Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Nguyen notices the absence of a quorum. The sergeant in arms will be chair of the chamber and bring in the absent Members. The Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, we're going to ask that you make your way to your desk so that we can see who amongst us still needs to arrive. Please make your way to your desk for the panoramic photo. Members, a couple of reminders, please. No jackets on your chairs, nothing on your desk or at least nothing that would be visible from the camera like coffee cups or flags or anything else.

Members, we are all present, so if you could please get to your desk so that we can finish taking our panoramic photo. Again, no jackets on the backs of chairs. Nothing visible from the line of sight of this camera. No coffee cups, no flags.

Good afternoon, everybody. We can sit forward on our desks and we'll get to work. All right, my name is Mark. It's my honor to be your chamber panoramic portrait photographer today. So let's do this. All right, thank you. So normal tradition is just hands on the desks and if you got some, pull your jackets down in the back a little bit. Straighten up. Nice posture. And I'm going to take a panoramic. So that means I'm going to shoot from my left to the right.

So as long as the camera is in your General direction, in my field of view, just maintain that smile and the look that we want. And that's it. We're almost done. All right, so give me a few seconds here to adjust our seating and we'll get right to it. Rodriguez. Rodriguez, in front of you. Mr. Mccarty, Member Lee, Member lead? I see it. Can you go a little bit too? All right, almost there, almost there. Almost go towards your right a little bit. Sorry. Raise.

Okay, almost there. Appreciate your patience. I just want to make sure we get this right while we're here together and while I have your attention. All right. All right, you can bring your eyes over here towards my camera. And all eyes over here. I want to be able to see everyone's eyes, please. There you go. Thank you. All right, sir, with the blue shirt, can you move towards the. Towards the west? Yep. All right, all eyes over here.

Okay, as I'm going to do one more check. You look fantastic. Who's the lucky photographer? Right here. Great. Almost. Almost. All right. It's worth the effort. Thank you again for your patience. We're almost there. Looking good. We have. All right, everyone take a deep breath. I can see it's all right. Maybe a couple test shots. Make sure. Good to go. Looking great. All right, nice to see you all today. Take a deep breath. Good. and one more time. Just a little bit too towards the window.

I'm so sorry, I'm covering your. Yes, I got a clear shot of you now because, Kim, you know what, I'll make it easier on you. I'll make it easier in the green. A little bit this way. All right, beautiful. Thank you again. All right, test shot here. All right, so we're all done. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, nice and tall. Take a deep breath. Generally in this area. Nice miles. Ready? We'll do three pictures per zone. I'm going to take a deep breath.

You ready? Set. Love running around. Three, 2 and 1. Love what you're doing. Thank you for that. All right. Ready, set. Three, 2 and 1. And we got one more of these coming up. We can space ourselves out a little bit more. Just a little bit in the back. You were a little tight and also it said it cool with everyone on that side there. All right, this is a beautiful moment. All right, here we go. I'm going to do this again. Ready?

Two more of these. Ready, set. One, two. Nicely done. Thank you. Ready, set. Three, two, counting. All right. Ready, set. Three21. I like the smile. Ready, set. Take a deep breath. And here we go. Three, two, and one. Wonderful. All right, all around here, give me your best. Ready? Three, 2 and 1. All right. Ready, set. Three, 2 and 1. Thank you. One more of these. Ready, set. Three, two and right. Just a little closer. Just a little closer together.

Mr. Speaker, you can go back where you were. Yep, that's good. All right. Ready, set. Fantastic. All right. Ready, set. Everyone maintain those smiles for me. Thank you. Thank you so much. Maintain that. Almost done. More than halfway. All right. Ready, set 3, 2 and ready, set 3, 2 and 1. Thank you. Right over here and here. Nice. Love it. Ready, set. Take a deep breath. Ready 3, 2 and 1. Thank you. Got two more of those coming up. Ready 3, 2 and 1.

Ready, se t3, 2, and 1 and our favorite section of the room. Thank you very much. All right. Ready, set 3, 2 and 1 and a deep breath. When we almost got 32 and 1 and I'm just to get the full room here. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you so much.

All right, and Members, we're going to ask the Democratic caucus Members in about five minutes to come up to the front for a Democratic caucus photo. They're going to deconstruct everything behind us and then we'll take that photo and then resume session.

Members, a quorum is present. And we ask that our guests and visitors. In the rear of the chamber and in the gallery. To please stand for the prayer and the pledge. Today's prayer will be offered by our Assembly chaplain, Imam Yasir Khan. Imam. Yasir.

