Senate Floor

Secretary, please call 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. Chaplain.

So we pray in God's presence. G.K. Chesterton says we are all in the same boat and we owe each other a terrible loyalty. Loving God. Some would say we are not in the same boat, but that we are in the same ocean.

In the urgency of our world context, below, the violence and turbulence of the waves help us discover the flow of our connectedness. May our growing consciousness of the interdependence among us and with all creation galvanize us in that loyalty that we owe to one another.

A loyalty of faith that entrusts our fears to the goodness of those who love unconditionally. A loyalty of hope that impels us to work for a sustainable future. And a loyalty of love that allows us to be faithful to each other regardless of perceived differences. For we know that your love excludes no one. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance...

Privileges of the floor. Senator Gonzalez, when you are ready, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. President and colleagues, we have the honor of welcoming a distinguished delegation from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Japanese Business Association of Southern California to our chamber. Thank you. The delegation is comprised of 11 representatives from two organizations.

Leading the group are Kazuhiro Gomi, President and CEO of NTT Research, who is President of the JCCNC and Shinichi Fuganami, the managing Director of the MUFG's Los Angeles branch who is President of the JBA. They are at the capital in association with their respective organizations annual visit to discuss issues of importance to the Japanese business community.

Collectively, they represent approximately over 750 businesses. They build bridges with local communities to improve Japanese California business relationships.

I am pleased to have had the opportunity to not only speak, but travel with them in the past couple years and share our challenges and opportunities in the areas of climate clean energy and innovation, given Japanese businesses strong contributions to the California economy in the form of over 100 to 25,000 jobs.

We look forward to our continued partnership. Please welcome me colleagues in warmly welcoming these distinguished guests to the California State Senate.

We will have photos in the back for the Member and the group and then the rest can join or now... And the rest can join when they are invited.

Senators, on behalf of Senators Allen and Durazo, the California State Senate.

And let's give a warm welcome to Reynold Hoover, CEO, LA Olympic and Paralympic Games, joining us today up in the galley. Welcome. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Motions, resolutions and notices recognizing Members on...

Anyone want to remove an item from the consent calendar?

Senator Padilla, you are recognized.

Apologies, Mr. President. Thank you. By request of the author, please remove File item number 148 AB 1389. File item number 149. AB 1393 and file item number 158... File item number 150. I apologize.

They don't have the number of the Bill here with the file item, but it is 150 from the consent for purposes of amendments. Thank you, Mr. President.

The desk will note. Senator Valladares, you are recognized.

Request of the author, please remove file item152, AB484 Dixon, from the Consent calendar and place it in the Bill on the third reading for further amendments.

The desk will note. Senator Wahab, you are recognized.

Thank you. At the request of the author, I'd like to pull item number 128, Assembly Bill 243, from the consent calendar.

Again, the desk will note, any other Members. Any other Members under motions and resolutions. Seeing none, we will move to consideration of the daily file, second reading. File. Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 875 with amendments 392 with amendments. 1363 with amendments 1479, 46 with amendments.

Second reading file will be deemed read. We will move to governor's appointments. Items 31. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file item 31 is the confirmation of Katherine Butler for the appointment of Director of Department of Toxic substance controls, the DTSC. Director Butler previously served as the Deputy Director for DTSC's Hazardous Waste Management Program and was the program supervisor at Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

She was unanimously approved by the Rules Committee on April 30. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

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

[roll call]

Members, just give us one minute. We are going to restart the roll call.

Grove broke the machine.

Secretary, please call roll.

[roll call]

Aye's 36. No's 0. Government's appointment is confirmed. Senator Grove, you are recognized for item 33.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file. Item 33 is the confirmation of Scott Wyckoff for appointment to the Executive Officer of the Board of Parole Hearings. Before this role, he was a deputy legal affairs secretary for the Governor's Office.

He also previously served as General counsel for the California State Transportation Agency and the Department of Business Oversight and was a supervising Deputy Attorney General for the Attorney General's Office. He was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote on June 18th. Please respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[roll call]

Secretary, please call absent Members.

[roll call]

Aye's 36. No's 0. Government's appointment is confirmed. Senator Grove, you are recognized for item 34.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, item 34 is a confirmation of Gina Jones as the Director of Division of Adult Institutions and Brian Phillips as the Associate Director for Division's Region 3 at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations.

Both of these appointees started their long careers with CDCR as correctional officers and have worked their way up. Before their appointments, Ms. Jones was serving as the warden of the California healthcare facility and Mr. Phillips was the warden as a subs for the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in Corcoran State Prison. Both are very qualified for these positions.

They were approved by the Rules Committee on June 18th on a 5-0 vote. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[roll call]

Secretary, please call absent Members

[roll call]

Secretary, please call absent Member.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 36, noes 0. Governor's appointment is confirmed. Moving to Senate third reading, item 53. Secretary, please read.

