah. I wouldn't necessarily say that the state is way behind, though. I think, just to clarify, this is certainly the way the rules and everything regulations. That's why this Bill is so needed, so that we can get to the individuals that are part of a master like disaster and don't qualify because the rules, I think that's a good niche. Anybody else? Senator Wilk.
- Scott Wilk
Person
I want to align my comments with the Chairman. Thank you.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Well, I'll move the Bill
- Bill Dodd
Person
With that, Assembly Member, would you like to close?
- Freddie Rodriguez
Person
I want to thank you for your time. Once again, I respectfully as for an aye vote. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. At the appropriate time, when we have a quorum, we will vote on this Bill. Appreciate it. Okay. Assembly Member Jackson, you're on.
- Scott Wilk
Person
You're doing a great job today.
- Bill Dodd
Person
They're great bills.
- Scott Wilk
Person
Makes it a lot easier.
- Bill Dodd
Person
It does.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Good morning, sir.
- Corey Jackson
Legislator
Good morning. Thank you very much.
- Corey Jackson
Legislator
Mr. Chair and Committee Members, I present to you AB 437, the Equity Equalization Act, which seeks to establish a statewide definition of equity and require all state agencies to consider more inclusive policies, practices, and other actions to advance equity. Since the 1999 to 2000 legislative session till the present day, the term equity has been referenced in 2823 pieces of legislation introduced here in the Legislature, but with no official definition of what equity actually is.
- Corey Jackson
Legislator
By adequately defining equity, California will be able to directly measure the performance of practices, programs, and policies through an equity lens and use those metrics to improve and promote equity through data driven best practices. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Anybody wishing to testify in support in the room? No. Anybody wishing to testify in opposition? See none. Moderator anybody in support or opposition, please, for AB 437.
- Committee Secretary
Person
And just as a reminder, press 10. First we go to Line 19. You may go ahead.
- Martin Radosevich
Person
Good morning. Martin Radosevich on behalf of Santa Clara Valley Water District. In support.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Next we go to Line 22. Please go ahead.
- Kat DeBurgh
Person
Hello, Kat Deburgh with the Health Officers Association of California in support.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Mr. Chair, we have no other lines. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Moderator with that, we'll bring it back to the Committee. We have a motion when the appropriate time. When we have a quorum. Would you like to close, sir?
- Bill Dodd
Person
That's the way to go. Very much. Thank you. Appreciate you being here this morning. Assembly Member Fong, you're up next. That would be AB 469, and your other Bill is on consent, so welcome.
- Corey Jackson
Legislator
I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Vince Fong
Person
Thank you. Chair Members, it is my pleasure to present AB 469. Thank you to the Chair and his staff for working with us on their amendments, and I accept those.
- Vince Fong
Person
In our current process, state agencies can deny California Public Records Act request knowing that there is no appeals option for requesters other than to sue the agency in court, which is not feasible and too costly for many in the public. This Bill addresses this problem by establishing an ombudsperson who can review the denied Public Records Act request and serve as an independent referee to decide if the state agency had legitimate grounds for denying the request.
- Vince Fong
Person
State agencies should not be able to freely deny public records requests and stop the public of getting information crucial to holding the government accountable. California's state agencies have built a troubling track record of sidestepping PRA requests by citing exemptions that are inappropriate and irrelevant to the nature of the request. State government is here to serve the public, as we do every single day. It is our duty to be transparent in how we conduct state business and use taxpayer dollars.
- Vince Fong
Person
This Bill addresses this loophole in the Public Records Act process so that it can do what it was intended to do, which is bring transparency, fairness, and accountability to government. My witness from the California News Publishers Association is ill, so I just respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you, Assembly Member anybody in the room wishing to testify in support? Anybody in the room wishing to testify in opposition? Seeing none. Moderator could we see if there's anybody on the line that wishes to address this Bill, either pro or con?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, once again, press 10 if you are in support or opposition of AB469. And Mr. Chair, we have no one. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. We'll bring it back to our Committee here. Got the motion at the appropriate time. Assembly Member Fong, thank you for being here, and we will vote on that when we have a quorum.
- Vince Fong
Person
Appreciate it. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. We're looking for Assemblymember Hart, Papan, Irwin. Irwin is chairing a Committee, or Addis. Now's your time to come and, Quirk-Silva. Zero, my God. We're waiting.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
[off mic] Thought I'd share that with you. Here's my grandson.
- Bill Dodd
Person
[off mic] Wow. What a great kid.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
[off mic] Yeah. And that's the second grandson. That the other one. Just got hired by Anaheim PD.
- Bill Dodd
Person
[off mic] Sweet. Very nice. Congratulations.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Yeah. But you didn't read the fine line. It said, I'll be moving in with you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
I did see that. As soon as he gets a few paychecks under his belt, he'll get.. Once again, we're looking for Assemblymember Hart, Assemblymember Papan, Irwin, Addis, or Quirk-Silva.
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
Okay, we're going to be moving to item number 15, AB 749. Assembly Member Irwin welcome.
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
Thank you, Senator.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Please proceed when ready.
