Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll. [Roll Call]

A quorum is present. Would the Members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise? We'll be led in prayer by this afternoon by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which you will follow me in the pledge to the flag.

So let us gather in the presence of our God. Heart of love, source of all kindness, Teacher of the ways of goodness. You are hidden in the pockets of daily life, waiting to be discovered. Heart of comfort, sheltering wings of love, refuge for sad and lonely ones. You embrace all who bear loss, gathering our tears with care.

Heart of understanding, one who gazes upon the imperfect, the incomplete, the flawed, the weak. You never stop extending mercy. Heart of deepest peace, resting place at the core of our being. You are waiting always for our return to this sacred home. Amen.

Now, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance. Mr. President, pro tem. You are recognized.

Thank you so much. Members, if I could have your attention. And I'm going to try to get through this. You know, silence was never much of a thing for Senate President John Burton, especially when it came to speaking up for the poor, for working people, and so, effectively, for kids in California's foster care system.

John Burton was a giant who never stopped fighting for those who needed it most. And he constantly, constantly used his power to lift up the most vulnerable in every corner of California. Today, I ask you to join me, to join us in a moment of silence for this legendary leader and a dear friend.

To so many of us in this esteem chamber, there's going to be time for further celebration of John's life and leadership. If we scheduled a time during the last week of session, I think he would have said, what the f are you thinking about? And get the damn bills passed and go home.

But today, today I asked the California State Senate to stand in a moment of silence to honor one of its finest Members. And in the first week of January, we're going to honor his life, his legacy and tremendous accomplishments with his family, who will be gathering here with us.

Ladies and gentlemen of the California State Senate, to all those who have gathered in the gallery, if you could please stand, bow your heads and let's remember the life, the legacy of John Burton. Thank you to the Senators. Mr. President, I yield back to you. We love you, John.

Thank you, Mr. President. Pro tem. Moving on to the rest of our meeting. First of all, privileges of the floor. There are none. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Motions and resolutions without objection.

The Senate journals for September 22025 through September 42025 will be approved as corrected by the minute. CLE. Senator Gonzalez, you are recognized. Thanks. One moment. Sorry about that. Measures that will be re withdrawn and re referred to Committee without objection, AB468 will be withdrawn from the Committee on Rules and ordered to second reading.

And pursuant to Senate Rule 29.1b, the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules. File Item 1, AB 1264, File Item 84, AB 1048, File Item 139, AB 720, and File Item 147, AB 735. And pursuant to Senate Rule 29.16 c.10. Excuse me. 29.10 c. The following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules.

File Item 120, AB 1098. Not done yet. Pursuant to Senate Rule 2910d, the following bills are referred to the Committee on Rules. File item 179, SB512. File item 181, SB 694. And now, Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. At the request of the author, Assembly Member Connolly, please move final item number 205, Assembly Bill 540, to the inactive file.

And the desk will note. And Senator Grayson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to request on behalf of Assembly Member Carrillo that AB982 file item 318 be moved to the inactive file.

The desk will note. Senator Gonzalez, now you're recognized.

Thank you. Members, I request that AB282 Pelerin be moved to the inactive file at the request of the author, as well as file item 286, AB 1377, to the inactive file at the request of the author.

The desk will note.

Thank you very much. And Members, I move to suspend joint rule 61A13 to allow for the adoption of floor amendments as approved by Senate leadership after the deadline on Monday, September 8th and Tuesday, September 9th.

Senator Valadares, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to Respectfully object and ask for a roll call vote.

Secretary will call the roll. Senator Gonzalez asking for. I vote. Senator Valaderis asking for a no vote. Please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 27, the nos are 8. The motion passes, Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move to suspend Senate Rule 29.3B to allow committees to cross authors amendments as approved by Senate leadership after the deadline on Monday, September 8th and Tuesday, September 9th.

Senator Valadares, you're recognized.

Thank you. Respectfully object and ask to substitute the previous roll call.

Any objection to substituting the previous roll call? Seeing none. The ayes are 27, the no's are 8. The rule passes. Senator Gonzalez.

Thank you. Mr. President, there is a resolution at the desk requesting permission to suspend joint rule 61 and 62A for the purpose of allowing Assembly Bill 1098 to be heard in committees during the blackout period and without sufficient notice in the daily file. This. These requests have been approved by the Rule Rules Committee.

There's a resolution at the desk. Secretary, please read resolve that Joint Rule 61 and 62A be dispensed with. Senator Valadares, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Respectfully object and ask for a roll call vote.

Is there any objection to using the previous roll call? Okay. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 27, nos. 9. The resolution passes. And now recognizing Members for motions and resolutions. Senator Menjivar, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Please remove file item 285 AB 1267 to the inactive file.

The desk notes. Senator Weber Pierson, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the request of the author, please send file item A32, AB563 back to the Assembly floor.

The desk notes.

And at the request of the author, please move file item 31 AB220 to the inactive file. Thank you.

The desk notes. Senator Cabaldon, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the request of the author, please remove AB 1457 by Assembly Member Bryan to the inactive file

The desk notes. And Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. You're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And at the request of the author, please move File item number 289 AB 1515 to the inactive file. Thank you.

Senator Blakespear, thank you for your patience. You are recognized.

Of course, Mr. President. Thank you. Please send file item number 399AB28 by Assembly Member Shiavo to the inactive file at the request of the author. Desk notes. Thank you. And also, Mr. President. Please send file item number two AB 502 by Assembly Member Pellerin to the inactive file at the request of the author.