Senate Resolution 32 by Senator Wahab, relative to birthright citizenship.

Senator Wahab, you are recognized, and present when you are ready.

Thank you. Colleagues, I rise to present SR 32 on birthright citizenship. SR 32 expresses that as a body we support the Constitution of the United States and the right of those born here to be US citizens. Immigrants are the backbone of our workforce and economy and our society, as well as the cultural fabric of our communities.

These individuals are our neighbors, our doctors, our law enforcement officers, our friends, and much more. To overturn a fundamental right established more than 150 years ago that allows every child born in California in the United States of America to be an American would be a betrayal of the American dream.

My own parents came to this country seeking stability and a better life. And I know I was absolutely blessed and fortunate to be the first member of my entire family to be born on this soil. As a person who was born in the United States in New York City, I find myself incredibly lucky.

But I also see the challenges that people are facing today. There are roughly four different ways to get citizenship in the United States. One is by birth, which I have. Citizenship by acquisition, which is for those that are born to at least one US citizen parent.

Citizens that are born through one or both naturalized citizens, and then those that voluntarily come to the United States. But there's other versions where if they serve in the military, if they are promised different things, and through marriage and much more. And I want to highlight that we are talking about something that people choose to be.

They want to be Americans. And our family members that come as refugees, as asylum seekers, as much more, they struggle to be Americans. Their entire dream is to be an American and ensure that their kids have safety and security and the right of being an American. And to strip citizenship from naturalized citizens or those that were born here is not right.

Today, it seems that a line in the sand established 150 years ago will be crossed. And I want to highlight that we must protect the line. We must push back on the conversations and the rhetoric used to alienate and other community groups that truly want to be here. And we must stand firm and say that birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of our nation.

It's a defining characteristic of our country and breathes new life into our communities with every generation that receives the benefits of being a citizen. In fact, I will also highlight that at a point, you know, it was questioned whether I stay in the United States with family abroad.

And it was an American judge that said that my sister and I will stay in this country and be Americans. And, yes, we were in the foster care system. And he chose not to send two young girls abroad because he did what's best for the children, which was his duty.

And he highlighted that he would not send two young children to a place that's inhospitable, obviously due to war and obviously some of the other issues that... Or obviously in Afghanistan. And I am deeply, deeply aware and extremely grateful at just the privilege of being able to be born on this soil and having all the privileges granted to me to live my life to the fullest.

And I have traveled around the world and have seen how stifled people are, how their voice is muted, how just based on your gender, your ethnic background, your tongue, or where you were born, how you may be mistreated. The United States is not like that.

We literally open our arms to people around the world and say the American dream is the light. And actions like this, to revoke somebody's citizenship, to put a stop on it, is just plain wrong. And with that, as a proud American, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Padilla, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I rise in strong support and thank the author. Thinking about this a little bit. Just to be candid, I can't imagine the more un-American thing. To try to reverse a fundamental, bedrock constitutional principle, not just in our Constitution and law, but in our culture and society since the founding of the republic, that has always adhered to ideas of fairness, freedom, opportunity, equality ultimately before the law.

We are an imperfect union. We have evolved and continue to evolve. There is much work to do. Constitutional amendment that guarantees birthright citizenship did not come with the founding of the republic, but it is part and parcel of our construct as a people and the foundational law of our nation.

To try to undo that for political reasons, to equate, to give equal weight to the idea that someone, somehow, a child born on this soil is guilty of some malfeasance because of the political posture or immigration status of their parents, somehow justifies trying to overturn that in the Constitution by executive fiat.

First of all, I would obviously question the legality of that. I think a lot of us have, and that's being litigated as we speak. But the moral authority of such an action has to be in question. As the author said, we're unique among nations. For millennia, birthright had to do with monarchy. It had to do with aristocracy.

It had to do with systems of caste systems, economic and political and social. But here in the United States, we elect, we immigrate. And the way we are defined as a culture, as a people, as a nation, is greatly, greatly grounded in those of us born on this soil. My mother's family emigrated to this country at the turn of the 20th century from the Azore Islands of Portugal.

My father's much the same from Mexico, from Nayarit, and from Ensenada, and before that, from Spain. I am the third and fourth generation born on this soil in my family, depending on the side of the family I'm talking about. And I am constantly aware how precious a gift that is. Because it's not about my parents, their politics, their errors, their triumphs. It's about my opportunity to be an American.

Because this is the soil upon which I began my life. I can't imagine anything more sacred, more fundamental to the American ideal than that guaranteed right of birthright citizenship for any precious child born on our soil. This resolution rightly criticizes this reckless and political and punitive action, and we should all support the resolution. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Durazo, you are recognized.

President. Thank you, Mr. President. I stand today in strong support Senate Resolution 32. This resolution reaffirms our unwavering, unwavering commitment to birthright citizenship, a principle rooted in the 14th Amendment and in the spirit of our democracy. It belongs to all who are born here and all who contribute to this nation.

