Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Ta the birthday boy notices the absence of a quorum. Sergeant in arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for our daily prayer. Today's prayer will be offered by Reverend Oshita. Reverend Oshita.

Please join me. In a moment of reflection. On our. Recent trip to Japan. In January, I surprised Bob with a two day Detour to Kanazawa on the Japan seaside. There is a museum there dedicated to one of his favorite authors, DT Suzuki.

Bob did not expect to be so moved by the experience, and he thanked me many times. From the museum, we took a cab to the shopping district near the station. When trying to make a purchase, he realized that he had likely dropped his wallet getting out of the cab. Frantic, he went back there.

As I tried to retrace our steps. The yen exchange was so favorable, he had cashed in $1,000. In other words, his wallet was loaded. When he shared his predicament with a salesperson, she said matter of factly, you better go to the police station. It was just down the block from the store.

When we went into the station, Bob said in Japanese, I need your help. We were shocked when the officer said, oshta Sandiska. Are you Mr. Oshta? After a few quick questions and filling out a short form, his wallet and all its contents were returned. Someone had found it and brought it to the police station.

A most frantic moment became one of surprise and relief. You can imagine our disbelief and our gratitude. But deeper still, we felt assured that honesty, integrity and kindness actually do exist in this world. A world that at times seemed so blinded by selfishness and greed, it was not just Bob's wallet that was returned that day.

In realizing that such decency does exist, we were gifted a renewed hope in humanity that we did not realize we had been losing. With kindness and gratitude beyond words.

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

Good morning. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of. The United States of America.

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 Thursday, March 62025, the Assembly met at 9:00am. The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.

Mr. Garcia moves and Mr. Lackey seconds that the reading of the previous day's Journal be dispensed with presentations and petitions? There are none. Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor? There are none. Messages from the Senate? There are none.

Now moving on to motions and resolutions, the absences of the day shall be deemed read and printed in the Journal. Assistant Majority Leader Garcia, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Lowenthal and Gipson to speak on an adjournment in memory today I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly rule 118A to allow Assembly Members Carrillo and Hadwick to have guests in the rear of the chamber.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the labor and Employment Committee to notice AB 291 Gipson for their hearing on Wednesday, April 23, pending re referral from the Education Committee

Without objection, Such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I move to withdraw AB 831 Ramos from the Appropriations Committee and order it to the Sec. Second Reading File I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 96 to re refer the following bills.

[Bill Referals]

Without Such shall be the order. Okay, we are going to move on to guest introductions. Assemblymember Quirk Silva, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, it is my great pleasure this morning to welcome the students from Hope International University in the City of Fullerton. Hope International University is a private Christian University founded in 1928 as a Christian centered University. Hope is committed to the integration of faith, service and learning.

Hope's mission is to empower students to impact the world. Today, this wonderful group of teacher preparation students are fortunate to receive a glimpse of the legislative work that takes place at the Capitol. Accompanying this group of students is the Professor Dr. Steven Eddington, who teaches California history and government. I'm honored to welcome him.

As well as an educator and a former city elected official, I'm a strong supporter of student involvement and local government. Opportunities like this foster civic engagement and inspire our young people to take an active role in their communities. Members, please join me in welcoming this amazing group of talented students.

Welcome, Hope International University. Welcome to the California Assembly. Continuing on with our guest introductions, Members, if I could have some decorum, please. Assemblymember Wilson. Members Assembly Member Wilson, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good morning. Members, it is my once again honor and privilege to welcome back the outstanding students from Vacaville High School's AP U.S. government and Politics program.

For the third year in a row, these bright young minds are not only gaining a deeper understanding of our government, but also are being equipped to be the change makers our communities need. Among them are future leaders, policymakers and visionaries. They are our best and brightest hope for a great future.

And we know that they will shape the future of this great state, this great nation and our world. We are so proud to have you back. We can't wait to see where this journey takes you. Welcome to our Capitol. Members, please join me in welcoming Vacaville High School, AP U.S. government and politics students.

Vacaville High School. I think I see at least three future Assembly Members up there. We need you. We need you. Members, quick announcement from the chair. A.R. 77.2 re referral Members. A.B. excuse me. Item 7. 75, A.B. 246 has been amended pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2. I am re referring A.B.

246 by Assemblymember Bryan to the Judiciary Committee. We will come back for another guest announcement. Actually, a few of them in a moment, but for the. For the time being, we're going to go on to business on the daily file. Our second reading.

The Clerk will read Assembly Bills 36979393193 with amendments. 263 with amendments. 1413 with amendments. 282 with amendments. 440 with amendments. 641 with amendments. 1037 with amendments. 55 with amendments. 551 with amendments. 563 with amendments. 753 with amendments. 601 with amendments. 8901172 with amendments. 354 with amendments. 468 with amendments 1006 with amendments.

1011 with amendments 1144 with amendments. 1187 with amendments. 1231 with amendments. 1127 with amendments. 1108 with amendments. 172252-333704-18502553584720741 ones at 9511-2161-4594-3223443-904394-544825335-625726-396796817641-142122-41426 with amendments. 571 with amendments. 405 with amendments. 626 with amendments. 794 with amendments. 990. 1046 with amendments 988 with amendments 1122 with amendments. 1217 with amendments.

Amendments 1098 with amendments 1361 with amendments. 808 with amendments 1286 with amendments. 1370 with amendments. 1441 with amendments. 736 with amendments. 1271 with amendments. And Assembly Bill 810 with amendments.

Thank you, Mr. Bowman. All bills will be deemed read and all amendments will be deemed adopted. Okay, we are moving on to the Assembly third reading. We are. We already spoke about a re referral of item number 75. We're going to pass and retain on items 76 and 77.

Which brings us to file item 78, ACR 34 by Assemblymember Ta. The Clerk will read

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 34 by Assembly Member Ta relative to Sylvia Mendez Day.

Assembly Member Ta. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm proud to be here today to introduce ACR 34, a resolution that observed April 14th as Sylvia Mendez Day this day marked the historic decision in the case of Mendez vs Westminster, a landmark moment in California and America's civil rights history.

In 1943, Sylvia Mendez, a nine year old girl, was denied entry to the 17th Street School in Westminster, California because she was Mexican American. Sylvia and other children were ordered to attend a second Mexican only school even though there was a better school much closer to their home, Syria.

Parents Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, along with other Mexican American families fought back against this discrimination. Their case, Mendez versus Westminster, was a proud breaking victory for civil rights.

The 9th Circuit Court ruled in favor of the Mendez family and two months later Governor Earl Warren signed a Bill that made California the first state to outlaw public school segregation. This case was the first federal lawsuit to challenge the doctrine of separate but equal in K12 school.

Its success set a Russian legal precedent for the Supreme Court Broward v. Board of Education decision with word the Secretary School across the nation. As a former mayor of Westminster, I understand the profound impact of this case on our community. The legacy of Mendez versus Westminster must be celebrated, especially in the state where it all began.

I believe Latino community has played a key role in our state history and it is important that all Californians to learn about the challenge faced by Mexican Americans in the fight for equality and civil rights. This is why I authored a Bill last year, AB 1805 which would encourage that students learn about this groundbreaking court case.

ACL 34 seek to ensure that we honor our Latino community's contribution to our state by commemorating April 14th as Sylvia Mendez Day. This resolution also serves as a reminder of the importance of education and awareness in fostering a more inclusive society. Through honoring Sylvia Mendez, we inspire future generations to continue the fight for equality and justice.

I urge my colleagues to support ACL 34 to honor Sylvia Mendez and the legacy of Mendez vs. Westminster. Let ensure that California continue to be a beacon of progress and inclusion. Thank you so much and ask the road to be open for co author.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ta Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, you are recognized.

Good morning colleagues. I rise in support of ACR 34. Today we gather to celebrate Sylvia Mendez, a young girl whose courage sparked a movement and helped change the course of American history.

Sylvia was just 8 years old when she became the center of a legal battle that would desegregate schools in California, paving the way for Brown versus Education and the national Civil Rights movement. Sylvia Mendez didn't ask to be a pioneer. She simply wanted the right to go to school just like every other child.

But her family's fight in Mendez versus Westminster became a beacon of justice. It reminded the country that equality isn't optional, it's essential. Today is more than a celebration of one girl's bravery. It's a call to all of us to stand up, to speak out, and to never settle for silence in the face of injustice.

