Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Friedman 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 roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the gallery and in the chamber. In the gallery and in the rear of the chamber, both places to please stand for the prayer and the flag salute. The day's prayer will be offered by Assembly Member Lackey.

Please join me. Heavenly Father, we wish to thank the father for allowing us to live in such a blessed country that allows us to freely express ourselves and worship as we wish. We are thankful for the privilege of representing such a vast, diverse group of constituents. We ask that our hearts will turn to you to seek thy guidance in the impactful decisions placed before us. We ask for help in being mindful of those who deserve compassion, love and support.

We pray that the decisions we make will be motivated by achieving the common benefit to our public at large. We pray for our state and for our country that our people will be more motivated to seek common ground than to engage in contentious, hurtful discourse. Help us to tolerate differences instead of belittling them. Please bless this gathering here on the California State Assembly floor.

That we will be mindful of the trust placed in us and that our actions will be consistent with building trust with those who we are responsible for sending us here. This is our prayer. In the name of your son, amen.

Thank you, Assemblymember Lackey. Please have Pssemblymember Papan lead us in in the pledge this morning.

Thank you. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance.

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

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Wednesday, April 10, 2024 the. Assembly met at 07:00 a.m. The Honorable

Aguiar Curry moves. Mister Gallagher seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions there are none. Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read, 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. Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Good morning Mister Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Soria and Rendon to speak on adjournment in memory today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118 to allow Assemblymember Gabriel to have a guest seated at his desk and to allow the speaker and the Assembly Member Gipson to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer SB 21 Umberg from the Appropriations Committee to the Rules Committee.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 96 to withdraw AJR 15 Erwin from the Appropriations Committee and order the resolution to the third reading file.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

At the request of the author, please remove item 175 AB 1972 Alanis from the consent calendar.

Clerk will note, moving to guest introductions and announcements. Assemblymember Weber, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you Mister speaker. Good morning Members. As we celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am thrilled to highlight the impactful work of a youth group in my community. During this special month of celebration, we recognize the most important role that young leaders play in shaping the future of our communities. Through their engagement and advocacy, these youth are not only preserving their heritage, but actively participating in the democratic process.

As we commemorate API Heritage Month, let us celebrate the contributions of the Naopio and reaffirm our commitment to promoting civic engagement among youth across our state. Mahalo Nui Loa. Thank you to the youth group for their dedication to civic engagement.

Thank you Doctor Weber. Thank you Doctor Weber and welcome to your guests. Assembly Member Gipson, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you very much Mister speaker and Members, I rise to introduce the National Action Network Sacramento, the western region chapter, for their first lobby day here in Sacramento. Their theme is bridging the Divides conference. The National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the nation with chapters throughout the entire United States of America.

Founded in 1991 by the Reverend Al Sharpton, the National Action Network works to promote a modern day civil rights agenda that includes fighting for one's standard justice, decency, equal opportunity for all people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal records, economic status, gender, gender expressions or sexuality. Also here in the back of the chambers is Doctor Takoy Porter. Doctor Porter is the founding President of the National Action Network of Sacramento.

Doctor Porter is a civil rights leader, advocate for justice, equality and equal opportunity for all men and women. Doctor Porter is also the senior pastor at Genesis Church of Sacramento where he has served as a senior pastor faithfully for over 24 years. Members would please help me welcome the National Action Network and Doctor Porter.

Thank you Mister Gipson. Welcome to your guests Members. Please could I have your attention? Your attention please Members. To mark her last day in the Assembly, we recognize Jelena Hernandez and her family in the rear of the chamber today. Jelena has most recently worked in the speaker's office, but some of you may remember her as a longtime Chief of Staff to Ken Cooley. She has served this institution for 24 years. Please join me in thanking her for her years of dedication to the people of California.

Thank you once again for your service Jelena. Members moving to business on the daily file, moving to business on the daily file second reading, the Clerk will read.

[Second Reading]

All bills will be deemed read and all amendments will be deemed adopted. Under reconsideration, all items shall be continued. Without objection, we will now take up item eight AB 2283 by Assemblymember Pacheco for amendments. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2283 with amendments by Assemblymember Pacheco

Assembly Member Pacheco, you are recognized. We'll pass, pass and retain, or pass temporarily. Moving on. Moving on to Assembly third reading, file item 118, AB 3077 by Assembly Member Hart. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 3077 by Assembly Member Hart an act relating to the criminal procedure.

Assembly Member Hart, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise to introduce AB 3077. Currently, judges can consider a defendant's psychiatric diagnosis for competency to stand trial and mental health treatment eligibility. Judges can reduce penalties for defendants with qualifying mental illnesses if it serves justice and public safety. However, borderline personality disorder is excluded from these provisions. This exclusion lacks supporting data, fuels stigma, and restricts access to vital treatment. Studies have shown borderline personality disorder affects up to 6% of the world's population, and with a combination of psychotherapy and medication, the disorder is highly treatable.

AB 3077 will add borderline personality disorder to the list of mental illnesses that a judge can consider for competency and sentencing adjustments. This bill will help promote justice and equity and reduce recidivism rates. This bill has enjoyed no opposition. 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 55, noes seven, measure passes. Moving to file item 125, AB 2860 by Assembly Member Garcia.

Assembly Bill 2860 by Assemblymember Garcia and others, an act relating to healing arts.

The Clerk will read.

Assemblymember Garcia, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Good morning. I am proud to present AB 2860 Doctors and Dentists from Mexico Program. This is a continuation of the work of late Assemblymember Marco Antonio Firebaugh who authored AB 1045 in 2002, The Doctors and Dentists Program from Mexico pilot project. AB 2860 removes the pilot status of this project for dctors program.

