Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. Would our members and our guests beyond the rail please rise? We'll be led in prayer this morning, this afternoon, by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which we're going to ask you to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Today let us reflect on different ways to pray. From Naomi 1 Nye, an Arab American poet. There was the method of kneeling, a fine method if you lived in a country where stones were smooth. The women dreamed wistfully of bleached courtyards, hidden corners where knee fit rock. There were the men who had been shepherds so long. They walked like sheep under the olive trees. They raised their arms. Hear us. We have pain on earth. We have so much pain there is no place to store it.

At night. The men ate heartily and were happy in spite of the pain. Because there was also happiness. Some prized the pilgrimage, wrapping themselves in new white linen. When they arrived at Mecca, they would circle the holy places and return, their lean faces housing mystery. While for certain cousins and grandmothers, the pilgrimage occurred daily, lugging water from the spring or balancing the baskets of grapes. And there were the ones who didn't care about praying. The young ones, the ones who had been to America.

They told the old ones, you are wasting your time. The old ones prayed for the young ones. They prayed for Allah to mend their brains. And occasionally there would be one who did none of this. The old man Fauzi, the fool who beat everyone at dominoes, insisted he spoke with God as he spoke with goats and was famous for his laugh. So, gracious God of many names, we thank you for the diversity of ways to pray.

And however we pray, grant that we may pray in amazement and gratitude that we are here now, choosing to bring hope and encouragement to those we serve. Amen.

Members and guests, please join me in the pledge allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance. Take a brief pause. So I'm going to ask folks to come to your desk for a minute. Going to ask members to move to their desks, please, and take your conversations off the floor. Members, we're now moving to privileges of the floor. First up is Senator Grove. From the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, today I want to introduce to you Paris Hilton, along with her staff from her nonprofit 11:11 media impact and survivors of the troubled teen industry. Paris Hilton is the CEO of 11:11 media impact and has made it her mission to empower survivors in the troubled teen industry as she has used her global platform to bring awareness, to create initiatives to support victims. Paris documentary, this is Paris is a must watch.

It's been viewed over 79 million times and it goes through the physical, psychological, and abuse experienced by a teenager in these numerous residential treatment facilities in the troubled teen industry. Her advocacy has resulted in public awareness in the troubled teen industry. She's given a voice. She's used her celebrity status to highlight this industry. It started about three years ago. She told her story, which is very traumatic and hard to tell the first time.

And then just last week, she went to Jamaica rescue and highlight some things that were going on at a facility in Jamaica where one California boy, there were other boys, but one California boy was being abused. After she highlighted that story just last week, individuals that were running that facility were arrested and prosecuted for child abuse.

She is spotlighting and using her glam power, I guess you would call it, to highlight this industry and to bring awareness to the troubled teen industry and the horrific things that happen in these institutions. She's a champion for children. Please help me welcome Paris Hilton. For Paris to have a voice, but Zoe Treber would not have a voice if it wasn't for Paris highlighting her.

Zoe told her story publicly at the press conference just a few minutes ago, where she told the story of being abused in one of these facilities and how hard it was to be separated from her family. So please welcome Zoe to the floor. Also, we have Chelsea here, who is a member, an attorney, a law attorney, who has represented over 25,000 youth in Sacramento, the Placer County area, and Los Angeles, defending them against atrocities that take place against them. So please welcome. Sorry, Chelsea.

Chelsea is a survivor. I'm sorry. I really botched that one. Chelsea is also a survivor. Luciana. Someday we're speaking prophetically into her life that she's going to be an advocate and a lawyer for these teens. But these are survivors, colleagues that really have a story to tell. If you haven't watched this is Paris, it's a YouTube documentary. You should. And it is really just eye telling what happens in our state and across this nation.

So please welcome our guest, and if you guys want to take a photo. Is that my job, Mr?

On behalf of the California State Senate. We welcome you. And now, members, if you would like to take a photo, now would be the time. Members, if we can find our way back to our desk, we can continue on with today's agenda. If you can make your way back to your desk. All right, members, we're going to ask you to get back to your desk so we can continue with today's agenda. All right, members, while still on privilege of the floor, we're now recognizing Senator Cortese.

