Assembly Floor

Here we go. The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Member Wallis notices the absence of a quorum sergeant. Arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, the quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for today's prayer. Thank you, Members. Reverend Oshita will offer today's prayer. Reverend Oshita.

Please join me in a moment of reflection. If you've never been to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, please go. My first visit was over 50 years ago. My uncle Akira dropped me off and I went in alone. Having lived through the atomic bombing, it was hard for him to revisit those memories.

80 years ago this month, on the morning of August 6th, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on the city center of Hiroshima. Earlier pictures of the area resembled any large city. It was filled with residential structures, schools, and businesses. The bomb detonated 600 meters above the Shima Hospital.

There was a blinding flash of light, followed by shock waves that exceeded the speed of sound. The temperature at ground level reached 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat was so intense, it vaporized everyone within half a mile of ground zero. They were vaporized. The firestorm that followed destroyed five square city miles.

It is estimated 200,000 people died instantly and also from the radiation, in the days that followed. When I shared my disbelief at what I experienced at the museum, my auntie said, what you saw today was nothing. She then softly spoke, her words hinting at the living horror they witnessed. My relatives who survived the bombing expressed no anger.

Instead, they shared a hope that this should never happen again to anyone, anywhere. Today, there are weapons over 3,000 times more powerful than the one that destroyed Hiroshima 80 years ago, each capable of creating a nightmare 3,000 times more horrific. No one with an ounce of empathy would detonate such devastation and pain.

But if one so unstable that they would barricade doors to a school sanctuary and shoot children in prayer, if one so unbalanced and full of hate and disregard for life had access to creating massive devastation, the outcome would be unthinkable.

To all the families who have lost children to gun violence, every bullet was an atomic bomb, devastating their lives. Just as my auntie said to me over 50 years ago in Hiroshima, this should never happen again to anyone, anywhere. How can we make this so? [Speaking Other Language] Let us try to live with kindness and gratitude beyond words.

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute. Assemblymember Hadwick will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Please place your hand on your heart and join me in the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

[Pledge of Allegiance]

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. Another reminder, members, there are many bills on the Senate Floor without floor managers.

Please work with the Senate to identify your floor managers on your bills so that they can be taken up as soon as possible. Reading of the previous day's Journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Thursday, July 17th, 2025, the Assembly met at 9:00 AM. The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, speaker...

Majority Leader Garcia moves and Mr. Lackey seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions, there are none. Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none.

Moving onto motions and resolutions. The absences for the day shall be deemed read and printed in the journal. System Majority Leader Garcia, you're recognized for your procedural motions.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Carillo, Gallagher, Patel, Lackey, and Ortega to speak on adjournment memory today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly rule 118A to allow Assemblymember Hadwick to have guests seated at her desk and for Assembly Members Connolly, Lackey, and Soria to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

Without objection, such shall be the order. Okay, we are going to get right into guest introduction. Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Good morning and thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I want to welcome some very special guests to the floor as this marks a major milestone for the greatest university which is located in my Assembly District.

The University of California Merced turns 20 years old this week. Just to share a little bit of history, in 1988, the UC Board of Regents began planning a new University in the San Joaquin Valley to meet the long-term enrollment demand. Fortunately for us, the location was chosen in our own backyard, and in 2005, UC Merced opened its doors.

The rest I would say is history. As a two time UC alum, having a UC in our own backyard has been amazing.

UC Merced holds a very special place in my heart because for 20 years, it has provided a world class education to students who look like me and to students from an area that has long been underserved in California. In fact, UC Merced is the most diverse UC campus today.

More than 60% of its students are Latino and over 70% are first generation college students. It is also not just a university, it's a national leader. For the last four years in a row, U.S. news and World Report has ranked UC Merced number four in the entire nation for social mobility, proof that this campus is helping to uplift families and change the trajectory of entire communities.

UC Merced is also the fastest growing UC campus with over 9,000 students today, with a bold vision for 15,000 students by 2030.

