Assembly Standing Committee on Rules

Good afternoon, everyone. The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

We have quorum. We have a consent agenda. Is there a motion?

Yes. I have a request to remove an item from consent.

Which item?

I respectfully request to remove item 7 from the consent so it may be voted on separately. The urgency request letter states that this clause is necessary to protect voters voices while the measure itself strips millions of Californians of their congressional representation and forcefully removes power from the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

According to Article 4 of the Constitution, urgency statutes are those necessary for immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety. This urgency request does not meet that threshold. What is the urgency here? What is the state emergency?

It's because Texas might do something or maybe even some other state legislation to rush this process and hand our Governor his special election does not constitute anything close to the immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety. Political expediency is not analogous with a state emergency. So I ask for it to be removed.

And just a matter of clarification. This is a procedural motion. A procedural motion. But is there a motion on the remainder of the consent agenda? Second Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Motion passes. Is there a motion on item number seven, the urgency clause request for SB 280 by Senator Cervantes. Is there a second?

I have an objection.

I have a point of order on SB 280.

Please state your point of order. Sure. Point of order. Amendment not germane. Pursuant to Rule 92, if deemed not well taken by presiding officer, appeal the decision of the presiding officer on the board. Continue on. The amendments placed in SB 280 are not germane to the original Bill.

SB 280 was gut and amended, making this a completely new Bill.

So the motion that is before us is to add an urgency clause. And it's not as to the merits of the Bill. So I believe there was a motion. So you are out of order. Thank you. But I believe we do have a motion and we have a second. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Motion passes. And the Rules Committee is now.

Wait a minute. I just have a motion to be entertained. I would like to refer to item 7 and as well as ACA to both the Judiciary and Elections Committee. These bills will have an immense impact on the lives of Californians as well as the health of our democracy.

And we have a responsibility to assure the public has significant time to provide input on these measures. Rushing through this process in less than a week is a disservice to our constituents. More time and more hearings are needed. And this Committee has a Duty to refer SB 280 and ACA both to elections and Judiciary committees.

So that's my motion.

And again, Mr. Vice Chair, with all due respect, the motion is out of order. The bills are not propop. This Bill is a procedural. Motion is to add an urgency clause to the Bill, and it's not as to the merits of the Bill.

Okay.

Okay. Anything further? Rules Committee is now adjourned.