Sylvia showed us that even the youngest voices can echo through the halls of history. So as we honor her legacy, let us, colleagues, recommit ourselves to the fight for equality in education and beyond. Let us teach our children that their voices matter and that one determined heart can light the path for generations to come.

Thank you, Sylvia, for your courage and thank you for keeping her spirit alive. Happy Sylvia Mendez Day. And I ask all my colleagues to rise in support for ACR 34.

Happy Sylvia Mendez Day. Thank you, Assemblymember Gonzalez. Assemblymember Quirk Silva, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise today in strong support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 34, recognizing Sylvia Mendez Day. I'm proud to call Sylvia Mendez a friend. She actually lives in Fullerton, the city I live in.

I met her many years ago as an elementary school teacher when she began speaking about what her parents courageously did to bring equity for our students across the nation. She was a nurse and then adopted two children while she was younger. But I've seen firsthand the power of equal access to education.

As an elementary teacher for almost 30 years, I've seen what happens when parents have a choice to send their children to the best schools that we offer. Sylvia often will talk about her experience as a young child.

She will often talk about how she wanted to understand why she had to go to a school much further than her neighborhood, which they at that time would call the Mexican school. Why, in fact, she couldn't go to the school closer that in her opinion was much better kept, offered more opportunity.

And this, in fact, was exactly the questions her parents, her father and mother, brought forward in the Mendez vs Westminster case. Her father, Gonzalo Mendez, they fought for equity. And because of their courageous action, students across California, students across this nation sit side by side today, learning together, growing together, and dreaming together.

As an educator, as a Latina, as a mother and a grandmother, I'm deeply proud to stand here in support of this resolution. Sylvia Mendez is not only part of Orange County history and her family, she is a part of American history. And I want to thank my colleague for bringing this resolution forward. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote for ACR 34.

Thank you, Assembly Member Quirk Silva. Assembly Member Sanchez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today as co chair of the California Hispanic Legislative Caucus in strong support of AC34 recognizing Sylvia Mendez Day. Mendez versus Westminster was a landmark case right here in our state. It proved to be a crucial precursor to Brown v. The Board of Education.

By striking down discriminatory Mexican only schools and paving the way for national desegregation. It's vital we continue the courage of the Mendez family and their fight for educational equality. Recognizing Sylvia Mendez Day reminds us of the importance of fighting for a quality education for all Californians. Sincere, I sincerely hope this body remembers that legacy.

When deliberating on policies that would limit school choice, limit parental involvement, and limit educational opportunities for future generations. I ask for your aye vote on ACR 34.

Thank you. Assemblymember Sanchez, seeing and hearing. No, forgive me. Assemblymember Castillo over at first base over there. I missed you. Assemblymember Castillo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, today I rise in strong support of resolution honoring Sylvia Mendez, a trailblazer whose courage and whose family's determination in Mendez vs Westminster helped dismantle school segregation in California. Because of heroes like Sylvia and her family, first generation Americans like me have a chance to serve in this historic chamber.

Their story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and relentless belief that every child deserves a seat at the table, regardless of race, background or zip code. And yet, as we celebrate her legacy of inclusion, I must speak to a contradiction.

Despite being a Latina elected by a majority Latino district and working every day to uplift the district that I represent, I've been denied entry into the Latino Caucus simply because I'm a Republican. Sylvia Mendez didn't fight for selective inclusion. She fought so that all of us, regardless of political party, could belong.

So today, as we recognize Sylvia Mendez's profound impact, I respectfully ask my colleagues in the Latino Caucus, let us in. Let Latino Republicans join you. So together we can truly represent all Latinos in California. Because inclusion means everyone or it means nothing. I ask for your strong support of ACR 34. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Castillo. Assemblymember Davies, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to celebrate Sylvia Mendez Day, ACR34. I also want to thank my colleague from Westminster for giving us the opportunity to celebrate this every year and to make sure that we can show the courage she had to stand up for equality and righteousness.

She has inspired many women here in California to never give up the fight and to do what is right. And with that, I ask for an aye vote on ACR 34.

Thank you, Assemblymember Davies. Assemblymember Jackson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's time for us to send a message, colleagues. It's time to make sure that we understand that boundaries matter. And it's time for us to make sure that we do not deem it acceptable to use people who sacrificed on their own for their people, for their communities, for political points. I ask all Members to lay off this resolution.

Thank you, Assemblymember Jackson. Assemblymember Kalra, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I have great respect for Sylvia Mendez. In fact, for many years I taught both the law school and undergraduate level courses on race and the law and would specifically discuss Westminster v.

Mendez prior to discussing Brown versus Board of Education, as has been mentioned, a precursor not just to Brown versus Board of Education, but to much of the civil rights movement and how California, and particularly our Latino community, plays such a pivotal role in some of those groundbreaking cases that allowed us to have incredible victories as a people with the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights act, that would come a few several years later.

The true contradiction is that we have a party that is putting forth the resolution in recognition of a movement that they now want to erase from history. They want to call it dei. They don't want us to talk about the fact that Sylvia Mendez is with us. She was here last year.

Ruby Bridges is only 70 years old. These are real people, real movements, real people that had the fight, in some cases die for their right to have equality.

And yet at this very moment, we have a movement, a MAGA movement, that wants us to completely erase that history and erase the accomplishments of people like Sylvia Mendez so that they cannot be taught in our schools. And so that's the true contradiction that exists here.

If you want to fight for equality, if you want to fight to make sure that, that all of our African American, Latino brothers and sisters have opportunity, then your record, your vote should reflect that in the bills that come forward and not to support both a presidential Administration as well as policies here in this state that seek to divide us.

And so I have great honor and respect for Sylvia Mendez and for the case, Westminster Revendez and his incredible role in our legal history. However, for it to be used as a way to falsely elevate some sense of togetherness when actions every other day of the year from our Republican colleagues show the exact opposite, is pure hypocrisy.

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

Thank you. Members, I rise to stand with my colleague from Riverside County in your request in this moment. Last year, I sat on Education Committee and heard this Bill or a version of this Bill presented by our colleague who is offering this ACR Today, I had a chance to hear from the Mendez family.

I had to chance to hear from the hate and bigotry and isolation that they had to endure as they were going through the process of fighting for what ultimately resulted in Westminster v. Mendez, a case that I learned about in law school.

As a Latina in our law school system, learning about education, discrimination and the path that we took to Brown v. Board of Education, Westminster v. Mendez was a seminal moment for me in my own learning about my history, because I learned and appreciated the fact that our Latino communities stood up for and created the pathway to end desegregation in our schools.

A deep, deep part of that history of anti discrimination that our schools stand for today came from our Latino communities and the struggles of the Mendez family in so doing.

So, it pains me greatly that we are now at a point where, for whatever reason, we are dealing with a GOP and a party that refuses to acknowledge the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools.

Because the reality is that those measures were put forward to be able to advance our ability to not have discrimination in our school settings, in our housing settings, in our economy, in our work settings, and to have us now have to be put in this precarious decision of voting for a measure that on its face, lifts up an icon of our community, an icon of our justice system, but doing so from a place where we are not acknowledging the deep hatred, bigotry and discrimination that surrounded that family, Sylvia Mendez herself.

And this moment in time for our Latino students, our black students, our indigenous students, our LGBTQ students, in this moment in time were presented with a challenge. We press that green button a lot, and certainly we always do it when we see beautiful things like celebrations of our icons like Ms. Mendez.

I encourage all of you to think about bringing another resolution where we can truly honor the support and love that should be bestowed upon Ms. Mendez. But for this ACR 34, I ask you to not vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta. Assemblymember Lackey, you are recognized.

This is one of the first times I felt ashamed. I felt ashamed of this body that is trying to mimic Washington, D.C. by inserting needless, absolutely needless, partisan dividend. Look at the people who have brought this Bill forward. They don't look like me. There are people that have overcome circumstances. We deserve to celebrate.

There might be a time to be partisan. This certainly is not it. Come on, everybody. Let's overlook some of the things that might frustrate us politically. This is not the time. This is a time to celebrate something that was very landmark and something that we should unite. Please support this very worthy measure.

That was a landmark incident of what brings us together, not what divides us. Please don't be shameful.

