Assembly Floor

Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Castillo notices the absence of a quorum. The sergeant at arms. Prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, please come to the floor now so we can take your official portrait. All Members, please come to the floor.

Members, please come to the floor now so we can take your official portrait. Those of you who have cups on your desk, please eliminate those cups. Place those out of. Out of view. Members, can you please take your desks? Members, we are waiting on you to take your desk, please.

Members, please take your desks. We are going to begin. All Members in their seats. Members, if you have. You all look beautiful. You look truly photogenic, each and every one of you. What is not photogenic are the cups on your desks. Anything that is in public view, please remove them from your desks.

Put everything, including bags, if you can, inside your desks. Members, please take your desks. Thank you. Members, welcome. Assemblymember Davies. Welcome. Welcome. Members, I'd like to ask for all of your attention, please. At this time. And now, we have a new sheriff in town.

Good afternoon. Whoa, it's hot. My name is Marc. It's my honor to be your portrait photographer today. So let's get this started. Taking three pictures. Three portraits. The first being the panorama. So I'm doing a composite shooting clockwise at about 20 degree increments.

So as long as the camera's in your General direction, just give me your best smile and we'll get this done. After I've completed the panorama, I'm going to do the COVID of this CSA pamphlet. So it'll take us about 5-10 minutes to get ready for that picture.

So I will direct everyone as we get close to that and then I'll do one more after this cover shot from the gallery. All Members facing forward. So I appreciate your patience. I'm going to direct. Everyone can sit forward, assume our. Our pose, assume the position. So this takes me a minute.

I appreciate your patience working with me on this. So let's see. Member Carrillo? Can you move a little bit, actually? I got you. Let's go. Mr. Ward, a little bit to your left. Thank you. Ms. Baines, a little bit to the right. Thank you. All right. And Calderon, maybe a little bit. Scoot this way if you can.

All right. Mr. Haney, a little bit to your right. Okay. All right. And Mr. Garcia, a little bit to your right. And Aguiar-Curry, just a little bit over. And Ms. Krell, a little bit to the left. Thank you. And Rubio, a little more to the left. All right, so Member Papan? I apologize. I apologize.

A little bit to the right. How do I say it? Lovely name. Lovely. Okay. Avila. Farias. Thank you. A little bit to the left. zero, my goodness. This is going to be too good. All right, so. And Macedo, let's go. Ms. Hadwick, a little bit to the left. Thank you. There we go.

And Macedo, a little bit to the right. So I may have to fine tune this when I get to my camera, but this is getting a lot of the work done. All right, so in the back, Member Patel, a little bit to the right. And Mr. Bennett. No, no, you're good. Mr.

Hart, a little bit to the left. You. I appreciate your patience. This makes it very easy. I appreciate it. And you knew I was going to say your name, I think so. A little bit to the. To the left. Solash. I just came from. From Italy, so I like to say things with a little Italian flair.

Hey, the macchiato. All right, all right. And Ramos, remember Ramos. Ramos. Mr. Ramos. A little bit. Yeah, a little bit to the right. Maratucci, also. Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee, come scoot to the. As far how. You're good. That should be good. I think we got it. All right. We're going to. We're going to make history today.

And for those of you that are still here, nice to see you all again. And for those of you that are new, congratulations. All right, so let's get this picture.

I see. All right, everyone come forward on your desk. Nice postures. Oh, yes. Mr. Wallace, a little bit to the right. Thank you again. Thank you again. All right, everyone, eyes open the camera. Oh, my goodness. All right, ready, set. So I'm going to start over here. We're going to go clockwise, making sure we're all centered.

All right? This is just a precautionary picture. But let's take two of these, and. Everyone take a deep breath. Great. All right, ready, set. Smiles. Thank you. All right, ready, set.

All right, so now we're getting on the the way. All right, right over here. Big smiles. Ready, set. zero, my goodness. Ready 3, 2 and 1. All right. One, two, and three. Thank you very much. That's easy. All right, same General group over here. Ready, set, three, actually. And then, of course. Yep, yep, that's good. Thank you.

Yes, appreciate that. All right, here we go. Thank you for your patience. This makes big difference here. All right, ready, set 3, 2 and 1. Nicely done. Ready, set 321. Thank you. oh, my goodness. Ready, set. Right over here. Here. Ready, set 32 and one.

Take a deep breath. Thank you. All right, almost there. All right, ready, set 321. Done. Ready, set. Three, two. Remember, Ruby, a little more. Three, two, and one. We got one more of these. Ready, set. All right. All right. Thank you so much. Three21. That's a smile. Oh, my goodness. Ready32 and one.