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
I am here today to present AB 749, which directs state agencies to adopt Zero Trust architecture on state systems. Zero Trust architecture is an approach designing and operating systems which shifts away from the old model of protecting the castle with only a firewall. It requires agencies to implement multifactor authentication, endpoint detection, and enhanced logging to verify users continuously as they traverse our networks.
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
Zero Trust was the subject of President Biden's Executive Order to Modernize the Cybersecurity of Federal Agencies, and is currently being implemented across all federal agency agencies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has published a maturity model that creates a phased approach to Zero Trust adoption that increases the sophistication of the agency's capabilities. AB 749 adopts this phased approach and sets an implementation deadline for initial maturity that aligns with CDT's recent technology letter and sets deadlines for advanced and optimal maturity in future years.
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
Through this approach, AB 749 will bring California agencies up to speed with this shift in cybersecurity paradigms and make all our systems safer.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Anybody wishing to testify in support? Anybody willing to wanting to testify in opposition? Moderator could we go to the phone lines, please?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Certainly. Ladies and gentlemen, to speak in support or opposition of AB 749, please press one, then zero. At this time. Mr. Chair, we have no one. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. We'll bring it back. So we have a motion when the time is right and we have a quorum. So thank you very much. Would you like to close?
- Jacqui Irwin
Legislator
Just respectfully ask for your vote when the time is right.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Thank you very much. Assembly Member good deal, by the way. It is a good Bill. Assembly Member Hart, you're up. Yeah, beautiful. Moving right along.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I move the Bill when appropriate.
- Gregg Hart
Legislator
Thank you very much. Senator, chair Dodd Members, I'm pleased to present Assembly Bill 590 to the Committee today. AB 590 would improve and expand the practice of providing nonprofits with advanced payments when they receive state and contracts. Specifically, this Bill would ensure all nonprofits have an opportunity to receive up to 25% in advance and prioritizes payments for nonprofits serving disadvantaged, Low income and underresourced communities.
- Gregg Hart
Legislator
Currently, nonprofits rely on a reimbursement model and are often placed in the challenging position of having to consider pursuing loans to cover costs associated with startup, state grants, and contracts. For example, one nonprofit paid over $28,000 in interest last year while waiting for payments from the State of California. Existing law includes approximately 26 permanent advanced payment programs authorized since the 1990s. This patchwork approach creates inequity, particularly around nonprofits with limited cash flows, serving vulnerable communities.
- Gregg Hart
Legislator
AB 590 is necessary to ensure all nonprofits have access to advanced payments so they can continue to perform critical work in communities across the state. Speaking in support of the Bill. With me today is Dr. Dwante Early West, CEO of United Way Capital Region, and Dr. Harvey Clark Harvey on behalf of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Good morning.
- Le Clark Harvey
Person
Good morning.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Welcome.
- Le Clark Harvey
Person
Thank you. I'm Dr. Leandra Clark Harvey. I'm the CEO of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and proud co sponsor of AB 590. We're a statewide advocacy organization representing nonprofit behavioral health providers across the state who collectively serve over 1 million Californians. Our Members do it all. They run nine, eight, eight crisis call centers outpatient and inpatient behavioral health clinics, school based services, homeless services and housing, foster care, substance use disorder services, and mobile crisis units across the lifespan.
- Le Clark Harvey
Person
In all of your districts, one third of Medi Cal services are provided by the nonprofits. Like the one CBHA represents, our Members survive off a variety of funding sources, including grants. In this tenuous funding environment, it's imperative that there are myriad opportunities to Fund the vital services that our Members provide. Now, during the pandemic which we are still in, we saw agencies on the brink of crisis, from funding basic PPE to supporting critical programs that serve youth, families and older adults.
- Le Clark Harvey
Person
And as the behavioral health needs of the community grew exponentially, funding was threatened. The literal and figurative doors of our agencies were at risk of closing, particularly smaller agencies that served rural populations or diverse client populations. And we uniquely understand the woes of small nonprofits who serve disenfranchised communities, as 40% of our organizations are BIPOC led and serving entities. This isn't a story from the past. This pandemic continues to dictate the ability for our Members to provide vital services to your constituents.
- Le Clark Harvey
Person
Advanced payment is a proven, successful method, but it's time for this policy to be applied in a fashion that will ensure equitable access to advanced payments. AB 590 is a solution to assist nonprofits as they do the critical work to serve your many constituents in need. And your vote today can help expand the services available to clients in crisis. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Good morning.
- Dante Early
Person
Good morning, so, good morning, chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Dr. Dante early and I am President and CEO of United Way California Capital Region. For over 100 years, we have brought people together to build stronger, healthier and more compassionate communities throughout the greater Sacramento region.
- Dante Early
Person
I am honored to speak in support of AB 590 by Assemblymember Hart, as this is a much needed and common sense Bill that will bring equity and access to advanced payments for nonprofits who serve the most underresourced communities in our state. United Way, California Capital Region, along with many nonprofit organizations, know firsthand the challenges that come with running critical programs with limited resources. UWCCR through the Our Promise Statewide Giving Campaign provides funds to over 1700 nonprofits across California.
