Senate Floor

Secretary will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

A quorum is present. Members, I ask that you find your place at your desk. Before we begin floor session today, I ask that you please rise as we observe a moment of silence in memory of Pope Francis, who passed away this morning, may he rest in peace. Thank you, Members and guests.

Would the Members and guests beyond the rail and in the gallery, please remain standing. We will be led in prayer this afternoon by our guest chaplain, Father Ashod Khachadourian, after which, please remain standing for the presentation of the colors by the Homanetum Color guard, to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Good afternoon. Thank you very much. Let's pray together. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Father, we are grateful for the grace of life that you have granted us today so we can work towards establishing peace and spreading love among people.

Dear Lord, we ask you to extend your bountiful right hand on the United States of America and bless its leaders and its people.

We also ask you to bless the leadership of the beautiful State of California and its dwellers so we can live and progress together into success and prosperity on this blessed day, as we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we implore you to hear our prayers from the California State Capitol and deliver the Armenian nation from all evil and tribulations. Amen.

The colors will be presented today by the Hohman netman Color Guard. Color guard, please post the colors. Members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Color guard, retire the colors.

Thank you, Members and guests, and welcome back home from your work in other places. Members, without objection, we will move to Senate third reading. To take up file item 45, Senate Resolution 33 by Senator Perez. Senator Perez, at the majority leader's desk, you are welcome to begin. zero, Secretary, please read.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Very Reverend

Senator Perez. Just one moment, Secretary.

Senate Resolution 3 by Senator Perez. Relative to the Armenian genocide.

Now you may begin my.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Very Reverend Father Ashod Khachadourian. For your healing prayer. I would also like to thank the Scouts from Homonetman, Sacramento and Walnut Creek chapters for joining us today.

Members, I rise to present SR33 designating April 24, 2025 as the State of California Day of commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Beginning April 24, 1915 the Young Turks and the Kemalist movement of Turkey subjected the Armenian nation to a premeditated genocide.

Between 1915 and 1923, Armenian men, women and children were tortured, executed and forced to participate in death marches. 1.5 million innocent Armenians were systematically annihilated in what is considered one of the most atrocious violations of human rights in history. 110 years later, the Turkish government continues to deny the occurrence of the genocide.

Adding further insult to injury, the two successor states of the genocide perpetrators, Turkey and Azerbaijan, continue to threaten Armenians residing in their ancestral lands.

The brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Armenian people of Arcsakh is a grim reminder of what happens when hate and prejudice go unchecked and when genocide perpetrators are not held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

As we commemorate the Armenian genocide, let us remember that the countless lives senselessly taken had dreams that were never realized and loved ones left behind to forever mourn their loss. In 1916, French poet and journalist Anatole France wrote, Armenia is dying, but it will survive.

The little blood that is left is precious blood that will give birth to a heroic generation. A nation that does not want to die does not die. Anatole France's words were true back then and remain true today. Many of the direct descendants of Armenian genocide survivors reside in the State of California.

They have enriched our great state through their contributions in academia, the arts, business, government, science and technology. In my Senate district, you can see their unwavering efforts to preserve the rich Armenian culture through their churches, schools and community centers. Members, we have a moral obligation to ensure that these crucial chapters in world history are never forgotten.

Enhancing education is essential to ending the cycle of genocide and in combating its denial, we must also continue to stand with the Armenian community to demand justice, justice for the martyrs of the genocide and justice for the 120,000 Arcsakh Armenians subjected to human rights violations and forcibly displaced from their ancestral home in 2023.

Members, I respectfully ask that you join me in reaffirming California's strong record of condemning injustice and our unwavering commitment to genocide recognition by passing SR33.

Senator Archuleta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members, I thank you so very Much for sharing this day with us in the Armenian community. I rise today in support of SR33, recognizing April 24, 2025 as the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

As a proud Member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, I want to begin by thanking everyone here today for their advocacy and passion in supporting the Armenian community. Having served with the Montevale Police Department, I had the honor to work closely with the Armenian community in Montebello before my time in office here in the State Senate.

And I saw firsthand their passion and perseverance in honoring their traditions there at the monument sanctioned by the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian Genocide was the first state sponsored genocide in modern times. It resulted in deaths of 1.5 million innocent victims. Men, women and children sentiently killed for being Armenian and only because they were Armenian.

And entire communities were forcibly marched to their deaths or murdered in an attempt to erase their presence from a region they had peacefully resided in for thousands of years.

California is home to the largest Armenian American population in the United States because because of this we have a unique responsibility to safeguard and uphold this historical recognition of the sacrifices of the Armenian people.

We must uphold this responsibility to ensure future generations learn the inhumanity of the Ottoman Empire's actions and to prevent any atrocity like this forever happening anywhere in the world.

I am eternally grateful for the Armenian American community and descendants of survivors across the globe for their perseverance and their dedication to see that recognition was brought to these lives that were stolen. The passion and the activism of the Armenian community led former President Joe Biden to finally recognize the Armenian genocide.

But there is still work to be done and we'll do it here in California. In order to present the future generations to learn about the injustices that have befallen their ancestors, there must be a complete and accurate account of history. Only then can we prevent the issues of today from compounding and developing into the injustices of tomorrow.

This is especially true right now as Azerbaijan continues hostilities against the Armenian people. Following blockades of Lachin Corridor and later to full scale invasion. Azeri government forcibly displaced over 100,000 Armenians from their historical homelands in Artsakh and continues to illegally hold POWs in and political leaders as hostages.

