Senate Floor

Secretary will call the roll.

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

Quorum present. Would the Members and our guests beyond the rail please rise? We'll be led in prayer this morning by our chaplain, sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing. We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Senator Blakespear.

And let us remember that we are in God's holy presence, gracious God of transformation and renewal. As we complete the formal celebration of Black History Month and turn to women's history, may we continue to reflect on the stories, the heritage and the struggles of all women throughout the ages. May we pause before the silence of history and craft new ways of inclusion for the advancement of our civilization as we listen to those whose voices have been left unheard.

May we acknowledge our complicity in failing to notice the gifts, talents and influence of women in all aspects of society. May our desire for inclusivity and diversity lead us to greater healing and reconciliation for all. And in the words of Ilya Delio, let us work together to see what is arising ahead of us. Let us turn hope into reality. Amen.

I invite you to join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of.

The United States and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God.

Member we're going to take a moment. Members without objection, we're going to move to an adjourn in memory. It'll be? Senator Niello from the majority leader's desk, please.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in sadness and a deep sense of personal loss and that California lost a giant of the business community on February 4. Alan Zarenberg, a distinguished Californian whose life merits gratitude and respectful acknowledgment from this body as well as the people of the State of California. Alan was born to Lewis and Ava Zrenberg of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He grew up with his sister, Darlene in really very modest circumstances. They lived above their family's small grocery store.

He was encouraged to do well in school and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Penn State before joining the US. Air Force in 1970, serving in Vietnam and rising to the office of Captain. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1975, Allen came out here to California, enrolled in McGeorge School of Law and completed his jurisdictor degree in 1978. He began his career in public service in 1980 as legislative representative for then Attorney General George Duke. Major.

He later accepted the position of Deputy Legislative Secretary for the newly elected Governor George Duke Majin in 1983, eventually earning a promotion to Legislative Secretary and maintaining that role when Pete Wilson was elected Governor in 1990. In 1992, Allen left government service to join the California Chamber of Commerce, serving as Executive Vice President and head of legislative advocacy.

He certainly earned the trust of leaders of major California companies headquartered in California, and he was named the President and Chief Executive officer of the Chamber in 1998, a role that he fulfilled until his retirement in 2021. Just a couple of years ago, he was known in the Capitol for negotiating big, important policy deals, but he was remembered in his office as a very kind and caring boss, making daily walkabouts to visit Chamber staff.

He was indeed a humble and unassuming man who actually kept a photo of himself as a child in his office to remind himself of his modest beginnings. He was known as an advocate for good government, civic participation, and excellent education, who was both nonpartisan and pragmatic. Allen strived to build relationships and trust across the board, which he successfully did.

He was a generous mentor who sought to help others solve problems and work for the common good, reflecting his philosophy that when democracy is strong, the economy will be healthier and people will have more opportunities and everyone would do better. Eternally the optimist, Alan Zrenberg. He was a fitness bug who also was a connoisseur of pastry, often sharing treats with his friends and colleagues.

He was also a killer pizza cook, giving parties at his home with his wood fired pizza oven, a skill that he learned working for Little Caesar's while he was in college. Alan's life is one of great accomplishments, truly a life well lived. And he'll be remembered by many at the Capitol, many in this room. His memory will be cherished by his wife Karen, his son Adam, his young grandson, his sister Darlene, and his extended family Members and close friends like me.

And I think many in this chamber. This morning. I have with me this morning seven current and former Members of the Chamber staff who wanted to witness this and has with me Jen Barrera, the current President and CEO of the Chamber. Alan's successor, Denise Davis, Executive vice.

President of the Chamber marty Wilson, Executive vice President of the Chamber lauren Kay, who's President of the California foundation for commerce and Education larry Dickey, a retired Member of the Chamber Cassandra Pi, a former Member of the Chamber and currently President of Lucas public affairs and Jeannie Kane, another former Member of the chamber's staff and CEO of Kane Strategies. I wonder where you came up with that then. Cain Strategies. Anyway, I have a resolution.

Senator Niello, let's we have some other folks who would like to speak first. Oh, yes, on this. And then we'll return to that. Senator Dolly.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members. I also rise to adjourn in memory of Alan Zarenberg. He's a life to model after and thinking of as a Republican trying to be working across the aisle and actually getting something done. I think his life has modeled something that we can all strive to do. Alan was instrumental in amplifying that voice to legislators and stakeholders.