- Dante Early
Person
AB 590 would essentially allow many of our partner organizations the cash flow needed to begin a program where a lack of startup funds is cost prohibitive and some of our grant funded work. We at times are waiting up to three months for reimbursement. For some of the smaller nonprofits that we partner with, this expense would put accounts payable and payroll in jeopardy. Some organizations are forced to take out loans and ultimately have gone under while delivering services under government contracts.
- Dante Early
Person
In instances where nonprofits do have larger budgets like US UWCCR, we are put in positions where we have to pull capital from investments or other potential programs to ensure we have sufficient cash flow to make our bottom line. Nonprofits are deeply skilled at trying to make a dollar out of $0.15, but in order to stretch resources, there must be resources there in the first place.
- Dante Early
Person
Advanced payments to nonprofits as outlined in AB 590 is, simply put, a smart move to make sure that the community based organizations that have deep connections and trust with historically underserved or unserved populations are set up from day one of a program for success. AB 590 would standardize and bring equity to existing law, creating numerous opportunities for advanced payments for nonprofits and private businesses without a history of abuse.
- Dante Early
Person
We are always eager to advance our partnerships with the state through contracting and grants that meet Californians where they are at where the resources are needed like digital inclusion, broadband for all community schools, housing, navigation through Cal Aim and free tax prep during tax season. These are all programs that United Way, California Capital Region is engaged in right now and seeing incredible results from. Children have more resources to grow up healthy and successful.
- Dante Early
Person
When they have digital access and wraparound support at critical developmental stages of life. Families with access to financial coaching and tax filing support can be ensured they have the resource they need to build a brighter future. This is transformational and communitycentered work, but it needs and can only be achieved with its highest potentials. When partners are tasked with these transformations are set up for success.
- Dante Early
Person
From the very beginning, the state enacting advanced payments to nonprofits as outlined in AB 590 is a core component of building community success. For these reasons, I urge your I vote for AB 590 and I thank you for all of your time and consideration.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Wood this is in support again,
- Chris Micheli
Person
Mr. Chair Chris Mckaley on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in support of AB 590. Thank you, sir.
- Darby Kernan
Person
Mr. Chair and Members Darby Kernan on behalf of Meals on Wheels California in support of the measure. In addition for a reentry coalition of nonprofit providers amity Foundation, West Care and Health Right 360, which provides all the reentry services in California with CDCR
- Catalina Sanchez
Person
Chairman Members Catalina Sanchez with Cal nonprofits in strong support.
- Christina Mohabir
Person
Thank you. Good morning. Christina Mohabir with Californians Against Waste in support.
- Melanie Morales
Person
Thank you Melanie Morales on behalf of The Green Lining Institute in support.
- Jennifer Fearing
Person
Good morning. Jennifer Fearing asked to convey the support of Tree people today. Thank you.
- Nicholas Mazzotti
Person
Good morning. Chair and Members Nicholas Mazadi, on behalf of Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District in support of the Bill. Thank you.
- Julie Baker
Person
Julie Baker, California Arts Advocates. In support of the Bill. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. Anybody in the room in opposition? Seeing none. Moderator can we pull up?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Mr. Chair, to speak in opposition of AB 590, please press one, then zero. Mr. Chair, no one has queued up at this time.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. We'll bring it back to the dais here. Anybody wishing to comment on this? Of course. Senator Archuleta.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Well, thank you for bringing the Bill forward. My concern is, is it going to drag the approvals in any way? Because these nonprofits obviously need the money as quickly as possible. Do you foresee any problem on that in the process? Can you elaborate?
- Gregg Hart
Legislator
Thank you. That's a great question. I don't I think that the regular process for allocating the grants in the nonprofit sector will remain the same. This is simply transferring payments in advance so that nonprofits don't have to struggle with the cash flow issues that the witnesses testified about.
- Bob Archuleta
Legislator
Very good. Great Bill. Move it when it's appropriate.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay, we've got a motion. When we have a quorum. Would you like to close.
- Gregg Hart
Legislator
Just when it is appropriate I respectfully request your Aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Good Bill. Looks like somebody Member. Quirk Silva was next. Good morning. Thank you for coming.
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
I'm all sunny and ready for the day.
- Bill Dodd
Person
There you go. So it's item number 18. That's AB 1382.
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
Yes. State Designated Cultural Districts. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee. And I want to thank the staff who has worked on this Bill. AB 1382 requires the California Arts Council to create an interdepartmental advisory group to support state designated cultural districts. The state designated Cultural Districts program was established in 2015, which allows communities to enter into a competitive application system for certified designation.
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
The benefits to state designated cultural districts include technical assistance and branding materials that increase the visibility of local communities and artists, and, of course, increases economic value. The Arts Council announced the initial group of 14 districts in July 2017, but no additional districts have received certification in the six years since.
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
In addition to creating an interdepartmental advisory group to assist the Art Council with facilitating promotion and signage, this Bill helps to build out the program by requiring the Arts Council to designate a staff person to develop, support, and strategically plan the state designated cultural district programs. I believe that California's strength lies in the diverse and unique artistic identities of our many communities, and more deserve the chance to be officially recognized for highlighting the cultural diversity that make our state truly exceptional.