So let's try. zero, these are beautiful. Fabulous. All right. All right. Ready, set 32 and the white. Jacket a little more to the right. Thank you. All right, set, go. Three 21. oh, my goodness. Three, two, and one. Thank you. All right, right over here. That's it. Thank you for the smile. Over here. Phase one is done. Thank you for that. Thank you for cooperation.

Members, we are not finished with the photography. A few more photos to take. Appreciate your patience. Members. Could you please keep your desk clean? I need to ask one more time. All cups, drinking matters, bags inside the desk. Please keep them out of view. Appreciate it. We are near the finish.

Thank you. Members, everybody looking forward please. Members looking forward. Somebody. Member Hoover. Looking forward, please. Members at your desk. Thank you.

Okay, Members, we are going to skip the optional pyramid. Photograph. Wanted to see if you were paying attention. Quorum is present. We asked our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for our prayer. Today's prayer will be offered by our Assembly chaplain, Reverend Patti Oshita. Reverend Oshita.

Please join me in a moment of reflection. We once had a very intentional board member who asked to meet with me. When we met, he was quite vocal critiquing a number of existing programs and projects being considered. I listened as he articulated the many issues that he felt were problematic.

When he was done, I told him that he certainly had points worthy of consideration. Then I asked him, what do you think we can do to make it better? He shrugged his shoulders and said, I don't know. That's when I realized again how easy it is to be a critic.

It takes vision and courage to try to create something new. It takes care and effort to help improve a project or keep a program moving forward. It takes no effort at all to criticize, for nothing is perfect, and all one needs to do is to see what is not perfect and point it out.

40 years ago, when I began working for Congressman Bob Matsui, I remember feeling diminished by criticism I received from an often vocal co worker. His words were paralyzing, for I became afraid of making a mistake. Fortunately, I had a brilliant mentor and a friend who had recently retired from that same congressional office, Mary Amemia.

When Mary checked in with me to see how I was doing, I hesitated to share my feelings. But I did. Mary said to me with Stern affection, Patty, consider the source and don't let unproductive comments diminish you. It's easy to be a critic.

Mary's wise words were always encouraging and empowering, and I will forever be grateful to have her fingerprints on my life. Let our words of counsel leave such fortunate fingerprints on the lives we touch. Namo mi daoitsu. My kindness and gratitude beyond words.

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing and join us in the flag salute. Assemblymember Hart will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag. For which it stands. One nation under God, individual with liberty.

And justice for all, may be seated. To our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the gallery from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct of official business. Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal remedies.

Reading of the previous day's Journal Assembly Chamber Sacramento Tuesday, February 11, 2025 the Assembly met at 7am The Honorable Tri Ta.

Mr. Garcia moves and Mr. Flor seconds that reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with presentations and petitions. There are none. Introductions and 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 on to motions and resolutions. The absences for the day. Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan and Patterson and Bryan. Moving on to motions. Assistant Majority Leader Garcia, you are recognized for your procedural motion.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymembers Calderon, Irwin, Lowenthal and Rubio to. Speak on an adjournment in memory today. Without objection, I request unanimous consent to. Suspend Assembly rules 118 A and B. To allow Assemblymembers Ortega and Rubio.

To have guests seated at their desks, to allow Assemblymembers Aguiar-Curry and Rubio to have guests in the rear of Chamber and to allow the speaker to have guests on the floor today.

That objection. Such shall be the order. We will now move on to guest introductions. Madam Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you're recognized for your guest introduction.

Mr. Speaker and Members, I'd like to recognize the Woodland Christian High School baseball team for the 2024 Interscholastic Federation. NorCal's baseball Division 5 championships win. These kids and their coaches really put a lot of heart and hard work into the season.

They outscored opposing teams by a combined 230 runs over 30 games, finishing 264 overall and 60 in the Central Valley League rivals to claim their 12th consecutive Central Valley League championship. They also won their first California Interconnected Scholastic Federation San Joaquin SAC San Joaquin Section Division 7 championship against Valley Christian. Scoring 12 to 2.

After 10 seasons as head coach John Rogers helped the kids help bring home the section title. And I believe there's a Mr. Randolph here too. Coach Randolph, if I got that right at the section and state titles for their final season as coach. Congratulations to this team, to your commitment and being rewarded for your hard work.

You've represented your school and the community with such excellence. We couldn't be more proud. Ladies and gentlemen, our winning championship team from Woodland Christian High School. Hello. I'd like to acknowledge all of the students up in the gallery as well and thank you for all coming today.