Thank you, Assemblymember Lackey. Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also feel compelled to speak this morning. And I, too, feel ashamed that actually the politicization started from the right. And so today I do rise in support and rise to honor the courage and the conviction of a young girl who helped change California and America. She changed it forever.

Sylvia Mendez was just 8 years old when her family took a stand against injustice. In 1945, when she was denied entry to a whites only school in Orange County, her parents, Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez, filed a lawsuit that would become Mendez versus Westminster. That case didn't just desegregate schools in California.

It laid the legal groundwork for Brown vs Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court case that ended school segregation nationwide. And we know that former Thurgood Marshall used the Mendez case as precedent in this argument before the court. When we look at history, Sylvia Mendez didn't seek the spotlight. She simply wanted an equal chance.

But because of her and because of her family's bravery, millions of children were given that chance. And yet, here we are, decades later, and the fight for justice is far from over. We are watching a dangerous rise in extremism.

Hate and division are in our country so much that even the actions by our current President threatens our democracy. His rhetoric is rooted in racism, in fear, and in lies. He has targeted our immigrant community, attacked our civil rights, and has tried to roll back every freedom that heroes like Sylvia Mendez have fought to secure.

So let me be clear to everyone, at least in my time, we won't go backward. We won't. We owe it to the children, to the Sylvia Mendezes, to our children, to continue to Fight with that same courage that the Mendez family showed.

So that I, and many of you here on this floor had the equal opportunity to get a good public education. So I ask you all colleagues today that we must continue to fight for inclusion in our schools, for a fair justice system, for people's right to vote, for leaders, to.

For leaders who believe in democracy, to continue to strengthen our democracy here in the United States. So I ask you guys to rise and support Sylvia Mendez's legacy, the courage, the history that she has left us here in California and in our country.

And again calling out the hypocrisy that again started from the right this morning, that it wasn't Democrats on this floor trying to politicize this moment. So today I ask you guys to support ACR34 and let the legacy of the Mendez family continue to live here in California and in America.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria. Members, before we close out debate, and I ask our author to close. Forgive me, I did not see your microphone. Ms. Ortega, Ms. Ortega, you are recognized.

Thank you. Members, I rise in opposition of ACR 34. While I understand my colleagues in wanting to honor Sylvia Mendez, I request that we offer a new resolution that does just that honors her, her legacy, what she stood for, without the rhetoric that has been that has tainted the current resolution. I respectfully ask for a new resolution.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ortega. I'm going to take this opportunity, Mr. DeMaio, before I recognize you, to say a few words from the chair. Members, I want to compliment you all on the level of decorum you are showing today in speaking out, speaking from your hearts and speaking for your constituents.

And for many of you, speaking from a lifetime of conviction and work, it's tough to do that. It has always been the traditions of this House and of this body to give grace during resolutions and subjugate to some degree so that we can hear and learn from different perspectives that are different from our own.

When we take the time and instead use our talking points to denigrate any other Member of the body from their behavior, their priorities, their decisions or their choices. We are violating the traditions and customs of this body.

So again, I want to compliment you for the level of decorum that you are showing today, but the grace that you're showing today in listening to each other and ask you continue to do so as the day goes on and as the session continues. Mr. DeMaio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I absolutely join you in your remarks there, your admonition to this body and some of the Members. This should be a no brainer. Sylvia Mendez deserves to be honored.

You know, I have spoken out against some of the honorary resolutions out of frustration that we come to this body, we introduce resolutions that have no real legal effect, but they really are virtue signaling.

They're designed to speak on behalf of our constituents, to express hope, admiration, to reflect on our history, to try to remind people about what happened in the past so that we can avoid those mistakes in the future. They tend to be non controversial. But what have we done this morning?

We have Members standing and trying to bitterly rip apart what should be overwhelming consensus. This should be a point of pride in California.

Mr. DeMaio, if you stay to the merits. Excuse me, I'm speaking. Excuse me, Mr. DeMaio. Mr. DeMaio, just a moment. We're going to be speaking to the merits of this resolution and not to the actions of our colleagues in the body. Thank you.

This resolution should be a moment of pride because when Sylvia suffered the injustice, her family suffered that injustice. There was no consensus at that time that it was truly heinous and an injustice. But today there is. That reflects so much progress in civil rights. That's what this resolution is about.

Can we not speak to the best of our constituents by supporting this resolution today? Can we please reject the inflammatory political rhetoric? Can we please just reject that on this resolution and vote in favor of it?

And I see some of my colleagues shaking their heads no for any Member that can't vote today in favor of this simple resolution. And to my colleague from Los Angeles who said that they want a different resolution with different language. Read the resolution. I don't see anything objectionable in this resolution.

It's very simple, it's very cut and dry. But if you can't vote for this resolution, it doesn't say anything about Sylvia Mendez. Let me assure you of that. It says only volumes about those that can't vote in favor of it. I ask for the aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. DeMaio. Members, when you are addressing the entire body, I encourage you to address the entire body and not just the opposite Caucus. On that note, seeing and hearing no further debate. Mr. Ta. Just a moment. Just a moment, Mr. Ta. Members, will you all join me in recognizing today is Mr. Ta's birthday.

It's his 52nd birthday. We appreciate you so much, Mr. Ta. And on that note, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank all the Members for your passion in sharing your comment. The reason I introduced this resolution because. I had an honor to get to. Know Sylvia Mendez for almost a decade. When I was mayor of the city. Westminster, we built a park named after her.

We built a trail named after her. And last year I introduced AB 1805. To make sure that all the students. In California to learn about her case. And the resolution AB 34 is the. Moment that we honor our national civil rights icon. So I ask for your aye vote. And I ask for the roll to be open for co author. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ta. Debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Remember, this is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. There are 55 co authors added without objection.

We will now take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no objection. State your objection Mr. Mr. Lee, you are recognized. Mr. Lee. It takes three Members to object to a voice to a roll call vote.

Okay, Assembly Member Bonta, Assembly Member Jackson and Assembly Member Lee. Okay, Clerk will call the roll on a roll call vote. 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 tally. The votes ayes. 56. No 0. The resolution is adopted.

Excuse me, Ayes 56. Nos. 2. The resolution is adopted. We're going to continue on with our guest guest introductions. Actually, we're going to move back to guest introductions. Our next guest is going to be introduced by three Assembly Members. I'm going to ask Assemblymember Carrillo, Assemblymember Ortega and our Majority Leader to introduce our next guest Members. I ask you to hold your applause until all three Members have introduced this guest. And with that we will begin with Assemblymember Carrillo.

You are recognized, sir. Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues, friends and honored guests. It is my deep honor on behalf of the California Latino Legislative Caucus to recognize and celebrate a true icon of justice, equity and empowerment, Dolores Huerta on her birthday. Dolores Huerta is not just a name in our history books.

She is a living legend. As a co founder of the United Farm Workers alongside Cesar Chavez, she has been a fearless advocate of labor fights, civil rights and social justice for decades. Her rallying cry, Si se puede has become a defining phrase for movements across the nation. A testament to the power of belief, perseverance and unity.

Dolores work laid the foundation for many of the labor protections we fight to uphold today. As Latino leaders, we stand on her shoulders of her courage, her vision, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting our communities, especially the most marginalized.

She taught us that organizing is a form of love, a love for our people, for justice, and for the future we want to build. Dolores is still marching, organizing, speaking truth to power and empowering new generations.

Through the Dolores Huerta foundation, she reminds us that we fight for justice as to be ongoing and that each of us has a role to play in shaping a more equitable California. On behalf of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, we extend our deepest gratitude and warmest birthday wishes to Dolores Huerta.

May her life continue to inspire bold leadership, compassionate service and unyielding advocacy in all of us. Feliz cumprianos, Dolores. Gracias. Gracias por segir La Lucha, Por Quesabemos Que Portis comunidades. Muchas gracias y feliz cumpleanos.

We have a few more Members who are going to be doing this. Guest introduction. Assemblymember Ortega, you are recognized for your guest's introduction.

Today we honor and celebrate Dolores Huerta's 95th birthday. Wow. Celebrating her means more than just wishing her a happy birthday. She is a legacy. She is an icon. She is a Chingona. But more than anything, she's an organizer.

And that means acknowledging her hard work, her voice, her strength and her body, the way we should always do, which is to use our voice in the face of adversity. Today, we cannot afford to be scared. Scared to stand up, scared to fight back.

