Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Wallis notices the absence of a quorum. Sergeant at arms will prepare the chamber, bringing the absent Members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

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

Please join me in a moment of reflection. When I was 14, my first job was delivering the San Francisco Chronicle door to door, starting at 5 in the morning. It's what kids did for spending money in my time. At 16, on weekends, I was a busboy earning the minimum wage of $1.20 an hour.

At 18, I got a job loading buses for Greyhound Bus Lines. Union wages were an amazing $3.50 an hour, almost three times minimum wage. And on holidays, we got a whopping $7 an hour. That was almost 60 years ago. And that job got me through college.

In 1966, tuition was $75 a quarter and gas was sometimes lower than 25 cents a gallon. I thought $3.50 an hour was great. But how much is one hour of our life worth? $500 an hour? $1000 an hour? How about $100,000 an hour?

If we were to discover that we had only months to live, how much would one day or one hour of our life be worth? At such a time, our wisdom eyes open and we see again that every moment of our lives has always been beyond value.

And the time we have to be with those we love has always been limited. The value of every moment of life is beyond measure. Let us try to appreciate and make the most of each day doing our best to make the world a better place. Let us try to live with kindness and gratitude beyond words.

Members, before we honor and recognize our great democracy through the Pledge of Allegiance, I want to take some time to recognize the life and legacy of John Burton, an extraordinary leader in California politics whose fierce advocacy and unwavering commitment to justice improved the lives of countless people.

His legacy is evident everywhere, even in this body where his public service journey began as a Member of the California State Assembly. California is a better place because of John's relentless outspokenness and never surrender approach. On behalf of the entire Assembly, we send love and support to John's family and friends.

And in recognition of his service, let us now observe a moment of silence. We ask you to remain standing for today's flag salute. Assembly Member Johnson will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you so much. Please join us as we honor our nation's flag. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance.

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, 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 official business. Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest or other appropriate legal remedies. Reading of the Previous Day's Journal .

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

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

Moving on to motions and resolutions. There are no absences of the day onto procedural motions. Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Wallis, Jeff Gonzalez and Pacheco to speak on an adjournment of memory today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assemblymember Aguiar Curry to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

At the request of the author, please move file item 146, SB615 Allen to the inactive file. There is a message from the Senate for Assembly bills passed by the Senate yesterday.

There is a Supplemental file number one 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 purpose of taking up these items

Without Objection, such shall be the order. Members, pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, I'm re referring the following bills. Item 228, AB 831, Assembly Member Valencia to the Governmental Organization Committee and Item 252, AB 1514 by the Committee of Labor and Employment to the labor and Employment Committee. Madam Majority Leader, you were recognized.

I request unanimous consent to suspend joint rule 62A the file notice requirement to allow the following committees to meet adhere Bills Labor Employment Committee to notice AB406 Schiavo, AB1136 Ortega and AB1514, Committee on Labor Employment for a hearing on Wednesday, September 10th at 9:00am in the Capitol Room 127, Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee to notice SB53 Wiener for hearing on Thursday, September 11th upon the call of the Chair in the Capital Room 444.

Without objection. Members, we are awaiting your Arrival. Members that are not here must report to the floor immediately. It is 10:53. We are unable to proceed with our legislative business for the day. While Members without excuses are not on the floor. Members, please report to the floor immediately. It's madam majority leader, you're recognized for your procedural motion.

Mr. Speaker, there is a Rules Committee resolution at the desk to suspend joint rule 61A13, the deadline to amend on the floor for adopting chaptering out amendments. I ask that we take up that rule waiver now.

Resolve that Joint Rule 61 A13 be suspended to permit amendments to Senate Bills 271 and 67 to be considered for adoption.

Members, this rule suspension is not debatable. It takes 54 votes. Clerk will open the roll. All Members vote who desire to vote. Majority leader is asking for an aye vote. Mr. Flora is asking for a no vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote.