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
Here with me today to testify in support of the Bill is Julie Baker, the CEO of California Arts Advocates.
- Julie Baker
Person
Thank you, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, for introducing the Bill and Chair Dodd and Committee. My name is Julie Baker, CEO of California Arts Advocates, the statewide advocacy organization for arts, culture and creative industries. Chapter 396 of 2015, AB 189 (Bloom) directed the California Arts Council to create a cultural districts program. The 22-23 California budget appropriated $30 million over three years to the program, but $20 million was swept back into the General Fund in the recently signed 23-24 budget.
- Julie Baker
Person
While the $10 million went to the 14 pilot districts designated in a competitive grant process in 2017, there is currently no additional funding to expand the program. AB 1382, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would provide the infrastructure needed to grow the program appropriately for the state to realize its full benefit. AB 1382 would support planning, grants and technical assistance for a more equitable expansion of the program to serve the geographic and racial diversity of the state.
- Julie Baker
Person
To prepare for cultural districts in areas traditionally underresourced, including but not limited to African American, Chinese American, Native American, Latinx and Asian American communities, and lower income communities, many of whom are not represented in the 14 Pilots. Securing resources for a permanent staff person and an interdepartmental advisory group are also critical to the success and expansion of the program. Cultural districts are proven method to increase economic vitality while strengthening the cultural fabric of communities.
- Julie Baker
Person
In the United States, 16 statewide programs have established more than 343 unique cultural districts which promote cultural equity, boost tourism dollars, encourage more local visitors, promote opportunities without generating displacement or expanding inequality, increase property values and generate more money for the region and state enhancing current economic development each region and creating a multiplier effect with other industries. Simply put, cultural districts are a smart investment for local and culturally determined community economic development.
- Julie Baker
Person
For these reasons and more, we offer our support of AB 1382 and ask, when appropriate, for your aye vote. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Anybody else in the room wishing to testify in support? Good morning.
- Martha Guerrero
Person
Good morning. Mr. Chair Members, Martha Guerrero representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support. And urge your aye vote. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Anybody in the room in opposition? Moderator can we find out if there's anybody on the line in support or opposition of AB 1382, please?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, press 10 if you wish to speak. Mr. Chair, we have no one. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. We're going to bring it back to the Members. Okay, we've got a motion when it's appropriate and thank you very much. Would you like to close?
- Sharon Quirk-Silva
Legislator
Just respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Have a great day, Senators.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay, we're going to move now to file item number 13. AB 609. Assembly Member Papin. Good morning.
- Diane Papan
Legislator
Good morning, Chair. Nice to be with you. Okay, I'd like to begin by accepting the Committee amendments, as I want to do. All right, so, AB 609 simply directs CAL FIRE to conduct a study on the feasibility of new aerial firefighting technologies. While current retardant delivery systems are an important tool in our toolbox, they have their limitations.
- Diane Papan
Legislator
Air tankers can only fly during the day and at certain altitudes, new delivery systems have emerged that allow for targeted drops from different altitudes, and they can do so around the clock. Our wildfires are getting worse, and we need to make sure CAL FIRE is staying on the cutting edge. Testifying with me today is RJ Cervantes on behalf of Caleb
- Rj Cervantes
Person
Chair and Members, RJ Cervantes here on behalf of Caylym Technologies International. Caylym is a Fresno based company that is exporting aerial firefighting capabilities to multiple countries around the world. We strongly support AB 609 because it matches some recently adopted federal appropriations language that authorizes testing of new aerial firefighting technologies at the US. Forest Service and the National Interagency Aviation Committee.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
As a part of that report process, the Forest Service will be looking for state level partners, and AB 609 ensures that California is in the best possible position to secure those federal partnerships. When combined with the excellent foresight of Senator Dodd's SB 109 from last year, AB 609 will ensure that we can leverage these federal resources for California and test all these emerging aerial technologies. And we urge your aye vote. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Anybody in the room wishing to testify in support? Anybody wishing to testify in opposition? Moderator on the phone lines, please. Anybody wishing to testify in support or opposition of AB 609, please.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Ladies and gentlemen, press 10 if you would like to comment. And we have no one. Mr. Chair, you may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. We'll bring it back to Dais.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I have some questions. Mr. Chair, Assembly Member I was very interested in this. Obviously coming from San Diego and representing the area that's impacted by rural wildfires severely. I found a YouTube video on this technology. It was about three and a half minutes long. There was no audio, but they showed the operation. And I saw a couple of questions coming out of that, of watching that video because I wanted to see how this was deployed.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
How do they predict their accuracy on where they're going to drop these boxes and actually hit the target that they're looking for? And if your witness wants to answer, I'm comfortable.
- Diane Papan
Legislator
I'm going to defer to my witness for his expertise.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I'll have some follow up questions, too.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
Thank you, Senator. So that's actually part of this testing process. There's what they call a cup and grid test that they do at a testing center in Montana. So as they move those boxes over it captures how much water is actually getting collected in these cups. It's been tested by the Israeli Defense Forces in Israel just as recently as last year and the EU Civil Defense Mechanism similar type testing and it ensures accuracy know getting the target wet at the end of the day.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
Right. And so then, I guess two follow up questions that might be related is, how can you ensure the safety of personnel on the ground? And then I think probably in line with that, the materials that are left behind which seem to be significant. And maybe you can explain what those boxes are made out of. And how is that recaptured? So safety and recapturing the materials. And what are they made of?