This has coincided with the deliberate destruction of cultural and religious sites in the region as well. I want to finish by inviting you all to my district this Wednesday evening to join in celebration of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day with me at the Montebello Martyrs Monument which we have just recently declared as an official historical landmark.

The first such designation in the country for an Armenian monument. I want to thank you all, and I especially ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise today in recognition of a historic tragedy that began over 100 years ago in 1915, known as the Armenian Genocide. Taking the lives of more than 1.5 Armenians. California is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia.

Remembering the genocide ensures that the Armenian culture, language and traditions are passed on to future generations with a deep understanding of their history. I know a little bit about history and I know how important it is to make sure that history is remembered. It's spoken.

Even the ugliness of our history must be remembered so that we don't repeat it. The Armenian genocide is a somber reminder of the needs for justice and recognition of past atrocities. This fuels the efforts in California to promote human rights, genocide prevention, and the acknowledgement of historical wrongs. By acknowledging the Armenian genocide, yes, we must do it.

Every year, Californians foster cultural understanding and inclusivity, celebrating the contributions of the Armenian people and the state. In our state's vibrant diversity, Institutions and individuals in California actively educate about the genocide through events, museums, as the gentleman from Pico Rivera just mentioned, and also the public commemorations, ensuring that the lessons of history are not forgotten.

The shared memory of the genocide strengthens bonds among Armenian Californians throughout the United States and beyond. California's landscape is shaped by the advocacy of Armenian Americans who have played a crucial role in urging the state and federal recognition, as has been noted, but even beyond in influencing laws and resolutions.

Despite the trauma of the genocide, the Armenian people have worked within our communities despite that and have moved forward to build businesses, schools, hold government positions to educate everyone. In this ever and changing world, we must review history, think about history, talk about history, so we don't fall into those same perils.

I'd like to join my colleague from Pasadena in support of SR33 and urge everyone's aye in support

Senator Stern. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank the guests and delegation for their presence day, as well as the good Senator for bringing this resolution forward.

You know, I spent some time in Armenia as not just a Member of the of the Select Committee, but also as one of the leaders in the State of the Holocaust and Genocide Education Council, where in California now we are training thousands of schoolteachers not just about the Holocaust, but about its predecessor, the Armenian Genocide.

I was noting a quote from a name that should be blotted from our history books, but cannot be because we must speak it From Adolf Hitler in August of 1939. Permission to read?

Permission without objection. Permission granted.

Hitler said, and I quote, who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians therein? Perhaps you can find an answer is us. We do. We speak. And we haven't stopped speaking. And we're not going to let this part of history die.

And that presumption that there are forgotten people that you can just wipe off the face of the earth proves not to not only not to be true, but that it is a terrible strategy. It's actually a strategy for building a resilient nation, a democratic nation, a nation of values, a nation where women are empowered.

I met the tech workers of Armenia in Yerevan. There are more women working in tech in Armenia than there are even here in the State of California, where we're so proud of. Of our push for equality and diversity. They do it even better than us. There is a promise that we must adhere to that is never again.

So I applaud the Center for bringing this forward. We're committed to this, not just in resolutions, but in our classrooms and through our teachers and our people. And I thank you for bringing it forward.

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, today I also rise in strong Support and Cooperative SR33 to ensure that we continue to commemorate these days and not forget, because it is so important that we bring education forward.

I've had the privilege of joining Senator Stern in the last year in a coalition of leaders, educators, to create a framework that will bring accurate history education into our classrooms, to ensure that our teachers have the resources and materials they need to be able to educate.

And so thanks again for the privilege of joining this group that teaches Holocaust and genocide education. But on this floor, I just want to say thank you to our Armenian friends. I stand in solidarity with them, as I know that I've been part of so many conversations where sometimes they feel left out.

I will speak to one of my former staff Members. His name is Alex, who often reminded me that we speak about genocide in other areas, but that we continue to perhaps not elevate the Armenian genocide as much as we should. And so I committed to him that I would every chance that I could.

And today I'm here to say thank you for that reminder, because, you know, so many people were really subjected to such atrocities that I think that we all know that that is unacceptable.

And, you know, as an educator, I always say, if we don't teach these things and we hide what our history has shown, Then we are doomed to repeat it again. So, to my Armenian friends, thank you for your friendship, your support, and we're here to ensure that you're not forgotten. And with that, I also support SR33 and ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Valladares. You're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. And today I rise on behalf of the California Legislative Hispanic Caucus and also a Member of the Armenian Caucus, in strong support of SR33, as we remember and honor the victims of the Armenian genocide, one of the most horrific chapters in human history.

Beginning in 1915, more than 1.5 million Armenians were systematically persecuted and murdered by the Ottoman Empire. Men, women and children targeted solely for who they were. This was not just a crime against people, but a crime against humanity itself. The Armenian genocide was a deliberate attempt to erase a people, a culture and a history.

And while time has passed, memory must not fade. Silence in the face of injustice can never be an option. Not then and not now. I want to particularly acknowledge the Armenian community in my district of Santa Clarita who continue to carry the legacy of their ancestors with strength and pride.

Their resilience is a powerful testament to the survival of culture, of identity and truth, even in the face of the efforts that seek to destroy them.

And on behalf of the Hispanic Caucus, I say clearly, we stand in solidarity with the Armenian people, and we recommit ourselves to remembrance, to truth, and to be into the ongoing fight against hatred in all forms. I want to thank my colleague from Pasadena for bringing forward this resolution. And I urge an aye vote for my colleagues.

