Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Wallace notices the absence of a quorum. Seargent Arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Mr. Speaker.

Members of 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. Reverend Oshita will offer today's prayer. Reverend Oshita.

Please join me in a moment of reflection whenever we experience our summer Sacramento heat waves, the temperature soaring into the triple digits. I'm reminded of the Central Valley summers of my childhood in Fresno.

My sister, brother and I dreaded the summer heat, for in Central California, in the evening, temperatures rarely cool, but on those especially sweltering, uncomfortable nights, my mom would sit by our bedside and fan her three children to sleep. Although my mom passed away in 2003, this remains one of many loving memories I have of her.

Loving memories that I will always cherish. It is also a reminder that every day, rain or shine, unbearably hot or shivering cold, our acts of loving kindness might be creating loving memories that will live on in the hearts of our family and friends well beyond our lifetimes.

And as our summer comes to a close, let us try to find time to enjoy these toasty warm days and comfortable evenings of 2025. We will think of them fondly when the cold winter days arrive. Now, Momi Nawazu Let us live with kindness and gratitude beyond words.

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute. Assembly Members of Will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

May be seated to our guests and visitors today. State law prohibits persons in the gallery from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct of of official business. Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest or other appropriate legal remedies. Members, There are several Assembly Bills on the Senate Floor without floor managers.

Please continue to work with the Senate to identify floor managers for your bills. Senate Offices please Senate Offices those of you watching today, please work to identify Assembly Floor managers for your bills. We would like to take up more Senate bills, but over half are not eligible today due to the 72 hour rule.

However, there are 90 Senate measures on our floor without floor managers. Reading of previous day's Journal.

Assembly Chamber Sacramento Wednesday, August 20, 2025 the Assembly met at 7:00am. The Honorable Tree Ta Assembly Member 70th District Presiding Chief Clerk.

Security Leader Aguiar curry moves and Mr. Flores seconds at the reading of the presentation. Previous day's journal be dispensed with presentations have petitions there are none. Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred Reports of committees will be deemed read. Amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor? There are none. Messages from the Senate? There are none.

Moving on to motions and resolutions. There are no absences today. On to procedural motions. Madam Majority Leader, you're recognized for your procedural motions.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Member Addis to to speak on an adjournment in memory without objection.

Such shall be the order.

Request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rules 118A to allow Selby membership Collins to have a guest in the rear of the chamber today. Not objection said shall be the request of the authors. Please move to the the following items to the inactive file. Item 197, SB769 Caballero. Item 249 SB423, Smallwood-Cuevas.

Clerk will know. Please.

I request unanimous consent to waive Assembly rule 69B1, the amendment and submission deadline for any floor amendments delivered to the Chief Clerk's office. By the September 5th joint rule 61 deadline. Assembly floor managers will have until 5 o'clock on Friday, September 5th to submit floor amendments. This includes any technical, contingent, enactment or chaptering amendments.

Without objection. Such shall be the order. Hope everybody heard that one loud and clear.

Tomorrow, 5pm I request unanimous consent to. Rescind the action whereby on August 21, 2025 SB 733 Wahab was read a third time, passed and sent to the Senate. Please order the Bill back to the third reading file for further action.

Objection. Such shall be the order.

I move to suspend Assembly Rule 96 to withdraw AB 710 Irwin from the Public Safety Committee and order the Bill to the third reading file.

Okay. Seconded by Assemblymember Garcia. Assemblymember Flora, you are recognized.

Please, Mr. Speaker, withhold consent and ask for a roll call vote.

Thank you, Mr. Flora. Members, consent has been withheld. This is not debatable. This requires 40 votes. 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 42 Noes 12 motion carries.

Members, pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, I am re-referring item 22, AB 406 by Assemblymember Schiavo, to the Committee on Labor and Employment. Okay, members, we are moving on to guest introductions. As you all know, these introductions will happen from the dais.

So, on behalf of Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, she would like to honor and welcome Mason Reese. That you, Mason, in the back there? Hi, Mason. Panamanian American student leader at Sacramento State, and Samar J. White, a resilient young father from South Central Los Angeles, in the rear of the chamber.

They are two outstanding interns from Improve Your Tomorrow, nonprofit dedicated to expanding college access and success for young men of color. Their resilience, leadership, and dedication to justice exemplify why investing in young leaders is so vital, and they have been a true gift to the office.

Thank you both for your service and welcome to the California State Assembly.

Okay, Members, really quickly, we're going to move on to business. But before we do that, will you please join me in wishing our friend Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi a very happy birthday today? Happy Birthday, Al.

And, and in classic Muratsuchi fashion, he did not show up empty handed. There are cupcakes in the Members Lounge for everyone. Thank you and happy birthday, Assemblymember Muratsuchi. Okay, that is going to get us to business on the daily file. Second reading, item—file items 1 through 4. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 63, 767, 404, and Senate Bill 614.

All bills will be deemed read. All amendments will be deemed adopted. Back to business on the Daily File. Without objection, we're going to pass and retain on file items 5 and 48. We are going to start a little bit out of order today based on guests that are here.

We are going to start with the Assembly third reading, file—file item number 49. File item number 49. That is HR 58 by Assistant Speaker Pro Tem, Celeste Rodriguez.

The Clerk will read.

House Resolution 58 by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, relative to California Promotoras Month.

Assemblymember Rodriguez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. HR 58 is a resolution that declares the month of October 2025 as California Promotoras Month. This resolution recognizes and uplifts the vital work of Promotoras, community leaders who collaborate with health workers and advocate to provide services, information, and support that reflect the needs of the communities that they serve.

Promotoras have established a trusted presence across California. They are not just health workers, but also advocates, educators, and trusted messengers. In times of crisis, economic hardship or systemic inequality, promotoras are often who many families turn to for guidance and support. The services they provide touch important facets of daily life, including education, housing, transportation, employment, and health.

The authenticity of the care they provide is what makes their work not just effective, but also personal and meaningful. Promotoras are puentes de communidad, community bridges, ensuring that underserved and immigrant families are connected to resources and services that are often out of reach.

Integrating the promotora model into community programs improves health outcomes, reduces emergency room visits, and increases the use of preventative care services. Beyond the numbers, promotoras also step in to fill gaps where systems fall short. They are community advocates who speak up for change, organize mutual aid, and provide emotional support to communities with the highest need.

Despite their contributions, promotoras continue to face barriers to recognition, training, and equitable compensation. HR 58 recognizes the importance of Promotoras Envision y Compromiso, an organization that has united thousands of people and hundreds of organizations to elevate the promotora model and build pathways for community-led leadership and training.

Please join me in voting aye to declare October 2025 as California Promotoras Month.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rodriguez. Do you wish for the first roll to be open for co-authors?

Yes, please.

Members, this is going to be a vote on co-authors for HR 58. The Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote.

All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally votes. There are 52 coauthors added. Without objection, we will take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor, say "aye." All those opposed, "no." The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.

Members, on behalf of our Assistant Speaker Pro tem, please join us in welcoming. Welcoming. Promotoras in the gallery can stand, please. They are community health workers. These community health workers and trusted messengers who connect California's most underserved communities to vital health services and are here in recognition of California Promotoras Month which we celebrate in October.

Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the California State Assembly. Welcome. Okay. We are going to pass retain on File item number 50. We will be taking up. We're going to pass temporarily on file item 51. We're going to pass and retain on file item 52. We're going to pass temporarily on file item 53.

