Assembly Floor

[Roll Call]

Members of Quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please, please stand for the prayer and the Flag salute. Today's prayer will be offered by Assemblymember Quirk Silva.

Let us pray as we gather today from the restfulness of our time away from these chambers. Let us embrace the spirit of spring in this season of renewal. Whether you celebrate Ramadan, Nowruz, Holi, Passover, Easter, or whichever holiday you hold dear, let us take this moment to celebrate one another. Spring, with its vibrant blooms and rejuvenated landscapes, reminds us of the endless potential for growth and transformation. Just as California's poppies bloom in beautiful splendor, let us see the beauty in one another.

As legislators, we have the profound responsibility to sow the seeds of change, to cultivate an environment where every californian can flourish. Let us rededicate ourselves to this noble task, to fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, equality and prosperity for all. In this chamber, let our debates be infused with the spirit of collaboration and understanding of growth and renewal. Let us listen with open hearts and minds, embracing the diverse perspectives that enrich our discourse and lead to more informed decisions.

Let us be stewards of the resources entrusted to us, ensuring that future generations inherit California that is even more vibrant, sustainable, and resilient than the one we know today. Finally, let us embrace the challenges before us with courage and determination, knowing that through our efforts we can build a brighter future for all Californians. Amen.

Thank you Assembly Member Quirk Silva. Today, please join us as Mister Hart leads us in the pledge. Thank you Mister speaker. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, in invisible liberty and justice. You may be seated. Reading of the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The Assembly met at seven Am.

Mister Flora 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. And 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 on to procedural motions. Majority Leader Aguiar Currie, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Good afternoon, Mister Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Bonta and Wallace to speak on an adjourn in memory today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118 to allow assemblymember Murasuchi to have guests seated at his desk and to allow Assembly Members Bonta and Wallace to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to re refer the following bills to Committee, AB 2618 Chen from the local government Committee to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then back to Local Government Committee, AB 3160 Gabriel from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Housing and Community Development Committee, and then back to the Revenue and Taxation Committee, AB 3248 a salee from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Business and Professionals Committee, and then back to the Revenue and Taxation Committee and SB 359, Umberg from the Public Safety Committee to the Rules Committee.

Without objection. Such shall be the order. Moving to guest introductions and announcements, assuming Member Muratsuchi, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you very much. Colleagues, my wife Hiroko and my daughter Sophia. And also up in guest introductions, also up in the audience are family friends, the Kamiyas, the Suzuki's and the Yamamoto's, all from the Los Angeles area. Welcome to Sacramento.

Thank you, Assembly Member Muratsuchi, and welcome to your guests. Assembly Member Lackey, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Good afternoon, speaker Members. Please give a warm welcome to my woman of the year. It's Beth Davies. She's up in the gallery. Thank you everybody. She is a teacher at Boron High School, which I attended in my younger years. She's an integral part of the Boron community and her reach far exceeds the classroom. She not only serves a population that needs a bit of extra love through their credit retrieval process.

But she goes out of her way to volunteer with programs that help plug students back into their community. Her love and passion for the youth she serves in Boron truly makes all the difference in these kids lives. She has a long history in the Boron community and I'm proud to honor her and commemorate her service.

As a small side note, Beth's father and I attended Boron High School together, so this is a full circle moment for me and her family has had decades of positive community involvement. She's also a fellow Packer fan, so I can't pass up the opportunity to say go, pack, go. And Members, I appreciate a round of applause again for all the hard work that she's done for our community.

Thank you Assembly Member Lackey. Welcome to your guests and congratulations. So just welcome to we see assemblymember, former Assembly Member and current Attorney General Rob Bonta on the floor today. Please welcome Attorney General Bonta. And he's working as usual there. So moving on to assemblymember Bains. You are recognized for your announcement.

Hi colleagues. Want to wish everyone a great spring break. I also wanted to let you guys know I brought back traditional Indian sweets for my brother's wedding, so there's a box for everyone in the Members lounge. Thank you.

Thank you. Moving to business on the daily file. Second reading file items one through 20.

[Second Reading]

All bills will be deemed read and all amendments will be deemed adopted. Concurrence and Senate amendments file item 21 hang on. Pass and retain under reconsiderations file items 22 and 23. All items shall be retained. Moving to Assembly third reading file item 29. AB 2546 by Assemblymember Rendon.

Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 2546 by Assemblymember Rendon, an act relating to law enforcement agencies.

