Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member cholera notices the absence of a quorum. The sergeant in 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 our visitors in the gallery and in the rear of the chamber to please stand for today's prayer and pledge. Our day's prayer will be offered by Assemblymember Josh Hoover. Assemblymember Hoover.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for blessing us with the opportunity to represent our constituents and our communities. We pray that you help us serve with humility, always seeking first to understand and treating each other the way we wish to be treated. The responsibility we have been entrusted with in this chamber is not lost on us. We pray that you give us wisdom as we work together to solve our state's greatest challenges.

Above all else, we ask that you help us to love one another as you first loved us, that this love would wash over our nation and overcome any force that attempts to divide us. Despite our differences, we are unified in our desire to leave this world a better place than when we found it. We ask that your will be done in our pursuit of this goal. We pray these things in your name. Amen.

We ask that you remain standing as we recite the nation's pledge. Please join Republican leader Gallagher as he leads us in the nation's pledge.

Salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the life.

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

Chamber Sacramento Monday, March 62023 the assemblymen at 01:00 p.m. The honorable Christopher M. Ward, Speaker Protempori.

Mr. Gallagher, seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal 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 and messages from the Senate there are none.

Moving to motions and resolutions, the absences for the day for personal business, Assemblymember maritucci, Assemblymember Floor Assemblymember Vince Fong and for illness, Assemblymember Addis and Majority Leader Reyes, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Gallagher 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 Assembly Members Haney, Assemblymember Haney to have guests and photographers on the floor today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer AB 524 Wicks from the labor and employment Committee to the Judiciary Committee and then back to the labor and employment Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. And Members, we have a birthday on the floor to belatedly announce. Please wish a happy belated birthday to our Republican leader Gallagher, whose birthday was on March 7. We are moving to business on the daily file second reading, the Clerk will read.

All bills will be deemed read, amendments seemed adopted and on Assembly third reading we will pass and retain on file items two through five. Members, this is file item six, ACR 27. The Clerk will read

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 27 by Assembly Member Gallagher and others relative to Irish American Heritage and Ireland.

And leader Gallagher, you are recognized for your open.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise to present ACR 27 in honor of Irish Heritage Month and also recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebrating Irish heritage and culture around the world.

But of course, we do it right here in California as well, and this year we have even more reasons to celebrate as we also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and 90 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement has been a considerable success in providing a framework for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

Despite the ongoing challenges, it is important to recognize the bipartisan support for the agreement over the last 25 years from state legislators, United States presidents and the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives and elected officials working in partnership with the government of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement represented a breakthrough in providing a political framework to address the future of Ireland and acknowledged the right of differing political traditions to pursue their goals of remaining part of the United Kingdom or of Irish unity. It demonstrated the power of the democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences.

We also recognized the ongoing support and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by the British and Irish governments, which remains the irrevocable foundation of the peace process, regardless of the UK's status regarding the European Union. While important issues remain unresolved in Northern Ireland, including securing justice for victims of violence and providing for the rights of all sections of the community, we celebrate the progress that has been made over the past 25 years. We also celebrate the Irish heritage that many of us share here in California.

So many my own ancestors came to this great state six generations ago seeking freedom and opportunity, like so many immigrants who have come to California seeking those opportunities, and they found it here. And the Irish tradition of fighting for freedoms, of standing up for what is right, continues here in the United States and around the world as you see Irish individuals standing up and making their voice heard.

We recognize the long standing and richly multifaceted relationship between California and Ireland, which spans 90 years of diplomatic relations and includes the opening of a second consulate General in Los Angeles in 2019. In addition to celebrating the Irish heritage in the Good Friday Agreement, we also commemorate the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the Irish flag by Thomas Marr, who embodied the links between Ireland and the United States.

Mar led the rebellion for freedom from British rule in Ireland and was sentenced to death there, which was commuted to transportation for life in prison in Australia, from where he escaped. And he became a brigadier General in the 69th Regiment of the famous Fighting Irish Brigade and fought some of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War right here in the United States.

Maher also became a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, who oversees our proceedings today and went on to become the acting Governor of Montana before dying in a mysterious boating accident at the age of 43. So we also have much to celebrate in our connections and relationships with Thomas Maher, who came here to fight for freedom as well in the United States.

So with that, Members, I ask that you join us in honoring Irish heritage Month as we celebrate the Good Friday Agreement and moving towards a lasting peace and unification in Ireland, and as we also celebrate the 175th anniversary of the flying of the Irish flag. Thank you, Members.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher and Assemblywoman Boerner Horvath. You're recognized.

A much lighter note when you hear the name Tasha Bernard Horvath. You probably don't think of Irish, but that's because my mother's maiden name was McChesney and she was third generation Irish immigrant, came here, worked hard. And so it is with great pleasure that I support this resolution of our Irish heritage months. We know that Irish immigrants have contributed so much to the history of the United States and our work ethic and the workers movement. And so please join me.

