Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Gonzalez notices the absence of a quorum. The sergeant in arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. The 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 the prayer.

Assemblymember Ramos will offer today's prayer. Assemblymember Ramos.

Well, thank you so much. It's an honor to be able to offer the prayer for California's first people, all people, in acknowledgment of the Miwok and Nisenan people whose land that we stand on.

I'm going to offer a Kaweah bird song, and it talks about the meadowlark and how it continues to keep building its nest, even though there's a lot of turmoil going on around them. So it continues to build its nest. I'm going to sing this song in honor of today's events here of the Latino Spirit Awards.

[SINGING]

We asked our guests and visitors to remain standing for the flag salute. Assemblymember Valencia will lead us in the pledge.

Colleagues, please join me in reciting our momentous nations pledge allegiance. Ready? Begin.

I pledge allegiance to the flag, United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

You 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.

Members, we will now move to the Assembly's Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. Without objection, guests will be allowed on the floor for our ceremony. We will now take up file item 129, House Resolution 16 by Assemblymember Carrillo. The Clerk will read.

House Resolution 16 by Assemblymember Carrillo relative to Cinco De Mayo week.

Assemblymember Carrillo, you may open on the measure.

Thank you, Madam Chair, speaker, colleagues, I rise today to present House Resolution 16, which proclaims the week of May 4 through May 11, 2025 a Cinco De Mayo week in the State of California. This resolution commemorates the historic victory of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 51862.

This triumph symbolizes the resilience and determination of the Mexican people in the face of adversity. Cinco De Mayo serves as a meaningful occasion to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of the Latino community and to honor the deep historical ties between Mexico and the United States.

It highlights the shared values and close ties between the people of both nations. Cinco De Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of the United States is built by people from many nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die for freedom. Cinco De Mayo symbolizes the right of a free people to self determination.

Just as Benito Juarez once said, El Respetual Derecho Ageno es La Paz, the respect of other people's rights is peace. Furthermore, the observance offers an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing social, economic and civil contributions of Latinos to the State of California. Their leadership and service continue to strengthen the fabric of our communities.

By designating May 4th through the 11th, 2025 at Cinco De Mayo Week, the Legislator affirms its commitment to fostering greater understanding, mutual respect and unity among all Californians through the recognition of shared history and and collective values.

Colleagues, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on HR16 so that we may formally recognize Cinco De Mayo Week and honor the bribant contributions of California's Latino communities. I would also like to ask the first role to be open for co Authors thank you Madam Speaker.

Thank you Assemblymember Carrillo. Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you Madam Speaker and Members, thank you for allowing me to rise today on behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus in support of HR16. Cinco De Mayo is more than a fun filled holiday with food, drinks and music. It is a celebration honoring the small but mighty Mexican army defeating the French army in the Battle of Puebla.

Lesser known, it is also a testament to the strength of women. Not only were the women of Mexico supporting their soldiers in battle with love and encouragement or holding down the home front caring on for their families, some of them were soldiers. La Soldaderas were brave women who supported, fought and sustained these battles.

They carried ammunition, took care of the wounded and even disguised themselves as men to join the front lines. They were strategic, fearless and critical to the battle. They kept things going while the world around them was in chaos, something I know countless of women can relate to.

These women and their ability to do extraordinary things in hardship is a legacy that we can acknowledge and carry in our hearts as we honor Mexican resistance and identity. Let's also celebrate the often unseen labor, courage, leadership and strength of women. The ones back then and the ones standing before you today. Thank you Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask for your support for HR16.

Thank you Assemblymember Rubio. Assemblymember Solache, you are recognized.

Thank you Madam Speaker and Members, today I rise in support of HR16 on behalf of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. Cinco De Mayo commemorates the courage and resilience of the Mexican people. Against overwhelming odds, the small outnumbered Mexican forces stood firm and triumphed against tyranny and oppression.

The bravery of the Mexican forces at the Battle of Puebla reminds us that we all have a stake in protecting our democracy and human rights. As Members of the LGBTQ community, we can relate to the struggle and draw inspiration from it. And we work towards a more just and inclusive society.

We honor the spirit of Cinco De Mayo by defending justice in our communities and protecting the rights of humanity for all our fellow human beings, especially those who live today in fear and uncertainty for the future.

During our Latino Spirit Awards, we will be honoring our modern day Latino Trailblazers, Leaders who exemplify our core values of resiliency, courage and intersectionality. I'm proud to stand on behalf of their Caucus and join my fellow Members of the Latino Caucus in this celebration of history, culture and values.

Thank you to Co Vice Chair Carrillo and the Latino Caucus for bringing forth its measure. Celebrating Cinco De Mayo Week, I respectfully ask for your support of HR16. Gracias.

Thank you, Assembly Member Solache. Assemblymember Berman, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of HR16 and to celebrate the strength and pride of our Latino community. Today is a chance to celebrate the Battle of Puebla, a story of great courage and enduring resilience.

And it's a fitting opportunity to reflect on the incredible strength and achievements of the Latino community here in the State of California. California would not be the place it is today without the remarkable contributions of our Latino families. And the Jewish community is proud to help recognize our Latino brothers and sisters.

Our Solidarity is based on shared values, shared experiences and even shared DNA. Including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first Jewish President.

Our Jewish community feels a deep sense of kinship with the Latino community and we are proud to join with the Latino Caucus today, particularly in this moment when many attempt to sow fear among the immigrant community who have made California the great state that it is.

Our strength comes from the fight we put up together against intolerance, against fear mongering, against threats to our rule of law and communities of all backgrounds. California will always stand with and fight with our Latino community. In that spirit and on behalf of the Jewish Caucus, I respectfully request an aye vote on HR16.

Thank you, Assemblymember Berman. Assemblymember Elhawary, you're recognized.

Thank you. Madam Speaker and Members, I rise today in support of HR16, Cinco De Mayo on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The Battle of Puebla wasn't one alone. Afro Mexican and Afro Latinos played a critical role. Yet their names are rarely remembered.

That silence is part of a much larger pattern, one that tries to erase Black and brown histories and contributions to our shared history. As a black and Latina woman, I feel that deeply. And with my mom here beside me on the Assembly floor today, this moment is personal.

I'm here because of her, because of the generations of black and brown people who never stopped fighting for their future. Cinco De Mayo isn't widely celebrated in Mexico, contrary to popular belief.

But here in the US it took on a new meaning, especially during the Chicano movement, when our communities were fighting for civil rights, recognition and pride in our identities. That's when this day became more than just a battle. It became a symbol of resistance, of reclaiming culture, of standing up to the silencing of our histories.

Back then, the Black Power and Chicano movements were deeply connected, both grounded in community empowerment, both calling for black and brown unity. And today, as we see our histories being erased through the cruel actions of the federal Administration, it's a clear reminder of why we must continue to stand together.

The Black Caucus uplifts HR16 because it reflects a shared struggle, a struggle against colonialism, against erasure and for liberation. Black and brown communities have always had each other's backs in that fight.

And so, as we honor Cinco De Mayo, let's honor the full truth, the resistance, the unity, and the black and brown lives that made that victory possible. On behalf of the Black Caucus, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on HR16. Gracias.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Assemblymember Caloza, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Madam Speaker and Members. On behalf of the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I'm proud to rise in strong support of HR16, which recognizes Cinco De Mayo and the Battle of Puebla.

The state provides us an important opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of the Latino community and what has made California today and really all of our districts across the state. Today is also a day to celebrate culture, acknowledge history, and remind ourselves that the foundation of California's strength lies in its people.

Our communities share a profound history rooted in resilience and a shared pursuit of social justice.

From the historic Delano grape strike, where iconic leaders such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and Philip Vera Cruz stood side by side, advocating fiercely for workers rights, to the 1903 Oxnard sugar beet strike, where Japanese and Mexican laborers united to demand fair wages and better working conditions, we know that our communities have consistently demonstrated the extraordinary power of solidarity and unity.

Today, we proudly celebrate this long standing partnership and recognize the extraordinary contribution of all Latino leaders whose unwavering dedication continues to inspire us all. The AAPI Caucus stands proudly alongside the Latino Caucus, committed more than ever to building upon our shared legacy of advocacy, equity and progress. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assemblymember Carillo, you may close.

I should like to thank everybody that spoke up in support of HR16. And with that, I ask for your aye vote. And I also ask that the first roll be open for co authors. Thank you, Madam Protein.

Thank you all. Debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll. There are 68 CO authors added without objection.

We will now take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. 23 years ago, the Latino Caucus created the Latino Spirit Awards to recognize individuals who exemplify the true spirit spirit of our Latino culture and heritage.

Today, we honor 11 individuals who represent a wide range of talents found across our state. Assemblymember Ortega, you are recognized for your introductory remarks.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, on your desk you will find a program for our Latino Spirit Award where our California Legislative Latino Caucus recognizes Latino leaders throughout our state. A pin is also on your desk and an infographic of the significance of Cinco De Mayo.

On behalf of the California Legislative Latino Caucus, we want to wish you a very Feliz Cinco De Mayo.