Authors, please make sure that you are in the chamber. We're going to take up File item number 54. That's HR 71 by Assemblymember Nguyen.

The Clerk will read.

House Resolution 71 by Assembly Member Nguyen relative to National Fried Rice Day.

Assemblymember Nguyen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. September is known for many things, but one of the favorite things that September is also known for is National Rice Month. Now, as somebody who grew up on rice, I am powered by rice. Rice is life for me here in California. Rice is considered the nation's second largest.

We are considered the second largest rice producing state with most of the rice grown right here in the Sacramento Valley. There are more than 2,500 growers in the Sacramento Valley that keeps growing strong, supporting jobs, sustaining wildlife and making sure rice stays on our table.

And in our tradition, rice farming contributes more than 5 billion each year to our state's economy. More so than anything, September 20th is known as Fried Rice Day. And there is no speech that should be gone without sharing. And I'm all about sharing.

Therefore, there will be fried rice for all of you later on in the lounge and your staff as well too, to celebrate. Celebrate not only national rice month, but September 20th being fried rice day. With that, Mr. Speaker, respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Nguyen. Assembly Member Wynn, do you wish for the first roll to be open for co authors? Members, this vote is for co authors on HR71. Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote.

All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk, we'll close the roll. Tally the votes. There are 51 co authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the measure. On the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. On behalf of Assemblymember Nguyen.

Members, there is fried rice in the Members Lounge. We thank you, Assemblymember Nguyen. We thank you so much for all that you do on behalf of your colleagues. Okay, working backwards, very quickly, we're going to go back one to file item 53. Members, file item 53. That's HR 70 by Assemblymember Arambula. The Clerk will read.

House Resolution 70 by Assemblymember Arambula, relative to Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

Assemblymember Arambula, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to present House Resolution 70 to proclaim the week of, no, September 7th through September 13th, 2025, as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week as they build a more inclusive and accessible California. Californians with disabilities deserves the right to live full and independent lives.

And for us to be able to do that, it is the professionals who are on the front lines who are working hard to make sure that we are building that inclusive and accessible California.

This workforce is predominantly women, women of color who work hard to make sure that those with disabilities are able to have that inclusive life that we want them to have. I ask that today you join me in supporting this workforce that provides the dignity and respect to so many in California.

Today, let us honor their service to our state, to our disability community, and recognize them this upcoming week. I ask that this first roll be open for coauthors and respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Arambula. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll for coauthors. Members, this is for coauthors. 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. There are 53 coauthors added.

Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the measure. All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Again, working backwards, we're going to go to file item number 51. That is HR 67 by Assemblymember Avila Farias.

The Clerk will read

House Resolution 67 by Assemblymember Avila Farias relative to All California Day.

Assembly Member Avila Farias, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise today to present HR67 commending November 9th as All Californian Day. This day honors the historic and cultural ties that have long united California and Baja California and Baja California Sur.

These ties reach back to 1769 when the region known as Las Californias was divided into three Baja California Sur, Baca California and Alta California. Today, more than 30% of Californians trace their roots to Mexico, keeping their shared legacy Alive.

By recognizing November 9th as an all California day, we affirm that California's strength lies in connection, exchange and diversity. Thank you. And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Assemblymember Avila Farias. Do you wish for the first roll to be open for co authors? Okay. The Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All Members vote who desire to vote. Member. This is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll.

Tally the votes. Ayes 56. Noes 0. Excuse me. There are 56 co authors added without objection. We'll take a voice vote on the measure on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Let's do that again. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.

Okay, that takes care of the Assembly third reading file. We're now going to go backwards to concurrence items. Okay, we're going to begin with File item number six. That is AB487 by the Committee on Insurance. Presented by Assemblymember Calderon.

Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 487 by the Committee on Insurance an act relating to insurance company

Member Calderon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Assembly Insurance Committee omnibus Bill is back for concurrence. Senate amendments removed a sunset date and made technical non substantive changes. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Calderon. I'll debate having cease 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. Noes 0. Senate amendments are concurred in file item number seven.

That's AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover, an act relating to horses.

Assemblymember Hoover, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 1142 is back for concurrence. It helps support our small community horse events. We took amendments in the Senate to reduce the fees per the California Department of Food and Ag and allow them to adjust them moving forward. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Hoover. 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, 60. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. Pass and retain on file items 8 and 9.

Brings us file item number 10, AB 438 by Assemblymember Hadwick. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 438 by Assemblymember Hadwick, an act relating to vehicles.

Assemblymember Hadwick, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 438 is back on concurrence. Amendments in the Senate clarify that an authorized emergency vehicle can only be used by public employee who is employed by a local Office of Emergency Services. AB 438 has had unanimous support and has no opposition. Thank you. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Hadwick. All debate having cease, 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. Votes, ayes, 62, noes, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in.

Okay, Members, apologies, but we are going to skip ahead to the Senate third reading file. We're going to pass and retain on file item 55, 56. We're going to pass temporarily on file item 57. We will pass and retain on file item 58. That brings us to file item number 59. File item 59, SJR1 by Senator Wiener. Presented by Assembly Members Board.

The Clerk will read.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 by Senator Wiener and others, relative to applications for a Federal Constitutional Convention.

Assemblymember Zbur, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker, Members, I rise today to present AJR 1 on behalf of Senator Wiener. SJR 1 rescinds all previous calls for an Article 5 Constitutional Convention by the State of California. Opening a Constitutional Convention puts every right, civil liberty, and underlying value of our country at risk.

There are no limits or guardrails on what can be changed in the process, and well funded special interests could easily buy access to change the Constitution in a way that serves their purposes.

Moreover, a Constitutional Convention would empower the Federal Administration, which is hell bent on trampling the rights of immigrants, LGBTQ people, women, and other minority groups, to dismantle many civil rights and liberties we hold dear. SJR 1 aims to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Californians by rescinding all previous calls by California for an Article 5 Constitutional Convention.

This resolution has no opposition and has a support-support recommendation. Members, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SJR 1.

Thank you, Assemblymember Zbur. 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 52, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Pass and retain on file items 60 and 61.

That is going to bring us to file item number 62. That's SB 250 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, presented by Assemblymember Chen.

The Clerk will read

Senate Bill 250 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, an accolade to Medi-cal.

Assembly Member Chen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to present Senate Bill 250 on behalf of Senator Ochoa Bogh, which will add skilled nursing facilities to the existing managed care provider directory administered by the Department of Care and Health Services.

The Department's current provider directory displays providers and clinics within a given area alongside the plans that those providers and clinics accept. Unfortunately, the directory only includes doctors and dentists, along with hospitals, dental clinics, and medical clinics. This change will ease barriers to accessing information for older adults and people with disabilities in search in need of facilities.

This Bill has received no, no votes and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Chen. 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. Noes, 0. The measure is, the measure passes.

Going to pass the new tandem file item 63 64 65 66. That is going to bring us to file item 67. That is SB831 by Senator Limon, presented by Assemblymember Muratsuchi. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 831 by Senator Limon and others an act relating to public resources

Assemblymember Muratsuchi, you are recognized, sir.

Birthday boy.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm presenting on behalf of Senator Limon Senate Bill 831, which is making several multiple and technical changes to the proper role of the California Geological Survey in terms of their participation in activities addressing issues like post fire, debris flow, inland and coastal erosion, which is an issue in my district also statewide.

Implications Bipartisan support. No opposition. No No votes. Respectfully, as for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Muratsuchi. All debate having ceased. Clerk will open the roll.