As Members, the best way to honor Dolores Huerta and her birthday is by ensuring that we also use our votes, that we use them to ensure that our farm workers know that we truly, truly have their backs and respect that the work that they do is more than just putting food on our tables.

So please, join me and honoring her and celebrating today as Dolores Huerta Day, not by singing Happy Birthday, but by singing organize, organize, organize. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ortega. Madam majority leader. You are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, it is a great honor to recognize and celebrate Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday. Happy birthday, girlfriend. A woman who continues to work tirelessly on issues she believes in and who continues to inspire others to show up and to speak out.

She is a force to be reckoned with. You she has. Dolores has paved the way for women everywhere and set a standard of leadership, devotion and commitment to helping those who can't help themselves, no matter what obstacles or challenges she faced. She fought for what she believed in. Thank you, Dolores.

Thank you so much for continuing to share your her story with us and allowing us to learn from you. With great gratitude and respect. Happy birthday, Dolores.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. You are recognized for your guest introduction.

It's such an honor to stand here before you. And I rise today with great pride to wish you a very, very special happy birthday. Colleagues, this is my 11th year on this Assembly floor and I've had numerous opportunities to engage with this beautiful icon. And whatever she has, I want.

I want to be 95 years old and dancing. The first one out on the dance floor and the last one still dancing. I want to be somebody who. Who travels all across our great State of California and throughout the United States to inspire and to engage and to stand up.

You are a woman that has moved so many and yet you started your journey in Central California advocating for the farm workers.

Those farm workers that we know that arise in the morning at 4am, sometimes working their entire days and living in what we know you also inspired, which is a farm worker housing, but sometimes in dire conditions. So as today we debate, right before you joined us, another great woman, Sylvia Mendez.

Two Latino women who are not only fierce but courageous. I'm proud to just learn and see from you and have had this opportunity, but more than that, to understand what you have fought for and you have fought for our most vulnerable.

For those in poverty, for those who work from morning till night bringing forward the economy of California, for those who clean our buildings, for those who prepare our meals in the back kitchens, for those that make the beds in our hotels. You have stood up. You have stood up numerous times and marched.

And we will continue to follow in your footsteps. And please give me your secret because you're more beautiful than ever. Happy birthday.

Feliz cumplianos. Dolores Huerta. Si se puede. Si se puede. Mucha gracias para todo lo que hace todo Los Dias. We're so excited for what you will do the next 95 years.

Okay. Thank you, Members. As we send Ms. Huerta on immediate transmittal to the Senate, it's time to continue the business on the daily file. We are on to file item 79 AB471 by Assembly Member Hart. Members. Thank you, Members. Assembly Member Hart, you are recognized.

Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I have a simple measure. Assembly Bill.

Mr. Hart. Excuse me one moment. File item 84, AB 677. The Clerk will read.

Okay. Clerk will read Assembly Bill 677 by Assembly Member Bryan and others an act relating to pupil records.

Assembly Member Hart, you are recognized. Okay. I'm sorry. Okay. All right, we are on file. Item number 79 AB471. Mr. Hart. Everybody. My bad.

Assembly Bill 471 by Assembly Member Hart an act relating to air pollution.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are aligned. AB471 will increase participation within local air district boards by providing equitable compensation to board Members. The Bill addresses the compensation inequity in existing law by providing explicit statutory authority for additional air districts to provide compensation for their Members.

This measure will attract a wider range of candidates from diverse backgrounds who may have been discouraged from serving due to the financial burden. This Bill has bipartisan support, enjoys no opposition. And. And I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Hart. Seeing and hearing no further debate, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 61, noes 2. The measure passes system. Majority Leader Garcia, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Utilities and Energy Committee to notice AB 1156 Wix for their hearing on Wednesday, April 23rd, pending re referral from the local government Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Back to the business on the daily file. We are going to pass and retain on file items 80, 81, 82, 83 and now we are at file item number 84, AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan.

Assembly Bill 677 by Assembly Member Bryan and others an act related to pupil records to Member Bryan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Right now, California makes sure that every student in school has access to free dental and eye vision screenings.

But because of a gap in implementation, our students who are housing insecure or unhoused actually don't have access to this resource that's provided to all students or should be provided to all students. This Bill ensures that our students who are housing insecure or unhoused also receive their free vent, free vision and free dental screenings that they deserve. And I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you. Assembly Member Bryan Seeing and hearing no further debate, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 69 no 0 the measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file item 85 file item 86 file item 87 which gets us to file item 88 ACR 31 by Assemblymember Hadwick. The Clerk will read

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 31 by Assemblymember Hadwick Relative to the California Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Assembly Member. Hadwick, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I rise to present ACR 31 which declares the week of April 13th to April 19th, 2025 as California Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

This week, celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professions and equipment, and render life saving assistance to Californians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Public Safety Telecommuter Week is celebrated nationally, but it's got its start in California when in 1981, Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office first started the idea. During my time at the Modoc County Sheriff's Office, I had the honor of supervising dispatch for four years.

Those years gave me a whole new level of respect for the men and women behind the headsets. Dispatchers are truly remarkable. They are the calm voice in the storm, the steady hand guiding chaos into order.

They juggle multiple emergencies, comfort callers in crisis, direct first responders to where they're needed most, and do it all with split second decision making. Their knowledge of the community, their instincts and their professionalism are unmatched. They are the heart of any first responder agency. Without them, the wheels don't turn.

They're the first voice you hear in an emergency and often the last to hang up after a crisis. Their impact is quiet but powerful. To all our dispatchers and system professionals. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to create a better and safer world.

For thank you for your service, your dedication, and for being the invisible thread that holds us all together. I respectfully ask for an aye vote and that the first roll be open to co authors.

Thank you Assemblymember Hadwick. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Clerk will open the Roll for Co Authors. All those vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. This is for co authors. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes.

There are 63 co authors added without objection. We'll move to a voice vote. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed no. The ayes have it. The measure the resolution is adopted. Assemblymember Hadwick, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With me today in the rear of the chamber are representatives from the dispatcher community. Amitris Sidney, President of the California Chapter of the National Emergency Numbers Association. Tristan Scraber, past President of the NORCAL Association of Public Safety Communication Officials. Maria Esquatini, Vice President of Association of Public Safety Communication Officials.

Please join me in thanking them and welcoming them to the California Assembly.

Okay, we are moving right along. We are going to pass and retain on file items 89, 90, 91. Which brings us to file item 92, AB 1150 by Assemblymember Schultz. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1150, Assembly Member Schultz, and app. Relating to local government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present AB 1150, which aims to address our airport's financial needs to enhance traveler experiences. We all know that our airports are grappling with aging infrastructure, including outdated elevators, escalators, moving walkways, H VAC systems, and insufficient charging stations for electric vehicles.

And at a time when California is preparing to welcome not only the World Cup, but the Olympics, this is an infrastructure investment we need to make.

AB 1150 gives our airport the authority to increase the daily maximum customer facility charge from $9 that was set 15 years ago and has not since been revisited to $12, thereby ensuring that our rental car facilities are equipped to handle the challenges ahead. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Schultz. Seeing no others wishing to speak, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote to desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll. Ayes 62. No one measure passes.

We will pass and retain on item number 93 and item number 4. Taking us to item number 95. HR 30. The Clerk will read

House Resolution 30 by Assembly Member Lowenthal and others for the Khmer New Year.

Assemblymember Lowenthal, you may open.

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker and colleagues, today I rise to present House Resolution 30, which recognizes April 14th through 16th as Khmer New Year I'm very proud to have the largest concentration of Cambodian Americans in the United States.

A Khmer New Year or Cambodian New Year is also known as Maha Sangrata and coincides with the traditional Solar New Year also celebrated across Southeast Asia, parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. In Cambodia, New Year is celebrated by a three day public holiday with specific acts of worship every day.

Today, California is home to the largest population of Cambodian Americans and the City of Long Beach, as I said earlier in my district, home to the largest community of Cambodians outside of Southeast Asia.

For the Cambodian diaspora in California, the New Year represents a time to honor cultural heritage with food, dance and in Long Beach, a parade and cultural festival that is viewed by thousands of people around the world each year. Colleagues, I hope you will join me and officially recognize April 14th to 16th as Khmer new Year. Respectfully ask your aye vote and ask for the first roll be open for co authors.

