Senate Floor

Good afternoon, members. The Senate will call to order. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Good afternoon, members. We do have a quorum. Could I ask the members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery to please rise? We will be led in prayer this afternoon by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Sister Michelle.

So we center ourselves in the presence of the holy, merciful, and healing God. Today we share in the longings of Langston Hughes's poem, I dream a world. I dream a world where all no other one will scorn. Where love will bless the Earth and peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom's way. Where greed no longer saps the soul. Nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be will share the bounties of the earth, and everyone is free.

Where wretchedness will hang its head and joy, like a pearl, attends the needs of humankind. Of such I dream my world. Loving God, may we continue to work for such a dream. Amen.

Members, please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Members without objection. Members without objection, senate rule 55 will be suspended to allow guests on the floor for today's session. And I see a few of them here. Welcome to the Senate, members.

We are going to begin with privileges of the floor, please. Let's get our attention here. We're going to introduce our good Senator from Napa, Senator Dodd, at the majority leader's desk. Members, please give him your attention. Senator Dodd.

Well, members and guests, thank you very, very much for allowing me the privilege of being able to bring my family to the floor. This is the only date for the rest of our term, until September 1, that we could all make it.

And I'm just so proud that all 13 of my grandchildren, all five of my kids and four of their spouses are here with me today in the chamber. And I know nine of these grandchildren were born while we were in session. And I think some people say, oh, yeah, there that goes. Died again.

Bragging about having another grandchild brought into the world. And I got to compete with my friends from Bakersfield and from Orange County and other parts, but it's been really fun. They haven't all been up here to be able to meet. These are my colleagues.

I love these people so much, and it's just been an incredible pleasure over 10 years to be able to work with all these Senators. And with that, I am going to name them all. First of all, it doesn't happen. None of this happens without marrying my wife, Mary.

We waived my son Jeff, his wife Kelly, and then we have Hal and Casey, and the new one, Betty. Eight months ago, I introduced her on the floor. And then we have my son Brian, his wife Olivia, and we have Emma, and we have Everett, and we have Rosie right there, buddy. Nice job. Okay.

Them were my daughter Bridget and her husband Kale. Know what? Their son Kale. I knew I was gonna screw this up. Their son Kale. And the Hickman girls, as I call them, Elsie, Mary and Heather. And then we have George and her husband Andrew, and we have William. We call him Liam. And Josie right here.

And then we have my son Bobby. Where are you, Bobby? And his son Eldon. That's it. Thank you very much.

Welcome to the entire Dodd family. We got the holiday picture happening right here. All right. Wow. Well, that was a lot of votes. No wonder Senator Dodd got elected. All right, we want to next introduce Senator Stern at the majority leader's desk. Senator Stern.

Thank you, Mister President. As the lone Portuguese American here, maybe some of you didn't realize that that's half my family. Yes, the Matto's family. All the way back to Hayward in 18 hundreds.

And an interesting hidden history of my own that leads all the way back to the Azores, as Jews who were, in fact hidden and escaped during the inquisition, somehow made it through Brazil and all the way up to this country.

I'm so proud to have the honor today to introduce to us the Vice President of the Azores, which is a semi autonomous region, not unlike California, of Portugal.

Mister Artur Lima, he's back here in California in part to celebrate his June, which is Portuguese heritage, Portuguese Heritage Month, and to continue to foster the relationship between the Azores and California.

We sent a delegation there a few years back, and they have tremendous resources, whether it comes to climate research and oceanographic research, renewable energy work, a work in agriculture.

We're tremendously grateful that they've come to California through quite a saga of travel, but he's made it, and he's on the floor here with Mister Dinesh Borges, President of the California Portuguese American coalition. And I'd also additionally like to recognize a group of our Portuguese Californians who are here in the capital, here to join the Vice President.

So members, please give a warm Senate welcome here to Vice President Lima and the members of the Portuguese American community.

Welcome to the California State Senate. Members, we have another special guest here on our Senate Floor. We're going to turn to our esteemed Senator from Fullerton, Senator Newman, for purposes of introduction.

Thank you, Mister President. I'm joined today by one of my most influential constituents who took time out of her busy schedule to spend some time with us. She is a future teacher, marine biologist, dog trainer, cake decorator, architect, Olympic swimmer, figure skater, ice hockey player and professional skier. With that, please give a warm California welcome to Miss Cecily Newman.

Welcome, Cecily Newman. Welcome to the California State Senate. We'd like to now turn to our good Senator from Los Angeles, Senator Durazo, for purposes of introduction. Senator Durazo.

Thank you Mister President. Colleagues and guests. We are joined by special guest Mister Anthony Wright and his family, including his wife Jessica and son Jefferson. Are they here? We are here to thank Mister Wright for his tremendous contributions towards expanding and preserving access to healthcare for millions of Californians.

He served as the Executive Director of Health Access California for 22 years. During his tenure, Health Access has served as a critical advocacy group in helping secure several healthcare reforms, patient protections, investments in public health care, cost containment and coverage expansion.