The Chamber's Job Killer list, which we all have seen, he developed during his time and has been an effective tool to laser focus in the business community and some of the most potential damaging pieces of legislation that we debate. By all accounts, Alan was a great leader, mentor, and supervisor, which is a rare combination. He has been praised by both sides of the aisle as a problem solver. We actually have a problem solver's caucus now, and maybe he was instrumental in getting that going as well.

But to be a problem solver, you must build relationships with stakeholders. My condolences go to his wife, Karen, their family, and so many friends he leaves behind.

Senator Glazer.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members it's an honor to stand here with so many friends, family, not just here in the chambers, but around the Capitol community and around the state to honor and memorialize a great man, Alan Zarinberg. He was a person of his experience, just like we all are. We come here with different experiences in life. And Alan came into the Capitol community at a very similar time that I did in the 80s, where the work here was very bipartisan, it was very civil.

And those experiences that he practiced, he experienced in those early years, I know carried forth in all the work that he did, going from there. I mean, he, as has been set on the floor, had a very pragmatic view of life here under the Capitol dome. And it allowed him to be a very constructive partner for many of us in solving big problems.

He certainly was a California giant in his impact and his influence, and it's an honor to recognize him here in the Senate in our adjournment today.

Senator Laird.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to join in the adjournment memory, and I have to say that Allen was in many ways old school and old school in a way that we would appreciate. He would be your friend one day. He might not be with you the next day, but he would always be your colleague and associate in a collaborative way. And one of my favorite memories from the years I served in the Administration involves Alan.

And we were doing a joint press conference on a Water issue where he was supporting the Administration across the aisle, but trying to get things done. And someone tried to sort of disrupt the press conference through the speakerphone. And I had a staff Member press between us and Lean and point to the speakerphone. And Alan always said, you looked like you were staring off into space in great contemplation. And I looked like I had a horrible upset stomach.

And he loved that picture, and we compared it, and it's just a tribute to how he would work together and his goal was to get things done. He will be truly missed.

Senator Atkins.

Well, thank you, Mr. President. I rise to echo the sentiments expressed from my good colleague from Fair Oaks and a number of other colleagues. Throughout his decades of service to California, Alan Zrenberg played a pivotal role, as my colleague said, in strengthening our economy and shaping a statewide commitment to business, job creation, and to workers, paving a path that led us to become the world's fourth largest economy in the world.

Alan used to say, and I love this every Bill is important to somebody, even if it's not important to you. It was that kind of respect for everyone, that ability to keep people at the center of policy conversations that made it easy for him to work with legislators and governors, regardless of party affiliation. From the assault weapons ban in 1987 to major budget agreements through tough economic times in 1991 and 2008 to workers compensation reforms in 92 and 2004.

Allen was actually the linchpin in some of California's biggest bipartisan achievements, as my colleague pointed out. So much so that he was dubbed the Coalition man, a nickname he wore with incredible pride. Alan will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure to work with him and learn from his unmatched diplomacy, leadership and heart. I would say, as a former speaker and Pro Tim, he was a great counsel to me, and I could trust him.

I could trust that what he said to me was his word and what he would stick to. At the end of the day, he was an honorable partner. There is truly no one like him. He will be known as the true civic leader of all times that he was our Senate sympathies to his family, his friends, and his colleagues near and far.

Thank you, madam. Pro tem. Now, Senator Neil will be presenting Mr. Zarinberg's friends and family with a resolution after which we invite all senators to join in and take a photo with our guests here today. Go ahead and present the resolution and.

Allow me to let everybody know, unless you don't already, that at 01:00 p.m.. There will be a celebration of Alan's life on the west steps of the Capitol. You're all welcome to attend that, of course. So I will present this resolution to Alan's friends and colleagues who accompanied us here this morning.

Great. Do a quick picture here, and then we'll invite all senators to come and join. Members returning to privileges of the floor, I'd like to recognize Senator Wahhab.

Thank you, Mr. President. And senators. It's an honor to present Members of the Child Welfare Council CSEC Action Team Advisory Board. I'm grateful for the impactful work in the field of commercially sexual exploitation of children being done by this board. The FBI has determined that three of the nation's 13 high intensity child prostitution areas are located here in California. Studies estimate that between 50 and 80% of commercially sexually exploited children are or were formally involved with a child welfare system funded by the State of California.