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 48. Noes 1, the measure passes cast and retained on file item 68 69 70. That brings us to file item number 71.

SB 788 by Senator Niello, presented by Assembly Member Krell. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 788 by Senator Niello, an appellate of business.

Assembly Member Krell, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise urging your support of Senate Bill 7788 on behalf of Senator Niello, my Capitol Caucus colleague. This bill would clarify laws around certified public accountants. The bill addresses duplicative regulations by exempting CPAs from the California Tax Ed Council when they're licensed and regulated already by the CPA Board.

This bill has bipartisan support. Has no, no votes. And I respectfully urge your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Krell. 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, 55. Noes, 0. The measure passes. We will pass and retain on file item 72 through 105.

72 through 105. That brings us to file item 106. That's SB 456 by Senator Ashby. Presented by Assemblymember Jackson. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 456 by Senator Ashby and others an act relating to professions and vocations.

Assemblymember Jackson, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Honored to jockey this Bill on behalf of Senator Ashby, which clarifies exist existing licensing requirements for muralist. SB 456 allows an exemption for muralists to continue to engage in Commission work without having to obtain a contractor's license, as has been standard practice.

New interpretation of law has led to confusion regarding the licensing requirements for muralist. This Bill enjoys bipartisan support in the Legislature, has no significant state cost. The Bill received zero no votes and is sponsored by the California Arts Advocates and League of California Cities. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you Assembly Member Jackson. I'll debate having cease. 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. Tallied votes Ayes 60 Noes 0 the measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on file items 107, 108.

We are going to pass temporarily on file item 109. We will pass and retain on file items 110 through 123. 110 through 123. Brings us to file item number 124. That is SB 863 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation by Assemblymember Gibson. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 863 by the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation an act relating to taxation.

Assemblymember Gibson, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Members Senate Bill 863, the Senate Revenue Taxation Committee Annual Technical Tax Committee Bill. Colleagues, we approve this Bill on the Assembly floor consent calendar in July. This Bill has received no no votes. I respectfully ask but I vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Gibson. I'll 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 61, Noes 0 the measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on file items 125 126 127.

We're going to pass Serenity's hand on file item 128 through 131. That's going to bring us to file item number 132. SB72 by Senator Caballero presented by Assemblymember Soria.

The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 72 by Senator Caballero and others, an appellate to water.

Assembly Member Soria, you are recognized.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker and Members. I am presenting SB 72 on behalf of Senator Caballero and I will keep this short because my colleague from Downey did say she would support this. This bill is very simple and modernizes a California water plan. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote today.

Thank you, Assembly Member Soria. 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, 55. Noes, 0. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 133.

That brings us to file item 134. That's SB 76 by Senator Seyarto, presented by Assemblymember Chen. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 76 by Senator Seyarto an act relating to vehicles.

Assembly Member Chen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This measure will enhance California's hold harmless. Protections for the private sales of used. Automobiles by trying outstanding fees to an individual driver's license rather than the current practice of tying it to a vehicle. SB 76 has enjoyed bipartisan support with.

No no votes in both chambers and I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you Assembly Member Chen. 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, we'll close the roll tally. The votes. Ayes 55, Noes 0.

The measure passes. Pass and retained on file item 135, 36, 37, 38, 39. That brings us to file item 140. That's SB 246 by Senator Grove, presented by Assembly Member Hadwick. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 246 by Senator Grove and others and appellate to medical and making an appropriation therefore.

Assembly Member Hadwick, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present SB 246 on behalf of Senator Grove and Senator Caballero. This bill is strengthening California's rural health care workforce and expand access to health care in our most underserved communities. SB 246 creates a new medical supplemental program for district and municipal public hospitals.

Two thirds of these hospitals are in rural areas and 18 have critical access designations. These hospitals are often the only source of health care for some of the most underserved communities in California. In my district, these facilities are a lifeline for my constituents who would otherwise go without care.

Where I live in Alturas, I have to drive six hours to Sacramento to see a medical specialist. In many of my counties, including my own, families cannot even deliver a baby, there are no maternity wards. To attract doctors and specialists distressed hospitals in my District fund residency programs out of their own budgets despite already struggling to keep their doors open.

SB 246 will draw down 15 to 20 million dollars in federal funding a year to support these residency programs for low income patients. As hospitals in my district struggle to keep their doors open, this bill will allow them to continue their residency program and grow our healthcare workforce where it is needed the most.

This bill has received unanimous support and has no opposition. Thank you. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Hadwick. 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, 58. Noes, 0. Measure passes.

We are going to pass and retain on file items 141 through 161. 141 through 161. That brings us to file item 162. That's SB 484 by Senator Laird, presented by Assemblymember Haney. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 484 by Senator Laird, an act relating to coastal resources.

Assemblymember Haney, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise to present Senate Bill 484 on behalf of Senator Laird. This will streamline affordable housing development in the coastal zone by creating a pilot project for three jurisdictions without local coastal plans.

The Coastal Commission will consult the Department of Housing and Community Development to identify info areas that are good candidates for 100% affordable housing. It will ensure that both affordable housing needs and environmental protections are prioritized while still maintaining Coastal Commission discretion and local government control.

It has no opposition and is supported by housing and environmental advocacy organizations and has received no no votes. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Haney. 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, 58. No, 0. The measure passes.

We are going to pass and retain on file items 163 through 188. 163 through 188. That brings us to file item number 189. That's SB 680 by Senator Rubio, presented by Assemblymember Krell. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 680 by Senator Rubio and others, an act relating to sex offenses.

Assemblymember Krell, you are recognized.

I'm pleased to present SB 680 by Senator Rubio. This Bill closes an important loophole and ensures that defendants who are convicted of statutory rape when the victim is more than 10 years younger than the defendant are required to register as Tier 1 sex offenders. This is an important Bill. It closes a loophole.

It has bipartisan support and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Krell. Assemblymember Dixon, you are recognized.

Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members. I rise today in support, strong support of SB 680. SB 680 closes a troubling loophole that exists in the California penal code. Currently, if an individual is convicted of unlawful sexual activity with a minor more than 10 years younger, they are required to register as a sex offender.

However, if they are convicted of an unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than 10 years younger, they are not required to register as a sex offender. This loophole is troubling to say the least and could lead to individuals avoiding registration despite clear predatory and repugnant behavior.

This Bill is an important opportunity for us to protect our children and ensure that law enforcement has all the available data and tools to monitor sex offenders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I urge an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Dixon. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assemblymember Krell, do you wish to close?

Thanks so much to my colleague from Orange County for her support. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Krell. All debate having ceased. Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. Aye, 54. No, zero. Measure passes. Pass and retain on file item number 190. That brings us to file item number 191.

That's SB 695 by Senator Cortese. Presented by Assemblymember Soria. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 695 by Senator Cortese an act relating to transportation.

Assembly Member Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. SB 695 directs the Department of Transportation to establish a list of highway projects with statewide and regional significance that do not only provide increased safety and mitigate road hazards, but also help ensure ensure climate resiliency. This Bill has no opposition and passed out of the Senate with bipartisan support.

I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria. I'll 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, we'll close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 59 Noes 0, measure passes. We're going to pass Retain on file items 192 through 199.

192 to 199. That brings us to file item 200. Rubio by Rubio. Senator Rubio presented by Assembly Member Rubio. That's SB 783. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 783 by Senator Rubio and others an act relating to outdoor advertising.

Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to present SB783 on behalf of my sister, Senator Susan Rubio. This Bill allows existing regulations and outdoor advertising displays to remain in effect until January 1, 2029.

These advertising displays play an important role in helping businesses attract customers and the revenue generated by local taxes is critical for community programs and services. By extending the sunset date from this year to 2029, it will provide time for impacted communities and stakeholders and to discuss a permanent solution for the regulation of outdoor advertising displays.

Until then, this is a reasonable policy to support local governments, local jobs and businesses. This Bill has received unanimous bipartisan support in all of its committees and passed 39. 0 on the Senate Floor. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Rubio. I'll 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 59 Noes 0. The measure passes. Brings us to file item number 201.

That's SB 785 by Senator Caballero presented by Assemblymember Elhawary. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 785 by Senator Caballero. An accolade to taxation to take effect in immediately tax levy.

Assembly Member Elhawary, you are recognized.

Good morning. Mr. Speaker and Members, on behalf of Senator Caballero, I rise to present SB 785 which would establish a $5000 tax credit to help offset the costs associated with durable medical equipment for children with complex medical conditions.

Even with private insurance or medical, many families cannot afford the out of pocket costs associated with the life savings DME and supplies their children need. Durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, ventilators, mobility aids and specialized monitoring devices are vital tools that maintain the health of a child with complex medical needs and manage routine everyday tasks.

This Bill has received bipartisan support and no no votes. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Assembly Member Elhawary 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, we'll close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 57, Noes 0. The measure passes.

We will pass and retain on file items 202 all the way through file item 304 Members. We're going to go back to concurrence and Senate amendments. We left off at file item number 11. That is AB627 by Assembly Member Stefani.

The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 627 by Assembly Member Stefani and others an act relating to facilities and making an appropriation.

Therefore, Assembly Member Stefani, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise to present AB627, a straightforward Bill to improve financing flexibility for nonprofit health facilities across California. This Bill was amended in the Senate to add co authors. This Bill is support support and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Stefani. I'll debate having cease. 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 60. Noes 0. Senate amendments are concurred in pass retained on file item 12.

Brings us to file item 13. AB 1213 also by Assemblymember Stefani. The clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1213 by Assembly Member Stefani an act relating to restitution.

Assembly Member Stefani, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB12. This Bill was amended in the Senate to address Bill conflict. Language has had minor and technical amendments. The Bill is support and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Stephanie. I'll 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. Quick, we'll close the roll tally. The vote Ayes 61 Noes 0, Senate Amendments are concurred in. Brings us to File item number 14.

That is AB 1255 by the Committee on Education presented by Assembly Member Muratsuchi. Members, this is a 54 vote Bill. The clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1255 by the Committee on Education an act relating to pupil instruction declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Muratsuchi, you are recognized.

Thank you very much. This is a education Committee Bill dealing with the definition of migrant education programs. This is receives support support no opposition. Respectfully ash for aye vote.

Thank you Assembly Member Muratsuchi. I'll debate having cease. 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 59, Noes 0. Senate amendments are concurred in.

Brings us to file item number 15, AB 1369 by Assemblymember Ramos. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1369 by Assemblymember Ramos, an act relating to pupil rights.

Assemblymember Ramos, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 1369 is back for concurrence. This Bill was amended with technical amendments in the Senate. This Bill would prohibit schools from creating a pre-approval process for students to wear their traditional tribal regalia at graduation and other school-related ceremonies.

I want to thank the numerous students across the State of California who have stood up for their right to wear their regalia, bringing attention to this issue. It's time that we accept all cultures in the State of California. 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 vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Clerk, we'll close the roll, tally the votes. Aye, 60. No, zero. Mr. Ramos, I failed to recognize Mr. Gonzalez who wanted to speak favor of that as well.

We're going to pass and retain on file item 16, 17, 18, and 19. That brings us to file item number 20. That's AB 348 by Assemblymember Krell.

The Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 348 by Assembly Member Krell and others an act relating to behavioral health.

Assemblymember Krell, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Assembly Bill 348 is back on concurrence with minor technical amendments. Great Bill before. Even better now prioritizes access to care for the most vulnerable mental health care patients who are many of which are on California streets. Respectfully urge your aye vote. This has bipartisan support.

Thank you Assemblymember Krell. 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 vote Ayes 59 Noes 0 send amendments are concurred in.

We're going to pass and retain on file items 21, 22. Brings us to file item number 23. That's AB454 by Assemblymember Kalra.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 454 by Assembly Member Kalra and others an act relating to migratory birds and declaring the urgency their office take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Kalra, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speakerm AB454 is back on concurrence with amendments that implement implement the Department efficient wildlife suggestions remove the word non game from the Bill respectively ask for your aye vote

Thank you Assembly Member Kalra, 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 Excuse me, this is a 54 vote Bill keep the roll open Mr. Clerk Members this is 54 vote Bill all Members vote who desire to vote.

Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. Ayes, 54. Noes, 15. 10 amendments are concurred in. We're going to pass and retain on file item 24 and 25. File item number 26. That's AB 602 by Assemblymember Haney. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 602 by Assemblymember Haney, an act relating to the public post-secondary education.

Assemblymember Haney, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 602 is back on concurrence. It protects students at California's public universities if they seek or receive medical help during a drug or alcohol related emergency, provided they complete an appropriate rehabilitation program.

The amendments clarify that protections do not apply if students commit other conduct violations and defines what constitutes an appropriate rehabilitation program and requires students to complete the program within a set time frame. It has no registered opposition and has received bipartisan support. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Haney. 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, 45. Noes, 9. Senate amendments are concurred in. We're going to go backwards on one.

Back to file item number 24. Please bear with me, Members. File item 24. That's AB 471 by Assembly Member Hart. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 471 by Assembly Member Hart and others, an appellate to air pollution.

Assembly Member Hart, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 471 is back for concurrence from the Senate. This bill addresses the compensation and equity in existing law by providing explicit statutory authority for certain air districts to provide compensation for their board Members.

Senate amendments clarified the air districts included and ensure that local officeholders cannot receive compensation for their work on a board if another local government's already paying them for this work. The bill has bipartisan support, enjoys no opposition. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Hart. I'll 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, 58. Noes, 1. Senate amendments are concurred in. Going forward, we're back to file in order.

File item number 27. That's AB 615 by Assembly Member Davies. The clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 615 by Assembly Member Davies and others an act relating to Energy.

Assemblymember Davies, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Members AB615 is back for concurrence. Amendments in the Senate were technical in nature and also added co authors. The Bill passed 40 to 0 and I respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Davies. 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 59 Noes 0 Senate Amendments are concurred in file item number 28. That's AB639 by Assemblymember Soria.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 639 by Assemblymember Soria, an act relating to dams.

Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 639 is back for concurrence. It has Senate amendments that narrowed the scope of the Bill to target several specific...that have already undergone thorough analysis to confirm their extremely low safety risk. The Bill has received bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria. 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, 59. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. File item number 29, AB 663 by Assemblymember McKinnor. This is a 54 vote bill.

Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 663 by Assemblymember McKinnor an act relating to greenhouse gases and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Members, you could return to the floor, please. Assemblymember McKinnor, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker and Members AB663 would establish state standards for the recapturing of HFC gases. Senate's amendments were technical and clarifying. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Mckinnor. 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 61 Noes 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. That brings us to File item number 30.

That's AB 689 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio. File item 30, AB 689. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 689 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, an act relating to foster youth.

Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 689 is back on concurrence. Senate amendments allows for county probation and tribal welfare agencies to apply for this funding and allow CDSS to launch the program immediately without waiting for the, the usual 18-month approval process. The Bill has enjoyed unanimous bipartisan support, has no opposition, and has been on consent throughout the whole legislative process.

With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rubio. 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, 56. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. We're going to pass and retain on file item 31.

That gets us to file item number 32. That's AB 792. AB 792 by Assemblymember Lee.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 792 by Assembly Member Lee an act relating to Courts

Assembly Member Lee, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is a simple Bill that seeks to provide more stability and focus for interpreters employed by the courts. Senate amendments address concerns raised by District Council so the Bill has no opposition. I ask for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Lee. 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 45 Noes 1. Senate amendments are concurred in. We will pass and retain on file item 33.

That brings us to file item 34 AB 863 by Assemblymember Kalra. The clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 863 by Assembly Member Karlra and others an act relating to tenancy.

Assembly Kalra, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. AB 863 will require basic language access protections for residential tenants facing an eviction by requiring the summons to have translations of the most common non English languages spoken in California. Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean. This will allow tenants to better utilize their rights and be responsive to issues when facing a potential eviction.

In the Senate we adopted amendments to remove other forms from the Bill and as a result the California Apartment Association, California Association of Realtors and others have become neutral. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Kalra. 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 54. Noes 1. Senate amendments are concurred. Oregon pastor maintained on file items 35 and 36.

That is going to bring us to file item number 37. That is AB 894 by Assemblymember Carrillo. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 894 by Assemblymember Carrillo and others, an act relating to health facilities.

Assemblymember Carrillo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present AB 894, which is back on concurrence. The Senate amendments, developed with feedback from the California Department of Public Health, authorize a patient's legal representative to receive and respond to the notice of privacy practices on the patient's behalf. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember Carrillo. 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, 62. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. File item number 38.

That's AB932 by Assemblymember Irwin. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 932 by Assemblymember Irwin and others, an act relating to discrimination.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to present AB932 on concurrence. AB932 would close the loophole that allows for local education agencies to discriminate against girls' club sports teams when renting athletic facilities. This bill has received bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. 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 51, noes zero. Senate amendments are concurred in file item number 39.

That's AB960 by our assistant majority leader Garcia.

Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 960 by Assemblymember Garcia and others, an act relating to health facilities.

Assemblymember Garcia, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to present AB 960, patient visitation rights, which has bipartisan support and no opposition. AB 960 will allow the caregivers of people living with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability, cognitive impairment, or demonstrated dementia needs to stay with their loved one beyond standard hospital visiting hours. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Garcia. 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, 61. No, zero. Senate amendments are concurred in.

Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your procedural motion.

We have received 15 Assembly bills from the Senate. There is a supplemental file with these items so that the authors may take them up today, for purposes of concurring in Senate amendments. I request unanimous consent that we suspend the rules for purposes of taking up these items.

Without objection. Members, pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, I am re-referring AB 754, Assemblymember Connolly, to the Committee on Housing. Back to business. File item number 40. We're going to pass and retain on 40 and 41. That gets us to file item number 42. AB 1258 by Assemblymember Kalra. The Clerk will read.

The Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1258 by Assemblymember Kalra and accolade to diversion.

Assemblymember Kalra, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB1258 back on currents with technical and minor amendments blls receive bipartisan support. No opposition. As for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Kalra. 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 votes. Ayes, 46, noes, 11. Senate amendments are concurred in file item number 43.

File number 43, that's AB 1322 by the Committee on Agriculture, presented by Assemblymember Soria. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1322 by the Committee on Agriculture, an act relating to agriculture.

Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. AB 1322 is back for concurrence. There are several technical amendments that were made in the Senate, and this is a Committee Bill with no opposition. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Soria. 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, 60. No, 0.

Senate amendments are concurred in file item number 44, AB1339, by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, our majority win. Clerk will read

Assembly Bill 1339 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez and others, an act related to insurance.

Wow.

You are recognized, sir.

Assemblymember Gonzalez, thank you for everything that you do.

Wow. I'm employee of the month. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB1379 is back on concurrence. This bill requires Department of Insurance, upon appropriation to study the availability affordability of insurance for affordable housing providers report back to legislature with recommendations to improve access affordable coverage.

Send amendments clarified the report would be completed by CDI within one year of appropriation. Extended the repeal date to January 1st, 2031. This bill has no opposition and has received zero votes. Thank you, and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gonzalez. All debate having ceased. Clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote for who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll tally.

Ayes, 60. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in. We will pass and retain on file item 45. That gets us to file item 46, AB 1408 by Assemblymember Irwin. Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1408 by Assemblymember Irwin and others, an act relating to electricity.

Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized.

Thank you. I'm pleased to present AB 1408, back on concurrence with technical and clarifying amendments. This Bill will bring clean, affordable energy on the grid faster. AB 1408 has received bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. 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, 56. No, 0. Senate amendments are concurred in.

We're going to start at the top of the concurrence file and go to file item number eight. Just a moment Members. It file item number eight. That's AJR 5 by Assemblymember Lee. The clerk will read.

Assembly Joint Resolution 5 by Assembly Member Lee and others an act relating to birthright citizenship. Assemblymember Lee, you are recognized

Thank you Mr. Speaker. AJR5 is back from the Senate in current with some minor amendments. This is a resolution that is very necessary. It reaffirms our California commitment to birthright citizen.

Now I know I am not the only person on this floor, not even from this party or the other party, that benefits from being born in America to immigrant parents. And I was guaranteed the ability to become an American citizen.

But why we are revisiting this today is because the Trump Administration, on the very first day in office he signed an Executive order that would strip away citizenship from children from children born in the United States. This is still being fought in the courts right now.

The conservative Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the merits of the case even though blatantly on its way to so unconstitutional.

But it is important reminder that the 14th amendment which was created to re enfranchise and give citizenship to formerly enslaved people after the Civil War and made whole by a Chinese American born in San Francisco who fought all the way to the Supreme Court in 1898 is now being weaponized against black and brown immigrants across across the country.

And so we must reaffirm our commitment to birthright citizenship because if they can denaturalize and disenfranchise children they will come after and denaturalize a lot more people and Deport them. So members I ask for your aye vote to recommit ourselves to birthright citizenship. Thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember Lee 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 44 Noes 0 Senate amendments are concurred in.

Members, please bear with the Chair, as we have to flip around based on items that become available at any given time. If you are unready for an item, lift your mic, let me know that you need a moment. We are going to be moving to File item number 190. 190.

That is SB 694 by Senator Archuleta that is presented by Assemblymember Schiavo. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 694 by. Senator Archuleta and others an act relating to unfair business practices.

Assembly Member Schiavo, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members. As Chair of the Assembly Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, I rise as a proud principal co author of SB694 by author Senator Archuleta, who is Chair of the Senate Military and Veteran Affairs Committee.

This Bill provides consumer protections for our disabled veterans and puts federal law that is made by these that has made these predatory practices illegal into state law. By number one, prohibiting unaccredited companies from charging fees for VA claims. Again, this is already illegal based on federal law.

Number two, it defines veteran benefit assistance as protected public service under California's consumer protection laws. And number three, it empowers the Attorney General who strongly supports the Bill to investigate and prosecute violators.