Seeing no others wishing to speak, the Clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co authors, all those votes who desire to vote. All those votes who desire to vote. This is for co authors, all those votes who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll. There are 68 co added to this resolution without objection.

We'll take a voice vote on this. All those in favor indicate by saying aye oppose say no. The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Thank you so much. Assembly Member Nguyen, we're going to pass and retain on file items 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 Assistant Majority Leader Garcia, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker, AB100 has been received from the Senate. I move to suspend the rules to allow Assembly Member Gabriel to take up AB100 today without reference to file for the purpose of concurrence and Senate amendments.

Assembly Member DeMaio, you are recognized for your objection. I object. Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you have seconded Mr. Garcia's motion. Members, this is not debatable. We are going straight to a voice vote on the on the on the motion. Clerk will open the roll on the voice vote or on the roll call vote.

Excuse me all those vote who desire to vote. The Majority Leader is asking for an aye vote. Mr. DeMaio is asking for a no vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 52 no. 17 the so we are moving to AB 100 by Assemblymember Gabriel. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 100 by Assemblymember Gabriel and acclaim to the state budget making an appropriation therefore to take effect immediately. Budget Bill

Assemblymember Gabriel, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present AB100, our early action budget Bill. Most importantly, the appropriations in this Bill will benefit communities across California by investing in wildfire prevention and forest resilience.

This Bill also will provide needed funds to ensure that hospitals and providers can receive timely payments and Californians can access the health care they need and rely upon. Finally, this Bill will continue our commitment to helping with the recovery and rebuilding of communities in Los Angeles devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Colleagues, we will have more work to do on all of these important issues in our June budget. That work is already proceeding thanks to the commitment and dedication of our talented budget Subcommitee chairs and we will continue with urgency over the next 65 days as we work to craft an on time and balanced budget.

But today's early action is an important first step that will benefit communities across the Golden State. For that reason I ask for your aye vote on AB100.

Thank you Assemblymember Gabriel, Assemblymember DeMaio, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in opposition to the current form of AB100 and ask that this body take up an amendment to eliminate funding for illegal immigrant free health care at taxpayer expense as well as direct the elimination, the suspension, the cancellation of the high speed rail project which has become a multibillion dollar boondoggle costing taxpayers.

We were presented with AB100. When last we saw AB100 it was one page long. Today it comes back to us 47 pages long with no review or deliberation by this body on the first round of AB100. But we are being asked today just simply to concur with the Senate's work.

I believe that the public deserves transparency on the budget. They deserve to be heard on the budget through each of us their representatives. Since AB100 was presented in a one page format, we have learned more about the fiscal crisis in the state's medical program. All of us support Medi Cal.

It is the most important health care program for the neediest among US children, the indigent low income families. But all of their health coverage has been put at risk because Governor Gavin Newsom and this Legislature decided to grant a gift of public funds to illegal immigrants to cover their health insurance at taxpayer expense.

In my district A family of four going onto the Covered California website has to pay $16,000 for their health care coverage. But an illegal immigrant is given 100% coverage through Medi Cal at taxpayer expense. When this was proposed. Governor Newsom claimed it would only cost only $6.5 billion. That was a year ago.

He either was woefully ignorant as to fiscal realities or he lied to the public. Today we find it's $10 billion and counting of taxpayer money to give free health care to illegal immigrants. The same is true in terms of misrepresentations about high speed rail.

In 2008, voters were told it would only be $8 billion of taxpayer investment and we would get a train that would go from LA to San Francisco. It would be marvelous. Today, 8 billion has turned into 130 billion and counting. And in fact we need $7 billion just to prove Prop the old girl up.

For the next 12 months of taxpayer funds, not a single inch of real high speed rail has been laid. oh no, they have phony rail in Central Valley. So they can continue to bilk federal grants which by the way, the $4 billion of federal grant funding is now under investigation by the Secretary of Transportation.

We will be asked to pour more money into that failing project not because anyone believes that we're ever going to see a transportation project out of it, but because campaign contributors need the consulting contracts and the work. This is about grift, it's about wasteful spending. It's not about transportation, it's certainly not about climate change.

And so I have offered an amendment, the Republican caucus has offered an amendment to this Bill. Very simply, we know that we face a multi $1.0 billion budget shortfall. We know that things are going to be very rough.

We know that taxes are being increased by the majority party and the Governor, most notably the payroll tax on jobs in our state hitting small businesses. We know that services will be cut back because of our fiscal condition.

And so today the responsible thing to do on this budget adjustment for the current fiscal year is to start making strategic cuts to reflect our values and to safeguard important programs. I believe with Medi Cal on the brink of financial insolvency, we have to immediately take action and suspend any additional coverage. 30 seconds. Immigrant healthcare.

And of course we should immediately suspend the high speed rail project. That is why I make a motion. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Assembly Rule 7, I move to suspend Assembly Rule 69 to amend AB100 with an amendment that is at the desk for the similar Bill.

Mr. DeMaio. Mr. DeMaio, I'm going to interrupt you for just a moment. First of all, you are out of order motion. And a second. Excuse me, please don't interrupt the chair. You're out of order. The reason you're out of order is you cannot give a speech on a topic and then make a motion.

If you wish to make a motion, it cannot be during the time that has been allotted for you to speak on a topic. We'll also take this opportunity. Excuse me. I will recognize you for your appeal in just a moment, Mr. Demaio.

First, I need to rule on your motion before you can appeal it, by the way, unless your motion is that you're overruling my point of order that you are out of order. You are out of order. Okay.

I want to remind everybody, and certainly all of the Members of the freshman class understand that once a Bill is on concurrence, there is no mechanism for it to be amended. I think that the points that you were speaking of earlier about it should have been amended are very important points for your caucus to be made.

However, there is no mechanism for a Bill that's on concurrence to be amended. Mr. DeMaio, you are recognized. Thank you for your comments. You are now recognized for your motion.

Motion to appeal the ruling of the chair on the basis that Assembly Rule 7 allows us to modify any rule of this of this chamber and take up the amendment.

I motion I appeal the the ruling of the chair so that we can consider the amendment to cancel illegal immigrant health care as well as so suspend the high speed rail project.

You're. You're appealing my ruling that you're out of order.

I'm appealing your judgment that we can't take up the amendment that I've offered. I've made a motion.

My ruling was you cannot make a motion while you're making your talk points on a Bill. So I'm now recognizing you separately to make a motion. Would you like to make that?

I will make a motion. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 7, I move that we suspend Assembly Rule 69 to amend AB100 with the amendment at the desk for SB100, which is the identical Bill that we sent. We. We sent back, we received from the Senate.

Thank you, Mr. DeMaio. Is there a second? Seconded by Assemblymember Castillo. Just a moment. Mr. DeMaio.

Thank you. Mr. DeMaio, your motion is out of order. We are not in the portion. We're on motions, we and resolution. Excuse me, we're not in the portion of motions in the hearing whatsoever or excuse me, in the chamber whatsoever. We're now debating bills itself. Is there a second? Okay, there has been. That is not debatable motion.

You do not get two minutes. It goes directly to a vote. The majority leader will be asking for a no vote. Mr. DeMaio will be asking for an aye vote. Appealing the decision of the chair. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote. Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote.

All those vote who desire to vote. Majority leader is asking for a no vote. Mr. DeMaio is asking for an aye vote to appeal the ruling of the Clerk. We'll close the roll and tally the votes. Eyes 18, noes 51. Motion fails. Assembly Member Addis, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in support of AB100. It is apropos to do so on the same day that we celebrate Dolores Huerta's birthday and Sylvia Mendez and their fights for the most hardworking and vulnerable people in our state.

I want to clarify that this budget Bill would provide 2.8 billion in General Fund spending for Medi Cal, but it would also provide 8.2 billion in federal matching dollars that will allow California to continue paying Medi Cal providers through the current fiscal year.

And of importance is that without this 2.8 billion in General Fund appropriation, we would not be able to draw down the 8.2 billion from the Federal Government. And I think all of us should know what the actual threat to health care is right now.

It's that the Federal Government is threatening to make good on its promise to balance its own dysfunction on the backs of health care for children, for women, for seniors, for people with disabilities, for hardworking families by cutting health care for those very people.