It allows the medical board, beginning in 2025, to increase the number of doctors serving in this program and also includes an expansion expansion to doctors in the psychiatrist field to ensure that they too are included as part of this particular focus for service.

This program has proven that its medical quality and that it has high level medical quality and has created access for communities lacking the medical care that they deserve, both with the language and cultural competency barriers that exist in particular communities throughout California. The program has had an emphasis in communities like Los Angeles, Central Valley, Salinas Valley, and many other communities are seeking out this program to come to their communities.

This is a Latino Caucus priority, but should be a priority for everyone throughout the State of California to address the medical shortages that exist. Respectfully asking for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Garcia. Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of AB 2860 and I want to commend my colleague from the Coachella Valley for being a champion in this issue. And yes, we need to make sure that our communities throughout the state have the representation and the quality of care from these doctors that come from Mexico. And thank again, Assemblymember Garcia for being a champion on this issue. Thank you. I urge an aye vote thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember Carrillo. 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 64, noes zero, measure passes. Moving to file item 126, ACR 133 by Assemblymember Ramos. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 133 by Assemblymember Ramos. Relative to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month

Assemblymember Ramos, you are recognized from the majority leader's desk.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise as a Chair of the Legislative Native American Caucus to present ACR 133, which designates May 2024 as California's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. California is home to the largest Native American population in the United States. Nearly half of all American women, 46%, have experienced assault or physical violence. Native American women are murdered at a rate more than 10 times the national average.

California is currently fifth of all the states in the nation of unresolved and uninvestigated cases against Native American people, here in the State of California. And we also know that those numbers could be higher because of the misclassification going on in the State of California when it comes to Native Americans.

Yesterday at a hearing, we heard testimony that tore at our hearts as witnesses shared their personal stories and raw emotion the trauma in history and why this issue touches just about every 11 of us in this chamber and in the State of California. We heard about statistics such as a 2016 national crime information reported that over 5712 missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls in the United States. Out of those cases, only 116 of those cases were ever logged.

We also heard other statistics, the Sovereign Body Institute reported in 2023 that on average, 18 Native American people go missing every year in the State of California. During those hearings, we also heard solutions, solutions to start to move forward, making sure that the voices of California's people continue to be visible, not invisible, in the State of California. We've come against retail theft. We've come against fentanyl.

But it's time that we start to build that mutual respect between California's First People and the people of the State of California, and that starts with the Legislature here in the State of California. We have packed events this week with Tribal Leaders Reception where the Attorney General Bonta attended and spoke. And for the first time last week, he prosecuted an individual for a murder against a Pit River tribal member in 2020, and that individual got 26 years to life. Justice is finally coming to California's First People with our allies and our supporters that are out there hearing the voices of our people here in the State of California.

Yesterday morning, we had a news conference in a Joint Budget and Select Committee hearing, where we heard the testimony, the testimony of those that are out there talking about these issues, that there's given hope now to the California Indian people to address the issues that drastically affect California Indian people with domestic violence, missing and murders against Native American people. Those issues and the voices resonated throughout that hearing.

This morning, we continue our missing and murdered indigenous person, indigenous women observance by presenting this resolution designating the month of May 2024 as California's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. And we call on each and every one of you to bring that awareness in our communities to ensure that people do truly know that California is number five of all states in the nation of not even investigating murders against the people.

It's time that we stand in unity from this chamber with our California First Nations, those that are here in the gallery, those that are here hearing what we're talking about. It's time that we stand in unity. I want to thank all the tribes that stand in solidarity, as this is an issue that affects us all. I thank all of you who attended the events that went on this week.

And we listened to your stories, we listened to your raw trauma, and your voices did not fall on deaf ears. Those voices are being heard in this chamber today. And with the support of those in this caucus, on this floor, we're going to make sure that your voice does not fall on deaf ears, that your voices resonate in the State of California and in the Assembly chamber. California Indian Country is an area that still needs a lot of resources, a voice to tackle these issues.

And I'll say it here on this floor, there's great misconceptions that all Indian people are successful in gaming when it's really just a handful of tribes that are successful. The voices of our people to tackle those issues of victimization, of domestic violence, of murders against our people, of voice even resonating with the communities of theirs. That's the greatest need in Indian Country today.

We stand united and ask you to stand united with California's First People to ensure their voices continue to move forward from this floor forward in the State of California. I ask you to stand with us and your aye vote on Resolution 133.

Thank you. Thank you, Assembly Member Ramos. Assembly Member Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise today on behalf of the California Latino Legislative Caucus in support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 133 commemorating Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. I want to thank our colleague from San Bernardino for authoring this important resolution and continuing to be a resolute representative for his community. As you know, California enjoys the largest Native American population, with approximately 110 federally recognized tribes.

Unfortunately, California also ranks fifth in the country with the most cases of missing and murdered indigenous girls, women, and people. The Sovereign Bodies Institute estimated that there have been nearly 1700 cases in California since the year 1900. SBI found that, since 2015, there are an average of about 18 new MMIP cases documented every year in California, and these cases were documented in 42 of California's 58 counties.

Research from SBI also found that 91% of missing and murdered indigenous children in Southern California are girls and lack any thematic issues among these MMIP cases suggests that the victims are targeted because they are both indigenous and girls. Of all the MMIP cases that SBI documented in California, only 21% involved a response by the criminal justice system. We know those numbers are certainly higher in reality, in due part to misreporting and misclassification of Native Americans in government data.

What is worse is that this is a crisis that is not only misreported or underreported, but under discussed. In 2019, the Urban Indian Health Institute reported that 95% of MMIP cases go without being covered by either national or international media. We as a state must do better about shining a light on this crisis that is plaguing our native and indigenous communities. We must end this crisis and ensure that no more native or indigenous people go missing.