Thank you, members, we're trying to get your attention, please.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. It's my pleasure to recognize both Bellarmine College preparatory and Presentation High School on the Senate Floor. These students are joined by teachers and parents today, including former assembly speaker pro tem Nora Campos from San Jose. Bellarmine, my Alma mater, is a community of education and faith. Founded in 1851, it's the oldest jesuit secondary school in California. Bellarmine's mission is to cultivate students gifts and talents and ultimately put those talents to the service of others.

Presentation High School is a college preparatory school for girls in San Jose. It was established in 1962. Presentation values a balanced approach to education, encouraging students to develop spiritually, academically, and personally. The school's vision is to empower youth women to become fearless and faithful leaders. My office had the opportunity to meet with these students during fall recession where they advocated for the issues that matter most to young people, including mental health. I'm proud to witness their advocacy's direct influence on this body.

It's been a joy to work with students from both these schools in collaboration on trying to bring wellness centers to school campuses up and down the State of California. I know probably to a person in the Senate. We appreciate that effort and their attempt to address the mental health crisis among young people in the state. These students are passionate, critical thinkers and I'm inspired by their initiative. Let us all rise and recognize these future leaders with us on the floor today.

Thank you for all of you for visiting Sacramento today and engaging in the legislative process. And thank you to my colleagues. Thank you, Mister President.

Thank you and welcome to the California State Senate.

Okay, members continuing under privileges of the floor, want to recognize. All right. All right. Members under privileges of the floor, we want to recognize Senator Bradford from the majority leader's desk. Senator Bradford.

Thank you, Mr. President. And it's truly an honor to be here today. And it's truly my pleasure to welcome some amazing women of Delta Sigma Theta sorority for the 38th annual Delta Days here in Sacramento and here at the Capitol. They're the women who are neatly attired in the Crimson and cream. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 amazing collegiate women. And this year they celebrate their 111th year of service.

Delta Sigma Theta is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide aid and support through various programs in local communities throughout the world. With a primary focus on on the African American community, social action is an integral part of the sorority's political awareness and involvement program. Deltas meet annually with their respective federal, state, and local officials to advocate for issues affecting their communities.

With us today on the floor are the far west regional representative, Joy Moore, Christian Mcguire, Terry Lynn Love, Kaneisha Green, Katrina Dunn, and Leona Bridges. And please welcome the rest of their guests here in the gallery, also here to celebrate again their legislative advocacy day. And not only are their amazing sorority in and of themselves, they're one of nine of the divine nine of the African American sororities and fraternities here in the United States. So on behalf of the California State Senate, I say welcome, welcome.

Welcome to the California State Senate. Members are welcome to join in another photograph on the floor.

Without objection the Senate journals for April 8, 2024 through April 11, 2024 will be approved as corrected by the Minute Clerk. Now, members, we're moving to consideration of the daily file. Senate second reading. Secretary, please read

Senate Bill 1016 with amendments. 1120 with amendments. 1397 with amendments. 1355 with amendments. 1319 with amendments. 910 with amendments. 963 with amendments. 1257 with amendments reading.

Reading deemed read. Now moving to governor's appointments, we have three. Senator Laird, he's prepared. Senator Laird, the floor. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. First one is file item 12, the confirmation of Raji Brar and Mark Ghilarducci for appointment to the California State University Board of Trustees. Raji Brar is a business owner in Kern County as well as founder of the Bakersfield Sick Women's Association. The highlight of her hearing was when she let us know the sick word she uses when visited by the Vice Chair of the Rules Committee in her own district. It is Pataka, which translates to firecracker.

Mister Ghilarducci previously served as Director of the governor's Office of Emergency Services. Both were approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote on March 20. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate, Senator Dodd?

Yes. Thank you Mister President, I rise today to speak in support of Mark Ghilarducci. As most of you know, he was our Office of Emergency Services Director here in the State of California. He's the type of individual that's one team, one fight. I think he'll do a great job for the State of California. For the CSU trustees. Respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item hearing none, seeing none and Senator Laird, would you like to close?