And speaking of grift, some of our colleagues are fixated on finding ways to hurt Californians with what I would call clickbait comments that that they are likely raising dollars on right now as I make this speech. But we also know what is true is that's not why the majority of us came here.

We know that the majority of us are here to do one thing and one thing only, which is to serve the people of our state, the people who put us in this room today. And we are doing that.

We know that due to the work of this body, hard work that was done over the last decade, 94% of Californians now have health care coverage. And we know that California's current health care spending doesn't just cover people.

It keeps our hospitals open and shields us all from the burdens of uncompensated care that happen across red and blue districts if those hospitals lose medi Cal funding. And we know that if uncompensated care increases, it's likely that every single one of us in this room will pay more for our health insurance coverage.

We can't close our eyes to the fact that health care costs are rising. They're rising for medical, for, for Medicare, for employer sponsored coverage, and they're rising on the commercial market. Nationally, healthcare costs are accelerating by and its spending is projected to hit its highest level in 13 years. This is driven by a number of things.

It's driven by inflation, prescription drug cost, increased behavioral health utilization, and increased CDC senior care. And other states, both red and blue, are facing the exact same challenges that we are. Our Assembly Budget Subcommitee, the Health Budget Subcommitee, and our entire budget team is actively examining the real need to lower costs and lower spending.

And we're doing that in a fiscally responsible way that is thoughtful, that is strategic, and, and that has compassion at the heart of these decisions because this is truly what this body is meant to do and it's truly the California way. So for these reasons, I urge your aye vote on AB100. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Addis. Assemblymember Tangipa, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. We need to have a serious discussion about. About our priorities. This is going to be a difficult budget year. We'll have to make real cuts to real programs that do good for Californians. But this budget Bill does not reflect the gravity of our situation. Even under the governor's proposed budget, we're.

Already discussing cuts to the UC and. CSU systems, institutions that represent long term investments in our children's future. We're also looking at cuts to programs that serve vulnerable populations such as medically fragile and disabled children. And that was before the Los Angeles fires and the other financial challenges we face now.

We cannot afford the kind of pathological altruism this Bill represents, especially when we are failing to make meaningful investments in wildfire mitigation. For those who haven't been paying attention, State Farm has spent the last two days explaining why they feel the need to raise rates by more than 20% or leave California entirely.

This Bill reflects a tale of two California's. One where we're moving mountains to backfill the property Taxes for LA who need help. While I think about my residents still suffering from the creek fire, still waiting on reimbursements, and cannot rebuild and cannot recover. And the reason is simple. We are not doing enough to prevent wildfires.

Californians need us to prioritize action, not excessive altruism. There is an infinite number of problems with a finite amount of resources. And we are failing to address the needs of all Californians in this budget Bill. And for that, I urge my colleagues not to support it.

Thank you, Assembly Member Tangipa, Assembly Member Bains. You are recognized.

I am completely outraged by the comments on this floor about undocumented health care coverage. As a person, probably the only one on this floor that currently works as a physician providing health care, I cannot tell you how important it is to really get a handle on what health care does.

I decided to be on this body, to join this body because of threats to health care. What I saw during COVID 19 and the talking point that covering undocumented health care will increase health care costs is a complete nonsensical argument. Let me give you an example. This gives access to primary care.

This coverage will get people into a clinic rather than showing up at the hospital at late stages of a disease. I'll give you an example of valley fever. We all know that someone shows up with valley fever in the late stages in the hospital can cost us over $1.0 million.

If they show up in my clinic and I get them started on fluconazole, which is a treatment, by the way, which nobody here might know because I am a physician, if we get them started on that treatment, that is going to save us costs in the long run.

People need to wake up and understand health care is important. Taking care of vulnerable people is important. And the talking point that covering undocumented immigrants is going to increase our health care costs is complete bs. And as a Doctor, Doctor's orders. Vote aye on this.

Thank you, Dr. Bains. Assembly Member Elhawary, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I am rising today to urge my colleagues to join me to support this budget action. This is about protecting people's health, homes and dignity. And we can't afford to wait. Our communities in LA are still recovering from the fires.

This budget action helps get resources into the hands of people who need them most so families like mine can begin to rebuild, heal, and feel whole again. The Legislature already put $2.5 billion on the table for fire recovery. This Bill makes sure some of that funding is used the right way, targeting areas hit hardest.

Recovery isn't just physical, it's emotional, it's financial, and it's personal. And I am seeing its impacts firsthand with my family, best friends and the greater communities of Altadena and the Palisades. We're also putting $181 million toward wildfire prevention and forest resilience. That's what real care looks like, being proactive, not just reactive.

At the same time, we're protecting Medi Cal because the attacks coming from Washington are real. House Republicans just voted to cut $880 billion from Medicaid. That means fewer children, fewer seniors, and fewer working families in California would get the care they need. Let's be clear. This kind of policy creates chaos for everyday people.

It undermines the health of our communities and takes away the basic dignity of being able to see a Doctor when you're sick. We are not backing down. We are going to fight to make sure Californians keep their coverage and that our health care system works for everyone, not just those who can afford it.

We know the budget is tight, but don't balance it by cutting care for people who already have so little. That's not who we are. We'll review any proposal from the Governor carefully. Medical must be accountable, but also accessible, equitable and centered on people, not just numbers. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Elhawary. Assemblymember Patterson, you are recognized.

Great. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Members, I'm not talking just to drag on the session, believe it or not, and I'm actually not going to address any of the blue and red and partisanship comments that have been discussed today. But I am going to talk about something that I think we should be working on together.

And in fact, we have been working on together on this issue. But I'm going to use every opportunity I get to talk about it because it hasn't been fixed. My colleague and I last year worked on legislation to.

There's the most vulnerable population, those with developmental disabilities who have private insurance through their family Members, through their parents, veterans who are serving our country. And they have other health care the state, because of the managed care and Calaiman, they've been forced onto medical, by the way, to great expense to the state.

All they want to do is keep their doctors that they're paying for already. And I've been working for now going on three years with DHCs to try to just acknowledge that this is even an issue. And I'll say the Legislature, we passed a Bill last year and the Governor vetoed it. The Governor vetoed it.

Because I dared say, hey, six months to fix this problem that they already had two years to fix. Well, now we're going on year number three. You have an extremely vulnerable population. They lost their doctors to these very specific disabilities.

One of my constituents had a Doctor in Stanford that they were seeing with one of five people in the entire nation with this disability. And they're going, they are forced onto Medi Cal. And DHCS keeps saying, zero, it's the providers. zero, it's the health plan. They all have different providers. They all have different health plans.

The only common denominator is the Department of Healthcare Services, by the way, it goes beyond that as well. Do you know if you are. If somebody you know, or the people who are in prison or in jails, in jails in particular, and they're, they're part of the medical system and they're being released.

The state is forcing them to take only specific types of treatments to cure their, their illnesses that they have for, for example, substance use disorder, not giving them the choices that Medi Cal actually permits them. I'm just telling you we have big problems at dhcs and that isn't an attack on the Director or anything like that.

It's the bureaucracy. But I'm just going to ask again for this very vulnerable population. Can we please help them? It would save the state probably, probably $100 million to do this. And I just keep getting excuses, excuses, excuses from the Department that they've even stopped responding to emails.

And so I'm just asking you colleagues, we have an opportunity. I've talked with the chair of the budget sub who I think have a good working relationship with, and I hope we can fix this in the budget, but it shouldn't take legislation. DHCS manages bazillions of dollars in the Medi Cal program.

We are entrusting them to do this. So if we're going to keep funding them and keep giving them bazillions of dollars, let's hold them accountable for what they're doing to actually harm the most vulnerable population in California. Now, on the merits of the Bill, I oppose it. And so I asked for a no vote.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, you know, listening to this debate, I do think it's important for us to really emphasize that we need to be working with the Federal Government. Not fighting the Federal Government, but working with the Federal Government. And when that happens, it's actually a beautiful thing.

I was just down in Altadena and got to visit and Tour the devastation that I have seen all too much in my own district. And what did I see there? Yes, we put 2.5 billion in there to help, and that was very good. It was what we did in a bipartisan fashion earlier this year.

But you know what? I also saw? The fastest cleanup that we have seen in California history, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency under President Trump. The fastest moving debris removal that we have seen working with the Federal Government. But I don't hear a lot of recognition of that here this morning.