In these efforts, Mister Wright has remained a relentless consumer advocate, inclusive community organizer, and a peer public servant whom has been guided by the North Star that all Californians, regardless of background or any other aspect in lives, have access to a fundamental, basic human right and higher quality of life.

Fundamentally, he believes in fights to realize an equitable, affordable and accessible healthcare system for all people. On a point of personal privilege. I want to thank Anthony for his contributions to the Health for All campaign where my office partnered with him and a huge coalition to expand Medi-Cal access to income-eligible Californians, regardless of status. This ambitious trailblazing effort would not have been realized without the dedication and the work that Mister Wright provided.

It is bittersweet that we are acknowledging Mister Wright here because after 22 years he has been called to serve in Washington DC, where he will continue his professional life work fighting for healthcare access to all families at the national level. As the incoming Executive Director of Families USA.

It's a tremendous loss to the State of California, but I hope you all join me in thanking Mister Wright for these contributions to so many in California. Wish him and his family all the best on their new endeavors in the nation's capital. Felicidades, Anthony y buena suerte.

We have another Senator that wants to be recognized on this introduction, Mister Wright. Hang on 1 second. We want to recognize Senator Hurtado.

Thank you Mister President. I also rise in recognition of Mister Anthony Wright. For many of you that don't know this, but long before I was a little, before I was state Senator, back in 2018, I used to have the honor of working for Anthony Wright with Health Access.

And you know, if you ask someone what makes a great leader, I would say that one of the qualities is being a good listener. And I have to say that Anthony was that and much more.

He was a good listener, always available to anyone and everyone that was part of his team and he was working and organizing statewide. I know that when I came on board it was the first position in the Central Valley so there was a lot of learning that occurred, but he was extremely open to it.

He was about providing access to healthcare and improving the lives of people not just in my central valley, but beyond. And so he was a great listener, a great advocate. And I wish you and your family the best. And we will miss you, but I know that you'll always be around.

Thank you, Senator Hurtado. Mister Wright, congratulations on your many years of fine service to our state and we wish you well with your future endeavors. Thank you for being here. Members, we have one more special introduction of our former speaker of the Assembly. We're going to defer that for a few minutes until his arrival.

We'll move ahead with our agenda. Messages from the Governor will be deemed ready. Messages from the assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted.

Moving next to motions, resolutions and notices without objection, the Senate Journal for June 17, 2024 through June 20, 2024 will be approved as corrected by the minute Clerk. There are floor amendments at the desk. They'll be deemed adopted. I want to next recognize our majority leader, Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you Mister presiding officer. I move joint rule 62 A to be waived for the following committees to meet and hear bills without sufficient notice in the Senate Daily file. One housing Committee to hear AB 2579 today, June 24, 2024, two AG Committee to hear AB 2113 tomorrow, June 25, 3rd local gov to hear ACA 10 and AB 2813 on Wednesday June 26 and Appropriations Committee to hear the bills listed as above as well.

ACA eight, AB 628, AB 2288, AB 2927 and AB 1935. Thank you.

Senator Gonzalez says move to wave rule 62 A, Senator Seyarto.

We object to these last-minute rule waivers and kindly ask for a no vote.

All right, so we will take a roll call vote on this scene. No microphones up. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 30 in favor, six against, the motion is adopted. Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mister presiding officer. I move all measures reported by the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 to be given a second reading upon being reported and ordered to the third reading.

Senator Gonzalez has made such a motion. Senator Seyarto.

Yes. We object to these as well, these rule waivers as well, and simply ask for a new vote.

Is there any objection to using the previous vote? Roll call vote? Any objection? All right, eyes 30, no, six. That motion is adopted.

Members, we're going to move next to consideration of the daily file. The second reading file Clerk, please read.

Assembly Bill 3220 with amendments, 1818 with amendments 2357 with amendments 1984, with amendments 2062, with amendments 2993 with amendments 26.

2nd reading file will be deemed completed. We're going to move next to governor's appointments. First up is file item 21. Senator Grove is presenting. Senator Grove, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, today, file item 21 is a confirmation of Jared Patton as the Director of California Conservation Corps. Prior to his appointment, he was served as the regional Deputy Director for Northern California Conservation Corps.

He has a heart and a passion for youth and what the corps actually does to help and benefit the State of California. He was approved by the Rules Committee on June 5 on a 50 vote. I respectfully asks for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Grove. Any discussion or debate on this nomination? Any discussion or debate? Seeing none. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove moves a call. We're gonna move next to file item 23, Senator Grove.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, file item 23 is the confirmation of Chika Sunquist, for appointment to the real estate Commissioner for the Department of Real Estate. Miss Sunquist has had nearly two decades of a career in the Department. Most recently serving as a Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement.