We'll close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes, 54. noes 12. The rules are suspended. Moving on to guest introductions. Members, will you please join me in recognizing our majority leaders? District office interns, please stand up, folks. Let you be recognized. Michael Dunn, Melanie Caballos Renteria. And thank you both for your hard work and dedication to public service.

Welcome to the California Assembly. Okay, we're going to move on to business on the daily file. Begin with a second reading. Clerk will read

Senate Bill 63 With amendments

All bills will be deemed read and all amendments will be deemed adopted. We're going to pass and retain on items 2 and 10. We're going to start with our Senate third reading file, folks. Let's begin there, please. We're going to pass and retain on file items 14, 15.

We're going to pass temporarily on file item 16. We're going to begin therefore with file item 17. That's SB 477 by Senator Blakespear presented by Assemblymember Bryan. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 477 by Senator Blakespear an act relating to civil rights.

We're going to pass temporarily on file item 17. We're going to pass temporarily on file item 18. We're going to pass and retain on file items 19 and 20. Pass temporarily on 21. That's going to get us to file item number 22. That's SB 333 by Senator Laird presented by Assemblymember Addis. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 333 by Senator Laird and others. An act relating to taxation.

Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I'm here to present SB 333 by Senator Laird. My good friend nested partner. This bill has sailed through both houses and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Addis. 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 votes ayes 44, noes 12. The measure passes. We are going to move backwards back to file item 17.

That's SB 477 by Senator Blakespear presented by Assemblymember Bryan. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 477 by Senator Blakespear and acclaiming to civil rights.

Assemblymember Bryan, you are recognized.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise to present SB 477 which will clarify language in the California Fair Employment and Housing Act so that the civil rights Department can more effectively investigate and prosecute discrimination, harassment, hate incidents and other civil rights violations. I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Bryan. 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 15. The measure passes. We need to skip ahead folks.

Sorry, this is a one off to file item 138. That is SB 518 by Senator Weber Pierson presented by Assemblymember Jackson. File number 138. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 518 by Senator Weber Pierson and others an act relating to state government.

Assemblymember Jackson, you are recognized.

Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for your support for SB 518. A California Legislative Black Caucus Priority Bill. This bill establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within California's Civil Rights Department.

This measure takes the bold recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force Task Force report and turns them into lasting state institutions that can begin to address centuries of systemic injustice. California cannot fully reckon with its history without building the infrastructure to respond to it.

This bill ensures we have a permanent bureau with the capacity to document, verify, educate and build programs that advance equity for those who are descendants of the atrocity of American chattel slavery. This bill is about building a foundation, the first step in a long effort to implement the Reparations Task Force historic recommendations.

By establishing this bureau, we are not only creating a place to certify eligibility and provide education, but also laying the groundwork for future programs that can deliver remedies and opportunities for descendants.

California has led the nation before and today we have the chance to lead again by creating the first statewide institution dedicated to reparatory justice for the descendants of slavery. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Jackson. 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 51, noes 12. The measure passes.

Members going back to where we had left off, we have dispensed with file item number 22. We're going to pass and retain on file items 23, 24. That brings us to file item number 25. That's SB 402 by Senator Valladares, presented by Assemblymember Nguyen. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 402 by Senator Valladares an act relating to healthcare coverage.

Assemblymember Nguyen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, good morning. I rise today to present Senate Bill 402 on behalf of Senator Valladares. This bill simply brings parity for all autism service providers.

It will move the existing requirements for qualified autism service providers, qualified autism service professionals and qualified autism service par professionals from health and safety insurance code to the business end profession code. This building has received no votes and bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Nguyen. 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 file item number 26. That's SB 307 by Senator Cervantes.

Presented by Assemblymember Fong.

Assembly Member Fong. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 307 by Senator Cervantes, an act relating to public postsecondary education.

Assembly Member Fong, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise to present Senate Bill 307, on behalf of Senator Cervantes. SB 307 requires the CSU and requests the UC system to implement additional precautionary measures for undocumented students.