The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the US, overturning the denial of citizenship to those who were formerly enslaved. Members, the times we are experiencing are challenging, but we must stand firm and denounce executive order number 14160.

Birthright citizenship is one of the most fundamental promises of our Constitution, that every child born on American soil is equal under the law, regardless of their parents' status. Think about your very own roots, past generations, the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, and the Jewish people. And someone comes along and decides to strip these generations of their citizenship.

Today, efforts to end birthright citizenship are not just unconstitutional, they are deeply unjust. They threatened to create a permanent underclass of stateless individuals denied recognition and opportunity because of their parents, who their parents are. Birthright citizenship has provided hope, belonging, and legal protection to generations of American children. We cannot allow political agendas to be used to erase our rights. We will not go back in time. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Senator Wiener, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of SR 32 and in strong opposition to this deeply immoral and un-American executive order issued by the President to try to strip American citizens of their citizenship. I am very proud to represent the city where Wong Kim Ark, the plaintiff in the case that ultimately led to the creation of birthright citizenship in the Supreme Court.

He was San Franciscan in Chinatown. Because that was another wave of immigration to this country, of folks immigrating here from China who made our country stronger in so many ways and were absolutely demonized, dehumanized.

And then there was an effort to strip them or prevent them from being citizens or strip them of their citizenship despite the clear, unambiguous language in the 14th Amendment. And so I'm proud that it was a San Franciscan member of our Chinese American community who helped establish this incredibly important right.

I also think it's important to recognize that this is not just about birthright citizenship. We see what they're doing, right. Now it's birthright citizenship. They're already talking about, they actually issued an order from the Department of Justice to prioritize denaturalization of people who are naturalized citizens of this country to be denaturalized, because, I don't know, maybe there was some sort of minor...

They left out a comma in their citizenship application. And they're now going to engage in this, like, witch hunt against naturalized US citizens, of whom there are so many, to see who they can denaturalize. Why? It's like a game for them.

It's a game, and it's casual cruelty trying to upend and destroy people's lives and create just terror among growing segments of American society. And that is the goal. That's what authoritarians do. That's what fascists do, and that's what they are doing here. And we need to push back very, very hard and lock arms to protect all citizens, all residents of this country, from this dehumanization and terror. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Cervantes. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise in strong support of Senate Resolution 32 and thank our colleague from Hayward for bringing forward this important measure. President Trump's executive order attacking birthright citizenship defies the plain text in the Constitution. Permission to read.

Without objection from Members. Seeing no objection, you may.

The relevant part of the 14th Amendment reads, all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States. That is it. It is a direct assault on a core American principle that citizenship is a birthright, not a privilege granted based on race or lineage.

President Trump's executive order sends a chilly message that if your parents are immigrants, especially if you're Latino, AAPI, or African, Caribbean descent, your American-ness is conditional. And here in California, where half, half of California children have at least one immigrant parent, that is a personal threat.

And that is why I myself have introduced a bill to move parental birthplace information to the confidential section of California birth certificates. It is a simple step to protect California born children and their families from federal overreach and unlawful targeting. We've seen this playbook before, historically and globally.

We must not stand idle by as this administration tries to redefine who counts as American. This is about protecting the 14th amendment. It is about defending democracy and standing with all of our communities, especially the most vulnerable. And for those reasons, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Strickland, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President, Members. Some of the quotes of my colleagues who I deeply respect said the 14th Amendment says regardless of parent status, you have this birthright right. But if you read the documentation of 14th amendment by John Bingham of Ohio, and he has two clauses to the 14th amendment. The first one is what everybody's talked about, the birth or naturalized within the United States.

But what you failed to mention what's in the 14th Amendment is being subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Saying that the parents not only have allegiance to anybody else in the world, being subject to complete of the jurisdiction of the United States, which means that the parents had to have allegiance to the United States in order to have that birthright citizenship.

So I find that the Members pick and choose what they want to see in the 14th Amendment. But the author of the Amendment, John Bingham of Ohio, stated as such. And so I will be very crystal clear here, we're a great nation because we're a nation of immigrants. We're all immigrants. I agree with a lot of what you've been talking about on this floor. But when we talk about the 14th amendment, there's no question that there's been abuse into the system.

We have stories of anchor babies, people coming from other parts of the world with no allegiance to the United States, coming in and having birth in the United States and expecting citizenship and all the rights therefore of citizenship. There's no question there's abuses. And so we will see what the President's executive order will do.

And that's why we have a system of government here. Let's see it play out. Let's see what the courts say. Because there's no question that this amendment has been abused by a lot of people throughout the world because they do want to come to America. America is a very, very special place.

It's a place where you can come. You could be Japanese, German, Korean, and come to America and become an American. And that's what's special about our country, is we're a nation of immigrants. But let's not... Let's not forget the fact that a lot of folks around the world are taking advantage of and not going forward.