- Rj Cervantes
Person
Great question. So this type of capability is not meant for every single mission, so to speak. It's not meant to do urban missions for example. So in places where you have complete rural or forest fire coverage where there's literally nothing underneath other than land this potentially could make sense and that's why the Forest Service is interested in testing this further. And then to your question about the debris, so to speak. So in Caylym's case and there are other companies that offer other products.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
In Caylym's case, it's a biodegradable product. It's actually a corrugated box. And we're getting more and more, it's about 98% biodegradable right now, but we're trying to get to that 100% mechanism.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
Like I said, this is a significant amount of materials. Do you have a timeline on how long does it take to biodegrade that.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
I'd have to get back to you on I'm not exactly sure.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I would imagine that it's a fair trade off on the debris that's left behind and the forest that you're saving by putting out the fire. The fire is obviously going to destroy more forest than the debris is going to impact negatively. I would be interested in if you've got some follow up information you can send us exactly how this is going to work.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I'm glad to hear that it's not going to be in areas where there's personnel because these could be dangerous if they were used in that situation.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
Absolutely.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I would imagine the current fire in Canada would be a good example of where this could be used to impact that.
- Rj Cervantes
Person
So in our case Senator, we actually are in communication with the Canadian fire officials right now.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Just to make it clear, we amended out the specificity of this specific company and technology. That's not the job. And the Bill that I had last year, SB 109 was not intended for us to vet specific technologies. That's for this new Department of Technology. But since I asked you to amend that out, I gave you time to at least explain the product that you were seeking to have in the Bill.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
Well, and I appreciate the witness making that clear in his testimony.
- Bill Dodd
Person
No doubt and look at. We do have to get better at the technologies because time and time again, from 2017 on, this what really precipitated this Bill to start the Office of Technology is because we're getting calls, hey, why aren't you using this? Why aren't you using this. Heck, we don't know why, but it sounds like it's good. And this is why we have to have a Department. Not wait for the federal government. We've got problems right here in the State of California that are acute.
- Bill Dodd
Person
We need to be testing all these things and testing them now. And I think for the Members of our Committee, as this does happen in the future, every technology should get their opportunity and their day before this Department of Technology. So I really thank you for coming. Thank you.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
I'll make the motion and yield the remaining of my time back to the chair.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. I knew you were going to do that. Any other comments? No. Would you like to close?
- Diane Papan
Legislator
I just appreciate the engagement and this study is going to do us right, so thank you very much. Request an aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. And when we get one more Member, we're going to have a quorum and we will be voting on your Bill.
- Diane Papan
Legislator
Thanks for bringing terrific thank you, Senator.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Assembly Member Addis. Welcome. Final Bill of the day. Yes, this is the final Bill. I would ask Members to come down. We're going to open the roll and take motions on all these bills.
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Members, and want to thank my witnesses that are here today. I'm here to ask for your I vote on AB 840 to create an exemption to the Tide House rule for 23 venues across seven California State University campuses. Doing so will allow these CSU'S to access much needed revenue, which benefits the athletic and other programs that utilize these venues. CSU system serves over 450,000 students annually, making it the 18th largest University system in the world.
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
And in order for alcohol manufacturers to advertise at a venue at any CSU campus, the campus must obtain a Tide House exemption from the Legislature. Tidehouse exemptions are common site here in the Legislature. For example, last year, the Legislature passed SB 1280, which exempted the newly constructed Snapdragon Stadium at San Diego State University. In the past decade, the Legislature has passed over 13 Tide House bills. So compared to last year's massive surplus, California now finds itself with some budget issues.
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
And 840 would give our CSU campuses additional forms of revenue to Fund athletics and other activities that are so important to educational experiences. And I have two witnesses here today. Eric Bakey, the Director of State Relations from California State University, and Drew Zachmeyer, the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Business Services for CSU San Luis Obispo. Thank you.
- Eric Baki
Person
Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Chair Dodd and Committee Members. Eric Baki with the CSU Chancellor's office. I'd like to begin my testimony by thanking Assembly Member Addis for authoring AB 40, the largest University system in the United States, with a range of studies and locations across California. As noted, the CSU provides access to valuable, life changing degrees and supports for many of our local communities as well. To support these efforts, campuses continue to look for ways to bring additional revenue to their campuses.
- Eric Baki
Person
After surveying our campuses, we found that seven of them were interested in expanding economic opportunities. Through sponsorship agreements, AB 840 would create the necessary exemption and statute that would provide access to revenue sources that will aid and support programs throughout our campuses. For this reason, we respectfully ask your I vote here today. With me is Drew Zachmayer, assistant Vice President of Strategic Business Services at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, to provide a few remarks related to his campus and the benefits this Bill will provide them. Thank you.
