Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Colleagues, a quorum is present. If we could return to our desk. We are getting started. Would the members and the guests beyond the railing please rise? We will be led in prayer this afternoon by Sister Michelle Gorman. After which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you. There is no greater folly in the world than for a person to despair, says Miguel De Cervantes. Gracious God who tolerates fools gladly. On this April Fool's Day, we trust that it is your wisdom that has gathered us in this place. We come before you with humble hearts seeking your guidance through our moments of foolishness.

Grant us discernment to recognize the difference between light hearted fun and actions that may cause others to despair. As we seek to embrace our vulnerability, may we learn from our mistakes and grow in empathy and understanding of the needs of others. May your wisdom illuminate our paths, leading us to make choices that reflect your love and grace.

Let our words and deeds bring joy and kindness to all, inspiring each one to greater trust in the goodness of all that is. We ask this in your name. Amen and Happy Assyrian New Year.

Please join me in the pledge. [Pledge of Allegiance]. Floor team. Floor team. Pursuant to our new rule, please annotate. We have one absent member and two late members. Thank you. Colleagues, if you did not know, we have a new policy that we will now be publicating if you are late to set if to floor or when you are absent. So I recommend you be on time. Thank you. Don't be so serious, colleagues. Happy April Fools. Some Senators were really upset.

All right, members, without objection, we will now move. We will now move to Senate Third reading to take up file item 10, SCR 22, by Senator Alvarado-Gil. Where? The Majority Leader's desk or your desk, Senator? Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, relative to a Syrian New Year.

Thank you. Madam President. Permission to use a Prop? Without objection. Thank you. Good afternoon, Madam President and colleagues of the Senate. Today I rise to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, which formally recognizes April 1st, 2025 as a Syrian New Year, or Kabi Nisan.

This resolution underlines the importance of this holiday, linking ancient Assyrian heritage with the modern cultural identity of the community that we celebrate today. Known also as Akitu, this holiday has been celebrated since ancient times as both the beginning of the new year and the arrival of spring.

It symbolizes renewal as the blossoming of trees and flowers reflect the rebirth and the renewal of life. Historically, Assyrians observed this festival for 12 days during the spring equinox, emphasizing its deep cultural and religious roots. Ancient celebrations include elaborate processions in poetry and storytelling, mass marriage ceremonies, all of which underscore community and unity.

Today, Assyrians worldwide celebrate Kha b'Nisan with festivals and parades and community gatherings. It is also known as the Beard of Spring, a key tradition that endures as Dekhna b'Nisan where Assyrian women and girls gather stringing flowers and herbs from rooftops in honor of spring's arrival.

The myth of the goddess of love and the God of agriculture central to Akitu celebrations symbolizes the Earth's fertility and the cycle renewal, the cyclic renewal of life. Celebrations occur not only in the Syrian homeland, but also in communities across the globe such as Australia, Chicago, and Iraq, often drawing thousands and thousands of participants.

SCR22's recognition of the Syrian New Year underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating this enduring cultural legacy across the world and right here in California. Assyrians have been establishing their roots in California over the past several decades, contributing to the state's rich multicultural fabric and especially in my district and in the Central Valley.

Over years, Assyrians in California have built vibrant community organizations, churches, businesses, and cultural centers that help to maintain and promote the Assyrian heritage. Many Assyrians came to California fleeing conflict and instability in their native lands, particularly in the regions of the Middle East affected by political unrest and and war.

Recently, the Historical Assyrian Evangelical Church in Turlock marked its 100th anniversary and has served for decades as a place of worship, community, and culture for many Assyrians fleeing persecution in the Middle East.

The community actively celebrates its traditions, including the Assyrian New Year, which not only reinforces cultural identity, but it also educates the broader public about Assyrian history and their contributions. Today, the Syrian community in California is recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit, cultural enrichment, and civic participation.

They play an integral role in the state's diverse cultural landscape and deserve to be celebrated. SCR 22 is a statement of solidarity with the Syrian community both locally and globally, acknowledging their historic and ongoing contributions. By formally recognizing the Assyrian New Year, the resolution will support cultural preservation, educational dialogue, and the promotion of diversity.

I Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Does any Member wish to be recognized on this item? Secretary, please call the roll.

