Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Santiago notices the absence of a quorum sergeant at arms prepared the chamber. Bring in the absent Members. The Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

My dear colleagues, coworkers and guests, please join me in this morning's prayer. Blessed one, we thank you for these coming days of sunshine and warmth. We thank you for the dedicated efforts of so many people who are working for a better world and better human community. We are aware of the efforts of the public servants in this chamber in the cause of human progress and human dignity. We ask you, our creator, our redeemer, our sustainer, to bless them all.

For it is through them that you bring light and hope to the world together. Let's say with gusto, amen. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Pellerin. Today we will have Assemblymember Gallagher lead us in the pledge.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands, one nation under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gallagher. You may be seated. Reading of the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento, Friday, January 12, 2024. The Assembly--

Ms. Aguiar-Curry moves, Mr. Gallagher seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions there are none. Introduction in reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be 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 absence for the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymembers Gipson, Vince Fong, Soria and Holden to speak on an adjournment in memory today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118(a) to allow Assemblymembers Gallagher, Petrie-Norris and Wilson to have guests on the floor today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to Committee: AB 1887 Cervantes from Human Services Committee to Higher Education Committee, AB 2125 Garcia from the Natural Resources Committee to the Judiciary Committee, AB 2353 Ward from the Tax and Revenue Committee to the Housing and Community Development Committee, and then back to the Revenue and Taxation Committee, AB 2400 Luz Rivas from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Transportation Committee, and then back to the Revenue and Taxation Committee, AB 256 Lowenthal from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Housing and Community Development Committee, and then back to the Revenue and Taxation Committee and AB 3155 Friedman from the Natural Resources Committee to the Judiciary Committee, and then back to the Natural Resources Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Rule 862(a) and the file notice requirement to allow the Higher Education Committee to hear AB 1887 Cervantes on Monday, March 18 at 03:00 p.m.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Hoping they're here. Members, I'd like to introduce three individuals from a state department sponsored program that began after 9/11 to bring students from predominantly Muslim countries to experience life in the United States. Are you here, students? Then we'll come back to that. So moving on to other guest introductions. Assemblymember Mathis, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I am proud to introduce Leadership Northern Tulare County up here in the balcony with us. Some of our members are the mayor of the City of Tulare, Terry Sayre, we have Julie Capistran from the Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District, Sergeant Jose Aguayo from the Dinuba Police Department, Adrien Meza, who is the general manager at Peña's Disposal Service.

Rosa Figueroa, Senior Service Officer at Valley Strong Credit Union and- I'm sorry, I'm going to butcher this- Exelti Machado, who is a mental health professional at the Dinuba Unified School District. Members, the Leadership Northern Tulare County is designed to help community members living in North Tulare county become community leaders both in the communities and in their industries. I want to thank them for the work that they do, how they help our communities and how they pay it forward to other future leaders as well.

Thank you all for being here.

Thank you, Assemblymember Mathis. Welcome to your guests. Assemblymember Villapudua, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Can you hear me? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Speaker, Assemblymembers, in support of Women's History Month, I would like to recognize Ventia James, founder leader of the Hundreds Unit, women's health and wellness empowerment organization. In 2016, Venetia realized her vision of empowering women through dance and creation of Hundreds Units.

This organization has united hundreds of women of diverse backgrounds and empowering them to perform at major professional events and entertainment venues. They just performed in front of the Sacramento Kings which I got to see them on TV, which was great. Ventia channels her passion and fitness and dance to transform lives while the woman built bonds that last a lifetime. James of Hundreds Units, welcomes them to the Assembly floor. I also want to thank my community secretary, Ashley Bennett.

I know she didn't want to be recognized, but thank you Ashley. And thank you all of you guys for being here because you do bring so much empowerment to our community. And I got to see it when you guys did that in front of the Sacramento Kings. So thank you so much for being here. Let's give them applause, everyone.