Moving on to business on the daily file, the Assembly third reading file. Items 1 and 2 will be passed and retained. Moving on to the second day consent calendar. One resolution HR7 before we vote we will first take up a resolution on the Consent Calendar for the purpose of taking up co-authors.

Clerk will read the resolution on the Consent Calendar.

House Resolution 7 by Assemblymember Ta relative to enrolled agent day.

Clerk will now open the roll to allow any Member to add on as a co author to the resolution. Members, this is for 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. Clerk will close the roll.

There are 60 co-authors moving to a vote on the Consent Calendar. Does any Member wish to remove an item from the Consent Calendar? Seeing and hearing none, the Clerk will now read the second-day consent calendar.

House Resolution 7 by Assemblymember Ta Relative to enrolled agents day.

Clerk will open the roll on the Consent calendar. 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 67, nos zero consent calendar is adopted. Members, the quorum call is still in place.

Please give your respectful attention to those who are granted prior permission to speak on their adjournment in memory. All conversations should be taken off the floor. Please take your desk. Members Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Today I rise to adjourn in memory of Mr. Paul Gladfelty. While most of us here know Paul, we know him here from his decades of work reaching all the way back to the 1970s. I was also fortunate to consider him a dear friend.

I've had the privilege of knowing Paul in my past nine years as a Legislator, and many staff, former Members and others here in the gallery have known him for even longer. Paul began his career, believe it or not, with SEIU.

From there, his career spans decades, working with trades associations, reform groups, and ultimately as a legislative advocate for lobby firms, widely regarded as some of the most reputable in Sacramento. In no small part due to his sheer determination and work ethic, Paul has been a cornerstone of Sacramento both inside and outside of the building.

For those that have worked in partnership with him. An invaluable asset with decades of institutional knowledge for those that were caught on the other side of his efforts. A fierce and tireless advocate. A towering figure, literally and figuratively.

His imposing appearance was coupled with a heart of gold and a genuine demeanor that we could only hope to come across once in a lifetime. This could only be personified by Paul's actions When I lost my nephew a few months ago, I lost 20 year old Christopher. Last November, without hesitation, Paul visited me to offer his condolences.

He brought me a small fruit tree to be planted and the note said this. With the passing of our physical being, one's energy and spirit is not lost, it becomes transformed.

As a remembrance, we could hope that you plant this orange tree in his memory that will produce the most beautiful fruit for many years to come as a reminder that his spirit is alive and well. It was just weeks ago Paul gave that guidance to me.

As with much of his wisdom over his career, it has only become more relevant. We have since planted that very tree and now that beautiful fruit tree is not just a reminder of my nephew Christopher's spirit, but of Paul's as well. I am joined by his family here on the floor and in the gallery.

His sister Susan and brother in law Craig Mathis. His grandsons Bo and Dylan. His sons in law Nicholas and Jay. And finally his daughter Courtney. His son Brett and his loving wife of 47 years Candy. Paul's legacy shows through his amazing family, but also the work he has provided to the capital community over his decades long career.

Paul was a genuine, kind hearted individual that helped countless as countless in our careers, our lives and always advised us before anything to take care of our friends and family members. I ask that we all here hold our families close as Paul did his own.

I hope you share his determination as we approach the difficult challenges ahead of this body in the coming years. As he would have and I hope remember. We remember Paul's legacy. Whether we are reminded by his beautiful art hanging at Cafe Occult or as we work on legislation that Paul's influence can be so clearly seen. I want to thank Mr. Speaker and this body. I respectfully ask that we adjourn in memory of my friend, Mr. Paul Gladfelty.

Thank you. Thank you. Assemblymember Rubio. Assemblymember Gipson, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the our colleague from Baldwin park for one, asking his body to adjourn in the memory of Paul Gladfelty. I didn't have anything prepared, but I don't think I need to prepare anything to speak from the heart and what this man meant to me. Paul was bigger than life itself. I'm grateful to have and have had him in my life.

We text each other Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and also we have our annual fishing trip because we are both adamant fishermen and really enjoy spending time and I want to thank this family and especially his son, for one, allowing you to share your father with me, my life will never be the same again because how he touched my life and realizing once we leave this office, those are elected, we may not never have contact with people in the third house.

But I knew and I had this conversation with him that our friendship and our connection will continue to transcend me leaving this floor and continue on in the future. That's the kind of indelible impression that this man had on my life. I enjoyed him.

I know that I can always get an honest answer and a truthful response to any question that I may have. And I don't, you know, say this, that That's. That's very rare in the work that we're in right now. He wants to put everything out on the table and for you to make a decision.

