Senate Floor

Secretary. Please call the role.

Allen. Alvarado-Gil. Archuleta. Ashby. Atkins. Becker. Blakespear. Bradford. Caballero. Cortese. Dahle. Dodd. Durazo. Eggman. Glazer. Gonzalez. Grove. Hurtado. Jones. Laird. Limon. McGuire. Menjivar. Min. Newman. Nguyen. Niello. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla. Portantino. Roth. Rubio. Seyarto. Skinner. Smallwood-Cuevas. Stern. Umberg. Wahab. Wiener. Wilk.

Members, a quorum is present. Would the members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise? We will be led in prayer this afternoon by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Let us bring our minds, hearts, and bodies into God's presence. Spirit of God, who breathes in us, the poet Danna Faulds reminds us that it only takes a reminder to breathe, a moment to be still. And just like that, something in us settles, softens, makes space for imperfection. The harsh voice of judgment drops to a whisper. And we remember again that life is not a relay race, that we will all cross the finish line, that waking up to life is what we were born for. As many times as we forget, as we catch ourselves charging forward without even knowing where we're going, that many times we can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the mystery. Amen.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance.

The United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Members, without objection, photographers will be allowed on the floor. Members are going to move on to privileges of the floor. If you could take your seats, we've got an extensive opportunity to do introductions. Madam Pro Temp, floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon, everyone and colleagues. I rise today to introduce an honored guest, California State University Interim Chancellor, Dr. Jolene Koester. Joining her today is, of course, her husband, Rod Lestig, and someone who probably needs no introduction, CSU Chair of the Board of Trustees, Wenda Fong. And with Chancellor Koester is a number of folks that actually make the Chancellor's office run, and they're in the audience watching. And I want to welcome all of them.

In Dr. Koester's role as Chancellor, she oversees CSU's 23 campuses, 460,000 students, and 56,000 faculty and staff. Dr. Koester has been part of the CSU family for nearly 30 years. Before becoming Interim Chancellor, she served as President of California State University Northridge from 2000 to 2011. Prior to that, she spent 17 years down the street at California State University in Sacramento, where she started as an associate professor and worked her way up to Provost.

Dr. Koester became Interim Chancellor in May of last year, stepping up during a pretty difficult time for the CSU system. I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to her for her leadership and her commitment to the students, the faculty, and the staff of the nation's most diverse university system. I greatly appreciated her steady hand. Throughout her career, Dr. Koester has maintained a strong record of ethical and purpose driven leadership.

As chancellor, she's been a champion for student success, inclusion, and unwavering support of innovation in teaching and learning. So, colleagues, please join me in thanking her and welcoming her and her spouse, as well as her support team and of course, the Chair of the Board of Trustees to the Senate Chamber.

Members, this is the time for the picture. Those of you who would like to be in the picture, please go to the back of the chambers.

Thank you so much for joining us here in the Senate Chamber.

Under privileges of the floor, we'll now turn to Senator Nguyen at the Senate Majority Leader's desk. Senator Nguyen.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I'm joined also by Assemblywoman Diane Dixon and Laurie Davies. California is home to a long established and widely respected surfing culture and tradition, and in my district includes many of them.

I have the pleasure of representing a beautiful stretch of the entire coast of Orange County from Seal Beach to San Clemente, where they host everything from prestigious surf competition and festival, well known surf clothing and equipment companies, educational museums, and nonprofits profits, and a tourism industry that supports many coastal communities, including Hunter Beach, also known as surf City, USA.

The state of California first observed California Surfing Day on September 20th, 2018, following the passage of my bill, SCR 122, which I introduced to bring awareness and attention to the impact that surfing has had on our state. September 20th was adopted by California surfers as a day to unify around their love of the ocean, the sport, and the pursuit of the perfect wave.

Surfing and surf culture has sustained many coastal communities, including Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Dana Point, Santa Clemente, Santa Cruz, Oceanside, Malibu, and many, many more. While one of the most iconic surf breaks in Huntington Beach, we get to host a number of major surfing events, such as the Vans US Open of Surfing, the Surfers Hall of Fame, and the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame.

Recently, the Women's US Open of Surfing was won by our own up and coming local surfer, 17 year old San Clemente resident Sawyer Lindblad, who was up against veteran competitors from California and around the world. California coastline spans 1100 miles, and its beaches and our coastal areas generate $1.15 trillion in economic activity annually. The United States boasts approximate 3.3 million surfers, who spend between 1.9 to 3.3 billion each year on local surf trips. The surfing industry, almost exclusively based in California, generates over $6 billion in the US, in US Annual retail sales, and California has the largest ocean economy in the United States.

Ranking number one for both employment and jobs and a gross state product at approximately $41.9 billion. Today, as I mentioned, joining me is Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, who represents part of my district, and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies also represents the other part of my coastal district. We're here, we also have and would like to recognize and observe California Surfing Day.

We have with me here today, and I want to welcome our mayor from Huntington Beach, mayor Tony Strickland, former State Senator. And we have with him is Mayor Pro Temp from Hunting Beach. Mayor Pro Temp Gracey Van Der Mark. And also Seal Beach Mayor Tom Moore.

Senator Blakespear.

Thank you. I rise today in support of elevating this recognition. And I want to thank my colleagues and the local elected officials who have come up from the district. Surfing is a very important sport for the entire state. There are many of us who represent coastal communities, and I just want to offer my voice in support of this as well today. Thank you.

Senator Laird.

Thank you very much. Representing and as a former mayor of the city that was sued out of the name of Surf City, I celebrate this and am pleased to support it. The difference is we even have sea otters that surf in our area and it makes a fundamental difference to the coastal economy. I'm glad that we're all united for this, and I congratulate them on this honor today.