Thank you, Assemblymember Villapudua. Welcome to your guests. Assemblymember Wilson, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, we have both on the floor and in the gallery Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated the Vallejo Alumnae chapter. So Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University, located in Washington DC. The 22 founders envisioned an organization of college educated women committed to constructive development of its members.

On March 9, 1974, the Vallejo Alumnae chapter was chartered in the City of Vallejo, right in the heart of my district, making it the 30th chapter to be chartered in the far west region, serving the cities of Vallejo, Venetia and American Canyon. Charter Members who are present today are Mrs. Sylvia Harris, Vallejo alumni's first President and Mrs. Dolores Parker Doser. Vallejo Alumnae's current President is Dr. Dila.

The chapters and compliments include award winning international awareness, outreach support of the Brother Helping Brothers Haiti Mission, and World AIDS Day educational programming to bring awareness of this devastating disease, and Red goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which is near and dear to my heart. So I'd ask that you join me in celebrating, as you can see in the rear of our chambers, the leadership of the Vallejo Alumnae chapter for Delta Sigma Authority Incorporated and its members that are present up in the gallery.

And please thank them not only for their work as a sorority across this great nation of the many chapters, but also thank them for the work that they do right here in district 11 and celebrate them on their anniversary.

Thank you, Assemblymember Wilson, and welcome to your guests. Assemblymember Boerner, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and Members. Members, in the gallery today we have a special treat. As you know, it's a long way from North County San Diego to Sacramento, and today I have guests in the gallery from students from Pacific Ridge. They're from the upper school student leadership team and they're here to learn about the legislative process and meet with lawmakers.

Please join me in welcoming students Chloe Kim, Josie Snyder, Simon Hall, Ruby Belt and Tony Galloway, as well as their chaperones, the Pacific Ridge Equity and Civic Engagement Coordinator Spencer Burrows, and Pacific Ridge Innovation Coordinator Eva Schmidt. Thank you very much for being here. Let's give him a round of applause. This is the next generation.

Thank you, Assemblymember Boerner, and welcome to your guests. We will have additional guest introductions today. We have a lot of guests and they'll be coming in shortly. But for now, we are going to be moving on to business on the daily file. Second reading. Clerk will read.

[Second Reading]

All bills will deem read. All amendments will be deemed adopted. Concurrence in of Senate amendments pass and retain on file item six.

Assemblymember Gallagher, you are recognized. Members, your attention please to Assemblymember Gallagher. Members.

Under reconsideration, all items shall be continued. Moving to Assembly third reading. Assemblymember Gallagher, file item number 10, ACR 149. Clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 149 by Assemblymember Gallagher and others relative to Irish American Heritage Month.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members: [Forgein Language], welcome. I rise today with pride, great pride, to represent ACR 149 in honor of Irish American Heritage Month and the remarkable milestone of 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland. Now, the relationship between Ireland and America began in a very terrible time. The great famine of 1846,47,48 caused many Irish to immigrate to the United States. During that famine, over a million Irish perished from starvation and disease.

So we need to continue to work on those great economic ties. In closing, I urge my esteemed colleagues to join me in supporting ACR 149, honoring American, Irish American Heritage Month, and the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland. Let us celebrate the legacy of the Irish American community and reaffirm our commitment to a future of peace, prosperity, and friendship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

One in five and some of the ships coming over. One in five Irish perished coming across that ocean to America. It was a time of great distress, of great turmoil. But in America, the Irish found freedom in their home country. They had been subjected to their lands, being taken away to great oppression, to not having the freedom to practice their faith, to speak in America.

They found all of those things and more, and many of them came here to California, the great land of opportunity, and found that same freedom and the first opportunity to now own a piece of land, to now be able to farm for themselves and not for a British landlord. And they became very much a part of the American fabric so, as we reflect on that great history of how out of a great time of turmoil came hope, opportunity, and contributions to the American dream.

We are reminded of this courageous expression of the people of Ireland as those who remained home expressed their will in 1916, leading to the establishment of finally an independent Irish state and the subsequent recognition of diplomatic ties between Ireland and the United States.