Assemblymember Rendon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. AB 2546 broadens the definition of military weapons for the purposes of state law that requires law enforcement agencies to engage in a public approval process before acquiring such weapons. The current definition of military weapons uses brand names for some of these weapons, including acoustic weapons. This bill instead uses generic terms for these weapons, thus ensuring that all military weapons are subjected to the same good public process during acquisition. Thank you.

Seeing and hearing no further debate, 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, 46: No's, four. Measure passes. Moving on to file item 31. AB 2114 by Assemblymember Irwin.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 20114 by Assembly member Irwin and accolade in the building standards and declare the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr speaker. I'm pleased to present AB 20114 today. Currently, California authorizes architects and structural engineers to perform balcony inspections for common interest developments. As a statutory deadline for these inspections quickly approaches, it has become clear that there is a lack of available inspectors to perform the necessary inspections to meet this deadline. AB 20114 addresses this issue by authorizing civil civil engineers to also perform these inspections. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

All debate having ceased, 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. Aye 63, no 0 on the urgency. Aye 63, no 0 on the measure. Measure passes. Moving on to Senate third reading. All items will be passed and retained. Now moving to a vote on the consent calendar. Does any member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar?

Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar.

Assembly Bill 1904 by Assembly Member Ward an act relating to vehicles.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote on the consent calendar, all those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 65, noes zero. The consent calendar is adopted. The Clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.

Assembly Rule 1797

Ayes 65, nos zero.

Assembly Bill 2225

Ayes 65, nos zero.

Assembly Bill 2287

Ayes 65, nos zero.

And Assembly Bill 2484

Ayes 65, nos zero.

Moving back to motions and resolutions, Assemblymember Aguiar Curry, you have a motion. So may Member Aguiar Curry, you are recognized for your motion.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer the following bill to committee: AB 3209.

Members, give your respectful attention to our majority leader, Assemblymember Aguiar Curry, AB 3209.

Berman from the Higher Education Committee to the Public Safety Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. We'll now move to our adjournments and memory. Members, the quorum call is in place. Please take your seats or take your conversations off the floor and give your respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission for an adjournment in memory. Please take your conversations off the floor.

Have a seat. Thank you members. Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you mister speaker and members. It is with a very heavy heart that I ask this body to adjourn in the memory of retired City of Alameda firefighter Patrick Michael Corder. Patrick was born on September 11, 1980 in San Mateo, later moved to San Leandro, and eventually settled in Alameda. He joined the Alameda Fire Department in 2008.

He was instrumental in the success of the department's community paramedic program, which was one of the first of its kind in the State of California to offer firefighter and paramedic first response to community members in crisis as an alternative to policing. This program paved the way for the Alameda care team, which is the department's mental health crisis response unit. Patrick's disturbing smile and can do sensibility allowed him to positively engage with everyone he encountered.

He was a son of Alameda through and through and loved his community almost as much as it loved him. Patrick was everywhere and always of service. He organized and spearheaded the Alameda Firefighters Annual Toy Program, participated in children's reading programs, meals on wheels, and the fire safety town for Alameda schools. Always willing to lend a helping hand and it was asked of him often. He was also extremely involved in Alameda Firefighters Association Local 689, serving on the union's Executive board as trustee, recording secretary and president.

Among his numerous recognitions and accolades, Patrick received a local hero award for the Alameda Chamber of Commerce in 2021 for his tremendous efforts in protecting vulnerable community residents during the early days of COVID-19. For 15 years, Patrick served his community with pride, compassion and honor. Outside of the fire service, he was an avid skateboarder, reader, crossfitter, artist and guitar player, a great love to his wife, Emily, and a source of endless activity, joy and comment for his brother and sister firefighters in the fire service.

Patrick, the shining light of a human being, tragically died on February 1 following a difficult battle with post traumatic stress injury from his years of service as a firefighter and first responder. Highlighting for us that our first responders are exposed to incidents that impact not only their physical health, but also their mental health and well being. Even after death, Patrick is continuing to serve others and saves lives as an organ donor. Eight beautiful souls continue to live because of Patrick's contribution.

Colleagues, please join me, the firefighters, my partner in life and partner in service, Rob, who are here with me today, his family and friends in a journey in the memory of our sweet and larger than life, Patrick Michael Corder. With me today, I just want to acknowledge Ben Kim, President of the Alameda Firefighters Association, Mike DeWindt, B Shift Vice President, James Pagnini, C shift Vice President, Phil Fernandez, secretary of the Firefighters Association, Mike Navarro, Anthony Anaiah, Corey Crowder, Nick Luby, fire Chief, Brian Rice, California Professional Firefighters Association President and Mike Lopez, who are all here with us today to celebrate and honor their brother in service, Patrick Corder. Thank you.