I am proud and privileged to present this morning this academic giant which is in my district and honored to introduce my special guest to the floor who represent UC Merced today. My dear friend, UC Merced Chancellor, Juan Sanchez Munoz. We also have UC Merced Associated Students President, Mannar Ahmed, President of UC Merced Alumni Association, Miguel Lopez.

And our Assistant Chancellor, Corey Lucero, and Vice Provost, Tom Hansford. Please welcome them today to the floor. Let's give them an applause and go Bobcats.

Okay, members, in the interest of time and expediency, we are going to go to business on the daily file. Can I have decorum, please? Thank you, members. Okay, without objection, we're going to pass and retain on file items 12 and 9. We're going to move on to file item number three. That's Assemblymember Ramos. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 385 by Assemblymember Ramos, an act relating to park property.

Assemblymember Ramos, you are recognized Members. Assemblymember Ramos you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 385 returns for concurrence with technical amendments from the Senate. It has been a support support Bill. I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ramos. All debate having ceased. Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes. 57, no 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. Pass and retain on file items 4, 5 and 6.

Brings us to file item number seven. AB 1119 by Assemblymember Patel. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1119 by Assemblymember Patel. An act relating to teacher credentialing.

Assemblymember Patel, you are recognized.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. AB 119 is back on concurrence. This Bill instructs the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to produce regulations that establish efficient pathways for both current and aspiring teachers to obtain dual credentials. The amendments made in the Senate remove a duplicative working group that was not necessary for the CTC to produce these pathways.

The amendments maintain stakeholder input while eliminating any costs associated with the Bill. It received unanimous support in both houses is a support support and I respectfully ask for your aye vote today. Thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember Patel. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 57 no 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. Pass and retain on File item number 8.

We are already passed and retained on file item number nine. Excuse me, we're on the Assembly third reading file brings us to file item number 10. Excuse me. Pass from retained on file items 10 and 11, brings us to the Senate third reading file.

Going to pass and retain on file items number 12 all the way through 37.

I have passed temporarily on 38.

We're going to pass temporarily on file item number 38. Going to pass and retain on file items 39, 40, 41. That brings us to file item number 42. SB 351 by Senator Cabaldon presented by Assembly Member Patel. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 351 by Senator Cabaldon and others and accolades of health practices.

Assembly Member Patel, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I am proud to present SB 351 on behalf of Senator Cabaldon. A targeted and thoughtful update to California's corporate bar on the practice of medicine, which allows the Attorney General to enforce violations by private equity and hedge funds involved in medical and dental practices. I'd like to make something very clear.

This Bill is not about vilifying private equity investment. In fact, private capital has played an important role in expanding access, scaling innovation and helping providers modernize. But as private equity activity in health care grows, and it is growing rapidly, it's essential that California's guardrails keep pace.

SB 351 strengthens enforcement of existing California law that prohibits non physicians from interfering with medical decision making. It provides the Attorney General with the authority to step in when financial interests cross the line and influence how care is delivered.

It also protects providers by invalidating contracts that muzzle them, whether through non compete or gag classes that silence concerns over care quality. Additionally, recent amendments have removed all opposition from this Bill. Let me be clear. Private investment in quality care are not mutually exclusive, but patient care must always come first.

I respectfully ask your aye vote on SB 351. Let's modernize oureEnforcement tools to match today's realities and protect what matters most. The Doctor-patient relationship. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Patel. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Aye's 61. No's 0. The measure passes.

We are going to pass and retain on file items 43 through 90. That brings us to file item number 91. That's SB 697 by Senator Laird, presented by Assembly Member Papan.

Senate Bill 697 by Senator Laird, an act relating to water.

Assemblymember Papan, you are recognized.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Thank you so much. SB 6- SB 697 streams, lines and modernizes the stream system adjudication process by allowing the state water by Water Board to use what technology when investigating water rights claims rather than requiring in person field investigations. Guess what? We're going to use drones. I respect the request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Papan. All debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes. 55. No zero. The measure passes.