I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll on appointment file item 12.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll Call]

Ayes, 39, Noes, zero. The appointment is confirmed. Now moving to file item 13.

Thank you, Mister chair.

There we are. Final item 13 is the confirmation of the following appointments to the Law Revision Commission. Maria B, Victor King, and Rick Simpson. Miss B is new to the Commission. Mister King and Mister Simpson are reappointments. They first joined the Commission in 2012 and 2019, respectively. They were approved by the Rules Committee on April 3. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Any discussion or debate on this item. Any discussion or debate, hearing and seeing none. Secretary, you may call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Secretary, please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 38, Noes, zero. The appointment is confirmed. Now we're moving to our final appointment. File item 14, Senator Laird.

Thank you, Mister President. File item 14 is the confirmation of Doctor David Carrillo for reappointment to the Law Revision Commission. He's the Executive Director and lecturer in residence at the California Constitution center at UC Berkeley. He served on the Commission since 2019. He was approved by the Rules Committee on April 3rd. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on the appointment? Hearing and seeing none. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll Call]

Ayes, 32. Noes, Seven. The appointment is confirmed. Now, Members, we're moving on the Senate third reading, we have four items. First up is file item 27. Senator Seyarto, is he ready? He is. Secretary, you may read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 by Senator Seyarto relative to crime Victims Rights Week.

Senator Seyarto, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President and colleagues. I am proud to bring before you today, SCR 128, which establishes the week of April 21 through April 27 as Crime Victims Rights Week in California. This year the theme is, how would you help options, services, and hope for crime survivors. It asks all of us how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?

It's about restoring power to survivors who often feel powerless in the aftermath of a serious crime. Creating safe environments for crime victims and arming them with information on how to navigate and participate in the criminal justice system are vital in this effort. California has been an innovator in the victims rights movements for generations, establishing the first victim compensation program in the nation in 1965.

Other trailblazing efforts include the women's advocates and Haven House in Pasadena, which established the first shelters for battered women in the nation in 1976, and mothers against drunk driving, founded in 1980 with the establishment of a chapter here in Sacramento. Moreover, California has enshrined victims rights in the state constitution with the passage of Proposition eight in 1982, the Victims Bill of Rights and reaffirmed in 2008 with the passage of Prop nine, known as Marcy's law.

It is our duty to continue the effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses. Observing crime victims Week promotes awareness of victims issues while acknowledging the combined efforts of citizens, the government, and the criminal justice system to improve victim services in California. Please join me in sending a message to victims of crime that they are not alone and they have support. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any further discussion or debate? Seeing none. Members, this is eligible for a unanimous roll call. Is there any objection to applying the unanimous roll call to this item? Seeing none. Ayes 39. Noes, zero. The measure passes. Now, Members, we're moving on to file item 33. Senator Jones, he's prepared. Secretary, you may read.

Senate Bill 1048 by Senator Jones an act related to land use.

Senator Jones, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. And Members, my presentation is only slightly longer than the preceding one, but I rise to. It's okay to laugh. That was a joke. Yeah. Okay, I'm presenting file item 33, SB 1048, which cleans up the Senate Bill 1214 from last year relating to architectural drawings submitted to local government planning departments. It passed local government on consent. I'd appreciate your aye vote this afternoon. Thank you, Mister President.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Hearing c, none. Members, this two is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objection to applying the unanimous roll call to this item? Seeing and hearing none. Ayes 39, Noes, zero. The measure passes. Now, members, we're moving on to file item 41. Senator Gonzalez, she's prepared. Secretary, you may read.

Senate Resolution 84 by Senator Gonzalez an act related to Khmer New Year.

Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you. Mister President. And colleagues arise today to present SR 84, which recognizes the week of April 13 through the 16th as Khmer New Year in 2024. Khmer New Year, or Cambodian New Year, is also known as Moha Sangkrant and coincides with the traditional solar New Year, also celebrated across Southeast Asia in parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. In Cambodia, the new year is celebrated by a three day public holiday with various acts of worship performed each day.