And this 14th amendment has been abused. And I think it needs reform, and we need to look and see where the courts come out on this. But to come out and say, oh, it doesn't matter what the parent status is, et cetera, et cetera, that's not what's in the 14th amendment. If you read the 14th amendment and the author of the 14th amendment, he says otherwise. I urge your no vote on this resolution.

Thank you. Senator Ochoa-Bogh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I want to thank the Senator from Hayward, a great colleague and a close friend of mine, for bringing this important issue to the Senate Floor, Senate Resolution 32.

As many of you know, I am a daughter of immigrant parents that came, that my grandfather actually came to the United States under the Bracero Program. Eventually his family was sponsored and brought over my grandmother with five of the seven children before that.

And it's interesting because as we've been talking about birthright citizenship, I've actually been very, very curious to understand a little bit more what that meant. Because I, like many, have always thought that if you're born in the United States, you are automatically a United States citizen.

That has always been my understanding up until recently when I started reading a little bit more on the issue. An issue that has been a matter of discussion in our great nation since 1898, in the Supreme Court... Since 1998, in the Supreme Court because the Constitution and its amendments are subject to interpretation.

The 14th Amendment of the Constitution states that citizenship is granted to those born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Two clauses that need to be met. This phrase has been interpreted to mean having full political allegiance to the United States as a country, rather than just being physically present in US soil.

There have been many instances where the US has had to further refine how the 14th amendment applies in different circumstances. In 1885, Richard Greisser's citizenship claim was rejected by the State Department. At the time of his birth, his parents had no intention of staying in the US and returned to their home country of Germany shortly after he was born, and therefore were not truly subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

It's easy to draw a parallel between that situation to the recently polarized or popularized practice of individuals coming from other nations to to have children in the US. Sometimes paying a lot of money to do so solely for the purpose of gaining access to our national citizenship.

And while I understand why these individuals want to pursue the great benefits and liberties of our nation. As you all know, I'm an incredibly patriotic person, so grateful for what we have here, and I can see why people are just drawn to want to come here.

We have to ask ourselves, is it appropriate to grant citizenship to people that have no intention of staying in the US. In 1990, the Department of Justice considered the citizenship claim of Mary Devereaux's newborn daughter.

Mary was a recently arrived immigrant from Ireland who gave birth while awaiting immigration approval and during that time gave birth in a New York hospital.

Ultimately, she was not eligible for lawful admission to the US and as a result, the DOJ did not recognize the citizenship of her daughter, even though she was born physically in the United States.

In the case of Wong Kim Ark, as mentioned by my colleague from San Francisco, the court held that a child born of lawful permanent residence was a US Citizen. That ruling was never intended to extend to children of parents that are in the United States only temporarily or unlawfully.

I bring these examples forward today to add context to this discussion and bring light to the long history and debate around birthright citizenship.

As, as a daughter of immigrant parents, I seen firsthand how the promise of the American dream draws so many people from all walks of life to our country, and I'm eternally grateful for how good this country has been to my family.

But we have to look to the history that came long before us if we're going to move forward with citizenship policies that accommodate those that come here and truly want to pursue and contribute to American prosperity and also protect our country from those whose loyalties lie elsewhere.

I'd like to thank the author again for facilitating this important discussion. Unfortunately, I will not be able to support this measure today, but I do look forward to seeing the interpretation of the Supreme Court in its decision that we will see coming up.

Thank you, Senator Caboldan. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's been a few months since I swore an oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States, to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. And that is what is at stake today. This is not an issue about policy disagreements about birthright citizenship or citizenship or birth.

The constitution makes provisions for birthright citizenship. It makes no provision for Executive orders. There's not a single line in the constitution that authorizes the President of the United States to issue any executive orders. What it does say is that matters of interpretation if we're questioning what the constitution says.

The constitution establishes the courts, the judiciary of the United States to answer those questions. They're not a matter for Reddit, they're not a matter for Fox News, and they're not a matter for us to determine. The constitution establishes the process to resolve those disagreements to the extent that there are.

And every court that has ruled in the history of the United States on this issue has ruled the same way, including all seven courts that have taken up this issue over the last three months, every single one, including one 3 hours ago. So this is not a matter for our opinions about what the 14th amendment is.

What it is is that no President has the right, no President is assigned the power to overturn the judiciary or to determine what the constitution says that is assigned to the judiciary. No President may decide that the right to bear arms stays or goes. No President can say, okay, the 14th amendment, that one's okay,

but women can no longer vote. That one's no good. Americans over the age of 18, they can't vote either. Actually, I want to bring prohibition back. This is not an option for any President of the United States to undertake. This is why we have a constitution, and it is why this issue is so important.

Because it isn't just about what your views are about reforming the notion of citizenship.

It is whether or not we bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution and whether or not we support and defend the plain words of every part of the constitution and including the most fundamental, the part before the amendments that assigned the judiciary the responsibility of interpreting this. This is not a uniquely American policy question either.

