Assembly Floor

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for the prayer and the flag salute. Today's prayer will be offered by Assemblymember Davies.

Good morning. Please bow your head. Dear lord, please grant us the humility to learn from others and the wisdom to honor all whom we encounter. We thank you for another day to work for and with our fellow men and women. It is human nature to only want to listen to those with whom we agree and to only give honor to those with like minded ideals. But when we open ourselves up to hearing the wisdom that others hold, we become enriched.

And when we treat others with the honor that we desire, we become elevated by our actions. We pray that you may be with us today to defend us within us, that you may sustain us before us, that you may lead us behind us, that you may protect us above us, that you may bless us and everything that we do. Amen.

Thank you, Assembly Member Davies. Assembly Member Juan Carrillo will lead us in the pledge.[Pledge] Thank you, Mr. Carrillo. You may be seated. Just want to note a happy national croissant day. Hoping session is light but not too flaky. Reading of the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber of Sacramento Tuesday, January 16, 2024 the Assembly met at one.

... moves Mr. Flora seconds that the reading of the previous day journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions there are none. Introduction and references of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed and read deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor? There are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none. Moving to motions and resolutions. The absences for the day for medical leave. Assemblymember Addis and Assemblymember Dahle Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you are now recognized for your procedural motions.

Good morning. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 98, I request unanimous consent to strike 15 vetoes from the file. At the request of the authors, the list of bills is at the desk. I ask that the Clerk read the bills to be stricken.

[Vetoes Stricken]

Without objection, the bills will be stricken.

At the request of Assembly Member Flora. Please remove item 67, ACR 132 Santiago from the consent calendar.

Clerk will note...Assembly...let's see... move on...moving to business on the daily file governor's vetoes pass and retain on file items one through 46. Item 47 is a notice is a notice reconsideration. All items shall be continued. We are now going to Assembly. Third reading. Assemblymember let's see, hang on a second here. Item number 52, AJR 9, Assemblymember McKinnor. Clerk will read summary joint resolution.

Assembly joint resolution nine by Assemblymember McKinnor and others relative to housing.

Assemblymember Mckinnor, you are recognized.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker and Members. The American dream of home ownership is slipping away from the average citizen and the inability to obtain and keep housing has led to an increase in eviction and is contributing to the increase in our unhoused population. A nationwide shortage of housing units is further moving that dream away from millions of Americans.

AJR 9 would urge the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign the Housing and Homelessness Package, which includes three groundbreaking pieces of legislation that would address the issue of affordability and accessibility head on. HR 4233, Maxine Waters, The Housing Crisis Response act of 2023 will provide more than $150,000,000,000 in fair affordable housing investments, which would be the largest investment of affordable housing in our nation's history.

It would also create 1.4 million affordable homes and would address the racial wealth gap through the first ever investment in home ownership for first time first generation homebuyers. HR 4232, Maxine Waters, The Ending Homeless Act of 2023 would reduce poverty in America by transforming the Housing Choice Voucher Program into a federal entitlement, allowing every household that qualifies for assistance to receive it. It would also ban housing discrimination based on income and veteran status. HR 231.

Maxine Waters, The Down Payment Towards Equity Act of 2023 would close the US racial wealth and home ownership gaps by providing 100 billion dollar indirect assistance to help first time first generation homebuyers purchasing their first home. We are in the middle of a housing crisis and keeping people in their homes and off the streets should be our top priority. Urging Congress and the President to act and sign the housing package is a crucial step in fully investing in and tackling our housing crisis head on. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Assembly Member McKinnor, seeing and hearing no further debate, all the debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. Would you hang on? Strike that. Strike that. My error. Assemblymember Mckinnor, would you like the role open for co authors?

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'd like the role open for co authors. Thank you.

Thank you. Now all debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. There are 53. Clerk will close the roll. There are 53 co authors. Added. Members, this is an AJR. We will open the roll on a vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes, 54. No, zero. The resolution is adopted. Assemblymember Pellerin, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have the honor of introducing a group of the great Greystone Greyhounds. These exceptional fourth graders, led by their teacher, Kristen Bernhardt, are visiting from the Almaden area of San Jose. They've been learning about the gold rush and the incredible miners who came to California in search of gold. Speaking of the niners, how about that 49er football team? So, please. I am so excited that they're visiting here in the Capitol today. Please give them a warm welcome to our state Assembly. They're up in the gallery.

