Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Aguiar Curry 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 role Addis.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for the prayer and the flag salute. Assembly Member Reyes will be offering our prayer today. Assembly Member Reyes.

Members, let's bow our heads. Lord, we thank you for your abundant blessings on each of us. We thank you for the positions of leadership bestowed upon us. Let us remember that before we led, we served, we worked to uplift our other individuals and organizations. First, we were chosen as servant leaders.

As we continue in our roles, we pray that you will fill our lives with peace and hope and positivity to share with those we represent and mix them a little bit of angst so that we can fight against injustices we see affecting Californians. Help us to be shepherds of the people who are under our care, watching over them, not because we must, but because we are willing, as you want us to be. Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.

As your word tells us, we must do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather, in humility, value others above ourselves. California is a great state with bold ambitions, inclusive protections and hopeful Dreams guide us as we work individually and collectively as a house to bring the solutions that Californians demand and deserve. Amen.

Thank you, Assembly Member Reyes. Assembly Member Jones Sawyer will lead us in the pledge.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to 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 of Sacramento Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 the Assembly met at....

Curry moves Mr. Gallagher seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions there are none. Introduction 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 for the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving to procedural motions. Madam Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you are recognized for your procedural motions. Members, please your attention to Ms. Aguir Curry for her procedural motions.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymember Weber to speak on an adjournment today.

Without objection such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118 A to allow Assembly Member Friedman to have guests seated at her desk today and to allow Assembly Members Gabriel and Reyes to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

Without objections Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend joint Rule 62 A, the file notice requirement to allow the Higher Education Committee to meet off the floor today in room 447 to hear. AB 1887. Cervantes during a brief recess of our floor session.

Without objection Such will be the order.

I request unanimous consent to re refer the following bills to Committee. AB 1954, Alanis from the Emergency Management Committee to the Public Safety Committee, and AB 2457 Mccarty from the local government Committee to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then back to local government Committee without objection.

Such shall be the order. Members, your attention please, and hopefully listen carefully what we're going to do here. Members, we will now take a brief recess for Assembly. Higher education to meet off the floor to hear AB 1887. The hearing will be in capital room 447. The quorum call is still in place. Members are to remain in the chamber area during this brief recess, except for Members of the Higher Education Committee. So we are in brief recess.

Assembly Bill 2024, 1912 with amendments, 1918 with amendments and 2092 with amendments.

All bills will be deemed read and all amendments deemed adopted without objection. We will move to motion and resolutions. Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you're recognized for your procedural motion.

There is a Committee report at the desk relative to AB 1887. I request unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow Assemblymember Cervantes to take up AB 1887 without reference to file for the purpose of third reading.

Without objection. Such shall be the order moving to AB 1887. The Clerk will read Assembly Bill 1887 by Assembly Member Cervantes and after laying to student financial aid and declaring urgency thereof to take effect immediately. Assembly Member Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker Members for the opportunity to present Assembly Bill 1887, which will extend the application deadline for state financial aid programs from April 2 to May 2. These programs include the Cal Grant and middle class scholarship programs. As you know, this Bill is a response to the ongoing issues with the Federal Government's implementation of the new federal free application for federal student aid, commonly known as FAFSA.

In late 2020, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification act, which was intended to streamline the FAFSA and make it more accessible to working families. The project of revamping the FAFSA was begun under the previous presidential Administration, has continued under the current President. Unfortunately, due to reduced staffing levels and delays in implementing necessary technological updates, the rollout of the new FAFSA has not been easy. As you know, there have been reports widely in the press.

There have been several setbacks and false starts in making FAFSA available to students. As chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, I want to highlight an issue affecting students with parents who are undocumented. They have run into a persistent error message preventing them from completing the FAFSA without providing a parent's Social Security number. This has left students with undocumented parents unable to apply for state and federal financial aid for college, even though they themselves are United States citizens or permanent residents.