And whenever you ask why I can't speak Gaelic, I did try to take Gaelic when I was at Berkeley. I lasted six weeks. It's too hard for me. It's harder than German. So I will not bless you with those words today, but happy irish American day. And whenever you wonder, look at the smiling eyes.

Thank you, Ms. Boerner Horvath and Assembly Member Haney. You're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I want to thank the Member from Yuba City for his partnership on this resolution and for his very articulate and eloquent remarks about the importance of this resolution. I want to thank all of you. I know there are many Irish Americans and Irish at heart here in our chamber, and I especially want to acknowledge and say that you all look very good in your green. Thank you so much.

For those of you who wore green today we celebrate Irish Heritage Month at the Capitol. We also celebrate the week of St. Patrick's Day. And we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement as well as 90 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the State of California with the opening of the first consul general's office. The time that Ireland has contributed to this state goes back many years. Over 200 years ago, the first Irish came and settled in California.

Many of our first politicians, many of our first businessmen and women were Irish American. Many of our governors have been irish American. Many of the people who have contributed to Hollywood and technology are Irish American. And today we as a state have more people who identify as Irish American, over 2 million people than any other state in the country. We have a long and proud and enduring history.

90 years ago, the first consul general's office was opened in my district in San Francisco, and that forged this tight bond. We celebrated this weekend the St. Patrick's Day parade. It was pretty big, although not as big as some of the first ones. In the 1850s, the St. Patrick's Day parade had over 50,000 people that came out as spectators in San Francisco. And I know there were parades across the state as well. So this is a long and proud history that endures.

It endures through our commitment to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Some of you may know I spent a year in Ireland and Northern Ireland, including in Belfast, and got to see firsthand the impact of this peace agreement, and we know that there is still a lot of work to do. So thank you all for joining us in this celebration. And I know we'll be recognizing some special guests and inviting you all to a special event in a moment. But in the meantime, I want to thank all of you and ask for your support in ACR 27.

Thank you, Mr. Haney. And seeing no Members further wishing to be recognized for this item. Leader Gallagher, do you have anything further to close?

Well, again, I just want to thank everyone for joining us in the celebration. It's great to have guests with us from Ireland. And just to summarize very quickly, there's a lot going on right now in Ireland, and with the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and the issues with Brexit, there's a great opportunity, actually for all of us to be working together for the peace process, for continued onward unification, for trade, for free trade, and ensuring that those relationships continue into the future.

And so we are excited by that prospect and with the continued relationship that we have with the country. I also did take Gaelic at Berkeley. I can't say that it stuck with me so well, but some of the phrases I do know is when you are giving a nice cheers or a toast over, hopefully some good irish whiskey, you could say slauncha is our toast. And you can also, as we welcome our guests, you can say welcome by saying Falcha Roet. So, to our guests from Ireland, Falcha Roet. To our great capital here in Sacramento. Thank you.

Members. We will recognize our guests, but first we have to vote on this item. Mr. Gallagher, would you like the first roll open for co authors? Clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co authors. All those wishing to be a co author on ACR 27, please signify by pressing your vote button. Clerk will close the roll. There are 7372 co authors. Somebody went off without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All the post say nay. The ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. And Mr. Haney, you are recognized now for your guest introductions.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And remember, we have two very special guests with us. One of our guests is here visiting with us all the way from Ireland, and he is the minister of higher education. Further in higher education, research, innovation and science. And I also just heard that he is also the minister of justice. And so Simon Harris is with us.

And then I want to also recognize the council General to the western United States, a good friend of mine, Mihal Smith, who's here if you can, give them a round of applause, we door after the session in the Willie Brown room. So you are all welcome to come and meet them and also to have some refreshments with us. I also want to recognize, for those of you who were here beforehand, we don't only recognize our great political leaders.

We also want to recognize the incredible people who contribute and continue the tradition of Irish culture here in California. And we have from Sacramento, an incredible dance group which is right up here behind me from the Mckeever School of Irish dance. If you'll wave to them, please. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr. Haney. And we will pass and retain on file items 7 and 8, bringing us to our adjournments in memory for today. Members, we ask that you take your conversations off the floor and we will now recognize Mr. Holden at your desk for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise today to request we adjourn in the memory of William Bill Galloway, who passed away on March 1. Bill lived a fulfilled life at 81 years. He was born in Mounds, Oklahoma, and moved to Pasadena at the age of six. He graduated from John Muir High School and then enrolled in Pasadena City College to study drafting, architecture and construction. Bill pursued professional career as a draftsman and became a structural engineer for several firms.

However, it was not until he listened to his mother and her advice to pursue his first investment property at 19 years of age, where he developed a passion for investment. In 1966, he was drafted into the United States army and served overseas in the Vietnam conflict, military intelligence, and was stationed in North Carolina. It was there that he met the love of his life, Brenda. And in 1968, Bill and Brenda married and settled in Pasadena.