Just looking to see if we have any other coastal members that feel the urge to jump on, but seeing none. Congratulations and thank you so much for being here today. Anybody who would like to take a picture can join Senator Nguyen in the back.

Next, under we're still under privileges of the floor members. We're going to move on to Senator Stern, who has an introduction. Senator Stern, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise to honor our next guest, also on behalf of Senator Limon, who's tied up on airplanes right now. But we're in the presence here of one of the world's most iconic actors, authors, businesswomen, and a fierce advocate for animal rights, miss Priscilla Presley.

Priscilla Presley is joining us in Sacramento today, advocating for the welfare of animals and fighting against the pet overpopulation crisis which impacts animal shelters, leading to horrific conditions both for animals and caretakers, and ultimately causing many shelters to euthanize animals that can no longer be cared for. I'm so grateful to have Ms. Presley here to bring much needed awareness to this issue. As a true animal hero, she gives generously of her time to those who ask for it and doesn't shy away from standing up for animals who can't speak for themselves. With that, I'm pleased to welcome her here as a guest on our Senate floor.

Members who would like to join in the photo, please go to the back of the chambers.

Members, we're going to move on to including some Senate under consideration of the daily file Senate third reading. We're going to take up file item number 61. Please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 85 by Senator Neelo relative to Astronomy Awareness Month.

Senator Neilo, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President. Members. Today I rise to recognize October 7 as Ostomy Awareness Day. Ostomy is a surgery indeed a life saving surgery that creates an opening or stoma in the abdomen when someone has lost normal digestive or urinary system functions due to birth defects, colorectal, bladder, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions. Ostomies are also necessary for some accidents and injuries that have been sustained by those in military service.

There are nearly 1 million Americans with an Ostomy and nearly 100,000 new ostomy procedures are performed each and every year. Ostomy surgery can occur to anyone at any time. This resolution stands to recognize this surgery as life saving and life restoring surgery and help erase the embarrassment and stigma that can be associated with having an ostomy. Please join me in recognizing October 7 as Ostomy Awareness Day.

Is there any discussion or debate on this item? Any discussion or debate saying no discussion or debate, please call the roll.

Allen, Aye. Alvarado-Gil, Aye. Archuletta, Aye. Ashby, Aye. Atkins, Aye. Becker, Aye. Blakespear, Aye. Bradford, Aye. Caballaro, Aye. Cortese, Dahle, Aye. Dodd, Aye. Durazo, Aye. Eggman, Aye. Glazer, Aye. Gonzalez, Grove, Aye. Hurtado, Aye. Jones, Aye. Laird, Aye. Limone, McGuire, Aye. Menjivar, Min, Aye. Newman, Aye. Nguyen, Niello, Aye. Ochoa Bogh, Aye. Padilla, Aye. Portantino, Aye. Roth, Aye. Rubio, Aye. Seyarto, Aye. Skinner, Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Aye. Umberg, Aye. Wahab, Aye. Wiener, Aye. Wilk, Aye .

Please call the absent Members.

Cortezzi. Aye. Gonzalez. Limon. Menjavar. Nguyen. Aye. Smaller cuevas. Aye.

Aye. 37. No. 0. The resolution is adopted. Senator Niello, you have some introductions.

Thank you very much. Thank you for the support. And today, I'd like to recognize joining me in the gallery in coordination with this resolution is Mr. Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley, a retired Navy, Operation Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom veteran, and an eleven-year ostomate, and also a resident of my district. Mr. Shockley.

Welcome to the Senate, Mr. Shockley. We're happy to have you here with us today. Members are going to move on to another introduction: Senator Skinner at the majority leader's desk.

Thank you so much. Madam President and Members. As chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, I ask that we give a big California State Senate welcome to the five women Members of the South Carolina State Senate. Now, you may be looking and seeing only four. One of them, Katrina Shealy, who is a Republican Senator from Lexington, South Carolina, was due to be with us, but due to a family illness, sends her regrets.

But the wonderful four senators who have joined us are: Margie Bright Matthews, who is a Democrat from South Carolina; Senator Mia McLeod, who's an Independent from Richland, South Carolina; Senator Sandy Senn, a Republican from Charleston, South Carolina; and Senator Penry Gustafson, who is a Republican from Kershaw, South Carolina. And these are wonderful Senators who are here.

Along with Senator Shealy are the five women Members of the South Carolina Senate's 51 Member body. And they are collectively referred to--and you can find many press references--as the "sister senators." And they are the first time in South Carolina's history that five women have served simultaneously among the Senate's 51 Members. And partly they got that collective nomer because this bipartisan group of women defied an overwhelming majority of male senators to block a near-total ban on abortion.

And they filibustered because, in their words, as they expressed on the floor, they were the only people in the room who have ever been or who could get pregnant amongst that membership. So I want to present each of them a certificate from our Senate body honoring them, and from the Legislative Women's Caucus also, honoring them as women making history. And I ask you to join me in welcoming them to our chamber.

A big California Senate welcome to our sisters from South Carolina.

Members, we're going to move on to further introductions.

Madam Pro Tem.

Well, thank you. Colleagues, I know it is an energetic and exciting day, and as our photographer said, there's the drum roll. And how appropriate we get a drum roll, because I rise to welcome--it says introduce--but welcome an honored guest, and that is our good friend, the United States Senator Alex Padilla. Many of us know Senator Padilla from his days in the California State Senate and of course, as our Secretary of State. So we are welcoming one of our Senate family back to the floor.