In the name of God. God, the most gracious, the most merciful, Almighty God. Source of all that is good. Be with us today. These Assembly Members gather here as representatives of the people. Honored by such a call to service. But also fully aware of the great responsibility that it demands. Grant them the insight to discern what is in the best interest of all people. The wisdom to choose what is good, moral, and just. And the courage to do what is necessary. Even in the face of adversity, misunderstanding, and opposition. Help them. Help them to grasp the nobility of their calling. To serve in the arena of politics. As they face the challenge of making possible the growth of our state. In virtue, integrity, and prosperity.

May all that is accomplished today. Reflect a true spirit of justice, compassion, concern and real dedication. And real dedication. To the well being of all people of our beloved state. Amen.

We ask that our guests and visitors remain standing for the flag salute. Please join us as Assembly Member Zbur as he leads us in the nation's pledge.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And in the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Tuesday, February 282023 the Assembly met at 07:00 a.m. The honorable Juan Alanice. Assembly Members 22nd District presiding Chief Clerk, C. Park. At the desk reading Clerk, David A. Bowman. Reading roll call. The following replaced upon the morning roll call 73, Addis Aguiar Curry. Alanis Alvarez. Arambula Bauer-Kahan Bennett Berman. Boerner Horvath. Bonta Brian Calderon. Juan Carrillo. Wendy Carrillo. Cervantes Chin Connolly. Dahle Davies. Dixon. Essayli Flora. Mike Fong. Vince Fong. Friedman. Gabriel Gallagher. Grayson Haney.

Reyes moves and Mr. Flora. Seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal will be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions there are none. Introductions and references 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 of the day for personal business. Senator Gallagher and Majority Leader Reyes, you're recognized for your procedural motions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Alanis and Wicks to speak on an adjournment in memory today without objection. Such shall be the order. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer AB 99 Connolly from the Transportation Committee to the environmental, Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and then back to the Transportation Committee

Without objections. That shall be the order. And Members, we have a birthday to announce. Wish a happy birthday to Assembly Member Santiago, whose birthday is today, and Assembly Member Gabriel, you are recognized at your desk for your announcement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, today this evening begins the Jewish holiday of Purim. And as some of you remember, we distributed Humintoshen, which are the traditional cookies that we share on Purim last year we were not able to do that at your desk this year because of the photo. So just an announcement that in the Members lounge you will find these little baskets here that have some cookies. The Purim holiday is a very joyous one.

It recounts the Jewish people being saved by a very brave woman by the name of Esther. Some of you may be familiar with the story, and to celebrate it's a little bit like a reverse Halloween, we actually give out treats to people that we care about. And since the Jewish caucus cares about all of you, we have provided some cookies in the Members lounge. So we hope you all have a very festive day.

If you have questions about the holiday, you can come speak with me, or Assembly Member Berman would be happy to answer any questions you have about the Purim holiday. Thanks everybody.

Thank you, Mr. Gabriel and the legislative Jewish Caucus, and Assembly Member Bonta, you're recognized at your desk for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Joining us in the gallery today are some very special guests. Ms. Marianne Petway, manager of the Geese Bend Quilters collective Ms. Chyna Petway, Members of the Geese Bend Quilting collective and Karen Belki, Director of government and external relations for MLK Freedom center in Oakland, my district and the quilts of G Bend are quilts created by a group of women and their ancestors who live or have lived in the isolated African American hamlet of Geese Bend, Alabama.

The 1860 plantation of Joseph Gee was sold to Mark Petway in 1845. After the Civil War, many of the former slaves remained as sharecroppers and took the name Petway. Geese bend women made quilts to keep themselves and their children warm in unheated shacks that lacked running water, telephones, and electricity. In 1962, right as Members of Geese Bend were becoming civilly active, the ferry service, one of the only access points into Geesebend was eliminated, contributing to the community's dire isolation. Among other effects.

This hindered residents ability to register to vote. Ferry service was not restored until 2006. The women of Geese Bend created and passed on to their children and grandchildren their own style of quilting, mixing traditional American folk patterns with African American inspired patterns to create their unique quilts. Their quilts are recognized for their works of supreme craftsmanship, design, utility, and art. In 2000 and 350 quilt makers founded the Geese Bend Collective, which is owned and operated by the women of Geese Bend.