She was approved by the Rules Committee on June 12 on a 5-0 vote. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Grove. Any discussion on this nomination? Any further discussion on this nomination? Seeing none. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove moves the call. We're gonna move next to file item 25. Senator Grove is presenting.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, file item 25 is a confirmation of the following appointees. Rajesh Patel, Frank Ramirez and Peter Santillan for the Building Standards Committee Commission. Brenda Davis for the reappointment of the California Horse Racing Board, and Rebecca Foster and Dave Rand for reappointment to the Housing Partnership Corporation board of directors.

All these appointees were approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote on July or. Excuse me, June 12. I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Grove. Any discussion on these nominations? Any discussion on these nominations? Seeing none, secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Call the absent members one last time, please.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 38 to zero, the nominations are confirmed.

All right, we're going to lift the calls on file item 21. Secretary, please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

Vote of 38 to zero, the nomination is confirmed. We'll lift the call on file item 23. Secretary, please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 38 to zero, the nominee is confirmed. Members, we're going to move next to Senate third reading. We have five measures coming before the the body here this afternoon. Five measures. We're going to begin with file item 39. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 132 by Senator Seyarto, relative to Hire a Veteran Day.

Senator Seyarto, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President and members, I rise to present SCR 132. Each year, 200,000 service members leave the armed services and become veterans. And that transition from military to civilian work has many challenges.

California is home to nearly 2 million veterans, and our state's homeless veteran population makes up about 31% of the entire nation's homeless population. Veterans 35 to 64 years of age are consistently at higher levels of unemployment in California.

Finding and competing for civilian positions can be very difficult, a very difficult transition for veterans, but they bring competitive skills and core values like loyalty, hard work, integrity, and respect. Veterans are also a great asset in the workplace, many of them technical experts in their field, and possess leadership and team experience that proves invaluable upon reentry into the civilian workforce.

In 2021, nearly 38% of Californian veterans held a bachelor's degree or higher, and that's not counting all those that hold vocational certificates and diplomas, adding to our professional services, vocational trade, workforces, and beyond. National Hire a Veteran Day was created in 2017 as a call to action for companies to encourage veteran job applicants.

SCR 132 establishes July 25, 2024 as Hire a Veteran Day in California to remind employers that American Veterans are ready, able, and willing to work. Hire a Veteran Day honors veterans who have sacrificed for the United States and reminds job seekers and job creators about the value of hiring a veteran in California. Members, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Seyarto. Any discussion on this resolution? Any further discussion? Seeing none, this is eligible for a unanimous roll call. Without objection, aye's 38, noes zero. The resolution is adopted. We're going to move next to file item 44. Secretary, please read.

Senate Joint Resolution 17 by Senator Allen, relative to the Sáttítla and Kw'tsán National Monument.

Presenting on behalf of Senator Allen, Senator Padilla.

Thank you, Mister President and members, on behalf of my colleague from Santa Monica, I rise to present SJR 17 a resolution urging the Biden Administration to establish national monuments to permanently protect the Sáttítla and Kw'tsán lands.

The proposed monuments include the Pit River Tribe's ancestral homelands in Sáttítla and Medicine Lake Highlands, as well as the cultural homelands of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe. The permanent protection of these regions will represent hundreds of thousands of acres of additional conservation that are critical to meeting our 30 by 30 goals and protecting our endangered biodiversity.

In addition to irreplaceable plant and animal life, these lands house the indelible marks the physical, cultural, and spiritual history of our state's indigenous populations. The tribal leadership on the issue of land conservation across California set an example for the state government as well as our federal partners.

The Biden Administration has taken important steps toward conservation, such as the recent expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain national monuments, but we must keep making progress. Members, please join me and urging the Administration to continue this important work of conservation, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Padilla. Any further discussion on this resolution? This could be eligible for unanimous roll call. All right, secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 37 to zero, the motion is adopted. Excuse me. The measure passes. We're going to move next to file item 45. Senate Bill 1481 by Senator Caballero. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 1481 by Senator Caballero, an act relating to the payment of claims against the state, making an appropriation, therefore, and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator Caballero, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President and members. SB 1481 is the second of two bills carried by the chairs of the Appropriations Committee to provide payment authority for legal claims approved by the Attorney General and the Department of Finance.

This urgency measure appropriates $19.3 million from the General Fund for the payment of claims against the state arising from five specified cases as identified in approved settlement agreements. These claims are binding state obligations, and failure to approve payment for these claims would result in additional litigation in state costs. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Caballero, any discussion or debate on this measure? Any discussion or debate? Seeing none, secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

That's a vote of 32 to zero on the urgency. 32 to zero on the measure. Members, we are going to move back to privileges of the floor. But first, on behalf of Senator Bradford, let me introduce some special guests that are here in the chamber.

I want to recognize up in the gallery, I believe former Assemblymember Rusty Arias and Gary Condit, you're up there. We welcome you here on the floor.

Here on the floor, we have with us our Congressman Jim Costa, former Assembly speaker and Senator Robert Hertzberg, former Assemblymember Paul Horcher, former Senate President Pro Tem Assembly Member and Attorney General, esteemed Bill Lockyer, former Assemblymember Sonny Mojonnier and former state Assembly Member, Senator and state Superintendent Jack O'Connell. Welcome to the Senate, Members.

