Senate Floor

Secretary will call the roll.

[roll call]

A quorum is present. Would the members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise? We will be led in prayer this morning by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Let us bring our minds and hearts into God's holy presence. Gracious God, you meet us in unexpected places. Traces of your grace are strewn all over our scheduled puckered lives. We ask to be stirred, disturbed and disturbed towards soul satisfying results in our desires to serve you and neighbor and even our enemy.

Ease us into being good samaritans to each other, to the outcast and rejected ones, and to those whose fear sometimes makes them obnoxious. Make us bold to call others to accountability even as we model humility to the arrogant, mercy to the self righteous, compassion to the indifferent.

Oh God of many surprises, make us glad of heart for each day's opportunities to bring our imagination and creativity to the disturbances that threaten to discourage us. We will continue to believe in the impossible. Amen.

Members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of.

The United States of America and to the republic for which stands. One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Members, we are now at privileges of the floor. Senator Gonzalez, you are recognized at your desk.

Thank you, Madam President and members, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Port of Long Beach's Green Port Policy, please join me in welcoming President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners and former Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal and Commissioner Sharon Weissman.

Along with representatives, we have here with us Eleanor Torres, Suzanne Plesia, Shaina Espinosa, Sarah Bauman and Adrian Granda, who is in the gallery with us today.

The award winning Greenport Policy is a framework for reducing the environmental impacts of port operations by committing to a carbon neutral future and emissions reductions, investing in cutting edge technology and California's clean energy transition and engaging with surrounding communities to reduce environmental and public health impacts.

It serves as a world model and establishes the Port of Long Beach as a global leader in environmental innovation and sustainability in the maritime search sector. Congratulations to my home port of Long Beach on the 20 years of the groundbreaking policy and look forward to the environmental improvements we can make over the next 20 years.

Please welcome me and join me in welcoming the amazing women and the one man that's up there from the port of Long Beach.

If other members would like to join in the photo, please go to the rear of the galley.

Thank you for coming and welcome to the Senate. Senator Pro Tem Mcguire. You are recognized for introduction of your. Senator Mcguire.

Thank you so much, Madam President, and happy Thursday. Colleagues, I rise today, rise today to be able to give thanks and congratulations to the California State Association Counties, affectionately known as csac. I think that you will agree with me counties, they are our partner, the state's partner in delivering effective and efficient services to millions of Californians.

And this year, CSAC is celebrating its 130th anniversary, delivering services to the people of California. Founded in 1895, CSAC advocates on behalf of counties from every corner of the golden state, promoting state and federal policies and resources that support effective service delivery and local decision making.

CSAC is the voice, the muscle and the heart of California's 58 counties, and they do amazing work every day. We have several county supervisors, former county supervisors and county supervisors.

There we go on the floor of the senate today, including myself, and I want to take a moment to be able to recognize their critical role that supervisors and counties play to bridge the gaps between different levels of government, deliver solutions on some of the state's most difficult challenges.

Every April we celebrate National County Government Month to champion county workforces, strengthen connections between leaders and raise public awareness of county programs and services. But this year is extra special because it's the 130th anniversary and CSAC is more effective than ever. And it is because of the leadership that they have.

And we'd like to be able to recognize several county leaders who are with us today. We have the CEO of CSAC with us today. We have Supervisor Koh from Modoc County. We have Supervisor Bose from Colusa County, Supervisor Ramos from Napa County, Supervisor Ferrix from Yolo County, and and Supervisor Long from Ventura County.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to hear you loud and proud. Let's give it up for CSAC. 130 years of doing good in the golden state.

If other members would like to join, please go to the rear of the chamber. Members, it is my honor to introduce the NāʻOpio, or youth of Hawaiian Civic Club of San Diego in our gallery.

As a vital part of our community in San Diego, the Hawaiian Civic Club of San Diego plays a powerful role in preserving Native Hawaiian culture, advocating for education and civic engagement, and uplifting the next generation through mentorship and community service. Senators, please give a very warm welcome to the Hawaiian Civic Club in San Diego.