These FAFSA implementation issues have also delayed the timeline for colleges and universities to make admission decisions, provide financial aid award offers, and complete their enrollment process. Nationwide, student FAFSA submissions are down nearly 33% compared to the previous academic year. Clearly, our students need our help. They need more time to complete the FAFSA. Making California student dreams of achieving higher education more affordable and accessible is among the Legislature's highest duties, and we are here today to fulfill that duty.

To that end, AB 1887 will further extend the application deadline for state financial aid programs to May 2. Because this Bill has an urgency clause, this extension will take effect immediately. I want to thank Speaker Rivas and Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire for working with me to move this Bill quickly through the legislative process. This is an urgent response to meeting our students' needs here in California.

Colleagues are respectfully asked for an aye vote on behalf of California students who are eagerly waiting for our help to begin their college careers. And Mr. Speaker, I would like to request that this Bill be immediately transmitted to the Senate.

Thank you, Assembly Member Cervantes, Assembly Member Juan Carrillo, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and Members. I'd like to thank my colleague from Corona for introducing this Bill. This one month extension of FAFSA is critical to ensuring all students have an equal shot at achieving higher education. For historically underserved communities like mine, this is especially important. Folks in my district often commit long hours to access a four year education, which was my case. This is enough to determine you from achieving their dreams.

So to be able to have a scholarship grant or work study makes a big difference to know that you will be able to afford, or at least pay off your tuition or textbooks. Our students deserve peace of mind that comes with affordable education. They give back to us in so many ways, and so we owe it to them, at the very least to make sure that they all have an equal shot, especially for undocumented students who already face so many legal and financial barriers.

Financial aid means opportunities from upward mobility. It means financial stability. I came to this country to work and to obtain an education. And I made many sacrifices along the way. I stand here today not only because of those sacrifices, but for all that I gain along the way. Because higher education empowers us. It helps us achieve the American dream, and it gives us the tools to turn advocate for ourselves and our communities. I urge your aye vote on this measure. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Carrillo. Assembly Member Alvarez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank our colleague from Corona for bringing the Bill forward, and certainly the speaker. This issue is actually critically important. The fact that we're doing this Bill, I hope, helps all of us send a signal to our districts. If you have not had an opportunity to do a college financial aid assistance fair, you will not have had the opportunity to witness how many families.

And we're talking about, in my case, down in San Diego, when we hosted the fair, it was dozens of families out of the 400, nearly 400 that came that were having challenges with the FAFSA. This Bill appropriately recognizes that those challenges mean that we should provide more time so that we can continue to provide the opportunity for students to apply for financial aid.

I hope that this conversation doesn't end today with this Bill, which is so important, but that it continues with all of us in our communities to ensure that all students who can have access to financial aid will do so with this extension. I hear about the stories on a daily basis. I have the pleasure of being married to someone who's working with first generation kids to get to college. They are facing challenges on a literally daily basis. Kids who might be saying, you know what?

I might not want to continue down this path. It's too difficult. It's too challenging. This Bill helps them give them the time and the runway that they need. So I ask that we all not just vote on this Bill, but also get the word out so that our students can ensure that they are not being left out of this opportunity. I urge an aye vote on AB 1887. Thank you.

Thank you. Assembly Member Alvarez, seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Cervantes, you may close.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, let's help California students make them eligible for FAFSA and make their dream of a higher education a reality here. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

The Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Ayes 71, no, zero on the urgency. Ayes 71 knows zero on the measure. The measure passes without objection. We will transmit immediately to the Senate. Assembly Member Friedman, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I am really thrilled today to be able to introduce my guests. We have three generations here of my family. My mother, Carol Osman, and my daughter, Rachel Limon are joining me. It's Rachel's spring break, so I'm taking care of her this week. And to help out with childcare during the day. My mother decided, agreed to come up and join us. And so I hope that you all give them a warm welcome. Thank you.

Welcome, assemblymember Gabriel, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. So I think all of us have felt that spring is in the air, and with that comes the holiday of Nowruz, which is celebrated by many folks around the globe and certainly in my district in the rest, San Fernando Valley, part of the Persian Diaspora and the Central Asian diaspora. It is a beautiful holiday that is celebrated by about 300 million people worldwide.