To honor your legacy, Senator Steve Padilla has taken up residency in your old seat. It is known as the Padilla seat. Obviously, it wasn't necessarily intentional, but I think it's a funny coincidence. But in all seriousness, Senator, he is a champion for working Californians in our nation's capital. He's been unwavering as an advocate for protecting voting rights, climate action, providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

As the first Latino to represent California in the United States Senate and the son of immigrants himself, Senator Padilla has embraced his role as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety. We're going to be talking about that in a few minutes, Senator--you and I--and authored important immigration-related legislation. More than a decade, actually approaching two, that we have known each other from your days at the city of Los Angeles, he has just been a tireless, substantive legislator, and we are so fortunate to have him representing us in the United States Senate. And we are thrilled that he would be back here joining us today on this floor. So let's give him that. Senate family, welcome.

Welcome back to the Senate floor, Senator.

Members. If you'd like to be in the picture with Senator Padilla, I want to welcome you to the back of the chambers.

Members, we're going to move on to an item--to Senator Becker.

Members, sudden cardiac arrest is the No. 1 killer of student athletes, and leading cause of death among youth. Survival depends on immediate hands-on CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) within three to five minutes of a victim's collapse. So today, I'd like to recognize a heroic pair of siblings from Santa Clara County, Molly and Ian Hanaray, who recently performed hands-only CPR on a student in cardiac arrest and saved his life.

Ian and Molly worked as lifeguards at Campbell Community Center, and were on duty when they learned that 15 year-old Ryan Chian was in cardiac arrest on a basketball occasion and training. Molly is starting her junior year at Prospect High School and is active in sports, playing both soccer and softball. Her future plans are to attend college and to pursue a career in marine biology.

Colleagues, please join me in giving a hand and recognizing the heroic achievements of Ian and Molly Hanaray, and celebrate Ryan's recovery.

And for saving the life of a fellow student, we're very proud of you. Moving on to file item number 57 SCR 84, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 84 by Senator Alvarado-Gil relative to California Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month.

Senator Alvarado-Gil. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. I rise today to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 84, which would designate this November as Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month here in California. This resolution raises awareness about the number of youth who do not have a safe and stable place to call home. That means sleeping on the streets, in shelters, running away, being kicked out, or surfing from couch to couch. In California, the number of unaccompanied homeless youth is 9,590.

And there's another 1,909 parenting youth and their children experiencing homelessness based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2022 poignant homeless count. Findings from Chaplain Hall found that one in ten young adults ages 18 to 25 and at least one in thirty adolescents ages 13 to 17 experience some form of homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or guardian over the course of a year. Our homeless youth are much more likely to be unsheltered than adult homeless youth or adult homeless people.

And our Black, Latino, and LGBTQ youth are also disproportionately impacted. In fact, about 40 percent of homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer. The Legislature has taken important steps to ensure that homeless youth are served in the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program, or the HHAP. This funding is for Homekey and more programs that can be done so that no young person has to lay their head on the cold ground to sleep at night.

As Chair of the Senate Human Services and on behalf of my colleagues that also serve, please join me in designating November 2023 for California's 12th annual Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month to ensure that supportive and effective programs are created throughout the state and maintain their funding. With me today from the gallery, I'd like to introduce--

If you could just wait on the introductions, we'll finish the resolution, and then we'll be able to do the introductions.

Okay. Thank you on behalf of leadership and commitment to our kids.

Thank you so much. Senator Wiener.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I want to thank the author for bringing this resolution forward, and I rise in support. First of all, I want to reiterate that almost half of homeless youth in California identify as LGBTQ. And I also want to emphasize that when you look at that compared to the percentage of the population, it is way out of proportion, and that is not random. It didn't just happen.

It's because these kids, tragically at times, do not feel safe in their homes or are driven out of their homes. And I just think it's important to acknowledge, particularly when we look at the rhetoric that we hear today demonizing LGBTQ kids, including outside today at 3:00 p.m. that rhetoric has profound ramifications for these kids lives. And it is not a coincidence that nearly half of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ.

I also want to point out that it wasn't that long ago in California that the State of California, in total, spent approximately one million dollars per year for the specific needs of LGBTQ youth, and it wasn't that long ago when two-thirds of California counties had no youth-specific homeless services. So as a youth, you had the choice of either accessing the adult system, which they didn't want to do for the most part, or remaining homeless.

And we've worked very hard and I want to thank our former colleague Holly Mitchell and the Chair of the Budget Committee. And we've worked so hard to increase the resources dedicated to the needs of homeless youth. We have a lot more work to do. I'm optimistic that we can do it. And I ask for an aye vote.

Is there any further discussion or debate on this item? Any further discussion or debate? Senator Alvarado-Gil, you may conclude.

Thank you, Madam President. With me today, I'd like to introduce from the gallery four executive directors and shelter directors leading the efforts to support our homeless youth, including the New Morning Youth and Family Services Executive Director Kristen Patterson, Ashby House Shelter Director Adriana Webb, Tahoe Youth and Family Services Interim Executive Director Cheyanne Lane, and California Coalition for Youth Executive Director Jevon Wilkes. Thank you. And I urge for an aye vote on Senate Concurrent Resolution 84.

Thank you very much. Please call the roll.

Allen? Aye. Alvarado-Gil? Aye. Archuleta? Aye. Ashby? Aye. Atkins? Becker? Aye. Blakespear? Aye. Bradford? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Cortese? Aye. Dahle? Aye. Dodd? Aye. Durazo? Aye.

Eggman? Aye. Glazer? Aye. Gonzalez? Grove? Aye. Hurtado? Aye. Jones? Aye. Laird? Aye. Limon? Aye. McGuire? Aye. Menjivar? Aye. Min? Aye. Newman? Aye. Nguyen? Aye. Niello? Aye.