The desk notes. Thank you. And the desk notes. Senator Smallwood Cuevas's request also. I don't think I said that before. Seeing no other mics raised. Or are there. Now it is on to consideration of the daily file. We will be done by midnight tomorrow night. We'll be serving dinner and breakfast. Just kidding.

First up is file item 167. This is unfinished business. Yes. Apologize for that. I lost my notes. Second reading file. Secretary, please read

[Second Reading]

On to second. Second reading will be deemed read. And now on to governor's appointments. Senator Grove, you are recognized for governor's appointments.

Thank you, Mr. President. Apologize, colleagues, for being away from my desk. File item 149 is a confirmation of the following appointments. You have Chris Gruel for appointment to the State Athletic Commission. Jeffrey Lex for the appointment to the Lahontan Regional Water Control Board. And Leticia Clark for the reappointment to the Santa Ana Regional Water Board.

They were approved on the Rules Committee on July 16 on a unanimous vote. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove moves the call now. Senator Grove be recognized for item 150.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file. Item 150 is the confirmation of Bob Myers to the appointment to the University California Board of Regents. Mr. Myers is an attorney whose career was focused on professional sports. He is currently a studio and in game analyst for ESPN and Abc.

And he previously served as a President and General Manager for the Golden State Warriors. It was a very interesting Rules Committee hearing, if you can imagine that. He was approved by the Rules Committee on August 20th. And I respectfully asked for your aye vote.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove moves the call. Senator Grove, you're recognized for file item 151.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file item 151 is a confirmation of K.C. mossini for appointment to the Commission as the Commissioner of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Prior to this role, he had been serving as the Department's Chief Deputy Director since 2023. Before that, he was a Chief Chief Operating Officer for the State Controller's Office.

He also previously served as the Deputy Director for the Administration and Housing and Community Development Department. He was approved on the rules by the Rules Committee on August 20th. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grove moves the call. Now. Continuing on consideration of the daily file, unfinished business. First up is file item 167, SB62. Senator Menjivar, who appears to be prepared. You're recognized. Oh, Secretary, please call the roll. Please read

Senate Bill 62 by Senator Menjivar an act relating to health care coverage.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 62. Colleagues, you've heard this three times on this floor now. It's the companion bill both Health Chairs are running to ensure that once the federal government gives us permission, we can add to the essential health benefits. Requesting for an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Menjivar moves the call. Next is file Item 170, SB 358. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 358 by Senator Becker, an act relating to housing.

Senator Becker, you are recognize.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 358 is back on concurrence. The Assembly amendments add K-12 schools, community centers, medical clinics, and hospitals to list of amenities a project can be near to qualify for reduced fees. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Any discussion or debate? Seeing none. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Becker moves the call. Next is file item 171, SB 362. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 362 by Senator Grayson, an act relating to commercial financing.

Senator Grayson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 362 is back from the Assembly on for concurrence. Assembly amendments are clarifying in nature and help delay concerns from the from the industry. This Bill has received bipartisan support. 0 no votes throughout the process. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no mics up. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Grayson moves the call. Now file item 174, SB 639. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 639 by Senator Ashby, an act relating to land use.

Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 639 is back for concurrence. Bill was amended in the Assembly to include the City of Marysville and the County of Sutter within the 2030 deadline extension to reach urban level of flood protection. The bill has bipartisan support, has received no no votes. On behalf of the Senator from Bieber and myself, we respectfully urge an aye vote.

Seeing no mics up. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Ashby moves the call. File item 175, SB 653. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 653 by Senator Cortese, an act relating to wildfire prevention.

Senator Cortese, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. On concurrence, SB 653 defines the term "environmentally sensitive vegetation management." The amendments clarify some definitions. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cortese moves the call. File item 176, SB 862. Senator, please read.

Senate Bill 862 by the Senate Committee on Health, an act relating to health.

Mr. President, SB 862 is back on concurrence. It's the Health Committee's annual omnibus bill. The amendments in Assembly were technical and clarifying in nature and resolves a conflict in codes. Respectfully asking for an aye vote.

Seeing no mics up. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Menjivar moves the call. And now file item 178. SB 484. Secretary, please read.

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

Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 44, which prioritizes housing in the coastal zone, is back on concurrence assembly amendments and include clarifying changes to ensure identified project areas are suitable for housing. This is a support, support. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

And seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[roll call].

Senator Laird moves the call. File item 182, SB 783. Secretary, please read.

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

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise to present SB 783, an important Bill that will support local businesses and local governments by allowing existing regulations of outdoor advertising displays to continue. The Bill is back on concurrence after the Assembly amendments reduced the sunset extension to three years until January 1st, 2029.

This Bill passed with Senate and Assembly bipartisan support. Thank you and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

And seeing no mics up, Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Rubio moves the call. File item 183, SB 785.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 785 by Senator Caballero and according to taxation to take effect immediately Tax levy.

Senate Bill 785 by Senator Caballero, an act relating to taxation, to take effect immediately, tax levy.

Senator Caballero, you are recognized. This is support-support.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 785 is back on concurrence. The amendments taken in the Assembly add clarifying and technical language. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

And seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 38, the no's are 0. The measure passes. Now file item 184, SB 863.

Secretary, please read.

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

You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. SB 863 is the Senate's Revenue and Taxation Committee annual technical tax Committee Bill. The Bill makes five technical changes to the Revenue and Taxation code to improve tax Administration. This Bill has no opposition and I respectfully ask for an aye vote to concur in the Assembly amendments.

And seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll. This is eligible for unanimous roll call.

