Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Pellerin notices the absence of a quorum. The sergeant at arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. The Clerk will Call the roll.

[Roll Call]

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

In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful, almighty God, we thank you for today a new beginning filled with unlimited possibilities to make wholesome differences in the lives represented by these Assembly Members of our great State of California. God by faith, we welcome you into our lives and accept the love you have for us. Your love elevates us as we rise above our heartaches, hassles, troubles, setbacks, disappointments by turning them over to you.

Your love liberates us to let go of panic, worry, anxiety, depression, Low self worth and addictions. Your love motivates a desire inside each of us to find a need and fill it, to find a hurt and heal it. God, your love demonstrates you care, understand, and forgive, giving us the strength to carry on casting aside our fears, knowing we can survive. Keep this great State of California in your special protection as we make this prayer today in your holy name, Amen.

Thank you, Imam. Yes, sir. And please remain standing as Assemblymember Friedman leads us in the flag salute.You may be seated. Reading of the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Thursday, February 2, 2023 the Assembly met at 09:00 a.m. The Honorable Stephanie Nguyen, Assistant speaker.

Mr Hart moves and Mr. Flora seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with presentations and petitions, there are none. Introduction and 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 absences for the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Assistant Majority Leader Hart, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Ward, Joe Patterson, Grayson, Rubio and Calderon 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 Assembly Members Rubio and Joe Patterson to have guests and photographers on the floor today.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Assemblymember Friedman, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, this morning I'm very proud to welcome attorneys, peer advocates and caseworkers from the nation's largest center supplying children's law services, and that is the children's Law center of California. Please give them a warm welcome.

Thank you Assembly Member Friedman, and welcome guests. Members, we have some birthdays to announce. Happy birthday to Assembly Member Zbur, whose birthday is today. And happy birthday to Speaker Rendon, whose birthday is Saturday, March 4. Members, we're going to move to business on the daily file. Assembly third reading file item number one, HR 13 Muratsuchi.

House Resolution 13 by Assembly Member Muratsuchi relative to Read Across America Day.

Assembly Member Muratsuchi, you are recognized.

Thank you very much. Members, it is time to get out your cat in the hat and have some green eggs and ham because today is read across America Day. Founded Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association, read across America is the nation's biggest celebration of reading. We all know how important it is to learn how to read. It is a critical foundation of learning as well as lifelong success. Please join me in celebrating read across America Day. If you want to change the world, teach a child how to read. I ask for your ayevote. I ask for the first rule to be open for co authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Seeing and hearing. No further debate. Assembly Member Muratsuchi, I'm sorry. Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized. My apologies.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members, I rise in support today of HR 13 at the foundation for Future Educational Success stands literacy. Today we celebrate the books that inspire our children to dream big, to expand the limits of their limited understanding, to make them grow, to explore diverse perspectives and cultures through the eyes of others.

As a mother of three, I read to my kids every night whether they were wiggly, jumping around, sitting still, wanting cuddles, wanting to be able to have an opportunity to be close to an experience through the eyes of others and to see themselves represented in the books that we shared with them. Every day I read books in Spanish and English like La Nina Jorona or we're going on a bear hunt.

While every day should be a read across America Day, I ask you, what was your favorite childhood book? What book did you read to your loved ones and children? What books did you discover at your local library? What books did you read and have your teachers instill in you with that? Members, I ask you to stand in support of HR 13.

Thank you. Assembly Member Bonta do we have any other Members who would like to speak on this item? Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assemblymember Muratsuchi, you may close if you'd like. No, and I'm going to ask this is going to be for co authors. All debates have seized. The Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All Members who desire to vote, vote for co author. All Members who desire to vote, vote. Members, this is for co authors. All Members who desire to vote, vote.

The Clerk will close the roll. We have 64 co authors that will be added without objection. We will now take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Assembly Member Muratsuchi, you are recognized again.

Yes, thank you again. Members, to celebrate Read Across America, we are proud to be joined by our education leaders of the State of California. Please help me in welcoming California Teachers Association President Toby Boyd and California teachers Association California Reed's Committee chair Lisa Hickman up there in the gallery.