I am appointing an escort Committee to bring our honorees onto the floor for our ceremony. Members should retire to the rear of the chamber as I call your name. Assembly Members Elhawary, Pacheco, Solache, Avila Farias, Michelle Rodriguez, Calderon, Alvarez, Quirk Silva, Bonta, Arambula, Soria, Mark Gonzalez, Aguiar Curry, Zbur, Rubio and Valencia.

And Senators Archuleta, Limon, Arreguin, Perez, Caballero, Rubio, Durazo and Cervantes. As we prepare for the ceremony, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge some constitutional officers who are joining us today. Board of Equalizations Member Tony Vasquez and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

I would now like to ask that Speaker Rivas, Republican Leader Gallagher, and Vice Chairs Ortega and Carillo move to the front center aisle to receive our honorees. Members, it is now time to introduce and welcome our 2025 Latino Spirit Award honorees. Please take your seats as we begin the ceremony, the Clerk will read.

Escorted by Assemblymember Elhawary is Angelica Salas. She is receiving the Award for Achievement in Human Rights. A fearless advocate for immigrant communities, Angelica Salas has led the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights, Los Angeles for over two decades, transforming into one of the nation's most powerful immigrant rights organizations.

Her leadership helps secure driver's licenses, legal services, daca, and education access for thousands across California. Please welcome Angelica Salas. Escorted by Assembly Members Pacheco and Solache is Luis Armona. He is receiving the Award for Achievement in Business. A leader in construction, media and finance, Luis Armona helps oversee Marulo Enterprises, California's largest Latino owned utility construction company.

His work empowers Latino communities, including launching the Tuvas Tuvoto Tuvita campaign to boost civic engagement across the state. Please welcome Luis Armona. It

Escorted by Assemblymember Ana Marie Avila Farias and Senator Arreguin is Consuelo Tupper Hernandez. On behalf of the La Pena Cultural center, the La Pena Cultural center is receiving the award for Achievement in Arts. For 50 years, the LA Pena Cultural center has united and uplifted various communities through arts, culture and activism.

Born from the Chilean exile movement, this Berkeley based hub nurtures creative expression and justice across Latinx, Afro Caribbean and indigenous diasporas. Welcoming 10,000 plus people annually for performances, education and community building. Please welcome Consuelo Tupper Hernandez. Escorted by Assembly Members Michelle Rodriguez and Senator Perez is Raffy Bitchakdjian. He is receiving the award for Achievement in Public Service.

Pasadena Fire engineer Raffy Bitchakdjian has dedicated his life to service, rising through the ranks of the Pasadena Firefighters Association while protecting communities on the front lines during the Eaton Canyon fire, His leadership helped save homes as he continued serving residents in need even after his shift ended. Please welcome Raffy Bitchakdjian.

Escorted by Assembly Members Alvarez and Quirk Silva is Luisa Ortega. She is receiving the award for Achievement in Community Empowerment. An indigenous first generation Chicano, Doctor, Luisa Ortega leads the Chicano Youth Leadership Project, advancing educational equity and civic empowerment for Latino Youth.

With over 20 years of advocacy, she is a tireless voice for access, mental health and leadership in underserved communities. Please welcome Dr. Luisa Ortega. Escorted by Assembly Members Bonta and Arambula is Rene Ramirez. He is receiving the Award for Achievement in Health and Science. A board certified surgeon and Chief of surgery at Kaiser GSAA,

Dr. Rene Ramirez has advanced surgical care through innovation, education and service. As a regional leader in surgery, he's shaping the future of medicine with a patient centered approach and commitment to excellence. Please welcome Dr. Rene Ramirez. Escorted by Assembly Member Soria and Senator Caballero is Margarita Rocha. She is receiving the Award for Achievement in Public Service.

For over 35 years, Margarita Rocha has led Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, transforming it into a trusted lifeline for Latino families across Fresno County. A lifelong civil rights advocate, her work has empowered thousands through programs that promote justice, health and family well being. Please welcome Margarita Rocha.

It escorted by Assembly Members Mark Gonzalez Agriacuri and Senator Cervantes is the Honorable Xavier Becerra. He is receiving the Award for Achievement in Public Service. The first Latino to serve as U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra has spent his career expanding access to health care, defending civil rights and fighting for working families.

From the halls of Congress to the California Attorney General's Office and beyond. Please welcome Xavier Becerra. Escorted by Assemblymember Calderon and Senators Limon and Archuleta is Marce Gutierrez Graudins. She is receiving the Award for Achievement in Environmental Justice. Founder of Azul, Marcella Gutierrez Graudinge is a global leader in ocean and climate justice.

Her work centers around Latino voices in conversation, helping pass the helping to pass bans on shark fins and plastic bags in driving international action for ocean and coastal protection. Please welcome Marce Gutierrez Graudins. Escorted by Assembly Members of Zbur and Senator Durazo is Jesus Morales. He is receiving the Award for Achievement in Philanthropy.

A first generation Mexican immigrant, Jesus Morales, known as Juxie has raised over $200,000 to support local street vendors through surprise giveaways. From $1,000 trips to life changing gifts, his viral videos uplift hardworking immigrants and inspire generosity nationwide. Please welcome Jesus Morales.

Escorted by Assembly Members Rubio Valencia and Senator Rubio is Angelica Vale. She is receiving the Award for Achievement in Arts and Entertainment. A multi talented actress, producer and radio host, Angelica Vale has entertained audiences for over 40 years. She starred in the hit La Fela Mez Bella to voicing Mama's Imelda in Coco.

She champions Latino representation in media while empowering her community through storytelling, radio and advocacy. Please welcome Angelica Vale.

Congratulations and thank you to our honorees. Please move to the Center for a Group photo. On behalf of the Vice Chairs Ortega Carrillo and the Members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, thank you for helping us celebrate this year's Outstanding Latino Spirit Award.

Honorees as they exit the chamber, please join me in another round of applause for our distinguished guests.

Okay, Members, we are going to continue on with our session. We are at the point in the session where we will ask the Reading Clerk to read the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Monday, April 212025. The Assembly met at 1pm The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.

Presiding Majority Leader Aguiar Curry moves and Mr. Flora seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions, there are none. Introductions and references of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read. Amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, There are none.

Moving on to motions and resolutions. The absences for the day for legislative business. Assembly Members Baines and Ellis now onto procedural motions. Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your procedural motion.

Good afternoon. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Addis and Pellerin to speak on an adjournment in memory today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assemblymember Carillo to have guests on the floor and in the rear of the chamber today and to allow Assemblymember Elhawary to have a guest seated at her desk.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96. I request unanimous consent to re refer AB 1052 Valencia from the Elections Committee to the Appropriations Committee.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 97. I request unanimous consent to re refer file item 125, AB 569 Stephanie to the Appropriations Committee. Without objection. Such shall be the order. I move to pass and retain on items 92 and 114 that objection.

Such shall be the order. Now moving on to business on the daily file. We're going to pass and retain. Excuse me. Business on the daily file. Second reading Clerk will read

[Second Reading]

All bills will be deemed read and all amendments will be deemed adopted. We have one item on concurrence the file item number 66 we're going to pass and retain onto third reading. Assembly third reading we're going to pass and retain on file item 67, 68, 69, 70, 71. That brings us to file item number 72. AB60 by Assemblymember Pappin Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 60 by Assembly Member Papan an act related to public health.

Assembly Member Papan, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. AB 60 is about protecting the health of Californians and the integrity of our environment by banning a very small group of toxic substances known as synthetic nitro musks. And they're found in cosmetics and personal care products like soaps, shampoos and perfumes. Their widespread use in these everyday items comes with serious risk.

Nitro musks accumulate in the body and are known to disrupt hormone function with particular consequences for women's reproductive health. Scientific research has linked exposure to these chemicals with early puberty in girls, increased risk of endometriosis, infertility and the growth of breast cancer cells. The danger doesn't stop with human health.

Nitro must persist in the environment, polluting our waterways, contaminating soil and affecting wildlife after products are washed down the drain. 39 other countries, including those in the European Union, have already restricted or banned these harmful substances and industry has adapted and found alternatives.

An aye vote for AB 60 will reduce toxic exposure, prevent hormone disruption and cancer risk, protect our waterways and wildlife and align California with international health and safety standards. How could you not vote aye? I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Papan. All debate having ceased, 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 56, nos 3. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file items number 73 through 78, which brings us to file item 79, Assembly Joint Resolution number six by Majority Leader Aguiar Curry. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Joint Resolution 6 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, relative to child nutrition.

Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise today to express great concern for for California's kids and our small family farmers. I have heard directly from my local farmers that federal attacks on funding for school lunches are a threat to their livelihood and to programs that bring healthy food to our kids.

So I present AJR 6 as a call to Congress to do all in their power to protect federal funding for school meals. Proper nutrition helps children succeed, especially in school. As a farmer and a farmer's daughter representing a rural agricultural district, I have seen and felt the impact of investing in family farmers.