It is fundamentally American, as so many senators have said on this floor today. But virtually every country in the Western Hemisphere, virtually every single country in the Western Hemisphere, Colombia and a couple of others, are the exceptions. But all of our neighbors also provide birthright citizenship as a core function of their own policies.

And, you know, one of the reasons for that is that we helped write so many constitutions in the Western Hemisphere, and we determined that birthright citizenship was so American that the people of Ecuador should do the same thing. The people of Peru should do the same thing. Our neighbors everywhere should do the same thing.

That is a fundamental American value that should be shared across this hemisphere. This has not been a debate since slavery and reconstruction, if there is to be one. Today we have a process to amend the constitution. I will fight against such an amendment, but that is the process.

That is the way in which in a democracy, we resolve these things. This is a thoroughly unconstitutional and threatening executive order. And I thank the author of the resolution for bringing this forward. We must stand up to support, defend, and bear truth, faith and allegiance to the constitution of the United States.

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the senate, today I rise strong support of this resolution. I rise today not just as a senator, as you all know, but someone who has been through the trenches in terms of this issue. And I've seen the struggle and the strength of America all at the same time.

The promise that we've made Americans. That promise means that children who were born here on American soil are United States citizens, period. No questions asked. Children born of immigrant parents, like millions of other kids, grow up pledging allegiance to the flag every single day. And you all know I see it because I'm a teacher.

And for 20 years, every morning we got up and we pledge allegiance to the constitution and to America. And to question the right of those children, to even entertain the idea that their citizenship is conditional is not just unconstitutional, it is unAmerican. It violates the spirit of equality that defines us. Birthright citizenship is not a loophole.

It is a cornerstone of who we are as Americans. It is a solemn promise that every child born in this country is an American citizen with the full rights and full protections that come with that birthright. This is not about politics. It shouldn't be. First of all, it's about our constitution and it's about principle.

It's about honoring the constitution and respecting the dignity of every citizen, regardless of who their parents are. We cannot pick and choose which Americans deserve rights. And we've heard talks of bringing people from other countries because they're white looking and they're being disrespected in other countries.

But yeah, we will not take care of those Americans that are here on this land, on this soil, who are born here. We are one nation, indivisible under God. We have to remember that. Because if we start deciding who counts as an American, we lose something no policy can fix. We lose the soul of America.

This is something that is really important to all of us in many different ways.

But let's just remember, as I believe the senator from Sacramento so eloquently pointed out, we cannot start picking and choosing what we take out and what we put in, because then we are left to leave it up to one man, one person, one President, one moment in time. And that should not be left up to any individual.

Again, as he so eloquently put it, it should be left up to the courts. And I'm really distressed that we're even having this conversation. And it's interesting because, you know, when we talk about the President, President of the United States, you go back in history, we all know where he came from. Let's talk about his wife.

She also came on a visa. And so we can start picking and choosing everyone's lives and why they belong and why they deserve to be here. And it's just really wrong. Again, it's unconstitutional, it's not American. And it just really hits hard because it tears down our humanity.

Let's think about these individuals as people, not just names on pieces of paper. Let's think about these families and the impact. Let's think about the contributions of these individuals. That often gets overlooked. It's easy to say the other.

And I continue to ask my colleagues on the other side to think of us as friends, friends, as neighbors, as family. We should be taking care of each other, not tearing each other down. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no further discussion or debate. Senator Wahab, you may close.

Thank you. I do want to highlight that I heard a lot of different points being made and I just kind of wanted to go through some of them. You know, there were concerns that birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration.

And I want to rebut that because there's no credible evidence, evidence not feelings, evidence that birthright citizenship is a significant driver of illegal immigration. In fact, most undocumented immigrants come for work opportunities or to flee violence. Also, it fluctuates based on economic and geopolitical conditions, not constitutional rights.

It was said that the 14th Amendment wasn't meant to apply to children of undocumented immigrants. And the Supreme Court has affirmed that the 14th Amendment applies to all persons born on U.S. soil regardless of parents immigration status. It was said that other countries don't allow this birthright citizenship and so forth.

And that's inaccurate because more than 30 plus countries offer this and really have a foundation of equality, fairness in the rule of law. It has been said that anchor babies are used to gain legal status. And again US born child does not grant legal status to parents.

In fact, a child cannot petition for a parent's green card until they are 21 years of age. I've heard before that we should prioritize citizens, not reward law breaking. And again, birthright citizenship does not reward lawbreaking. It affirms the rights of children born here, not the actions of their parents.

And punishing newborns for their parents status is unjust, unamerican and unconstitutional. And you know, one of the main concerns is that, you know, we talk about, you know, potentially revisiting the 14th Amendment to, to reflect modern realities and immigration and much more.

And I want to highlight that the 14th Amendment was written after the Civil War to guarantee equality and citizenship rights, especially to those formerly enslaved. Our history undermining it now risks unraveling over a century of civil rights protections.