Allen. Alvarado-Gill. Aye. Archuleta. Aye. Arreguín. Aye. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespear, Aye. Cabaldon. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Cortese. Aye. Dali, Aye. Durazo, Aye. Gonzalez Aye. Grayson. Aye. Grove, Hurtado. Jones. Laird Aye. Limón. Mcguire. McNerney, Aye. Menjivar. Aye. Niello. Aye. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Padilla. Perez. Aye. Reyes. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Seyarto. Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valladares. Aye. Wahab. Aye. Weber Pierson. Aye. Wiener.

Senator Alvarado-Gil moves to call. We are now going to be moving into privileges of the floor for the senator to introduce her guest.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, today I'd like to introduce my guests who are members of the Assyrian American community from parts of my district and from across California. Today we have Sam David, President of the Assyrian American Civic Club. Carmen Murad, journalist and media personality from the Assyrian Global Network. Janet Atanis, from the Assyrian Wellness Collaborative.

Stanislaus County civic leaders and philanthropists John and Diana Ismael. And representatives of the Assyrian American Association of Southern California, Raymond Tosh and Peter Warda. Please welcome, please join me in welcoming, giving them a kind welcome.

Senator. Before we do, we have one senator that I wish. Disregard.

Wish to show her love and support for today's guests. Yes. Thank you. Senate. Please join me in welcoming our guests.

Welcome to the State Senate. For any member who wishes to participate in a group photo, now is the time.

Messages from the governor will be deemed read. We have messages from the Assembly. Secretary, please read.

Madam President, I am directed to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended and on this day passed as amended Senate Bill 26 and respectfully request your honorable body to concur inset amendments. Sue Parker, Chief Clerk of the Assembly above bill order to unfinished business.

Reports of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Moving into motions, resolutions and notices. We have one item motion to approve Senate journals. Without objection. The Senate journals from March 24, 2025 through March 28, 2025 will be approved as corrected by the minute. Clerk Moving. Moving into consideration of the daily file.

We have one item under second reading file. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 533 with amendments.

Onto governor's appointments. We have file item 5, 6, and 7 all by Senator Laird. He is ready to go.

Thank you, Madam President. Final item number five is the confirmation of David Long as reappointment as a Commissioner to the Board of Parole hearings. Before his initial appointment in 2018, he was Vice President for Prison Engagement at Defy Ventures.

He previously served in the Department of Corrections for 27 years, starting as a correctional officer in 1989 and retiring as a warden. He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 19. I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Colleagues, it's getting a little loud in here. Any member wish to speak on file? Item five. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Laird moves to call. We'll come back.

We'll come back. Members. Senator Laird, please proceed with file item 6.

Thank you, Madam President. File item 6 is the confirmation of Excel Sharif for reappointment to the Board of Parole hearings. He was first appointed in 2018. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge. He is also a former judge pro-tem for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Was a sole practitioner for 17 years.

He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 19. I respectfully asked for your aye vote.

Any discussion on this item? Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Laird moves to call. Senator Laird, your final, final item. Final item 7.

Thank you, Madam President. Final item 7 is the confirmation of Troy Tyra for reappointment to the Board of Parole hearings. He previously served the Board of Parole Hearings as a deputy commissioner and administrative law judge.

Before his original appointment to the board in 2016, he was also an administrative law judge for the Public Utilities Commission, Office of Administrative Hearings and Department of Social Services. He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 19. I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Any discussion or debate on this item, I see none. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Laird moves to call. Moving on to Senate. Third reading. We have one item. That's item number 25. Senator Valladares is ready.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 by Senator Valladares relative to World Autism Awareness Day.

Thank you, Madam President and Members. Colleagues, today I rise to present SCR44, which commemorates April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, a day dedicated to honoring and supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or asd. ASD continues to be one of the most common developmental disabilities affecting people in California. It does not discriminate.

It touches families in every community, across every background, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. In fact, 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls are identified with ASD.

Each of these individuals brings unique strengths and perspectives that enrich our society, which is why it is critical that we foster safe, supportive communities that they can thrive in. For me, it's also personal. My niece was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. She's bright, she's curious, and full of so much potential. But I've seen firsthand the obstacles, how systems were not always built for her in mind, how services are inconsistent.