As a mother and a grandmother, I know how important food access is for our kids. Every morning when I go to work, Members, and I see the group of young people that walk by my house, I live right by a school and they're there at 6:30 or quarter to 7 in the morning and you might wonder why? They're hungry. We cannot let this happen to our children.

So I was absolutely stunned to hear that the federal government is planning to cut $70 million for local foods for schools and child care programs in California. $70 million. And I feel like this should go without saying, but supporting California grown food for school meals strengthens our farmers, our food producers and our economy.

Every single dollar invested in local food system generates an additional $2.16 in economic activity. If the federal government follows through with this proposed cut, we could lose over $150 million in economic impact. For many kids, school meals in this program are the only meal of the day. For many communities, agriculture is their primary financial lifeline.

This program is a win for all of us. And I think we all know that. This first round of funding from this program provided over $23 million to California schools and farmers.

This funding was shared with 319 school districts and reached every corner of California, including 185,000 for Desert Sands Unified School District, over 260,000 for Riverside Unified School District, over 680,000 for school districts in Fresno County. An aye vote will call for supporting children and farmers and lowering the cost of healthy food while creating jobs.

And who here doesn't want more California jobs or healthy kids or successful farmers? We cannot afford to let this program slip away. Who here wants to go home and tell their constituent parents and farmers that they had a chance to feed kids, they had a chance to grow jobs and to strengthen our economy? Who here would refuse?

So do the right thing and support California kids, support California farmers and vote to make California healthy again. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, today I rise in support of AJR 6, led by my colleague from Winters. As you've heard, the Trump Administration is callously cutting $70 million in federal support to school meals, despite this being a safety net for so many children and the overwhelming loss of $150 million in economic benefits to California.

As a teacher in the classroom for over 20 years for students with special needs and English learners, I know for a fact that many children rely on school meals as their only daily source of nutrition. Moreover, school meals have the added benefit of improving educational outcomes through better focus and health.

And AJR 6 also supports California's farmers and local economies. Every dollar invested in local food Systems generates over $2 in economic activity. As a representative of three agricultural counties, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties, and chair of the California Legis Central Coast Caucus, I know that agriculture is fundamental to our economy.

Investing in school meals creates jobs and lowers the cost of healthy food for Californian families. The fact that the federal government and the president have canceled over $70 million in anticipated Local Food for Schools program funding for 2025 and over a billion dollars nationally undermines California's values of protecting our youth and supporting our farmers.

Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support AJR 6.

Thank you, Assemblymember Addis. Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Members. I rise today in strong support of AJR 6, a resolution to support investments in children, nutrition, childcare in our public schools. The Trump Administration has proposed canceling $70 million in federal funding that directly supports school meals. This is not about tightening belts or trimming waste.

This is about our children, millions of them, who depend on school meals to get through the day. Simply stated, if we cut school meals. Students will go hungry. Many of you know that I was a classroom teacher for 30 years.

In my desk drawer, I often had snack bars, granola bars, fruit cups because students came to school hungry. We know that these cuts will impact millions of our students. Let us speak plainly. Defending these cuts is defending taking away food from our students. Every dollar supports a California student, farmers, school nutrition workers and our local economy members.

We've heard a lot about values on this floor this past week and we've debated and we will continue to debate. But I know there are places we can agree on. And feeding our California students in our public school schools should be a place we agree. I don't care what your party registration is.

We cannot stand against ripping lunches away from children. If we do, what do we stand for? The facts are simple. This program works. It puts fresh, locally grown food on school lunch trays. It helps farmers. It creates jobs.

This resolution asks Congress to reverse these cruel targeted cuts and prioritize what really matters, children, families and food on our table. I urge an aye vote for AJR 6.

Thank you, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva. Assemblymember Ortega, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today in strong support of AJR 6. On March 7, 2025 the Trump Administration canceled over 70 million in anticipated funding to the local food for schools and child care program.

These cuts will be devastating for families with kids who need food, farmers who grow the food, and farm workers who harvest the food throughout rural California. Millions of children and families across California rely on schools for hot meals each day. The local food for schools and child care programs don't just feed kids.

It creates jobs on small farms and local agriculture, which is the cornerstone of many rural communities economies. Every $1 invested in local food systems generate over $2 in economic activity, creating local jobs and supporting parents who rely on local schools to feed their kids fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

There's one thing all of us can agree on in this body and that is we are all, we all are in an affordability crisis when it comes to grocery bills. The grocery bills are too high. And I urge you to join me in unanimously supporting AJR 6.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ortega. Assemblymember Gipson, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Members. I want to start my comments by thanking the author from winters for bringing AJR 6 to us. Certainly since I've been on this floor, you have been a champion for our children, wherever they may be. Dr. Martin King said, silence is a form of betrayal.

No one will find you guilty of shutting up, sitting down, and being quiet, because this is the form in which your voice need to be elevated. Fighting for our children. And so, to my colleagues, I'm here to stand in strong support of AJR 6.

We must maintain our school's feeding programs across only California, but across the United States of America. These programs are more than just meals. They are a lifeline that ensures that our children have the nutrients they need to learn, to grow and to succeed. Cutting $70 million from these programs are hurtful.

They are harmful to our children and devastating. This devastating impact will have severe consequences not only in California, but it will have a ripple effect in our communities. Countless young people and countless families will be devastated. As my colleagues have already indicated, sometime the only meal that a child gets is at school.

And let me simply say, this Enterprise Rent-A-Car. We do a lot of business with them. But on the other side, the school that I went to and graduated from, elementary school in Watts, every Monday, children bring a backpack back to school. Let me say that again.

They bring a backpack back to school, and then on Friday, they pick up a backpack from school. And what's in that backpack is food that because the only meal that those children will receive is from school, that will last them during the weekend. And so kids don't get hungry just one time. They get hungry all the time.

Just like your own children. Your own children have the luxuries of going to a refrigerator and pulling out what they need. Let me say this. I have never understood myself experiencing a day that I've gone hungry. My mother would say, well, in the refrigerator may not be what you want, but it's some food that you can eat.

Those children who depend on these programs don't even have that. And so to have the federal government cut and slash these programs, it is not only harmful, I think it's criminal. And we must do everything that we can to send our voices.

Don't let 80 members of this House sit down and be quiet on the things that matter today. This AJR matters. AJR 6. It matters that California needs to stand up in a loud voice collectively. And again, like my colleague said, this is not a Democrat issue or Republican issue.

This is a human rights issue that our children in this state should not go hungry. So I ask my colleagues to search your heart and let's stand up by sending a strong aye vote.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of AJR 6. I want to thank the Majority Leader for bringing this important joint resolution forward.

Members, it is and should be shocking that we even have to submit to Congress a formal resolution urging the President's party not to cut 70 million in funding for local food for schools and child care programs.

This program is about helping school lunch programs for poor children to eat balanced, locally sourced meals and giving struggling parents one less thing to worry about while the people of California faces growing food insecurity.

But this isn't even about cost anymore, is about taking away food and once again taking it away from poor children and small businesses to enact pain and exert power. It's about increasing hunger in order to make rich people even richer, in order to implement a historic redistribution of wealth. How is this fiscal responsibility?

How is this promoting family values? How is this even biblical colleagues? This is another reminder how bad things can happen when good people are silent. How a President can instill so much fear that congressional and state officials within his own party feel they must be throwing.

That they must throw their own constituents under the bus in order to stay in his good graces. You know, the scriptures tell us, whether it's the Bible, the Torah, the Koran or any other sacred text, that this is not how the powerful are supposed to act.

God calls us to protect the weak, to feed the hunger and stand up against the rich, and most importantly, to sacrifice our own comfort and well being in order to do so.

So in this time when stories are written about who spoke up and who remains silent, let it be written that those who voted for this resolution stood up against taking food out of the mouths of children and that we fought for the small farmer who is trying to stay in business just one more day.

And that we were not silent as the rich tried to continue to control our democracy. I respectfully asked for an aye vote on AJR 6.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to rise in support of this resolution. Thank my colleague from winners for her work on this important issue. I think we all agree that education and making sure that our kids are nourished at school needs to continue to be a top priority.

And I look forward to sending that bipartisan message to Congress. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Hoover. Assemblymember Soria, you were recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members.

As the Chair of the Agriculture Committee, I'm proud to stand in strong support of AJR 6, which calls on the Federal Government to take action to support investments in the local Food for Schools program in December 2021, Agricultural Marketing Services launched the Local Food for School programs, a package of federal COVID-19 relief programs to help states address supply chain disruptions and boost local and regional food system.

The first round of the program provided $200 million in non competitive funding to state agencies through cooperative agreements. 42 states and the District of Columbia benefited from this round.

The funding was solely for purchases of local, unprocessed or minimally processed foods from farmers, ranchers and small businesses for distribution to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. In October 2024, the USDA had announced it would provide $660 million for a second round of funding for the food program.

This new round of funding mirrored the first but expanded the program to child care. This program would have allocated $472 million to K through 12 schools and $189 million to child care sites participating in the Child and Adult Care Food program.