And the fact that again, I, as an American, and many of us in this chamber, do not want to create second class citizenship status based on race status or origin. Many other countries do.

And in fact, the reason why this is so important to me is because if you take a look at other countries and take a look at how they treat people of their neighboring countries that are refugees in their country or different ethnic group or a different religious group, or a different group that speaks a different language, we see the disparity.

We point and say they don't treat people right. We would be opening the door to behave in the same manner. And yet we, always are the ones that actually come from a place of integrity and high moral standards. And we literally display that for the world, saying right is right, wrong is wrong.

And yet we're having conversations in this country saying that, oh well, people, in fact, we heard it today. The thought process is that people that have birthright citizenship aren't loyal to this country. The fact that I hear that in California on the senate floor is deeply damaging. And the reality is this.

Our current President was born in New York, making him a birthright citizenship as his mother was a Scottish immigrant. Many people in his dministration have birthright citizenship and are Americans because of the rights afforded to them, because they were lucky enough to be born on this soil from all different backgrounds.

And under the thought process that I heard today, basically we heard that birthright citizenship, citizenship by naturalization, people aren't loyal to this country. And that is incredibly offensive. There are people that sign up for the United States military to give their lives for this country, for the mere opportunity to become a citizen.

And we are saying, I'm so sorry, but that's not good enough. So I want to highlight as much as possible that this is a right that needs to be protected. This is a right that people fight for and have died for.

This is a right that has been longstanding and this is a right that I will continue to defend. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Secretary, please call roll.

Allen, aye. Alvarado. Gil. Archuleta, aye. Araguin, aye. Ashby, aye. Becker, aye. Blakespear, aye. Cabaldin, aye. Caballero, aye. Cervantes, aye. Choi. Cortese, aye. Dahle. Durazo, aye. Gonzalez, aye. Grayson, aye. Grove. Hurtado, aye. Jones. Laird, aye. Limon, aye. Mcguire, aye. McNerney, aye. Menjivar, aye. Niello. Ochoa Bogh. Padilla, aye. Perez. Reyes. Richardson, aye. Rubio, aye. Seyarto. Smallwood-Cuevas, aye. Stern.

Aye. Strickland. Umberg. Valladeres. Wahab, aye. Weber Pearson, aye. Wiener, aye. Secretary, please call absent members. Alvarado-Gil, Choi, Dahle, Grove, Jones, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Perez, Reyes. Seyarto, Strickland, Umberg, Valladeres.

Ayes 27, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Members, we will be moving to the consent calendar. Second day items, starting with 151. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 82, Assembly Bill 456, 1170, 642, 1507. Senate Concurrent Resolution 90, Assembly Bill 466, 525, 629, 703, 829, 951, 965, 1051, 1141, 1255, 1272, 1516, 1518.

Secretary, please call roll on item 151.

[Roll Call]

Ayes. 37, Noes, 0 on item 151. Ayes, 37. Noes, 0 on the remaining consent calendar. It passes back to motions and resolutions. Senator Wiener, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise to submit a letter to the Senate Daily Journal. I'm submitting this letter to clarify the intent of SB 131, Chapter 24 of the Statutes of 2025, with respect to the scope of internal agency communications included in the administrative record. The letter has been shared with both sides of the aisle.

Without objection. General, will receive your letter. Moving to Committee announcements. We do have Committee announcements. Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Yes. Thank you. The Transportation Subcommitee on Low Sand Rail Corridor Resiliency will meet in room 2220 minutes after adjournment. Thank you.

Senator Allen, you are recognized.

The Special Committee on International Sporting Events will be meeting after adjournment in room 1200.

Thank you. Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you. Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Select Committee on Minority Economic Development will meet in room 2100 at 1 p.m. thank you.

Thank you. Members, we are moving to Back to motions and resolutions for a time of adjournment memory. And we will go to Senator Jones when you are ready for your adjournment memory.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honor today to deliver the adjournment in memory for Rencon Chairman Bo Mazzetti. There are some Members of the tribal community with us this morning and Members of his family to partake in this adjournment in memory and appreciate everybody's attention.

This Beau Mazzetti passed away on May 1, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. Bo Mazetti was a respected tribal leader and a lifelong advocate for the Rincon tribe and for tribal communities across California and the entire nation. Bo dedicated his life to service.

After graduating from Orange Glen High School, he joined the Navy and served his country and his community with distinction during the Vietnam War. After earning a degree from Cal Poly, Beau joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Beau was elected to the Rincon Tribe Luciano Indians tribe council in 2002, eventually becoming chair in 2008.

During his 17 year tenure, he led with vision and determination, advocating for the economic rights of tribal people, infrastructure investment, and a stronger tribal voice in state policy. He also served as President of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, where he fought to protect and restore tribal water rights in his region.