All right, members, without objection, we will move to senate third read to take up the following items out of order today. After adoption of each resolution, we will move back to privileges of the floor for the Senator to introduce their guest. We will be starting with file item 92, SR 20 by Senator Cortese. Secretary, please read.

Senate Resolution 20 by Senator Cortese, relative to California Human Milk Donation Month.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I'm pleased to present SR20, which declares May as California Human Milk Donation Month in honor of the dedicated efforts of human milk donors, milk banks, health care providers and advocates who work tirelessly to ensure that all infants have access to life sustainability sustaining breast milk.

The declaration of this day has been celebrated across the world, starting with Brazil in 2004. It was first established to raise awareness of the importance of human donor breast milk. Brazil expanded the health systems and services for donating milk, breastfeeding, education and lactation rooms.

This has led to a decrease in the mortality rate of children by 75% between the years of 1990 and 2015. According to the National Institute of Health, 300,000 babies are admitted to the NICU annually in the United States.

The donation of human milk is not only beneficial for these babies in need, but also for mothers who are not able to breastfeed their children. Nonprofit milk banks serve these special needs, address disparities in access and education, and ensure that there are safe processes for those donating and receiving donor breast milk.

There are only two, just two nonprofit milk banks in California, Mother's Milk Bank California in Santa Clara County and UC Health Milk Bank at UC San Diego. So increased awareness of the importance of human milk donation can help all health systems better understand the communities that lack access and need improved access to these resources.

But the resolution is meant to serve as a reminder of the multi pronged systems that are important in sustaining good maternal and infant health. It also highlights the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative 2025 in California which promotes breastfeeding and the use of donor milk as a vital alternative. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Ayes 36 no 0. That resolution is adopted. Senator, you are recognized for introduction of your guest.

Oh, thank you again, Madam President. Colleagues, after recognizing today as California Human Milk Donation Month, I really want to bring attention to the CEO of Mother's Milk Bank California, Jennifer Benito-Kowalski and some guests we have here in the gallery. Mothers Milk Bank California is the oldest operating nonprofit milk bank in North America.

Additionally, it's the only nonprofit milk bank in Northern California. Jennifer's been with the organization since 2023 and in that time has just done an extraordinary job bringing awareness to the work. She has a history of advocacy, working in the natural conservation and park space for over 15 years, placing a spotlight on the redwoods importance to California and the coast, and she worked with some of our colleagues in that capacity.

She is also the recipient of many marketing and communication awards, including IABC's Gold Quill, PR News Nonprofit PR Award, PR News PR People Award, the Communicator Award, California Special Districts Award, California Association of Public Information Officers, MarCom Award, and more. Jennifer has had her own life experience of needing donor milk for her son.

Through this experience, she realized the importance of having access to safe and reliable donor milk. She also understands the importance of having a community when going through difficult experience of needing donor milk, a resource often prioritized for NICUs. Jennifer has described this work as a profound act of love and community.

The people served by this organization have certainly felt the impact of the love she puts into this work. Earlier, I mentioned Santa Clara County, my home county and a county several of our colleagues represent. Jennifer was able to help the milk bank celebrate its 50th anniversary at San Jose City Hall in the middle of our county.

She will continue to bring her unique life experience, support, compassion, community support to vulnerable mothers and babies in need of donor milk. Also today, joining us in the gallery, we have representatives from multiple milk donation organizations and wider health system organizations caring for infants and mothers across the State of California.

I'd like to welcome those representing Pretty Mama Breastfeeding LLC, Sacramento Breastfeeding Coalition, California WIC Association, Human Milk Connection Santa Cruz County, Breastfeeding Coalition Watsonville Hospital, Raices Carino, Nourishing Justly, Solano County Breastfeeding Coalition, AANHPI Lactation Collaborative, Denise Chapel Nutritional Services, California Breastfeeding Coalition, and Community Bridges WIC. Thank you for joining me to recognize our guests in the gallery.