Ochoa Bogh? Aye. Padilla? Aye. Portantino? Aye. Roth? Aye. Rubio? Aye. Seyarto? Aye. Skinner? Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas? Aye. Stern? Aye. Umberg? Aye. Wahab? Aye. Wiener? Aye. Wilk? Aye.

Please call the absent members.

Atkins. Gonzalez.

Aye: 38. No: zero; the resolution is adopted. Now I'd like to thank our guests who stood up during that presentation. Welcome to the Senate, and thank you very much for your hard work and advocacy. Thank you for your advocacy and hard work, and thank you for joining us here today. Members are going to move on to File Item number 66, SR 47 by Senator Bradford.

Please read

Senate Resolution 47 by Senator. Bradford relative to Black Brewers Day.

Senator Bradford at the majority leader's desk. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President. Today, I rise to present SR 47, which recognizes October 10 as Black Brewers Day. The history of craft brewing dates back to 1965, when Fritz Maytack purchased Anchor Brewing in San Francisco, the first craft brewery in the United States. Since then, Black brewers have emerged as talented artisans, creating unique and exceptional brews that showcase their passion, creativity and dedication. The legacy of black brewing and entrepreneurship would be incomplete without recognizing Ted Mack. Ted Mack, SR.

Was born a sharecropper in Alabama in 1930. He was a veteran of the Korean War and played football at Ohio State while earning a college degree. He was also a civil rights activist and picketed segregated schools in Milwaukee, and organized buses to the March on Washington, which we celebrate today. 60 years ago, on October 10, 1970, Ted Mack and his business associates celebrated the purchase of People's Brewing Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With over 2000 guests, including stockholders, local and state legislators, and notable dignitaries.

He became the first black brewery President in the United States, and the People's Brewing Company became the first black owned brewery in the history of the United States. This year, the National Black Brewers Association was formed here in Sacramento to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of black brewers in California and across the nation who have overcome tremendous challenges and barriers to establish themselves as pillars of the craft brewery community, inspiring others and breaking down barriers of racial inequality that still exists today.

California is the home of ten black breweries, including two in my district, in the 35th Senate District, crowns and Hops Brewing Company in Inglewood, and People's Republic in South Los Angeles. Members, please join me in recognizing a Black Brewers Day and celebrating black brewers in your district and throughout the state of California. I respectfully ask for aye vote Senator Ashby.

Senator Ashby. Is there any discussion or debate on this? Any discussion or debate saying none? Please call the roll. Please call the roll.

Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuletta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballaro, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limone, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk.

Please call the absent Members.

Atkins Gonzalez. Nguyen

37. Noes, zero. The resolution is adopted. Senator Bradford for introductions.

Thank you, Madam President. I'm here today and I'm also honored and pleased to introduce several guests on the floor today who are leaders in the industry and bring incredible craftsmanship and business to the communities here in Sacramento and in the Bay Area. We first start out with Lori Ajax, Executive Director of the California Brewers Craft Brewers Association Kevin Asado, Executive Director of the National Black Brewers Association, Council Member Rick Jennings. I'm giving Steve Bradford five aside. Representing the 7th District of the City of Sacramento.

Cassandra Jennings, president and CEO of St. Hope in Sacramento; T. O. Hunter, board member of the National Black Brewers Association and co-founder of Crowns and Hops Brewery in Inglewood, in my district; Mario Benjamin, co-owner of Hella Coastal Brewing in Oakland.

Rodg Little, co-owner of Oak Park Brewery in Sacramento; Arthur Moye, CEO of Full Circle Brewing Company in Fresno; and Annie Johnson, American Brewers Association Home Brewer of the Year in 2013, the first woman in 30 years to win the award, and the first African American to ever win the award. Finally, I would also like to recognize former mayor and NBA All-Star, Kevin Johnson, who couldn't be here today, and he's the co-owner of Oak Park Brewery, in Sacramento, who is out of town. And thank you for your leadership and commitment to this issue, in helping bring Black Brewers Day to fruition. So, members, welcome them to the California State Senate.

Senator Ashby.

Yeah, I just wanted to take a moment to first of all, thank Senator Bradford for recognizing this group. There are a lot of wonderful Sacramento people in this crowd, and so I definitely want to take credit for them. They're amazing. And I just have to take the opportunity to call out my colleague, Rick Jennings. So I spent the twelve years before I was on this floor serving in city hall, three blocks away. And Councilmember Jennings is one of my very close friends from that time there. And in case you don't know this, I love to brag about him. He is former professional football player, he played for the Oakland Raiders and he won a Super Bowl. He usually has that ring with him. But welcome to the senate, my friend.

Welcome to you all. And it's my hope we'll do a bus tour and visit every single one of your breweries. Senator Bradford, I saw him make the commitment to rent the bus. We're going on a bus tour. All members that would like to take a photo, right now is your opportunity.

Members, we're going to move on to file item number 51, SCR 82 by Senator Wahab. Please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 82 by Senator Wahab, relative to California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day.

Senator Wahab, the floor is yours.

Thank you, President and fellow senators. Firefighters respond to approximately 3 million incidents across the state each year, and the scope of their work goes beyond fighting fires. They also provide emergency medical services and respond to natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, water rescue emergencies, high angle and confined space emergencies, and other general public service calls. In Hayward, we are fortunate to have a clinic managed by our Hayward firefighters.

And when the COVID-19 pandemic began, Hayward firefighters stepped up and opened and administered testing sites for free, making Hayward a leader in California, on free COVID testing. Our communities are not only safer, but also healthier because of the wide range of services delivered by firefighters daily. By the same token, it is also always a great loss when these community leaders lose their lives on the line of duty or to work-related diseases. We are all a bit worse off.