And so I want to say to this family, thank you very much for sharing Paul and allowing Paul to pass our way. Our lives will be forever grateful for this great man, and he is a tremendous loss to all of us. It reverberates throughout Sacramento when you heard about his passing, but thank you very much. And we pray that God will continue to hold you guys up during the days, the months and years to come.

Thank you. Assemblymember Gipson, Assemblymember Calderon, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise to adjourn in memory of our friend Paul Gladfelty. Paul was an important part of our community for decades. He was old school at his approach, and he respected this institution and he understood the importance of reputation and that his word was his bond.

He was a consummate professional in representing his clients, but he also understood the tough choices we face here on the green carpet. One time I asked him point blank if an issue he was lobbying me on was a good vote for my district.

And he kind of smiled and he looked at me and he says, you know, it may not be, but on behalf of my clients, you respectfully have the right to make a bad choice.

And I had to think about it for a minute, but I appreciated his wit and his candor because he was being honest with me, and that's who he was. He cared deeply for California, and he was a valuable asset to all the legislators with whom he was able to work with.

And I think that was all of us over the decades. Fair and honest legislative advocates are crucial to the work that we do here. And Paul was always fair and direct in his dealings. Most importantly, Paul was a friend to many to all of us. We will miss his honesty and his trusted voice.

And I will miss his grace and understanding at times when I could not support his causes. His love and commitment to his family kept him grounded, and I think that's why he brought so much joy to work into this institution for so many years. Members, I respectfully ask that we adjourn in the memory of Paul Gladfelty.

Thank you, Assemblymember Calderon. Assemblymember Bains, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise in the adjournment of a good friend, Paul Gladfelty. I recently was able to spend some time with him, and I remember texting his son Brett, saying, did you know your dad was this cool? Paul had such a great level of expertise and experience that he brought to this institution.

And I remember spending some time with him going over things that I've done. And one of the things that will always stick out to me is Paul reminding me, just me, you're here because of your district. You're here to represent your people.

And at times, that might mean, especially for, you know, the only person representing Kern County on this floor, that might mean you're going to have to take some tough votes and stand up and be alone some of the times, but it's not fun.

But that's what the voters elected you to do and holding your ground and being there. If it was easy, not very many people could do it. Paul, experience his legacy through Brett Jael being a good friend. My biggest condolences to the family for this loss, but your dad was really cool. Really cool.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bains. Assemblymember Gallagher, you're recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to express my condolences and my respects to Paul Gladfelty. He's definitely one of those people that you meet while you're here that you. That you always remember.

I think largely because certainly he was a great advocate and would come in and lobby on behalf of his clients, but he also developed a personal relationship with us, and we always ended up talking about something that was bigger than politics, you know, and one thing I know he loved was flying.

You know, I know he and Brett shared that passion, and, you know, he would talk about places that he had flown to and. And usually to go fishing somewhere, and. And we shared that passion as well for fishing and the outdoors. But, yeah, he was just.

He was always a man of so many different things, you know, that he painted. I was like you. Yeah, I was like, you painted that, like, really? Yeah. I mean, it's just a man of many different talents and interests, and he was really interested in people, you know, and I think he really. Actually. One of the things.

The reasons why I think he connected was because he was actually genuinely interested in you as a person and your family and what your goals were. And so it's such a shock, I think, to this capital community because he's just such a. Been such a bedrock.

To not have him walking into my office and with that smile and. Or sitting down for a cup of coffee. He will be greatly missed in this community. And I just want to, again, you know, give my condolences to the family.

His legacy lives on in this place, as has been said, and will continue to, in that spirit, work towards good policy, but also work towards getting to know each other a little bit better and really thinking about those things that are bigger than politics. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gallagher. We are a community here at this capitol, and this community will miss Paul Gladfelty tremendously. Members, let us observe a moment of silence to honor the life of this historic Californian. Thank you, Members.

Members, the quorum call is still in place. Please take your seats. Members, please take your conversations off the floor. Members, please give your respectful attention to those who are granted prior permission on their. To speak on their adjournment and memory. Thank you. Members, please take your conversations off the floor.

Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to Edwin A. Jones, who passed away on January 24, 2025 at the age of 94. Ed, as he was known to everyone, was a pioneer in the development of the City of Thousand Oaks, the place he called home for over 60 years.

He was born in San Jose, California, and spent his early years growing up with his church family and playing various sports. Ed earned his bachelor's degree from Occidental College and a master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He began his career as an elementary school teacher and later taught political science at Pierce College.