In the event that an undocumented student is subject to immigration enforcement activity, the institutions will ensure that the student's absence or inability to satisfy academic requirements do not affect their eligibility for nonresident tuition.

This bill also requires the establishment of a systemwide policy that addresses course grades, administrative withdrawals, and re-enrollment for those who are detained, deported, or unable to attend classes due to immigration enforcement activities. California is home to the largest number of undocumented students enrolled in higher education.

These students face challenges not only in employment and access to financial aid, but also the constant threat of deportation which looms over their educational aspirations. While all undocumented students are at risk, those without DACA face even greater vulnerability. It is imperative that we take definitive and preemptive actions to shield undocumented students from the fluctuating immigration policies that may jeopardize their academic pursuits.

By fostering a supportive and secure education environment, we can help ensure that undocumented students can thrive and achieve their dreams despite the challenges they encounter. On behalf of Senator Cervantes, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 307. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Fong. 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: 47; noes: four. The measure passes. File Item Number 27. That's SB 413 by Senator Allen.

Presented by Assembly Member McKinnor. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 413 by Senator Allen, an act relating to juveniles.

Assembly Member McKinnor, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker and members, SB 413 seeks to streamline access to juvenile records in limited circumstances in order to speed up civil case resolutions and reduce court congestion and costs.

SB 413 streamlines case resolutions by clarifying that Council for Child Welfare agencies or probation departments may access and use juvenile case files in proceedings initiated by individuals who are the subject of those juvenile case files. This bill also clarifies attorneys' access to case files in connection with the administration or review of Child Welfare or probation services.

This bill will help reduce litigation costs by significantly reducing the number of petitions being filed. And it includes safeguards for further dissemination of these case files to ensure the records remain private. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member 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; no: zero. The measure passes. File Item Number 28.

That's SB 717 by Senator Richardson, presented by our majority leader. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 717 by Senator Richardson, an act relating to cancer.

Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to present SB 717 by Senator Richardson to protect our regional cancer registries. California operates three regional cancer registries: the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program, the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, and the Cancer Registry of Greater California.

These three registries are the state-designated agents to collect data for the statewide cancer surveillance system and the State California Cancer Register. This system provides vital information needed to treat, prevent, and cure cancer.

SB 717 seeks to protect this invaluable resource by codifying the relationship between regional registries and the California Cancer Registry and protecting federal funding that makes it all possible. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. 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: 62; no: zero. The measure passes. File Item 29.

SB 634 by Senator Perez, presented by Assemblymember Bryan. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 634 by Senator Perez and others an act relating to local government.

Assemblymember Bryan, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise to present SB 634 on behalf of Senator Perez. The Unhoused Service Providers Protection act, which will prohibit local and state government entities from adopting an ordinance or enforcing an existing ordinance that prohibits a person who or organization from providing basic survival services or resources to an unhoused person.

I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bryan. 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 15.

The measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on File Item 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. File Item Number 37. That's SB 533 by Senator Richardson, presented by Assembly Member Wilson. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 533 by Senator Richardson, an act relating to transportation electrification.

Assembly Member Wilson, you are recognized.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker--thank you--and members. I rise to present SB 533 on behalf of Senator Richardson, a bill that supports the secure and efficient expansion of EV charging infrastructure in modern venues across the state. As California continues to lead the nation in clean transportation and sustainable infrastructure, we must ensure our policies keep pace with innovation.

SB 533 allows EV charging stations, specifically those located in environments that already require app-based access, to process payments exclusively through those apps found at many highly populated events and services. By leveraging secure existing app technology, we can protect consumers against all too popular credit card readers that result in theft and fraud, reduce infrastructure costs, and streamline the user experience without compromising accessibility.

California's progress towards zero-emission future depends on smart, adaptable policies like SB 533 to help advance secure, sustainable, and user-friendly charging solutions for all California. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Wilson. 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. The clerk will close the roll; tally the votes. Ayes: 59; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 38. That brings us to File Item Number 39. That is SB 864 by Senator Padilla, presented by Assembly Member Ramos. Members, this is a 54-vote bill.

Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 864 by Senator Padilla and others, an act relating to tribal gaming and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Ramos, you are recognized.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present SB 864 on behalf of Senator Padilla. SB 864 ratifies the tribal-state gaming compacts between the State of California and the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria. The bill also ratifies amendments to the 2011 Pinoleville Compact and the 2015 Sycuan Compact.

These amendments bring these two compacts in alignment with the Chicken Ranch decision. The ratifications of these compacts and amendments are vital for the economic development and security of these tribes. There is no opposition, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member 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 will close the roll; tally the votes. Ayes: 64; no: zero on the urgency. Ayes: 64; no: zero on the measure. The measure passes.

Brings us to File item number 40. That's SB 30 by Senator Cortese, presented by Assemblymember Wilson. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 30 by Senator Cortese and others an act relating to transportation.

Assemblymember Wilson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I rise on to in support of s- or to present on SB 30 on behalf of Senator Cortese. This bill prevents California's public entities from selling, donating or transferring ownership of decommissioned diesel locomotives and railroad equipment with a tier one or older engine unless the engine is removed.

These are the oldest and most polluting engines. This bill also permits the sale or transfer of tier 2 and newer engines if the transferring agency approves the transfer by voting at a public hearing. Diesel emissions cause cancer, harm vegetation and contribute to climate change.

Particulate matter can travel hundreds of miles once emitted, and these emissions impact the global climate in ways that will continue to hurt California. This bill had quite a bit of discussion in our transportation committee.

We were able to get to the finish line through amends that provide a reasonably balanced approach to how to dispose of these decommissioned locomotives. And so this bill will aim aims to reduce the ongoing harm caused by emissions from California's diesel engines once we replace them with cleaner engines.

And we are all fighting to decarbonize the same air. So with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Wilson. 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. Assemblymember Wilson has moved the call. Quorum, members. Members, respect our authors, please. File item number 41.

That's SB 283 by Senator Laird, presented by Assemblymember Petrie-Norris.

Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 283 by Senator Laird and others, an act relating to energy.

Thank you, members. Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and members, on behalf of Senator Laird, I am pleased to present Senate Bill 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025. SB 283 provides a crucial tool and safeguard to ensure that battery storage facilities are built and maintained with the highest level of safety and oversight by local fire officials.

SB 283 strengthens statewide safety standards for battery storage energy systems and ensures that there is a local fire authority consultation and inspection at crucial stages prior to a project going online. The bill also requires the State Fire Marshal to consider regulations that limit the development of these facilities to outdoor installations and noncombustible buildings.

SB 283 enables the safe development of battery energy storage systems to protect California emergency responders, workers, and our communities. SB 283 has received no no votes, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote today. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Petrie-Norris. 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. The measure passes. File Item Number 42.

That's SB 304 by Senator Arreguín, presented by Assembly Member Bonta. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 304 by Senator Arreguín and others, an act relating to public lands.

Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise to present SB 304 by Senator Arreguín. This bill would temporarily lift the public trust use restrictions for specific land in Jack London Square which would allow the Port of Oakland to lease this land for any use, but would be required to meet certain conditions.

SB 304 seeks to address the ongoing challenges in my district at Jack London Square that have been created due to a decline in customer foot traffic, the Covid 19 pandemic, and the departure of some of Oakland's professional sports teams. The current situation in Jack London Square is very dire.

Approximately 52% of the neighborhood's ground floor space is currently vacant, which totals to about 183,000 square feet of vacant property. By providing a very narrow and temporary lifting of the use restrictions at Jack London Square, we have the potential to revitalize the neighborhood and facilitate the public's use and enjoyment of the shoreline and the waterfront.