And it's an opportunity to reflect on unity and rebirth and many of the themes of the spring season. And I am very excited today to. We're going to be celebrating Nowruz in Room 317 after session. I hope some of you who are not familiar with this holiday will come upstairs and join us. It's a beautiful holiday. And with us to celebrate today are some of my dear friends from .... It is a school in my district that's part of the Sufism movement.

It's an Islamic denomination and we're celebrating the holy month of Ramadan right now. So I hope everyone who's celebrating Ramadan is having a blessed Ramadan and a meaningful Ramadan. And I just want to encourage those of you that haven't learned about sufism to do a quick Google search to learn. It is an incredibly beautiful. It has some really beautiful teachings. And I've been very privileged to get to know the folks from MTO who are here with us.

They've graciously invited me to join them for many different celebrations and learnings. And they're so focused. The teachings are so focused on unity, they actually asked that I not introduce them by name, even though I know these folks very well and they're good friends of mine. Part of their faith is a doctrine of humility, is a doctrine that the collective is more important than the individual. So, colleagues, will you please help me in the spirit of Nowruz, to welcome our friends from MTO to the Assembly chambers.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gabriel, and welcome to your guests. And once again, you're invited to room 317 to celebrate. Nowruz with our guests and others till later today. Assembly Member Reyes, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I want to introduce to you a young man from my hometown of Colton. He is here. His name is Maximilian Goodley. He is here with his parents, Kevin Goodley and Nurtha Arroyo Goodley and his little sister, Laura Bell Goodley, here in the rear of chambers. Maximilian is a student at Norton Science and Language Academy in San Bernardino. His family are constituents in my great city and are here in Sacramento because Maximilian is a finalist in the poetry out loud program.

It's a yearly poetry recitation program. Participants master public speaking, build self confidence and learn about literary history and contemporary life. I was there earlier when Maximilian did his recitation for his poetry and I was very impressed, very proud and asked him to come and join us. California's poetry out loud is the largest event of its kind in the US. And has grown steadily since its inception. This year, we had over 18,000 students participate across the state. Please welcome Maximilian and his family to the Assembly floor.

Thank you, Assembly Member Reyes. And I'll just add that there were 51 counties represented in the poetry out loud, including five students from my district. I represent five counties. So welcome to all the students here today. Thank you. Moving to Assembly third reading file item number 10, HR 79 by Assembly Member Essayli. The Clerk will read House Resolution 79 by Assembly Member Essayli. Relative to CrossFit, you are recognized, Mr. Essayli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you're unfamiliar with what a burpee is, a push, jerk, or a snatch, then you're probably not familiar with the subject of today's resolution. If you have been fortunate or unfortunate enough to have been acquainted with the aforementioned exercises, then you know we are talking about CrossFit. Today, I rise in appreciation of CrossFit, a holistic fitness and wellness program that trains individuals of all skill levels to work out and compete with a competitive mindset.

CrossFit was founded right here in the State of California 24 years ago. It has over 12,500 gyms worldwide and is in 162 countries, making it a global brand and a shorthand for excellence in competition and fitness. Results since 2007, CrossFit has hosted what's called the CrossFit Games. Created by Dave Castro, the CrossFit Games, much like the program itself, features varied workout competitions that literally and figuratively keep athletes on their toes, culminating in a victor being crowned as the fittest on Earth.

During the games, which are taking place as we speak, participants qualify through multiple rounds of competition, including an open qualifier that draws hundreds of thousands of entrants from all over the world, making it the largest participatory global sporting event. As our state and country struggle with physical and mental fitness issues, community based programs like the ones promoted by CrossFit Gyms provide a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and social support that drives real results.

I can speak to the benefits of CrossFit firsthand as I've been a participant for over a decade. If you, like me, do not enjoy mindlessly meandering through one of those mega box gyms and locking into backward gazes with strangers, waiting on equipment, and figuring out what to do next, then I recommend you drop into a local crossfit and try a class.