Every quilt sold by the Geesebend collective is unique and individually produced. The quilts have been exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Turner Contemporary in the UK, amongst others. Unfortunately, I was not granted permission to show that quilt today, but please know in my heart, weaving through every single fabric of your quilts is an experience of black women's resilience and respect.

Members of the collective have traveled nationwide to talk about Geese bend history and their arts this weekend as part of the Barbara Lee and Ella Hugh Harris Lecture series, they were in my district today in partnership with the California Legislative Black Caucus and in honor of Women's History Month, we welcome two quilters to the Capitol. On behalf of the caucus, I welcome everyone to a reception this evening at 530 on the 8th floor conference room to see their works of art in person. Thank you and please give our guests a very warm Assembly welcome.

Thank you Ms. Bonta and Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. You're recognized for your guest introductions.

Good morning Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask our colleagues to recognize and welcome Maestro Osalvaldo Rubio's fifth grade class and parents from Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Davis. Cesar Chavez elementary is a full Spanish immersion curriculum school and the class includes Alina Riviera, the daughter of our very own Maria Lou. buenas tardes estudiantes. There they are there.

Thank you Ms. Agar Curry and welcome to the California Assembly. Members. We are moving to business on the daily file. We'll begin with file item one. This is ACR 24. Clerk will read

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 24 by Assembly Member Ortega and others relative to women in construction week.

And Assembly Member Ortega, you are recognized for your open

Good morning speakers and Members. Today I rise to present ACR 24 proclaiming March 5 through March 11, 2023 to be women in Construction Week in California. Women in Construction Week was founded in 1953 by the National Association of Women in Construction a group dedicated to creating a support network for women in the industry.

The focus of this week is to highlight women as visible component of the construction industry and to continue our progress towards an economy and job market where all women and people, regardless of their gender, can pursue meaningful work and have access to safe working conditions, good wages, and secure jobs. Since 2018, California has worked to improve this major gender disparity in construction. Labor and apprenticeships are critical for carving these pathways.

I applaud joint labor management building trades programs, which account for 90% of women entering apprenticeship programs. But despite these efforts, there is still so much work left to do. Women remain severely underrepresented in the building and construction industry. We still have a long way to go towards reaching our modest goal of seeing women represented in 20% of construction jobs by 2029. Today, that number is only three to 4% nationally. These jobs often represent a steady paycheck, a valuable job skill, and a ladder into middle class.

For too long, women, and especially women of color, have been kept out of the industries like construction. Today, I rise and ask for recognition of all those trades women who refuse to be told a girl cannot swing a hammer, and to invite every other young girl who is inspired to build to fight for her place on the job site. California is stronger and better because of your courage, your sweat, and your tenacity.

But we must do better to ensure that our sisters find it just a little easier to follow in those footsteps. Thank you, colleagues. I respectfully request your aye vote on Acr 24.

Thank you, Ms. Ortega. And seeing no Members wishing to discuss this item, Ms. Ortega, would you like the first role to be open for co authors?

Yes.

Great. The Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those who wish to be a co author on ACR 24, please signify by pressing your vote button. Clerk will close the roll. There are 77 co authors, and without objection, we will take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Assemblymember Ortega, you're recognized for your guest introductions.

I am excited to introduce Jordan Mccarty, who is a five year apprentice with UA local 228. Please stand. They're in the gallery. She learned about the apprenticeship program from a friend, a former UA 228 Member who taught her basics, welding skills, and encouraged her to join the program. We're also joined today by Whitney Mendova, a three year apprentice with UA local 228.

Whitney learned about the benefits of a career in the unionized construction industry from her dad, who is an operating engineer. Thank you both.

Thank you Ms. Ortega. Members, we will now move to our second day consent calendar. Does any Member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing none, the Clerk will read the.

Second day consent calendar, Assembly Bill 271 by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva and others an act related to homelessness.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All those who vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. This is on the consent calendar. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. I 79 no zero. The consent calendar is adopted and Members, we will now move to our adjournments in memory. Please give your respectful attention to those Members given prior permission to speak on an adjournment memory.

Today we do have family of those in the gallery with us and the summer Member, Alanis, you're recognized at your desk for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I stand before you today to honor and adjourn in memory of Mr. Peter James Sacco, who passed away at the age of 70 on January 29 of this year from a hard fought battle with cancer. A lion when it came to youth and high school sports, Pete was best known for his coaching, teaching and mentoring youth and adults alike.

The fact is, colleagues, while some of you may not know Pete by name, if you have family or friends who compete in high school sports in California over the last three decades, then Pete was part of ensuring those kids had their experience. We never missed an opportunity to share his infinite wisdom of respect and love for others. Every day he lived by the words, do what is right, not what is popular.