Thank you, Senator Durazo. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of SR33 and thank the author for introducing this resolution. My words will be brief. My colleagues have very eloquently talked about the history of the genocide and the history of a refusal to acknowledge the genocide.

But I think we also have to acknowledge what is going on today so that we don't leave this kind of historic moment in the past. And so I just want to end by saying we call upon the President to urge the Azeri government to release the Armenian hostages. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Members. Any other or further discussion or debate? Seeing none. Senator Perez, would you like to close?.

Members, as we gather to remember and honor the 1.5 million martyrs of the genocide and the thousands of lives taken in present day, let us not forget that Armenians and their homeland continue to face ongoing threats. I respectfully ask that you join me in condemning these atrocious acts of violence by voting yes on SR33. Thank you.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 36 no. 0. The resolution is adopted. Members, we will move back to privileges of the floor for the Senator to introduce her guest. Senator, please.

Thank you. Members, as we gather today to commemorate the Armenian genocide, many families in my district, including those in the Armenian American community, are still recovering from the devastating impact of the Eaton Fire. One of the schools destroyed in the fire was Sahag Mesrab Armenian Christian School.

For 45 years, the school has served generations of Armenian American students, helping preserve Armenian culture and history. Members, I ask that you join me in welcoming to the California State Senate Sahag Mesrab Armenian School students Isabel Spores and Aram Boyajian, who are here today with their interim principal, Anna Babayan.

We also have many leaders of California's Armenian community joining us on the Senate Floor and in the gallery on the Senate Floor, we have with us City of Glendale councilmember and former mayor Ellen Asatrian, Hurig Antablian from the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Kevork Zorian from Agbu Western Region and Liz Zorian from the Armenian American Medical Society, Tallinn Yakubian and David Ojakian from the Armenian Assembly of America, Ocean Hartunian from ANCA Western Region, Berj Karapetyan from the Armenian American Museum and David Gevorkian representing the ANCA Pasadena Chapter.

Let's welcome them to the California Senate chambers. Photographs in the back if you would like to join Members. Members, please join in the back if you want to take a photo so we can move on.

Members, we still have more business to go. Please make your way back to your desk. Continuing on with privileges of the floor. Members, this is a very, very special day for at least two people amongst us. Let us wish happy birthday to Senators Caballero and Minjabar. zero, come on. You can do better. Very good. Very good.

We have some very, very special guests on the floor today, namely one guest that happens to be sitting at my desk, Dr. Tammy Grayson. My wife. Glad to have her as a guest today on the Senate Floor. I would also like to introduce. Standing in the very back right there is former Assembly Majority Member Mike Roos.

Anybody ever hear of Mello Roos? Members, we're going to continue with guest introductions. We have up in the gallery the San Francisco bar pilots who are visiting the Capitol.

The San Francisco San Francisco bar pilots are highly skilled master mariners who navigate commercial ships throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bays, including ports as far as Stockton and Sacramento. Let's welcome our bar pilots into the house right up here in the gallery.

We would also like to recognize Desiree Wallace, which happens to be the wife of assemblymember Wallace, and her students from Shadow Hills High School. They are up in the gallery visiting the Capitol. Very nice. And Senator Seyarto, on behalf of Senator Ochoa Bogh, would you like to introduce the next guest?

I would like to do that very much. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to extend a warm welcome to the Riverside County office of Education, spring intern class of 2025. These students hail from all over the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley.

They are here for an insightful week, very insightful week in Sacramento, meeting with legislators and learning about our work here that's done under this dome. Some of them may even be us one day. So welcome to Sacramento to the spring intern class of 2025.

And we also have an additional Senator that would like to make some comments as we welcome them. Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you. I'd like to welcome these bright student interns from the Riverside County Office of Education. I want to remind each of the students that your voice matters, your work matters, and the future needs you here with us. Thank you.

Members, let's welcome the spring interns. With Riverside County Office of Education up in the gallery, Members, without objection, we will move to Senate third reading to take up file items 21 and 25. File item 21 by Senator Unberg. Are you ready, Secretary Please read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 by Senator Umberg, relative to Arab American Heritage Month.

Well, thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I'm proud to rise to present SCR 42, which will proclaim April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month and commend Arab Americans for their significant contributions to to the success of California.

For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to every aspect of American life and society, including medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, while sharing their rich culture and traditions.

In fact, my district is home to a unique area called Little Arabia in the City of Anaheim, which is the cultural and business destination for Arab Americans and Americans of diverse backgrounds. To attain a sense of belonging, community and opportunity.

It's vital that we continue to denounce all forms of hate against Arab Americans, and we recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Arab Americans in California and the United States.

This resolution proclaims April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month and commends Arab Americans for their significant contributions to the success of the State of California and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Members seeing no discussion or debate, this item does qualify for unanimous roll call without Objection. No objection. Ayes. 36. No 0. The resolution is adopted and we will now move to privileges of the floor. Senator Unberg from the majority leader's desk. You may proceed.

Well, thank you. Thank you again, Mr. President and colleagues. I want to take a moment to recognize representatives from the Arab American Civic Council. Here with us today are Rashid Dabag, Amin Nash, Mo Sarama and Mervet. Judy, thank you for joining us all on the floor today.

This group has worked tirelessly over the years to literally put the community on the map in Anaheim, in Orange County. I'm proud to have worked with them in the City of Anaheim. The California Highway Patrol to have officially designated Little Arabia within the City of Anaheim.