And I wouldn't doubt if every single one of you heard from him on that particular issue every year. Bo founded the Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association and played a key role in establishing the California Tribal Chairpersons Association, helping to unify tribal leadership across the state.

In addition to being a tireless advocate for the tribal community, Bo was also a personal friend of mine. I think one of the things that stands out about Beau is you couldn't. You couldn't pin a label on him. He wasn't one thing or the other. He was 100% American and 100% Rincon.

He was 100% for tribal sovereignty and 100% for American exceptionalism. He was 100% for people picking themselves up by their bootstraps and 100% for free enterprise. You may not know this. I think it's okay that I share this. He was a Republican, but you wouldn't know that.

He was best friends with Republicans and he was best friends with Democrats. If you went to the reservation and visited him there, you were welcomed with open arms and a big heart. And he just wanted to do the right thing for his tribe, for California and for America.

Bo has left an indelible mark on the travel community and all of us. And he'll be truly missed. I ask the Senate to be adjourned in memory of bo Mazetti today. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to introduce. I know there's gonna be other speakers. I'd like to introduce our guests, if that's okay. Please.

Visiting with us today up in the gallery is Rincon Vice Chairman Joseph Linton, Councilmember John Constantino, Bo's daughter, Emily Mazzetti, the government Relations Director for Rincon, Tanya Duggan, and then also as a special guest in honor of Beau today. Senator Ben Woiso is on the floor with us today as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Weber Pierson, you are recognized on this adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I also rise in honor of the life and legacy of Bo Mazetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Lusu Indians, who passed away on May 1st at the age of 77. Chairman Mazetti was a dedicated public servant, a proud veteran, and a tireless advocate for Native communities across California and beyond.

Mazzetti served his tribe for over 16 years with unwavering commitment. Under his leadership, the Rincon Ban made major strides in economic development, self government and infrastructure. He helped lay the groundwork for long term prosperity and cultural preservation. And he did so with strength, humility and vision.

Throughout his career, Mazzetti played a key role in advancing tribal sovereignty and protecting Native water rights. As President of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, he led efforts that resulted in historic settlement signed into law in 2017.

He was also instrumental in the creation of the California Tribal Chairman's Association and served on the California Native American Heritage Commission. He was a forceful presence on statewide and national stages, bringing Native voices to the table on issues ranging from transportation and economic development to veterans affairs and intergovernmental partnerships.

What many will remember most is how Beau carried himself. He had the biggest smile and the greatest laugh. He had a way of lighting up the room and making people feel heard, whether in a formal meeting or a casual conversation. He had the ability to bring people together.

He touched those he came across, not only through his leadership, but through his warmth, sincerity and sense of purpose. His passing is a profound loss, not just for the Rincon Band, but for the communities he worked so hard to uplift.

I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Mary, his children, Emily and Joseph, and to the entire Rincon community. May his memory be a blessing. And when we honor his legacy by continuing the work that he championed with the same spirit of unity and resolve.

Senator Blakespear you are recognized on this adjournment in memory.

Thank you. I rise today to join my colleagues. In honoring the remarkable life of Bo Mazetti, a man well known and respected. Throughout the San Diego region for his leadership and his tireless civic engagement. Raised as the son of the Chairman. Of the Rincon Band of Luceno Indians, Bo rose to be a transformative leader.

Whose life reflected the arc of the tribe itself. From his youth on a farm to the pinnacle of leadership, Chairman Mazzetti's life was a journey of dedicated service. Any one of his outstanding achievements would. Represent a transformational highlight of any lifetime. He helped shepherd his tribe from poverty to wealth.

He settled a complex 50 year lawsuit for water rights. He served as tribal Chairman for over 30 years. He also sat on multiple boards, ran a successful business, and did much more. But the most remarkable thing about Chairman Mazzetti was how he faced every challenge. With confidence, persistence and determination. He had a deep seated dedication to service.

In doing this, Chairman Mazzetti's influence extended. Far beyond the 5,000 acre reservation in Valley Center. He was recognized throughout San Diego, county, the state and beyond as a man. Who led with courage, served with integrity, and inspired others to do the hard. Work needed to achieve success.

Today, we offer our condolences to his family and the Members of his tribe. As we express our gratitude and appreciation for. For the immeasurable impacts that Chairman. Chairman Mazzetti has had on our region. And we honor his legacy as A. Selfless and inspirational leader. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. And our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and tribal community. Senator Jones, please bring the name of your adjourn. Adjourned. Memory to the front desk to be properly memorialized. Senator Ashby, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you. The minority leader, along with the San Diego Members and myself, have the dubious honor of memorializing a couple of California titans this morning. Mr. President, I rise today to adjourn in the memory of another remarkable leader in California politics, George Stephes.

George was a Los Angeles native, educated in public schools, attended Columbia, and graduated with honors from the University of Southern California. He served in the Air Force for four years as a Korean interpreter in the Security Intelligence Branch. George came to Sacramento after working on Ronald Reagan's Gubernatorial campaign and became his legislative secretary.