Members, if we could give our attention to Senator Valladares.

How the world often expects her to adapt rather than meeting her where she is. And I've seen her resilience, her brilliance, and the strength that comes from having a support system that refuses to let those obstacles define her. Many individuals with ASD face challenges with social interaction, communication and sensory processing.

That's why education is a cornerstone of inclusion. It's why we need to keep having these conversations. Autism does not go away with age. And it's not something to be fixed. It's a lifelong condition that millions of people navigate every single day.

And while we celebrate the progress we've made in supporting autism autism individuals, we also have to acknowledge that there is still so much more work to do. Employment opportunities for those with ASD remain disproportionately limited. Only 21% of people with disabilities, including those with ASD, are securing job opportunities, and that is unacceptable.

This is where our role as legislators comes in. We have a responsibility to craft policies that reflect the needs and the voices of autistic individuals. That means expanding access to education and health care, ensuring workplace inclusion, and making sure families are not left to navigate these challenges alone. Awareness is the first step, but it's not enough.

True progress comes with acceptance, when we move beyond acknowledgment and into action, when we create a world where every autistic child and adult is valued, supported, and given the opportunities they deserve. Thank you for. For recognizing Autism Awareness Day with me today.

Thank you, Members, any discussion or debate. Senator Menjivar, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to my colleague from Santa Clarita for bringing this resolution forward. Like her, this is very personal to me. And I've been.

I focus my past two and a half years on elevating the IDD population and, and autism is personal to me because I have my niece, I have my goddaughter and my nephew by marriage with autism. All nonverbal, beautiful little babies. And this weekend, over the weekend, I just celebrated my niece 5th birthday.

And throughout the whole day, she was getting presents. She comes home, she goes home and looks at a toy and said birthday. You don't get to hear her voice often. And as we're beginning to hear her voice because of the investments that exist, it brings joy to me because she's my first niece.

And it's been very difficult to see the struggles that my sister has to go through because not every Regional Center is created equal. Because data shows that services are predominantly given to white parents and not parents of color.

Because in my district, a coalition had to be formed to fight for the rights of Latino parents who were not being given the investments needed through the northern region of La. I think bringing awareness to autism is so important, and I think we need to put our investments here.

The Senator from Santa Clarita said it we're not investing enough in how these workers are paid. There's not enough drivers to pick up individuals with autism to take them to Day programs where they can feel like they're being part of our society.

We don't invest as much into this, but I'm also worried that the federal cuts, the Department of Education, are also going to further bring down our ability to Fund these programs because special education gets funding from the Federal Government on this. And I want to make sure that everyone knows that we need to fight against those cuts.

But I'm thrilled that we're continuing to bring awareness to this. More and more kids are being diagnosed with autism, and I want to make sure that we're putting down money into investing to have these kids be able to speak and not have to wait till they're older in their life to become verbal with that. Respectfully asking for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Wiener, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in strong support. I want to thank the author for bringing this really important resolution forward and for also for speaking about the importance of inclusion of these individuals. Their. Their inclusion is really, really important, and we need to be intentional about that inclusion.

I also just want to iterate what my colleague from the San Fernando Valley just said, that we also need to make sure we need to do more for these folks to support them. And we have to make sure that people aren't taking away what they already have.

And I'm very concerned that if we see a wrecking ball taking to Medicaid or to the Department of Education or to Social Security, that's going to harm folks with autism dramatically more than anything that we could add in our state budget. Because we have to balance our budget.

I think we need to really focus on protecting access to Medicaid, to Department of Education services, and to Social Security for Californians living with autism. That should be really our highest priority for these residents of our state. And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

See no other discussion. Senator, you may close.

Thank you so much to my colleagues from the San Fernando Valley and from San Francisco for supporting this resolution and for acknowledging that we need to do more for the autism community. And there is this very real reminder that it is a spectrum disorder that crosses the spectrum of life.

It's not just more resources for early intervention. It's everything in between that we're going to continue to need resources for and really for this body to make a priority. We have. We only have so many things within our control here in California, and we can choose to make the autism community priority.

And I look forward to working with you over the next couple of years to do exactly that. I Strongly urge your aye vote. Thank you.