And today, California is home to the largest population of Cambodian Americans. And as I often say, especially in the City of Long Beach. In Long Beach, we actually have a structure called Cambodia Town, which is from Anaheim street in downtown Long Beach to downtown Long Beach, which is a vast part of our city. And for the Cambodian diaspora in California, the new year represents a time to honor cultural heritage with food, with dance. And in Long Beach, a huge parade lasting many hours. But it's great.

So, colleagues, I hope you will join me in officially recognizing Khmer New Year. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any discussion or debate? Hearing and seeing none. Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objection to applying unanimous roll call to file item 41? Hearing, seeing none. Ayes 39. Noes at zero. The measure passes now. Members, we're moving to Senator Becker. He's ready. Secretary, you may read

Senate joint resolution 14 by Senator Becker an act related to taxation.

Senator Becker?

Thank you, Mister President. As today is tax day, it's appropriate that I rise to present SJR 14 on deferred compensation. And I just want to say from the start that this resolution isn't about one player or one team, but really about ensuring fairness in our tax system. Having said that, in December, Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team signed a 10 year, $700 million contract with pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani.

That current contract is structured so that Ohtani will defer $68 million annually, only receiving $2 million per year for 10 years, and thus potentially avoiding $90 million state taxes if he were to reside outside of California when that deferred compensation is paid. Friends, this is a massive hit and ball trick. But really, this isn't just. Again, this is just not about one player. It's really about a precedent that allows high income earners to skirt paying their fair share.

Deferred compensation was meant for small amounts of income, for pension income. If you look at the discussion at the US Senate Judiciary Committee, it was originally going to be capped at $30,000. And then somehow at the last minute, the cap got removed. And the US Senate Judiciary Committee reports actually warned about such a situation. In the absence of a cap, deferring compensation creates an unbalanced tax structure and ultimately it furthers income inequality.

Limits on deferred compensation for high income earners can, by contrast, establish a fair tax system and maintain potential state revenue. I'm grateful to our Controller, Malia Cohen, for her partnership on this. This resolution will urge Congress, which ultimately has to act here. It'll urge Congress to establish a reasonable cap on deferred compensation to rectify this imbalance. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any discussion or debate? Hearing and seeing none. Oh Seyarto, there you are. Senator Seyarto.

Thank you very much, Mister President. So the reason that a ballplayer such as Mister Ohtani would defer all this is because it costs so dang much and our taxes are so high that they have to come up with creative means of doing their salary. And also remember, he is paying taxes on all of the money that he makes from all of his endorsements and things like that. So he's already paying a considerable amount.

But what we really should consider is why people would have to go through all these creative means to protect some of the money that they make. The other thing you might want to consider is if you want good ball teams, then you better be careful about what we do here in the Legislature to dissuade great athletes from signing with teams that are here in California.

Because if I were a ballplayer and I had a choice of making $700 million here or making $700 million in a state that is not even tax state taxes, I would probably go play for that team and leave us high and dry. And that would leave our good Senators from the San Francisco area very sad because their teams would no longer be competitive.

So as much as I don't like the fact that a person can make that much money, period, in sports, it's our system that is driving people to do these creative things. And I, too, celebrate today as tax day, as my wife is a tax person and this is her tax freedom day. But remember, tax freedom day for the rest of us isn't until July.

So anyway, with that, I would respectfully ask for a no vote and for us to go contemplate what kind of teams we want in the future and why this is happening in the first place. It's because we tax our citizens way too much. The people that make a lot of money will figure out how to get around it no matter what, even if they have to play for a team over in, say, Washington. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Glazier.

Thank you, Mister President. Members, this Bill certainly is a home run from my point of view. And let me explain, explain why not just for California, but for the other 49 states. When you play in Missouri, you play the Cardinals. That obligation that is on you, that player owes an obligation. They're working in Missouri. And so when their accountant does their tax forms, filling it out for all the states in which the members have played in.

So the resolution to Congress is a worthy one, and it is something that's beneficial to all the states that have a team. Some of them are going to, you know, like to have the Dodgers move there. But anyway, it's a good Bill and I think it's good tax policy, and I support it and urge your yes vote today.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any further discussion or debate? Hearing and seeing none. Senator Becker, would you like to close?