In fact, for any interested Legislator or Capitol staff, we have an amazing CrossFit box right here in Sacramento called CrossFit Communitas, led by Jordan Eldridge, who's here in the gallery. Today, I encourage anyone who has an interest in building a lasting foundation of smart nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices to give the program a try. HR 79 will officially recognize March 62024 as CrossFit Appreciation Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I respectfully request an aye vote and ask that the first roll call be open for co authors.

Thank you, Mr. Essayli. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote for co authors, Clerk will close the roll. There are 53 co authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor, say aye. Opposed say nigh. No. Nay. Whatever. Okay. All right. The ayes have it. Mr. Essayli, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker. I rise to introduce today Marietta City Council Member and fellow CrossFit competitor and owner of CrossFit by Overload, John Lavelle. Also CrossFit Games creator and former Navy Seal, Dave Castro, and the owner Director of training at the Sacramento CrossFit Communitas, Dr. Jordan Eldridge. And we also have Matt Sousa of CrossFit Livermore. Between these gentlemen, they have decades of experience competing at the top levels of CrossFit competition as athletes, and in Dave's case, as the Director of CrossFit Games from 2007 until 2021.

He is currently the leader of the CrossFit sport team. It's an honor to have the gentleman, Councilman Laville, Dave, Jordan and Matt here with me as we recognize the positive impacts of Crossfit on thousands of Californians. Please join me in welcoming them to this capitol. Thank you.

Welcome and thank you, Mr. Essayli. Moving on to File Item Number 11: AB 2248 by Assembly Member Maienschein. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2248 by Assembly Member Maienschein and others, an act relating to contracts.

Assembly Member Maienschein, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Members. California has been a national leader in eliminating the use of puppy mills, which are designed to maximize profits at the expense of animals in their possession. After California banned the sale of puppy mill animals in pet stores, the businesses largely shifted online to continue selling pets to California consumers. These sites display photos and provide minimal information about a puppy, such as their age and breed.

A visitor to the site must pay in full or pay a nonrefundable deposit before more information is revealed. If a consumer learns the name of the seller and has concerns, they must move forward with the contract or lose their deposit. The nonrefundable deposits are predatory and used purely as a sales tactic.

To address this, AB 2248 states a contract for the sale of a dog or cat is void if it requires a nonrefundable deposit and does not disclose the source of the pet. The bill also requires sellers to refund the deposit within 30 days if the contract is voided. Thank you, and I respectfully request an aye vote.

Seeing and hearing no further debate, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 67, Noes zero. The measure passes. Moving to Senate third reading, item 15, SB 136. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 136 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review. Act relating to Medi-Cal, urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.

Mr. Gabriel, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I'm pleased today to present SB 136, which expanded the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax to generate approximately 1.5 billion. Under this proposal, total revenue from the MCO would grow from 19 billion to 20.5 billion. And in order to meet federal deadlines, it's imperative that we pass this Bill before our spring recess. This Bill was heard both by our Budget Health Subcommittee and by our full Budget Committee and has no opposition on file.

SB 136 is a critical piece of our efforts to address our budget challenges, and I respectfully request your Aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gabriel. Assembly Member Fong, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise in opposition to SB 136. The Governor has dug California into massive deficit with years of overspending. He cannot put the state on sound fiscal footing with fund shifts and spending delays that only kick the can down the road. Enough with the budget gimmicks and cost shifts. He has also claimed that he solves the budget deficit without any tax increases. Members, this proposal is a tax increase.

And not only that, it's an unfortunate quest for more revenue which cannot hide our state's fiscal mess and produces more instability in the Medi-Cal system. Promises were made last year when we debated the last MCO proposal, that the revenues collected were to fund provider rate increases. This entire proposal moves more fiscal uncertainty into the Medi-Cal system. That promise last year has to be kept to stabilize California's healthcare system. But this proposal cannot be separated from the Governor's broader proposal to shift existing MCO revenues.

Now, the Governor wants to take $3.1 billion out of the Reserve for planned augmentations for Medi-Cal provider rate increases with no plan to refund them. This accelerates the fiscal cliff that I warned about on this floor last year, and our local doctors and hospitals are now forced to persevere through more uncertainty. In just one year, this Administration has overpromised and undelivered all while the deficit has grown and the Medi-Cal system continues to be destabilized. Members, the math here simply does not add up.