Members, we will now move to the second day consent calendar. Before we vote, we will first take up resolutions on the consent calendar for the purpose of adding co authors. The Clerk will read the resolutions on the consent calendar.

House Resolution 16 by Assemblymember Maienshein relative to Rare Disease Day and Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 by Senator Bradford and others relative to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Clerk will open the roll to allow any Members to add on as coauthors to the resolution. Members, this vote is for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll. There are 66 co authors moving to a vote on the consent calendar. Does any Member wish to remove any item from the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none, the Clerk will read the second day consent calendar.

House Resolution 16 by Assemblymember Maienshein relative to Rare Disease Day.

The Clerk will open the roll on consent calendar. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. 68 ayes zero no the consent calendar is adopted. The Clerk will read the remaining item on the consent calendar .

And Senate Concurrent Resolution 12.

68 Ayes no no's Members, before we move to adjournment in memory, I want to remind you all that Monday is the panoramic photo of the 20232024 class. Please be here by 01:00 p.m. Matter of fact, please be here before 01:00 p.m. Because 01:00 p.m. Is when the photo will be taken. Please make sure you put on your best outfits. This is going to be the one time that we take this photo. If anybody is late, we will have to wait for you and rest.

Be assured we will look at the door as you walk in so we know who's coming in late. So please be here Monday for 01:00 p.m., Members, we will now move to adjournment in memory. Please give your respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory. Members, the quorum call is still in place, so please take your seats. Assembly Member Rubio, you are recognized.

Good morning, Madam Speaker and Members. I rise today to honor the life of a dear friend to many of us here, Allan Zaremberg, a titan of the Capitol community. Alan previously served as a staff to an Attorney General, two Governor administrations, and most recently as the President of the California Chamber of Commerce. Alan's passing brings an end to an era of California politics, which he helped shape for countless legislators, advocates, and stakeholders across the state. Allen graduated from Pennsylvania State University Mcgregor School of Law and served our country in the military.

His time with the Air Force was particularly important to him, as he felt it gave him an opportunity to serve his country and reshape his future, as well as equipping him with the necessary skills for crisis management, which he would be able to apply so effectively later on in political negotiations. He was known for his coalition building and his commitment of ensuring all interested parties were given a platform to voice support or concerns on any given issue.

Alan was also known for his disdain of partisanship, as he often sought to negotiate compromises across party lines to guarantee the betterment of our state and our constituents. He was a leader in countless proposals that have a lasting impact on the state and the Legislature as a whole, including term limit reform, some of the largest public safety proposals of the 90s, as well as the advocacy for the business community. He is so well remembered for today. Allan's philosophy in his advocacy was as follows.

Every Bill is important to somebody. I hope we can carry on this philosophy in our role as legislators, both to honor Allan in his passing, but also as we strive to serve our constituents as legislators. Thank you, Members. And I respectfully ask that we adjourn in the memory of Allan Zaremberg.

Thank you, Assemblymember Joe Patterson. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And thank you, Assembly Member Rubio, for your tribute to Alan. Members, I rise today as well to adjourn in the memory for former Air Force captain, public servant, and former President and CEO of California Chamber of Commerce, Allan Zaremberg, a constituent of the beautiful Fifth Assembly District. I didn't know Alan that well personally, but from when I started my career as an intern here 20 years ago, the respect he earned in this building was evident.

I mentioned to my wife this morning that I was adjourning in Allan's memory. She used to work for Governor Schwarzenegger, and she quickly remembered some of his many accomplishments. Alan was raised in a low income family neighborhood in a steel mining town in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Penn State, joined the air force, and served during the Vietnam War as captain refueling spy planes. According to friends close to him, Allan deeply valued his air force.

Years after the war, Allan moved to California, enrolled in the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law, and completed his JD. He then began his career in public service. Alan worked for both Governor Duke Mason and Governor Pete Wilson. Even back then, Allan was known around Sacramento as a problem solver, willing and ready to reach cross party lines to build a consensus on issues important to the people of California.