The work to address commercial sexual exploitation of children is led by survivors who are experts on the needs of young people and adults impacted by CSE. These survivors make decisions about their scope of work and professional development, and impact all policy and practice within the State of California, and they are available to consult on CSEC issues in your communities. These individuals are not just survivors, though.

They are artists, nonprofit leaders, spiritual healers, tribal Members, social workers and entrepreneurs, individuals of diverse backgrounds who are a true representation of California. Their commitment to healing themselves and others has resulted in this board touching more policy and consultations than any other board from the Department of Social Services to individual cases on the county level.

Currently, in collaboration with the California Department of Social Services, Members are evaluating the implementation of SB Eight Five Five and making recommendations for counties to better serve youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation. Members are consulting on the development of the harm reduction training that is being developed by UC Davis and will be available across California to counties and direct service providers.

The Lived Experiences model this board represents is unique in the area of commercial sexual exploitation as it is the first of its kind model in the nation to place adult Lived Experience experts at the core of the work being done. After the establishment of this board in 2016, a similar board was established on the federal level. And now this model, born here in California, is serving as a model for other jurisdictions across this country.

So it is with great admiration and respect that I present the CSEC Action Team advisory board. Kia Dupclay. Ashley Chesney. Chelsea Holzer. Angelica Zaniga. Aliyah Dewis. Tika Thornton. Jessica Kim. April Grayson. Rache Collier. Carrie Herthel. And I hope that you all join me in congratulating them in a job well done. Thank you.

We do invite Senators to join.

In for a group photo if you would liked.

Thank you. Members, moving on. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Message from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committee will deem read and amendments adopted. Now we're going to motions, resolutions and notices. Senator Seyarto.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to move file item seven SR 15 to the inactive file.

Noted. Senator Nguyen.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Please move the file item ten SR four to the inactive file, and then also a file item 13 SCR 26 to the active file. Thank you.

Thank you. That will be noted. I see no other mics. We'll now move on to considerations of the daily file. We have two government appointments.

Senator Laird. Go ahead.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. File. Item number one is the confirmation of Jeffrey Killup as chief for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health at the Department of Industrial Relations. Prior to this role, he served as acting Deputy Assistant Director for the Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

He was approved by the Rules Committee on February 22 on a unanimous 50 vote. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Any discussion or debate? Seeing none.

Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

Allen? Alvarado Gill? Archuleta? Aye. Ashby? Aye. Atkins? Aye. Becker? Aye. Blakespeare? Aye. Bradford? Bradford? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Cortese? Aye. Dahle? Aye. Dodd? Durazo? Aye. Eggman? Aye. Glazer? Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado? Jones? Aye. Laird? Aye. Limon? McGuire? Aye. Menjivar? Aye. Min? Aye. Newman? Aye. Nguyen? Aye. Niello? Aye. Ochoa Bogh? Padilla? Aye. Portantino? Roth? Aye. Rubio? Aye. Seyarto? Aye. Skinner.

Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas, aye. Stern? Aye. Umberg? Aye. Wahab? Aye. Weiner? Aye. Wilk. Please call the absent Members. Allen Alvarado Gill Dodd artado Portentino Wilk. ayes are 34, noes are zero. The appointment is confirmed. Next up, Senator Laird.

Next. Thank you, Mr. President.

File Item number two is the confirmation of. Elena Lee Reader to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and Dr. William Matsubu to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. They were both approved on a unanimous. 50 vote by the Rules Committee on February 22.

I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Any discussion or debate, ma'am Secretary, please call the roll.

Thank you.

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

Please call the absent Members.

Allen, Alvarado Gill, Dodd, Seyarto, Portantino, Wilk.

Ayes are 34, noes are zero.

That appointment is also confirmed. Members will now go to Senate. Third reading.

We'll start with file item 14 be presented by Senator Newman as prepared. Madam Secretary, please read Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 by Senator Wilk.

Senator Newman relative to National Vending Day.

Go ahead, Senator Newman.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on behalf of Senator Wilk to present SCR 32, which we'll formally recognize today, March 2, as National Vending Day. National Vending Day brings much needed recognition to an often unsung industry that employs over 13,000 Californians and more than 150,000 Americans and generates more than $3 billion annually for the nation's economy. Convenient access to food and beverages has been revolutionized by vending machines, allowing for the sale and purchase of products to take place anywhere with an electric outlet.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the vending and convenience services industry served as an essential resource to millions of Americans, providing food and beverages to first responders and other critical workers. The industry has committed to increasing the share of healthier, food and beverage options to at least 33% by the end of 2023. Please join me in recognizing the important work and invaluable contributions of the vending industry and its operators, mechanics and other professionals. I respectfully ask for your aye vote today.