So the next time you're driving to Disneyland and you see a sign that says Little Arabia, you should pull over, take that exit and enjoy the culture, the food, the ambiance of Little Arabia. The tremendous food and cultural experience enriches us all.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, I ask that we welcome our guests here to the floor of the California State Senate. And I'm going to present them with the resolution SCR42. Thank you.

Photos in the back. If any Members want to join after the initial photo, please join them.

Members, I'm going to ask that you take your discussions off the floor and keep our attention directed toward those that are presenting. We are going Back to Senate. Third reading file item 25 by Senator Archuleta. Senator Archuleta from the Majority Leader's desk, SCR 43. Secretary, please read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 43 by Senator Archuleta relative to Parkinson's Awareness month.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I rise to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 43 that proclaims April as Parkinson's Disease Awareness month. Members, over 120,000 Californians live with Parkinson's disease. It's the fastest growing neurological disease, costing the state over $5 billion annually in direct and indirect costs.

Parkinson is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and it is second most common brain disorder that causes gradual loss of nerve cell function after Alzheimer's. There is currently no cure for the Parkinson's, which is why the Michael J.

Fox foundation, our state government and research institutions in many of our districts are committed to advancing research and treatments to improve the outcomes for patients. Over the last 20 years, Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's Research has raised over $300 million for Parkinson's research in California.

Sadly, the number of Parkinson patients in the US is expected to double over the next 15 years. Furthermore, there are millions of Americans who are caregivers, family Members, friends, greatly impacted by Parkinson's disease. Their family caretakers always seem to jump in when all else fails.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the patients, volunteers, researchers, caregivers, nonprofits and medical professionals who are working to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson's disease and their families. For these reasons, I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

And at the appropriate time, I will introduce my guest here with me today in support of this resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, any further discussion or debate. Seeing none, this is eligible for unanimous roll call without objection. Seeing no objection. Ayes, 36, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Back to privileges on the floor. Senator Archuleta from the majority's desk. Leaders desk, you may introduce.

Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, I thank you and the Members. Please join me in welcoming our guests here today as we recognize April as Parkinson's Awareness Month. With me on the floor is Jan Whitney with the Parkinson's Association of Northern California and Members and the gallery.

We are joined by dozens of patients and advocates from around the state with the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's Research as well, I'd like to point out Harry Starkey with the Parkinson's Association of Northern California. I'd like to also point out Julia Pitcher with the Michael J. Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Let's give her a round of applause. And also Patrick Losazo, President of Parkinson's Community in Los Angeles. Marty Acevedo with the Parkinson's Association in San Diego. Please, let's give them all big welcome here in Sacramento and on the Senate Floor. Thank you all. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator. And with that, we will move to messages from the Governor. They will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted under motions, resolutions and notices without objection.

The Senate journals for April 7 through 2025 through April 102025 will be approved as corrected by the minute Clerk Members moving on to consideration of the daily files. Second reading file. Secretary, please read

Senate Bill 22 with amendments.

Second reading file deemed read. Now moving to governor's appointments. We have items 45 and 6. Items four. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, welcome back from celebrating Holy Week. I hope you enjoyed Resurrection Sunday yesterday and spent time with your family. File item 4 is the confirmation of Gregory Lee Hung for appointment to the Acupuncture Board and Karen Ross for appointment to the Commission on state mandates. Mr.

Li Hung was is a registered nurse and previously served at the Department of Public Health for over 20 years. And Ms. Green. Ross previously held several positions in the state's Controller's office, including Chief of Staff to the State Controller B. They were approved unanimously by the Rules Committee on April 2nd. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 36. No zero of an appointment is confirmed. Moving on to item number five. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this is the confirmation of Jennifer Troia as the Director of Department of Social Services. Ms. Troia is an attorney with the most recently served at the department's Chief Deputy Director in 2020-2024.

She's also served here in the Senate for more than a decade as a policy and budget consultant, including to the Senate Protems policy staff and she was unanimously approved by the Rules Committee on April 9. And she is extraordinarily well rounded on all the issues that this Department will face. And I think she'll do an incredible job. Respectfully, ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes. 36. No, zero. Governor's appointment is confirmed. Moving on to item number six. Senator Grove, item number six, when you are ready.

Apologies, Mr. President. I thought there were only two items. That's my error file. Item number six is the confirmation of Marian Buies as the Director of Office of Tax Appeals. The former Senate policy consultant. She helped draft the legislation that established the Office of Tax Appeals and then helped stand up the new organization.

Serving first as a Legislative Analyst, legislative office Director, and then for the last two years as a Chief Deputy Director. Extremely knowledgeable and understands tax policy tremendously. She was approved by the Rules Committee on April 9th. Respectfully. As for I vote.

Seeing no further discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 36. No, zero. Governor's appointment is confirmed. Members, we are Moving to Senate third reading items 28, 41, 44 and 46. Item 28. Senator Grove, we. When you are ready for your resolution.

With all due respect, I think it's Senator Niello. Senator Niello, Are you trying to trap me again, Sir?

I just saw you nodding off a little bit.

Although you are protected by First Amendment rights, you don't have the right to not be truthful on the floor, sir.

Thank you for your graciousness. Senator Niello, you are recognized for the proper resolution. Secretary, please read.

After it's read. Senate Concurrent Resolution 47 by Senator Niello relative to the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Thank you, Mr. President, I rise to present SCR 47. Thank you for the opportunity. It commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning, of course, of the American Revolution.

It launched a battle that, in terms of battles, as far as battles go, wasn't all that big a deal. There were maybe a little over a couple hundred total casualties in the whole battle. But it became the shot Heard round the world made famous in a poem.