But we must also stand for the fundamental proposition that the lives of Native and Indigenous people, including girls and women, are just as valuable as anyone else. This is why their health, their safety, is worth uplifting, protecting, and preserving. No more stolen sisters. For these reasons, I respectfully ask that this body stand in solidarity with our indigenous community and with our colleague from San Bernardino and respectfully ask for an aye vote on ACR 133.

Thank you, Assembly Member Cervantes. Assembly Member Luz Rivas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. On behalf of the California Legislative Women's Caucus, I rise in strong support of ACR 133, proclaiming the month of May as California's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Today on the Assembly floor, we remember the thousands of Native American women who are among those we refer to as murdered and missing indigenous women and girls.

Indigenous women and girls are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than other ethnicities, and murder is the third leading cause of death for indigenous women. 83% of indigenous women experience violence in in their lifetime, which is more than four out of five women. More than half of indigenous women experience sexual and or intimate partner violence, and close to half of indigenous women have been stalked in their lifetime.

Indigenous women are two times more likely to be raped than white women and three times more likely to be murdered. For too long, our criminal justice system has turned a blind eye to these cases. It's important to acknowledge and confront the systemic inequities that have allowed this epidemic of violence against indigenous women and girls to persist. Each one of these statistics represents a life, a family, and a community shattered by violence and loss. California must demand accountability, visibility, and justice for these women and girls. Today, the California Legislative Women's Caucus stands with the Member from San Bernardino and the Native American Caucus in remembrance of indigenous women and girls. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Rivas. Assembly Member Lee, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and the API Legislative Caucus in support of ACR 133, designating May 2024 as California's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Awareness Month. Today, we recognize that this is the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous people, MMIP, including territories found across California.

Efforts have increased to not only enhance MMIP reporting, but also to extend such data collection to indigenous people who've gone missing or been a victim of violence, regardless of if they live on reservations or outside on tribal nations territories. Under the leadership of our Native American Caucus Chair, we have been working towards diminishing this epidemic altogether and increasing support to prevent indigenous people from going missing or being harmed in the very first place.

One of the LGBTQ Caucus's core initiatives has been visiting rural parts of the state as well as tribal nations that are in the surrounding areas in order to better connect with diverse communities who all too often feel underserved and overlooked. During our several visits to tribal nations, we have been fortunate to hear directly from tribal council leaders and learn about the unique struggles within their area as well as the impacts of the epidemic firsthand.

Council leaders have shared stories of non-indigenous people coming into their communities causing harm to their members amongst additional public safety concerns. We have also heard directly the firsthand accounts of tribal nations that either do not have the public safety infrastructure to protect their members, nor feel as though they have enough resources to support their members who are impacted by the MMIP pandemic.

While California has made great strides in supporting MMIP, due especially to leadership of our Native American Caucus Chair, we know that there is much more work to be done. I, along with my colleagues in the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and API Legislative Caucus, thank the Chair of the Native American Caucus for bringing forth this important resolution and for his resilient advocacy and uplifting our indigenous community members.

We stand united with you and indigenous communities in our commitment to ending the missing and murdered indigenous peoples epidemic, as well as supporting their family and survivors. Thank you and respectfully ask your aye vote, Members.

Thank you Assembly Member Lee. Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus in support of ACR 133, designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month in California. California is still home to more than 750,000 Native Americans, the largest Native American population in the country. Currently, in California, there are more than 150 cases of missing Native Americans, and we have the fifth highest number of MMIP cases in the nation.

Sadly, homicide is the leading cause of death for native women ages 10 to 24, and the majority of these murders are committed by non-native people on native own land. Indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered or go missing. And in California, murders of native women are seven times less likely to be solved. When an indigenous person goes missing, families in native communities are often left to look for their loved ones alone.

They don't read about their missing relatives on the news, and they don't see national coverage given to others who go missing. Longstanding issues like underreporting because of mistrust in law enforcement, jurisdictional confusion, systemic limitations, and apathy leave many of these cases unsolved for far too long. This is slowly changing, with new laws like the Feather Alert, with tribal liaisons being appointed to California departments and agencies, and with tribal MMIP summits and resolutions such as ACR 133 bringing awareness to this important issue.

And I think we have to acknowledge and thank our colleague from San Bernardino, who has been tireless in recognizing and lifting up our indigenous people and the abuse that they suffer, not only around being missing and being murdered on their own land, but throughout the State of California. So on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I strongly request your aye vote on ACR 133.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bonta. Assembly Member Gallagher, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise on behalf of the Republican Caucus in strong support of ACR 133. And because this is about justice. When crimes go without any accountability, we see more of it, it enables it. And nowhere have we seen this more than with our First People. When crimes, murders, kidnappings, don't even get investigations, don't have that kind of follow up, and there's no prosecution and justice against those who commit these crimes against our First People, justice is denied.

And what we've seen is more of this happens. The statistics speak for themselves, as have been pointed out by my colleagues. This is about equal justice and ensuring that all people in California get justice. It's also about being seen. As a representative of a rural area in California, I know this really well, that many times we feel like we're overlooked. And by the way, many of the first people in this state are from rural areas. They live in rural areas. And it's even more so.

People want to be seen, they want to be part of, they want to be included. They want to be at the table in these discussions, have representation, and that includes in our halls of justice and ensuring that justice is done for all people in California. So I rise in strong support and solidarity with my colleague from San Bernardino and appreciate him bringing this measure forward today. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gallagher. Assembly Member Berman, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of the Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of ACR 133, designating May 2024 as California's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. And I want to thank my colleague and friend from San Bernardino for bringing forth this incredibly important resolution and for all the work that you've done to shine a light on this tragedy. In many ways, is kind of an occasion to celebrate our diversity. It's both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It's Jewish American Heritage Month.