Members, any discussion or debate? As seen, none. This item is eligible for unanimous roll call.

Is there any objection to using unanimous roll call? See none. The ayes are 34. The noes are zero. The measure passes now under privileges of the floor. Members, please join me in giving a.

Warm Senate welcome to the California Automatic Vendors Council. Who's up in the gallery, please join me in giving a warm welcome to them.

Now we will move on to file item 16, also presented by Senator Newman. From the Majority Leader's desk. Go ahead, Madam Secretary.

Please read Senate Resolution 18 by Senator Newman relative to read across America day.

Go ahead, Senator Newman.

Thank you, Mr. President. I am pleased to present SR 18, which recognizes March 2 as the 26th annual commemoration of Read Across America Day. Read Across America Day is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls on children in every community across the nation to celebrate the importance of reading and highlights the need for parental and caregiver emphasis and involvement in literacy education. Since its inception in 1988, the National Education Association has been the leader of the Read Across America initiative.

For more than a decade and a half, Read Across America Day has been promoted across the nation with organized events in libraries, schools, book clubs, and across communities. Over the course of that span, Read Across America Day has inspired generations of children to embrace the power of words and develop a lifelong love of reading. Despite the overall positive impact of this wonderful, perennial program, when it comes to promoting and ensuring literacy in America, there remains a great deal of work to be done.

The Literacy Project, a national nonprofit which provides free classes to adults in basic skills, high school equivalency, and college and career readiness, estimates that fully 65% of fourth graders in the US. Are not currently reading at a proficient level. Research has found a strong correlation between early exposure to language and reading and the long term literacy and educational attainment of readers.

Studies prove that when children are read to at least three times a week by family or caregivers, they are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25th percentile in their reading assessments. There is nothing more foundational to positive and educational outcomes than teaching young children to read. Reading and reading well is the bedrock for the success of virtually every future educational, professional and personal achievement. This is why it is so essential to emphasize and celebrate the importance of reading.

Read Across America Day not only celebrates the joy of reading, but encourages adults to do our part in inspiring the children around us to develop a love of reading. When we engage in this effort together, we're helping young readers develop concentration, confidence, creativity and intellectual prowess. I am pleased to be able to celebrate this wonderful annual tradition in partnership with the California Teachers Association, whose thousands of dedicated educator Members do the often unsung work of developing young minds and growing good future citizens.

Please support them in this essential enterprise and join in celebrating the 26th annual Read Across America Day. I respectfully ask for your aye vote this morning, Members.

Any discussion or debate? See none. This is also eligible for unanimous roll call. Any objection to unanimous roll call? See none. The ayes are 34. The noes are zero. That measure passes.

Now I'd like to return to privileges of the floor. Senator Newman, you have some guests to recognize.

Yes, thank you. With us this morning to celebrate Read Across America Day is Mr. Toby Boyd, President of the California Teachers Association. Not only do I have the privilege of welcoming President Boyd to the Senate Floor to commemorate this important day, I'd also like to take this opportunity to recognize his distinguished career and tenure at CTA as he gets ready to retire in his second term as CTA President.

President Boyd has faithfully led and served the 310,000 unionized educators across this state, including throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, which posed a great many challenges to the educator community. Mr. Boyd has been a fierce, passionate and very effective advocate on behalf of California's educators, students and their families. During the Pandemic, that advocacy was essential in ensuring their safety, their access to meals, technology and vaccines, and their ability to adapt to and then return from virtual instruction.

Prior to his work with CTA, Mr. Boyd served for 25 years as a kindergarten teacher and education advocate in the Elk Grove Unified School District. He served two terms as a Member of CTA District E's Governing Board and was a long-standing delegate for the National Education Association's Representative Assembly. Mr. Boyd is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on bilingual and cross-cultural studies.

From there, he went on to earn his teaching credential from Sac State's Multicultural Multilingual Center. I also want to welcome Ms. Lisa Hickman, an elementary teacher at Sycamore Magnet Academy and the President of the Tustin Educators Association, who also serves as CTA's California Reads Chair. Ms. Hickman believes reading is key to student success, not just in the classroom, but in life. That reading is the foundation of learning and the ultimate equalizer, and which needs to be highlighted not just today, but every day.