So let us all remember the firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty and express our appreciation to those firefighters, who continue to protect our families. With that in mind, I call on all of you to join me in supporting and acknowledging October as California Firefighter Appreciation Month and October 14, 2023, as California Firefighters Memorial Day. Thank you.

Senator Alvarado-Gil.

Thank you, Madam President, members, and my colleague from Hayward for introducing this important measure. I, too, rise in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 82 to honor our California firefighters: those who serve each day, and those who have given their lives in service. Our state is most impacted by fires across the US. And for 2023, there have been already a recorded 4,936 fires, here, in the state of California.

Two years ago, three counties in my district: El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras, were devastated by the Caldor Fire, which burned for 69 days, eradicating 221,835 acres, destroying 1,003 structures, and calling for the evacuation of over 50,000 residents. It was an extensive fire that, due only to firefighter operations and their resiliency, we were able to save lives, and luckily, we had zero deaths. Our firefighters' commitment to safeguarding lives, property, livestock, and our collective wellbeing is nothing short of remarkable. And I, along with all of you, have deep admiration, appreciation for our firefighters and their families. Firefighters have been and will continue to be essential to our state of California, and because of this, deserve to be honored and memorialized for their sacrifices. Thank you.

Senator Dodd.

Thank you, members. I want to just add on to this. Obviously, very involved in wildfires in my district, District 3. And just the partnership, the One Team, One fight, in this area is so incredibly important, and really respect the dedication and support that we get from our firefighters. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Senator Eggman.

Thank you, Madam President and members. I just wanted to stand up and say thank you to the firefighters, for always standing with our most vulnerable -- and those are those who are suffering on our streets with mental health and addiction issues -- and the crisis that we have here in California. And the firefighters have always stood by our legislation, whether it was last year, years ago with the ... Act, whether it was CARE Court, whether it was with grave disability, and this year, whether it's with MHSA. We thank you for your partnership and we will change laws so you can get back to actually doing the firefighting that you need to do, and not dealing with the human crisis that so often is left for you to deal with. Thank you.

Senator Jones.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to rise in support of SCR 82 also, and recognize the prior speaker on those comments. Those are very appropriate for where we are in California today. So thank the senator for those comments. And she points out rightfully, that firefighters in California are responding to multiple types of emergencies, in addition to fires, earthquakes, floods, and whatever natural disaster happens, that they're called upon to respond in a very professional and appropriate manner.

But I think one of the other things we might want to be cognitive of today as well, not only in California, but across the country and across the world, California firefighters are responding to emergencies everywhere that us, as Californians, ask them to go. So, for example, right now in Maui, I know that we have California firefighters responding there and helping Lahaina rebuild and get put back together and continuing to fight the fires there.

We sent firefighters to other parts of the country during major wildfires, and we thank those firefighters from California that respond, and when we have a like emergency, firefighters from other states coming here. So I want to commend the author today and also ask for all of our support on SCR 82. Thank you very much.

Senator Dahle.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and members. I, too, rise in support of SCR 82. I just want to say to the senators, thank you. Actually, the people that we are in charge of, the Cal Fire folks, our budgets actually reflect the commitment that -- I know Senator McGuire and I on Sub 2 work to try to get those resources and time off during these major fires. I just want to thank the senators for actually doing our part. There are many other firefighters in California.

There's volunteers, have a lot of volunteers. Actually, my own community is staffed by volunteers. And I just want to reach out to those folks and those individuals in cities and counties that represent the firefighting community to always be there 24 hours a day. When you dial 911, they respond. And I appreciate them so much. And I want to also support SCR 82.

Senator Ochoa Bogh.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the Inland Empire men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe from fires and other emergencies and disasters. This includes city and county firefighters, volunteer firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, wildland firefighters, smoke jumpers and pilots, as well as the dispatchers and support staff who coordinate these heroic efforts behind the scenes. Just this year alone, the Inland Empire has experienced snowstorms, fires and mudslides, and most recently, a tropical storm.

And through it all, local and state firefighters worked hard to ensure that residents were protected from harm. I'm proud of your commitment to the communities you serve and proud to be a co-author on this resolution. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Seyarto.

Thank you, Madam President. I guess I'm going to change my speech a little bit because all of the points that have been made. So I do want to rise in support of SCR 82, as a proud co-author of it. Fire service is a little bit different. And it's getting harder, not easier. The materials that are out there are more dangerous. The type of calls that guys are going on, and gals are going on, are more dangerous. They have to know more than we used to.

We didn't used to have to know chemistry as much. And then all of a sudden we became hazmat, material specialists, high angle rescue folks. It's just becoming a more complicated field. And so I just want to say thank you to all my colleagues in here, who have recognized our California state firefighters continually over the years.

When I was in the fire service and would come up for the memorial and the outpouring of support while we were doing that -- the memorial stands as a way for us to say thank you to a lot of colleagues of mine, who paid the ultimate price, whether it was in the line of duty or afterwards. One of the big things affecting firefighting these days is mental health. And part of that mental health is the strain of our labor environment now.

Because even in firefighting, it used to be one person would get a job and 1,000 people would sign up for it, and only one would get hired or one or two would get hired. It was very competitive. Now they're out there trying to recruit to try and get people interested in doing this job. That is becoming a real big challenge. And that is also creating staffing shortages.

And those staffing shortages can lead to overwork -- and overwork and overexposure. Because one of the things that we are always exposed to are the things that people don't realize that they don't have to look at, and the firefighters do. So that takes a toll. We need to spend more time on that. I'm grateful for the resources that have been starting to be put into giving firefighters the tools that they need to do the job right, because they are grateful for that as well.