This is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objections? Seeing none. The ayes are 38, the no's are 0. The measure passes. Now we're moving on to Assembly third reading, file item 195. AB 50. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 50 by Assemblymember Bonta an act relating to healing arts and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator Ashby, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on behalf of Assemblywoman Bonta to present AB 50, the Equity and Birth Control Act. Recently, the FDA approved OPill as the first daily oral contraceptive available over the counter and patients can purchase directly at local pharmacies. However, under MediCal policy, a prescription is still required for reimbursement.

This means MediCal beneficiaries are effectively blocked from access. The requirement creates unnecessary delays and administrative hurdles. AB 50 addresses this gap by clarifying that pharmacists may furnish over the counter contraceptives without following the protocols required for more serious prescription only drugs. AB 50 has enjoyed bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

This measure is also eligible for unanimous roll call. Are there any objections? Seeing none, the ayes are 38, the nos are 0. The measure passes. Oh, it's an urgency. This is an urgency bill. The ayes are 38, the noes are 0 on the urgency. The ayes are 38, the noes are zero on the measure.

Moving on to file item 197, AB 952. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 952 by Assemblymember Elhawary, an act relating to youth offenders.

Senator Seyarto, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 952 on behalf of Assemblywoman Elhawari. AB 952 will make the Youth Offender Camp pilot program permanent and allow for expansion of the program.

Fire camp programs have repeatedly shown to foster positive rehabilitation and to significantly lower recidivism rates, especially for people who spend one year or longer in the program. This measure has enjoyed bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Oh, Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise in support of this Bill. I've had the opportunity to work with second-chancers that have been in this program. We had a fire at the ranch a few years ago. I think you guys, I've shared that before.

I got a text while I was in Committee, because life happens when we're up here in this building, whether we like it or not. And my husband said, there's a fire at the ranch. And then about an hour and a half later, he said, the ranch is on fire.

And, I mean, you just could imagine cattle being burned. And it was just horrific. It was a horrific incident that happened.

And a lot of these fire kids, these kids that were trained in these fire camps, a lot of them, when we sat down and talked to them and we fed them barbecue food and everything, we just went up and cooked for them.

You heard their stories, and they are much like some of the people that we work with here in the building every single day. And this gives them an opportunity for success outside of the situation that they found themselves in to get them into that situation.

So respectfully ask for an aye vote for these second-chancers and individuals that will benefit from this program.

And seeing no other mics up. Senator Seyarto, you may close.

Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Excellent close. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

McGuire, Rubio. Aye. Stern.

The ayes are 38. The noes are 0. The measure passes. File item 200, AB 1123. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1123 by Assemblymember Muratsuchi, an act relating to teacher credentialing.

Senator Limon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members, I rise to present AB 1123, which will add early childhood education Representation to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

And seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent members.

[roll call].

The ayes are 36. The no's are 0. That measure passes file item 219 AB 953.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 953 by Assemblymember Pacheco an act relating to the Political Reform act of 1974.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. This is a simple bill. It makes it illegal for foreign nationals to contribute or attempt to influence local ballot measures. Urge an aye vote.

Seeing no discussion or debate, secretary, please call the roll.

[roll call].

Yeah. Senator Umberg moves the call.

File Item 231, AB 1075. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1075 by Assembly Member Bryan, an act relating to fire protection.

Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to present Assembly Bill 1075 on behalf of Assembly Member Isaac Bryan and as a proud co-author of the bill. During the Eaton and Palisade fires earlier this year, the LA Department of Water and Power saw a demand for water that was four times greater than the normal for 15 hours straight. This meant that water systems in Los Angeles could not create the pressure necessary to pump water to the Palisades, which, as we know, were elevated.

As our firefighters worked over time to protect homes, schools, and small businesses, private fire protection sources were sent out to protect the most wealthy residents and businesses. This led to many questions about whether our already burdened water systems were brought to the brink because of a few wealthy individuals.

AB 1075 will help prevent this from happening again by requiring private fire protection sources to coordinate with acting incident commanders of an active fire before tapping into a public water source. This bill is sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters and has received bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cervantes moves the call. File item 233, AB 1318. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1318 by Assemblymember Bonta, an act relating to tax-exempt organizations and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator McNerney, you are recognized.

Well, thank you, Mr. President. Senators, as a principal co author and chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee, I rise to present AB 1318 by Assemblymember Bonta. Assembly Bill 1813 clarifies that nonprofit organizations with either federal or state tax-exempt status are eligible for state and local awards, grants and contracts.

In California code, many of our publicly funded programs define a qualified nonprofit as an organization that has a federal tax-exempt status under Section 501 of the IRC. However, California has its own similar definition of nonprofit for state tax exemption.

Unfortunately, federal legislation that has been proposed, executive orders and messaging from the White House have targeted the federal tax-exempt status of nonprofits serving vulnerable populations. Today, many of these organizations are fearful because they are of the political threats and rhetoric coming from the Federal Government.

Our nonprofit sector provides essential services, often on shoestring budgets, to communities who otherwise be left behind or indigent. And honestly, I'm very proud of what our nonprofits are doing. They're serving the people. I've met many of them. They work hard, they don't have a lot to work with, and they do a tremendous job for our community.

AB 1318 offers them much needed protection and reassurances so they can continue to receive state and local funding and serve the vulnerable populations who depend upon them. I humbly ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator McNerney moves the call. File item 250, AB 1511. Secretary, please read.

Assignment Bill 1511 by the Assembly Committee on Elections, an act relating to the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Assembly Bill 1511 is an Assembly Elections Committee Bill containing minor technical changes to the Political Reform Act of 1974. Last year, the Legislature unanimously approved Senate Bill 948 by our colleague from Santa Barbara. This Bill sought to codify a fair Political Practice Commission advice letter related to the transfer of campaign funds.