Thank you, Assemblymember Pellerin. And welcome to the State Assembly to our guests. Moving back to business on the daily file, third reading, Assemblymember Waldron, AB 941. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 941 by Assemblymember Waldron, naturally and controlled substances.

Assemblymember Waldron, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 941 will create a work group under the California Health and Human Services Agency to study and recommend a framework for the clinical therapeutic use of psychedelic substances. These therapies have the potential to save countless lives. As we know, California is experiencing a severe mental health crisis with rising rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, PTSD, suicide and other debilitating conditions.

AB 941 proposes a solution to this crisis through the exploration of the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelic assisted therapy. We need the data, the research, and the recommendations of experts in this promising field of therapeutics. Above all, AB 941 is a proactive and forward thinking approach to the mental health crisis in California and key to unlocking the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for use in clinical settings.

We must prioritize the accessibility of innovative treatments for our frontline heroes, veterans and first responders who urgently need these transformative interventions. In fact, this concept was brought to me over the course of several years by Navy SEALs who benefited from the use of psychedelic treatments and want to make it more accessible. But we, as policymakers, need to bring together the researchers in order to make the best policy concerning this.

John Hopkins Medicine researchers reported that adults with major depression saw quick and significant symptom reduction after only two doses of Psilocybin with supportive therapy. We need more data like this. The only way to achieve this is to allow qualified individuals to study and make recommendations governing the lawful and clinical therapeutic use that psychedelics have to offer. Your aye vote opens so many doors to mental health treatments making a real impact on the lives of those who need it most. I urge an aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Waldron. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 45. No. Zero. Measure passes. Moving on to file item 56. AB 846 by Assemblymember Bonta. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 846 by Assemblymember Bonta and act relating to low income housing.

You are recognized, Assemblymember Bonta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 846, which would establish a limit on rent increases in low income housing tax credit or LIHTC properties in California. Specifically, AB 846 will limit rent increases in LIHTC properties in any 12 month period to 5%, plus the percentage change in the cost of living or 10% per year, whichever is lower. There are two exceptions to this limit which would be added into the Bill as part of the ongoing conversations we have been having with affordable housing developers.

These exceptions do the following first, allow the LIHTC property owners to allow a raise in rent up to 30% of the household's income and provide the cap does not apply when a LIHTC property loses a project based rental assistance or is in danger of foreclosure, and TCAC or HCD utilize their existing authority to restructure the property's income targeting to ensure financial viability.

I am confident this Bill will provide a framework that is both protective of low income tenants and sensitive to the complexities of affordable housing finance and the need to ensure that LIHTC properties can remain financially viable over time. AB 846 is critical legislation needed to protect low income renters living in publicly assisted affordable housing from significant rent spikes. Under the status quo, LIHTC tenants can face unpredictable and often high rent increases and become severely rent burdened. We can't continue this in our state for our most vulnerable communities. With that, I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote, Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes, 44. No, 2. Measure passes. Moving on to item number 57, AB 747 by Mr. McCarty. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 747 by Assemblymember McCarty and others, an act relating to business.

Mr. McCarty, you are recognized.

Oh no, pass on this one. Thank you. I thought this was the.

Pass temporarily or pass? Okay, we are going to pass temporarily on item number 57. Moving on to item number 58, AB 236 by Assemblymember Holden.

The Clerk will read Assembly Bill 236 by Senator Holden and others and actually into healthcare coverage.

Mr. Holden, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Today I rise to present Assembly Bill 236, Ghost Network Prevention Bill, which will address the rampant inaccuracies we see in health plan provider directories. In 2015, California passed SB 137, which created some of the strongest standards for health plans in the nation. Despite this, we're still seeing health plans maintain inaccurate provider referral directories, a practice that restricts consumer access to promised healthcare services. These inaccuracies list are often referred to as ghost networks because they do not actually exist.

In an effort to eliminate these ghost networks and address rampant directory inaccuracies, AB 236 defines clear benchmarks and accuracy guidelines. Recent amendments address, raise concerns and do the following change the benchmark deadlines to July 1, 2025 and create a floor for benchmark penalties, deletes the financial penalty on health plans and ensures, per inaccuracy, authorize the Department of Managed Health Care to mandate the use of a central utility.

Transforming how providers update their network information outlines a process for providers who were removed to be re added to the directory. I look forward to continued conversations with the health plans and other stakeholders. By supporting this Bill, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring that our communities have access to the care they deserve. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes, 43. noes, 40 more. noes, 6. Excuse me. Measure passes. Moving on to file item 59. AB 85 by Dr. Arambula.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 805 by Assemblymember Arambula, an act relating to water quality and urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.