But it truly was because of the movement that it initiated in many years after that brief yet profound moment when the shot was fired. And by the way, they never actually determined which side fired the first shot. But nonetheless, that was the shot heard round the world.

A brief yet profound moment marked the beginning of our revolution, igniting a struggle for Independence that would span years and transform a group of colonies into a nation. The historic moments of that day was the spark of a movement rooted in the pursuit of liberty, justice and self determination.

The Battle of Lexington reminds us that the fight for freedom, for justice and for equality is ongoing. And it is up to each of us to continue that struggle with the same courage and dedication for those that those early patriots showed.

As we commemorate this momentous anniversary, let us use this as an opportunity to educate current and future generations about the significance of the American Revolution and the values of democracy, civic engagement and collective action. Now, Senator Jones told me that he only approved the presentation of this resolution if I agreed to enact the battle.

I just don't have that much energy today. So please join me in recognizing April 19 as the 250th anniversary of the shot heard round the world and the struggle for Independence.

Thank you, Senator Niello. Not seeing any debate nor discussion. We will call the roll. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes. 36. No, zero. That resolution passes. We will now move to file item 41, SCR 54 by Senator Grayson. Secretary, please read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 54 by Senator Grayson. Relative to San Francisco Bar Pilots.

Thank you. Senator Grayson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I am honored to present SCR 54, commemorating the 175th anniversary of the San Francisco Bar Pilots, established in 1850 by California's very first Legislature. The San Francisco Bar Pilots were the state's first officially sanctioned pilot organization and since then have helped guide vessels safely through the San Francisco Bay and surrounding waterways.

Water is known to be some of the most congested and environmentally sensitive in the world. The Bar Pilots serve nine critical ports across Northern California. Benicia, Martinez, Monterey, Oakland, Redwood City, Richmond, San Francisco, Stockton and West Sacramento.

These pilots are on call 24/7/365 days a year, ensuring that over 8,000 commercial crew crews and military vessels annually can enter and exit California's port safely and efficiently. And to give you all kind of a sense of a scale of their work, many of these vessels they pilot are over 1000ft long.

Safely maneuvering ships of this size through narrow channels, often in dangerous weather conditions, requires an extraordinary degree of skill and knowledge.

They are a key part of California's supply chain, protecting not only the movement of billions of dollars of goods, but also some of the state's most environmentally sensitive waters, including over 1,000 miles of shoreline and 90% of our state's coastal marshlands.

To meet the demands of this role, all bar pilots undergo one of the most rigorous training programs in the maritime profession, spanning up to three years after an already established maritime career. Once licensed, pilots continue training and education throughout their careers. And because of this intensive preparation, their organization has achieved a 99.99% safety record.

From the days of the Gold Rush to today's global economy, the San Francisco Bar Pilots have adapted, endured, and remained essential to our state's success. SCR54 honors their 175 years of service and their continued role in upholding the safety, economy and environmental integrity of our coastal communities.

Friends and colleagues, thank you for your attention today on this floor. And in recognition of the San Francisco Bar Pilots, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on Scr 54.

Thank you, Senator Grayson. Seeing no. Senator Valladares, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I rise in support of SCR54 to celebrate a remarkable milestone. The 175th anniversary of the San Francisco Bar Pilots. For nearly two centuries, these highly skilled navigators have guided vessels safely through the challenging waters of the Golden Gate into the heart of our harbors.

The San Francisco Bay is one of the most complex and dynamic maritime environments in the world. And thanks to the expertise of the bar pilots, billions of dollars in cargo and millions of lives have passed through safely.

These master mariners rely on navigational experience and ship handling skills to transport more than 40 billion in annual trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week, San Francisco bar pilots meet all ships in the open ocean 11 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Near this location is a navigational hazard known as a sandbar, from which the term bar pilot is derived. To board these massive ships, the bar pilot scales a 30 foot rope ladder, often in rough seas over limited visibility. Once aboard, the bar pilot takes control of the vessel and directs the navigation to its final destination.

They have not only supported commerce and trade, but have also stood as guardians of our environment and coastal communities. Their legacy is one of precision, courage and service, often in rough seas and dense fog. As we honor their 175th years, we salute their continued commitment to the excellence here in California. I respectfully urgent I vote.

Thank you, Senator Arreguin you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I'm proud to support scr54. Thank my colleague, the Senator from Concord, for bringing this resolution forward. I'm a proud co author and just want to just briefly acknowledge the important work that our bar pilots do in the San Francisco Bay. They literally navigate every single commercial vessel that goes through the bay.

And we know that it is a principal trade route serving not just the Central Valley, but serving not just Southern California, but the entire State of California. They are critical to helping not only the Bay Area, but the state's economy move forward and also ensure the safe passage and stewardship of our bay as well.

So I want to just acknowledge this, this milestone 175 years and acknowledge the work that they're doing also to adapt to our changing world by investing in cleaner fleets to help reduce emissions. And thank one once again, the Senator from Conquer for bringing this resolution for it, I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Grayson, would you like to close?

Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection. Ayes 36, no 0. That resolution is adopted. We will now move to file item 44, SCR 59 by Senator Allen. Secretary, please read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 59 by Senator Allen relative to Arts, Culture and Creativity Month.

Senator, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members. So today I'm proud to present SCR59, which celebrates this month, April 2025, as the seventh annual Arts, Culture and Creativity Month in California to highlight all the work that's being done around the state with regards to the arts.