However, legislation signed into law later in the year may have created ambiguity about the application of SB 948. AB 1511 makes clarifying changes to eliminate that ambiguity. This Bill has no oppositions and has had—enjoyed unanimous support. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cervantes moves the call. File item 251, AB 1513. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1513 by the Assembly Committee on Elections, an act relating to elections.

Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to present Assembly Bill 1513, which is one of the Assembly Election Committee's omnibus bills. This Bill contains minor and non-controversial changes to the Election Code. It has no opposition and has received unanimous support. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cervantes moves the call. File item 253 is AB 5.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 5 by Assembly Member Berman, an act relating to elections.

Senator Allen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on behalf of Assembly Member Berman to represent AB 5, this year's AB 5. But this is an elections bill which lays out clear and achievable metrics for the completion of ballot counting. Our elections in our state lead the nation in accessibility, security, and transparency.

But the flexibility that we offer to voters often leads to additional time that it takes to count every ballot. And we've seen in some recent elections that the window of time between election day and the final results sometimes creates a period of heightened confusion and misinformation for the public.

So this puts in place some tight rules that I think will create some benefits for everybody. It requires that all ballots be counted within 13 days of an election, while also providing exceptions for specific scenarios that are the most time consuming, such as ballots cast in a different county, ballots that need to be copied or remade, ballots that are in the signature curing process.

By setting a very clear expectation regarding when results will be made public, as well as increasing transparency around any unexpected delays, the bill reinforces our elections against those who may try to decry or spread misinformation about the process. It will enhance public trust in the process. And with that, I respect for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Allen moves the call file item 264, AB 383. Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 383 by Assemblymember Davies an act relating to firearms.

Senator Ochoa Bogh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, on behalf of Assemblywoman Davies, it is my honor to present AB383, which makes several changes to California's firearm laws. Specifically, the Bill applies existing post conviction firearm relinquishment procedures to minors who are adjudicated rather than convicted.

It also applies these procedures to adults convicted of purchasing or possessing a firearm knowing they're prohibited from doing so by a restraining order.

It authorizes the issuance of a search warrant for minors unlawfully in possession of a firearm, and it clarifies that minors engaged in hunting education may possess a firearm so long as they have written approval for a parent or legal guardian. AB383 is a support, support Bill that will help keep our communities safer. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Ochoa. Bogue moves the call now. File item 266. AB411.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 411 by Assemblymember Papan, an act relating to livestock.

Senator Blakespear, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm here to present AB 411 on behalf of Assemblymember Papan. This Bill would allow for on-farm composting of livestock carcasses in California. This is limited to 100 cubic yards. So we're talking about composting or recycling, or sorry, excuse me. Composting of approximately 6 to 12 cows. This is a practice permitted in 42 states.

So every livestock producer in California, large or small, faces the inevitable challenge of managing animal mortalities safely, affordably and responsibly. We have also had tremendous success with the recolonizing of the gray wolf population. And this has increased the predatory action of wolves against livestock. Current options to dispense with carcasses are severely limited.

California regulations largely have confined producers to three methods. Burial, which can contaminate groundwater. Bone piles, which pose public health concerns and invite predators like wolves. And then rendering. And rendering, while safe, presents limitations. First of all, access is limited in many parts of the state where remote producers have limited access, there are also transportation risks.

Moving carcasses off site increases the risk of spreading disease and adds unnecessary emissions from hauling. And there's inconsistency of services. So rendering capacity can fluctuate, leaving producers stranded with no options. So this Bill adds composting as a practical, proven tool on a limited basis. On-site composting is a science based alternative.

Proper composting achieves internal temperatures between 130 and 150 degrees, which destroys most pathogens and viruses. Sustainability. It keeps nutrients on farm and out of landfills or groundwater. And it's efficient. It requires minimal infrastructure and produces no transportation emissions and is a valuable soil amendment.

AB 411 simply complements existing disposal options and gives producers another practical tool to manage their livestock carcasses on site. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Blakespear moves the call. File item 269, AB 499. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 499 by Assembly Member Ortega, an act relating to healthcare.

Senator Richardson, you are behind the flowers. Recognized.

Well, thank you there, Mr. President and Members. I rise to present AB 499 on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega. The Robert F. Kennedy, named after the Attorney General, the Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan provides medical benefits to about 6,000 farm workers and their families.

The existing state reimbursement limit for the RFK medical plan is 3 million. This bill does not change that. The California Endowment estimates that the plan saves the state General Fund approximately $11 million annually in Medi-Cal expenditures. Currently, the RFK plan is reimbursed by the state for claims that exceed 70,000.

AB 499 simply lowers that amount to 50,000 to keep the plan operational. But again, the limit with the state does not change of the 3 million. This bill has bipartisan votes with no reported opposition. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Richardson moves the call. File item 270, AB 506.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 506 by Assemblymember Bennett, an act relating to pets.

Senator Umberg, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. This is a Bill for all of us who like puppies and don't like folks who engage in abusing puppies.

It's part of a three Bill package that protects consumers by requiring, and puppies, requiring pet sellers to include the original source of the pet available veterinary records in the sale and voids contracts between consumers and brokers that require a non-refundable deposit. Urge an aye vote, it applies to cats as well for you cat lovers.

Senator Jones, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I will be voting no on AB 506. This is one more example of Sacramento overreaching into the private enterprise of a willing seller and a willing buyer. I ask for a no vote on AB 506.

And seeing no other comments or debate. Senator Umberg, you may close.

Thank you. I am so sad to hear of the minority leader's view towards puppies, but I still urge an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Umberg moves the call file item 271ab 5:30.