And again, I thought it was really important to do this to raise awareness because even though it's been going on for 50 years, it's been a little bit under the radar and I think Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, the CEO, is going to bring this awareness up to a national level real soon. Please join me in acknowledging these folks. I hope you could rise and give them a big round of applause. Thank you.

Thank you and welcome. We will now move to file item 113, SCR 68 by Senator Blakespear. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 68 by Senator Blakespear, relative to Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.

Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today as author of Senate Concurrent Resolution 68, which proclaims this week as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. As Vice Chair of the California Rare Diseases Caucus, I am keenly aware of some of the lesser known disorders that people endure.

It's not easy for them and can even provoke discrimination or disdain if people around them are ignorant about their condition. Education and awareness are key so that those who are suffering from a malady receive the support and understanding they deserve.

Tardive Dyskinesia is a motor condition that sometimes arises as a side effect of antipsychotic medications for serious mental illness like bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. The condition is recognizable by its uncontrollable repetitive movements of the face, torso, limbs, or extremities.

Some of our disadvantaged communities are at higher risk of developing td, including older individuals, people with mood or substance use disorders, people with intellectual disabilities, people of African descent, and women. Many people are unaware that they have the condition. About 70% of the estimated 600,000 adults in the United States living with TD remain undiagnosed.

The American Psychiatric Association recommends routine screening for patients taking antipsychotic medications and treatments are available to manage the symptoms of TD. As part of the broader Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I'd like to recognize the courage of people who seek treatment and work to reduce stigma around mental illnesses in general.

Everyone should feel supported when seeking mental health and enduring the potential side effects of medication. Every time we raise awareness about an illness or condition like TD, we bring attention to it, help provide support to those with it, and drive the development of new treatments that could help.

We live in a state known for scientific innovation and advanced healthcare. The life sciences industry is the second largest industry in California and it is constantly developing new treatments and drugs that can improve the lives of people with afflictions of all kinds.

This industry, which is a major part of my district, deserves to be recognized for the incredible life saving work that they do, especially amidst the threats to critical NIH funding that helps develop therapies for TD and other conditions. Thank you for for your support of this important resolution, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Blakespear. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objections. 36 ayes, noes zero. Resolution is adopted. Senator Blakespear, you are recognized for introduction of your guest.

Thank you, Madam President. With me today I have the leadership team of Mental Health America of California, as well as representatives from Neurocrine, which is a life sciences company in my district. We have with us Karen Vicari, Director of Public Policy, Dimitrius Stone, Director of Programs, Alondra Garcia Perez, CAYEN Lead, Anthony Garibay-Mena, LIVE Manager. And from Neurocrine we have Jennifer Herz, Director of State Government Affairs, Ben Slabaugh, Associate Director of Patient Advocacy and Engagement.

Thank you, and welcome to the Senate. We will now move to file item 115, SCR 70, also by Senator Blakespear. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 70 by Senator Blakespear, relative to Compost Awareness Week.

Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today as author of Senate Concurrent Resolution 70, which proclaims this week as Compost Awareness Week. Yes, today we are getting into the weeds, or actually the dirt to be more specific.

And this is important because compost reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduces waste going to landfills, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, and reduces water consumption. These are all big pluses. Composting not only diverts organic material from our overflowing landfills, but saves us from the climate warming gases that they emit.

Did you know that organic waste accounts for 30% of the waste that goes to our landfills? Rotting organic waste in landfills emits methane gas, which is up to 84 times as potent as carbon dioxide at heating up our atmosphere as well as other polluting emissions.

Instead, in a backyard or community compost pile or at one of over 200 composting facilities in California, organic waste can be converted into valuable fertilizer that returns nutrients to the soil and closes the loop on a circular economy.

This reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and furthermore, compost can reduce soil erosion, reduce water consumption, and help us revive fire damaged land. Composting also creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and counties that manage local programs. California has ambitious climate goals to be carbon neutral by 2045, and it made reducing greenhouse gas emissions the top priority.

When passed in 2016, SB 1383 mandated a 75% reduction in statewide organic waste displacement disposal. So this is an important part of the equation as California works to meet its climate goals. Compost Awareness Week aims to showcase the progress we've made as well as serve as a call to action to do more, to understand the immense value of composting, and to divert all organic waste into compost.

This also coincides with International Compost Awareness Week, which has the theme this year of sustainable communities begin with compost. Thank you for your support of this important resolution and I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Blakespear. Senator McNerney, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. President and members, I rise as proud co-sponsor of SCR 70. You know, compost isn't the sexiest thing to talk about. In fact, it's kind of nerdy. For example, compost creates healthy soils, increases carbon sequestration, enhances water retention, and reduces the use of synthetic fertilizer. Composting helps divert waste from landfills and reduce carbon emissions.

So there you have it. But you know, I've done composting in my yard. It's great. You can see it change the material that's in there, it gives off a little heat, and then you can spread that around your yard.

It helps retain water, it's good for the soil, and it helps divert so much material that goes to our landfills. Everyone in this Senate has waste that they have to deal with in their counties, in their cities. So let's promote this as a good step for California and I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Senator Becker, you are recognized.

Thank you. I just want to first of all acknowledge and thank the author for her work in trying to make sure that we walk the walk here in the Legislature. Unfortunately, on the topic of composting, we're still only partly way there, although making some, some progress.

But we certainly have ways to go in getting our own house in order and leading the way. But as someone who cares a lot and maybe a little bit obsessed with this issue personally, I hope to see us leading the way here in the Senate and California leading the way for the country. Thanks.

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

Yes. Thank you. I want to very much thank the Senators from Pleasanton and Menlo Park for standing up to support this and for sharing details about the fact that you also compost at your homes. I'm sure there are other secret composters here on the Senate Floor. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection. Ayes, 36, noes, zero. The resolution is adopted. Senator Blakespear, you are recognized for introduction of your guests.

Thank you. So with me today I have the Executive Director of the Association of Compost Producers, Kathryn Forsyth, and Jeff Zegan Bine, the Association of Compost Producers Board President. Thank you for coming today.

Welcome to the Senate, members. We will now move to messages of the Governor. The they will be deemed read. Messages from the assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Are there any motions, resolutions or notices? Seeing none.

We will move to consideration of the daily file and move to our second reading, items 1 through 28. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 47, 239, 253, 611, 770, 855, 440, 846, 858.

They will be deemed read and adopted. We will now move to governor's appointment file item 30. Secretary, please read. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Or, excuse me, I apologize. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, File item number 30 is the confirmation of Jennifer Luc Casey for the appointment to the Director of Department of Conservation. She has a long career of public service.

She served the California State Lands Commission for 25 years, where she worked her way up from the public land management specialist to becoming the commission's Executive Officer. She is a breath of fresh air, requiring strict accountability with an approach of common sense. She was approved by the Rules Committee on April 23rd on a unanimous vote.

I respectfully ask your I vote.

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

[roll call]

I, 36. No, zero. That appointment is adopted. We will now move to to file item 31. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you again, Madam President. File item 31, colleagues, is a confirmation of Patrick Day for reappointment of Brian Hayes and Carrie Saravia for appointment to the California Student Aid Commission. Mr. Day is the Vice President of Student affairs and enrollment at CSU Los Angeles. Dr. Hayes is the vice chancellor for student affairs at UC Riverside. And Ms.

Saravia is a student and a student Senator at Cal State Northridge and plays on the rugby team. All these individuals were approved unanimously by the Rules Committee on April 23. I respectfully asked for your I vote.