Well, thank you for the debate. You know, a couple points. Number one, makes us grateful for all those who are paying their fair share, all the athletes and others who are high earners. We do have high marginal tax rate. Those they choose to be here and work here in our great state and take advantage of our wonderful resources, natural resources and our values, participate in our values and policies. So it makes me grateful to all those who do choose to do this.

And so this is really about fairness and making sure that ball players, but also corporate executives, as many corporate executives, this is really a bad precedent, really a very bad precedent for our state. So it's important that we nip this in the bud and make sure that we can have laws that apply equally across the country. And with that, I will say, go, Giants. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll on file item 44.

[Roll Call].

Please call the absent Member.

[Roll Call].

Aye, 32. Noes 6. The measure passes. Now, members, we're moving to the consent calendar. Is a Member wishing to remove an item from the consent calendar? Hearing and seeing none. We have one item, secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 1381.

Thank you. Please call the roll on this consent calendar.

[Roll Call].

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll Call].

Ayes: 38; noes: zero. All right, we're going to hold that.

All right. Ayes: 38; noes: zero on the consent calendar. It passes. Now it's time for returning to motions and resolutions.

We're going to move back for announcements. Recognize Senator Bradford.

Thank you, Mr. President. As stated by one of our colleagues earlier, he mentioned the day was Tax Day, but for Dodger fans, today is Jackie Robinson Day, and the day marks the 77th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, so I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize this historic accomplishment and understand what a trailblazing individual he was and to celebrate his life and his legacy that still lives on today. So, today marks the 77th anniversary, and I know we're all Dodger fans here today, so on behalf of Jackie Robinson, we say, 'go blue.'

All right. We're going to move back. Thank you, sir. We're going to move back to motions and resolutions. I want to first recognize Senator Allen if he's prepared. Senator Allen, the floor is yours. Adjourn in memory. Yes, sir.

Members, it's with a very heavy heart that I rise today to ask that we adjourn the Senate in memory of a truly great man and a former member of this body, Senator Alan Sieroty. I want to point out that we're honored to be joined today by Alan's family here in the gallery: Michele Rakoff, his longtime partner, Beth and David Meltzer, his sister and her husband, Julia and Joseph Meltzer, Alan's niece and nephew, and Evan Kaizer, who is Alan's longtime friend, Former Chief of Staff, and President of the Sieroty Company.

For those of you who are never fortunate enough to get to meet Alan, he was perhaps best introduced by a Sacramento Bee article published in July of 1967, his freshman year in the Assembly. The headline nicknamed Alan the 'Underdogs Champion,' and described how he already was respected as one of the most conscientious Members of our State Assembly.

It went on to note his economics and law degrees from Stanford and USC and report on his humanitarian legislative efforts and his leadership role in budget negotiations with the Governor's Office. All this ran alongside a photo of Alan with his undeniably genuine smile and his positive comment that something that we all know, those of us who got the wonderful opportunity to know him, is his wonderful positivity. In the article, he said, 'there's nothing I would rather be doing.'

Born in Los Angeles in 1930, Alan joined a family that had an established tradition of community work and instilled in him the values that led him to a life of public service. As he and his siblings were growing up, Alan's mother, Jean, was devoted to fostering a community of progressive philanthropy in the city and was known to open their family home to host leaders such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Robeson, Coretta Scott King.

Her ongoing community engagement and investment laid the groundwork for a generation of progressive Jewish activists, philanthropists, and political leaders, her son Alan, very much included. Alan grew up in LA and went to Beverly Hills High School, then went on to study economics at Stanford Law at USC, went on to become the Executive Secretary for Lieutenant Governor Glenn Anderson and then Deputy Director of the California-Chile Program, and through those experiences gathered knowledge and the willpower necessary to be an effective policymaker.

Ran for State Assembly in 1966 and was then sworn in and immediately hit the ground running as an ambitious, hopeful, and prepared legislator, regardless of how many veto letters he would receive from Governor Reagan. Alan was in many respects decades ahead of most of his colleagues in the pursuit of progressive policies at a time when that was much harder, fighting for environmental conservation, LGBTQ rights, housing, disability rights, civil rights, child care, dismantling racial discrimination.