The formation of the first Irish Parliament and its proclamation of Ireland as an independent nation in 1919 marked a pivotal moment in Irish history, one that continues to resonate a century later: the journey to peace in Northern Ireland, in which Americans played a very key role. US Senator George Mitchell epitomized the historic Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and reconciliation. Irish Americans, driven by resilience and determination, have left an indelible mark on the fabric of American society.

From those early pioneers who brave, perilous journeys in search of opportunity to the leaders and innovators who have shaped our nation's destiny, their contributions are immeasurable. From politics to business, science to literature, Irish Americans have enriched our culture and enriched our lives. As we celebrate Irish American Heritage Month, let us also recognize the great economic and cultural ties that bind California and Ireland. And on that, a quick story, some of the family lore.

The Gallagher family lore is that my great great grandfather, first, I call it maybe one of those first economic ties between Ireland and California. He brought over draught horses from Ireland to help farmers who needed that horsepower. Right? And the lore is he brought those horses around the horn and into San Francisco and sold them here in California. A lot's changed since then. I don't think we do too much in the draft horse business anymore.

But certainly, there are a lot of business ties and economic ties between California and Ireland, including the pharmaceutical industry, industry, in the food industry, and different manufacturing as well. Where Irish companies are headquartered here, have headquarters here in California, and American companies have headquarters in Ireland. So we continue those great economic relationships, and we need to continue that economic relationship. One of the bills I will be bringing forward this year is about finally establishing an Irish Trade Commission here in California.

And I do respectfully ask for an aye vote and also for the role to be open for co authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gallagher. Assemblymember Waldron, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise as a proud Irish girl. My dad was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1918 in a little town called Limerick. And then they took him by horse and buggy back to the family farm in a village called Balishannon, which was more of a farming community. I am a first-generation American, and Irish Americans have played a prominent role in American politics. As we have seen through the years growing up in an Irish family, we learned all the Irish songs.

Everything we did was with my aunt playing the accordion and all the fun dances and things that we did. That kind of trickled into American society over time. And when we look at the contributions of Irish Americans, in politics especially, we can see an example in John F. Kennedy, the first Irish Catholic President of the United States, others who have served in Congress, state legislatures, local governments, contributing to shaping American policies and laws.

Irish immigrants have played a vital role in the labor movement, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. And if we even go back further in Irish history, they had the Great Famine, or what's called the Irish Potato Famine, from 1845 to 1852, which greatly affected the country, both politically, socially, and the fact that their population declined due to starvation and immigration out. Their population declined about 25%. In the 20's, during the period of time when my dad immigrated here, he was seven years old, and Ireland again had a tough time with not enough food for everybody and the know. My grandfather had trouble with the farm, and the family had to go back and forth, back and forth. So I have some aunts and uncles that were born in Ireland. Some were born in America. They finally settled back into America in New York City, and that's kind of where our family heritage started to build.

From there, people left that country to look for a better life, to come here to the United States, as we see currently happening. They were met with pushback. The signs were up around in all the stores and shops that said Irish need not apply. But they made it through. They were persistent. They got involved in organizing labor unions, advocating for worker's rights, and participating in strikes to improve working conditions for all Americans. Irish Americans have left their mark on our country's history. I urge an aye vote an ACR 149 Irish American Heritage Month. Thank you.

Thank you. Assemblymember Waldron. Seeing and hearing no further debate, the Clerk will open the roll for co-authors. All those in favor of voting for co-authors, all those votes who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote for co-authors. Clerk will close the roll. There are 65 co-authors, 66 co-authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor, say aye. All opposed say no. Resolution is adopted.

We're going to take a slight deviation here. I'd like to introduce former assembly member and senator, current LA County supervisor Hilda Solis is with us here today. And also joining us in the rear of the chamber, LA County CEO Fesia Davenport. Please welcome Ms. Davenport. Thank you members. Mr. Gallagher, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, members. We are honored to have some guests with us this morning from Ireland and from the government, Republic of Ireland. First, we have Jerry Buttimer--the Cathaoirleach, which is the speaker of the Irish Senate--is with us this morning, as well as Micheál Smith, the consul general, and also Jennifer Chadwick, the vice consul here in California.