The first round targeted small businesses and socially disadvantaged producers and this round prioritized historically underserved producers, farmers, fishers and small businesses which includes being a veteran and limited resource farmers and ranchers. In California, the program provided support to 533 small farmers and those small farmers produce food for 55 food banks and other community food partners.

About 100 of the more than 500 small farmers were from the San Joaquin Valley, part of my district. Members, we know the benefits these programs bring to our community. These programs not only strengthen local economies and support small farmers.

In my district and in many of your districts, these farm to school programs create not only create reliable markets for local farmers, helping sustain family farms and rural economies. Every dollar spent on local food generates more economic activity within the state, in fact strengthening our local businesses.

Additionally, these programs improve child child health and reduces long term health care costs. Investing in locally sourced nutritious meals helps combat childhood obesity and diet related illnesses like diabetes. Furthermore, healthier children mean long term mean lower long term health care costs, reducing the burden on our public health systems. Members.

Today I stand to send a loud and clear message to our federal leaders to Fund this program in order to keep support for our small farmers and to provide locally grown and sourced nutritious meals for our kids. In the end, this is about kids. This is about the future of California. I urge an aye vote on AJR6.

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

Good afternoon Mr. Speakers and Members. Thank you for your attention to this very serious matter. It's an honor to rise today in support of AJR 6 to protect federal school meal funding. In San Diego, county, more than 250,000 children depend on free school meals as their primary source of daily nutrition.

These meals are not just important, they are essential. Access to nutritious food at school leads to better short and long term health, greater academic success and overall well being. And the data is clear.

A daily meal is a simple investment that yields a huge return, helping our students focus on learning, achieve upward mobility, and find greater economic success. But the impact of this program goes beyond our students. Every dollar invested in our local food system generates more than $2 in economic activity.

You can't find a better return on investment than that. Each month, over 2 million pounds of food are distributed across San Diego, county, supporting family farmers, local food producers, and California's broader agricultural economy, while ensuring that students have access to healthy, locally grown meals. Recent announcements to cut federal aid have left schools and family farms scrambling.

Eliminating 70 million in support for school meals would not only undermine children's health, but would also hurt our businesses, hurt our educational goals for our children, and frankly, hurt our collective future. With 1 in 3 children in San Diego County experiencing food insecurity, we cannot afford to play politics with hunger. Instead, we must make better choices.

We must reject these cuts and say yes to sustainable food infrastructure by connecting farms, schools and communities. Say yes to creating jobs and reducing the cost of healthy food for California families and say yes to protecting our children, uplifting local farmers, and strengthening our economy. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on AJR6.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patel. Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today in support of AJR 6. Food insecurity is a growing issue affecting millions around the country and in our state, California produces nearly half of the nation's fruit and vegetables. California is called the food basket of the world. Yet one in five Californians, about 8.8 million people, currently face food insecurity.

As the cost of living continues to increase, many families and students rely on school meals to get through those tough times. Research shows that students who have access to nutritious meals perform better academically, have higher attention spans, better cognitive development, and improved test scores.

As a classroom teacher for over 16 years, I witnessed the impact that a nutritious meal can have on a child's academic development and success. Not only do these meals provide nutrition to our students, but they also help fund our local economies and support our California farmers.

Using California grown food for school meals not only strengthens small family farms and food producers, but Also reduces the supply chain vulnerabilities. Protecting funding for these school meals. For this school meal program is imperative for the well being of our students and our communities.

If we truly believe that children are the future, then we must invest in them today, starting with ensuring that every student in California can focus on learning, not worrying about their next meal. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote on AJR 6.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rubio. Assemblymember Schiavo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't plan on speaking on this resolution, but my colleague from Carson said something that brought back some memories from my childhood. I grew up, I did not grow up in LA County where I know this is an issue that's going to profoundly impact our children.

But I grew up in a rural county of Tuolumne and I know what it's like to have hard times in my family. I remember we were fortunate to never go hungry, but there was certainly food we didn't want to eat.

And we had a very generous butcher that was a friend of the family who donated some food to our family when we were really struggling. And that was the week where we ate liver and onions every day for dinner. And to this day I hate, hate liver and onions. But you know, this is an issue.

My kid now brags about the lunches that are in the schools, which has not always been the case, talking about fresh plums in schools. And that is not something I saw when I was growing up in school.

And we know that this is because of this connection that we have right now between schools and farms, farm fresh schools, getting farm fresh food, coming to our schools and coming to our children who need it.

So when I think about this resolution and the cuts that are coming from the federal level to take food out of the mouths of children, it is an issue that impacts our rural communities profoundly. The rural communities that I came from and you know, just looking up some numbers really quickly.

If the safety net disappears for our rural communities, the Central Valley, the Sierra areas are going to be the hardest hit. That is where poverty will increase the most. So it is very much not a partisan issue.

I come from a very red community of Sonora and Tuolumne county where I still go visit for every holiday that we have with my family. And I hope that this is something that we can all agree on, that we should not be taking food out of the mouths of children. I urge your support for AJR 6. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Schiavo. Leader Gallagher, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise in support of this AJR as a farmer, you know, as someone who grows food here in California and how important that is, that. And I've always found it a bit of a dichotomy that our kids in schools are not eating healthy.

And yet at the same time, we grow some of the most healthy, nutritious food in the world right here in California. So I actually, I want to take it kind of even further. Here is this is a program that actually still needs reform.

And there's more that we could do right here in the State of California to make sure that healthy, nutritious food is being served to our students. And the way we do that is by making sure California grown food is getting to our students. You know, by the way, that's also a lot cheaper. It's a lot closer.

You know, it doesn't take that long to get it to the schools because it's all around us. You know, we grow this food right here. We are the breadbasket of the world here in California. And yet it is hard being a farmer. But it's not because of this program.

We're not reeling because of these cuts that just happened. Let's be clear. We're reeling right now in California because of the high costs that go into growing your food. Here in California, we have some of the highest electricity costs.

Takes a lot of, you know, to run pumps, to run processing facilities that bring that, that food to you, to run trucks, guess what? Electricity and gas, and those are really, really high. Right now we have to have insurance on our businesses and we have some of the skyrocketing insurance costs that are going on right now. Right?

It's very expensive. And then we add other water restrictions, other things that keep getting regulations, fees. It's very expensive. And guess what? Our commodity prices are at an all time low in many commodities in this state. Why? You know, because of that. This has been going on for years now.

Actually, for the last five years, walnuts, almonds, low prices, tomatoes have struggled. Many different crops in the state have had low commodity prices. So at the same time as those commodity prices have gone down due to world factors, we have had record increases in our input costs. We need to do something on that front too, folks.

So I think twofold way that we can help, and it was a win win for everybody, is find ways to lower those input costs so that we can continue producing the best food, the most nutritious, healthy food in the world. And then let's actually connect it right now. In California, we just have a pilot program.

Literally all we have is a pilot program, the farm to school program that was started a few years ago. It's a good program, but it's nowhere near as big as it should be. Right.

And we should be working with our federal partners to reform the program to make sure that we're doing exactly that, that this healthy food that we grow and that there isn't waste and that there isn't inefficiencies, that we're making sure that gets to those students who desperately do need that food.

Because if you're looking, and let's be honest, what's being fed to our kids and what we're seeing in our kids diets is not healthy right now. And we have a diabetes epidemic, but we have the ability to solve it with the food that we grow right here in California. So I really want to work on this.

And many of us actually have been already, in a bipartisan fashion, trying to figure out how we do that. Let's support this resolution today and then let's make the policy changes necessary to actually get that healthy food onto students plates in schools. Thank you.

Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you, Leader Gallagher. Assemblymember Bryan, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise in support of AJR 6. And I want to thank the Republican leader and the Republican caucus. It is a very hard thing to stand up to this President and to let the Administration know that they are wrong for taking food out of our children's mouths. Starving children.

I grew up in a family of 12. I'm one of nine adopted children. We had foster kids all in our house. School lunch was everything for us. And that was before you could get breakfast and lunch. As my colleague from Compton said, kids don't just get hungry once. And it's not just about their test scores.

That's not always the outcome we're looking for. We're solving for starvation and malnourishment. I want to thank the Republican leader also for mentioning all the other problems that we work tirelessly to solve here.

The economic insecurity that's created by bad policy decisions like haphazard tariffs around the world that increase the cost of everything almost on a daily basis, throwing us into economic insecurity. I'm glad the Republican leader mentioned the need to unlock California's water.

I know the President is still looking for the big faucet, but I have hope that he will find it. This is a bipartisan moment because stepping up for starving children should be. It's a shame that our federal colleagues, especially in the Executive branch, have not found that.

But you all give me hope today, standing up in support of our children in our schools and of our farmers. And I just want to thank you for this vote. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

Thank you. And I, too, rise in support of this as well, mainly because I actually went to go speak to the Administration on Wednesday of last week, and I would ask that my colleagues look at working with the Federal Government instead of calling them out, because one of the biggest statements that they made to me was that the largest payment in the Federal Government is the interest payment on our debt.

And while they're prioritizing, making sure that we can fiscally manage both on the national side, they want us to reflect internally as well and prioritize financial responsibility. I rise and I went over to Washington because I am the representative from the Central Valley. I do represent the Sierras.