As of spring 2024, there have been 58 cease and desist letters sent by the VA to these for profit claim predators nationally, letters they have just ignored because there's no enforcement of these laws and that's what we need to change. In California, veteran John Ryan's experience is an example of why.

Mr. Ryan is a Kern County resident retired Marine who believed that the benefits he earned would be there when he needed them. Last year, while seeking help on a disability claim, he was contacted by a company promising quick results and expertise with VA disabilities claims.

What they didn't say is that their business was an unaccredited business and that their business model was dependent on charging veterans often thousands of dollars for their services that should be an R free. Through a county veteran service officer, the company pitched itself as an expert with insider knowledge of the VA system, which is categorically false.

They rushed him through paperwork and spoke as if they were working directly with the va, which also they're not able to do. Immediately after receiving a decision from the va, the company sent him a Bill totaling six months of his VA benefits.

It demanded that he paid those six months of benefits in three months or incur interest charges hidden in the contract terms. They even gave him a claim on future benefits, meaning that if he got an increase on benefits in the future.

Even if he didn't go through the claim shark, they would get a percentage of those future benefits. For a disabled veteran living on $1,600 a month, that unexpected Bill Meant draining his savings completely. So let's be clear. The actions of these predators who are taking advantage of our veterans are illegal and have zero oversight.

For their aggressive sales tactics, false promises and deceiving contracts that sign away veterans rights and financial stability. They're operating illegal businesses under federal law and without a need. Without needed enforcement and closing current loopholes in the law, predatory corporations will continue to take advantage of disabled veterans, making billions of dollars nationally off of our VA disability system.

This is the number one issue for all of the congressionally chartered veteran organizations in California, including The American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, Disabled Veterans, National Vets, CAVSA, Vietnam Veterans of America. It's supported by unions like IBEW 1245. As I mentioned, the Attorney General is support supporting this.

And we also heard from our congressional leader who's been working on this nationally, Congress Member Mark Takano, who is the former Chair of Veteran affairs, who is fighting to strengthen these protections federally and needs our help. Permission to read, Madam Speaker?

Without objection, Congressmember Takano reached out this morning and said, quote, California has an opportunity to lead the nation where D.C. politics has let veterans down. Passing SB 694 will ensure our veterans are protected from unaccredited, unregulated entities that seek to profit off their hard earned benefits. And with that, I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Assemblymember Sharp Collins, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me be clear. I'm a strong supporter of veterans 100%. I'd like to thank those of you on this floor who has served. Thank you so much for your service and those of you who are watching as well. Thank you so much for your service.

But we all want to live in a world where VSOs are operational and accessible. We also all want the VA to be timely and equitable. That world, however, is not the one that we are faced with right now. The VA is literally impending litigations against black veterans who are alleging decades of discrimination with respect to their benefits.

While some county VSOs are operational, many are not. Instead, they're sending veterans to untrained volunteers to have their claims processed. Further, VSOs are facing major backlogs in California and often are requiring veterans to wait years to receive their benefits.

So additionally, black veterans have the highest denial rate, meaning even after Years of waiting due to the backlog, they are still not receiving the benefits. So what do we do? Let me be clear. I do not like the idea of companies charging fees for anything that's otherwise free services.

I do not like the idea, but I simply cannot stand idly by while black veterans in my district tell me that this is their only option. This is something that works for them rather than them continue to have the unequal and unfair treatment by their county services.

In an ideal world, county services are fully funded and there is no need for these companies at all. But it is not our budget reality and California cannot fix the federal va. So the next option is to regulate these companies. And there are amendments that would actually allow this Bill to do so.

But those amendments were actually rejected. So once again, on that note, let me be clear. My vote today is not in support of these companies at all. Because as I stated, I'm not okay with these fees being charged. What I am doing is putting the idea of choice first. Veterans should have a choice.

I cannot condemn black veterans to the separate but equal treatment from the VSO system. This is a system that needs to be corrected. We always want to talk about equity. What is true equity? True equity is acknowledging that one size fits all approaches do not work.

And we know that we have a collection of bad options right now. But this Bill once again shoehorns black people into a system that continuously is failing them. History is littered with examples of this. And this Bill offers opportunities to continue this flawed way of thinking.

So we need to slow down a little bit here, bring together stakeholders and work on California solutions that work across all of our counties. Y'all know I'm from. I'm in San Diego.

So it should not be the case that veterans in Salona County have better outcomes with free services than veterans in San Diego, county, which is our largest military outpost. Some people probably want to know, well, why is she so into this? I am a former spouse of a veteran. I have my family Members.

There are other personal connections if you want to talk about things getting personal. But when we talk all the time on this floor about trying to get the policy right, then let's do that and try to get the policy right. That is not happening here. And there is no need to rush this process.

Let's continue discussion and find a way to get to a full county funding without closing off avenues for some of our most vulnerable and marginalized veterans. Let's recognize the unique needs of black and brown veterans and give these heroes the choice that they have rightfully earned.

When they put their lives on the line to serve this country, they should have a right to choose.

Thank you. Assemblymmeber Demaio you are recognized.

Thank you. I appreciate the intent behind this Bill. The author is raising a frustrating issue of these predatory for profit companies that are bilking our veterans for access to government benefits, benefits that they've earned.

What's so frustrating about this is that the fraud, the shakedown, the price gouging is made possible because government doesn't do its job, because the VA hasn't provided access to these benefits. And so veterans are desperate and that puts them in a position, a vulnerable position, to be preyed on by these for profit operators.

I understand that the Senator is trying to address this by banning these unlicensed operators. So basically throwing the good out with the bad. I'm concerned about that. I'm also concerned that the author has not been receptive to some common sense amendments to reform the system to provide greater safeguards and oversight.

The Bill exempts a powerful special interest group, the trial attorneys. Lawyers are exempt from every single one of the provisions in this Bill. So the lawyers can sit there and rack up hourly rates and turn around and get compensated.

And I can tell you right now, I'm not so sure I would trust lawyers to be the best advocates for our veterans. But it brings me back to the issue here. It's outrageous that government has failed these veterans by not providing them with access to the benefits that they've rightfully earned.

In San Diego, county, our county supervisors fell all over themselves to put $6 million every 90 days on the table last year for a total of over $20 million to help illegal immigrants get free taxpayer funded navigators to work the system so that they could enroll in taxpayer funded welfare programs.

Now, I bring that up because many of you support similar programs. How about we take and defund all of those programs for non citizens and instead make sure that in California we will hire.

If the VA can't do the job properly in California, we will hire navigators at state government expense to make sure that these veterans can get the benefit that they have earned. What? Cat got your tongue? Can't do that for veterans, but we will do that for non citizens. Again, you want to solve the problem?

It's not just saying, okay, let's ban these predators. I mean, you look at some of these companies, it's outrageous what they charge, what they do is they pay money to get at the top of the search engine. So when these poor vets are searching for help online, the free services are put on page 56 or 7.

And the predatory services are at the top. And we know that they've hired lobbyists here in Sacramento. They've got money to try to oppose common sense reforms. So my colleagues, I think many of you want to help our veterans. There's an opportunity for us to do that.

We've already shown that we're willing to throw a bunch of taxpayer money at hiring state navigators for undocumented illegal immigrants. How about we instead hire state navigators for the veterans if we're going to pass this Bill? And I do believe that pending input from other Members, because I am kind of on the fence as to.

Do you throw out all of the organizations if. If the government's actually not providing access to benefits? I understand some of you are torn. There is a good argument on both sides the Bill is flawed, but perhaps it will force to the surface the problem that we're having with 30 seconds veterans, the benefits that they deserve.

