Assembly Floor

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for the prayer and the flag salute. Today's prayer will be offered by our Assembly chaplain, Imam Yasir Khan.

In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful, Almighty God. As we gather in this Assembly, we call upon your presence and guidance. Grant us clarity of mind to discern the path of justice, compassion in our hearts to serve with kindness, and strength of spirit to lead with integrity.

May our interactions be filled with understanding and respect. Bridging divides. Bridging divides and fostering unity. Bless our endeavors with wisdom and humility that we may work together for the betterment of our community and the greater good of all. In your eternal grace, we place our trust. Amen.

Thank you. Assemblymember Santiago will lead us in the pledge.

Please, members. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Assembly met at 9:00 a.m. The Honorable Jim Wood.

Ms. Aguiar-Curry moves, Mr. Flora seconds that the reading of the previous day's g1eneral be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions, there are none. Introduction in reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none. Moving to motions and resolutions, the absences for the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymember Schiavo and Irwin to speak on adjournment in memory today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assemblymember Schiavo 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 739, Ashby, from the Rules Committee to the Local Government Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Moving to our guest introductions and announcements. Just want to acknowledge we had a new addition to our on-time caucus today. We now have both Assembly members Carrillo that are members of the on-time caucus, recognizing Assemblymember Juan Carrillo as a founding member and a new member as Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo.

So thank you. Appreciate that. Still plenty of room in the on-time caucus. And also just a note of serious importance, today is National Beef Brisket Day for all those who like beef brisket. And now we will move to Assemblymember Lackey. Your attention please, to Assemblymember Lackey as he introduces his guests.

All right, Mr. Speaker. Members, if I could have you guys please stand. In the Assembly, we have 14 Cadet Corps members and three chaperones. The Cadet Corps has been developing leaders for about 113 years. In the last five years, this group right here have grown and learned very valuable lessons. They're trained in CERT as medics, CPR, marksmanship, drones, as well as military drill and leadership. And I ask that you join me in welcoming the Roseman High School Cadet Corps.

Thank you, Mr. Lackey. Welcome to the cadets. Hope you enjoy your day here. We're now moving to business on the daily file. Under reconsideration, all items shall be continued. Moving to Assembly third reading. Moving to file item four, AJR 13 by Assemblymember Santiago. The clerk will read.

Assembly Joint Resolution 13 by Assemblymember Santiago, relative to post-secondary education.

Assemblymember Santiago, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AJR 13, which urges the United States Congress to pass the Upskilling and Restraining Assistance Act and the Upward Mobility Enhancement Act. These pieces of legislation amend the Internal Revenue Code to enable employers to offer tuition and education assistance benefits without penalizing employees when they file their taxes. Tuition assistance programs eliminate barriers for working students who pursue education and training and will help, and this will help modernize and upskill our workforce. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing and hearing no further debate on this item, would you like co-authors on your resolution? Mr. Santiago is asking for co-authors, so the clerk will open the roll. Co-authors on the resolution. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote as a co-author on the resolution. We'll close the roll and tally the votes. There are 45 co-authors added. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on. I'm sorry. This is a roll call vote. My apologies. Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote on the resolution. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote, vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 49, noes zero, measure passes. Moving to file item six, ACR 193 by Mr. Bryan, presenting for amendments today by Assemblymember Hart. Clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193 with amendments by Assemblymember Hart.

Mr. Hart, you are recognized.

Thank youm Mr. Speaker and members. These amendments will clarify and align the resolution language with the concurrent Senate resolution. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. Hart. Seeing and hearing no objection, without objection, we will take a voice vote on the amendments. All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. Amendments are adopted, out to print, and back on file. Moving to file item 12, ACR 177 by Assemblymember Ward. The clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 177 by Assembly Member Ward relative to 529 College Savings Day.

Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized.

Thank you, mister speaker. Members, I rise today to present ACR 177 recognizing 529 College Savings Day to help raise awareness across the country of the importance of saving for college. College savings plans such as the scholarshare 529 college savings plan can help families limit or eliminate future student loan debt by helping them save for future higher education expenses.

Today, nearly 63% of all federal financial aid is in the form of loans, substantially increasing the number of college graduates who will face the burden of repaying significant student loan debt upon entering the workforce.

The scholarshare 529 College savings plan has helped students meet their higher education goals with nearly $1 billion withdrawn in 2023 alone for qualified higher education expenses and funds distributed directly to over 1100 colleges and universities. The contributions families make today pay off in the form of an increased earning potential for their children in the future.

It is also important to celebrate the scholarshare 529 College Savings Plan is celebrating its 25th anniversary serving as California's official state-sponsored college savings plan since its launch in 1999. With that, I ask that you join me in supporting ACR 177 to officially recognize tomorrow, May 29 as College Savings Day and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Seeing and hearing no further debate, are you asking for co authors as well? Mister Ward yes, please. Mister Ward would like co authors. If anybody would like to add on. So the Clerk will open the roll for co authors for the resolution. All those vote who desire to vote as a co author of the resolution.