And I also understand, understand what it means for a child to get their first meal of the day, because I was. That I survived off this type of meals. My favorite day in elementary school was actually the Wienersnitzel package that they would give us at lunch, because that was the first time I ate. So I completely understand.

And I went to advocate and to work with the federal Administration to see where we can prioritize some of the programs that work to do the most good.

And I ask all of my colleagues, as I'm often reminded, to work with the party in control, to prioritize the people and to make sure that we're not leveraging the future generations in this continuous spiral of debt. And as we work together, we should allocate resources so that we lead by example and prioritize. California citizens, thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also, too, rise in support of AJR6 and really moved by so many of my colleagues who have spoken out.

I wasn't planning on speaking, but it's difficult for me to speak on this issue because I, too, was the recipient of many of these federal and state programs growing up, where my only meal was at school once a day, where I saw many of my classmates, my brother, my twin brother and my sister go hungry, where many of my classmates have stolen food just to eat.

And that's not the California I want to move back to. But I will tell you that we're not going to balance our budget and the national debt on cutting food for hungry, poor students.

We're not going to balance the budget and our national debt, on cutting Head Start child care programs, and we're certainly not going to balance the national debt, largely because of Trump's first term in office, where he greatly increased the deficit to increase corporate tax breaks for his friends by cutting these essential programs for needy and poor families.

I too speak from this personal experience, and I just want the record to reflect that we aren't going to balance any budgets on the backs of poor people. Not while me and other alike colleagues understand these issues and are fighting here in the State of California. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ahrens. Assemblymember Bennett, you are recognized.

Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker. If my colleagues from the other side are truly concerned about interest on the national debt, then balancing the budget does make sense.

But I would offer, as my colleague just said, we're not going to balance the budget on the backs of the poor, and we're definitely not going to balance the budget if we give out trillions and trillions of dollars of tax cuts to people who don't need them. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bennett. Assembly Member Patterson, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker. Thank you. I rise in support of this measure. Although it represents.05% of the education funding we spend here in California, I think it's really important that we fully Fund school nutrition programs. Although I gotta say, the Federal Government's program is flawed and we should have our own program for provide kids lunches.

But make no mistake, this is a small amount of money that we could all solve ourselves. And if, unfortunately, the money isn't returned, we could take whatever money is left from the $50 million Department of Justice Slush Fund and Fund the lunches for the kids.

Because I would agree that that's one of the most important things that we do. So with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patterson. Assembly Member DeMaio, you were recognized.

So you have a resolution here that when you read it, many people may not understand what it's getting at.

Here we have a temporary program that was created during COVID as a bridge, as a basically a life raft, because in my opinion, many of our governors overreacted, shut things down, told people not to go to the farms, not to go into grocery stores. Can't undo the past, but we can make a better future.

The Trump Administration is trying to crack down not only on the national deficit, but we are also seeing an emphasis on making government work better. Cutting the fraud, cutting the waste, making sure that when we do have a program that it is working to its intended outcome.

Not all programs do that, but here we have, I think, a bit too much political theater. Justifying this resolution, justifying this resolution on the basis of a President being accused of. What did I hear? Taking food out of the mouths of poor people. If I can just simply summarize the argument to my colleague from the Central Valley.

I believe you make a very good point. This is not a time to engage in name calling or make hysterical accusations of food being taken out of the mouths of children.

This is a time to say if you really care about working families being able to put food on the table, to actually enact policies that this body has direct control over and direct responsibility for.

President Trump is not responsible for the fact that this body has enacted regulations that have choked our family farms and caused the cost of a California harvest to be substantially higher than it should be and those costs are passed on to working families.

It is this body that has decided to impose regulations on grocery stores such that we have food deserts in poorer communities and we've got higher costs at the cash register. We have some Members of this body that are supporting getting rid of self checkout lanes. Why?

Because the groceries union demands it and they're saying the reason why is that there's so much theft going on in the store that we need to make sure that we don't have self checkout lanes so we take away a convenience for law abiding customers because this state doesn't want to crack down on retail theft.

Before you criticize the President for taking food out of the mouths of working families and young children, look to your own negligence on bills that are causing a higher cost for food. The Transparency foundation has a report out last year, California grocery costs are 10% higher than the national average. 9.8% to be exact.

It works out to be. Are you ready for this? Over $800 for a family of four in higher food costs per year. $800. You multiply that $800 times each household, you have more money than the program from the Federal Government that you're rushing to defend. We could solve the shortfall even if this program gets eliminated.

If we just did our job as a legislative body to lower food prices in our state and we have the power to do that. We don't need to ask President Trump. We don't need to go to Congress and deliver a resolution. No.

We might want to put a little post it note on our own desk saying cut the cost of living in California, starting with food for working families. And once we're done with food, we can move on to housing costs, then childcare, then gasoline. Pretty soon people might not want to leave the state anymore.

They could actually afford to live here. For every finger you point 30 seconds at the Administration there are probably more than four fingers pointing back at this body with that. I will support this resolution, but I think it might need an amendment.

I don't think the author will take it up, but I think you should indicate when this is delivered to the Congress and the Administration that we stand willing to work with this Administration to.

Thank you, Mr. DeMaio. Thank you, Mr. DeMaio. Assembly Member Macedo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the Majority Leader because I am from the Central Valley. So I know that our farmers need this. I know our children need this. And I want to thank my colleague from Los Angeles for recognizing that.

It's not easy to stand up to your own party, but when it comes to our children, I would hope every person in this room would stand up to their party to protect children. I ask for an aye vote.

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

Thanks much, Mr. Speaker. I agree with my colleague. I think California does have one finger pointing at the President right now, and that's because more than 50% of the world has zero wealth. That's not made up. That's folks who have no money, who owe debts.

And yet you're going to sit here and say that we should be balancing our budget on the backs of people who don't own anything, all the while trying to justify tax breaks for billionaires, for corporations. Just as a reminder, when you take food out of the mouths of poor children, the only thing left on the menu will be billionaires.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rogers. Seeing and hearing no further debate. Madam Majority Leader, would you like to close?

I want to thank my colleagues who spoke up for our constituents across the state. Your stories truly show how important this funding is for all parts of California. Federal fiscal responsibility shouldn't start with cutting meals for kids and our family Members. California kids and farmers are not waste, fraud and abuse. I ask for your aye vote and ask for the role to be open for co authors.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Members, we are going to vote twice here. The first vote is going to be for co authors. There will be a second roll taken actually on the joint resolution itself. With that, Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote for co authors. This vote is for co authors.

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. There are 73 co authors added. We'll now move on to a roll call vote on the measure. 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 76, no 0. The resolution is adopted. We're going to pass and retain on file items 80 through 84 gets us to file item number 85. AB 679 by Assemblymember Pellerin. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 679 by Assembly Member Pellerin and others an act relating to state parks.

Thank you Mr. Reading. Clerk. It's Assembly Bill 679 not 879. Assemblymember Pellerin, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Members, following the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex wildfire in my district, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with various conservation organizations with the mutual goal of transferring ownership of land parcels to the Department for long term protection.

The current process of state land acquisition, which requires approval by the Public Works Board and Department of General Services, is often very much delayed. AB679 is a district Bill that will help provide certainty to acquisition partners by by streamlining the acquisition process for properties in and around Big Basin, Redwoods, Ano Nuevo and Butno State Parks. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Pellerin. All debate having ceased, 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 54 noes 11 measure passes takes us to file item number 86, Assembly Bill 681 by Assemblymember Elhawary. The clerk will read

Assembly Bill 681 by Assembly Member Elhawary an act relating to student financial aid.

Assembly Member Elhawary, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present AB681 a Bill that reflects my deep commitment to education equity. As an educator and daughter of immigrants, I believe higher education should be based on potential and hard work, not immigration status. Undocumented students currently cannot access federal aid, and California's Dream Loan program helps fill that gap.

But the current $4,000 cap doesn't meet the cost of graduate school. AB681 will increase the annual loan cap under the existing Dream loan program from $4,000 to $20,500 . Aligning more closely with federal graduate loan limits, this Bill would simply allow existing funds to be distributed in a way that better reflects the actual cost of graduate programs.

AB681 opens doors, breaking barriers and setting a standard for progress that others should aspire to follow. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Thank you. Assemblymember Elhawary. All debate having ceased, 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 57, nos. 9. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file nine. 87 gets us to file item number 88. AB 1224 by Assembly Member Valencia.

Clerk will read Assembly Bill 1224 by Assembly Member Valencia and others an act relating to teachers.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, AB 1224 aims to provide greater continuity to students whose teachers are out of the classroom for an extended period of time by allowing a substitute teacher to serve in the classroom for up to 60 days.

California continues to face an unprecedented teacher shortage which has been exacerbated and which has exacerbated the need of substitutes. This Bill provides an interim solution to support our schools until longer term solutions can be implemented and take effect. With that respect, Class for a yes vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Valencia. All debate having ceased, 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. Tallied votes ayes 73. No 0. The measure passes. We will pass and retain on file item 89.