Also joining us today in the chamber are two other dedicated CTA staffers, Mr. Lance Chi and Ms. Erica Sizemore. Please join me in recognizing Read Across America Day and celebrating CTA President Toby Boyd's distinguished career by giving Mr. Boyd, Ms.. Hickman, Mr. Chi and Ms. Seismore a very warm California State Senate welcome.

And we welcome we'll do a photo with Senator Newman. Then we welcome everyone for a photo. Do one with this group first. All right, now, everybody, please join. Um. Members, we're now moving on to Assembly third reading.

We have one item that will be presented by Senator Limon. Madam Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 269 By Assembly Member Berman, an act relating to public health and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately. Go ahead, Senator Limon.

Thank you, Mr. President. AB 269 is an urgency measure that would preserve two important public health waivers following the expiration of the COVID-19 state of emergency. First, the Bill will allow the Department of Public Health's test to treat program to continue for an additional year. Second, the Bill will allow laboratories to maintain their workforce that they have had since the start of the pandemic to analyze COVID-19 test. This Bill has no formal opposition and has received unanimous bipartisan support in both houses. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Members, any discussion or debate? I see none. This is also eligible for unanimous roll call. Any objections? See none. The ayes are 34. The no's are zero on the urgency. The ayes are 34. The noes are zero on the measure. And the measure passes.

Members, now we're going to the special consent calendar number three. Madam Secretary, please read.

Assembly. Excuse me.

First, let's see. Does anyone want to remove anything? Any Members want to remove anything from.

The special consent calendar? See none. Madam Secretary, please read Assembly concurrent resolution number three.

Concurrent resolution number six.

Assembly.

Thank you. Can you please call the role on.

The special consent calendar?

Alan? Alvarado Gill? Archuleta? Aye. Ashby? Aye. Atkins? Aye. Becker? Aye. Blakespeare? Aye. Bradford? Aye. Caballero? Aye. Cortese? Aye. Dahle? Aye. Dodd? Durazo? Aye. Eggman? Aye. Glazer? Aye. Gonzalez? Aye. Grove? Aye. Hurtado? Jones? Aye. Laird? Aye. Limon? Aye. Maguire? Aye. Menjivar? Aye. Min? Aye. Newman? Aye. Nguyen? Aye. Niello? Aye. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Padilla. Aye. Portantino? Roth? Aye. Rubio? Aye. Seyarto? Aye. Skinner? Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas? Aye. Stern? Aye. Umberg? Aye. Wahab? Aye. Weiner? Aye. Wilk? Ayes are 34. The no's are zero. The special consent calendar is approved.

Members.

Now moving on to committee announcements starting with Senator Laird. Thank you, Mr. President.

Budget Subcommittee one on education will meet in room 2100 upon adjournment. Senator Durazo.

Senate Budget Subcommittee five starts in 15 minutes in room 112 of the Capitol.

Senator Menjivar.

Senate Budget sub three will.

Start at 10:00 in room 1200. Senator Padilla. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Budget sub four on State Administration and General government will convene in 30 minutes following adjournment of the Senate here in the Capitol in room one, one, three.

Thank you. And I'd like to announce the Budget Subcommittee Two on resources, environmental protection and.

Energy will begin 15 minutes after German in room 2200 at the O Street Building.

Members, we still have one more order of business. We're going to return to motions and resolutions. We have an adjourn in memory from.

Senator Ashby.

Speaking from the majority Leader's desk.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to ask that the California State Senate adjourn in the memory of my friend Jeremy Merce. He passed away at the age of 43 on January 24. He battled ALS Lou Gehrig's disease for just under a year. Jeremy was a distinguished Californian and a beloved Member of your capital community. Jeremy left behind his beautiful wife Megan, and three young daughters, Jordan, who's four, and twins Peyton and Taylor, who are just six months old. Megan is here with me today.

Jeremy was the Vice President for American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and prior to that, many of you know him from his time advocating for the business community as a legislative representative for the California Chamber of Commerce, a staple of the Sacramento capital community, jeremy was hard to miss. Because he is six foot seven, jeremy distinguished himself as a standout football player here in Sacramento. At Jesuit High School. He went on as a Division One athlete on full scholarship to Idaho State University.

Unfortunately, an injury ended his football career, but it sent him back home where he graduated from the University of California, Davis. He then went on to study law at the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law here, Sacramento. Jeremy was well respected for consistently operating with integrity, respect and gratitude for his life, his family and his job. In the summer of 2017, Jeremy married the love of his life, Megan, who he met during his brief stint practicing law.