So on behalf of all the firefighters in our state, both volunteer and full paid firefighters or full-time firefighters, I say thank you to all of you for your continued dedication and also this recognition, honoring what firefighters do. And although -- I have to tell you, it's not about the accolades. Every firefighter I know, the reason they're doing it is because they like to help people, at the end of the day. And that's how they get their self fulfillment. And so thank you.

Senator Grove.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd just like to take a brief moment to echo all my colleagues comments, regarding the fearless service that's provided to us across the state, for all firefighters. I also want to remind everybody that on October 14, 2023, the city of Sacramento will commemorate a ceremony honoring the 34 individuals that lost their life this year, providing those services to our constituents.

They will be added to the 1,400 names already on this beautiful, brushed limestone wall that has the names of those individuals that gave their life providing services to our constituents. Again, echoing the heroism that's already been spoken about. I want to encourage everybody to come up for that ceremony on October 14. And proud to be a co-author. Please vote aye on SCR 82.

Senator Menjivar.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I stand up as another proud co-author of SCR 82. In fact, since I was ten years -- when I was ten years old, I started my passion career in becoming a firefighter. In fact, my first ever tattoo on my right forearm is a sign of fire. It's very faded out because I was 17 years old when I got this. And I tried all the way until I was 25 years old to be a firefighter.

It was when I switched my career into policy that I got the letter from LA Fire Department saying I was finally selected to be a firefighter. But I already switched careers there, so huge appreciation for this profession. Los Angeles Fire Department just got its first ever female chief. We're a district that has girls camp in ensuring that we're increasing the number of girls who see this as an eligible profession.

When I was ten years old, it wasn't until I was around 18 that I saw my first ever female firefighter. And I'm still very passionate in ensuring that we're increasing, what I think is only 3 percent of the fire department, made up of women. So for that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no further discussion or debate. Senator Wahab, you may conclude.

Thank you. It's clear that we do love our firefighters, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Members, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection. Ayes 38, no zero. The resolution is adopted. Senator Wahab, you have an introduction.

Thank you. I'm proud to introduce a very distinguished firefighter on the senate floor today.

Brian Rice has spent over 30 years with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, rising to the position of deputy chief. Brian was also twice elected as president of Sacramento Area Firefighters, Local 522, serving a total of twelve years in the position. In 2018, Brian was elected president of California Professional Firefighters, representing close to 35,000 frontline firefighters and paramedics around the state. He also serves as a co-chair of the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee and chair of the nonprofit, California Fire Foundation. Please welcome him, as we honor him today. Thank you.

We're going to invite all senators for a photo with Fire Chief Brian Rice.

All right, moving on, now. We're going to recognize Senator Caballero, from the majority leaders desk. Senator Caballero.

Thank you, Madam President and colleagues. It's my honor to rise, today, to welcome four 8th grade students from Mendota Junior High School, a small rural community on the west side of Fresno County, in my district. Gerardo Portillo, Anthony Trinidad, Jonathan Alfaro and Jimmy Fuentes are part of the school's Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) program at Fresno State that has served students in the Central San Joaquin Valley since 1980.

Under the guidance of MESA teacher advisor, Mr. Carlos Tomayo, these students earned first place in Fresno County, for the National Engineering Design Competition, for creating an app called FentaKNOW. This thoughtfully designed app connects members of the community to resources and information to combat the fentanyl crisis, and provides much needed information, in English and in Spanish, with a special section reminding the community that one's immigration status should not stop them from asking for help. And the app features a direct call button for 911.

The team of four spent countless hours after school, gathering information about fentanyl, teaching themselves how to code, and putting it all in one place for the community to easily access. In April of 2023, the team participated in the regional competition held in Oakland, California, where they received first place, qualifying them to advance to the state competition in San Diego.

Hard work, ingenuity and creativity, once again, paid off, and this time, their first place award granted them the coveted opportunity to represent California in the National Engineering Design Competition in New Mexico, themed "Designing for Equity in Your Community." For this project, students were asked to identify an inequality in their community and employ human-centered design practices to engineer a solution.

On June 30, 2023, the Mendota Junior High MESA team represented Mesa, California, in the National Engineering Design Competition and again, earned first place, beating 25,000 students for the top spot. Congratulations to the Mendota Junior High MESA team for your success, remarkable dedication, hard work, and unified teamwork. You've made your family and the community proud.

I would like to acknowledge the Mendota Unified School District and Mendota Junior High School teachers and advisors, such as Carlos Tomayo, superintendent Paul Lopez, and Vice Mayor Libertad Lopez, who are present here today, and who endeavor to build scholars, leaders, and champions that represent the abundance of talent within California's Central Valley. I'm proud to recognize your work here today, and a big congratulations.

And a big senate welcome to our fine guests.

We're always happy to see smart, young people coming up out of the Central Valley, the next leaders of our great country.

If other members would like to join for a photo, please, with these smart, young people from Central California. Now we'll say Fres-Yes County.

Senator Weiner.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, today, we will be recognizing our tremendous 2023 Science Fellow Cohort, through the California Council on Science and Technology Program. The great partnership between the legislature and CCST allows for our brightest young people, in the various disciplines of science, medicine, and technology, to be afforded an opportunity to become directly involved in public policy and the legislative process of the senate.

Our science fellows have provided remarkable contributions to the Golden State, throughout the year, by analyzing and staffing bills, engaging with constituents and stakeholders, and working with their colleagues to shepherd the agenda and priorities of their member. The program provides an exceptional pipeline for science fellows to jumpstart their careers in public service, with many former science fellows, today, serving in various levels of government.