That brings us to file item number 90. AB 831 by Assemblymember Ramos. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 831 by Assembly Member Ramos an act relating to gaming.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB831 is a support support Bill and makes technical changes. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ramos. All debate having ceased, 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 74 Noszero. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on File items number 91. 92, 93 brings us to file item number 94. AB 259 by Assemblymember Rubio.

Assembly Bill 259 by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio an act relating to local government.

Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members for allowing me to present AB259 related to the Brown act teleconferencing provisions. This Bill would extend the sunset to 2030 on a provision added to the Brown act by Assembly Bill 2449, which I authored in 2022.

AB 2449 provides additional flexibility for broad act meeting procedures, allowing board Members to participate remotely in the event of an absence due to a just cause or emergency circumstances. By extending the sunset, AB259 preserves the additional flexibility for individual board Members of local agencies to meet remotely and providing the public with essential services. Thank you and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Rubio. All debate having ceased, 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. Aye. 71, no. 0. The measure passes on to file item number 95. AB 467 by Assemblymember Fong.

Assembly Bill 467 by Assembly Member Fong an act relating to local government.

Member Fong, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and Members. Assembly Bill 467 extends a sunset date of the authorization for LA Neighbor Councils to meet via teleconference if they also comply with certain public notification and participation requirements. The LA Neighbor Councils were established in 1999 to ensure that city government remains responsive to LA's many communities.

The 99 Neighbor Councils of Los Angeles, each serving about 40,000 people, are the closest form of government to the people of Los Angeles. Neighbor Council Members are elected by their local communities and donate their time as volunteers. Extending the sunset will maintain access to representation for Members of the public who are available to participate.

Due to family care obligations, inflexible work schedules, physical limitations and lack of transportation. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Fong. All debate having ceased, 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 64, no. 6. The measure passes. We are passing. We're going to pass and retain. On File item number 96. Brings us to file item number 7. AB519 by Assemblymember Berman.

Assembly Bill 519 by Assemblymember Berman and others an act relating to pets.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 519, which is part of the Stop the Puppy Mill pipeline Bill package. When Californians obtain a puppy from a local breeder, they never assume that their puppy might have actually come from a cruel out of state breeding operation.

However, as a recent LA Times investigative report clearly showed, far too many pet owners are deceived by dishonest brokers pretending to be legitimate breeders or even rescues, but are really middlemen for for out of State Breeder Mills. AB 519 would close this loophole that allows this dishonest practice.

The Bill will make necessary exceptions for service animals, police dogs and other similar animals. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Berman. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those voted 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 70 no 0 the measure passes. Going to pass and retain on file. Item number 98.

Brings us to file item 99, AB 1522 by Assembly Member Kalra. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1522 by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary an act relating to Professions and Vocations, declaring the urgency there for to take effect immediately.

Forgive me. This is by the Committee on Judiciary. Assembly Member Kara, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 1522, a Judiciary Committee Bill that seeks to uphold the dignity of the legal profession as it faces a growing amount of politically motivated attacks. As officers of the court, attorneys are sworn to uphold and protect the rights of others.

This obligation requires attorneys to take positions that at times may not be socially or politically popular. Unfortunately, attorneys are now finding themselves targeted for professional retribution for representing clients or taking positions that displease some political groups. This bill seeks to protect the legal profession in two ways.

First, this bill tasks the State Bar with developing an expedited licensing program for attorneys who previously worked in federal service and were fired through no fault of their own. This bill would recognize the high level of professional competence and dedication to public service possessed by these attorneys, yet also adopt safeguards to protect the California public.

Secondly, this bill ensures that attorneys who provide legal advice or other assistance to those in need of reproductive health care cannot have their California law license threatened because another state seeks discipline for providing legal services that are wholly legal in California.

This bill is sponsored by the Judiciary Committee, is supported by legal aid organizations, and has no opposition. I respectfully ask for an I vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Kalra. Members, this vote. Excuse me. This bill has an urgency clause on it. Requires 54 votes. All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. I 57 nos 15 on the urgency.

I 57, nos 15 on the measure. Measure passes, pass and retain on file items number 100 through 104 brings us to file item 105, Assembly Bill 263 by Assembly Member Rogers. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 263 by Assembly Member Rogers and others and accolades of water.

Assemblymember Rogers, you are recognized.

No thank you. So Mr. Speaker, today I rise to to introduce AB 263. This Bill is related to the Shasta in the Smith Rivers up in Northern California. Currently there are temporary flow requirements on the Shasta and the Smith that came out of the Governor's emergency drought declaration.

Those two rivers are major tributaries to the Klamath where we have seen fish populations start to be restored in the last few years. And our Bill would just maintain those temporary flows until the permanent regulations that DWR is working on are ready to go and in place.

This Bill is not just a fish Bill, although the coho salmon are endangered up in our area and across the world and are a capstone species. That really helps to make the forests healthier and the rivers and streams healthier.

But this Bill also is about supporting our fishermen who have been hurt particularly hard in the last few years with fishing industry, fishing season being cut short. And then finally, it's also a tribal Bill.

We are doing this Bill with the Karuk and the Yurok tribe in our region who at the time when water rights were distributed were not considered citizens, were not able to be considered to protect their own waters.

They also were not able to be parties to the lawsuits in the 1980s that set the original flow requirements on these streams. These temporary flows that they currently have are the first time that their input has ever been taken into account that their needs, that their economies have ever been considered.

So our Bill just maintains those temporary flows until the permanent regulations are in place. And with that I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

Well, thank you Mr. Speaker. Today I rise as a principal co author of AB263. I rise in support of this measure. California tribes have been stewards of their environment since time immemorial. However, Native Americans have purposely been disregarded when it comes to California's water rights and exclude it from crucial decision making policies.

The Klamath River watershed tribes depend on salmon for both culture and economic well being. Yet in recent years, weak salmon populations have forced tribes to severely restrict fisheries and as a result the Yurok and Karuk tribes have declared a State of emergency due to the loss of salmon.

Many tribal governments rely on salmon for cultural stability, which is why it is important we ensure the emergency regulations stay in place until the long term regulations can be established with the voices of those that are affected tribal people.

I am proud to support this and thank the Member from Santa Rosa for carrying this measure and I urge Members of this body to vote aye to protect a rich culture that predates the creation of the State of California and stand with tribes who are culturally tied to this land. I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Ramos Assembly Member Hadwick, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to AB 263. Let me begin by acknowledging that I share the values of protecting fish, safeguarding our waterways and honoring tribal sovereignty. These remains priorities of mine during my time in the Legislature. However, AB263 seeks to extend emergency water use regulations in my district.

Rules that were explicitly designed for to be temporary implemented in response to to specific and extraordinary drought conditions. The emergency orders will stand today even though the county has been flooding and we have had the best water year that I've seen in my lifetime.

This Bill disregards the meaningful proactive efforts undertaken by farmers, ranchers and water users in my district who have worked in good faith to conserve water and protect the local environment. These stakeholders have invested significantly in sustainable practices, participating in voluntary share water sharing agreements, improved irrigation projects and contributing to habitat restoration. These are not symbolic gestures.

These are measurable, tangible actions made under immense economic pressure, particularly as families face the highest inflation in a generation. This Bill was written about my district without my knowledge or our input. It was introduced without conversations with stakeholders and then when concerns were raised and amendments introduced, they were ignored.

This Bill overlooks the collaboration and progress of these stakeholders entirely for us. It introduces new uncertainty for the very people who grow our food, raise our livestock and sustain multi generational family farms that form the backbone of our rural communities.

I pray that none of you find yourselves in a position where a colleague has written a Bill about your district without your input. That leaves you to return home to explore, explain to your constituents this is not how we should be legislating.

This is a local issue where farmers, tribes, business owners and communities have been working together for a decade to find solutions. This Bill blindsided this progress and should be left to the local stakeholders in DWR. This Bill sets a dangerous precedent for water rights.

The DWR process is not one any of us love, but is a process that water experts, science and Collaborative governance guide, not political maneuvering. This Bill sets this precedence of allowing legislators to override waterboard decisions through legislation when they disagree.

I respectfully ask for your no vote on AB263, or at the very least, lay off this vote so that the conversations and partnerships in the county that I grew up in can continue. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Hadwick. Leader Gallagher, you are recognized.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I joined my colleague from Modoc in opposing this Bill. And, you know, y'all were just talking about small farmers and how, man, we really got to make sure we're taking care of small farmers. And this Bill does not do that.

And in fact, like, I hope you just listen for a second, this is why rural people, farmers, people in the north state, this is why they get pissed off because of legislation like this. Little bit of background. This is extending an emergency, emergency regulations that were promulgated during a drought.

There was an emergency when we had a drought on flow requirements. That's where these came from. And today you're extending it when there is no drought. Right. And when people in that area who are most affected are actively working together trying to figure out a solution in this region.

And it's when one Legislator moves forward with an idea without talking to any of the other people who are affected in this by these decisions. Any other water users who are affected in these regions. Yes. We need to work with the tribal governments as well. They're a key part of that.