Diverting funds to cover the state's mismanagement affects the long-term stability of the MCO-funded provider rate increases by accelerating a fiscal cliff when the MCO tax expires. Members, I urgently urge a No vote.

Thank you, Mr. Fong. Dr. Baines, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I rise in support of SB 136. In past budget crises, healthcare services were often the first thing cut to address shortfalls. I was not a Legislator when those cuts were made, but I was a practicing physician who saw their impact on the most vulnerable patients and communities I serve. The harsh reality is that when healthcare services are cut in districts like mine, the diminished access to care leads to worse outcomes and ultimately increases healthcare costs.

But SB 136 is a different and better approach. It represents a first step towards solving the challenges presented in this year's budget and helps ensure we can maintain and build upon the historic investments we made in Medi-Cal just last year. These investments include increasing provider rates to ensure Medi-Cal patients have proper access to care. We have more challenging work ahead of us, and I hope to continue to sustain these very critical programs.

As chair of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee, I know that includes our programs that impact aging and the static funding that they so desperately rely on. Thank you and I respectfully request for your Aye vote on SB 136.

Thank you, Dr. Bains. Dr. Weber, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to support SB 136. That is really a very simple but important Bill. SB 136 simply amends the managed care organization, or also known as the MCO tax, that was approved in last year's budget and by the Federal Government in December. These amendments today simply increase the amount of the tax on licensed healthcare services plans and managed care plans in order to receive an additional 1.5 billion in revenue to this state.

This additional 1.5 billion will help us provide health care to the one-third of Californians who are in our Medi-Cal system. This $1.5 billion will help keep our promise to our primary care, behavioral health, and maternity healthcare providers, to name a few who have been waiting for years to be better compensated for the care that they provide. Anything anyone else tells you about this Bill before us today is simply untrue.

I want to thank the Governor and his team on this issue, because on this particular issue, they have come up with a way to increase our revenue that does not include cutting vital resources nor directly taxing the residents of California.

And so, if you want to increase our revenue within the Medi Cal system, better compensate our providers who are caring for our most vulnerable, and not make cuts to our health care programs and access, then I ask that you respectfully join me in voiding Aye voting Aye on SB 136. Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Weber. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Gabriel, would you like to close?

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know that I could have laid it out more beautifully or eloquently than our two colleagues here who are practicing physicians and who spoke to this. With all due respect to my friend, who's the Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, a lot of what he discussed is outside the scope of this Bill.

And while it is true that it is technically a tax, the industry that would be subject to that actually came into the Budget Committee to express the fact that they support this. Because what this is really doing, when you pull it all back, is it is drawing down an additional $1.5 billion in federal funds. We know that California is a donor state.

This is 1.5 billion that will come from Washington to California to make sure that we can provide services, to make sure that we don't have to raise revenue in other ways here in the State of California. So, it's a very simple question before all of you. This is a very short Bill. Would you like an additional $1.5 billion in federal funding to come to the State of California?

If you believe, as I do and as our practicing physicians do, that the people of the State of California would benefit from additional $1.5 billion in federal funding, you should support this Bill. If you would not like that funding to come to California and not come to your constituents, then you should not support this Bill. So, again, I will echo our thanks and gratitude to the Governor and his team for their leadership on this. This is the easiest of our budget solutions this year.

And for those of us that want to bring in additional federal funding to California, I would respectfully request your Aye vote on SB 136.

Thank you, Mr. Gabriel. The Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote, Clerk will close the roll and tally the vote. Ayes 58, Noes 11 on the urgency. Ayes 58, Noes 11 on the Bill. The measure is adopted. Immediate transmittal, without objection. Immediate transmittal to the Senate. Moving to... a brief pause. Moving to concurrent and Senate amendments. File item fivve, AB 610 by Assembly Member Holden.