Dr. Arambula, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise today to present Assembly Bill 805, which is a support support Bill. No one should be forced to live with failing or poorly managed sewer systems in their homes and communities. Failing sanitation systems can leak contaminants into underground aquifers that residents rely on to replenish their wells. These contaminants can have adverse health effects such as gastrointestinal issues, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer.

AB 805 ensures that the state can intervene in the most egregious cases of mismanagement so that people aren't forced to endure conditions that most of us would not accept. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes, 60. No, zero on the urgency. Ayes, 60. No, zero on the measure.

Measure passes. Moving on to item number 60. AB 922 by Assembly Member Wicks.

The Clerk will read Assembly 922 by Assembly Member Wicks and actor Lane. And nutritional assistance.

Assembly Member Wicks, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 922 encourages investment in community based restaurants while feeding our unhoused persons and creating pathways to needed social services. Alameda successfully implemented an 18 month, $131,000,000 program using American Rescue Plan act funds. The program provided 5 million prepared meals from local restaurants to the people who need it most. By passing AB 922, you will simultaneously feed those in need. Support, economic stability, and create a model program for the state. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 50. No. Seven. Measure passes.

Members, we are now on to item number 62, ACR 123. The Clerk will read Assembly Concurrent Resolution 123. Assemblymen Cardi, relative to anesthesiologist week. Assemblymember Mccarty, you may open.

Members. I know many of us or our family Members have had to go through a medical procedure in our lives, and a big part of that equation are our anesthetists. zero, my goodness. Anesthesiologist, Dr. Wood, lifesaver. Thank you. Anesthesiologist. I apologize. Of course, I know who you are up there. Yes. This recognizes this week, late January through the 3 February, as anesthesiologist week. They are guardians of public safety in the operating room, intensive care, pains management, clinics.

They go over 12 years of education and training to make sure they can navigate these critical life or death moments in operating rooms across our state and through procedures. We want to recognize their work. There are over 100,000 procedures a year in California. Please join me in honoring and supporting our anesthesiologists in California and supporting HCR. One23.

Assembly Member Mccarty, would you like the first roll call to be open for co authors? The Clerk will open up the roll for co authors. All those votes who desire to vote? Members, this is for co authors. To ACR. One23. All those votes who desire to vote? All those votes who desire to vote, the Clerk will close the roll. We have 66 co authors added to this. Without objection, we will take a voice vote on this. All those in favor say aye.

Opposed say no. The ayes have it. We are going to move on to item. The resolution is adopted. Moving on to item number 63, ACR 134. The Clerk will read, telling the Concurrent Resolution 134 by semester.

Wood. Relative to National Monitoring Month. Dr. Wood, you may open.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I rise to present ACR 134, declaring January 2024 as national Mentoring Month. Engaged and caring adults are essential in the lives of our children. Too many children lack a positive adult role in their lives, so it's important we celebrate those programs that provide mentorship opportunities for our young people and must make every effort to expand them. Mentorship programs help children build self esteem and develop the social and emotional skills they'll need to be successful adults.

Youth who participate in mentoring programs like Big Brothers and Big sisters are more likely to enroll in higher education, volunteer in their community, and hold leadership roles. I would also like to thank those mentoring programs within my district, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the north coast, Casa of Humboldt, and boys and girls clubs of the Redwoods, as they celebrate a combined 142 years of service.

Please join me in declaring national January as national Mentoring Month, and I would ask that the first role be open for coauthors.

Seeing no others wishing to speak on this item, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors to acr 134. All those votes who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All those votes who desire to vote. All those votes who desire to vote, the Clerk will close the roll ayes 65 for co authors to ACR 134. Without objection, we will take a voice votes. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. Opposed the ayes have it. Resolution is adopted.

Members moving to announcements. At noon, the Democratic caucus will meet in the Members lounge. Also at noon, the Republican caucus will meet in the swing space, room 880. 10 Members, because of your diligence and hard work, we will not have session tomorrow. Session schedule is as follows. Wednesday, January 31 check in session Thursday, February 1 session at 09:00 a.m. All other items will be passed and retained. All motions shall be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm open to entertaining a motion to adjourn.

Ms. Aguiar Curry moves Mr. Flora seconds that the house stands adjourned until Thursday, February 1 at 09:00 a.m. Quorum call is lifted. The house is adjourned. Into the mic there. Just say my name too. Just AB number or item number. Okay. [Roll Call]

Thank you.