And we will now turn to our good Senator Bradford at the majority leader's desk for purposes of introduction.

Thank you, Mister President. And it's truly my distinction, honor to introduce someone who really needs no introduction, whose reputation precedes themselves. An individual who embodies statesmanship, leadership, collaboration, bipartisan leadership here in the State of California. An individual who is known for his oratorio splendor and his sartorial excellence. None other than speaker emeritus Willie Lewis Brown Jr.

The very first African American speaker of the California State Assembly and the first African American mayor of the City of San Francisco is referred to as the King Kong of California politics. Mister Brown continues to have a long and legendary career. Mister Brown was born in Mineola, Texas, a very humble beginnings.

And he learned his tremendous work ethic from his grandmother. His first job as a young boy was shining shoes in a white-only barber shop. He later went on to work as a janitor, a fry cook in a field handle. And upon graduating from high school, he decided to move to California, to San Francisco, to look for a better opportunity. It was his intentions to go to Stanford, but they didn't accept him in Stanford.

But lucky for Mister Brown, the individual who was on the interviewing panel strongly recommended him for San Francisco State, where he went on to graduate there, establish himself on-campus activities and then went on to get a law degree. And as you talked to Mister Brown, his intentions never was to be a lawyer.

It was to be a math teacher. And one of the reasons he enrolled in law school was to avoid the draft. And he graduated from Hastings Law School and quickly opened a law practice. And he represented pimps, prostitutes and other clients that more prominent law firms didn't want to have anything to do with.

It was through this activity that he garnered his strong passion for civil rights, equality, and making sure that people represented and underdogs had a voice. He was then he sought elected official office, I should say. And 1962, he was unsuccessful. But a pastor raised money for him. All of a whopping $700 for his campaign in the church.

Passing a hat, I mean, that was a lot back then. And later ran two years later and was successfully elected to the California Assembly in 1964. And his tenure, as we all know, spanned seven governors, from Governor Pete Pat Brown to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mister Brown, as we all know, holds the record for the longest-serving speaker in state history. And under current term limits, we know that will never be broken. And fortunately, and unfortunately, he's the reason why we have term limits today. Because they didn't know how to beat Willie Brown.

So they chose to pass term limits and end their own careers to just to diminish what he was doing. During his tenure in the legislature, Mister Brown left his mark on every aspect of public policy impacting California.

His leadership resulted in legislation that banned semi-automatic weapons, gained state divestment from South Africa, ended to criminalization of homosexuality, and created greater stability in our education system through the school finance reform. He also helped establish the legislative black caucus and all the other ethnic caucuses that exist today in the legislature due to his tremendous leadership.

And 30 years after leaving the assembly, his impact is still felt and seen today based on the number of staff people who still work in this building, or the number of individuals who are across the street as lobbyists, as consultants, or government relations individuals.

And I can go on and on and on about those individuals and what they do and the impact Mister Brown had on their careers. Following his role as speaker of the assembly, Mister Brown continued his groundbreaking career in public service as becoming the first African American mayor of the City of San Francisco.

As mayor, he led the effort to rebuild California's busiest transit system, pioneered the use of bond measures to build affordable housing and created a model juvenile justice system. These accomplishments are just a brief glimpse of the variety and scope of a forward-thinking ideas that were realized under his leadership today.

The assembly has declared today Willie Brown Day in recognition of his many accomplishments as well as Mister Brown's unrelenting, relenting dedication to a better California for all.

Earlier today there was a reception here in the Capitol and it was attended by the who's who of former elected officials, staffers, you name it, as many are on the floor today. And I don't know anyone else who could probably gather that many current or former Members pay tribute to an individual such as Mister Brown.

And I was honored to meet Mister Brown in 1988 as a young aspiring individual wanting to get involved in politics. And it was through his former staff, my late frat brother Darnell Cooley, who introduced me to Mister Brown during a Bay PAC convention. And, and I won't say a friendship was formed, but a mutual respect.

And as an individual who was born in Texas, I was embarrassed to tell folks I was born in Texas because Texas represented so many negative things. Slavery, racism. But not until I met Mister Brown and saw his accomplishments. And he was from Mineola, Texas and I didn't even know where the hell that was.

But it made me proud to say I too was from Texas. And I've carried that badge of honor ever since I've met Mister Brown. And I'm honored to now call him a mentor. And I was deeply moved when I got elected in a special election in 09.

And I came in by myself and my staff told me, they said, Mister Brown wants to meet you for lunch in San Francisco. And I didn't believe it, but it was true. I quickly got in a car and drove to the Four Seasons where we had lunch that day.

And I gleaned so much from Mister Brown and he clearly told me, he says, Bradford, this business is not how smart you are. It's about relationships. It's about knowing your colleagues, knowing the issues. And I've heard some of the best Willie Brown stories. Not from Democrats, but from Republicans like the late Bill Duplicity, who loved Willie Brown.