Thank you. Welcome.

And you are all invited to a reception that is going to occur after session. So upon adjournment in Room 317. And, Mr. Speaker, permission to talk about some of the items everybody has on their desk.

Without objection.

Okay. So, in honor of Irish American Heritage Month, we have a few things that we've given to all the members. I hope all of you got to see the Irish dancers from the McKeever Irish School of Dance this morning in the rotunda. But also on your desk, we have a fashionable pin that includes the flags of Ireland and California, symbolizing the deep-rooted connections between our state and the Emerald Isle. So please take those.

And then also a little bit of chocolate, of course, shamrock chocolates, because let's face it, who doesn't love chocolate? But these aren't just any chocolates, though. They are magically imbued with the luck of the Irish. So take those home with you as well. So I hope these goodies will bring a smile to your face and a bit of Irish cheer. And let me leave you with this, a little Irish wisdom.

Members. Hang on.

I'll end with this: "May we have the hindsight to know where we've been, the foresight to know where we are going, and the insight to know when we have gone too far." Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gallagher. We have a lot of guests here today, so we have some additional guest introductions. Mr. Hoover, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am so excited today to have with us in the gallery and have the opportunity to introduce the 2023 state champion Folsom Bulldogs football team. Their victory on December 9 went down to the wire. The Bulldogs were down 1 point with over two minutes to play. They came back from behind when sophomore quarterback Ryder Lyons threw a two-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jameson Powell with 20 seconds left to clinch the 20-14 victory. There were some other outstanding performances from running back Damien Rivera, linebacker Mason Kelly, linebacker Logan Hutton, safety RJ Whitten, and the entire defensive line who kept stopping their opponents over and over again.

I am so incredibly grateful to have these guys with us here today because this is their fifth title in the past 14 seasons; winning 2010, 2014, '17 and '18 as well. And I would be remiss if I did not also give a shout-out to the coaching staff headed by head coach Paul Doherty, who has just created an amazing culture for the Folsom High School Bulldogs. The City of Folsom is so incredibly proud of this team. So please join me in welcoming them today.

Thank you, Mr. Hoover. Congratulations to the team. Welcome to the California State Assembly this morning. We have one more guest introduction, then we have a special treat for you, folks. Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized for your guest introduction. Are we having a technical issue at your desk there? We'll come back to your guest introduction, Assembly Member Bonta. We have a special treat for you this morning, members.

The assembly is pleased to have the McKeever School of Irish Dance here for a performance reflecting Irish tradition and culture as we celebrate Irish American Heritage Month and St. Patrick's Day. Please welcome them to the floor.

Let's give a big round of applause to the McKeever School. I know all the members got excited. I saw Assembly Member Bryan doing a jig over there along with Dr. Jackson. I didn't miss that either. That was really great. Thank you Assembly Member Gallagher for bringing that to us today. So we do have additional guest introductions. We're going to move on now to Assembly Member Bonta for your guest introductions.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Members, please join me in welcoming 50 rising stars from my 18th Assembly District. They are seniors at Oakland High School and are a part of the school's public health academy. They are here to learn about the legislative process, observe session, tour the historical building and will get a chance to meet with policy experts to discuss housing, climate change and public health. This is the first visit for these students to the Capitol, so when you see them, hear them, and listen to them do so with care for you are seeing and talking to the present leaders of Oakland and the future of California. Please give them a very warm assembly welcome.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta. Welcome to your guests. Moving on to file item number 12, HR 74 by Assemblymember Soria. The Clerk will read

House Resolution 74 by Assemblymember Soria and others, relative to California Agriculture Day.

Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I am pleased to present HR 74 recognizing California's Agricultural Day which commemorates the vital role of California's farmers, ranchers and farm workers in fueling our economy and putting food on tables in California, the US and across the world. With over 400 different commodities accounting for over one third of vegetables and nearly three quarters of the fruits and nuts produced in the United States, California is the nation's leader in agricultural exports, shipping over $22 billion of food and agriculture commodities around the world in 2021.