Assembly Bill 610 by Assembly Member Holden an act relating to employment and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Holden, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, speaker and Members. Assembly Bill 610 makes technical amendments to clarify that certain workers at restaurants that are operated in conjunction with larger enterprises, many of whom have historically established compensation and working conditions in excess of the new standards set by AB 1228, do not fall within the fast food industry covered by the law.

Several thousand fast food workers have organized collectively across California at private as well as publicly owned locations. These workers routinely bargain for a package of wages, benefits and work rules. As noted in your floor analysis, AB 610 exceptions are geographies where fast food workers have already been able to organize into a union and bargain above the floor of the fast act.

Examples include fast food workers at San Francisco International Airport who have wages starting at $22.50 per hour plus benefits baristas workers in San Diego hotels who start at 22 hours/hour plus benefits. Concession workers at San Jose SAP Pavilion who earn $25 per hour plus benefits fast food workers at casinos who make $23 per hour plus benefits. This Bill had bipartisan support in the Senate committees. There is absolutely no opposition registered to this Bill. I respectfully ask for your aye vote

seeing and hearing no further... Assembly Member Gallagher, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. And considering this proposal, I think it has to be said, first of all, that the underlying policy here that we are exempting from in this case is bad policy, and that's why I opposed it last year. And what we are going to see in only a few years from now is we are going to see the cost of living continue to rise beyond everyone's abilities.

That cost of living that is hurting families across this state is only going to get worse because of this policy. And what we are also going to see is more automation and taking away these jobs that people rely upon. So it can't be said enough that the policy that we passed last year is very flawed. And an example of how it's flawed is the fact that you're exempting people from it. And this is the question for Democrats to answer.

If the policy is so just and so great, why are you exempting people? Why are you exempting certain industries? And it also cannot go on this floor without being said that the process that happened last year stinks. It's not legislation when all the negotiations happen behind closed doors and there's not transparency and when the Governor is the.

Mr Gallagher, please keep your comments to the merits of the Bill, to the Bill itself, please.

Yeah. So this Bill, as we all know, is exempting certain types of restaurants from 1228 and it's cleanup or it's being told as being cited as cleanup for that legislation. Why do we have to clean up 1228? Part of that problem is because of how that process occurred last year. And we all know it. We all sitting here know it. This was not directed by the Legislature. And when legislators are actually saying, I don't even know how that exemption got in here, we have a problem.

We have a serious problem. That's not transparency. That's not how this is supposed to happen. Even this Bill has been amended several times from what it originally was. And now we're told this is the reason we need to exempt these certain industries. By the way, why does a fast food restaurant at an airport or at a museum or at some park, amusement park any different from any other franchisee?

By the way, these are small mom and pops, many of them who are going to struggle to meet this policy and are going to go out of business. What makes them any different? So if you're a Democrat supporting this today and you supported the policy last year, why, why are you picking winners and losers? Why are you saying these guys are okay? And don't say, oh, it's because they pay more at those places.

Maybe some of them do, but I will guarantee you there's many that don't. So either the policy is good or it's not, and it should apply to everyone equally. We all come in here, and one of the first things we're shown, we come onto this floor is the motto on the top of the building up there, it is the duty of the Legislature to pass just laws. Is this just, is this policy making process that we're trying to pass off as a great thing?

Has it been just, has it been transparent? I don't think it has been. And until there's good justifications for these things and until there's transparency, we shouldn't be doing this for anybody. So it has to be said. And I think this is a time for us as a Legislature, it's another moment where we could stand up, where we could say we're going to do things differently. We're not going to let the Governor drive the process. We're not going to have negotiations in the back rooms. We're going to do it right here in Committee on this floor and pass just laws.

Thank you, Mr. Gallagher. Assembly Member Reyes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Members, I think my colleague's question is fair. Why are we doing these exemptions? Well, there are a few good reasons. I think the carve outs are needed because 610 provides for those that have higher wages already. If they've already receiving higher compensation, why are we limiting them? They may have representation. Why are we taking away their representation? And there are also city ordinances that provide for pay above what 1228 had provided.