He was instrumental in obtaining vital aid in the reconstruction of freeways and structures following the devastating earthquake, and he led the effort for term limits reform for California State legislators, which I'm sure we all appreciate here. Allan was a nonpartisan advocate for good government, and he took these traits with him in service. The CEO of California Chamber of Commerce.

He's been described by his friends as a man who was able to bring both parties to the table, a scary smart mentor who was generous with his time, and a champion for the careers of women. It's easy to become jaded in this line of work. We see so many bills come before us, but as Assembly Member Rubio mentioned Allan believed that every Bill is important to somebody. Allan loved all animals but had a special affection for dogs. He especially loved his newfound role as grandpa.

I've been told that Allan kept a framed picture in his Sacramento office of himself as a child and other neighborhood kids from the mining town he grew up in in order to, in his words, make sure I remember where I came from. Alan leaves a lasting legacy and is survived by his wife Karen, their son Adam, a grandson, and his sister Darlene, all of whom I wish my heartfelt and deepest condolences for their loss.

Of course, we also have some guests here from the California Chamber of Commerce here on the floor. This is truly a loss for all of us. I ask that we adjourn today in the memory of Allan Zaremberg.

Assembly Member Grayson, you are recognized.

On January 24, the Sacramento Capital community lost a beloved friend and colleague who passed away at the age of 43. Jeremy served as Department Vice President, state government relations for American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Prior to that, he spent years advocating for the business community as a legislative advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, and at six foot seven, Jeremy was very hard to miss around the Capitol.

Prior to his career here, he was a standout football player at Jesuit High School and Division one athlete at Idaho State University on a full football scholarship. A brain injury ended his football career. He then transferred to UC Davis and later went to law school at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, where he graduated with distinction and served on the editorial board of the McGeorge Law Review.

After a brief stint of practicing law, he started with the chamber in 2011 and spent the next decade plus as a proud Member of the Capitol community, he was widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on workers compensation laws in California. Jeremy also was incredibly kind and known for his integrity.

Diagnosed with ALS in March of last year, a month after learning that his wife and he were going to be parents to twins, Jeremy battled this terrible, terrible disease with the same heart, the same intensity, and the same perseverance that he brought to the Capitol every single day. Jeremy spent his last year doing what he did best, advocating for a cause. In 2022, he successfully fought for budget funding for ALS patient care.

For his efforts, he was honored at the ALS Golden West Chapter's champions for cures and care as the ALS Advocate of the year. In his spare time, you could find him on the links, enjoying the outdoors and swinging the club. A football fan to his core, he bled red and gold forever. A 49 ers fan, he is survived by his wife Megan and three daughters, Jordan, Peyton and Taylor.

A memorial service honoring Jeremy and his legacy will be held on March 3 at 11:00 a.m. At the Fair Oaks Church, with a reception to be held immediately following the service. Please join me today in honoring Jeremy Merz and adjourning in his memory today.

Assembly Member Calderon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members, I also rise to adjourn in memory of Jeremy Merz, a workers compensation insurance expert in our capital community who worked tirelessly to advance policies that made California a better place. Jeremy spent the last 12 years advocating with integrity. He will be remembered for being thoughtful both in developing good policy and in nurturing lasting friendships with others in this industry.

As mentioned by my colleague from Concord, Jeremy was an advocate until the end, fighting to improve ALS research and patient care in our state. His impact is enduring in the laws he changed, the hearts he touched and the community he cultivated throughout this building. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. I respectfully request that we adjourn in the memory of Jeremy Merz. Thank you.

And Assembly Member Ward. I'm sorry, Assembly Member Flora, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise also to adjourn in the memory of our friend Jeremy Merz. And for those of us that knew Jeremy, it was mentioned he was six foot seven. He was larger than life. And his personality was incredible. It was infectious. It was contagious. And there was never a dull moment, whether you were golfing with Jeremy or you were watching football, his beloved niners. He was a true fan. He was a fan of life. He was a fan of what he did.