But this month we must remember the history of injustice and the atrocities committed against those who have always been here. This month we remember the indigenous people who have been murdered and those who remain missing. Today, thousands of unsolved cases of missing and murdered Native Americans continue to cry out for justice and healing.

The issue of missing and murdered indigenous people is an issue that affects all the tribes of California and all of us as Californians. As Jews, our own experiences with discrimination and trauma create sensitivity and solidarity with the plight of the indigenous population. From our past experiences with targeted violence and the Holocaust, to today with over 130 hostages currently being held by Hamas, we know the pain of extermination and loss, and also of missing loved ones, their ultimate fate unknown.

We stand in steadfast solidarity with all of California's tribes and native people, and we commit to working with tribal nations to rectify the many injustices committed against their people. And just as we said of the Holocaust on this floor on Monday, we commit to ensuring that we as a state will never forget the missing and murdered indigenous people of California. So in that spirit, and on behalf of the legislative Jewish Caucus, I respectfully request your aye vote on ACR 133. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Berman. Assembly Member Waldron, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. It is unacceptable that we are still not solving the majority of the missing and murdered indigenous people crisis. Thousands of unsolved and uninvestigated cases is unacceptable. Raising awareness of this important issue and moving to end the tragedy of another lost life, another family whose loved one is missing and not coming home, another statistic, another human life. It is time for action. I want to thank my colleague from San Bernardino for his steadfast commitment to this important issue.

We have heard the numbers. It's time to get MMIP cases and the crisis as a whole in the forefront of our law enforcement goals, of our local governments, in our media, in our conversations. We need to address the root causes, the lack of resources, the systemic poverty, and the lack of understanding of our tribal lands, which do not have a strong public safety infrastructure. It's time to say no more. Not one more life lost. I urge an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Waldron. Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, and to all my relations. A special recognition and thank you to the Assembly Member from San Bernardino area for bringing this very important resolution, ACR 133, once again to the Legislature. In reading the resolution, one of the key things that I think is just important to understand is really the lack of data.

And even the data that does exist is actually only focused on individuals and indigenous women that live on reservations, despite approximately more than 75% of native people living outside in urban areas. Additionally, the resolution speaks about how 27% of missing and murdered indigenous women, the cases are for victims that are 18 years of age and under. Additionally, the average age of a missing and murdered indigenous woman is 29, having not yet, yet even reached 30 years of age.

So, Members, when you see, and we welcome our native and indigenous communities to the Legislature, and as someone who identifies as an indigenous woman from outside of the borders of the United States, I see the women in their beautiful ribbon skirts, and I am also reminded of the beauty of their culture, their resilience, the fact that they are still here.

And we must do everything we can to ensure that moving forward, the data, the systems, the policies that we create move an agenda of justice toward native and indigenous people, to have them be realized. Because they are here, they are with us. They have not gone anywhere, and they are part of our society. And we should honor and respect that. With that, I respectfully request an aye vote on ACR 133. Aho.

Thank you, Assembly Member Carrillo. All debate having ceased, Assembly Member Ramos, would you like to close?

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to all the caucuses who raise their mic and Members who raise their mics to join us in this very much needed time of understanding what's going on in Indian Country. And you can hear the very reason that we bring these issues up is because of the young voices that are yelling out, aho up there. And that's offering up prayer for us in the hopes of moving forward. So give the young people a round of applause there.

We stand today, as a very different legislative body than in 1850, put out bounties on California Indian people, tried to exterminate and created genocide on some tribes here in the State of California. But we're still here in 2024, singing our songs, sharing our tradition. But we also ask that the State of California start to build that mutual respect of understanding, of understanding that we're not going anywhere.

That when we talk about sexual exploitation, that, and we put task force together, that that funding should also go towards California's First People. When we talk about health rights, let's make sure that that also talks about California's First People. We wouldn't even be on this floor today if it wasn't for the territory of the Miwok Nisenan people, whose territory we stand on. It's time that we start to build that recognition and that respect moving forward in the State of California.

I ask for your aye vote in ACR 133, but I ask you also to share the information that you learned here and share it within your community. That California cannot climb the ladder to become number four in all states in the nation of not even investigating murders against Native American people. We need to turn that tide around. And it's with all your support and all the allies here that we're going to be able to do that. I ask for your aye vote for ACR 133 on behalf of the California Indian people. Aho.

Thank you, Assembly Member Ramos, would you like the first roll open for co-authors?

Yes.

Clerk will open the roll. Co-authors. All those vote who desire to vote as a co-author of this resolution. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 70 co-authors added. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. The resolution is adopted. Assembly Member Ramos, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Majority Leader for allowing me to use the podium at her desk. And we have tribal leaders from throughout the state, from northern Yurok to central to Yokuts that are here to Miwoks in this valley and all the way down in Jamul. So this truly is representation of the State of California. As I ask you to join me in welcoming the guests in the gallery, California's First People.

Thank you, Assembly Member Ramos. And welcome. Welcome to your guests.

I want to recognize a guest here on the floor today. Joining us on the floor, my former seatmate for six years, former Assembly Member Ken Cooley, is here with us today. And just to keep you on your toes, we're going to bounce around a little bit in the order here. We're going to move to file item 135, Assembly Bill 1815 by Doctor Weber. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1815 by Assembly Member Weber and others, an act relating to discrimination.

Your attention for Doctor Weber, please. Doctor Weber, you are recognized.

Thank you. Good morning, Mister Speaker and fellow Members. I am here to present AB 1815, an expansion of the original Crown Act of 2019, which prohibited hair discrimination under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Education Code, making it the first law in the nation to prohibit such discrimination. AB 1815 will expand this law to include amateur sports organizations or youth sports organizations and any private entities open to members of the public, whether they are for-profit businesses or nonprofit organizations.