Thank you. Assuming Member Bonta, Assemblymember Wallis, you are recognized for your adjourned memory.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Members, it is with great sadness, yet also a great honor that I rise to request the California State Assembly adjourn in the memory of former Assemblymember Brian Nestande of Palm Desert, who passed away on March 4. Assemblymember Nestande served in this chamber from 2008 to 2014. Brian built his own legacy that was grounded in his love for his community. He championed policies to enhance education, protect our youth, and support the region's foster children.

As an example of his fierce advocacy for improving the lives of youth, Brian was approached by a constituent concerned that the courts did not have the authority to take into consideration a parent's history of prescription drug abuse in a child custody hearing. Brian then authored a bill to protect other children from that fate. That constituent, who was the grandmother of a child caught in a custody battle, continued to reach out to Brian and his staff to share updates on her grandson long after the bill was signed into law.

Brian worked to promote transparency and accountability in government. He authored and passed California's open Access to Taxpayer Funded Research Act, the first state in the nation to do so, ensuring we were creating a pathway for scientific research funded with state dollars to be available to all Californians. His passion for our community's natural resources was evident through his advocacy for the Salton Sea, protecting local wildlife, and increasing access to our region's parks and trails.

Brian believed in bipartisanship and always made a concerted effort to build consensus. He was not afraid to cross party lines to support policy that he believed in. He was highly respected by Members of both parties. Well, maybe, except that one time in 2014 when he scored the winning run in the legislative softball game by sliding into home and taking out former assemblymember Jim Frazier at the plate.

He was an incredible mentor and advocate for his staff, the kind of leader who always acknowledged hard work and dedication, even took them to lunch every week or two. A testament to him, he stayed in regular contact with many of his former staff, some of whom are in the chamber today. On a personal note, I moved to the Coachella Valley a decade ago to run Brian's campaign for Congress and never left. I attribute much of my success to his mentorship and friendship through the years.

Brian's family legacy was public service. His mother, Beverly, helped found Olive Crest, an organization supporting children in crisis. His father, Bruce, served as an Orange County supervisor and California State Assemblyman. His brother, Barry, served as Chief of Staff to state Senator John Benoit. Before his election to the Assembly, Brian worked for Congressman Michael Huffington and was Chief of Staff for both Congressman Sonny Bono and Congresswoman Mary Bono.

Following his tenure in the Assembly, he continued his advocacy for the Coachella Valley, serving as Riverside County administrator. At the time of his passing, he was working as a consultant, spearheading some of the region's most impactful projects. Born in Newport Beach, Brian graduated from Canyon High School in Anaheim and was later selected to the school's hall of fame. He went on to graduate from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in political science. He was an avid baseballs fan, always supporting his beloved angels.

Brian survived by his wife Gina, son Hayden, daughter Sophia, stepchildren Sadie, Tad, Mason, Molly and Savannah his sisters Gabrielle and Francesca and his former spouse Sabrina, mother of Hayden and Sophia. I ask this body to adjourn in the memory of a great public servant, friend, mentor and family man, the Honorable Brian Nestande. Can I do an introduction?

Yes, without objection.

Members, I'd also like you to please join me in welcoming at the back of the chamber, Hayden Nestande, former Assembly Member Brian Nestande's son. Also in the back of the chamber is two chiefs of staff, Rob Flanagan and Annette Farrok, and in the gallery are many of his former staffers. Please join me in giving them a warm welcome to the Assembly floor.

Thank you, Assembly Member Wallis. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving to announcements committee hearings Revenue and Taxation Committee meets today at 02:30 p.m. in Capitol Room 126. The Transportation Committee meets at 02:30 p.m. in swing space, room 1100. Banking and Finance Committee meets at 03:30 p.m. in Capital room 444. Session schedule is as follows. Tuesday, April 2 check in session.

Wednesday, April 3, check in session. Thursday, April 4 floor session at 09:00 a.m. All other items will be passed and retained. All motion shall be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business. I'm ready to entertain a motion. Miss Aguiar Curry moves. Mister Lackey Seconds that this house stand adjourned until Thursday, April 4, at 09:00 a.m. The quorum call is lifted and the house is adjourned.