Okay, we're going to pass and retain on file items 92 through 105. Brings us to the end of the file. We are going to go back to the the item that we passed temporarily on. But before we do that, Assemblymember Connolly, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Oh, absolutely. Great. I have a couple of guest intros this morning. This first one is particularly meaningful for me. I am honored to introduce my Capitol intern, Juliette Aleo. Juliet has been doing a fantastic job for us this year in the Capitol office.

Her optimistic attitude and big smile brightens up everyone's day. I'm grateful for her contributions to the Select Committee on Wildfire Prevention where she has done extensive research on how to make our communities more resilient. So important in our district. Since day one, Juliet has been committed to advocating towards a greener future. Her passion is truly inspiring.

So I look forward to continuing to watch you grow in your career and studies. Right now, Juliet is at UC Santa Barbara, continue her studies in environmental policy. She has a true heart of a public servant. I think we're going to be seeing a lot more of her. And welcome to her parents as well today.

So please join me in congratulating Juliette as she finishes up her internship.

Okay, we have one more guest introduction, also by Assemblymember Connolly. Assemblymember, you are recognized.

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, today I'm honored to introduce a special group visiting today from Marin County. Joining us is Marin County Supervisor, Brian Colbert. Somewhere here, hopefully, along with his outstanding summer interns, Elizabeth Mendieta, Haba Rossiter, Jessica Mendieta Alvarado, Riley Merklin, Calvin Gandee, Ashley Wang, and Henry Hauser.

Supervisor Colbert is a dedicated public servant and leader in Marin, committed to community engagement and civic education. The bright high school and college students here today have spent the summer interning with Supervisor Colbert, gaining firsthand experience in public service and the democratic process.

Today marks the last day of their internship, and what better way to celebrate than by visiting the State Capitol to see our government in action. These interns represent the next generation of leaders, and their work this summer reflects a commitment to making a difference.

So, please join me in giving a warm welcome to Supervisor Brian Colbert and his summer interns.

Welcome to the California Assembly. Yes. Stand up and be recognized. We welcome you. Okay, back to business. On the daily file, we have one final—final item. That is file item number 38, SB 346 by Senator Durazo, presented by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 346 by Senator Durazo and others, and act relating to local government.

Assembly Member Bauer Kahan, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Today I rise to present SB 346 on behalf of Senator Durazo. This is a Bill that empowers local governments to collect the correct amount of transit occupancy taxes, or TOT to better enforce short term rental ordinances.

And I'm incredibly honored to be presenting this Bill today because in my first year serving in this Legislature, in my small, quiet town in the Bay Area, there was a mass shooting at an Airbnb in my town. It was at the top of a hill, a windy one way road. Five people were shot.

Ambulances struggled to get to the house. Despite the fact that my city required Airbnbs to have permits. This was an unpermitted Airbnb and there was no way for our jurisdiction to know that it was operating.

When a business operates in the town or city, that any Californian lives in that city has the right to oversee that business, to know where it's operating, to make sure it's safe. And the failure of this information is frankly leading to less taxes for our local jurisdictions.

Which is critically important, but also, as I saw, to less safe neighborhoods. Estimates show about 72% of short term rentals in LA County are operating without businesses. That's over 32,000 unlicensed properties. SB 346 addresses this problem by requiring the platforms to provide local government with the information about each property selling on their platform.

On behalf of the Senator, I ask for your aye vote on this important measure.

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

Thank you so much. Mr. Speaker. I would just like to say, coming out of local government, as many have done so in this room, I think one thing we can all be familiar with is there's too little money to do what we'd like to accomplish.

So what I feel this Bill does is not only do we know what businesses are operating as Airbnbs, but this Bill allows us, when every dollar counts, to track every dollar, and to be able to account for every dollar that's generated by Airbnbs. When 3.3 billion in revenue is on the line, transparency is not optional, it's essential.

This Bill is about protecting public dollars and restoring local control. I join in my colleague from Orinda in requesting an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Papan. Assembly Member Dixon, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wasn't really prepared to speak this morning, but I will say from personal experience, myself coming from local government and in a city, Newport Beach, that has more short term rental permits than any other city in the State of California.