Known for his pragmatism and work ethic, George didn't need to chase bipartisanship. He lived it every day in this building. He helped negotiate landmark California law, including welfare reform for individuals with developmental disabilities. He helped Lead our state in one of the most difficult times.

From his time in the Legislature, George went on to found one of California's first multi person lobbying firms and was among the first to hire women in the field of advocacy to the state. Representing clients across various industries. He built one of the largest and most respected firms in the Golden State.

His true strength though was in his relationships. He respected colleagues and legislators. He supported their desire to do right by their districts and to serve the people of California.

Even in his final days, he reflected on his favorite bipartisan work with former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton and the value of finding common ground away from the capital. George was passionate about golf, often found on the course daily teaching and enjoying the game.

He once said that golf offers a good lesson for life because worrying zaps your energy. Instead he said, focus on what you can do to move forward. George believed in people and the good that we are each here to achieve. He believed in California and all that this amazing state was destined to become.

We are better for his time in Sacramento and in service to the state. On behalf of the California State Senate, I offer condolences to George's family. His wife Jamie, his daughter Susie and Diane, his son John and son in law Steve, who are all here with us today in the gallery.

Members, please join me in adjourning in the memory of a California native, son George Stephes.

Senator Niello, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. President. My fellow Senator from Sacramento I think described George very well. He was indeed a force in California politics professionally, obviously very impressive. But I knew George personally, knew him mostly in his retirement years and I've known his wife Jamie for many years too. But his professional accomplishments, as I said, well described.

Lots of people know, but I rise to recognize George as just a great friend. Got to know him very well in the last 20 years. 20 years or so. And as I say, in addition to his impressive professional accomplishments, he was really just an all round good guy.

Senator Strickland, you are recognized on this adjournment in memory.

Thank you Mr. President. Members, I couldn't do better than the two Members from Sacramento. But I would like to just ask, add a few words. I got elected at a young age here in Sacramento.

I was 28 years old and George Stephens, it was funny because I just wanted to meet him because I knew his history with Ronald Reagan. And here's a gentleman who had a lasting impact on California history. He was the cornerstone. He was the right hand guy for Ronald Reagan.

As was said by my colleague, it was A different era and different generation in California politics where you could agree to disagree without being disagreeable and find common ground.

And George Stephens epitomized that kind of optimism that Ronald Reagan had as Governor and that we all knew that he had as President and worked with the legends of Willie Brown and John Burton and some of the legends of California history. And it'll be remiss when I talked to George.

I just wanted to talk to him about Ronald Reagan, because Ronald Reagan was my inspiration to get involved as a young child. And I was proud to know George Stephes. And he is a legend and left a lasting mark on the lobbying community. He was a giant in that community after his public service with Governor Reagan.

And so it's sad to see him pass, but he is someone that we should all appreciate in terms of his lasting legacy.

California's greatness, in terms of a lot of things that we built from water storage to the highway system and a lot of things that we take for granted here in California were built by George Stephes through the Reagan and Pat Brown administrations, working with legislators across the aisle.

And, you know, I just want to extend my gratitude and then also my prayers to Mr. Steffes family. And California is a better place because of George Stephens. Thank you.

Thank you. And our sincere condolences to the family and friends that are present here today. Guests of Senator Ashby. Senator Ashby, please bring the name of your adjournment memory to the front desk to be properly memorialized. And with that, if there is no other business, Senator McGuire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. A couple of items. Number one, want to make sure that Senators remember that directly after session there will be an opportunity to be able. To sign a beam to the new annex. And representatives from the Secretary's office will guide Senators to the construction site.

If you'd like to be able to join, representatives from the Secretary's office will be directly behind me outside the doors. Number two, want to make sure that Members know that we will be taking some votes next Thursday and would anticipate a bit longer of a session that we would typically have next Thursday.

And we will be working with the Republican leader's office on specific times on floor votes for next Thursday. But we wanted to put that out there in the atmosphere that don't book early flights next Thursday, as we also anticipate potentially a few budget votes.

The last item I will say is our thoughts are with the great State of Texas today. And I ask that you join with me in thanking all of the public safety personnel who have been working 247 in this horrific situation. Join me in thinking and praying for.

The rescue teams who have been sent from the great State of California to assist with search and rescue and recovery efforts. Special thanks to our mutual neighbor, the nation of Mexico, who has also sent personnel to the great State of Texas in this time of need as well.

I think what we have seen, even though disasters are horrific, it tears communities and families apart. It also brings out the best in people and that's what we're seeing right now on the ground in Texas.

So as we move into our weekend, let's keep the families of Texas in our prayers, the rescues in our prayers, and the loved ones of the missing and those who perish in our hearts. Mr. President, our next floor session is Monday, July 14th at 2:00 p.m. thank you.

The Senate is in recess until 3:30 p.m. at which time time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Monday, July 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Have a good weekend. Senators.