Bill Duplicity was a one-term Assemblyman and Willie Brown took him out, but they were still friendship friends until the day he died. So this business is about relationships, folks. And Mister Brown epitomizes that better than nobody else that I know in my 20-plus years of being an elected official. And I'm honored to call him a mentor. So please join me in welcoming Speaker Emeritus Willie Lewis Brown to the California State Senate.

Speaker. Thank you, Senator Bradford. We have microphones up from some other colleagues who would like to be heard on this accomplishment. We'll start first with our former pro tem Senator Atkins, followed by Senator Wiener, followed by Senator Umberg. Senator Atkins.

Thank you, Mister President. Well, it's hard to add to what the Senator from Gardena has said. I think you covered a lot of bases there, respectfully. But I want to rise to say thank you. As a former speaker, it's quite an honor to even be in your presence. I remember when I was sworn in, you were there.

I thank you for all of the advice over the years. John Perez was my speaker. We all note these things. But Mister Brown is the speaker. And so his desk remains on the assembly floor. One of only one other person that has a desk that is not occupied on the assembly floor.

And I just want to say, you are iconic. I felt the welcome when I would arrive, either as Speaker or pro tem in San Francisco. Always an invitation to join you for lunch or coffee. And I appreciate so much your advice and thoughts, particularly the humorous ones over the years. And I just rise to say thank you, sir, and it's an honor to have you on our Senate Floor today.

Thank you, Senator Atkins. We will next recognize the Senate Senator from San Francisco, followed by the Senator from Fullerton, followed by the Senator from Los Angeles, Senator Wiener.

Thank you, Mister President. So I think a lot of times when Speaker Brown comes, people know about his role as speaker and that unique role that he played leading this institution for so many years. People don't always know as much about the absolute giant that Willie Brown is in San Francisco to this day.

And when you represent San Francisco in the legislature, you are doing so in the shadow of Willie Brown, because for so many years, he delivered for San Francisco. And that puts a lot of weight on those of us who come after. And so, Mister speaker, I'll say, Mister mayor, because you are my mayor.

Thank you so much for everything that you have done. And he also. Mayor Brown is everywhere. Everywhere. All these years after being mayor, he is everywhere. The energy level, it's extraordinary. He also.

I seek out his advice from time to time when I'm really in trouble and don't know what to do, he sometimes gives me unsolicited advice, like when I, you may recall, was pursuing the 04:00 a.m. After Hours Bill, extending liquor service to 04:00 a.m.

and I, we were fighting that fight and I run into Mayor Brown at an event and he says, Wiener, your mistake is not starting. You didn't start out at 24 hours and then negotiate down to 04:00 a.m. I said, you know what? You're probably right.

I also just want to say that Willie Brown, in addition to the incredible work he did up here, he was part of a complete transformation of San Francisco politics. When he came into office, San Francisco was a lot of Republicans in control. Very white, very straight, very, very old school.

And Willie Brown was part of a group of people who brought San Francisco into the modern era and recognized that this is a city that has to work for everyone and that everyone needs to be part of the process. And Mister mayor, Mister speaker, whatever we'll call you today.

I also, just as a gay man, want to thank you from the bottom of my heart that in the 1970s, when it was not popular to do so, you decriminalized being LGBTQ in the State of California. It didn't take the US Supreme Court striking down that law.

You got rid of that law before it was popular, before people were cheering you on for that because you knew it was the right thing to do. And I want to thank you on behalf of my community. So thank you.

Thank you, Senator Wiener. The floor is to Senator Umberg. Senator Umberg.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. As the only member of the legislature that actually has lived experience with Speaker Brown. I have many stories to tell, but I will restrict myself to just a few.

By the way, I thought it's interesting that Mister Arias, Mister Condit are in the gallery. I thought you guys had kissed and made up, Mister speaker, that they come down here at some point. That's another story for another day.

So Mr. Speaker was, with my apologies to the PT emeritus and the current PT and the other leaders here was the most talented elected official I'd ever served with in all ways, politically, legislatively, policy-wise. And he is meticulous in everything he does. You can tell by the way he dresses, he's meticulous.

He is a professional in everything he does. And back in the day, way back in the day, at the end of session, there was an end-of-session bash where the members of the assembly performed, you may remember Mister Speaker, and it was an extravaganza that you basically produced and you assigned different members to do different things.

And you assigned me to be in a dance routine with four African American members of the Assembly, which was sort of humorous just to imagine that. And we were, it's appropriate we're discussing this today. We were in the midst of a budget crisis.

We were, I think, two months overdue on the budget and I was not supportive of the budget. And at one point my staff got a call and said, the speaker wants to see. And I thought, okay, this is the meeting.

This is the meeting and I'm going to, I don't know where I'm going to go, but I'm probably not going to come back to my office anyway. So I go down to the meeting and again, he's putting together the end-of-session extravaganza.