- Drew Zachmayer
Person
Morning, Mr. Chair and Members. Some of you may know Cal Poly for its learn by doing, teaching philosophy and highly regarded polytechnic programs. The University also serves as a regional hub for jobs, economic development and cultural activities in San Luis Obispo County. Cal Poly is seeking a Tide House exception for four of its athletics and multipurpose venues, as well as its Performing Arts Center. While Cal Poly Athletics and Performing Arts enjoy strong support from the community and donors, operating budgets are always very tight.
- Drew Zachmayer
Person
Sponsorships with local alcoholic beverage suppliers and manufacturers, based in part on advertising opportunities at these venues, provide hundreds of thousands of discretionary dollars that augment limited based budgets. For example, in the case of athletics, every last dollar generated through these sponsorships goes into their scholarship Fund. Fully funding scholarships is critical not only for athletic success, but also to further Cal Poly's diversity objectives.
- Drew Zachmayer
Person
The Performing Arts Center uses these dollars to allow 12,000 local K 12 students each year to experience live educational arts performances through the free school matinee program. As you can see, the ability to develop sponsorship relationships with the alcohol industry, when done appropriately, provides an important revenue source that directly benefits students and the local community. Thank you for your time, and I respectfully request your I vote on AB 840.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. Okay, we're going to pause right now and get a quorum. Can you call the role, please?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Dodd, Here. Wilk Present. Alvarado-Gil, Here. Achuleta, Here. Ashby. Bradford. Glazer. Jones, Here. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla, here. Portantino, Here. Roth. Rubio. Sayarto, Here.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Hey, we have a quorum. I think, given that we're going to have adding on and everything, I'm going to let Assembly Member yes, we're going to continue with this Bill is what I'm saying. So we have anybody in opposition or still in support?
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Chair and Members, Austin here. With on behalf of St. Mary's College. I just want to thank the author.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
And the sponsor for working with us on this Bill. Do you represent St. Mary's College? Yes, sir.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Is God really a gale?
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
I'll get back to you on that one.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Okay, thank you. Thank you very much.
- Brian Jones
Legislator
For the record, I believe Senator Derazzo is a gale. I believe Nick Hardeman is a gale, and Brendan Hughes is how about let I think for the record, I might be right. Right, all right. Are you a gale? I am not.
- Bill Dodd
Person
All right. So now is there anybody in the room? Hardly. Is there anybody in opposition to this Bill? Please come forward. Have your day in front of this Committee.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
Thank you. The chair and the Members of the Committee. I am actually not a gale. I'm a gaucho. And we actually had a little bit of a tally when I was there because I was at the student newspaper for people who drunkenly fell off the cliff and were injured or killed. It was about two a year during my time. So I would like you to vote in opposition to this Bill.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
It seems like it's sort of a technical and fundraising exception, but when you actually look at where this is being done, this is being done on undergraduate campuses. And so we have 450,000 students in this system, 180,000 of them are under 21. So that's about 40% of the intended sort of beneficiaries. And the intended recipients of this advertising are not of drinking age. And then we also look at what happens in the community again.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
12,000 K to 12 students in just San Luis Obispo who are now suddenly getting large scale alcohol advertising in front of them. This seems just sort of broadly unethical, but then there's actually a sort of deeper cruelty to it, which is that when you look at what ends up getting people of this age group into the hospital or killed, the vast majority of it is alcohol related, the vast majority of it is motor Vehicle Crashes it is suicide. It is homicide.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
And now we are seeing a surge of alcohol involved drug overdose. And that there is actually a pharmacological reason being intoxicated with alcohol makes you much more likely to overdose on other depressants like opioids. So when we think about what is the fiscal gain here versus both the sort of moral loss and the loss in terms of actual students gone from our system, there just has to be a better way to fill this funding gap.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
And we ask that the Assembly Member and the Committee keep looking for this better way because it does not seem right to do it on the bodies of the students. Thank you, sir.
- Carson Benoitz
Person
Would you please state your name and who you represent, please?
- Carson Benoitz
Person
So sorry. Carson Benoitz, Fredericks Alcohol Justice, San Rafael, California. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you for coming today. Next speaker.
- Fred Jones
Person
Carson got up early this morning, had to drive up from the Bay Area. So he's excited. Senators Fred Jones on behalf of my client California Council on Alcohol Problems. We are also a founding Member of the California Alcohol Policy Alliance. So we, between the two of us, are rounding out the opposition on your analysis. The concern we have, we have lots of concerns, but the bills that this Committee has passed in the last decade were one single exception to Tidehouse. One at a time.
- Fred Jones
Person
Often they were district bills. One of the concerns with this Bill is its scope. This is seven CSU campuses, a private campus and a racing facility throughout the entire State of California. So this is a sweeping exception to Tidehouse, as Carson just described. It's also an exception in which most, or at least up to 40% of the viewers and probably more than 40% that go to these venues are underage. So the sweeping nature of this exception, the targeted audience, makes this Bill concerning to us.
- Fred Jones
Person
And so for those reasons and I would add just one other thing, if this is about funding, the last time this body updated the excise tax was 1992. And there's no cost of living or COLA inflationary change. So if you're looking for revenues to help balance CSU campus budgets as well as the states, we would encourage you look at the excise taxes. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you. At this point in time, we'll go to the phone lines. Moderator, can we see if there's opposition or support?