Fighting for the rights and dignity of every Californian was at the core of Alan's legislative mission, and he introduced bills year after year to protect the vulnerable, among so many others. He introduced a number of bills trying to create employment opportunities for undocumented Californians, especially with public works projects. He fought against institutional sexism within police departments and brought reforms of biased physical qualification requirements.

He pushed to end the police practice of harassing and entrapping gay men in the community, charging them with lewd conduct which unjustly carried registration as a sex offender. At his retirement event in 1982, in fact, Ramona Ripston, the Executive Director of the ACLU of Southern California, referred to Alan as just about the best friend Civil Liberties have ever had in the State Legislature.

Year after year, Alan would introduce a bill to ban capital punishment in California, a bill that had first been introduced, that had been introduced annually for over 20 years, only to die in its first Committee, and to his credit, he eventually got the bill out of Committee for the first time in years.

He called on the regents of the University of California to divest public funds from any companies doing business in South Africa amid apartheid, saying recent protests of, quote, 'raised once again the longstanding issue of social responsibility in the corporate investment policies of public entities.' And a few years later, Alan again called on the UC's 25 Regent Board to end its involvement with the U.S. military nuclear arms research and development at the Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore facilities.

And along with like-minded colleagues, he vocally opposed President Nixon's plan to bomb population centers in Vietnam. He took out full page ads in papers like the LA Times to highlight the devastation of Vietnamese hospitals and call for humanitarian aid. He was a gifted political messenger and policymaker because he never took a moment of his time in the Legislature for granted.

In fact, with only four minutes left before his resignation from the Assembly to become a Senator, he cast the decisive 41st vote over there to pass a controversial ban of aerosol containers, and ten minutes later, he ran over here, was sworn in as a Senator, and got right back to work.

When BankAmericard released a dear customer letter in 1975 detailing their justifications for interest rate hikes, the LA Times told the story of the two vows that he made that day, that he was done using his credit card after February 28th, and that he'd run a bill to stop this kind of predatory interest hike. His years of environmental stewardship at the Capitol highlight his understanding of the inflection point our state was at at the time and the drastic measures necessary to protect it.

He proposed bills to retain state ownership of oil fields and to protect state parks from exploitative private concessions, he fought hard for a bill that would require 75 percent of government vehicle fleets to be compact cars, which would have immensely reduced costs, fuel scarcity, and collisions, he famously asked in a Committee hearing on corporate representation on Regional Water Boards, why should we have the polluters regulating the question of water quality? Good question for us to ask today.

But Alan's flagship environmental achievement and cornerstone of his legacy almost certainly was his instrumental work to establish the California Coastal Commission, the California Coastal Act, the body that to this day ensures that all Californians reap the benefits of our incredible coastline. For years, Alan would introduce strong coastal protection bills and go up against groups like the Committee opposed to ecology issues, which was a broad coalition of lobbyists who would meet in Room 704 of the Senator Hotel to strategize about killing coastal protection bills.

What a wonderful name, the Committee opposed to ecology issues. Eventually, Alan proved to be the linchpin when he helped lead the effort to qualify a coastal protection ballot initiative, which then forced the issue beyond special interests and into the hands of the California people, and the passage of which established the Coastal Commission.

And one of the many wonderful legacies that's celebrated of Senator Sieroty, his colleagues decided to name a beautiful, stunning, and isolated beach tucked away in Tomales Bay, which now holds the legacy that fittingly holds the legacy of its namesake. When folks visit Alan Sieroty Beach, Californians are immersed on all sides by the pristine peace of our coast, preserved in its natural state, and something that Alan would be so proud of, something he fought so hard for.

In addition to his environmental work, he fought for special education funding, child care center funding with 80 new facilities, pension protections for teachers and public servants. He was passionate about the rights of the disabled. Alan passed legislation that protected works of art. He ensured that artists received royalties for the resale of pieces. He protected artists' ownership of their work when hired. He most notably helped to establish the State Summer School for the Arts and remained an active member of their board.

The program will soon be convening its 35th class of young artists, adding to the 17,000 that have earned their place in the program since its inception, and seeding the next generation of California artists. Alan also fought for years for the establishment of a percent of art law, a policy ensuring the inclusion of public art and local artists in projects, and he succeeded in establishing a number of local versions that brought long-term investment to California arts.