The agriculture industry also directly creates over 400,000 jobs throughout the State of California, with over 50,000 of those jobs in the counties in my own district, Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. I am proud to say that the workers in these three counties produced over $13 billion in crop value in 2021, excuse me, over a quarter of California's entire crop value.

Californians have continued to express the importance of purchasing locally grown food items in our state and have demonstrated increased support of farmers markets, community supported agricultural programs, and farm-to-school programs as well. California's agricultural industry is constantly seeking to incorporate the latest scientific and technological production and marketing techniques to meet the demands of the changing consumer needs to meet the complex world markets. The theme of California's Agricultural Day 2024 is next gen tools, talent and tech.

In recognition of the crucial role California's agricultural community plays in feeding the world due to its focus on innovation, science and research, preparing the future workforce, and the adoption of climate smart practices. Today, more than ever, we must work to foster robust agricultural production and strong environmental protections. California Ag can lead the way, and many are already doing so through innovation. However, farmers and ranchers cannot do it alone. They need the support and resources from Sacramento to make this happen.

To all of the farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and everyone else who helped make our agricultural industry the envy of the world, we are profoundly grateful. I would like, Mr. Speaker, if we could have the first roll call opened for co-authors, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating California's agricultural resilience and strength on the west steps of the Capitol next week at 10:30 on Tuesday, March 19. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you Assemblymember Soria. Assemblymember Villapudua, you are recognized.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise today in support of HR 74. Agriculture continues to be a main industry in my district. San Joaquin county has 920,000 acres of agricultural land and is the California's 7th large producer of agriculture. The San Joaquin region produces 3 billion of agricultural in 2020. We produce almond milk, grape livestock, poultry, vegetables, cherries and olive. We celebrate Ag day.

I want to acknowledge our farmers, our farm workers for putting food on our table. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Villapudua. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll for co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote for co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 68 co-authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor say aye.

Opposed say no. The ayes have it. Resolution is adopted.

Moving on to file item number 13, ACR 153 by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, the Clerk will read

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 153 by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, relative to Public Utilities.

Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise today to take up Assembly Concurrent Resolution 153. ACR 153 will designate March 14 as Utility Worker Appreciation Day. Day in and day out, utility workers across California risk their lives to keep the lights on in our state. They truly are unsung heroes. These brave men and women have an immeasurable impact on our energy grid and helping communities recover from disasters and disruptions.

Utility workers play a vital role in the day to day lives of all Californians, but rarely are they given the recognition that they deserve. Their significant contributions to our communities and to our state merit our appreciation and merit our recognition. So today, please join me in passing ACR 153 to designate March 14 as Utility Worker Appreciation Day. And next time you see a utility worker, thank them.

Thank them for working around the clock and in hazardous conditions to ensure that we have access to safe and reliable energy. Thank them for the steadfast commitment that they exhibit day in and day out to deliver essential services across our state. And thank them for leaving their families, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, to help restore power to their neighbors and respond to disasters across our state. Members, I respectfully ask for the roll to be opened for coauthors.

Please join me in authoring ACR 153 to designate March 14 as Utility Worker Appreciation Day. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Petrie Norris. Assemblymember Wallis, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise in support of ACR 153 celebrating the contributions of California's utility workers. Yesterday, I had the chance to go 60ft up in the air and get a breathtaking view of this very building. It was exhilarating and fun. But as I walked back to my office, I really thought about the work these men and women do every single day to keep our lights on. They risk their lives and often work in horrendous conditions.

In my district, temperatures are regularly over 120 degrees and these workers are there making sure our air conditioning stays on. They leave their homes and prepositioned to restore utility services during severe winter weather like we saw a few weeks ago in the Sierras. They go into fire zones to rebuild transmission lines and fix water lines and gas lines so people can return home. I'm so grateful that there are men and women committed to building, fixing, restoring and maintaining our utility services.