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

[roll call]

I, 36. No, zero. That appointment is confirmed. We will now move to Senate Third Reading 5, File Item 95. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 64 by Senator Rubio relative to Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.

Senator Menjivar, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I am rising on behalf of Senator Rubio, who cannot present SCR 64 and as a proud co-author. SCR 64 declares May 5 through May 9, which is this week, a Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California. The resolution brings awareness to the mental health challenges that our youth and children constantly face on and off our school campuses. It is critical that we acknowledge and show our immense support to students.

Because in the recent years, on top of the added challenges with stressors, the pandemic, social media, and the recent actions taken by the Federal Government, our youth are struggling. According to the CDC, more than 42% of high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

Improving their mental health begins with focusing efforts to create a safe and secure learning environment that promotes respect, inclusion, and kindness. Prioritizing mental health, improving, providing students with resources will not only reduce stigma, but will also cultivate a culture of support and compassion. Let's show that we take this issue seriously and recognize this week as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in in California. Respectfully asking for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Menjivar. Senator Grove, you are recognized at your desk.

Thank you, Madam President. I too, rise in support of SCR 64 and being the first female veteran that's ever served on this state legislative body, I challenge my colleague, the author, to an ice bucket challenge which we have been circulating around Kern County to bring awareness to mental health and student mental health. And I'd like to see that video posted online. And I will share mine with her as well.

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

Seeing as I'm not the author of this resolution, I'll make sure to share that message with the author, the Senator from Baldwin. With that, respectfully asking for an aye vote.

Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection. Ayes, 36, noes, 0. That item passes. We will now move to the consent calendar. If there is any member that would like to remove an item. Seeing none. Secretary, please read the items on the consent calendar.

Senate Bill 627, 793, 255, 400, 412, 485, 504, 521, 598, 602, 652, 673, 805, 856, 859, 860, 864.

Thank you, Secretary. Please read file item 132. Call the roll for file item 132.

[roll call]

I, 36. No, 0. On file item 132. I, 36. No, 0. On the remaining items on the consent calendar. We will now move to Committee Announcements. Senator Cabaldon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Senate Budget Subcommitee 4 and state administration and general government will meet immediately upon adjournment in room 113.

Thank you. Senator Richardson, you are recognized.

Budget Subcommitee five will be meeting in room 112, which is downstairs, immediately upon adjournment. I'd like to request for my colleagues just a little attention here. Additionally, I'm happy to announce that we're going to have a joint hearing next Thursday on Prop 36. Some of you had asked about that.

So it's going to be next Thursday upon adjournment on Prop 36. It'll be budget sub 5 in conjunction with the gentleman from Berkeley. So it'll be subcommitee of. Excuse me. It'll be Public Safety and Subcommitee sub five. We're going to cover approximately three panels.

The fiscal impacts at the state level of Prop 36, the fiscal impacts at the local level of Prop 36, which include enforcement and charging and response and treatment. And then we're also going to look at the impacts of Prop 36 on Prop 47. The gentleman, I don't know from what city. Mr. Seyarto, he had made a request.

I apologize for using your name. He had made a request of an individual from the Inland Empire, which has been accepted by the committee. So all of you who've had questions on Prop 36, we invite you to come join us next Thursday. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Senator Blakespear and Allen, you are recognized.

Yes, thank you. On behalf of both of us, we are announcing a joint hearing between budget sub two and the EQ Committee Committee in room 2200 immediately upon adjournment.

Thank you. And budget sub three will meet immediately upon adjournment in room 1200. If there is no other business, Senator Mcguire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much. Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, we have a very important announcement. There is white smoke at the Vatican, so my goodness, we will be hearing big announcement here in a matter of hours. So very exciting. Ladies and gentlemen, Senate. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Know that everyone is going to be incredibly busy in their districts. The next floor session is scheduled from Monday, May 12th at 2:00pm.

The senate will be in recess until 3:30pm at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Monday May 12, 2025 at 2 pm.