And now I am humbled to serve as the Vice Chair of our Joint Committee on the Arts, which is the very Committee that Alan established in 1981, furthering its mission of expanding access to and investment in the arts in California. As noted by Congressman Garamendi in his recent remarks honoring Alan on the U.S. House Floor, 'his commitment to his community expanded beyond his extensive career in public service.'

Upon retiring from the Legislature in 1982, Alan immediately accepted positions on about a dozen boards of organizations and spent the next few decades deeply engaged in his community at every level, including nonprofit boards. He was a founding member of the Progressive Jewish Alliance. He supported far more than his fair share of local artists and neighbors in the community as well.

He was also proud to partner with the Los Angeles Family Housing Organization to convert a hotel into the Sieroty, a housing project that has provided interim housing and supportive services for 75 individuals transitioning out of homelessness before its conversion to permanent supporting housing. Alan's niece up here, Julia, who's in the gallery today, is the founder of Clockshop, which is a nonprofit devoted to connecting people, the people of Los Angeles, to the public lands and cultural heritage of the region through the arts.

Poignantly named for her great grandfather's first business in LA, Julia's work is one example of the next generation of community leadership and investment to which Alan devoted his lifetime of service. I was so fortunate enough to get to meet Alan later in his life when I was--actually, when I was first running for this seat, and I just really treasure the memories of the lunches and conversations I was able to have with him, both as a candidate and then as a Senator.

We got together at his office at his beloved LACMA, right near the La Brea Tar Pits. He, of course, also was responsible for making the saber-toothed cat our state fossil, and I just loved his positivity, his openness, his kindness. You know, this is a--we all spend a lot of time here working really hard, and yet then we move on to other things. We're all term-limited.

And preparing for this really got me thinking a lot about legacy and what we all want to lay down and what we want to make sure that lasts beyond us, and I just through studying the work of Senator Sieroty, there's so many things that we take for granted today that comes as a result of his work.

Every public beach that's been protected up and down the coast, every young artist who is given a real opportunity continues to be--every family that's relied on special education support or access to child care, every legislator that enters this house of democracy with an unrelenting resolve to bear the experience of each Californian and intercede with empathy, his heart and his vision for California, and especially it's underprivileged, are indelibly inked on the state and on this chamber, guiding those of us with the privilege of following in his footsteps.

I was mentioning to Michele, who was in touch with Speaker Pelosi right when Alan went into hospice care, and Speaker wrote back to her and said, 'please thank him on my behalf for his greatness and his goodness.' Members, I ask you to join me today in remembering the incredible life and selfless community service of the Honorable Alan Sieroty by adjourning today in his memory.

Thank you, and on behalf of the California State Senate, we extend our most sincere condolences and appreciation for Senator Sieroty. Senator Stern.

Thank you. There's very little I can add. I'll just give a personal note. Measure of leaders, not just by what they do, but those who they bring up behind them, and so I'm so grateful to Alan for being a mentor, not just Senator Allen, but people like me and for everybody who had the privilege as a kid to grow up near the beach.

I was a kid in Malibu who just took that as a sort of rite of passage, that there's the ocean and it's for us, but that was not a foregone conclusion, and in my little hometown of Malibu, there were other plans to build mansions and to go block all that access. Alan was of those communities, so it's the hardest to go say no to your own people.

So for that kind of courage, and for every kid now growing up in LA--and there are millions of them who now see that ocean as part of theirs too, not just for the privileged few--I am grateful. I know they are too, and I hope his name will be on our hearts. Respectfully ask we adjourn in his memory.

Thank you. We're going to ask that you bring his name forward so he can be properly memorialized by the California State Senate. Next up is Senator Umberg.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I rise today to adjourn the Senate in memory of one of our former State Senate colleagues, his father, Edward Maurice Schiff, affectionately known as Boca Eddie. Ed Schiff was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1928, the son of Martha and Frank Schiff. He attended Boston English High School, but left early to join the service in the mid 1940s during World War II, part of the greatest generation.