And I go in, ready for this conversation, and I come in and there's two of you there, you and another fella. And you say, Umberg, you dance like you don't, you're not a good dancer is what you said. Kinda, Kinda said that. And I've got this guy here who's gonna teach you to dance.

So we're in the middle of the budget crisis and you hire somebody to teach me how to dance. Never worked. Never quite worked, but you wanted to be a professional in all you did. And I thank you. We owe so much as Californians to you.

When I left in 1994, I said, I will tell my grandchildren I serve with the great Willie Brown. I can do that today. Thank you, Mister Speaker.

Thank you. Thank you Senator Umberg, great to hear about your dance moves. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, the floor is yours.

Thank you Mister President. And unlike that great story from my colleague, Mister Umberg, I did not have the pleasure of serving with the great Willie Brown. But I did have the opportunity to read basic Brown.

And I want to say thank you not just for meeting with new Members and freshman members who are part of the legislative black caucus, but actually writing down your thoughts, your strategies, your lived experiences that have helped to teach us how to understand this place.

That is part of the legacy that I will take with me, along with my aunts and uncles who have a picture of Doctor King and a picture of Willie Brown on their wall. Because you represented leadership and that black leaders could lead all of California. That is the model that we follow today.

Those are the footsteps that we are trying to fill. And I want to say thank you for your life commitment to this great state and making yourself available to all of us to learn the lessons of how to lead the great State of California. Thank you so much, Mister Brown.

Members and guests, please join me in wishing a great happy birthday to the one and only speaker, Mayor Willie Brown.

We're going to move to file item 46 by Senator Dodd. This is SCR 160. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 160 by Senator Dodd. Relative to California Wine Month.

Senator Dodd. Please give Senator Dodd his attention.

Mr. President, Members, I'm proud to present SCR 160 which recognizes September 2024 as California Wine Month. Since even before the founding of the Golden State there's been a strong viniculture tradition in California. The oldest commercial winery in our state, Buena Vista Winery, was founded in 1857.

It still stands in my district and they still produce outstanding vintages. Our state is home to over 6000 bonded wineries. Wine grapes are grown in 49 of our counties and California wine accounts for 95% of the United States wine exports. These statistics demonstrate our unique terroir and the huge scale of the homegrown industry.

And while I'm proud to represent the world-class wine regions of Napa and Soma, home of course to some of the world's finest wines, I'm glad to be joined by co-authors from all over this great state.

We're fortunate to have so many emerging wine regions ranging from the Sierra foothills to the valley down to Santa Barbara down to San Diego. Let's raise a glass and designate September 2024 as California's Wine Month. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Senator Dodd, thank you for that presentation. Is there any further discussion on this resolution on this measure? Seeing none. This is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection. Ayes 38. Noes zero. The resolution is adopted. We're going to move next to file item 48. This is SCR 162 by Senator Allen.

Senator Limon is presenting.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 162 by Senator Allen. Relative to Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and the longest day.

Senator Limon, the floor is yours.

Thank you Mr. President and Members. On behalf of my colleague from Santa Monica, I rise to present SCR 162 recognizing the month of June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and June 20 as the longest day. Countless Californians and their loved ones are impacted by Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions each day.

And the toll they take on our communities and our economy is incalculable. As the day of the year with the most sunlight. The longest day is a fitting rebuttal to the progressive darkness of neurodegenerative diseases and uses of shared experiences of the solstice as the basis for volunteering and awareness for Alzheimer's.

After over a century of research since the identification of Alzheimer's, the causes of the disease are still not fully understood. However, major breakthroughs in treatment and early detection are being made possible by advancements in technology such as brain mapping.

Continued and increased investment in cutting edge treatments and pharmaceuticals, as well as heightened research into early detection, is crucial. Crucial for extending and preserving life expectancy.

Research has shown that biomarker presents in the brain 20 years before the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms, and they offer a crucial opportunity to identify patients years early and take steps to delay and mitigate the onset of symptoms. California has been and will continue to be a hub for research and innovation at the center of technological Advancements.

We have the opportunity to make huge strides in diagnosing and treating these conditions. The longest day serves as an important reminder of the challenges faced by patients, caregivers, and families across California and the need for ongoing attention on this often unseen condition.

In the face of a disease that is so isolating for those suffering, our communities deserve the support, attention, and long-term commitment of the state as we work towards a cure. Members, in recognition of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and in appreciation of the awareness efforts of the longest stay, I ask for an aye vote on SCR 162.

Thank you, Senator Limone. I see microphones up from Senator Grove and Senator Newman. Senator- Oh, microphone's down, Senator Newman.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in strong support of this measure. My wife serves on the board of the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, largely out of her experience having lost her mom to Alzheimer's. This is a terrible disease that steals loved ones from their families well before it actually takes their lives.

And I commend all of the good people who are working so hard to find a cure, and in the absence of a cure, treatments for the disease, as well as providing support for the loved ones affected by it. And I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Newman. Any further discussion on this measure? Any further discussion? Seeing none. Senator Lemon, you may close.