Our hair is a symbol of who we are. People deserve to show up at school, workplace, in the state Legislature, or as a young athlete at sporting events as their whole selves. The cases of hair discrimination in sports around the country are exactly why the California Reparations Task Force made this expansion one of their priority policy recommendations for the Legislature to extend the reach of the original Crown Act to explicitly include competitive sports within California.

This Bill is sponsored by the Western Center Law and Poverty and supported by the California Federation of Teachers, Black Equity Collective, NAACP, and is a Black Caucus priority. Whether it's braids, locks, twists, all forms of natural hair belong in all spaces and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Doctor Weber. Assembly Member Wilson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. Members, I rise in support of AB 1815 on behalf of the California Black legislative caucus. As chair, I am proud to speak to its importance as a part of our 2024 Reparation Package, as well as its significance in advancing racial equity and cultural dignity in California. AB 1815 acknowledges and addresses a legacy of discrimination against Black individuals based on their natural hairstyles is a crucial step in rectifying past injustices as well as historical wrongs.

Natural hairstyles are deeply rooted in the cultural identity of Black people. AB 1815 recognize and respects this cultural heritage, affirming the rights of individuals to wear their hair as they choose without facing any prejudice. This legislation empowers Black individuals to embrace their natural hair textures and styles without fear of reprisal. It promotes self-expression and celebrates the diversity of Black beauty. Hair discrimination not only impacts personal dignity, but also economic opportunities.

This Bill ensures that Black individuals have equal access to employment, education, recreational activities, competitive sports, and advancement, irrespective of their hairstyle. AB 1815 has also garnered support, strong support, from ethnic communities across California. It reflects the caucus's commitment to advocate for the interest of historically marginalized and vulnerable members of California's communities. Members passing AB 1815 will educate the public about the harmful effects of hair discrimination and promote a more inclusive understanding of beauty standards. It's an opportunity to foster empathy and solidarity across racial lines.

With that, the California Legislative Black Caucus respectfully asked for your aye vote on AB 1815.

Thank you, Assembly Member Wilson. 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 64, noes zero. Measure passes. Moving back, without objection, we will now take up file item number eight. AB 2283 by Assembly Member Pacheco. For the purpose of amendments, the Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2283 with amendments by Assembly Member Pacheco.

Assembly Member Pacheco, you are recognized on your amendments.

Good morning, Mister Speaker and Members. Today I present AB 2283 for the purpose of amendments. Amendments added in urgency. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. So, Assemblymember Pacheco, any objection to voice vote on the amendments? Seeing and hearing none. We'll take all of those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The amendments are adopted. The Bill is out to print and back on file. Moving back in file order to file item number 128. AB 2634 by Assemblymember McCarty. You are recognized. Clerk will read first and then you will be recognized.

Assembly Bill 2634 by Assemblymember McCarty and others and accolades.

Mister McCarty, you are recognized.

Thank you Mister Speaker. This is a district Bill. Simply allows our local transit district RT to issue free transit passes for fixed route services for seniors 75 and older, essentially senior passes. This reinstates a prior policy from over a decade ago. This does have a sunset on as well to evaluate its effectiveness. Respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Seeing and hearing no further debate. I'm sorry. My apologies, Mister Hoover. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. I just want to rise and thank my colleague for authoring this legislation. Happy to be a co author. RT is also doing a lot of amazing work, work in our community to invest in new trains that will have lower platforms more easily accessible for our seniors. So just want to say thank you and I happily support this Bill. Thank you, Assemblymember Hoover. 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. I's 67, No's zero measure passes. Moving to file item 130. AB 2370 by assemblymember Cervantes. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2370 by Assemblymember Cervantes an accolade into community colleges. Assembly Members Cervantes, you are recognized.

Assembly Members Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker and Members, the purpose of this Bill is to address the rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence at our community colleges. As with many sectors of our society, we must contend with the target threat of AI replacing human workers. In this case, we are referring to our community college faculty. In May of 2023, the Digital Futures newsletter published by the California Community colleges included an article entitled "Transforming education: the rise of AI in our community colleges."

This article contained a lengthy discussion about how AI could be integrated into community colleges within California, including individualized instruction and tutoring. AB 2370 will help protect faculty by requiring the instructor a record b for community college courses. Be an individual who meets all minimum requirements, qualifications to teach, and serve as faculty librarians or counselors. Determined by the Board of Governors of the California community colleges, this requirement would apply to both credit and non credit courses.

This Bill would also allow for the use of artificial intelligence as a peripheral tool to support faculty in carrying out tasks for uses such as course development. This Bill will ensure that our community college students are provided primary instruction by human instructors. The guardrails provided by this Bill will balance the integration of emerging technology at our community colleges while still protecting faculty. This Bill has enjoyed bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Cervantes. 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. I's 66, No's zero. Measure passes. Moving to file item 138 by. Assembly Bill 1965 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1965 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio and others, an accolade into public health.

Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker and Members for the opportunity to present AB 1965, which establishes the Office of Tribal Health within CDPH. Led by a duly appointed liaison, this measure will promote and coordinate collaborative efforts between the Department and tribal communities to improve the accessibility of quality healthcare. This is modeled after the states such as Nevada and Utah, which have already established liaison roles for federally recognized tribes, recognizing the need to improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.

This measure has enjoyed unanimous bipartisan support and I respectfully ask for 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. I's 67, No's zero. Measure passes. Moving to file item 142, AB 2802 by Assemblymember Maienschein. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2802 by Assemblymember Maienschein and others an accolade into foster youth.

Assemblymember Maienschein, you are recognized.