Secretary, please read Assembly Bill 535 by send Member shovel and acquaintance to crimes.

And Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to present Assembly Bill 535, the Victims and Witness Protection act, on behalf of Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo.

Last year, the California Supreme Court ruled that the crime of intimidating a witness or victim only applies if the the victim or witness is assisting the prosecution and the act of intimidation occurred before charges were filed.

This Bill will clarify existing law to ensure that intimidating victims or witnesses is a crime both before and after charges are filed. This will ensure victims and witnesses can assist the prosecution of crimes knowing they will be protected from intimidation. This Bill is sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney in Los Angeles City.

City Attorney and has received bipartisan support throughout the process. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

Allen. Aye. Alvarado. Gill. Aye. Archuleta. Aye. Odegin, I. Ashby, I. Becker, I. Blakespear, I. Cabaldon, I. Caballero, I. Cervantes, I. Choi, I. Cortese, I. Dali, I. Durazo, I. Gonzalez, I. Grayson. I. Grove I. Hurtado I. Jones I. Laird I. Limon. Mcguire. McNerney. I. Manzevar I. Niello. I. Ochoa. Bog. Padilla. I. Perez I. Reyes I. Richardson. Aye. Rubio.

Aye. Sillarto. Aye. Smallwood. Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valadez. Aye. Wahab. Aye. Weber. Pearson. Aye.

Wiener. Aye. Senator Cervantes moves the call file item 273. AB662.

Secretary, please read Assignment Bill 662 by Assignment Member Alvarez and accurate link to post secondary education.

Senator Padilla, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Rise to present AB 662 on behalf of the Assemblymember. This Bill takes an important step toward expanding access to higher education in south San Diego County. By exploring the creation of a mixed-use intersegmental public higher education institution in the City of Chula Vista, the largest city in the state without a four-year public university, it's population now exceeding 300,000.

South County San Diego, near 600,000 residents exist in a college desert, face significant barriers to access in particular low income, first generation and underrepresented students.

This Bill seeks to address this by establishing a higher education task force bringing together the University of California at the Cal State University and community college systems. This Bill has no oppositions, received bipartisan support. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Padilla moves the call. File item 277, AB 764. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 764 by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, an act relating to wildlife.

Senator Cortese, you are recognized.

Thank you. I rise today to present AB 764 on behalf of Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez. The bill seeks to add mute swans to the list of exotic non-game birds that can be legally managed, allowing us to better control their populations in California. California, of course, is home to some of the most diverse ecosystems in the country.

And protecting the biodiversity is essential not just for the environment, for our economy, public health, and quality of life. This bill addresses an urgent need to safeguard these valuable ecosystems. Mute swans are highly invasive resource competitors, and their population is rapidly growing in California.

Current mute swan population estimates in California have increased to 6912, 71% above the 2023 estimate just two years ago. These birds, as I said, are known to be very aggressive and very territorial, and the bill represents a critical step in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the state. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cortese moves the call. File item 278, AB 822. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 822 by Assemblymember Alhawari, an act relating to state government.

Senator Cabaldon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. AB 822 would extend the sunset date for the Commission on the state of hate. The Commission was created in 2021 in response to hate crimes that were rampant against Asian Americans. But at work, its work reaches across and beyond one moment or one community. At the time, perhaps the Legislature hoped that we would eradicate hate at that cale in California by 2027.

Events and circumstances have intervened since to make it clear that is not the case. So this Bill simply extends the sunset for a Commission that's already budgeted from 2027 to 2031. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cabaldon moves the call. File item 290, AB 57. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 57 by Assembly Member McKinnor, an act relating to housing.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise to present AB 57 on behalf of Assembly Member McKinnor and the Legislative Black Caucus. AB 57 is part of the Legislature's commitment to expanding home ownership opportunities and addressing long standing disparities in access to housing across California.

This bill reserves a portion of the state's home purchase assistance program specifically for individuals who are descendants of formerly enslaved people. This bill would only go into effect upon the establishment of a bureau to determine descendancy. For generations, home ownership has been a foundation of economic stability and mobility in California.

Yet a history of exclusionary practices and policies have left many families behind, creating significant and persistent gaps in home ownership that continue to affect communities today. California already prioritizes home ownership support for veterans, for first time home buyers, and others who have faced systemic barriers.

And AB 57 follows that same approach by providing targeted assistance to individuals whose families were historic historically excluded from these opportunities. Expanding access to homeownership strengthens neighborhoods, it builds generational wealth, and it supports a healthier state economy. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas moves the call. Now onto file item 291, AB 62. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 62 by Assemblymember Mckinnor, an act relating to state Government.

And Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. You are recognized.

Thank you again, Mr. President. And I rise today to present AB 62 on behalf of Assemblymember Mckinnor and the California Legislative Black Caucus. AB 62 seeks to provide a pathway for restitution to individuals and families who were displaced through the use of racially biased imminent domain.

This Bill requires the Civil Rights Department to review applications, assess past uses of imminent domain and provide restitution when harm is found. California has already taken steps to confront the legacy of these harmful policies in places like Bruce's beach and Palm Springs. AB 62 continues that work by establishing a framework for fairness, transparency and restoration.

And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.1

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas moves the call. Now file item 299, AB 368.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 368 by Assemblymember Ward, an act relating to energy.

Senator Becker, you're recognized.

I thank you, pleased to prevent AB 368 which would direct the California Energy Commission to produce a one time report evaluating the use of passive house energy models currently required for passive house certification and the cost-effectiveness of this kind of construction compared to existing Title 24 construction.