I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection. Ayes 38. Noes zero. The resolution is adopted. Members, we're going to move now back to motions and resolutions. We're going to move next to Assembly third reading. This is file item 120, ACR 140 by Assemblymember Ramos. Senator Gonzalez is prepared.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 140 by Assemblymember Ramos relative to California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference.

Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you, I rise on behalf of Assemblymember Ramos to present ACR 140, which recognizes the importance of California Native American Day, which is celebrated every year on the fourth Friday of September.

In June 2019, Governor Newsom issued an apology to the state's California Native American tribes and condemned the genocide and heinous atrocities of California's previous administrations and legislatures.

In an effort to acknowledge that history and create further understanding, the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference is held annually on the same day as California Native American Day to provide educators with the resources to teach the history of California's tribes along with their rich and diverse cultures.

California Native Americans have been blessed with elders who, despite many obstacles, have worked to preserve language, songs, and stewardship of natural resources. I ask that you join me in recognizing California Native American Day by voting aye on ACR 140.

Thank you, Senator Gonzalez. Any discussion or debate on this? On this resolution, any discussion or debate? This is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objections. Ayes 38. Noes, zero. The resolution is adopted. We're going to move next to the consent calendar. There is one item on the consent calendar.

Does anyone wish to remove this item from the consent calendar? That would make it a no-consent calendar. All right, secretary, please read the consent calendar.

Senate joint Resolution 15.

Please call it the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 38 to zero, file item 140, our only item on the consent calendar is adopted. Passed, excuse me. We're going to move now back to motions and resolutions. Members, upon receipt of SB 1524, pursuant to Senate rule 2910 SB 1524 will be referred to the Rules Committee.

We're going to move next to Committee announcements, Members. Going to recognize Senator Archuleta, followed by Senator Skinner. Senator Archuleta.

Thank you, Mister President. Those Members of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will meet in room 2200 immediately after session.

Thank you, Senator Archuleta. Senator Skinner?

Yes. I'm announcing that the Housing Committee will meet after the adjournment of B and P in room 2100.

Thank you, Senator Skinner. I do believe Business and Professions has completed their business. All right. On behalf of Senator Bradford, the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee will meet in room 1200 following the adjournment of our session here this afternoon. Senator Skinner?

Then we will meet upon adjournment of session housing in room 2100.

Thank you, Senator Skinner. All right, Members, we're going to now move to motions and resolutions. A time for adjourn in memories. I'd like to ask Senators to return to their desks. We'll begin with Senator Eggman. Senator Eggman.

Thank you very much, Mr. President and Members, thank you for paying attention. We have family up in the, in the gallery. Today I'd like to do an adjourn in memory and recognition of a hero at the same time, I'm doing an adjourn in memory today. His family is with us in the chamber.

15-year-old Xavier Anthony Martinez was born December 12, 2008 in Stockton, California, to Pete and Amanda Martinez, who are here with us today. Amanda is here with us. Xavier is one of those kids who just wanted everybody to be happy and to get along. And he loved to brighten people's day with his silliness and laughter.

He loved animals. He loved nature. He spent his childhood days playing outside after school and gathering flowers for his mom, Amanda. And as a teenager, was all about video games and outdoor adventures. He liked riding bikes, camping, swimming, and fishing.

He loved amusement parks and riding the high thrill rides and felt most alive when there was happiness and family around him. Xavier touched the lives of many with his generosity and compassion. And he demonstrated his maturity and strength during the strenuous time with his dad's illness and we wish them now as they approach that chapter.

On March 13, Xavier went missing after an incident at his high school and was last seen entering the nearby levee that is part of our Calaveras river. Despite the efforts of school personnel and local law enforcement, Xavier was unable to emerge from the murky waters.

Local law enforcement and personnel searched for almost a week and were unable to locate his body.

With his family on the levee bank waiting a few days into that, we have our local here, Juan Haria, who was a professional diver and with his family standing also on the bank, he went in and felt that it was his duty to go in and to recover that young boy if he could.

So today, I, along with Amanda and her family, wish to thank Mister Juan Heria and his wife Mercedes for their heroic and compassionate assistance in the search for Xavier and bringing a sense of closure to his bereaved family. I'll also add, since that time in March, he has recovered another five or six bodies from our local rivers.

Though he was taken too soon from his family and friends, Xavier's legacy of love and warmth will live on the hearts of those who are lucky enough to know him. We are joined today again by his parents and their children and his loving families, and we wish that you accept the Senate's adjournment in his memory.

And may his memory be a blessing. So if we could please memorialize this.

Thank you, Senator Eggman. To the friends and family of Xavier Martinez, the Senate extends their condolences. Senator Eggman, please bring his name forward so we can be properly memorialized in the Senate Journal and that we may adjourn in his blessed memory. I'd like to now recognize Senator Ochoa Bogh.