Jeremy liked to call Meghan the boss and said she constantly edited his work. Jeremy and Megan built their life here in Sacramento. They added sweet little Jordan to their family in 2018. And just last year, in the midst of Jeremy's battle, they added their twin baby daughters. While Jeremy's home life was completely overrun by four women and little girls that he loved the most in this world, he also made time for his vast and deep friendships.

Many of his friends are here with us in the chamber today. Jeremy bonded on the golf course and through his devout fanship for the San Francisco 49ers, never losing his sense of competition even while fighting ALS. He asked his longtime friends not to forgive him for missing golf tournaments because he would never miss them, but rather to let him hit from the closer white tees. I'm sure he outdrove them anyway.

Jeremy battled ALS with the same heart and intensity and perseverance that he brought to the Capitol, the football field and the golf links. Every day in the Sacramento ALS walk, jeremy led Team Merce, which was a team of over a hundred Capitol community Members, friends and family who raised tens of thousands of dollars for ALS. And we all wore these red shirts that I have on today, an obvious nod to his beloved San Francisco 49 ers.

In 2022, he successfully fought for budget funding for a cure. He was able to secure $2 million towards funding for ALS association. I asked a number of Jeremy's friends to share with me a favorite story or trait about him. Each one talked about his extraordinary athleticism and tenacity, his love for Megan and his girls. But they also uniformly told me that Jeremy was a man who sought out a diversity of input.

He valued the professional intelligence of his female peers and asked them often for their thoughts and contributions. He loved being a part of this capital community, and this community loved him back. Jeremy's spirit, passion and heart will be sorely missed. If you're lucky, at some point in your life, a person will come along and let you walk beside them in their journey. And as a result of that, you will get to be a part of something much bigger than yourself.

Jeremy Merce gave that opportunity to a great number of us. The California State Senate offers our greatest condolences to you, Megan, and to Jordan Peyton Taylor, jeremy's friends, family and everyone who enjoyed the life of Jeremy Merce.

Thank you, Senator Rubio.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I also rise today to adjourn on behalf of Jeremy Mertz. Many of you in the Capitol community has already mentioned and knew him really well and has already noted he was a staple in our community here. We knew his work ethic, his generosity, and just his commitment to his family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with Jeremy through his great work and advocacy and a lot of the discussions we had on insurance.

He was a critical resource to my office and everyone speaks so highly of him. And so I wanted to convey that message on behalf of all staffers and all the offices that he worked with. And I think it's a testament to who he was and how much he was loved as he was able to rally so many people to walk in his walk on behalf of ALS.

And it breaks my heart just to think of Megan here, his wife and his children, and just everything that they've gone through. So I ask all of us to continue to rally around the family, his children, so they get to know him through the work and his legacy that he left here at the Capitol. Jeremy was taken too soon. And I also encourage all of us to continue to focus on ALS and to find a cure. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Glazer.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members. It's so hard to memorialize someone who has passed at such a young age. Hard for us, doubly hard for his family and his friends. I had the opportunity to work with Jeremy over many years, always appreciated his intelligence, his professionalism, how engaged he was in the work that we would do together. He was an important part of our capital family here.

And to his wife and his family and friends, we acknowledge what a great person he was and how he will be dearly missed. May his memory be a blessing to all of you and to all of us.

Thank you.

Senator Ashby, please bring his name up so it can be properly memorialized. And returning to privileges of the floor, I'd like to invite you to present.

A resolution to the family if there's no other business. Senator Atkins, the desk is clear.

Well, thank you, Mr. President. Words are hard to come by when you see the outpouring of love that we can share in this Senate chamber for those that we have lost, some with decades of history behind them and some, as my colleague from Ornda said, taken too soon. I want to end with my thanks to some incredible colleagues who are going to spend the next couple of hours working on our behalf on budget subcommittees. I am grateful. It's a task. It's a lot of work.

And when I heard all of the announcements, I am mindful of the hard work you do each and every day. So I want to thank you for staying behind as some of us head home to do some important work that's going to lead us in the coming days. With that, when you do get home, hug your family, appreciate your friends, remember all that we are blessed to have and the work that we are blessed to be able to do. And with.

At that, I will see you all or we will reconvene on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 02:00 P.m.. Senate will.

Be in recess until 03:30 P.m., at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Monday, March 6, at 02:00 P.m..