With that said, I will recognize our first science fellow, and then we'll turn it over to Senator Durazo and Senator Allen to present the second and third Science Fellows. So, colleagues, I want to recognize Aiyana Cortez, who served as a science fellow in the Senate Housing Committee this year. Ayanna completed her PhD in biophysics from UC Davis, helping to develop early drug safety testing protocols, using computer modeling, and obtaining, before that, her degree in microbiology and teaching credentials from CSU Long Beach.

Aiyana dove right into her fellowship by helping organize two dual committee oversight hearings, as part of the pro Tem's "Protect Our Progress" initiative, including drafting a comprehensive background document on recent legislative efforts to tackle homelessness in California. The committee's bill load, in the Housing Committee, doubled this year. Thank you, colleagues, for being so interested in this important topic. And Aiyana analyzed a significant number of those bills, covering issues related to homelessness, land use, building standards, code enforcement, accessory dwelling units, housing finance, parking, and homeowners associations.

She spent many hours working with opposing sides, on multiple bills, to help craft delicate and difficult compromises between opposing interest groups and, at times, colorful personalities. She also became a resident expert on the relationship between various land use and housing planning processes, as well as the best spots for a bite to eat or to go thrifting. Aiyana's contributions to the Senate Housing Committee are immeasurable. Please join me in thanking her for her service to the senate and to the State of California.

Senator Durazo.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, it gives me tremendous pride to share some words about Dr. Jean Marie Gonzalez and recognize her contribution to the state senate as one of our three science fellows. Jeanmarie Gonzalez was born and raised in the central coast of California, near the city of Santa Barbara, and is the eldest of five children. She moved north to the San Francisco Bay Area to major in molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley.

After graduating from UC Berkeley, she moved to San Francisco to work as a researcher at UC San Francisco, working on understanding the immune responses underlying asthma. Dr. Gonzalez completed a PhD at UC San Francisco, researching the immune responses behind eczema and how these immune responses are influenced by the healthy microbiome of the skin and genetic defects in the skin barrier. I knew that. After completing her PhD, she moved to Sacramento to make a broader impact via policy.

Dr. Gonzalez's science pedigree has enhanced our work, in many ways, especially during our policy discussions. She always presented them in a way that was easier for me to understand. Quickly, she took charge of her issue areas and the legislation that she was entrusted with, including special session hearings for the Senate Energy Committee, Health and the Environment. Dr. Gonzalez quickly became an expert on her issues, posing questions that showed her attention to detail and looking at the bigger picture of how decisions are made, that impact Californians.

She did this with her own style, self confidence, quiet determination, courteous, engaging, willing to take on more than what was asked of her, and a good sense of humor. She does not know this yet, but we are not going to let her go. Somehow, we'll block the door. Our office has enjoyed being able to work with her, befriend her. We'll be sad that her fellowship is ending. Thank you, Dr. Gonzalez, for all that you have done for us and for the state of California. We wish you, your family, nothing but the best in your future.

Senator Allen.

Members, Teresa Keats is our Environmental Quality Committee -- our committee's phenomenal science fellow. Teresa joined us after wrapping up her PhD in oceanography from UC Santa Cruz -- go slugs. Luckily, all that training really prepared her to take a deep dive into some murky waters, in EQ. Teresa analyzed a breadth of issues for our committee this year, but she worked especially hard on two of the thorniest topics under our jurisdiction: hydrogen and PFAS.

Now, this should come as no surprise to anyone listening -- so many of you who've had experience before the committee -- but the EQ committee reviews a lot of very technical, very difficult bills. And I know that we'll keep hearing hydrogen and PFAS bills long after Teresa's left us, but her contributions to how we consider these topics will shape our future analyses and decision making. One of the things that we talk about a lot on our committee -- I know those of you who are chairs know this as well.

There's a committee consultant perspective, and there's an author perspective, when it comes to bills. And we gave Teresa the opportunity to staff a bill to get that perspective, that author perspective. And she did a phenomenal job on a very interesting hydrogen bill that we've been working on together, taking a lot of informative trips around the state, learning all the issues, and really staffing the bill with a great deal of alacrity and competence.

And amidst, of course, all of this challenging work, she's had a great sense of humor. She's had a real team player attitude. It's been such a joy having you on our team this year, Teresa. We want to thank you for all of your great, hard work with our committee, and we want to wish you all the very best in your next professional adventures. Thank you. Thank you so much. Teresa Keats.

Big thank you to all the science fellows who participated this year.

Senator Allen, my understanding is you have another introduction you'd like to make? Or congratulations?

It's not an introduction. It's just an acknowledgement of something very exciting that happened, for folks in my district and for the entire state of California. For those of you who were fortunate enough to watch, with the game tied in the last inning, El Segundo's leading home run hitter, Louis Lappe, stepped up to the plate -- walk off home run, shot that ball far over the left field, and won the game. The first time California has won the Little League World Series in over a decade.

And it was an incredibly exciting moment for those young people, but also for the whole town of El Segundo, which is a real small town, a wonderful town in my district. And the feeling of pride, of engagement -- the whole main street was filled with crowds, young people out celebrating, families. It was a very special moment for our area. And so I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate those great kids.

I hope to bring them here to the floor, probably sometime in January in the coming year, to celebrate them and congratulate them. The game was -- they were up by five to one most of the game, and then Curacao hit a grand slam, right in the second to last inning, and that suddenly turned the game into a very different vibe. And then, of course, Louis stepped up. Louis stepped up and hit that incredible home run. So go 'Gundo. I want to just mention the amazing players.