Mr. President and Members, today I rise to ask the Senate to adjourn in memory of a longtime legislative staffer, a colleague, and most importantly, my friend, Art Welch. Born in Missouri in December of 1937, Art was a kind and loving man who always had a smile and a story.

In 1960, he graduated from the Southeast Missouri State with a degree in marketing and business management and moved to Southern California to begin his career, retiring in 1996. Art kept himself busy during his so-called retirement years. He served on the Banning City Council for 12 years and as the mayor of Banning for four years.

His commitment to public service extended to his roles with the Riverside Transit Agency and as a field representative for Assemblymen Paul Cook and Senators Bill Emerson and Mike Morell. For the last three and a half years, he was a valued member of my district staff. Art was an integral part of our office.

He lived a life of service and dedication to his family, community, and church. His experience and knowledge were and will continue to be a tremendous gift to us all. I'm thankful for his exceptional integrity, his work ethic, dedication, and generosity to his family and our entire community. He was a tireless advocate for improving the lives of others.

Art was a pillar of his community and through the years was regularly recognized for leadership roles in many community organizations, including Table of Plenty, the Beaumont Presbyterian Church, and the San Gregonia Pass Rotary. He not only supported his community in the big moments, but also in small ones, giving a cane to someone who needed it.

Watching the child of friends while they enjoyed their first vacation together, or simply making his rounds through the community, offering a compassionate ear or a shoulder to lean on. He was always there. He did it without publicizing it, keeping it between him, them, and God. He was a true servant to his community.

When he wasn't working or volunteering, Art enjoyed spending time with Jody, his wife of more than 63 years, children Lisbeth, Jim, and Scott, their spouses, his seven grandchildren, and his three great-grandchildren. Art was a hands-on father and grandfather.

Throughout the years, he coached Pop Warner football, soccer, softball, and baseball, always focused on his kids and grandkids, and supportive of their individual interests. In his children's words, he was always there. Regardless if they won or lost a game, he was there to build them up and support them.

I thank his family for sharing his time with us and the opportunity he gave us to experience Art's kindness, friendship, and the institutional knowledge he brought to our office. I was absolutely blessed to have art, a community foundation as part of my team. I was his dancing partner, as he often would share with folks.

Once at an event, the band was playing my favorite Glenn Miller song, a String of Pearls, couldn't stay in my seat, and I asked him, Art, would you dance with me? And to my delight, he did so, and ever since then, I was referred to as his dancing partner. He was loved by many who knew him.

I would be honored if this body would have shared in his memory of one of our own, Arthur Welch.

Thank you, Senator Ochoa Bogue. The Senate extends its condolences to the many friends and family of our former Senate staffer, Art Welch. And at your request, the Senate will adjourn in his memory. We're going to turn next to Senator Wiener.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today with great sorrow to ask that the Senate adjourn in memory of Gina La Divina, who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 5.

For more than 20 years, Gina was a beloved fixture in San Francisco's drag community, gracing stages at some of our most iconic venues, including Aunt Charlie's, the Stud, Oasis, and others. Her performances, particularly her renditions of Shirley Bastie's classics, captivated audiences with glamor and intentionality and left an indelible mark on our community.

Some of Gina's signature shows included her one-woman shows and the popular Hot Box Girls. Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1949, she moved to Santa Rosa in 1967 to attend beauty school. The same year that she transitioned.

Gina hailed from Santa Rosa to San Francisco in 1975 and spent much of her illustrious career performing in San Francisco's vibrant nightlife venues. She was also known for her storytelling and her generous spirit, often handing costumes off to other performers to encourage and support their careers. She always helped bring other people up.

Gina was a passionate advocate for important causes. She performed at benefits for marriage equality in California, and her advocacy and performances demonstrated her commitment to equality and justice within and for the LGBTQ community. San Francisco drag laureate Darcy Drollinger describes Gina as a quote-unquote showgirl, a hair goddess, a mentor, and a muse.

Darcy highlights Gina's influence and deep connections within the community. She went on, quote, unapologetically herself. Gina charted her own path, displaying fierce loyalty and dedication to her chosen family up until the very end.

Gina La Divina will be remembered as a true pioneer, an exceptional performer, and a steadfast advocate who made the world a brighter and more inclusive place. Gina's impact on the drag community and the LGBTQ community more broadly in California and the world, particularly during these difficult times, for our community, is immeasurable.

Her artistry brought joy and inspiration to countless people, and her advocacy helped pave the way for greater acceptance and equality. Colleagues, I ask that we adjourn the Senate in memory of Gina La Divina, a truly exceptional human being.

Thank you, Senator Wiener. The Senate extends its condolences to the friends and family of Gina La Divina. Please bring her name forward so she can be properly memorialized in the Senate journal as we adjourn her memory. If there is no other business before the Senate, Senator McGuire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. Members, just a reminder, we'll be in session this coming Wednesday, this coming Wednesday evening for budget votes. So the next floor session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, at 06:00 p.m. Thank you so much.

The Senate will be in recess until 3:30 p.m. at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene on Wednesday, June 26, at 06:00 p.m.