Superior energy efficient designs like those meeting passive house standards can reduce emissions, improve indoor air quality, lower energy costs and harden homes against wildfires. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Becker moves the call. File item 305, AB 560.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 560 by Assemblymember Addis an act related to special education.

Senator Cortese you are recognized.

Thank you again, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise to present Assembly Bill 560 for Assemblymember Addis. It's called the Supporting Special Educators act. And the bill directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish recognition recommended class size ratios for special day classes. The goal is simple.

To recommend class size guidelines that help ensure meaningful instruction, individualized support and safe, effective learning environments when class sizes are too large. It's not just the students who struggle. Teachers face burnout, families lose confidence in our system and more. AB 560 helps ensure the California teachers can provide adequate individualized instruction for the students who need it most.

I respectfully ask for your aye vote on AB 560.

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

[roll call].

Senator Cortese moves the call. File item 310. AB 772. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 772 by Assembly Member Lowenthal, an act relating to educational equity.

Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and Members. I rise to present AB 772 on behalf of Assembly Member Lowenthal, which will require the California Department of Education to develop a model policy aimed at addressing certain acts of cyberbullying that occur outside of school hours and require that each local educational agency adopt the CDE's model policy or develop their own policy.

AB 772 will help provide districts with the necessary clarifications on actions that they can take to ensure all students can enjoy a safe and productive learning environment during school and after school hours. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Oh. Senator Ochoa Bogh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, not prepared to have any speech today on this particular bill, but I do want to talk about just touching the concerns that I have with regards to this bill and the reason I will not be able to support it today.

One thing is to have our school districts be responsible for the behavior and the actions of our students while they are in school. But to extend that liability and that responsibility to the school districts after hours I think goes beyond the scope of responsibility by the school districts.

And with that, I also have the concerns with the fact that if we are extending that liability and those that responsibility to our school districts after school, then where do the parents provide personal responsibility lie?

If parents cannot be held responsible, then why should school districts be responsible for our students and their behavior and their actions after the school hours? So I stand up here today with huge concerns about the responsibility and the liability.

There's no question that, you know, that schools can have some feedback and some accountability while the students are in within their responsibility that timeframe when they're in school. But after hours I think goes beyond that responsibility. So I respectfully ask for a no vote on this bill.

And seeing no other comments or debate, Senator Ashby, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. President. Appreciate that and appreciate the comments from my colleague. However, in an ideal world, it would be wonderful if people had parents that were super engaged and understood when their kids were bullying. But too often we hear of school shootings.

We hear of many instances where young people are harmed or injured and their parents had no idea that their child was prepared to commit a violent act or to hurt another student. If the school becomes aware of a bullying situation, they actually already have the authority to do something about it.

The reason that they currently do not is because the code is not explicitly clear. Assembly Member Lowenthal takes the extra step here to protect our students. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Ashby moves the call. File item 311, AB 797. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 797 by Assemblymember Harabedian, an act relating to economic development and making an appropriation, therefore, and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 797, on behalf of Assemblymember Harabedian, which helps stabilize property values in disaster-affected areas by allowing investors to fund the purchase and management of residential properties by qualified nonprofits. The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires damaged or destroyed over 18,000 structures, leaving homeowners facing financial hardship and plummeting property values.

Predatory investors can exploit this crisis, purchasing devalued homes at a fraction of their worth, further victimizing families, and destabilizing communities. This Bill protects homeowners. It prevents further neighborhood destabilization and helps preserve the character and culture of communities like Altadena. AB 797 is an urgency measure and has no opposition. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no comments or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 28. The noes are 9. The measure passes. Oh, it's an urgency. Ayes, 28. Noes, 9, on the urgency. Ayes, 29. Noes, 8 on the measure. The measure passes. File item 323, AB 1004.

Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1041 by Assembly Member Bennett, an act relating to healthcare coverage.

Senator Menjivar, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise on behalf of Assembly Member Bennett on AB 1041, which will streamline the provider credentialing process for doctors by establishing requirements that promote accountability and transparency and ease credentialing burdens on independent physicians without jeopardizing patient safety.

Specifically, this bill would require health plans and insurance to use a single credentialing form, which would eliminate the reductive paperwork. It would establish firm deadlines for the credentialing process, requiring that a health insurer has 90 days to review that application and will provide clarity and accessibility to the credentialing process, for the, for the credentialing process.

The amendments taken in Appropriations have significantly reduced the procedure steps cost of the bill and have put local health plans, America's Physicians Group, and the California Association of Health Plans in neutral or have removed their opposition. This is a big issue for access to care. In much of California, we have a critical shortage of physicians and delays in this process further exacerbate that problem. On behalf of the Assembly Member, respectfully asking for an aye vote.

Seeing no comments or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 29. The noes are 1. The measure passes. File item 330, AB 1296. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1296 by Assemblymember Bonta, an act relating to housing.

Senator Cabaldon, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. California school districts have two challenges at the same time. One is a, is a severe statewide housing crisis for teachers, educators, and school staff, particularly at the community level, and so many of our communities, many in my district, where teachers cannot afford to live in the communities which they teach.

And at the same time, many of these communities have an excess of property, sometimes because they are also facing declining enrollment and have school sites and other properties that become available. But even those that don't have declining enrollment often have properties that are inappropriate for a school but could be used for other purposes.

That's why the Legislature previously has passed the Teacher Housing Act and many other pending bills this year to help deal with the supply side of land for teacher housing. However, there are two other problems. First is that there's not enough money and financing for teacher housing. There are other pieces of legislation to cycle to deal with that.