Assignment Member Quirk-Silva, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker and Members. I rise to support SB 694 which will help support veterans benefits in our state. And I actually agree with my colleagues that have spoken before me who have stated some opposition.

One of the things that I've learned now in my 11th year as a state Assembly Member is legislation is imperfect even as its best, at its best. And often we take a piece of legislation that gets passed and we need to come back and what I call put slivers of legislation in because it's not perfect.

And as the Member from San Diego stated, if this brings people to the table, we need that. We know that our county service veteran officers are available, but we also know that they're not easily accessible, that veterans need more.

I served as the Veterans Chair in 2013, and some of these issues were brought forward almost a decade ago. One of the things that Members don't know is that when veterans leave Service, they have 26 steps to go through in order to attain their veterans benefits.

Many of us would drop off ourselves to get these benefits at about the 10th step. It's why we see veterans not, number one, accessing their benefits because it's such a lengthy process.

We also know that go through orientations to leave service, but sometimes those orientations are in other states and then they come to, in our case, California, and they're still trying to navigate. So the word navigator is a great word and that's what our county Veterans Service Officers are for.

But sometimes they're not finding them or they're not accessing them. I like to think of this legislation as a student who gets a scholarship and they get a $10,000 scholarship. And somebody comes in and says, hey, I will help you navigate this scholarship, but I'm going to take 20% of that scholarship.

And somebody who's desperate might say, sure, that's worth it to me, but they're literally taking dollars out of veterans pockets. And although I know this has been contentious, I know in Committee it was a very difficult Committee hearing. When we're here on the floor, this is messy. Sometimes there's scenarios that develop that make people very angry.

And this is one of our, I would say less fights on the floor, but there's going to be many more on the floor. We've already had some this year. But this Bill is about veterans. And the simplest way to talk about it, it's about organizations taking money from veterans.

Can we do a better job with our county service veterans officers? Yes. And we need to push our counties and those that interface with veterans groups to make sure they're out of their offices and they're accessing or they're available to veterans. There's a lot we need to do, but this is a step forward.

And with that, veterans are asking us to stand with them. And I ask you to support SB 694.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Assemblymember Wilson, you are recognized.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of SB694. First, I would like to say that I support the comments from my colleague from San Diego, who is a colleague on the Black Caucus, and support her comments especially around the fact that we see that black and brown people are less likely to have a positive outcome when navigating the claims benefit process. That is absolutely true.

And at the same time, it's true that black and brown folks are usually most likely to be taken advantage of through this predatory process. But I rise today and I wasn't planning on speaking.

I rise today because I wanted to talk a bit about the comments from my colleague, the other colleague from San Diego, and make sure that this body understands what the process is like.

I have experienced this process through my husband, who is a black veteran who receives disability, and my son, who is also a black veteran who receives disability. Disability and how they navigated the system in Solano County, which, as my other colleague from San Diego noted, is one of the better places to receive services.

But there are multiple ways for someone to be able to file a claim and do the appeal process, which is completely free. One of those ways is through the county vso, which we're talking about today.

Another way is through the VA accredited program where those organizations receive training from the VA to be able to be a part of this process and access this press. Excuse me, access this process. And the other way is through an attorney, so someone can use their own attorney to do this.

And that's why I think it's vital that we in California don't take away an option that the Federal Government allows an attorney to process this for them, that we don't take that away from veterans here in California. So I wanted to make that completely clear.

And I also want us to know that there are things that we can do beyond this to be able to support our veterans here in California. One of those is we already give an allocation to the counties to help Fund the BSO program. We should increase that allocation as a state.

Secondly, we can encourage additional participation of organizations across our state to get accredited by the va so we can increase the opportunities for veterans to be able to get the benefits that they rightly deserve and have absolutely earned, especially in high veteran areas like the County of San Diego.

And last but not least, I would like to just say one thing about the predatory practices.

This has always been a problem, but a former President Biden signed the PAC act, which increased benefits, increased eligibility, it increased the amounts of that people can get, including for things that weren't previously covered or you had to do lots of proving. So now cancer is automatic. It wasn't before.

So you had this influx of new people coming to get these types of benefits and claim their benefits. And then we've seen the skyrocketing, not only of the number of people who are being a predator towards our veterans, but also the amount that they're taking, because the amount is so much. And it went back so far.

So I strongly encourage support on SB 694. And I strongly encourage this body to take our veterans serious and ensure that next year we have additional bills on this subject that allows veterans in California to be first in line for their benefits and that this state is supporting them to be first in line for their benefits. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member. Assembly Member Tangipa. You're recognized.

Thank you. And I rise and I love our veteran community. I've used multiple VSOs as a recipient of Chapter 35 benefits for my school, as a CalVet fee waiver recipient. But let us live in reality that this market only exists because of the State of affairs that some of our veteran offices are in.

It's something that I've had to deal personally with the local Sacramento Veterans affairs office where our case was dropped. And when I reached out to the individual, they didn't even know who we were while we were waiting on spousal benefits for my mother to receive.

The problem is we in the government have not taken care of the veterans as much as we could is we haven't given back the services if we haven't hired more Veterans affairs offices and helped them. So I'm not in opposition to this Bill.

I am simply asking for more time to go all the way upstream and fix the issue. I've lived through it personally. I had the option when our case was dropped to go to the Fresno County Veterans affairs because I have such a good relationship with them. And you know how simple the fix was.

They didn't even tell us that the address was wrong. And we had to wait six months where I took care of everything for my family simply because the office didn't tell us that the address was wrong.

I'm being asked to wait to support this Bill because we'll fix it later, but why not fix it now and address the claim sharks later? Because if we do better with our Veterans affairs offices and if we allocate the resources necessary, if we look at our county budgets in the future, they're not doing well.

The top 10 counties across the state are in massive deficits. What is the track record and who gets services cut? A lot of the times it's our public libraries and it's the services to veterans. And if that's the future projection, these options right now are all we have for families starving.

This market only exists because there's a different problem. I don't agree with the sharks. I don't agree with how some of them are predatory and how there's multiple cases. And I've spoken to my own personal Veterans Service office and I said, you are great. You are amazing. Would you say that's the same standard across the board?

Unequivocally, that was no. Because the resources are allocated different per county, the resources are allocated different per state, and the resources are allocated very differently. That's the upstream problem, and we need to handle that first now before taking on the problem that's created downstream.

So I only respectfully ask that we work on this and dedicate some more time to make sure that families have all the options. Because it's the difference of whether you have a home or not. It's the difference of whether you. Your family can eat or not. It's the difference between whether your brothers are in school or not.

Thank you.

Assembly Member Patterson. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support of this measure after a lot of conflict in my mind on this. A lot of the supporters, and I happened to be in Committee actually, during this particular debate, even though I don't serve on the Committee. But I had a Bill up before the Committee at that time.

And so I listened to the entire, you know, pretty much the whole debate. And I had. Also, many of the supporters and sponsors of the Bill are from my district, actually in Placer County. And part of that's because, you know, Placer county does a really great job at serving veterans, and we are fortunate to have that.

And another reason why I'm leaning towards or why I'm going to be supporting it is I had the opportunity to visit a military base recently, and, you know, when you go in, as I'm sure many of you know, sort of in an official capacity, you know, you get the protocol office and, you know, they kind of help you and show you around and those kinds of things.