The port must make certain conditions when they lease properties for non-trust use, such as ensuring that non-trust use do not impair or harm existing public trust uses and that such leases promote increased use and enjoyment of the waterfront. This bill is written at the request and represents a mutual agreement between the Port of Oakland and the State Lands Commission to ensure Jack London Square can be a vibrant neighborhood for everyone. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bonta. 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: 64; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item Number 43. File Item Number 44.

That's SB 486 by Senator Cabaldon, presented by Assembly Member Fong. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 486 by Senator Cabaldon, an act relating to land use.

Assembly Member Fong, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. On behalf of Senator Cabaldon, I rise to present Senate Bill 486, which requires the University of California and the California State University System to incorporate comprehensive enrollment forecast and regional plans. When college campuses fail to accommodate growing enrollment, access to higher education for California students is limited.

Regional planning agencies have been working to achieve goals for housing, land use, and transportation without the full engagement of our public universities. In exchange, the UC and CSUs will not be required to conduct a no-project alternative analysis in an environmental impact report for projects necessary to achieve the campus's enrollment goals.

By bringing higher education to the planning process, we can improve our planning for sustainable growth while continuing to provide world-class education. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 486.

Thank you, Assembly Member Fong. 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: 64; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 45.

That brings us to File Item Number 46: SB 586 by Senator Jones, presented by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 586 by Senator Jones and others, an act relating to vehicles.

Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, you are recognized. Say support-support bill, Mr. Gonzalez.

Thank you. Support-support bill. Ask everyone for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gonzalez. 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: 67; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Items 47, 48, 49.

File Item Number 50, we are going to pass temporarily. File Item 51, we are going to pass and retain. File Item 52. That is SB 482 by Senator Weber Pierson, presented by Assembly Member Ta. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 482 by Senator Weber Pierson, an act relating to state government.

Assembly Member Ta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present SB 42 on behalf of Senator Weber Pierson. This bill seek to improve accuracy and timeliness of California Roster of public officials by mandating local governments to submit update lists of their elected and appointed official to the Secretary of State within 90 days after each general election.

The California Roster is only statewide public directory of elected and appointed official in city, county, and special district. It play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. This bill has no opposition and has received bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Ta. 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: 65; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 53.

That brings us to File Item Number 54. That's SB 19 by Senator Rubio, presented by Assembly Member Patel. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 19 by Senator Rubio and others, an act relating to crimes.

Assembly Member Patel, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present SB 19, an important public safety bill that I have co-authored with Senator Rubio. Threats made against places of worship, medical facilities, and workplaces are just wrong, and threats made against schools in particular, which has happened in my district, are devastating.

They can disrupt learning, traumatize students and teachers, and leave children fearing for their safety. Unfortunately, right now in California, our laws fall short in protecting our schools and other vulnerable places from these types of criminal threats. SB 19 is a critical measure that will protect these locations.

Existing law says that it's a crime to make a credible threat to a serious--to seriously harm or kill another person, but there's a dangerous loophole in the law, and what it leaves open is that a specific person must be named in that threat.

Without a direct and specific threat, law enforcement officials have limited options even when the danger is clear. This problem is not hypothetical; it's real and it's happening right now across California. That's why SB 19 is important and really critical.

It will make it easier for law enforcement to hold people accountable when they want to terrorize others with threats by making serious threats against--for example--daycares, schools, universities, workplaces, houses of worship, or medical facilities. SB 19 is passed with unanimous bipartisan support through both the Senate and Assembly committees, and today, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Patel. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll; tally the votes. Ayes: 60; no: zero. The measure passes. Going to pass and retain on File Items 55 through 59.

55 to 59. We're going to pass temporarily on File Item 60. Pass and retain on File Item 61, 62, 63. That brings us to File Item Number 64. That's SB 257 by Senator Wahab, presented by Assembly Member Bonta. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 257 by Senator Wahab and others, an act relating to healthcare coverage.

Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise today to present SB 257, the Parent Act, which designates pregnancy as a qualifying life event for health insurance enrollment. This bill ensures that every pregnant person, regardless of income or insurance status, can access affordable healthcare coverage at a critical time.

Right now, individuals who become pregnant while uninsured and don't qualify for Medi-Cal are locked out of Covered California until the next open enrollment period. Maternity care can cost tens of thousands of dollars even without complications. Without coverage, many expecting parents face impossible choices: pay out of pocket, receive inconsistent care, or go without care altogether.

The consequences are very serious. Maternal mortality rates continue to rise across the country, especially for Black and Indigenous women. The vast majority of pregnancy related deaths are preventable, and lack of timely, quality care is a contributing factor. SB 257 bridges the coverage gap by creating a special enrollment period for pregnancy, strengthening California's commitment to maternal health. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bonta. Assembly member Jeff Gonzales, you are recognized.

Colleagues, I rise in support of SB 257. Specifically for my district, this is a very important bill. I thank my colleague for presenting. I thank my colleague in the Senate as well. This is a common sense bill and I ask everyone to vote aye on this bill.

Thank you, Assembly Member Gonzalez. 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: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 65, 66, 67.

File item 68 is SB 298 by Senator Caballero, presented by Assemblymember Ransom. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 298 by Senator Caballero and others, an act relating to air resources.

Assemblymember Ransom, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. Today I rise to present SB 298 on behalf of Senator Caballero to ensure that California seaports remain operational and competitive and that they meet California's climate and air quality goals.

California's ports handle about 60% of all inbound US containers, yet we lack the necessary infrastructure to support clean alternative fuels and in this heavy industrial sector. This bill would create a collaborative plan which will include input from the workforce of the ports, the Energy Commission, Air Resource Board, Land Trust Commission, local government and community advocacy groups.

By ensuring that California ports remain at the forefront of clean energy innovation, we can reduce polluting emissions and maintain our economic competitiveness. Reducing diesel emissions at our ports will lead to a cleaner air for millions of Californians, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, who suffer the health impacts of air contaminants.

This is a unique opportunity for California to lead the nation and the world in clean maritime technology. Let us act now to ensure that California's ports maintain and remain competitive, clean and future ready. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank You Assemblymember Ransom. 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, 65. Noes, zero. The measure passes. File item 69.

We're going to pass temporarily pass and retain and file item 70. File item 71. That's SB 338 by Senator Becker. Presented by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 338 by Senator Becker and others an act relating to public social services.

Assemblymember Rodriguez, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker and members, I'm here to present SB 338, which addresses health disparities in rural farm worker communities. SB 338 creates the mobile Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities pilot program bringing telehealth services directly to underserved rural areas. The program will deploy two mobile Virtual health hub buses with virtual connections to healthcare providers.

This initiative addresses a critical healthcare gap without using any of California's General Fund money. SB 338 will have the California Department of Public Health administer the funds to the community organizations. SB 338 is an innovative approach bringing health care directly to farm workers where they live and work.

SB 338 built on proven concept based on the successful Farmwork Equity Express bus model representing a practical, physically responsible solution to a serious health care disparity. I humbly ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rodriguez. 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. Quick, we'll close the roll, tally the votes. Ayes, 62. Noes, zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 72. File item number 73.

That's SB 427 by Senator Blakespear. Presented by Assemblymember Connolly. Members, this is a 54 vote bill.

Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 427 by Senator Blakespear and others, an act relating to fish and wildlife and making an appropriation therefore.

Assembly Member Connolly, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise to present SB 427. This will extend the sunset date on the Habitat Conservation Fund from 2030 to 2035. Since 1990, the Habitat Conservation Fund has funded projects across California, protecting critical ecosystems, open spaces, wildlife corridors, and public access to natural areas.

It has also helped promote outdoor education. To date, the fund has supported nearly 1,000 conservation projects and protected more than 1.2 million acres of wildlife habitat throughout California. The Habitat Conservation Fund has demonstrated its immense value to our state and it should be preserved. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Assembly Member Connolly. 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. The clerk will close the roll; tally the votes. Ayes: 63; no: zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 74.