So I've been through this issue when I was on the City Council and as mayor for eight years, because when I started in 2014 on the City Council, there were, and Newport Beach welcomed short term and long term renters.

But when the beginning, the commencement of Airbnb and the online reservation system, it really totally changed the whole marketplace and landscape. And how do we manage and regulate short term rentals? We went from approximately 200 permits in the city in 2014. Now we have 1550 approved permits. So there's a lot of demand for permits.

So how does the city regulate that? So we, as a city and City Council, working with the property owners who want to rent their property and the neighbors who don't want their property- their neighbors to be renting their property, and it's very contentious. You have law enforcement issues, you have revenue issues that have already been addressed.

But just getting for a city and a community to get their arms around short term rentals has been a challenge. I am pleased to support this Bill. What is the Bill? SB 346. Many of the provisions in the Bill are provided in our local ordinances already.

But for the cities that haven't gone through that process, it was laborious and dealing with the platforms, at first, they did not want to create the space literally on their form, the online registration form to put a city permit.

We had to debate and argue for a year to make them modify their software to put a city permit number in there. In the meantime, the city had to manually go on all these sites to see who is renting their homes out and go and collect the TOT, the transient occupancy tax. It's been laborious.

I'm pleased that finally, after all these years, there's going to be, and I don't like regulation, many of you know that. And I don't like another state law that interferes with local control.

But I think this is an example of how it helps local, it helps the cities get the revenue in and manage the contentiousness between the neighbors and the renters and hopefully we can have peace in our community. So thank you, Senator, wherever you are, for listening to this.

And I hope that- I support this and recommend your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Dixon. Seeing and hearing no further debate. Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, do you wish to close?

I thank my colleagues for their words on this Bill and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Aye's,15. No's, zero. The measure passes, takes us to the consent calendar.

We're going to pass and retain on the second day consent calendar. Members, we are now moving on to adjournments and memory. The quorum call is still in place. Let's give our respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on their adjournment in memory. Thank you, Members. If you could please take any conversations off the floor.

Thank you, Members, if you could please take your conversations off the floor. Thank you, Members. Assemblymember Lackey, you are recognized for your adjournment memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to adjourn in the memory of Miguel Antonio Cano, a dedicated, loving husband, brother, and son. Miguel was born January 3rd, 1991, in Berwyn, Illinois, the firstborn child of his beloved parents, Tino and Lupe Cano. From the beginning, Miguel brought joy, love, and pride to his family.

His role within his family would eventually grow to become the protector and best friend to his sister, Erica. Michael's presence alone would light up a room. But in April of 2015, he found a light that helped him shine even brighter. The love of his life, Melissa.

In May of 2023, Miguel traveled down a path that would be known as his most challenging journey he had ever encountered. Academy training with the California Highway Patrol. It takes a special kind of person to commit to something bigger than themselves.

And after six months of pain and growth, Michael earned his title as Officer Cano of the California Highway Patrol. Michael served his community with integrity and his passion to serve alongside his brothers and sisters at the CHP West Los Angeles Office, and that will live in the hearts of those he touched.

To all of us and the community he served, we know—we all know him as Officer Cano—but to his loved ones, he was always Michael. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of honoring Michael today.

Thank you, Assemblymember Lackey. Members, let us now observe a moment of silence to honor the life of this historic Californian, Miguel Antonio Cano. Assemblymember Lackey, you are recognized.

Thank you, Members, I'm proud to introduce the family of colleagues of the late Officer Miguel Cano in the back of the chambers, Miguel's spouse, Melissa, and sister, Erica. In the gallery, we also have CHP Captain Timeiks and CHP Lieutenant Joe Moody here in support. Please join me in welcoming them in the chamber today.

Thank you, Members. Assemblymember Carrillo, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to adjourn the memory of Mr. Vincent Dino. Vincent was born on November 7, 1942, and passed away at the age of 42 years old on July 20th, 2025, in Palmdale. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Vincent and his wife, Deborah, made Palmdale their home over 32 years ago, where they raised their family and became deeply rooted in the community. He was selected to the Palm of Water Board in 2013 and was proudly serving his third time.