And we're talking about health care, important topic. But if we're going to be honest and talk about facts in this room, we need to fix the mess that we created here in California. If Medi Cal was being run so well, guys, we wouldn't need a 3 $1.0 billion loan to send to the program right now.

We wouldn't need to do 2.8 billion just to keep the bills getting paid. That's a problem here. That's not a problem at the Federal Government. Our hospitals, many of them, especially in rural areas, underserved areas, are on the verge of closing down. And why?

Because this body passed the health care minimum wage, which is straining their budgets and making it almost impossible for them to go forward. And zero, by the way, if we're really concerned about Medi California, then we need to be fighting against this Governor who wanted to steal the money of the MCO tax just last budget year.

And the only reason that didn't get stolen is because the initiative passed, you know, this year by the voters to protect that money. But that money was going to get stolen from Medi Cal reimbursement rate increases. And we know that. So if we want to talk about health care, we should be working with our Federal Government.

Yes, we do have to abide by rules. We do have to abide by guidance. We do have to abide by federal policy, federal law. We do have to follow federal law.

You know, and you guys always advise that when my district has to follow things they don't certainly like to follow, but it's policies passed out of this house. So we do have to work with our Federal Government to solve these problems, not be fighting them.

And that is where I think we need to do a whole lot more work as we go forward in this budget and discuss those things. Not just patching the band aids, but doing the real work to bring Medi Cal into solvency. Because right now it's not. And when it's not, that means vulnerable people get impacted.

When it's not. That means that hospitals close down when we don't have policies in place that are real world, that take into account the real costs and the real issues. We're seeing maternity care, we're losing maternity care. That's not on the Federal Government, folks. That's on us. That's on us not addressing the real challenges.

So let's work together to solve real problems and actually lower people's costs and ensure that stable health care is there for all of our communities in this state. That's the true story. But the good news is, hey, we stand ready to work on that.

And I think we can do that work in a bipartisan fashion, just as we've done on Wildfire. We could do that on healthcare. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gallagher, Assemblymember Rogers, you are recognized from the majority leader's desk.

Thank you so much. Mr. Speaker. In my short time in this body, I think one of the most used phrases has been let's have an honest conversation. So today let's have an honest conversation about that. Honest conversation.

When we talk about budgets in this body, we fail to disclose that California gives almost $100 billion a year in tax breaks and only about 2% of. That goes to low income poor people.

So when we stand up and we poo poo that we have to put more money in for Medi Cal or when we have to put in in money for poor people, that's when this body wants to have an honest conversation.

Let's have an honest conversation about the fact that we have to divide that out from our total budget, where we're still giving tax breaks for oil drilling, where we're still giving tax breaks on people's third, fourth, fifth, sixth homes. Our problem is not giving health care to low income people.

Our problem is that our priorities divide poor people into this honest conversation while ignoring that those tax breaks still exist year over year as we're pushing it. That's not a red versus blue issue, that's a California issue. I think we're going to have an honest conversation. Let's have an honest conversation.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rogers. Assemblymember Bryan, you are recognized.

I want to thank my colleague from Northern California and didn't plan to speak, but I am incredibly tired of folks not from the Los Angeles area or from Altadena or anywhere near it using our region, using our burned communities to score political points.

I'm glad that the Republican leader went to Altadena because the President flagrantly dismissed the region. He went to the Palisades. And then he went golfing that same weekend rather than go visit the poor black communities that burned to the ground and have still not seen his face or his presence.

California has had to step up because the Federal Government has pulled the rug out from all of our programs, all of our social safety nets. They cut $15 million from the California State Library last week because libraries need to be doged as well. Nothing is off limits for this Administration.

And we've all seen the hell that these tariffs have put our economy through in the last two weeks, including jeopardizing the future of California's financial stability. But we're going to step up nonetheless, because that's what you do when you lead from the fifth largest economy in the world. But since we're talking about wildfires, let's talk about it.

3 billion for CAL FIRE in the budget. The 2023-2024 budget, Republicans voted against it. 2.8 billion. In 2122, Republicans voted against it. In 24-25 2.6 billion. Republicans voted against the 200 million for prescribed burns, Republicans voted against it. 1.5 billion in last year's climate bond, most Republicans voted against it.

Some Republicans from Orange County voted for it. But the official GOP position to California voters was to oppose it. So quit with the hypocrisy, because there are real people who are counting on us to make real investments to improve the conditions of their lives. That's what this Bill offers. And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bryan. Assemblymember Ellis, you are recognized.

Thank you, my colleagues. And I'm the newbie here. And I want to thank you all for the debate. I'm looking at this budget, and as a businessman and we all, and all of you in this room, you balance your budget every month, you bring in so many dollars and you spend so many dollars, then you relate that to the government. Every one of us in this room. Are compassionate about people that don't have services.

So put yourself in the position of. You want to give the homeless more money. You want to help illegal immigrants. You want to help the children, you. Want to help the underprivileged. Think about this. If someone comes up to your house and asks for something that is homeless or an illegal immigrant, but you don't have any money.

We certainly have compassion, but we don't have money. And I think we're at a crossroads. Where our budget, we want to borrow and borrow, and the interest is going to be compounded so much that our Interest payment is more than we can afford. So I think it's simple. To me, it's simple economics. So I oppose this vote.

I think that, as I've seen since I've been here, there's a lot of lack of conclusion and lack of detail in the budget. So for us to just vote and say, this is great, I think we. Should study it more. And I understand the compassion and I respect the compassion. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ellis. Assemblymember Avila Farias, you are recognized.

Thank you. Chair Members. All Californians deserve access to public health services and funding health care programs safeguards not only vulnerable communities, but the well being of all California residents. Moreover, our essential workers, who are often the most vulnerable, play a critical role in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, our construction industry and our service industry.

We all enjoy going to restaurants and we often don't think how vulnerable our service industry is in California. Their contributions generate 150 billion to our economy, underscoring the need to protect their health and in return, their health, the health of our entire state. I'm appalled that people want to put a number on people's health care.

I'm appalled that we refer to community Members who need affordable health care with names and statuses of immigration. We are all Californians and this is about humanity, not someone's status in the State of California.

Thank you, Assemblymember Avila Farias, seeing and hearing no further debate. Assemblymember Gabriel, would you like to close?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank our colleagues, and particularly so many of our colleagues from Southern California and really across the state who have spoken so eloquently to the importance of the investments in this Bill, the importance for Wildfire, the importance for health, health care, the importance of helping our devastated communities in Los Angeles rebuild, these are good investments.

I would invite those who have not had the opportunity to watch the debate in the Budget Committee to watch the budget Subcommitee hearings. There is robust discussion and analysis and conversation about these issues, many of them involving nationwide trends around health care spending, which has. Which has been a challenge for.

And medical, which has been a challenge for states red and blue across the country. So there's a lot of conversation here about things that are not specific to California, but are challenges that we are dealing with. But I do want to pick up on what the minority leader said about his invitation to work together.

The biggest issue that will impact our budget here in California are decisions that are made in Washington D.C. and if folks in Washington, D.C. follow through with some of what they're Talking about that will devastate communities here. And it won't just be democratic communities and it won't just be our coastal areas. It will be rural areas.

It will be red and purple communities. Every California will be devastated by some of what they are talking about in Washington. And what is most troubling to me about it is that we are by far and away the largest donor state. When we talk about getting money from Washington D.C. that is not charity.

That is taxpayer dollars paid by hardworking Californians that we expect to come back to us. And I believe that all of us, irrespective of our political party, should be united and stand shoulder, shoulder saying Californians deserve their fair share. It is not right that money from California taxpayers is being taken and spent in other communities.

And then we're going to have to be in a position to contemplate really terrible choices here about the programs and services that we want to provide to Californians. So I hope that you are sincere about that. I hope you will talk to your Republican colleagues in Washington, D.C.

and I hope you will tell them how some of what they are contemplating will devastate your communities and our communities and all of our communities here in California because we have to work together to make sure that Californians get their fair share. What is included in this are modest, targeted, thoughtful investments.

I want to particularly thank our colleague from Ventura for helping us work through the wildfire resiliency and prevention part of this. That is something that we have heard from Members across the state is a priority and we're going to get those dollars out there quickly. We're going to make sure that people continue to get health care.