Throughout my time in this body and my tenure as the chair of the joint community of the Arts, we have continued to reaffirm the critical importance and the countless benefits of access to the creative arts.

For all of our residents, the creative economy has already been a pillar industry here In California, nearly 2 million workers representing nearly 8% of our state's GDP according to the most recent estimates.

And in light of the recent wildfires that have devastated so many families and neighborhoods, our artistic communities have proven even more invaluable as sources of resilience and drivers of recovery efforts in the face of all the loss and the uphill battle of rebuilding.

In La, it's been moments of human expression and creative support for one another that have unified and uplifted the Members of our community who needed it most.

We continue to be heartened by the stories of those, such as Los Angeles artist Asher Bingham, who spent the last few months hand drawing thousands of homes lost in the wildfires based on photographs so as to give families a memento that isn't defined by loss, but by the selflessness of their neighbors.

Some keepsake of the home that they lost even as they've dealt with the destruction of their own works, homes and studios. Artists have launched fundraisers, supported one another, and devoted their talents to helping put their communities back together.

This groundswell of connection has led to the fitting theme of this year's California Arts and Culture Summit, which is here in Sacramento this week. And I'm sure you'll be hearing from and meeting with constituents who are going to be coming from all over the state for this wonderful summit, the theme of which is Health, Healing and Hope.

We're going to be welcoming hundreds of artists and creative workers to our Capitol through the week. Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson will be headlining the summit at the Convention center. And I certainly encourage you or your staff to try attending her presentation tomorrow if you have the chance.

California would not be this place that it is today without these wonderful leaders, without this wonderful creative community and our ongoing support for the arts community. And so I just ask you all to join me in celebrating their efforts this Arts, Culture and Creativity Month by voting Yes I on scr59.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to my good colleague from Los Angeles. Really appreciating scr59. And you know, for me, I'm rising in strong support of this resolution recognizing April as Arts and Culture and Creativity Month, a time to uplift artists, cultural workers, storytellers that give our lives meaning and give lifeblood economic investment towards our communities.

My district is Senate District 28. We're home of South Central Los Angeles and Los Angeles Live Downtown. But certainly in South Central, art is just not just an expression it is a declaration of resilience. It's how we document truth. It's how we tell complicated stories. It's how we pass on pride from one generation to another.

It's how we educate the world on who we are and why that's important. The arts are essential to how we build strong identity and appreciate each other's identity. We foster belonging and we anchor economic opportunity. That is why this recognition of arts and culture must be paired with meaningful investments.

Investments in the people, investments in the institutions in these places that shape so many of us. As we celebrate the power of the arts, we must also confront that there have been gaps and how we honor the contributions of all communities, particularly Black California, in our tapestry of cultural and civic life.

And particularly presenting that to those who will come and visit our shores from around the world. I'm proud to lead an effort to establish the first ever state designated Black Cultural Historic District in South Central Los Angeles.

This is not just as a celebration of history and creativity, but a commitment to equity and visibility and long term investments in communities that have been overlooked too long but have so much to share and to contribute to the economic well being of our state. So with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote

Senator Durazzo, You are recognized

Thank you, Mr. President. It is through the arts that we create empathy, empower, and through dialogue and pictures, we illuminate the issues of our time. As my friends at the Latino Theater Company say, we can awaken the collective consciousness of a community to act. Participation in the arts teaches us how to communicate, collaborate, empathize and imagine.

I will always look for opportunities to support the performing arts. Thank you to the author. And to ensure that young people can participate in the culture of our communities such as the Debbie Allen Dance Studio or the Korean American Museum. California is the media and content production capital of the world.

By nurturing young talent, we build up the commercial and fine arts industries, entertainment jobs, pay wages that build our families and our communities.

This month I sponsored the LGBTQ Playwriting Project with the Latino equality Alliance and Casa 0101 where eight young LGBTQ playwrights participated in a 10 week class to create 10 minute plays rooted in identity, resilience and healing. I was so inspired and moved by the creative talent and proud of my district. Staff Staff Mr.

Conrado Terrazas Cross, Executive producer of that project. I was honored to host a final reading of their powerful stories that showcased their courage and their talent. Plays that included a young Trans Latina struggling with her unaccepting mother attempting to escape her pain. Many of the other plays were just extraordinary.

I thank the author and I thank you all for bringing SCR59 to the Senate Floor. I look forward to supporting it.

Senator Wahab, you are recognized.

Thank you. President and Members, I rise in support of SCR59 and a proud co author of this resolution. All forms of the arts provide individual and community benefits. Here in California, we are absolutely lucky to benefit from the cultures from around the world who contribute to painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theater and music.

But I also want to highlight this. We often in my district talk about stem, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, the actual concept and what we should be promoting more is STEAM science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

And the reason for that is that with our diversity, with the amount of globalization that we have in this world today, art is the one true freedom of expression. Whether we are talking about the latest iPhone or we're talking about a cultural historic center or a mural that goes up, art is that one true expression.

And I want to highlight how important the arts are and oftentimes it is overlooked. When we are talking about books, when we are talking about the way people dress, when we are talking about all of these things. That is a form of expression, but also a form of thought.

And I want to highlight the importance through this resolution because it is about creativity, it is about arts, and it's also about culture. And so many stories are told through the arts that are often ignored or forgotten or not even talked about.

So I really just want to highlight the rich tapestry of the arts and it being essential to help us understand each other and inspire each other. So I ask for an aye vote on scr59. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Jones, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I rise in support of SCR59 and thank you for the presentations today. Specifically, I want to thank the author of SCR 59 for organizing the Cultural Zone tours last summer and inviting all of us to different parts of the state to experience these cultural zones personally.