I say thank you to all of California's utility workers today and every day and urge everyone to vote aye on this resolution. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Wallis. Assemblymember Davies, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise in support of ACR 153. When you think of the term first responders, we immediately go to our law enforcement, healthcare personnel. However, we should also be including our utility workers in this definition. In natural disasters and emergencies, utility workers are on the front lines trying to restore power, electricity and other services, or putting themselves on the line to ensure those services remain operational. The jobs they do fall in the hands with public safety.

Many times these individuals are called away from their families to help provide services and needs to customers and communities facing hardships, and that personal sacrifice alone is very commendable. Aside from these job functions, this is a profession that could provide a stable career for those looking to make a difference in their community. We should be encouraging the next generation of workers, students and women, that a career as a utility worker is a worthwhile profession. Again, I want to thank utility workers for what they do.

And Members, I ask for an aye vote on ACR 153. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Davies. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, would you like to close?

Well, I will just say thank you to my colleagues for your statement of support. I respectfully ask that the role be open for co-authors.

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 for co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 64 co-authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Assemblymember Petrie Norris, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, as we recognize today, March 14, as Utility Worker Appreciation Day, please join me in welcoming the rear of the chambers. Bob Dean, who is the Chairman of the California Coalition of Utility Employees, and join me in welcoming the utility workers and IBW members who are joining us in the gallery this morning. Members, please join me and thank them for all of the work that they do to keep the lights on in the great state of California.

Thank you, and welcome to the chamber this morning, moving on to additional guest introductions. Mr. Patterson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members; today, I'd like to welcome the Oak Ridge High School cheer team from El Dorado Hills to the California State Assembly. I'd like to congratulate them on winning the 2024 UCA National High School cheerleading championship. The team is led by head varsity coach James Blunk and then assisted with Kat Martin and Elena Padilla. I also just want to mention their names.

We have Addison, Alexis, Aubrey, Avery, Bella, Berlin, Ella, Aaron, Gabby Martino, Gabby Stevens, Gator, Heidi, Jaden, Caitlin, Caitlin, Keegan, Kenna, Kyla, Mariah, Olivia, Peyton, Sage, Sienna Taylor, and Tilly. As a cheer dad myself, I know how hard they have to work to reach such a high level of excellence. The time commitment of the athletes, coaches, and, yes, the parents is no joke. Congrats and welcome to the California State Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Welcome and Members, I'd like to introduce three individuals from a US State Department sponsored program that began after 911 to bring students from predominantly Muslim countries to experience life in the United States. Please welcome me in joining Naira Harshya, Amir Shama, and Amelia Bardaku. Please welcome our guests. Thank you. Thank you for being here with us. Moving on, Members, to moving on to Senate third reading item number 16, SB 586 Eggman by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 586 by Senator Eggman, an act relating in flute flood management. Thank Ms. Aguiar-Curry. You are recognized.

Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members; today, I rise to present amendments to SB 586 on behalf of Senator Eggman. These amendments extend statutory deadlines for the city of West Sacramento and the Mossdale track from 2030 to 2040 and add an urgency clause. Members, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on these amendments.

Thank you, Assemblymember Aguir Curry. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the amendments. All in favor, say aye. Opposed say no. Ayes have it. The amendments are adopted out to print back on file. Moving on to the second-day consent calendar. Before we vote, we'll take up resolutions on the consent calendar for the purpose of adding co authors. Clerk will read the resolutions on the consent calendar.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 155 by Assemblymember Lackey relative to Special Olympics Day, House Resolution 71 by Assemblymember Mike Fong relative to Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month, House Resolution 76 by Assemblymember Gabriel relative to the Persian New Year, and House Resolution 77 by Assemblymember Soria relative to National Surveyors Week.

Clerk will now open the roll to allow any Member to add on as a co author to the resolution. Members all those vote who desire to vote. This is for co-authors.