From 2018 to 2021, he served as board President, followed by two years as Vice President. At the District, Vincent served as Board Secretary, Chair of both of the Resources and Analytics Committee and Outreach Committee and as an alternate member of the Personnel Committee.

His leadership extended beyond Palm of Water District, serving as the President of the Special District Association of Northern Los Angeles County, as a liaison with the Antelope Valley East Current Water Agency, and as a representative of the Association of California Water Agencies and Joint Powers Insurance Authority.

Before his public service, Vincent worked for 35 years as a journeyman electrician. He was also deeply engaged in civic life, serving on the Palmdale Planning Commission for eight years, including two terms as Chairman. A true water conservationist and avid gardener, Vincent was proud of his drought-tolerant landscape and enjoyed harvesting his hot peppers year-round.

He also gave back by teaching construction at Camp Fenner in Angeles Forest National Forest and was active in the Grandsons of Italy in America Club in Los Angeles. Vincent will be remembered as a steady anchor of Palm of Water District board, as a passionate advocate for his constituents, his colleagues, and his community.

His honesty, values, and dedication set high standards for who had the honor to serve alongside him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah, daughters Angela Riaga, Rebecca Dino, Raquel Jacoberi, and Rachel Mcnary, his son Randy Mcnary, his 10 grandchildren, and many siblings and extended family members.

Vincent's life was a testament to his commitment to service and his legacy will continue to live in the community he loves so dearly. Today, as we adjourn in the memory of Mr. Dino, may his memory inspire us to bridge divides and empower our communities. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Members, I respectfully ask that we adjourn in the memory of Vincent Dino.

Thank you, Assemblymember Carrillo. Assemblymember Lackey, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Yeah. Thank you. Members, we all have people in our communities, a handful, not a large number of people, that we know that are very, very active in community and go to all the events. And Vince was one of those people. He was one of those people that was not highly sociable but always present.

He was the quiet voice. He was a very, very gentleman's gentleman. And I have a memory that will always stick with me. It was over 20 years ago when Vince stood as a nominee for the Planning Commission and I was on the City Council at the time. And I was a little more partisan then.

And even though it was a nonpartisan position, I was a little more, I don't know what I would say other than partisan, and I knew Vince was not of my party.

And I jabbed him a little bit because I asked him, I said, I know that you're have a strong history in the union, and when proposals come before you as a member of the Planning Commission, are you going to be fair to those who are not projects that don't have union commitment?

And his answer was brilliant, and it was unrehearsed, because I know he didn't expect that, and he kind of pivoted away and he just said, I will never apologize for my life experience. I know the value that my union participation has brought me.

But I'm here to learn and I'm here to use my experience to the benefit to make this city the best it can be. What a brilliant answer. I still remember it. And, you know, there's never a good time for friends to pass away, but this was a big shock.

And I just want to pay tribute to him on this floor today and say how much I appreciated his influence and his example. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Lackey. Assemblymember Gallagher, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. It's with a very heavy heart this morning that I adjourn in the memory of Andrew Meredith, a labor leader, a community servant, and an amazing husband and father who passed away on August 16th, 2025, at the too young age of 45.

And Andrew was really well known to many of us in the Capitol community, not only for his work on important legislative issues, but also for the friendliness and care that he showed to everyone that he interacted with.

I first met Andrew in my first term in the Legislature, and I went up to the Tehama County Fairgrounds and we met in that community hall for the first time and to talk about infrastructure.

We were talking about sites reservoir and the need for building infrastructure and to have good paying jobs and opportunities, apprenticeship opportunities for our youth, and for people trying to get into the trade. And that first interaction and that meeting hall touched off a friendship that lasted over 10 years.

And it maybe seemed on the surface an unlikely friendship, you know, but I can tell you it was every time that I spent with Andrew and the things that we worked on together were very meaningful. And I think it's also we bonded over a common background and a love for youth sports and mentorship.