In 1976, Bill and Brenda launched Summit Enterprise, a residential commercial property investment and management firm, and have been serving residents for almost 35 years. Bill and Brenda, in giving back, became dedicated supporters of the local schools, therefore establishing the Bill and Brenda Galloway Endowment for education through the Pasadena Community foundation. This endowment provides grants that support programs in the Pasadena Unified School District, including Bill's Alma Mater, Pasadena City College.

In 2014, Pasadena City College honored Bill and Brenda for their generous gift to the Center for Arts and named a plaza in their honor, called the Galloway Plaza. Bill was a distinguished business leader and philanthropist and served on several boards, including the PCC foundation, the Pasadena Development Corporation, the Pasadena Museum of California Arts, the Los Angeles County Judicial Procedures Commission, the William H. Johnson foundation for the Arts, the Pasadena branch of the NAACP, and on the board of the Smithsonian Institution.

Bill was limitless in his vision and capacity to excel. And he will always, never be forgotten. He will be remembered for his humility, his commitment to education, and his devotion to improving the quality of life for future generations. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Galloway, and his two sons, William J. Galloway Jr. And Stephen M. Galloway. Colleagues, I thank you for hearing the wonderful accomplishments of this great man. But his friendship with me goes back to 1983 where I first ran for office.

And it was he and Brenda that came together to be one of my first supporters. I was 23 at the time. Yeah, 23 at the time. And their support and friendship is long lasting, their impact on community, long lasting. And I thank you that I've had an opportunity to share just a piece of who he was and the impact that he made on community where I've grown up and lived for 40 plus years. He will never be forgotten and his impact will be long lasting. I thank you for adjourning in his memory.

Thank you, Mr. Holden and leader Gallagher. You're recognized at your desk for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise to adjourn in memory of Max Carl Scheiber, who passed away on January 24, 2023 at the age of 79. Born in 1943 in Sacramento, Max attended East Nicholas High School where he excelled in sports, had a great upbringing on the ranch. His father, Carl, was a man of many different talents. Would teach boxing. Actually, the famous boxer Max Baer trained on the Shiber ranch.

So Max had a great upbringing in East Nicholas, California, and after graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. Max continued to excel in his service, becoming the first Marine in California to be meritoriously promoted to an E five gunnery sergeant. His service with the Marines as a drill instructor was cut short at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He was honorably discharged in 1968 when he suffered blindness due to St. Louis to St. Louis encephalitis from a mosquito bite.

After Max returned home, he miraculously regained his sight, which was good, because then he was able to see Maureen Manning, who he met and started a family with. Married in Nicholas, California. Supporting and protecting his family was paramount for Max. He juggled three jobs in his dedication to provide for his family. He was an announcer for Triple M Raceway for 12 years, a field representative for Crystal creamery and butter company for 30 years, and a lifetime farmer and rancher.

Max was truly a pillar of the Nicholas community. He was an announcer for the football team for over 20 years, an umpire for the South Sutter Lilla League and co founded. Announced the Nicholas Labor Day parade. For many years, his love for family, friends and his community was prominent. Max was a Catholic, a veteran, a true patriarch, extraordinarily proud of his Swiss heritage and above all, a fierce protector of his family. Max was an entrepreneur and a gracious host.

He started a Christmas tree in Pumpkin Farm where he employed many of the local youth in those seasonal times, and everybody enjoyed visiting the pumpkin farm or picking up a Christmas tree. For Max, his love for his Nicholas community may have been undeniable, but his love for his family was immeasurable. Max was a devoted husband to Maureen, an incredible father and a hero to his grandchildren.

Max is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, his brother John, sister Hetty, late brother Mark and all of Nicholas, California and his four children, Shannon, Lily, Cameron and Nicholas and seven grandchildren. Max was a man of strength, resilience and unwavering dedication. He lived a life that was an inspiration to us all and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. Today I ask that this Assembly adjourn in memory of Max Carl Scheiber.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher. 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. With that, our quorum call is lifted and we are moving to announcements our Committee hearings for today budget Subcommitee one on Health and Human Services will meet at 02:30 p.m. In Capitol Room 127. Budget Subcommitee five on public Safety will meet at 02:30 p.m. In Capitol Room 437.

The Emergency Management and Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management will meet upon adjournment of Assembly and Senate Floor sessions in the swing space, Room 1200. The Emergency Management Committee will meet upon adjournment of the joint oversight hearing in Capitol Room 4444 the Natural Resources Committee will meet at 02:30 p.m. In Capital Room 447. Revenue and Taxation Committee will meet at 02:30 p.m. In Capital Room 126, and the Transportation Committee will meet at 02:30 p.m. In swing space, room 1100. The session schedule is as follows.

Tuesday, March 14 is check in session. Wednesday, March 15 check in session. Thursday, March 16 Floor session at 09:00 a.m. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Ms. Reyes moves and Mr. Gallagher seconds that this house stand adjourned until Thursday, March 16 at 09:00 a.m. We are adjourned.