And then the third piece, which is that school districts are, are, they're no good at development. Let's just be honest. They're great at teaching, they're good at replicating our values for the next generation, but they don't know, generally, how to develop properties in this way. And so, all three reasons have been a cause for challenge here.

And so, AB 1296 does one simple thing. It simply allows for school districts to notify the Housing and Community Development Department that they have property that they would like to development, and they just need a little help on the predevelopment phase of the project.

Not so that they will be the developer or that HCD will be the developer, but to help them in that critical phase where you have to scope and work with potential developers on a project in order to make it successful.

So, this Bill sets creates a process for districts to notify the Department and for the Department to provide the necessary technical assistance. It has no opposition and ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Cabaldon moves the call file item 334. AB 1348. Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 1348 by Assembly Member Baines an act relating to school finance.

Senator Perez, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 1348 on behalf of Assemblymember Baines. AB 1348 adds immigration enforcement activities to the list of eligible emergencies that are eligible for the J13A process which is a funding protection mechanism for schools experiencing attendance loss due to emergency conditions.

The J13A form currently allows local education agencies to maintain Ada funding levels when attendance drops due to events outside the control of schools like floods, earthquakes, public safety threats and public health emergencies. Immigration rates in Southern California resulted in a 22% increase in daily student absences, with particularly large increases among the Youngest students, the lesson is clear.

When parents worry that dropping their kids off at school might result in deportation, they don't go. When attendance drops, funding disappears. And when funding disappears, all students suffer, regardless of immigration status.

AB 1348 protects schools from funding losses, and it does so while ensuring students have the option of maintaining their education through independent study when immigration rates perhaps prevent them from going to class. Thank you.

And I respectfully ask for your aye vote seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Senator Perez moves the call. File item 338, AB 1378. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1378 by Assemblymember Rogers, an act relating to child welfare.

Senator Arreguin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 1378 on behalf of Assemblymember Rogers. This Bill will provide tribes with the resources equal to those of county agencies, empowering them to offer direct services that keep families together before intervention from Child Welfare Services becomes necessary.

California is proudly home to the highest number of Native American population per capita of any state. And for generations, tribal nations and their families have been profoundly affected by state and federal laws and policies that have marginalized their communities.

Native American children continue to be disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, with their rates of involvement 21/2 times times higher than those of white children. In Humboldt County alone, over 200 indigenous children or in the foster care system, almost 40% of the total foster kids in that county.

This Bill is good policy, but more importantly, it's the right thing to do for California's kids. This bills receive unanimous bipartisan support and is a Native American Caucus Bill priority. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll. \

[Roll Call]

Senator Arreguin moves the call. Moving to file item 344. AB 1532. Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 1532 by the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance. An act relating to the Public Utilities Commission making an appropriation, therefore, and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to thee to present AB 1532 on behalf of the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance. This Committee omnibus Bill includes two policy changes relevant to the jurisdiction of the Committee. First, the Bill extends the funding authority to 2032 for the Transportation Network Community Access for All Program.

The Access for All program. And secondly, the Bill revises existing reporting on the CPU Commissioner attendance at CPU hearings. The changes will provide more granular information about the Commission attendance at all types of hearings, including matters related to telecommunications and conveyance. I do respectfully ask for an aye vote

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

[Roll Call]

Senator McNerney moves the call. File item 346. File item 346, AB 930. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 930 by Assemblymember Ward, an act relating to elections.

Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you. I rise today to present Assembly Bill 830 on behalf of Assemblymember Chris Ward. AB 930 ensures that all vote by mail ballots postmarked by election day and received within seven days will be counted. This Bill improves transparency, increases efficiency and strengthens trust in our elections.

This will be especially true for overseas voters, including personnel in the US Armed Forces whose ballots are often among the last to be counted, but deserve just as much protection. This Bill is sponsored by the California Association of Clerks and Electrical Officials. Election officials. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Strickland, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in opposition to this Bill. When you look at the rest of the nation, California's a joke when it comes to counting ballots. We need to do better here in the state. When the whole country is done counting their ballots. We're still counting ballots.

Three, four, five weeks after the rest of the nation has already counted. We need to do better in California. This takes us in the wrong direction. Not in the right direction. I urge a no vote on this Bill.

Senator Cervantes, you may close.

Thank you. This Bill acknowledges delays in mail delivery and ensures that voters who do mail their ballots on time are not disenfranchised. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members. That's everyone. The ayes are 28. The noes are 10. The measure passes. File item 354, AB 1326. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1326 by Assembly Member Ahrens, an act relating to personal protective equipment.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 1326 on behalf of Assembly Member Ahrens. Since the Covid epidemic, there are some people who choose to wear masks. Some people who have long Covid or at risk of long Covid. And this bill just ensures that those individuals cannot be excluded, penalized, or discriminated against for wearing that mask for health reasons. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 27. The noes are 1. The measure passes. File item 355, AB 1521. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1521 by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary, an act relating to state government.

Senator Umberg, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this is the Judiciary Committee omnibus Bill that makes minor changes and clarifying changes. Urge an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent Members.

Choi, Grove, McGuire, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Stern, Wahab.

Call the absent Members one more time.

Choi, Grove, McGuire. Aye. Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Stern, Wahab.

Senator Umberg moves the call. File item 358, AB 1269. Secretary, please read

Senate Bill 1269 by Assemblymember Bryan, an act relating to county and city jails and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 1269, on behalf of Assemblymember Bryan. AB 1269 sets a clear and uniform standard for notifying family members and designated individuals within 24 hours of the death of an incarcerated person in a city, county, or municipal jail custody.