And you could see that always in Andrew's heart. Many know that Andrew served in our armed forces as part of the US Army Black Hawk Crew as a chief and door gunner during his deployment to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He had over 500 hours of flight time recorded.

And that was always very significant to him to do right by veterans. And that was something he always stood up for in his work. He was also a very proud member of the Galt community. He grew up in Galt and played youth sports there, football, I believe, and pole vaulting.

And he ended up serving on the Galt City Council from 2006 to 2010 and served as the Mayor of Galt, another proud accomplishment of his.

I don't think that when Andrew and I first met that either of us thought that maybe one day I'd be Republican leader in the Assembly and that he would be the President of the State Building Trades, but that's exactly what we did.

A couple NorCal boys, you know, worked hard, but we really believed in the things that—we really believed in the things that we were doing. And I will tell you, there was no one who was more of a tireless fighter for working people than Andrew Meredith, and he took that into everything that he did.

You know, serving as the President of the Northeastern Building Trades first and then going on to become President of the State Building Trades. I know his time on there was a little bit short, but it was actually for a really good reason. And it's because the most important thing in Andrew's life was his family.

And in all the times that I spent with him, he would always bring up what his kids were doing, and I know that the reason that he ultimately decided to step down was he wanted more time with them, and he wanted that flexibility.

And what a significant and important decision that really ended up being, because he got to be there even more for his family and be a mentor and a coach. And I know he just loved doing that. He was first and foremost a family man.

And one of the greatest compliments he ever gave to me was he said, you know what, man? I know in your heart, you're a family man, that's why I like you. Another great story that Andrew would tell this joke, actually in different places, is that he proudly supported me in my Assembly races.

And he told a story about one time having my sign up in his property in...in Tehama County. And he also had Jerry Brown signs up. And he said, man, the Jerry Brown signs kept disappearing. I was like, what is going on?

He's thinking, man, I'm in this Red County, and of course these guys are stealing my signs. You know, he goes, but they never took the Gallagher sign. The Gallagher sign was always sitting there, you know, no problem, you know. And he goes, well, come to find out, his dog would take the signs and he found a bunch.

His dog would actually pick them up in his mouth and take him out behind the house. And he found, you know, back on his property, this area where he had dropped all the Jerry Brown signs. Turns out the dog was a Republican. Yeah, you never knew, but—and that was Andrew, man.

He had a great sense of humor. He loved people. And in his free time, he loved spending time with, obviously, family. But he also enjoyed army football, Sacramento Kings games, and barbecuing on his smoker. That was also a favorite passion. He loved wrestling, youth football. He was a mentor in pole vaulting.

His son actually set records in pole vault at Orland High School, where he was very involved in the community, always looking for opportunities to serve and be a volunteer. He was proud to be able to coach all three of his children in various sports.

And, you know, I know that even though he was taken from us too soon, his legacy lives on real big in the community of Orland and Tehama County and all the things that he did, but statewide in his service and the ways that he always stood up for the things that he believed in.

I think the thing that hurts the most is that he's leaving behind his amazing wife, Serena, and their three children, Kaylee, Lauren, and Logan. My heart goes out to them and their family, and I know the Capitol community.

Our hearts collectively go out to them during this time. Andrew is just a pillar of his community, and he will be missed by many. So, today, I ask members that we adjourn in the solemn memory of Andrew Meredith. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gallagher. Assemblymember Ortega, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I, too, rise with a heavy heart to join the adjournment in memory for Andrew Meredith. And I'm actually not surprised at all that he was good friends with my colleague from Nicholas. He was the kind of guy that didn't care whether you had an R or D in front of you.

All he cared about was the common issues that he had with many of us, and that was family and supporting workers he represented. An electrician by trade, Andrew was an active union member throughout his life.

He began his career as an apprentice here in Sacramento and quickly found success as a leader of his IBEW local and then as the youngest ever President of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.