All those vote who desire to vote for co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 65 co-authors added. Members moving to the consent calendar, moving to a vote on the consent calendar, does any Member wish to remove an item? Well, you can't add an item, but would you like to remove anybody like to remove an item for the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none, the Clerk will read the second-day consent calendar.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 155 by Assemblymember Lackey relative to Special Olympics Day.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. 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 vote. Aye, 63; No's zero. The consent calendar is adopted. The Clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.

House Resolution 71.

Aye, 63; No's zero.

House Resolution 76.

Aye, 63; No's zero.

Aye, 63; No's zero. Members, the quorum call is still in place. Would ask that you give your respectful attention to those granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory. Assemblymember Gipson, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory.

And House Resolution 77.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Member. I rise to ask this body to adjourn in the memory of Robert Earl Rubin. Robert Earl Rubin was born on February 15, 1956, in Louisiana to Queenie Pearl Batten and Ed Rubin Sr. He was the oldest of 13 children. His father relocated them from Louisiana to Los Angeles, where Robert attended Manchester Elementary School, Brett Hart Middle School and Fremont High School and Washington Preparatory High School.

Later, Robert attended and went and enlisted the United States Marine Corps for two years. Then, he pursued higher education. He went and attended Los Angeles Southwest Community College, California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he obtained his bachelor of arts degree in communication. He enjoyed running track and writing for the university's newspapers. In 1981, he embraced fatherhood and welcomed his first daughter. And then in September of 1985, Robert met the love of his life, Rita. They expanded their family to three additional daughters, total four daughters.

He also was introduced to Christianity by the mother of the church, Mother Mary Fitz of Greater Bethany Community Church of Los Angeles, where he's remained there under the leadership and direction of Bishop Robert McMurray until Bishop Robert McMurray passed away and then Bishop Noel Jones became the senior pastor. That church located to the city of Gardena, where it was named city of Refuge under Bishop Noel Jones, and he attended there and stayed there until he joined Resurrection Church.

And each time, he was on the deacon board. I know Robert Rubin because, one, he was my Commissioner when I was first elected in 2014, and he served on the Public Safety Commission and also the Economic Development Commission in the 64th Assembly District. Robert Rubin was the Executive Director of the Vermont Village Community Development Corporation. Robert was also identified as the unsung hero by the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper.

He co-founded the Church United Economic Development Corporation, which is a forerunner of the USC Cecil Murray Center. And just want to underscore that Robert Shelby missed. He was a visionary because I believe without a vision, a people perish like Walt Disney. Walt Disney brought us all into his vision. He wanted to make a happy place in Anaheim and Robert Rubin developed so much land.

He wanted to turn South Los Angeles into a place of a destination and develop not only the Crenshaw Christian Center but also the Vermont corridor. Members, I respectfully ask that we adjourn in his memory. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gipson. Assemblymember Vince Fong. Members, please give your respectful attention to Assembly Member Vince Fong for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with a very heavy heart that I asked the Assembly to adjourn in the memory of Roberta McCarthy, an incredible woman who was very dear to me and to so many people. Born in Los Angeles, Roberta came to Bakersfield in 1946. She went to Longfellow Elementary, Washington Junior High, and East Bakersfield High School.

It was here she met her high school sweetheart and husband, Owen McCarthy. Bert was instrumental in the anti graffiti program for Kern. county. She also volunteered for many charities. She helped patients and families combat cancer and overcome financial difficulties related to treatments. Bert never met a stranger. With her warmth, she made everyone she met feel like they were the most special person in the world. Bert will forever be remembered for her loving spirit and eternal positivity.

Whether she was volunteering, making new friends, or supporting family, Bert was a loving presence that no one could ever forget. She raised an amazing family, and she was proud of every single one of their accomplishments. Many of you will recognize one of her sons, former Assemblymember and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. She treated me like one of her own and for that, I consider myself very blessed.

She would send me a note every time she saw something that mentioned me, whether it be online or in the news. On New Year's Day, she sent my wife and I a note saying: love you guys. What a year ahead of you. And boy, was she right. She passed away earlier this month peacefully and surrounded by her family. One of her last notes to me was: we need you and folks like you who are loyal and true.