Hopefully we'll get some of them up here, as I mentioned. Brody, Louis, Lucas, Jackson, Crew, Max, Lennon, Finley, Nguyen, Colby, Declan and Ollie. Their incredible coaches, Danny, Eddie and Tom. Congratulations, El Segundo. You're the great champions of the Little League World Series.

For those of you who have never seen the Little League World Series, it's the most fun. It is excellent. So congratulations to El Segundo. Senator Bradford.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise, today, to recognize and commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. On this day, 60 years ago, before the internet and social media, 250,000 people assembled on the National Mall in a peaceful, yet very powerful, protest to call for equal opportunities for Black Americans. They also demanded the passage of the Civil Rights Act. This historic event was well remembered as Dr. Martin Luther King's enduring, "I Have a Dream" speech.

But if you know the history, that was not what his speech initially was about. It was about a promise, which was supposed to fall upon all Americans, Black men, as well as white men, signed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. And as Dr. King said, a promise that continues to come back, marked, insufficient funds to the Negro people. Today, as we reflect on the meaning of our nation's promise of equality for all, we know Dr. King's dream is not yet realized.

Dr. King also talked about the promise made, a promise and a debt owed to Black Americans. And we still have that conversation today. I spent two years on the Reparations Task Force talking about that promise that has been made, and is yet to be fulfilled. And tragically, this weekend's hate-fueled murder of three Black Americans in Jacksonville, Florida, is a sober reminder that innocent people are still being brutalized, simply because of the color of their skin.

This follows the pain and horror of other mass murders in Buffalo, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. All Americans have the same right to be safe from violence in public places, be it stores, be it our churches, wherever -- walking home from school. Today, it's more clear than ever. We must continue Dr. King's work, until our nation finally reaches its promise of equality and justice for all. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Bradford. Moving on, members, to messages from the governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Members, we're going to move on to motions, resolutions and notices. Without objection, the Senate journals for August 21, 2023, through August 24, 2023, will be approved, as corrected, by the minute clerk. There are floor amendments at the desk. They will be deemed adopted. Senator Laird.

At the request of the author, please remove file item 2, AB 876, from the consent calendar, for the purposes of amendments.

So ordered. Senator Portantino.

At the request of the author, please remove AB 876 Rivas, from the consent calendar to the floor, for the purposes of amendments.

Just approved. Senator Ochoa Bogh.

Thank you, Madam President, at the request of the author, I'd like to move file item A7 from the inactive file to the second reading, please.

So ordered. Without objection. Senator Padilla.

Thank you, Madam President. I would request that file item number 39, SB 775, be placed on an active file.

Without objection. Any other motions, resolutions, or notices? Seeing none. We're going to move on to consideration of the daily file. We have the second reading file. Mr. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 717, 876, 1033, 1369, 1227.

Moving on to the Senate third reading, we have one final item on that to take up, file item number 60 by Senator Glazer. Please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 by Senator Glazer, relative to Native Americans.

Senator Glazer, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President and members. Members, long before California became a state, Native peoples were the first humans to live in the beautiful valleys, hills and mountains that we now call our home. They cared for the precious forests, lakes, and coastal waters and respected the natural resources that made this a special place. We acknowledge and honor our indigenous elders, past, present and future, whose stewardship of these beautiful lands allow us to pursue our California dream today.

And this resolution seeks to do just that: to provide a short, respectful acknowledgment that the Native peoples of California have shaped the course of the state throughout its history. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on SCR 58.

Is there any discussion or debate on this item? Senator Grove.

Thank you, Madam President. I applaud the author for bringing this bill forward. I do want to add that I support the resolution, but we have a long ways to go. When indigenous Indians and Indian and tribal communities come and apply for their land ownership that was previously taken from them, they go through a very stringent process. When they go through the federal government and they have to find proof, there's all these declarations and findings, and then the land is awarded to them.

That should be enough to do what they want to do with their land, which is like a country, inside of the state of California. It's considered a sovereign nation -- just resides within the borders of our state. But that's not enough, when it comes to us as a body of a legislature, we still make them go through compacts and all these requirements to do what they should be able to do on their land, governed by their own government.

So although I do support this resolution, I think we have a long way to go to make sure that their rights are adequately put down and that recognized as -- think about it as a sovereign nation inside of California, like I said earlier. We don't tell France how to run their business, what they can build, what they can't build, who they have to hire. We don't tell England the same thing.

And when you look at the sovereign nation of these Indian tribes, that come and establish their country within the borders of our state, we continue to dictate to them, the policy that they have to adhere to. And I respectfully ask for an aye vote on this. But consider, colleagues, that we have a long ways to go.

Any further discussion or debate? Discussion or debate? Seeing none. Senator Glazer.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank the Senator from Bakersfield for her thoughtful remarks. I believe this type of short recognition, that's contained in this resolution, can bring about a larger effort to heal long standing injustices and strengthen ties between Native Americans and nonnative Californians. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objection for using the unanimous roll call? Seeing none. Ayes 38, no zero. The resolution is adopted. If there is no further business, Senator Grove, the desk is clear.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, the next floor session will be scheduled for Friday, September 1, 2023, at 09:00 a.m. Please be on time. There are a lot of fun things going on this week. Sorry, guys, it looks like it's mostly for women. We have a girlfriend's dinner tomorrow night, don't forget. And then we also have tonight, tonight. And then we also have recognizing women, the women from South Carolina, at the Sutter Club. All women's events. But you guys have a great week, too.

The Senate will be in recess until all legislative business has been received. We will reconvene Friday, September 1, 2023, at 09:00 a.m.