We are all back on the floor, so we will not be putting this item on call. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

38 to 0. The resolution is adopted. Moving now to the consent calendar. We have items 36 through 38 on the consent calendar. Does any Member wish to pull an item from the consent calendar? See none. Secretary, please read them all.

Senate Bill 272. 241. 230.

Secretary, please call the roll on the first item and apply that for the rest of the items.

[Roll call]

Ayes 38. Nos 0. Consent calendar is. Is adopted. We are Members. We're going to go into the supplemental file. You should have that on your desk for one item, after which we're going to go back and open the roll on the items that we've went through already. Senator Umberg is prepared.

Secretary, please read supplemental file number one.

Item 39, Senate Bill 26, by Senator Umberg, an AC relating to civil actions and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator Umberg.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, this is the bill you've all been waiting for. This is the cleanup to the cleanup on Lemon Law SB 26. In short, Lemon Law cleanup, the original version, AB 1755, was-- the catalyst for it was the unusual number of filings that were overwhelming some of the courts.

And what AB 1755 did was to basically streamline the process so that consumers could seek and recover more quickly. SB 26 allows some manufacturers, should they choose to--

Just on the amendments, Senator, Just on the amendments.

On the amendment is simply to allow some manufacturers to opt out of the 1755 mechanism so that they can revert back to the old law. I urge an aye vote.

Senator Blakespear, you're recognized.

Yes. Thank you. I just wanted to rise to say I appreciate the verbal discussion of what is in this. Given how little is actually in this paper and knowing that we are going to be voting on it now, I wanted to say thank you for explaining that.

And in the future, I hope that all people explain things when there's so little in the paper that is on our desk. Thank you.

Senator Umberg, you may close.

Thank you. I urge an aye vote.

This item also has an urgency clause. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll call]

Ayes 38 knows one on the urgency. I's 38 knows one. Assembly amendments are concurred in. We are now going to be opening up we are now going to be opening up the role and lifting calls. We're going to start with file item 10, SCR 22. Secretary, please call the absent Members.

[Roll call]

Ayes 29. noes 10. The appointment is confirmed. Secretary, please open the roll and call the absent Members on file. Item six.

[Roll call]

Reyes, I's 29, nos. 10. The appointment is confirmed. Secretary, please open the roll and call the absent Members on file. Item number seven.

[Roll call]

Reyes, Ayes 29, noes 10. The appointment is confirmed. Moving on to Committee announcements.

Senator Grove. Madam President. Point of personal privilege. Senator. I would like all of us to stand up and wish Mr. Silva, the. Voice of the Senate, a very happy birthday. Happy birthday.

Happy April Fools Number two. Moving back to Committee announcements, Senator Wahab.

Thank you. Just wanted to announce that the Housing Committee will meet in room 1200 roughly about 5 to 10 minutes after adjournment. Thank you, Senator Umberg.

Hi. Madam President, this is actually not an April Fool's joke. Senate Judiciary Committee will meet in room 2100 at 2:59 this afternoon.

The Committee Members probably hoped it was.

Yeah, but it's not.

Returning to motions and resolutions, colleagues, this is the time where we're going to take our conversations off the floor. We have two adjourning memories. We're going to start with Senator Blakespear.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Colleagues, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent, Ann Ledford Evans. If there were ever an ambassador and host for visitors and locals alike to the City of San Diego, it would be Anne. She loved San Diego and San Diego loved her.

Her passing at age 92 on February 122025 in many ways marked the end of an era in San Diego and a profound loss for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Born in San Diego, she graduated from Point Loma High School at the age of 16 and left home to attend Pomona College.

She reconnected with Bill Evans, whom she had met in college, and they were married. After Bill completed his military service in 1954, they settled in post war San Diego, a city that they would significantly impact for the remainder of their lives. Today, Mission Bay is a popular aquatic Recreation Park.

In 1954, it took a young couple with big dreams to see the beauty in the smelly and squalid marsh. When the city offered parcels for bid, they were surprised to receive only one.

Ann and Bill were awarded the first long term lease on Mission Bay for the land where they would build the Bahia Resort Hotel, which is the longest standing lessee of the City of San Diego. In 1959, they followed with the Catamaran Resort Hotel.