Thank you Mister Speaker and Members. AB 2802 seeks to create more gender inclusive options for housing arrangements within transitional housing placement programs. Some counties that programs operate in require participants to be of the same gender when sharing a unit or room together. This poses difficulties for gender-expansive youth, co-parents who wish to raise a child together, and siblings who are of different genders.

AB 2802 solves this issue by ensuring participants can share a bedroom or unit with another participant pending the approval of the provider and participant on a case by case basis. I respectfully request your 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. I's 53, No's zero. Measure passes. Moving to file item 147, AB 2039 by Assemblymember Rendon. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2399 by Assemblymember Rendon an accolade to mobile homes.

Assemblymember Rendon, you are recognized.

Thank you Mister Speaker.

AB 2399 adds a provision that contains information on the legal services available to mobile home tenants throughout the Mobile Home Residency Law Protection program to a notice that tenants receive annually. The Bill increases mobile home tenants awareness of their rights and informs them of how these rights can be protected through the program. I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. 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. We'll close the roll and tally the votes. Aye's 50, no's 3 three. Measure passes. Moving to file item 151, AB 3245 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 3245 by Assemblymember Joe Patterson an accolade into healthcare coverage.

Assemblymember Patterson, you are recognized.

Great. Thank you Mister Speaker.

Members, about 10 years ago my friend Justin was diagnosed with colon cancer after fighting to get a screening and you know fortunately, that was right after he celebrated his 40th birthday, by the way, and he just celebrated his 50th birthday, so good news for that. But they found it. He had to fight for it, and they found it pretty late in the process, and he had stage three. What AB 3245 does.

There's some litigation going on in Texas that actually puts coverage of colon, colon, colorectal cancer screenings at risk. And so all my Bill does is ensures if that litigation jeopardizes this, that it continues to be covered and we continue to have these screenings. While my friend Justin had to fight for his screening. Can you imagine if people don't have access to that treatment at all? So because of that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Assembly Member, Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Assembly Member Patterson, for bringing this forward. Many of you in this room know that my daughter battled colon cancer two years ago. And luckily, by early screenings, we found it early on and they removed part of her colon. She continues to profess to people the importance of getting colon testing done. And I just want to advise all of us, we all thought it was when you're an older person, but it happens to very young people as well.

With her knowledge, she's helping a young man right now in Tennessee who has just been diagnosed because he watched all of her videos. So I just want to say, this is really important. It can happen to any one of us. She was only 35 years old, and she's very healthy and she's fine. So thank you very much. Thank you for bringing this forward.

Thank you, Madam Majority leader. 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. Aye's 67, No's zero. Measure passes. Moving to file item 158, AB 2107 by Assembly Member Chen. For the purpose of amendments. Correct. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 2107 with amendments by Assembly Member Chen.

Assembly Member Chen, you are recognized.

The objection will ask for an aye vote for a voice vote on the amendments. All in favor say, with say aye. Opposed No. Measure. The amendments are adopted. Bill is out to print and back on file. Moving to file item 160, HR 92 by Assembly Member Alanis. The Clerk will read.

Thank you, Mister Speaker and Members. These amendments addresses all the concerns of opposition and limits the Bill only to pathologists. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

House Resolution 92 by Assemblymember Alanis.

Relative to Star Wars Day.

Assemblymember Alanis, you are recognized.

Hello there. Thank you. Mister Speaker, today I have the honor and privilege to present HR 92, which commemorates May 4 of 2024 as Star Wars Day. Members, the cultural phenomenon that is Star Wars can be traced back to one man, George Lucas. Mister Lucas was born and raised in Modesto, in my district, where he grew up exploring the film. Many films that he made today that we all know.

One of them, his film, Star Wars: A New Hope, launched what can easily be described as the biggest Sci-Fi fantasy phenomenon in generations. The film was groundbreaking in the scope of the world, and especially the groundbreaking sound and special effects. The magic of Star Wars has touched every aspect of our culture and even the way we talk to each other. You may know the phrase "May the 4th be with you", which has become synonymous with the Star Wars franchise.

This simple yet powerful phrase has transcended its beginnings as a pun into an international celebration. It's a day for fans to come together to share their passions, and to revel in the stories and characters that have defined their lives. It's a day when fans dress up as their favorite characters, engage in lightsaber battles, and discuss the intricate details of the Star Wars universe.

The franchise has grown and evolved over the years, even more so in 2012 when Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise and gave rise to a new and expanding universe with new films, television series, books, and merchandise, creating a Star Wars universe for an entirely new generation of fans. The Star Wars saga has brought together people from all walks of life, breaking down all barriers, and serves as a reminder that despite our differences, we can come together to celebrate a shared love for something greater than ourselves.

With HR 92, today, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Star Wars and the powerful connection it has fostered amongst its fans. My colleagues, Assembly Members Wallace and Waldron, and myself, also informally known as the Wa Caucus, have made this one of our priority bills as well, and we like to thank you and may the force be with you always. And I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Alanis, Assembly Member Jones-Sawyer, you are recognized.

Good morning and I rise in support of HR 92, who recognizes May 4 as Star Wars Day. This is a special significance in my district, which will soon house the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by George Lucas, the creator and Director of Star Wars, and his wife, Melody Hobson. The museum will open next year in 2025 and is a $1 billion project.

And I remember when he and his wife came to my district to discuss bringing the museum here when there was a plethora of other places they could have gone and one of the things that Mister Lucas talked about when I asked him why was this so important that he did this in South Los Angeles is because, yes, this has had critical acclaim and has so many supporters and people who dress up, people who have multiple, not only movies and television series.

But the thing that he was really, really impressed about, that he didn't expect to happen, because this was supposed to be a movie about, you know, fantasy, getting out of where you are. And really entertainment was the number of young people that came up to him later and said because of Star Wars, they became engineers, chemists, scientists, astrophysicists, mathematicians, science teachers, astronomers, AI research scientists, computer scientists, biomedical engineers, astronauts, nuclear technicians, biologists, and yes, robotic engineers.