Currently, there is no statewide requirement for local jails to notify family members during medical crises or after deaths in custody. This inconsistency leads to trauma, confusion and injustice for families often left unaware for days, weeks, or longer. In March of 2016, Wakiesha Wilson, a 36-year-old mother, was found unresponsive in her LAPD cell.

She was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her family only learned of her death after attending her next court appearance at which she failed to appear. No formal notification to her loved ones was ever made. This shocking and outrageous conduct has exposed critical failures in local jail communication protocols.

AB 1269, Wakiesha's Law, creates a statewide standard by requiring city, county, and municipal jails to notify next of kin enlisted individuals within 24 hours of a person's death. I enthusiastically and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Seeing no dis - oh, Senator Jones, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I thank the author and the floor jockey for bringing this bill forward. I think this is a commonsense reform that we need and ask for an aye vote on AB 1269.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you are - you may close.

And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Excellent close. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call].

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas moves the call. File 359, AB 316. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 316 by Assembly Member Krell, an act relating to civil action.

Senator Umberg, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. This bill addresses an issue that may arise in this age of artificial intelligence where there's a harm that is caused purportedly by an artificial intelligence large language model. And the developer and or the deployer says, not my fault, it's the fault of the machine and I have no responsibility. What this bill does is this bill eliminates that defense. In other words, if you develop or deploy a device and that device causes harm, you may not raise as a defense that it was the machine and not me. Urge an aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Umberg moves the call. File 362 AB 828. Secretary, please read

Assembly Bill 828 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez an act relating to alcoholic beverages.

Senator Durazo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present AB 828 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez. It creates a new original neighborhood restricted special on sale general alcohol license and allows the ABC to issue up to 12 of these per year, up to a total of 40 within designated census tracts in the City of Los Angeles.

The current state licensee structure is too expensive for small businesses and fails to consider the size and scale of LA's tourism economy. Since 2020, for example, t tourism has steadily increased and LA welcomed 49 million visitors in 2023.

These numbers will only grow as LA prepares to host major national and international events including the FIFA World Cup, the US Women's Open and of course the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This Bill will offer much needed relief to restaurants and provide small businesses, some in very historic neighborhoods like Koreatown, Little Tokyo, PICO Union, Boyle Heights, with an opportunity to grow and thrive. I thank you and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

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

[Roll Call]

Senator Durazo moves the call file item 363. AB 1514. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1514 by the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment and Accidental Employment.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. You're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. You're doing a great job. And I rise to present AB 1514 on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega. This is the Labor Committee's annual cleanup bill to AB5, continuing our work to protect workers from misclassification while giving industries time to transition responsibly. First, AB 1514 extends the manicurist exemption for three years.

This extension gives time for a regulatory framework that reflects the reality of an immigrant workforce made up largely of women who are too often exploited and misclassified. Importantly, it also requires reporting by EDD in the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to the Legislature on misclassification claims and labor violations.

So we have the oversight needed to hold employers accountable. Second, AB 1514 extends the commercial fisherman exemption for five years, maintaining stability for this workforce while continuing important requirements on unemployment claims. This bill is straightforward.

It provides the Legislature with the oversight tool tools we need, while making sure workers, especially some of the most vulnerable in our economy, are not left behind. And colleagues are respectfully asked for your Aye vote.

Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this measure. As more and more after AB5, more and more manicurists and individuals are leasing space from a solo salon and image salons. All those things that we see that are not your.

Your basic manicure facilities, which we did see, where you had 10 or 12 or 14 people working in one manicure station. I think as you walked in the door, they just assigned you to a person. But more of our manicurists are moving into these salons where they actually lease a space within the facility.

They have their own liability insurance, their own insurance that they have to carry. They also are just a leasee or a tenant from an organization that allows them to have a space that will allow them to do their work. And it's really hard to say that they can't be their own employer when they set their own appointments.

They set their own calendar. They have their own clientele. And this has been a big, big issue for a lot of our manicurists that are trying to figure out how they navigate this system when they are their own Boss. They do set their own calendar. They carry their own insurance, they have their own business name.

It's just within a housing facility with other stylists and people in that profession are there. So respectfully ask for an aye vote to help alleviate this for at least three years more. It would be nice if there was just no sunset and manicare soil to provide this service, but at least three years is better than nothing.

Respectfully, as for an Aye vote.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. You may close.

Thank you. And I respectfully ask for your Aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Absent Members.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 39, the noes are 0: that measure passes. Next is file 365, AB 648. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 648 by Assemblymembers Zbur, an act relating to community colleges.

Senator Arreguin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I rise to present AB 648 on behalf of Assemblymember Zbur. This bill will combat housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, staff, and faculty, while also addressing California's broader housing crisis.

Although community colleges have become an integral part of California's higher education system, community college students often face uncertainty about whether colleges will be able to provide for their basic needs. And last year, the LAO found that roughly 60% of community college students face housing insecurity and almost 25% have experienced homelessness.

AB 648 will address this crisis by allowing student and staff housing to be built on property that is owned or leased by a community college district and located within a half a mile radius of a main campus or an existing satellite campus.

Community colleges would still be required to comply with CEQA to consult the local planning department and follow other relevant regulations. Respectfully, ask for an aye vote.

Senator Blakespear. You're recognized.

Yes. Thank you. I rise to support AB 648, which resolves an inconsistency between community college districts and UCs and CSU campuses regarding zoning exemptions for faculty, staff and student housing projects. California's community college students disproportionately come from low-income households and face some of the highest rates of housing insecurity and homelessness in the state.

By granting community college districts the same local zoning exemptions for housing development as the UCs and the CSU campuses, we can help provide more affordable housing for our most vulnerable populations. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Senator Arreguin. You may close.

I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.