- Committee Secretary
Person
Certainly. Ladies and gentlemen, press 10 if you would like to speak. Mr. Chair, we have no one. You may continue.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much. We'll bring it back to okay, we have a motion by Senator Archuleta. You have a question?
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
Just a comment.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Mr. Seyarto.
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
Thank you. Also. Thank you for your Bill. This is helpful to the schools themselves, but the reality for the opposition of schools is I am a parent of Gail Toro, Gaucho, Bruin 49, or lion and Trojan, and none of those campuses are the students affected by what the opposition is talking about. Yes, there is drinking on campuses.
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
And sadly, as a person that used to cover the area that is the Pomona colleges, yes, there's drinking on those campuses and that's where we'd like it to stay, because when it goes off the campuses is when we have the trouble. And so I don't think this makes a hill of beans if a kid is going to decide to join in a beer party or not.
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
They will. They're kids and they're in college, and that's what they wind up doing there. So I think this is more helpful than it is hurtful. And I am not advocating for underage drinking at all, never would. But the fact of the matter is that's the reality out there. So we need to do common sense things that will help.
- Kelly Seyarto
Legislator
And in some of the things that get funded through some of these type of ventures are helpful not hurtful in the big scheme of things for the very kids that we're trying to protect. Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Anybody else? Okay, before I ask you to close, I'm amazed, with all due respect to the opposition this year thank you for being here, that there's not more opposition. I've run many of these bills and there's lots of opposition, and somehow they make their way out of Committee and through and get done, and it doesn't seem like there's much problem. So you've done a great job, Assembly Member Addis, and I'll ask you, if. You want to close,
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
I respectfully ask for your Aye vote.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you very much.
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
Thank you.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Madam Secretary, can we call the roll? We have a motion from Archuleta.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Dodd, Aye. Wilk, Aye. Alverado-Gil, Aye. Archuleta, Aye. Ashby, Aye. Bradford. Glazer, Aye. Grove. Jones, Aye. Ochao-Bogh. Padilla, Aye. Portantino, Aye. Roth. Rubio, Aye. Seyarto, Aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. We're going to hold that roll open. Thank you very much.
- Dawn Addis
Legislator
Thank you so much.
- Scott Wilk
Person
Mr. Chair, can I move the consent calendar?
- Bill Dodd
Person
You can. You absolutely can. So on the consent calendar, we have a motion by Wilk. Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Dodd, Aye. Wilk, Aye. Alverado-Gil, Aye. Archuleta, Aye. Ashby, Aye. Bradford. Glazer, Aye. Grove. Jones, Aye. Ochao-Bogh. Padilla, Aye. Portantino, Aye. Roth. Rubio, Aye. Seyarto, Aye.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Who also has 11 votes. We're going to hold the roll open. We're going to move to file item number one, AB 258 by Assemblymember Reyes. I'm sure that motion was done by Senator Archuleta. So with that secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee AB 258. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. We'll keep the roll open. We'll now move to file item number four, AB 474 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. That motion was made by Senator Archuleta. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee, 474. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Aye. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Aye. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. We'll keep open the roll. Now we'll move to file item number five, AB 513 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Motion made by Senator Archuleta. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Motion has 11 votes. We'll keep that on call. We'll now move to file item number seven, AB 437, by Assemblymember Jackson. Motion made by Senator Archuleta.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. No. Wilk, no. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. No. Jones, no. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. No. Seyarto, no.
- Bill Dodd
Person
So that's seven to three will hold the roll open. We'll now move on to file item number eight, AB 469 by Assemblymember Vince Fong.
- Committee Secretary
Person
It's eight to three.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Is that eight to three? That's what I had, but I said it wrong. Thank you. So Assemblymember Vince Fong. Motion made by Senator Archuleta. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Aye. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Aye. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Aye. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. It'll remain on call. We'll now move to file item number 11, AB 590 by Assemblymember Hart. Motion made by Senator Wilk. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. We'll keep that on call as well. Now move on to file item number 13, AB 609 by Assemblymember Papan. A motion made by Senator Archuleta. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass as amended to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
11 votes remain on call. We'll now move to file item number 15, AB 749 by Assemblymember Irwin. Motion made by Senator Archuleta. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye. Grove. Jones. Jones, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Aye. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 11 votes. We remain on call. We'll now move to file item number 16, AB 840 by Assemblymember Addis. Motion made by Senator... we did this. We did that already. Is there anybody here? Item 18 wasn't here when we voted on that.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Absent members Bradford, Grove, Ochoabo, Roth. Item 18.
- Bill Dodd
Person
So we'll move to file item number 18, AB 813 82 by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. Motion made by Senator Archuleta. Please open the roll sector.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee. Dodd. Aye. Dodd, aye. Wilk. Aye. Wilk, aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Alvarado-Gil, aye. Archuleta. Archuleta, aye. Ashby. Ashby, aye. Bradford. Glazer. Glazer, aye Grove. Jones. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Padilla, aye. Portantino. Portantino, aye. Roth. Rubio. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Seyarto, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 10 votes. Remain on call. So we have... Senator Bradford is here. We're looking now for Senator Grove, Ochoa Bogh and Roth.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Mr. Chair. There's a BNP meeting. Grove is presenting in public safety right now. So they're on her bill. It could be a while.