Well, one of the individuals who gave me a tour was a. Actually a civilian contractor who had been rehired, had just recently retired from the military. This individual, this lady, was under 40 years old. She had been rehired by the military to welcome people such as myself to the base through the protocol office.

And she asked me if I knew of any. If I knew of any jobs out there. And that was really frustrating to me. You have somebody who dedicated their career to serving this nation, and we have all sorts of issues with when you leave the military, what's next. I saw this with my own family.

And so some of these individuals who are retiring from the military, they need the assistance of somebody. And that's why I think the conflict is there with this Bill, is that they reach out to some of these groups asking for help.

And what's really frustrating about this Bill, if I can be honest with you, is we actually did have an opportunity to fix this bill. We had an opportunity, I think, to consider amendments, to add guardrails, to make sure that people who need the help can find somebody and, yes, maybe get compensated.

And this isn't the only field in which this happens, by the way. And there are predators in every industry in which this occurs. But I feel bad that we're kind of limiting that option, the opportunity.

And maybe there'll be regulations, maybe there'll be things, but we actually had the opportunity to fix this in this Bill, and it's frustrating that we didn't. But that said, on the whole, you know, I'm 100% against harms to our veteran community.

And with the Bill that's in front of us, I have to support the Bill and make sure that our veterans are not taken advantage of.

But I hope the author and others, and I know this is an important issue to the floor manager that we address this expeditiously in the next year to make sure that people can get the help if they need.

Because I don't want again to meet with an individual who just served our nation for 20 years and not even 40 years old and tell me that they have issues serving our nation. We could do better than that.

And to my colleague from San Diego who is here in spirit, you know, he did bring up a good point that we do make policy choices in this building about what we're going to fund and the kind of services that we're going to fund. We could fund this service for our veterans if we wanted to.

And it's something that we should definitely think about that. For now, I ask for an aye vote on this Bill.

Thank you, Assembly Member. Assembly Member Carrillo, you're recognized.

Thank you. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Bill 694, which strengthens California's commitment to protecting veterans during the federal claim process. More importantly, it reaffirms our responsibility to ensure that veterans can successfully recover the full amount of benefits that they have earned through military service.

Companies that have taken advantage of our veterans and exploit those who have honorably served our country should be held accountable. Unaccredited companies that have no formal training in the VA system and operate outside of federal law must be met with oversight and accountability.

SB 694 stands for the principles that any business that provides assistance to veterans in filing a claim for VA benefits must adhere to the professional and ethical standards set by the VA. This common sense legislation is seen as a simple way to help protect veterans and ensure that veterans receive the full amount of their rightfully earned benefits.

I'm proud to stand with my colleague in fighting to protect veterans and respect class for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assemblymember. Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez. You're recognized.

Colleagues, SB 694 is before us today. Many of my colleagues in this body have asked for my opinion because I'm the only veteran in this body and because I'm 100% service connected, disabled with a combat related service connection. Let me attempt to present this in a way that is honoring to both sides. Of this equation.

Let me also be clear. This is not a partisan issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is only about the US Service Member, the warrior that made a decision to defend our freedoms and their ability to get their benefits and services that they desperately need. This Bill has many in this body split on one side.

SB 694 would ban companies from charging veterans to assist them on retaining their benefits. Veterans would only be authorized to use the free services provided by accredited veteran services officers. This Bill answers the problem of claim sharks taking advantage of veterans by charging them astronomical fees.

On the other side, many oppose this Bill because it removes the veterans choice of choosing their own path to retain services. Some say that if they want to choose to get free services or paid services, it's their choice. They fought for it. I believe this body ultimately wants to protect our veterans.

Moreover, both sides have presented compelling arguments on behalf of their respective groups. Furthermore, I have personally spoken to the author and both advocacy groups. I will be presenting a Bill next year which will build a framework to regulate this industry. So as you consider your vote, I would ask you to think about this.

If this Bill passes, what unintended consequences does this have on the good actor businesses and the veterans which have paid a company, do they lose their money? Are they stuck in the system? Are they in limbo?

If this Bill does not pass, what unintended consequences does this have on the veterans that are getting taken advantage of and the increase in bad actors? With that, there's much to consider.

But more importantly, I respectfully ask, and this is my recommendation on this Bill, I respectfully ask that you vote in favor of your district and your veterans.

Seeing and hearing no further debate. Summit Member Shiaba, would you like to close? Yes, thank you.

I want to thank my colleagues today for the healthy debate on this important issue that really impacts our veterans so deeply.

As the daughter of a disabled veteran who relied on these benefits and who himself had frustrations with getting denied from the va, I know that it's not a perfect system and I look forward to a bipartisan and unified front to really fight for a VA that truly is equipped to serve our veterans fully and likewise to fully Fund VSOs.

I know that all county VSOs are not created equally, but I also know that these are veterans helping veterans and they don't have an eight minute limit to have a conversation on the phone with someone so they can move to the next person to try to make more money off that next veteran like the predators do.

I know that our county VSOs are the ones who will have a long conversation about do you also need housing assistance? Do you also need help with health care or mental health support? Because they're trained and they go through an accreditation process through the va through to look at the whole veteran.

And so this, as my colleague from Susan City pointed out, there is an accreditation process. Now you can go through the VA accreditation process. The attorneys that were mentioned have to go through the accreditation process. They are limited on what they can charge and they cannot charge for initial claims.

They can only do, you know, appeals on denials. So there are limits and guardrails that exist right now that these claim sharks are choosing not to go through because they know that they can get the biggest bang for their buck for initial claims.

They try to push from going 0 to 100% so they can get a percentage of that and charge people up to $22,000. Disabled veterans out of their pockets. We have talked a lot this year about affordability. We have talked a lot about how we can keep money and put money back into Californians pockets.

I'll tell you what's not debatable is $22,000 kept in a veteran's pocket. That is real money and real impact on disabled veterans lives that we need to make sure is protected.

One of the, you know, there's been this, this has been a somewhat controversial issue in some corners of the of the floor here and there's been a lot of conversations and I really appreciate the bipartisan support here on the floor today. And consistently, you know, my colleagues from across the aisle have been supportive in committees as well.

I agree we gotta do better with our CVSOs. We have to support them more. We need to make sure they're in all of our communities. I am happy to work with anyone on this floor who is struggling with that.

You know, my colleague Senator Archuleta opens up his office to a CVSO to be there in his office to make sure it's available to his community. I've fought to make sure that in my community of Santa Clarita, which is a veteran rich community as well, that we have a CVSO there available.

And I am happy to help anyone on this floor who needs that support as well.

But one of the conversations that stays in my head as I have talked with folks on this floor is a veteran who has been a veteran advocate for a very long time, worked in this building for a very long time on veteran issues and said they have never ever seen an issue where it is so hard for veterans to be heard and So I hope that you will join me today to make sure that veterans know they are being heard and we are fighting for them, that we join in a national effort, that we are state number 10 to pass a law like this and make sure we are protecting veterans in our state, and that we continue to build upon this to make sure that veterans, our supported and disabled veterans, have the support that they need and they deserve for the service and sacrifice that they have made.

So with that, I respectfully request an aye vote on SB694. Thank you all.

Debate having ceased, the Clerk will open the roll. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. The Clerk will close the roll and tally the vote. Eyes 46 no 0 the measure pass.

Item 57, SB 576 by Senator Umberg, presented by Assemblymember Lowenthal. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 576 by Senator Umberg and others, an act relating to video streaming.