It spawned a whole group of young people who probably wouldn't have gone into these fields if it had not been for Star Wars. Star Wars did more than just excited our imagination. It excited a whole field of people who probably would not have gotten into this field if it wasn't for this movie. And so I would like to commend my brother over here for bringing this.

And lastly, I must note that George Lucas is a proud Trojan, so respect to my colleague from Modesto, USC was the birthplace of the force. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on HR or HR 92.

Thank you, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. May 4 is a very special day for all Star War fans around the world. It is day that we celebrate the incredible legacy of of one of the most iconic and beloved film franchises in history. As many of you know, the 67th district, my district is the proud home of Disneyland and the many attractions within the park that are based on Star Wars.

As a matter of fact, many of our iron workers built that park, and we're proud that they had a role in building Star Wars. For generations, Star Wars has captivated audiences, whisking us away to galaxies teeming with legendary battles, incredible characters, and the enduring themes of courage, hope, and resilience of the human spirit. The Star Wars franchise not only entertains us, but also inspires us to be our best selves.

From the iconic heroism of Luke Skywalker to the unwavering leadership of Princess Layla Organa, Star Wars gives fans a rich tapestry of role models who embody the virtues of dedication, compassion, selflessness, and love. Who could forget these quotes about love? "I love you to the stars and back." "I'm lost without you" and "I would search the galaxy for you." So today, on this Star Wars Day, I invite all of my fellow colleagues to join me in celebrating the incredible legacy of this beloved franchise.

Happy Star Wars Day, and may the force be with you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. Assemblymember Alanis, co-authors do you wish us to vote on?

With that, we will open the roll for co-authors. All those who wish to vote as a co-author, please vote. All those vote who desire to vote as a co-author, all those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the vote. There are 64 co-authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution.

Yes, please. It is the way.

All those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The Aye's have it. The resolution is adopted and Assemblymember, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. I am honored today to welcome in the gallery the Stormtroopers with the Central California Garrison of the 501st Legion, an all volunteer organization who for the last 20 years has entertained the region through community involvement and service in celebrating the Star Wars franchise and is a part of the larger International 501 Legion, also known as Vader's fist.

Please help me in welcoming the mighty, the menacing and esteemed stormtroopers of the Central California garrison of the 501st Legion. And also, if I can, after the end of floor session, please, we're going to be taking pictures, so stick around and bring your staff in as well, and I appreciate it.

Thank you. Assemblymember. Welcome to your guests. Moving to Senate third reading pass and retain on file items 164 through 166. Members, we're now ready to move to the second-day consent calendar.

Before we vote, we'll first take up resolutions on the consent calendar for the purpose purpose of adding co-authors a Clerk will read the resolutions on the consent calendar.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 by Assemblymember Villapudua relative to negotiating fasciitis awareness month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 184 by Assemblymember Bains relative to Older Americans Month. House Resolution 95 by Assemblymember Gabriel relative to education and Sharing Day California. And House Resolution 98 by Assemblymember Alvarez relative to bilingual and multilingual learner advocacy month.

Clerk will now open the roll to allow any Member to add on as a co-author to the resolutions. All those vote who desire to vote. Members this is for co-authors.

All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. There are 63 co-authors added. The Clerk will close the roll. There are 63 co-authors added. Moving to a vote on the consent calendar, we have removed file item 175. We will pass and retain on item 211 and 213.

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 3284 by the Committee on Elections an accolade into Elections.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All those vote who desire to vote. On the consent calendar, all those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote.

The Clerk will close the roll and tally the vote. Aye's 69, No's zero. Clerk, measure passes. Members without objection, the quorum call is lifted. Please take your conversations off the floor. I'm sorry. Hang on, hang on. I thought he was just one. Members, my apologies. I'm going to back up for a second, moving back to the Clerk to read the additional items on the consent calendar.

Assembly Bill 1774. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1824. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1902. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1918. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1954. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1977. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 1988. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2111. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2129. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2213. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2261. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2270. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2337. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2346. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2377. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2422. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2496. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2503. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2556. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2581. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2610, with urgency. Aye's 69, No's zero and Aye's 69, No's zero on the urgency. Assembly Bill 2628. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2731. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2771. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2835. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2918. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2932. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2985. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 3017. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 3063, with urgency. Aye's 69, No's zero on the Bill. Aye's 69, No's zero on the urgency. Assembly Bill 3092. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 3119. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 3193. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2521. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2553. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2579. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2593. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 3057. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Bill 2482. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129. Aye's 69, No's zero. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 184. Aye's 69, No's zero. House Resolution 95. Aye's 69, No's zero. And House Resolution 98. Aye's 69, No's zero.

Members, please give your respectful permission or attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory.

Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized. Members, please take your conversations all off the floor. Assembly Member Soria, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Good morning, Mister speaker and Members. Today I rise to adjourn in the memory of James Taubert, also known as Jim. Jim unexpectedly passed away on March 20, 2024 at the age of 71 years old. He passed away on the day of his late mother's birthday and the day after his wedding anniversary to wife Marty of 41 years. Since arriving in 1981, Jim was a strong champion for the City of Madera.

He was a former Executive Director of the redevelopment agency, where he would lead efforts to make Madera a better place for generations to come. He was focused in making sure we built affordable housing and converted many vacant parcels into commercial development. He had a major role in Madera County's economic turnaround during his time as the Executive Director. Jim's leadership and success helped diversify Madera's economy beyond agriculture.