They currently are a key part of that in the discussion. But instead, we're by legislative fiat superseding any of that work and saying, no, these rules are going to stand in place until 2031. That's frustrating. And by the way, this whole concept idea of unimpaired flow helping fish, it's not backed by science at all.

And it hasn't worked. It actually has not worked. To bring back coho salmon populations, we send more water down the stream, but there's no habitat. There's no habitat there. We have striper and other predatory fish that eat all the fry.

In fact, right now, as we're sitting here debating this on the floor, Department of Fish and Wildlife is releasing a bunch of fry salmon fry into the river. And you know what's happening to them immediately, they're getting eaten by a bunch of striper in the river. They're releasing at the wrong time.

These geniuses who have been supposedly working at the government level to bring back salmon populations have done quite the opposite. And this kind of stuff continues that same concept, that same ideology, that doesn't work. It's not about pushing more water down the river. It's about restoring habitats.

It's about having a group of all the stakeholders working together to make sure we maximize water in this state. That hasn't happened.

This hasn't been some open process that's taken into account the needs of all the people in this region, of all the people who rely on that water, and it's one person trying to push that through this Legislature. But we could say no. We could say, hey, let's go back to the drawing board.

Let's actually let all these groups work together on a process. We don't have to pass this legislation today, and that's all that my colleague is asking for. I urge you Members, at least stay off of this Bill or vote no.

It continues a process that is not helpful, that does not lead to positive, proactive solutions, and that currently this philosophy is not working to actually bring back salmon in our watersheds. Thank you.

Thank you, Leader Gallagher. Assemblymember Bauer Kahan, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I wanted to rise in support of this measure in part because during my time as chair of the Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, I had the privilege of overseeing an informational hearing on Native people in California and water.

And it was one of the starkest moments for me in my time in this Legislature around what has happened to our Native people over the years as it relates to to their well being and their rights to water. And I want to thank the author because he is centering those voices in a critically important way.

And when we closed that hearing, there was someone who got up, who was there had been sitting there for hours waiting to make public comment. And she said, I actually am not going to say what I wanted to say. Instead I'm going to say, if we just turned the land back to the Native people and followed their lead, we'd be doing okay.

And so, as you heard from our colleague from San Bernardino, I think this is critically important that we center those voices, that we do what is right, and then we make sure that we are protecting everyone who needs this water and not just a few. With that, I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bauer Kahan. Assembly Member Papan, you are recognized.

All right, we are here. I rise today as the current chair of Water, Parks, and Wildlife. And I just would like you all to know that this bill was substantially vetted in our committee.

It is not an easy decision to make, but I feel very confident that the next five years will allow the parties and all stakeholders to continue to come together to maintain and or reach a very fair and equitable solution that balances not only the needs of agriculture, but also the needs of our salmon.

And I respectfully request an I vote. This is a well reasoned bill. Four or five years to allow the parties to get it done. I respect the request an I vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Papan. Assemblymember Bennett, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of my colleague from Santa Rosa's Bill. And the one point I would like to emphasize is I think we all know some of the most powerful forces politically in California are those forces that have been extracting water.

And it is very difficult to get anything done in terms of the area of trying to move forward. This bill is an attempt to try to say, hey, we have to keep this under control while the negotiations are going on.

I think something that we should definitely keep in mind is if we don't, those forces have been successful over and over again at overdrafting, overpumping, overusing water in California. So I strongly encourage an I vote. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Assemblymember Bennett, seeing and hearing no further debate. Assemblymember Rogers, would you like to close?

Yes. Thank you so much. These temporary regulations that are in place are the first time that we have ever had balance, that you have certainty for the farmers, that you have certainty for the fishermen. And just as a reminder for this body, fishermen feed people too. We also see tribal voices represented for the first significant time.

When we talk about minimum flows from, for fish, what we mean is that's the minimum amount of water that they need to scrape their bellies against the bottom of the river beds as they move upstream. It burns their backs because they don't have enough water to actually cover the entirety of the fish.

And to quote one of my friends, fish need water. I think it's that simple. And these minimum flows respect that balance.

And all this bill does and says that while these groups who are at the table who are discussing and who will continue to do so and have input on permanent long term regulations, all we are saying is don't undo the progress you've made over the last few years. Make sure that you keep that balance.

You don't allow one group to over pump to put out those fish. Fish live in three year increments. That's their cycle. And with that I respectfully ask for your I vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rogers. I'll debate. Having ceased, 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, 51. No. 16. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file items 106 and 107. That brings us to file item number 108. AB 428 by Assembly Member Rubio. The clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 428 by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio and accolade in the water corporations.

Assembly Member Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to ask your support for AB 428. Joint powers agreements water corporations. AB 428 has bipartisan support and passed in both Assembly insurance and local government committees with 0 no votes. AB 428 permits water corporations to participate in joint powers authorities or JPAs for pooled insurance purposes.

Especially important while facing a statewide insurance crisis. AB 428 protects customers from increasing water rates by reducing insurance costs where available. These savings are critical in areas with low income individuals and families, as well as for those living on a fixed income. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for an I vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rubio. All debate having ceased, 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. I's 71, nos, zero. The measure passes.

Members, we are going to go back to motions and resolutions for one remaining motion by the Majority Leader. Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your motion.

I move to suspend joint rule 62A, the final notice requirement for the Appropriations Committee to set ABC 379 Schultz for their hearing on Wednesday, May 7th.

Okay. And that is seconded by Assembly Member Gibson. This motion is not debatable. It takes 40 votes. Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Majority Leader is asking for an I vote. All those vote who desire to vote.

The clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. I, 56. No, zero. The motion carries back to business on the daily file. We are going to pass and retain on file items number 106 and 107. That brings us to file item number one. Excuse me. We did dispense with file item number 108.

That gets us to file item 109. AB 492 by Assembly Member Valencia. The clerk will read.

Assembly before 92 by Assembly Member Valencia and others. And accolades of public health summit.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Muy Buena. Start this. AB 492 will require the Department of Health Care Services to notify legal jurisdictions when a new license is issued for an alcohol or drug abuse recovery treatment facility that will operate within their jurisdiction. With that, I respectfully ask for yes vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Valencia. All debate having ceased, 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 71. No, zero. The measure passes. Moving on to file item number 110.

AB536 by Assembly Member Patterson. The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 536 by Assembly Member Patterson an act relating to health care coverage.

Assembly Member Patterson, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise today to present AB 536. Good news is, after we support this bill and it's signed by the Governor, we'll ensure that colorectal cancer screenings continue to be covered in California. Unfortunately, those required screenings are at risk due to litigation actually occurring in Texas.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death for both men and women. And women. I had a friend diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 40 years old. And fortunately, because of screening, they caught it. He, you know, recovered. He recently celebrated his 50th birthday.

And so this bill is to protect those screenings and really would appreciate your support. And I respectfully ask for an I vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patterson. All debate having ceased, 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. I, 72. No, 0. The measure passes.

Pass and retain on file items number 111 through 116. Brings us to file item number 117, AB 787 by Assemblymember Papan. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 787 by Assembly Member Papan and acclaim the health care coverage.

Assembly Member Papan, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a very simple Bill, but one that will have a significant impact on patients in search of a provider in healthcare directories. AB787 does two things. One, it requires health plans. Two, clearly inform patients that they can contact their plan to help. Finding an in network provider.

The second thing this Bill does is it holds health care plans accountable, requiring them to respond to the patient inquiry for help within one business day and then provide a list of available providers within two business days.

Because today, as patients comb through directories, they encounter a litany of providers who are often no longer in network, not accepting new patients, and worst of all, providers who are not even practicing medicine anymore. Meanwhile, critical care is delayed and patients navigate.

As patients navigate the bureaucracy, some patients are so frustrated that they even forego getting care altogether. AB787 appropriately places responsibility on health plans to accurately connect patients with a provider who can meet their needs in a timely manner. The status quo is unacceptable.

It should be the responsibility of health plans to assist the very customers who are paying for their services. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Papan. All debate having ceased, 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. Aye. 70. No. 0. The measure passes.

Brings us to file item number 118 by AB 1175 by Assemblymember Irwin. Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1175 by Assemblymember Irwin an act relating to professions and vocations.

Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 1175 will modernize the licensing process for CPAs by modifying educational requirements and. Enhancing interstate mobility practices. The demand for CPA services is greatly. Outpacing the number of new CPAs entering the profession, placing a strain on current CPAs, their clients. In the public interest, AB 1175 will provide cost effective pathways into the profession.

This Bill is sponsored by the California Board of Accountancy. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. All debate. Excuse me. Okay. All debate having ceased, 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. 72. No. 0. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file items 119 and 120. Brings us to file item 121. AB 1438 by Leader Gallagher. Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1438 by Assembly Member Gallagher an act relating to Education Finance and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Leader Gallagher, you were recognized. Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 1438 is a district Bill that will extend an existing exemption allowing administrative staffing flexibility for Paradise Unified School District. Paradise Unified is still struggling to rebuild and recover from the devastating campfire in my district which destroyed nearly 11,000 of the 12,000 homes in Paradise.