I will certainly miss her constant advice, guidance, and words of encouragement in adjourning in her memory. Today, as she looks down from heaven, let us commit to reaching out to a loved one. Calling an old friend or making a new one. Thank you, Members.

Thank you, Assemblymember Fong. Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized for your adjournments in memory.

Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise with a heavy heart to adjourn in the memory of seven farm workers who lost their lives on February 23. In the early morning that day, a van carrying eight farm workers on their way to work collided head-on with a pickup truck on Avenue Seven west of Road 22 in Madera County. This tragedy has shaken up our entire community. Seven of those workers, all residents of the city of Kerman, lost their lives in that crash. These men were Juvenal Jacobo Talavera, Hector Orozco, Alfredo Morales Sanchez, Victor Hernandez Cirilo, Fidel Filomeno Oheda, Pedro Hernandez Oheda, and Roberto Banuelos Flores. They had left early that Friday morning to not just work in the fields to earn a living for themselves and their family, but to also achieve their dreams in the land of the opportunity in which we all live. Instead, their lives were tragically cut short. These men were all sons, brothers, uncles, and some fathers who leave behind small young children.

My heart goes out to their family members and all the friends that are mourning the losses and trying to figure out how to take their loved ones back to their home country. I ask that we adjourn in their memory today and that we all remember the dangers and struggles California's farm workers face every day to not just support themselves, their loved ones, but that make our community a better place.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria and Assemblymember Holden. You are recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to request that we adjourn in the memory of my dear friend, Mary Evelyn Ludd James, who passed away on February 26, 2024. Mary was a person of faith and inspired those around her to continue to shine their light despite what life's circumstances presented.

She was born on January 16, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved to Pasadena at the age of three to live with her parents. Mary attended Garfield Elementary School, Mckinley Junior High School, and John Mirror High School, where she participated as a song girl. She then went on to Pasadena City College to continue her studies.

After graduation, she worked in different job sectors, including the small control for Los Angeles, the Social Security Administration, as well as the Pasadena Unified School District, where she retired after 29 years of service as the office manager at Jackson Elementary School. She was known as a mother's helper and showed love and kindness to every person that crossed her path. Mary met Harold L. James in 1960. They joined in holy matrimony and raised two daughters, Shelley Elizabeth and Karen Leslie.

They were married for 43 beautiful years until Harold was called home on September 23, 2003. Mary and Harold were committed to serving those around them and joined the Community Baptist Church in 1964. Mary served in various capacities, such as Sunday school teacher, member of the trustee board, new member, orientation leader, and choir director, and participated as a member of the Community Baptist Bible Church Development Corporation.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Authur Marinelle T. Ludd, brother Arthur Ludd Jr., Husband Harold James, and their beloved grandson, Noah Douglas. She is survived by daughters Shelley, Elizabeth Douglas, and Karen Leslie Williams. Grandchildren Tara, Owen, Kyla, Savannah, Jacob, Jason, and Marina. Sisters Dorothy, Lloyd, Alpha, Louise Howard, Regina Lloyd; brothers Charles and Leo, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends. Colleagues, thank you for joining me as we adjourn in the memory of Mary Evelyn Ludd James.

She was a woman of faith and excelled in her capacity to provide hope to everyone she encountered.

Thank you, Assembly Member Holden. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving to announcements Committee hearings, Budget Committee meets in the swing space, room 1100 upon adjournment. Select Committee on building a zero carbon hydrogen economy meets in capital, room 126 upon adjournment. Session schedule is as follows.

Friday, March 15. No floor session, no check-in session. Monday, March 18, floor session at 12:45 p.m. All other items remaining will be passed and retained. All motions shall be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion. Ms. Aguiar-Curry moves Mr. Patterson seconds that the house stand adjourned until Monday, March 18, at 12:45 p.m. Quorum call is lifted and the house is adjourned.