This was vital to push Madera forward, and he was able to bring back hundreds of jobs back to the community. His impact was felt across our valley. Jim also served as the interim Executive Director of the Housing Authority. In 2016, Jim also received the Madera Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement award. Jim is survived by his wife, Marty, his children, Jared, Courtney, Cameron, grandchildren Dominic, Jackson, Kiara, Reagan, and his sisters, Cheryl, Joanie, and Candy.

Madera is recognized across the state and country due to Jim's commitment and hard work on behalf of our community. Jim once said, Madeira got into my blood. I've had opportunities to go to other places, but I wanted to stay here. The Madera community will dearly miss Jim and his impact will live on. I ask that we adjourn in his memory.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria. Speaker Emeritus Rendon, you are recognized for your adjournment memory.

Thank you, Mister Speaker and Members. I ask that we adjourn in memory of Marjorie Perloff. Marjorie Perloff was born Gabrielle Minsk in Vienna in September of 1931, when she was six and a half years old, she looked out the front window of her home and saw as Nazis marched into her hometown. She and her family boarded a train about a week later. Their first stop was Zurich, Switzerland. They went to Belgium.

They went to Rotterdam. They ended up in England, and then finally in the United States. When Marjorie, when Gabrielle got here, the first thing she did was to change her name to Marjorie, which was common back then for Jewish families. Later, she got married and her last name became Perlof. She says in her biography, when someone calls me by name, it doesn't feel like they're talking about me. It feels like they're talking about somebody else.

Marjorie did something that was very uncommon for women in her generation. She went to college, she got a PhD. She did something that's even more uncommon. She studied poetry. And even more uncommonly, she studied avant garde poetry. She studied the dadaists, she studied the futurists. She studied poets who did everything they possibly could to not be understood. And that was her job, was to explain these very difficult poets and these very difficult poems to the entire world.

And she did it with incredible distinction, no one else. She has no peer. She had a tremendous influence on 2-3 generations of scholars and intellectuals and people who love poetry. When I was writing my doctoral dissertation in May of 1999, I was completely stumped, thought about giving up. And I read a book that she wrote called the Futurist Moment, where she implored all of us to stop thinking about art in terms of movements and to start thinking about art in terms of moments.

That what artists do is they react to economics, to society, to psychology, to everything that's happening in these sort of spectral moments that intersect. And that's what they're reacting to. They're not reacting to a fixed ideology or some school that they supposedly belong to. When I read that, it not only unlocked a lot of doors for me and allowed me to finish my dissertation six months later, but it completely changed my view about history, about governments, about relationships, about the entire world.

When I became speaker in 2016, I asked my staff to follow, find out if she was still around. I knew she'd be in her eighties if she were. She was not only around, but she was living in Los Angeles. She was living in Pacific Palisades. About a week later, I knocked on her door. I've never been so nervous in my life.

I went into her library, and she was there staring at me, trying to figure out what an Assemblymember was and why a politician would want to waste her time. And so we just did the only thing we had in common was poetry. We talked about poetry for about 3 hours that day. And I probably visited her 20 or 30 times over the last seven years, spent 100 hours in that magical back library of hers talking about poetry. It was never comfortable.

She was always the Professor. She was always. She would ask me who I was reading. I would say, Gertrude Stein. She'd say, she's a fine poet. She'd say, what Stein are you reading? I would tell her. She'd say, good, you're reading one of her least challenging works, and then she would give me something tougher to read. I once asked her about the great debate in academia about studying the classics. I said, should we study the classics?

Some people say that, you know, they're foundational and we have to study the classics. Other people say they're just dead white males. There's no reason to study them. And she said, no, we should not study them. And I said, why? I thought, you know, she. I said, you must agree with the feminist critique. You must agree with the postcolonial critique. She said, no, that's all garbage, too.

She said, I don't think we should read the classics because they're not good enough, because they're not beautiful enough. Her entire life was about the pursuit of beauty. And for her, beauty was always linked to the avant garde. It was always linked to making sure that something that was written was outside the power structure, and that something was ultimately different and unique. She was so special in that way. My last lunch with her was scheduled for March 27. It was on my calendar.

I was very excited about it. On March 22, 5 days before I found out she had died that night, I talked about her looking out of her window and seeing Nazis march down the street. I went to that home on New Year's Day, 2019, New Year's morning. You could imagine the state I was in New Year's morning at, like, 8:00 a.m.? Right?

I stood out in front of her home, the same home that she grew up as a kid, the same home where she looked out and saw Nazis marching down the street. And remember my wife saying to me, we're going to have a baby this year. And the only thing I said to her was, I hope it's a girl, and I hope we name her Vienna. So there was always this link between Marjorie and my daughter.

So on the night that I found out she died, I pulled her biography off of my shelf. It was a biography that she gave me, and I laid down next to my daughter, and I read her biography. It took about 4 hours. I read it cover to cover, and I found a quote that I had never read the biography five times, and I had never seen this quote. She said, to be alive is to be part of the whirlpool.

To be alive is to be vaccinated by flames. Marjorie's entire life was about that whirlpool. It was about bringing us into the whirlpool and teaching us that poetry and culture and art is an incredible part of that whirlpool. But she knew a tremendous amount of pain, too. She got on that train and fled Vienna. But she had an uncle who had to cross walk across two mountains. And she had family Members who died in concentration camps. And she understood the flames.

She understood that the flames impact us in a very real way. And she understood that poetry and that art had to be about everything. It had to be about the pain and the anguish, as well as that beauty that she was always pursuing. So I ask that we adjourn her memory today. Thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember Rendon. 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. The session schedule is as follows. Friday, May 3. No floor session, no check in session. Monday, May 6, floor session at 01:00 p.m. All other items 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. Mister Muratsuchi moves.

Miss Waldron, seconds that this house stand adjourned until Monday, May 6, at 01:00 p.m. The house is adjourned.