While the district has made significant strides in its efforts to achieve the necessary teacher to administrator ratio that is currently mandated, the practical considerations have impacted student enrollment for damaged and destroyed school facilities, have made continued flexibility necessary.

This Bill extends that exemption through the end of the 23-24 fiscal year, sorry, the 26th through 27 fiscal year and requires the district to submit a report on progress made toward meeting the state manded staffing ratios.

And just on an ending note here, I just do want to note as we are talking about wildfire and recovery, there are still many communities that are recovering as many school districts that have been impacted, facilities that need to be addressed. So this is part of helping with that. This is on the staffing side.

But you know, those facilities are still needing to be rebuilt. And so as we have those discussions this year, Members, I really encourage us to remember, you know, many different areas of California that are still recovering from wildfires.

Thank you, thank you Leader Gallagher. All debate having ceased. Members, before I call for the roll. This measure has urgency as a 54 vote Bill. 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.

The clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 67 no 0 on the urgency. I67 no 0 on the measure. The measure passes the pass and retain on file items 122 through 125. Brings us to file item number 126. AB 16 by Assembly Member Alanis.

Assembly Bill 16 by Assembly Member Alanis an act relating to elections.

Assembly Member Alanis, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. AB16 is simple and practical common sense measure to clarify that county election officials have the authority to begin counting votes by mail ballots as soon as they are mailed out.

At its core, AB16 is about supporting our hardworking county election officials and their teams with the tools and efficiencies they need to do their jobs. And I couldn't end without saying a big thank you to Assemblywoman from Santa Cruz for all your help and your knowledge. Thank you very much and respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you Assembly Member Alanis. All debate having ceased, 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 68, no 0. The measure passes, pass and retain on file items 127.

128 brings us to file item 129, hr 16. Excuse me. We've already covered that. We've already dispensed with that file. Item 130 HR26 by Assembly Member Boerner.

House Resolution 26 by Assembly Member Boerner relative to bike to school Day.

Member Boerner, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Mr. Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise today to recognize May 7th as Bike to School Day. While May is Bike Month, I think it's important to recognize the freedom and mobility that bikes offer students, especially bike. Biking as a mode of transportation is great for the environment and for students mental health.

For many students, biking allows them to actively engage with their environment and to learn Independence as they travel throughout their community. More so than that, biking is A. Fun and accessible way for students to get around. I respectfully ask for your aye vote and that the first roll be open for co authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Boerner. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors. Members, this is for co authors. 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.

There are 72 co authors added that objection will now take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Going to pass and retain on file items 131, 132, 133. Brings us to file item 134. ACR 60 by Assemblymember Pacheco.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 60 by Assembly Member Pacheco and others relative to peace officers.

Member Pacheco, you are recognized.

Thank you and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker and Members. Today I rise to present ACR 60. This resolution recognizes innovative efforts by California police departments to bridge communication gaps with residents who have disabilities that may affect interactions with law enforcement.

Several departments have implemented a voluntary program offering special needs identification stickers that residents can choose to display on their vehicles or their homes. This inexpensive yet effective initiative helps to create safer interactions between officers and vulnerable Members of the community. ACR60 aims to highlight the successful program and encourage its adoption by police departments statewide. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Assembly Member Pacheco, would you like the first roll to Be open for co author. Oh, pardon me. Excuse me. We could still answer the question. Would you like the first roll to be open for co authors? Yes. Okay. Assembly Member Dixon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise as a proud co author. Of ACR 60 in honor of Disability Pride Month. Led by my colleague from Downey, this measure recognizes law enforcement's clever use of special needs stickers to identify individuals with disabilities.

Adopting this sticker program provides our peace officers with an extra level of understanding during interactions with persons with disabilities in the event an individual may have difficulty communicating or need additional support from law enforcement. This is an out of the box. Idea that helps keep our communities and law enforcement safe. Colleagues, I encourage you to vote Aye on ACR60. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Dixon. Seeing and hearing no further debate. Assemblymember Pacheco, would you like to close?

Respectfully ask for your aye vote and first roll to be open for co authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Pacheco. The Clerk will call the roll. All those vote for who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. There are 69 co authors added without objection. Will now take a voice vote on the resolution.

All those in favor say aye. Do that again. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. We're going to pass and retain on file items 135 through 140 brings us to file item 141, AB 703 by Assemblymember Lee.

Assembly Bill 703 by Assembly Member Lee an act relating to taxation and making an appropriation therefore

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise with incredible pride to present to you AB703. It's not every day that we have constituents approach us with Bill ideas, but yet even more rare for constituents to come to harness the energy from their tragedies to turn into something constructive.

A couple Months ago, a 17 year old from my district, Sahil Mehta from Fremont, California came to me with the Bill idea with his family because he had lost his brother Ronal when he was 14 years old to rare pediatric brain cancer.

And this Bill that he has worked on with his family and as well as Rayon Colt from Pleasanton who also lost his younger brother when he was seven years old to pediatric cancer as well, they worked together to craft a Bill to create plenty the pediatric cancer research voluntary tax contribution funds allowing taxpayers to allocate A portion of their California State tax return to support childhood cancer research.

Now, Members, there isn't a lot of money out there dedicated to pediatric cancer research, and there will be a lot less if the Federal Government has its way. And that's why it's important to open up avenues to allow Californians to voluntarily contribute to pediatric cancer and to make this Fund successful in its first couple years.

So I want to thank my colleagues for shepherding this Bill. My colleague from Los Angeles presented this Bill when I was sick, and my colleague from Los Angeles who is the chair of Reverend Tech Station, for being so kind to those kids who, when I asked them, were you nervous about presenting? And they said no.

We presented in D.C. before, but they said that you are much, much nicer than them than in D.C. so I really appreciate how well you treat my constituents and how we've advanced this dream of theirs where they turn the family tragedy of theirs into a vehicle to advance pediatric cancer research. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote

Thank you. Assembly Member Lee. 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. Aye. 70, no zero.

The measure passes the pass and retain on file items 142 through 146. That brings us to file item number 147. AB 1286 by Assemblymember Boerner. Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1286 by Assembly Member Boerner. An act relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Assemblymember Boerner, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 1286. The Public Employment Transparency act will require a public official to disclose the date of the arrangement and the identity of the prospective employer on their FPPC Form 700 while in office.

Currently, public officials are not required to disclose the date of when they accept a future job offer, creating an opportunity for conflict of interest by adding prospective employment disclosure to form 7 hundreds. AB 1286 closes this gap and creates transparency for the public. If you don't have anything to hide, then please vote aye.

Members seeing and hearing no further debate, we are going to move to a roll. This is a 54 vote Bill. 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 72. No 0.

The measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on file items 148 through 151. That brings us to the end of our third reading. Bills we do moves us to the Senate third reading. We have one Bill file item 152 Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 by Senator Durazo presented by Assemblymember Quirk Silva. The Clerk will read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 by Senator Durazo and others relative to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day.

Assembly Member Quirk Silva, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members. Today I join Senator Durazzo as a proud co-author of SCR 39 Celebrating Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, often referred to as rbg, was a pioneering lawyer, an activist and a fierce leader serving a 27 year tenure on the United States Supreme Court.

In the 1970s, Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a co founder of the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Rights Liberties Union, the ACLU where she challenged laws rooted in gender discrimination. Her time with the ACLU was a defining chapter in her career as she fought for gender equality, women's rights and advocating for marginalized communities.

In 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg achieved legendary status as the second woman to ever be appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Her notorious dissents on the Supreme Court were powerful expressions for fairness and oftentimes a catalyst for change. Justice Ginsburg once said women belong in all places where decisions are being made.

It shouldn't be that women are the exception. Which brings us to present day where you can find 59 women serving across both the Senate and Assembly chambers as legislators. 59 of the legislators, 120 seats are being led by powerful women, leading committees and chairmanships and bringing their voice to California.

Justice Ginsburg has served as an inspiration and influence for all of us because women do belong in all places where decisions are being made. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's day is a call to carry forward her unwavering commitment to justice and the belief that one voice can make a difference. Mr. Speaker, can I have a personal moment?

And speaking of lawyers, I do want to announce that my youngest son, Jack Ryan Quirk passed the bar and those test scores were just released, so I just found that out. But back to the inspirational Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day. We can all celebrate this honorable woman.

I respectfully ask for your aye vote on SCR 39 to honor the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Thank you Assemblymember Quirk Silva. All debate having ceased, 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 Aye 68 no 0 the resolution is adopted.

We're going to pass and retain on the second day consent calendar moving to adjournment to memory Members, the quorum call is lifted. Please take your conversations off the floor. Give your respectful attention to those who are granted prior permission to speak to their adjournment in memory. It thank you Members, please take your conversations off the floor. Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members, it is with overwhelming sadness that I asked to adjourn today in memory of Jessica York. Dedicated journalist, loving wife, friend and mentor to so many Jessica passed away after a four year battle with neuroendocrine cancer less than two weeks shy of her 44th birthday day.