The carve outs are primarily for airports, hotels, event centers, theme parks, and museum, all of which have higher compensation representation. Or they have ordinances that bring those employees above what AB 1228 provided. And with that, I urge an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Reyes, seeing and hearing no further debate. Assembly Member Holden, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague makes the clear point, but I think it should also be noted that this was a process that was transparent. And like a lot of negotiations that happen around very difficult bills, they require both sides coming together and trying to figure out how to reconcile. I think that's what we appreciate. Sometimes, if that can happen, it doesn't always happen that way.

You aren't able to always get to a conclusion where there is consensus. There was consensus from the business community as well as labor. That's what we voted on last year with well over a majority supermajority of Members of this body voting for the Bill of 1228.

But we also were brought to our attention, as was pointed out in my opening talking points and by my colleague from Riverside San Bernardino, that this is a concern going forward because there's a need not to be limited by the contours of this Bill. 1228. Will the Legislature help us address the issue going forward? It was brought to our attention.

And so what we are doing is recognizing that the floor of which these organizations are paying or working to get pay for their workers is the floor of the ceiling of 1228. We're trying to recognize that, not to stifle their ability to go above that on compensation is why this Bill is before us. I respectfully ask for your. I vote.

Thank you, Mr. Holden. The Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. 54 vote Bill Members. All those vote who desire to vote, Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 55, no zero. Measure passes on the urgency. Ayes 55, no five. Excuse me. Let me get back up. Ayes 55, no five on the urgency. Ayes 55, no five noes five on the measure. Measure measure that the amendments are concurred in moving back to business on the daily file. One final piece. Reconsideration. All items shall be continued.

Moving to a vote on the consent calendar, does any Member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar? Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1880 by Assembly Member Alanis, an act relating to minors.

Any Member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read, which she did. The clerk will now 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 on the consent calendar. Clerk will close the roll. Ayes: 74; no: zero. The consent calendar is adopted. The clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.

Assembly Bill 916.

Ayes: 74; no: zero.

And Assembly Bill 1982.

Ayes: 74; no: zero. Members, the quorum call is still in place. One brief announcement, too. We do have a floor session tomorrow, joint session, an address by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at 3:45 p.m. Now, Members, please give your respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory. Quorum call is still in place. Assembly Member Weber, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Speaker. I rise to adjourn in the memory of Dr. Benjamin Haruni, who lived and practiced dentistry in the City of El Cajon in the 79th Assembly District. On February 29th, in a senseless act of violence, Dr. Haruni and two staff members were shot at their dental office. Dr. Haruni passed away shortly thereafter. He was 28 years old. This has been such a heartbreaking loss for his community and all who knew Dr. Haruni.

The outpouring of love and grief since that day is a testament to how many lives he touched in his 28 years. He will be remembered for his unique kindness, compassion, and commitment to serving others. Dr. Haruni was a continuing the family tradition of being a healer and caring for his community. He cared deeply about his patients and public health and made a tremendous impact in his few years as practicing as a dentist.

He is remembered at his dental school, the University of Pacific's Dugoni School in San Francisco, for his unusual uplifting spirit and positive impact during the challenging times of the Covid Pandemic, and he graduated in 2022. I'd like to share Dr. Haruni's own words from when he was a dental student. Quote, 'I've considered pursuing many professions since childhood, but my goal has always stayed consistent: to do more with what I've been given for those who have lives less privileged.'

'Over time, my occupational goals evolved into a mission to improve the oral health of others. I know that I am at my best around others, and therefore, my goal of forming genuine relationships with my patients will remain with me why I chose this profession.' Let us offer our deepest condolences to Dr. Haruni's family, friends, colleagues, and community as we mourn this tragedy. Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Weber. 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, Members, once again, tomorrow, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero will deliver the State of the Judiciary Address to a joint convention of the Legislature here in our Chamber. Please be in your seats promptly at 3:45 p.m. tomorrow.

Session schedule is as follows: Tuesday, March 19th: session at 3:45 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 to adjourn. Ms. Aguiar-Curry moves. Mr. Mathis seconds that this House stand adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19th at 3:45 p.m. The quorum call is lifted and the House is adjourned.