For nearly 30 years, Bill built the business and Ann raised five children and volunteered for charitable organizations and hosted political fundraisers. Most notably, she supported Pete Wilson, beginning with his time as mayor of San Diego and later Ronald Reagan. With Bill's sudden passing in 1984, Ann was determined to carry on the business.

Despite warnings about the difficulties of running a hotel business, Anne not only continued the family business, she expanded it as she herself rose in stature through her leadership and civic engagement. Along with her son and daughter, William and Grace, the family enlarged their hotels, christened the William D.

Evans Stern Wheeler, and in 1995 acquired a property on the Torrey Pines Golf Course that they renovated to become the highly acclaimed the Lodge at Torrey Pines. Anne was appreciated for her warmth and humor, admired for her leadership and generosity, and respected for her intellect and vision. She was a pioneer who broke glass ceilings.

Anne was only the third woman to be chair of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce in its 100 year plus history. She served as chair of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau and was on the Executive Committee of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

She was a founding Director of the California State Tourism Commission and served on the California Chamber of Commerce Board. She also gave generously of her time to serve on nonprofit boards, including as a trustee of her Alma mater, Pomona College, and of the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation.

As a Commissioner for the UC San Diego foundation, she was also a Director of Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Hub SeaWorld Research Institute, among others.

Anne answered the call of public service as San Diego's Chief of Protocol and was honored to be appointed to serve as the Director of the Los Angeles branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, which she then went on to chair in recognition of her business acumen.

She served on various corporate boards and received dozens of accolades and awards. In 2024, she was inducted into the California Women's Museum hall of Fame. In all of these roles, she was a fierce advocate for San Diego and for the tourism industry as an economic driver in the region and the state.

She was fond of saying tourism is the industry of peace. She also said, I don't just run a business. I'm responsible for 1,200 families. She provided medical benefits before it was common, including the earliest domestic partner benefits. And she encouraged and celebrated diversity. The company always welcomed and promoted women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals.

The family run business always embraced the San Diego community. This was strikingly evident during the COVID pandemic when all Evans hotels remained open to support frontline healthcare workers. Ann Evans left an indelible mark on San Diego and in the hearts of all who knew her.

She wanted to make the world a better place if we all shared Anne's belief that tourism is the industry of peace and promoted it in every corner of the world, the world would indeed be a better place. Thank you for adjourning in her memory.

Senator, thank you for sharing her wonderful story with us. Please bring her name forward so that we may forever memorialize her name. Senator Umbert.

Thank you. Madam President and colleagues, I rise to honor the life and legacy of two wonderful Californians, Art and Judy Reddy. Art and Judy Reddy had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary before they were tragically. Before their tragic death just last month, they both enjoyed long and successful careers in Los Angeles County.

Art Ready retired as a sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department after a 32 year career. And Judy retired as a nursing supervisor for Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Paramount.

After retiring from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Art was elected to the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, known as PPOA in 1979. He became PPOA Vice President in 1980 and began his first term as union President in 1981, a role he served in for six years.

He also served as Vice President of the International Union of Police Associations before return to the PPOA board in 2003.

Even after 30 years in retirement, Art continued to analyze bills with lobbyists and union lobbyists and made the monthly trek from his home in Palm Desert to the PPOA office in San Dimas to discuss legislation, state politics and union history with the Board of Directors.

Art was a longtime and dedicated Member of the Special Advisory Committee for the California Peace Officer Memorial foundation. And he was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Art and Judy will be missed by all who are lucky enough to know them, including me.

I ask that the California State Senate adjourn in memory of Art and Judy Reddy.

Senator, please bring the names of these the two public servants forward so that we may forever memorialize them if there's no other business. Mr. Pro Tem. The desk is clear, Madam President.

Thank you so much. When I saw the eyes of several. Members in regards to your announcement earlier. Watch out. My goodness. Members, hope you had a wonderful weekend. Busy week ahead. Committees are in full swing. The next floor session is scheduled for Thursday, April 32025 at 9:00am thank you, Madam President.

The Senate will be in recess until 3:30pm at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Thursday, April 32025 at 9:00am.

Okay.