At a DNC convention, he spoke about the next generation of leaders and his role as a mentor while mentioning that he grew up listening to Tupac and Blink 182. When I saw him later, I mentioned that I was quite surprised about his love for Tupac. He just didn't seem that kind of guy. Growing up poor and being raised by a single mother was something that he was not ashamed of.

In fact, it's what fueled him and what drove his passion to fight for workers, for better wages, to access to health care, and to be able to retire with dignity.

This passion led him to leading the State Building Trades to a historic protections of fair wages, job site standards, and apprenticeship programs, never mincing his words when it came to his passion. Either you loved him, or you didn't some days, but you always understood his heart and where he came from.

Not stopping at championing his fellow workers, Andrew was also deeply committed to his community and somehow found time to serve on his City Council, his school district board, his district fair board, and eventually, as the youngest ever mayor of his hometown, the City of Galt. He just never slept.

It is a tragedy that we have lost a strong and deeply respected leader. As was mentioned earlier, he loved his wife and children. I could never—I was trying to think of a time where he attended an event and his wife wasn't by his side, and I couldn't. He loved her dearly as well as his children.

We will miss him, but we will never ever forget his commitment to the State of California. Please join me to adjourn in memory of Andrew Meredith.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ortega. Assembly Member Patel. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. Assemblymember Patel, you are recognized for your adjournment and memory.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members.

Today, I rise to adjourn in memory of Erica Hoffman, an advocate of the California School Boards Association here in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C. Whether you knew Erica as a fierce advocate, a succinct communicator, or for her unique brand of casual professionalism, her loss will be felt in public education for years to come because of her presence.

Her presence always left us better informed, more inspired, and fully prepared for the task at hand. Erica Hoffman was a leader for California students and was committed to making a difference for the entire educational community.

She was born and raised in Stockton, attended high school there, and later earned a degree in criminal justice and business from Sac State. She was an expert in many policy areas, particularly special education. Her life's work was rooted in service to our educational system, the students they served, and her entire community.

I could list the various battles she fought for education policy in California, but what defined Erica Hoffman was the lives that she changed. She worked tirelessly and always showed up.

It seems like only a few weeks ago, I remember seeing her in a hearing room and wondering what bill was she ready to defend or make a statement on? Because whenever she spoke, I knew she would find a way to bring clarity to a complex education policy and help skeptics find comfort with different perspectives.

Among her many achievements, she helped ensure California received its fair share of federal education funding, she helped secure an extension for the Secure Rural Schools Program, and she obtained helped us obtain increases for educational programs that served infants and toddlers. Erica was known for her intelligence, her willingness to help and provide support, and to counsel junior staff.

She was steady and constant in her presence here in Sacramento.

As a regular CSBA Ledge Advocacy Day participant, a delegate Assembly Member, and alleged Advocacy Committee Member, I had many opportunities to learn from Erica over the years and when I first met her, I knew right away that we would have much to discuss, and not just because of our shared interest in fully funding idea, but also because neither one of us minded wearing Birkenstocks with our professional attire.

I didn't imagine that I would be up here in Sacramento with the opportunity to improve public education without Erica here to brainstorm with.

She is survived by her family and friends, several of whom are up here in the gallery with us today, and we will all remember her beautiful smile, the love that she shared, but most of all, her endless dedication to improving the lives of our students.

Today's speaker and colleagues, I ask that you join me in a journey in memory of Erica Hoffman and mourn the loss with her family and friends and colleagues with us today. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patel. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the Journal. All requests to adjourn a memory will be deemed read and printed in the Journal. Moving on to announcements, a final announcement that there are a number of bills in the Senate Floor without floor managers.

Please work with the Senate to identify floor managers on your bills so they can be taken up as soon as possible. Appropriations Committee meets today upon adjournment in the swing space, room 1100, right now. Session schedules as follows.

Monday, September 1st Labor Day is observed. Tuesday, September 2nd floor session at 1:00 PM. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Madam Majority Leader moves and Mr. Patterson seconds that this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, September 2nd, at 1:00 PM. Quorum call is lifted, and we are adjourned.