He moved to Thousand Oaks with his first wife, Patricia in 1964. He became very quickly involved with his homeowners Association and was instrumental in stopping the development of a roadway that would have seen a number of homes taken to accommodate the newly planned road.

Ed was appointed to the city's original General Plan Committee that was tasked with creating a development plan for the newly incorporated thousand oaks. In 1970, he was elected his first term on the Thousand Oaks City Council. He followed that up with his election to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, where he served 12 years.

He later ran for and was elected to the Conejo Recreation and Park Board where he served for another eight years. And if that wasn't enough, Ed was once again elected to the Thousand Oak City Council in 2018 and served another four year terms.

During his many campaigns, Ed enjoyed knocking on doors and speaking with community members about their vision for Thousand Oaks. Ed's vision for the city and county was instrumental in the implementation of crucial land use development standards and environmental protection measures that helped maintain the natural beauty that still exists throughout the area.

Ed leaves his wife of 28 years, Joanne, his five children, three stepchildren, as well as 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. I ask that we adjourn today in the memory of Edwin A. Jones.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. You are further recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Today I rise to request that we adjourn in the memory of Fred D. Thomas, who at the time of his passing, had just entered his second term as Mayor of Simi Valley. Mayor Thomas passed away on January 21, 2025 surrounded by his family.

He was first elected mayor in November of 2022, but that was by no means the beginning of his public service. He served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Moore park and Simi Valley for 20 years, serving four years as the board President.

Fred's commitment to public safety in the law enforcement community was demonstrated over and over again through his service on various boards. He served as a Member of the Simi Valley Gang Task Force and Simi Valley Crime Task Force, as well as the Executive board of Neighborhood Council Number One.

More recently, Fred served as a board member of the Simi Valley Police Foundation, serving three times as their President. Fred was an active Member of the community and a staunch supporter of the area youth. In 2013, Ed was recognized with the Simi Valley Community Foundation Humanitarian Award. His commitment to the community's youth was unparalleled.

As a result, Fred received the “Kiki” Camarena Award. I'm never good with those pronunciations. From the California Alliance for the Drug Free Youth for his work providing drug education as well as the 2021 Boys and Girls Club Champion of Youth Award. Mayor Thomas was 67 years old at the time of his passing.

He will be greatly missed by all of Simi Valley, but especially his two daughters, Brandy and Kristen, two grandchildren, and his partner, Ashley. I ask that we adjourn today in the memory of Fred D. Thomas.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. Assemblymember Lowenthal, you're recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, today I rise with a very heavy heart to join the memory of Signal Hill's Police Chief, Wayne Byerley. Mr. Byerley was known for his unwavering dedication to the community he served, as well as his relentless optimism. The smile was contagious, infecting everyone around him with his signature positivity.

Wayne grew up in Lakewood, California. He attended Long Beach City College before going on to graduate from Cal State Long Beach. Chief Byerley had a long and tremendous career in the police force.

He was Captain for the Los Alamitos Police Department and he had retired from the Orange County Sheriff's Department as Division Commander after 32 years of service members. Chief Byerley was only 58 years when he passed.

All of us need to consider the stress, the difficulties, the challenges of serving in law enforcement and in leadership of law enforcement as we think about the brave men and women who choose these career paths.

Wayne decided that he had more to give after the Sheriff's Department In May of 2023, he came out of retirement to serve as Signal Hill's chief. And we are so lucky that he did. Through his leadership, learned experiences and tremendous attitude, Wayne became indispensable in our community. Mr.

Byerley had a tremendous heart for people and especially his family. He's survived by his wife Danielle and his 15-year-old son Zach. And while he was taken far too soon with so much more to give, Chief Byer leaves behind a lasting legacy in the City of Signal Hill and far behind.

We are deeply grateful for his service and profoundly saddened by his loss. Members, please join me in adjourning in the memory of Signal Hill's great Police Chief, Wayne Byerley.

Thank you, Assemblymember Lowenthal. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the Journal. All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the Journal. Moving to announcements Committee hearings. Higher education meets in Capital Room 126 upon adjournment.

And Budget Subcommitee 5 on State Administration meets in Capital Room 447 upon adjournment. The session schedule is as follows. Wednesday, February 19th check in session. Thursday, February 20th floor session at 9:00am Seeing and hearing no further business, I am ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Garcia moves and Mr. Lackey seconds that this hounds.

This House stands in adjournment until Thursday, February 20th at 9am The Quorum Call is lifted and we are adjourned.