And the really incredible thing for me, there's two areas in San Diego County that I had never toured before. That, as a result of that, really deepened my appreciation, not just for my part of San Diego, county, but the entire county and the rest of California. So thank you, sir, and thank you for authoring SCR59. And I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Allen. Seeing no further discussion, would you like to close?

I just want to thank my colleagues for the wonderful speeches and for all the support that you give to this Incredibly important piece of California culture, life and economy. With that I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you so much. This item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection. Seeing no objection Ayes 36, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Moving on to item 46.

Senate Resolution 35 by Senator Gonzalez. Relative to Kumai New Year

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I rise today to present Senate Resolution 35, which recognizes Khmer New Year, which was celebrated during the week of April 14th.

Khmer New Year, or Cambodian New Year, is also known as Moha Senkranta and coincides with the traditional Solar New Year also celebrated across the Southeast Asia in parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. In Cambodia, the New Year is celebrated by a 33 day public holiday with various acts of worship performed on each day.

Today, California is home to the largest population of Cambodian Americans. And the City of Long beach in my district and my home is the largest community of Cambodians outside of Southeast Asia. You'll hear me say this again and again and again because I absolutely love this community.

And in fact, a stretch of Anaheim street in the City of Long Beach is actually officially known and designated as Chemicals Cambodia Town. For the Cambodian diaspora In California, the New Year represents a time to honor cultural heritage with food, dance and a beautiful parade that we just celebrated.

I hope my colleagues will join me in officially recognizing Khmer New Year. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Members, any further discussion or debate? Seeing none, this item as well is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection. Seeing no objection. Seeing no objection. Ayes 36, no 0. This resolution is adopted. Moving on to Committee announcements. We have Committee announcements, Senator. Senator Becker hurrying to his desk with a very important announcement. Yes.

The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications will meet in room 120020 minutes after adjournment.

The Senate Committee on Human Services will meet in room 2200 upon adjournment session.

Thank you, Members. We are now going to move to motions. Returning to motions and resolutions for adjournments and memory. Please be very conscious of our fellow colleagues that are presenting their adjournment memory. If you have a conversation, please take it off the floor, back of the chamber.

And be kind and respectful to adjournments in memory, if you will. We will begin with Senator Smallwood Cuevas.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Today I rise in the memory of my mother in law, Maria Irma Cuevas, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. It really touched my heart this morning.

When we found out the news about Pope Francis and his passing, my mother in law loved Pope Francis and I thought, what a joyful reunion is happening in the heavens right now as she and Pope Francis are with Christ. Christ. Irma was a very special woman. She was 411.

We both her English and my Spanish, we had really good conversations, if you can imagine. But what struck me about Irma was her faith and how she always told me, and I don't know if you all know, I've been married for over 25 years.

She always told me on visits how she instilled in her children to love everyone, to love their neighbor, to always be kind was something she always stressed. And when I think about our Thanksgiving table, you know, you had me, a black woman from South Central Los Angeles.

We had a Filipino husband married to her daughter from my Mar Vista surfer, Filipino husband and an NRA Republican Member from Idaho also at our dinner table.

So this woman, this immigrant woman, profound, profound impact just in how she lived her life and how she taught her children to love and to love deeply and to love in ways that built bridges and not created divide and division. Irma was born in 1940 in Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico.

She was very proud of that, the birthplace of Mariachi. She was devoted to her parents, Francisco Javierles and Maria Carmen Ramirez. Irma lived a life grounded in faith and caring for family, both caring for her parents and then for all of the younger children in her family.

Her talent as a seamstress led her to decide to join a boutique of women who built wedding gowns in Guadalajara. And she was trained up as one of the top by one of the top designers there, where she refined her craft before coming to Los Angeles in 1964.

There she found work in the garment industry and she began her life in California, always telling us the story of how her station was set across from my father in law, Jose Mateo, and how they would make these eyes across at each other as they were sewing garments in Los Angeles.

They married on April 12th in 1966 and they settled in East Los Angeles where they built a life and raised a family and participated in their church in all of the community activities that really were extended almost like a hometown Association. Many of these families knew each other from back home.

They settled in East Los Angeles and they built this vibrant community together, as I mentioned, as working as a seamstress. She met her beautiful husband, Jose Mateo, and they raised three fabulous children, especially my husband, Rosa and Helen and Jose. And she would never let it be lost on me. That Jose was special, that Jose was a prize.

She was very proud of her son, the baby in the family. She built a home rooted in love, teaching her children to lead with respect and kindness, and as I say, valuing the importance of. Of family and community. Her faith was unwavering. She raised her children at San Francisco Church and Saint Alphonsus Church in East La.

She lived a quiet and steadfast example of service and faith. Her journey reflects the story of so many Californians, but particularly immigrant families. Immigrant families who helped to shape their cities, helped to shape future generations, and shape that by faith, by determination, and by the pursuit of a better life grounded in hard work, love and resilience.

Maria Irma Relas Cuevas was a beam of light and love and laughter and care for others. In welcoming me and my family into her family, she leaves behind a deep legacy of kindness and love. I want to thank you all for your kindness toward me and my family in this deepest time. And I ask that we adjourn the Senate in her memory today.