And as our colleague from South Los Angeles so eloquently said, we are going to continue to stand with people in Altadena and the Palisades whose lives have been absolutely devastated by these wildfires.

So on behalf of all of the communities in California that are going to be funded in this in this by these investments, I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Gabriel. With that, the clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes. 56 nos. 7 Senate amendments are concurred in without objection. Immediate transmittal to the Governor.

Majority Leader Aguiar Curry, you are recognized.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96. I request unanimous consent to re refer AB 33 Alanis from the Environmental Safety and Toxins Materials Committee to The Natural Resources Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. We're now moving on to the second day consent calendar. Before we vote, we will take up first take up resolutions on the Consent calendar for the purpose of adding co authors. Clerk will read the resolutions on the consent calendar.

[Consent Calendar]

Clerk will now open the roll to allow any Member to add on as a co author to the resolutions. Members this is for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 65 CO authors added.

Moving on to a vote on the Consent calendar. File items 107 to 112. Does any Member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none. The Clerk will read the second day consent calendar.

[Consent Calendar]

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. ayes 66, no. 0 consent calendar is adopted. Clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.

[Consent Calendar]

Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your motion.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Communications and Conveyance Committee to notice AB654 for the. Hearing on Wednesday, April 30, pending re. Referral from the Housing Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Members, we are now moving on to adjournments in memory. The quorum call will be lifted. Quorum call will be lifted. Please take your conversations off the floor. Give your respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak there in German. In memory.

Assemblymember Lowenthal, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members, today I rise with an unspeakably heavy heart to ask that we adjourn in the memory of Of Larkin Carol Wells, a beautiful soul that was taken far too soon. Today would have been her 24th birthday a young woman who I had the pleasure of watching grow up.

Larkin was a breath of fresh air for me, for everyone else whose lives that she graced. Often in this job, we tend to focus on the problems of the world. We worry endlessly about the future and the issues that succeeding generations are going to face.

But Larkin was one of those people that gave us hope, because when you hung around her, you realized that as long as we have these brilliant, these compassionate and determined young leaders like Larkin Wells, we were all going to be all right. Her confidence, her authenticity, made her a force to be reckoned with.

And it gave her voice too powerful to be ignored. Larkin was born and raised in Long Beach, and even from the early years of playing soccer and seeing her drive and style of leadership, everybody knew that she was going places.

She graduated from my Alma mater, Long Beach Poly High School, before going on to earn her degree in environmental science and business from Cal Poly Humboldt University. Her love for the outdoors and the environment defined much of her life, and following her graduation, this passion led her to interning with a forest and meadows conservation program in Tahoe.

She was unafraid to break down barriers and challenge preconceived notions, proudly earning her Wildland fire chainsaw certification, a testimony testament to her grit and determination. Most recently, Larkin had been hired as a middle school science teacher in Northern California, where she would share her love of the natural world with the younger generations.

She had her whole career ahead of her, and seeing how incredible of a role model she had been within her own family, we can only imagine how inspirational she would have been to the kids in the classroom.

She was known to empower the women in her life, including her cousins, whom she loved like sisters, always reminding them of their value and beauty. She was a confidant, a source of laughter, and the first to jump into a silly skit or a spontaneous dance, creating lasting memories for all who knew her. And that's the thing, folks.

Sometimes our heroes aren't the ones that we read in the newspaper or see on the news. They're right in front of us, bringing us great joy and touching us so that we can live harder, laugh harder, and love harder.

Larkin is survived by her parents, Mike and Shannon, her brother Brody, her grandparents, Sandy, Mike and Lynn, but the Wells and Driscoll family. It's one big family.

All of her cousins, aunts and uncles, so forth, she has survived by them all, as well as her friends, her colleagues, her teammates, her classmates, and everyone she touched along the way. Taken too soon, Larkin's vibrant life shone brightly for all who had the privilege of sharing it with her.

Members, please join me in celebrating this historic Californian and adjourning in the memory of Ms. Larkin Carol Wells,

Assemblymember Lowenthal, you are recognized once again for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members. Today I rise to adjourn in the memory of a titan of Long Beach, Ms. Carmen O. Perez. Commonly known as the Godmother, Ms. Perez lived a life of consequence and will be remembered as a champion for everything good and just.

Born on October 231939 in East Los Angeles to immigrant parents, Carmen was the ninth of 10 children. Ms. Perez moved to Long beach in 1964 and she began a career defined by courageous leadership and lifting up others.

Her community involvement began as a teacher's aide in the Long Beach Unified School District and then PTA President, and then managed to work her way all the way up to becoming the Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Her impressive resume includes serving as Patient Support Services Director for the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation center, Chief Deputy for late Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, a founding Member of the Long Beach Chicano Public Political Caucus, and a Member of the California World Trade Commission.

Further, Perez became the first Latina on the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, being appointed position by two of the city's mayors. During her 12 year stint on the Commission, trade at the port tripled.

She also joined a group of civil rights activists who led the way for Latino rights in Long Beach five decades ago and became known as the long beach Chicano 6. To put it simply, she was a woman who broke barriers. Not only was Ms.

Perez an exemplary public servant in her various roles, but she made sure to keep the doors open for the next generation of leaders whom she inspired.

You could always find her mentoring college students at the East Long Beach Neighborhood Center Centro De LA Raza, where she taught Members how to organize, to elect representatives and to advocate for change. A Loyal Friend There were many who leaned on Carmen for her wisdom and counsel, and I am amongst those.

And for these reasons we can be absolutely certain that the spirit and legacy of Carmen Operez is going to live on for years to come. While her dedication to her work is unquestionable, Ms. Perez still managed to put her family first. Whether it was hosting backyard barbecues or showing her sisters, daughters and grandchildren the world, Ms.

Perez's devotion to her loved ones was unwavering. Carmen O. Perez is survived by her daughters, Cindy, Laura and Elizabeth, her sisters Aurora and Alice, and also her Many loving nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Carmen was more than her accomplishments.

Her life was a testament to what it means to live boldly, to love deeply, and to leave any place better than she found it. The city and the people of Long Beach have lost a true icon, one whose life and achievements will turn into legend.

Members, please join me in adjourning in the memory, in a force of nature that was Carmen O. Perez.

Thank you, Assembly Member Lowenthal. Assemblymember Gipson, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker and Members. It is with a heavy heart that I rise to ask this body to adjourn in the memory of Oscar B. Ramos, a beloved Member of our community, the City of Carson. On Oscar Ramos passed away on February 20, 2025 at the age of 73 years of age.

Oscar Ramos was a dedicated man who was devoted to his life and to his service and to his country as well as to his community. Born on February 10, 1952 in the Philippines, Oscar immigrated to the United States in 1972, where he spent the rest of his life making a difference in our community.

Oscar enlisted in the United States air Force in 1973, serving with honor in Texas and then later as a Member of the California Air National Guard. His military service reflect his deep commitment to his country and to its values.

Oscar became a proud resident of the City of Carson in 1977 and and dedicated himself to his beloved city. Oscar's leadership and his contribution earned him the Harmon award in 2008 for promoting unity and diversity in the City of Carson.

He also served as a Commissioner of various city committees, including the Recreation and Park, the Culture, Arts and Commission, where he name was engraved on a dedicated plaque at the Dolphin park and also Facil park in the City of Carson.

But let me make this very point clear that Oscar Ramos was a dedicated father, a dedicated husband, three children, five grandchildren. But most of all, he's left an indelible impression on the residents in the City of Carson that he loved with his leadership.

On May 2024, just a few days, Oscar Ramos was supposed to visit the Philippines to celebrate a special occasion. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Throughout his battles, he fought this disease tooth and nail. We will remember Oscar Ramos for being a courageous leader and a hero in our city.

We thank him for his commitment to this United States of America and and to the people of the City of Carson. Rest in peace and rest in power.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gibson. Please bring the name to the desk to be printed in the Journal. All requests to adjourn a memory will be deemed read and printed in the Journal.

Moving on to announcements, I am ordering the desk to remain open until tomorrow, Friday, April 11, at noon, to process Committee reports seeing and hearing no further business. I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Madam Majority leader moves, and Ms.

Hadwick seconds, that pursuant to Joint Rule 51, this House stands adjourned for spring recess until Monday, April 21st. At 1pm the quorum call is lifted and we are adjourned. .