He saw at a young age the benefits of community athletic programs and chose an early career in the field of youth sports, starting with the South City Recreation Department. He went from being a baseball umpire for high school and college, PAC 8 and Far West Conference to being an assistant coach for basketball at Oceania High School. He also served as the athletic Director at Lodi High School from over a decade where he led many teams to athletic and academic success. Sports were his passion.

He coached both boys and girls basketball. He led his teams to multiple state playoffs and won several titles. In 1993, Pete was given the trust of many of our constituents here in Northern California where he appointed CIF Sack Joaquin section Commissioner and was proudly serving until he retired in 2014.

With his love of golf and traveling, he and his wife, Barbara, never missed an opportunity to meet someone new, making lifelong friends along the way, the athletes and colleagues that Pete coached and mentored because family mentored became family and to this day, remember the impact he had on their lives. If you enjoy, as I do, our state's high school football championship bowl games, you can thank Mr. Sako for helping to make them reality.

Under soccer, the section created its own hall of Fame, model coach awards and a day of honoring women in athletics and so much more. The Sack Joaquin section office building actually bears his name. Ron Ochetti, California CIF State Executive Director asked the impossible question. How do you encapsulate into words the life of someone who was so much to so many? And the answer is, you cannot. Pete's legacy reaches far beyond the schools in our state, for he did so much more. He will be sorely missed. If you guys take a look up in the gallery today, if you guys can stand, if you guys don't mind, colleagues.

With us today is his wife, Barbara Sacco Roger and Mary Val, lifelong friends and neighbors Ron Nocetti, the CIF state Executive Director Brian Seymour, the CIF State associate Executive Director Chris Fahey, CIF state Director of corporate sponsorship Christina Shannon, CIF state assistant to Executive Director Mike Garrison, CIF San Joaquin section Commissioner and his wife, Sandy and Will Deboard, CIF Sack Joaquin section Assistant Commissioner our combined thoughts and condolences are with you all today, and I thank you for allowing me to celebrate Pete's life and legacy on the Assembly floor today. Thank you, guys.

Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Alanis, thank you. And Assemblywoman Wicks, you're recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise to adjourn in the memory of Janet Abelson, a longtime leader and pillar of the City of El Cerrito. She passed away peacefully on January 26, just a few weeks after we celebrated her retirement from decades of public service earlier this month, community leaders gathered to congratulate, thank and praise Janet for her role in shaping El Cerrito into the city that it is today.

A mother of five, she was the first woman in the history of El Cerrito to serve as the city's mayor five times during her record six terms. Janet clearly cared for her city, and her city clearly cared for her and benefited from her timeless service. Janet was a wheelchair user since 1984, fully reliant on public transportation, with an intimate knowledge of the city's infrastructure.

From her start in public service 23 years ago, she had always been a voice for the disadvantaged, making sure Low income communities, seniors and those with disabilities were never overlooked in her advocacy. When she first began her tenure with the City of El Cerrito, 1999, it was a small city with a lot of promise. Janet always saw its potential, from helping El Cerrito pave the way in transit accessibility to emphasizing the importance of multifamily housing to address the state's housing needs.

Janet was constantly looking for ways to better the city's future. Beyond City Council, Janet's passion and brilliance shined through in her work with numerous organizations, including the West Contra Costa Transportation Authority Committee, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, the East Bay division of the League of California Cities, where she served as chair, the local Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, and many more. I want to recognize Janet Abelson's daughter who is with us here today in the gallery.

Ruthie Abelson, olivis, thank you very much for being here today. The City of El Cerrito and the entire East Bay are forever indebted to Janet Abelson. We honor her work by continuing in her footsteps. I ask that the Assembly join me today in adjourning in her memory.

Thank you, Ms. Wicks. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. All requests to adjourn in the memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal, and we are moving to brief announcements. There are Committee hearings today. Budget Subcommitee one on Health and Human Services, will meet at 230 in Capitol Room 126, and Budget Subcommitee five, public Safety, will meet at 230 in Capitol Room 437. The session schedule is as follows. Tuesday, March 7 check in session.

Wednesday, March eigth check in session. Thursday, March 9 Floor session at 09:00 a.m. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Ms. Rayes moves and Mr. Lackey seconds that the house stands adjourned until Thursday a. March 9 at 09:00 a.m. Quorum call is lifted. House is adjourned immediately.