He first tried to enlist in the Marine Corps, but failed the physical due to flat feet and bad eyesight. Two weeks later, Ed Schiff would try to enlist in the army, and apparently during that two-week period, the doctor who examined him for the Marine Corps, the same doctor who was examining him for the army, became much smarter and discerning, and so he enlisted in the army.

The reason he was enlisted in the army is because the doctor said, 'weren't you just here? You really want to go into the service that bad?' Schiff said, 'yes,' and he was enlisted in the army. After Ed's service in the army, he went on to college at the University of Alabama. He left college after two years to become a lumper in the schmatta business, then a traveling salesman, and then much later working in the lumber and gunite business.

But Boca Eddie would always say that the biggest sale he ever made was when he met Sherrill Ann Glovsky, and they married in 1956, settling in Western Massachusetts. The Schiffs eventually found their way out west, first to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1970, and then eventually to Alamo, California, where the Schiffs would raise their two sons, Daniel and Adam. Years later, Ed Schiff would settle in Florida, and that's where he was known as Boca Eddie. Ed was loving, generous, strong, stoic.

He treated others as he wanted to be treated, with respect, affection, and openness that was rare for his generation. I know personally the pride he took in his children and his grandchildren, and he was--he had a sense of humor, sometimes a racy sense of humor. He was stubbornly devoted to his family, his friends, his employees, his wife, Sherrill Ann. When Sherrill was older and ailing from years of Alzheimer's, he cared for her at home until weeks before she passed.

Ed is survived by his sister, Judy Sokoll, his uncle, Leon Schiff, his two sons, Daniel and Adam, his daughters-in-law, Amy and Eve, his grandchildren, Rachel, Frank, Lexie, and Eli, and his great granddaughter, Maya. Colleagues, I ask that we adjourn today in honor of Edward Maurice Schiff.

Thank you, Senator Umberg. On behalf of the California State Senate, we extend our most sincere condolences to the family and ask that you bring the name forward so it can be properly memorialized. Next up is Senator Ochoa Bogh.

Thank you, Mr. Chair and Members. It is with great sadness that I rise to adjourn in memory of Sandra Oerly, who passed away at her home in Rancho Cucamonga in February at the age of 80. Sandie spent 40 years with the Alta Loma School District, and almost 50 years as a volunteer for the American Youth Soccer Organization known as AYSO. For 34 years, of those 50 years, she was also AYSO Area G Director.

She was also a member of the National Management Council, generating many of the position handbooks and training materials used today in youth soccer. As a school board member, Sandie's study, leadership, and commitment to excellence helped the district maintain its reputation as a leading educational institution. Sandie's contributions were countless. She was a mentor, a role model, an inspiration for many. Her legacy is not just in the policies of the program she initiated, but the countless lives she enriched and the community she helped build.

To honor her profound legacy, the Alta Loma School District Board of Trustees will name the east field at Alta Loma Junior High School, a central hub for AYSO activities and a place close to Sandie's heart, the Sandie Oerly Field. Sandie's passion for and dedication to youth soccer makes us feel the fitting symbol of her remarkable impact on our community. I wish Sandie's family and friend peace and comfort during this time of deep sorrow. I would be honored if this body would adjourn in Sandie's memory.

Thank you. On behalf of the California State Senate, we extend our most sincere condolences and ask that you bring the name forward so she can be properly memorialized. Now, Members, it's time for Committee announcements. Do we have announcements? Senator Min.

Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee will meet upon adjournment in Room 1200 in the Swing Space.

Natural Resources will meet in Room 1200 upon adjournment. Senator Alvarado-Gil.

Committee on Human Services will meet upon adjournment in Room 2200 in the Swing Space.

Human Services will meet in Room 2200 upon adjournment. Senator Ashby, where is she? Members, BP&E will resume in Room 2100 after--upon adjournment. If there's no other business, Senator McGuire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Mr. President and Members. Happy Monday. The next floor session is scheduled for Thursday, April 18th, at 9:00 a.m. Very grateful, Mr. President.

The Senate will be in recess until 3:30 p.m., at which time an adjournment motion will be made. We'll reconvene Thursday at 9:00 a.m.