- Bill Dodd
Person
We're going to lift calls on the consent. The vote right now is 11, zero. Call the absent members.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Grove. Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
The Bill has 12 votes. We'll hold it open. File item number one, AB 258 by Assemblymember Reyes. Secretary open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Absent members Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 12 votes. We'll hold the roll open. Item number four, AB 474 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Secretary open the roll, please.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford.
- Bill Dodd
Person
The count is 110.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 12 votes. We'll hold the roll open. We're now moving to file item number five, AB 513 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. The vote is 11, zero. Secretary, open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That's 12 votes. We'll keep the roll open. Now move on to file item number seven, AB 437 by Assemblymember Jackson. The vote is seven, eight to three.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Aye. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Nine votes. We're going to hold the roll open. Now move to file item number eight, AB 469 by Assemblymember Vince Fong. The vote count is 11, zero. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
12 votes. The roll will stay open. We'll now move on to file item number 11, 590. Assemblymember Hart, vote's 11, zero. Open the roll, please.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
It has 12 votes. We'll leave the roll open. You'll now move to file item number 13, AB 609 by Assemblymember Papan. The vote is 11, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
It has 12 votes. We'll keep that roll open. Move to item number 15, SB, AB 749 by Assemblymember Irwin. The vote count is 11, zero. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth. 12, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That has 12 votes. We'll keep the roll open. We'll now move on to file item number 16, AB 840 by Assemblymember Addis. Vote count at this time is 11, zero. Please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Bradford, aye. Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.12, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Now move on to file item number 18, AB 1382 by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. The vote right now is 10, zero. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Bradford. Aye. Bradford, aye. Grove. Jones. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Thank you.
- Committee Secretary
Person
11, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
We close that one, can't we? Because she's not going to. She didn't vote on this bill.
- Committee Secretary
Person
No.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Yeah, but why do we have to... oh for Roth, you forgot that. Sorry about that. Okay, we're going to now move to the consent calendar. The vote count is 12, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
13, zero. We'll leave that open. File item number one. AB 258. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I'm sorry, which one?
- Bill Dodd
Person
It's file item one, AB...
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, got it. Sorry. Aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
The count is 12, zero. Okay.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Now move to file item number four, AB 474 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
13. Keep it open. File item number five, AB 513 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Vocount is 12, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
13, zero. Keep that open. Move to file item number seven, AB 437 by Assemblymember Jackson. Vote count is nine to three. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Keep that open. Move to file item number eight, AB 469 by Assemblymember Vince Fong. Vote count 12, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Sorry, that's eight, right? Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
13, zero. We'll now move to file item number 11, AB 590 by Assemblymember Hart. Vote count is 12, zero. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
So that's 13, we'll keep that on call. We will now move to item 13, AB 609 by Assemblymember Papan. Vote count 12, zero. Secretary, open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
13. File item 15, AB 749 Assemblymember Irwin. Vote count 12, zero. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. 13, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That was 13 votes. We'll keep it open. File item number 16, AB 840 by Assemblymember Addis. Secretary, please open... the vote count is 12, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. This is Addis. Sorry. 16. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. Aye. Roth, aye. 14, zero. That one.
- Bill Dodd
Person
It has 14 votes. We're going to close that out. File item number 18, AB 1382 by Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. Vote count 11, zero. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Jones. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye. Roth. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
The bill has 13 votes. That bill is out. We're going to go back to the consent consent calendar. Votes are obviously 13, zero. Open the roll please.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Aye. Roth, aye. 14, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
14, zero. That bill is out. File item number one, AB 258 by Assemblymember Reyes. Vote count 130. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye. 14, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
14, zero. That bill is out. We will now move to item number four, AB 474, Assemblymember Rodriguez. Secretary, open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye. 14, zero.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That's 14 votes. That bill is out. Now move to file item number five, AB 513 by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Aye. Roth, aye. 14.
- Bill Dodd
Person
14 votes. That bill is out. File item number seven, AB 437 by Assemblymember Jackson. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Ochoa Bogh. Roth. Aye. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That's 10, three. The bill is out. We'll now move to file item number eight, AB 469 Assemblymember Vince Fong, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
That has 14 votes. That bill is out. We'll now move to file item number 11, AB 590 by Assemblymember Hart. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 14 votes, that bill is out. Now move file item number 13, AB 609 by Assemblymember Papan. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 14 votes, that bill is out. Now move on to file 15, AB 749 by Assemblymember Irwin. Secretary, please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Grove. Roth. Roth, aye.
- Bill Dodd
Person
Bill has 14 votes, that bill is out. We'll now move to file item number 16, AB 40 by Assemblymember Addis. Please open the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
I think we closed those two.
- Bill Dodd
Person
We did close the last two. We have completed the agenda. The Senate Governmental Organizations Committee has adjourned.