He was a fan of his family. And I just want to take a moment on that note, because we talk a lot about Jeremy today and he deserves it. But if Jeremy was with us today, he wouldn't want us to talk about him. He'd want us to talk about his wife and all the other caregivers that are out there that care for these folks that have ALS and a disease that is just absolutely horrific.

So as we move forward with this day, the celebration of life for Jeremy tomorrow, do not forget about Megan. Do not forget about the hundreds, the thousands of caregivers across the state that wake up every morning. And that's the first person they tend to before themselves before they go to bed. They take care of them. These are the men and women that are the heroes. Jeremy's in a better place today.

It's left to all of us to help Megan, to help those three little girls pick up the pieces, move on with life, and never, ever forget the legacy and the life of our friend Jeremy Merz. And for Megan, for all of the red shirts that are in the gallery. Your friendship to Jeremy, I know, meant the world. And I know from a capital community, we are there with you. We support you as we move forward. God bless each and every one of you. Thank you

And Assembly Member, Ward, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, I rise today to adjourn in the memory of my constituent Rose Schindler, who passed away last month at the age of 93. Ms. Schindler is a holocaust survivor from a Nazi concentration camp almost 80 years ago. She was here with us and her family during some of our holocaust memorial remembrance ceremonies. Twice, actually.

Rose and her late husband Max moved to San Diego in 1956, where she became a sought after speaker who regularly shared with audiences her moving but also terrifying stories of wartime survival and the atrocities inflicted by the Nazis. And we will share her story again today. There was a common message in her speeches where she would evoke the last words her father said to her at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Whatever you do, stay alive so that you can tell the world what they are doing to us. Her father died in the gas chambers there. Rose was born in 1929 in a small village in Czechoslovakia. In the spring of 1944, all the Jews from her community were forced to a nearby town, where they were housed in the ghetto of tents erected for families while they awaited the trains that would ship them to cattle cars in Auschwitz in Poland.

She would remain in the concentration camp for five months until she and her two sisters were transferred to a work camp. There they stayed until World War II came to an end in May 1945, and by then, her parents and five of her seven siblings had perished. As an orphan. Rose eventually ended up in a hostel in Bedford, England, and thanks to a rescue effort initiated by then the Central British Fund for German Jewelry that helped relocate more than 700 children who had survived the Holocaust.

It was there that she met her future husband, Max, also a survivor. Rose and Max married in 1950 and a year later moved to Brooklyn, where she earned a living as a seamstress. And then in 1956, they moved to San Diego, where Max secured a job with a defense contractor. They raised four children and were married for almost seven years before Max passed in 2017. Rose attended her son's middle school play, Anne Frank, and was asked to tell her story.

And for 50 years, she never stopped sharing her story. Her family estimates that she has spoken to at least 200,000 students over her lifetime, over three generations. Four years ago, a memoir was published. Two who survived that tell the story of Rose and Max Schindler. In Rose's last public speaking appearance recently at UC San Diego's Hillel center in January, she said, you, can't imagine how horrible it was. We lived on almost nothing. But if you have a problem, never give up hope.

Everything is going to be fine. Rose was a strong, resilient, and revered Member of our community. Upon her passing, the outpouring of thoughts from leaders and our local Jewish organizations is testament to the impact that she left for so many. Her legacy lives beyond her death. Rose is survived by her four children and two great grandchildren. And I ask that you please join me in keeping Rose Schindler and her family in her thoughts as we adjourn in her memory today.

Thank you, Mr. Ward. 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 one more time. Please make sure you are here before 01:00 p.m. On Monday for the photo session. Schedule is as follows. Friday, March 3. No check in session. No floor session. Monday, March 6. Floor session. At 01:00 p.m. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain.

On a motion to adjourn, Mr. Hart moves Mr. Flora Seconds, and this house stands adjourned until Monday, March 6, at 01:00 p.m. The quorum pause lifted, and the house is adjourned.