All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote as a co author, Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. There are 59 co authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it and resolution is adopted.

Backing up quickly. I skipped over reconsideration. All items shall be continued. We will now move to Senate third reading file item 19, SB 632. Senator Caballero by assemblymember Blanca Rubio. Amendments, the Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 632 with amendments by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio.

Assemblymember Rubio.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. On behalf of Senator Caballero, I rise to present amendments to SB 632. These amendments strike the current content of the measure and instead establish a pilot program relating to Red Rock Canyon State Park. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the amendments. All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The amendments are adopted out to print back on file. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, I'm referring item 19, SB 632 to Water Parks and Wildlife Committee and the Transportation Committee. We're now moving to a vote on the consent calendar file item 20. 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.

Now, moving to a vote on the consent calendar. File item 20. 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 Concurrent Resolution 191 by Assemblymember Bonta and others, relating to Black Lives Matter Month.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote on the consent calendar, all those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 52 noes one consent calendar passes is adopted.

Members, the quorum call is still in place. We ask that you give your respectful attention those who were granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory. If you need to have a conversation, please take it off the floor. If you need to have a conversation, please take your conversations off the floor.

Quorum call is in place. Please give your respectful attention to assemblymember Schiavo.

Okay, thank you. Mister speaker and members, I raised today to ask that we adjourn in the memory of Jerry Ann Boyd. Jerry was a constituent in my district who touched the lives of many in the Santa Clarita Valley community and beyond.

Jerry had a full life as an attorney and mother before moving to Assembly District 40 in 2004, where she made her home in the valley. But her impact far surpassed her years here, engaging actively in community events and issues she was passionate about, Jerry became a pillar of support for civic engagement groups.

Always eager to lend her voice and energy to causes she believed in. Her commitment to democracy was so evident, and her roots run deep within the hearts of many, nurturing the community's growth of activism and advocacy. And what became a symbol for that activism and democracy.

The great oak in her backyard, where many groups met and first started their plans, became to be what we know as today, the democracy tree, which has even been the subject of local poems. Jerry's candid nature, often described as a shoot from the hip, endeared her to countless friends and colleagues, and I can vouch for that candid nature. She didn't actually support me when I first ran, but luckily she came around and eventually did.

But, you know, people really admired her honesty and found it not only refreshing but also a testament to her integrity and genuine character. Amidst the challenges of political discourse, Gerry remained steadfast in her convictions, earning the respect and admiration of those who worked with her.

As our community celebrates Jerry's life, I know she will be remembered as a beacon of strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication to make a difference. Though she may no longer walk amongst us, her spirit lives on in the memories shared by her loving friends and countless lives she touched.

She is survived by her three sons, Dennis, Michael, and Joshua, with Joshua joining us in the gallery today or in the back of the chambers. I'm sorry. Two daughters-in-law, Laurie and Mia, and four grandchildren, Troy, Rachel, Jacob, and Emily. Jerry passed on February 14, which seems fitting, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

And Jerry's legacy will live forever be entwined with the ideals of our community, democracy, and the power of one individual to inspire change. I ask that we adjourn in the memory of Jerry Boyd today. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Mayor Schiavo, and welcome. And sorry for your loss. Moving to Assembly Member Irwin. You are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

It is with profound sadness that I rise to acknowledge the sudden and untimely passing of TV news icon Sam Rubin. As one of the anchors of the KTLA news team, Sam's infectious charm and clearly recognizable voice was a staple to so many who looked forward to his entertainment reporting. Sam was born in San Diego on February in February 1960.

He attended high school in Los Angeles and graduated from Occidental College with a degree in American studies and rhetoric. He spent the late 1890s, 1980s launching his career as an entertainment reporter, but his career really took off after joining the KTLA news team in 1991.

Over the years, Sam conducted hundreds of interviews with A-list celebrities and developed the characteristic humor that he would be known for. His colleagues referred to him as the godfather of entertainment news.

During his 30-plus years at KTLA, Sam accumulated a number of accolades to include three ME awards, a Golden Mike Award for Best Entertainment Reporter, a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association, and was named the Best Entertainment Reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.

Sam had the honor of hosting the Critics Choice Movie Awards and served as a longtime member of the board of directors of that organization. His talents didn't stop at reporting entertainment. He also authored biographies on former First Lady Jacqueline Onassis and Mia Farrow.

Following his passing, the public joined the news and entertainment community in expressing its profound sense of loss of this true entertainment icon. Sam leaves behind his wife, Leslie, and their four children, Perry, Roy, Darcy, and Colby. I ask that we adjourn in the memory of Sam Rubin.

Thank you, Assembly Member Irwin. 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. Session schedule is as Wednesday, May 29, check-in session Thursday, May 30, floor session at 09:00 a.m.

All other items remaining will be passed and retained. All motions will be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business. I'm ready to entertain a motion. Miss Aguiar Curry moves, Mister Lackey seconds that the floor stands adjourned until Thursday, May 30 at 09:00 a.m. the quorum call is lifted and the house is adjourned.