Please accept our sincerest condolences. And Senator, will you please bring the name of your adjournment memory to the desk to be properly memorialized? Senator Cortese, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise to adjourn in the memory of Donald Gage, known to many as Don Gage, who passed away on March 25th at the age of 79. I probably would have always called him Mayor Gage or Supervisor Gage.

He served with me on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and he was also the mayor of the City of Gilroy on two different occasions. His parents had immigrated from Italy to Gilroy in the 1920s.

His family later became owners of a small, what we would call a ranch in the Gilroy area, which is an orchard, prunes, peaches, cherries, et cetera. Don went on to study in the South Bay, first attending San Jose State University and then Gavilan College. He was a successful collegiate wrestler and football player.

He worked for IBM for 25 years as a program manager before beginning his work in public service in 1981. He served for 34 years, including as a Council Member, Gilroy mayor, Santa Clara County supervisor, Valley Transportation Authority board Member for a number of years, where I also serve served with him and Valley Water Board Member.

He was remarkably effective at getting things done. He played an integral role in addressing the housing crisis through the Housing Trust Fund, the expansion of Highway 101. If you've ever traveled through there, which occurred some years ago, From San Jose through Morgan Hill and Gilroy was really his handiwork.

He helped open Coyote Lake of the Harvey Bear Ranch county park to the public. And I can attest to the fact, because I sat right next to him during the hearings, many hearings, that he was the leader of the effort to create Santa Clar County's Habitat Conservation Plan.

He had a significant impact on developing guidelines to regulate group homes, supporting construction of the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill, and improving services for older adults. Through his work, he earned the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce's man of the Year Award and the Helen Putnam Award for creating the Gilroy Youth Center.

Don liked to spend his free time outside. He was a great outdoorsman. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. Loved to garden, though. Gilroy is a newer addition to Senate District 15, and our colleague from Santa Cruz represented it for some time.

Prior to my stint, I've had a close relationship, as I alluded to, with South Santa Clara County, but also with Supervisor Gage during my time working directly with him. I've always had the deepest respect for his negotiation skills and bipartisan spirit.

Don was the guy in the room who, after a little bit of a debate, would call the question. And he was always right to call the question. He was the person who would conclude a negotiation almost immediately upon his recommendation. He had that kind of leadership ability, that kind of almost subtle charisma. I've been a lifelong Democrat.

Don was a lifelong Republican, and he's the only lifelong Republican I ever served with in local government who was endorsed in every one of his elections by the South Bay Labor Council because of his ability to bring folks together. I think that's why he did a wonderful job as a public servant. We're going to miss him.

I was at his services and had the opportunity to extend condolences to his wife, Jeannie, and let her know that we would be doing this here today, and she's extremely grateful. He's also survived by his two daughters, Lori and Therese, two brothers, Mo and Brian, who let us know a lot of stories.

We didn't know about how much trouble Don got into as a youth and his three grandchildren. He'll be greatly missed by our community. Thank you for allowing me to memorialize him today, and I would request that we adjourn in his memory today. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Laird, you are recognized on this adjournment memory.

Thank you, Mr. President. And the Senator from San Jose just did an eloquent job of describing Don and whether it was the Habitat protection plan or big New County facilities in San Martin or Morgan Hill or the horrible Perchlorate spill that was in that area that we had to work on for years. He was front and center.

And the real thing was, is even though I also am a Democrat and he was a Republican, it never mattered. His job was to get things done and he would work to do it.

And I think if you look all across south Santa Clara County, there's a tribute to to that and how he worked together with some of us to get things done. I also rise to adjourn in this memory.

Thank you so much. And our condolences are with you. Senator Cortese, if you'll bring the name of your adjournment memory to be to the front desk to be properly memorialized. Thank you. And next, Senator Wiener, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you very much. Mr. President, colleagues, with great sadness that I rise to ask that the Senate adjourn in memory of Scott Nielsen, someone who I knew extremely well for many years, who passed away from natural causes on March 14th at the age of 56.

Scott was the co Executive Director at Intersection for the Arts, a Bay Area nonprofit organization dedicated to helping artists grow. He was a part of Intersection for over a decade. He began as an intern back in 2014 before becoming a board Member in 2017, Director of finance in 2019, and then in 2020, the co Executive Director.

He helped Intersection and by extension, San Francisco's amazing arts community, weather the COVID 19 pandemic. He worked tirelessly to support the financial health of Intersection, the development of its staff and board, and many, many projects.

Scott worked tirelessly for many years for so many issues in San Francisco, in the Bay Area, including around the arts, and he was just an amazing servant to our community. He was a lifelong lover of theater and musicals. He spent much of his free time attending as many theatrical productions as possible possible.

One of his favorites was Dear Evan Hansen. He also was involved politically. I knew Scott through the LSB Tokas LGBTQ Democratic Club, where he was a committed board Member and volunteer. Scott will be remembered as an earnest, genuine and loving spirit.

His legacy will continue in his lifelong mission to uplift artists will be carried on by his colleagues in his honor. He leaves behind a devoted family and friends who cherished him deeply. Colleagues, please join me in adjourning the Senate today in memory of Scott Nielsen.

Our condolences are with you. Senator, please bring your name or your adjournment memory to the desk to be properly memorialized. If There is no other business. Senator Pro Tem Mcguire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. Members want to say welcome back. No. It was a busy week. Hope you were able to enjoy time with family and friends over the holiday weekend. The next floor session Members is going to be scheduled for Thursday, April 24th at 9am Busy week, Mr. President. Go out and enjoy.

The Senate is adjourned. We will reconvene Thursday, April 24,2025 at 9:00am AM. We are adjourned.