File Item 74, 75; brings us to File Item 76. That's SB 485 by Senator Reyes, presented by Assembly Member Schultz. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 485 by Senator Reyes, an act relating to local government.

Assembly Member Schultz, you are recognized.

Thank you, and good morning, Mr. Speaker and members. Today I rise to present Senate Bill 485, the Public Defender Job Security and Protection Act, on behalf of Senator Reyes.

This bill seeks to ensure that appointed chief public defenders remain free from political pressure and retaliation by better defining the conditions under which they can be removed from their position. It's important to note that chief public defenders uphold the Constitution by guaranteeing access to competent legal counsel for all, regardless of their financial status.

In fulfilling this duty, public defenders may be required to take unpopular positions that, although perfectly legal, could conflict with the views of their appointing board, and in some cases, they can be removed without cause.

SB 485 seeks to eliminate the at-will status of chief public defenders, allowing them instead to be removed by a three-fifths vote of the board for neglect, misconduct, or other justifiable reasons. This reform would allow chief public defenders the ability to carry out their duties and uphold their clients' constitutionally guaranteed rights without fear of retaliation.

In closing, recent amendments affirm the County Board of Supervisors' authority to conduct performance evaluations of chief public defenders to ensure that they remain accountable under a county's established performance evaluation process. On behalf of the Senator, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Schultz. 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: 46; noes: nine. The measure passes. Pass and retain on File Item 77.

File Item 77. That brings us to File Item 78: SB 497 by Senator Wiener, presented by Assembly Member Ward. Members, this is a 54-vote bill. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 497 by Senator Wiener and others, an act relating to healthcare and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise to present today SB 497, one of our 2025 LGBT Legislative Caucus priority bills, on behalf of Senator Wiener. This bill strengthens privacy protections for individuals who are seeking legally protected health services in California. Recent Assembly Floor amendments were taken to incorporate technical assistance from CDCR.

At a time when attacks on healthcare access are escalating nationwide, it is imperative that we safeguard medically necessary healthcare that is legal here in California. This bill is co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood, Equality California, and others, and I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Ward. 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: 14 on the urgency. Ayes 57; noes: 14 on the measure. The measure passes.

We're going to pass temporarily on File Item 79. Pass and retain on File Item 80. Pass temporarily on File Item 81. Members, please be in your desks. Pass and retain on File Item 82. File Item 83. That's SB 530 by Senator Richardson, presented by Assembly Member Patel.

The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 530 by Senator Richardson and others. An act relating to MediCal.

Assemblymember Patel, you recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members, I'm proud to present SB 530 on behalf of Senator Richardson. This bill will strengthen access to medical providers by enhancing alternative access standards and extend MediCal plan provider standards.

Amendments taken in the Assembly will align SB 530 provisions to the federal timelines the Department of Healthcare Services has to meet and therefore reduce costs. For these reasons, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 530.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patel. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 62. Noes 1. The measure passes, pass and retain them. File items 84, 85, 86. File item 87.

That is SB 590 by Senator Durazzo, presented by Assemblymember Wicks. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 590 by Senator Durazzo and others and accolade to disability compensation and making an appropriation therefore.

Assemblymember Wicks, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and caring for a seriously ill loved one. And especially not those workers who have been contributing each month into the paid family leave insurance program.

Yet that is exactly what is happening in California when a worker's loved one is not on the list of family members they can care for under the law. SB 590 updates California's paid leave law so that workers can care for a designated person who is a member of their chosen or extended family.

This builds on the work of a bill I did in previous years to actually create that definition so that we can include chosen family in these protections and rights. In doing so, California joining Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington, and recognizing the importance of these relationships, this measure is unopposed and has received bipartisan support.

Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Wicks. 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 and noes 0. The measure passes, pass and retain on file items 88, 89. 90.

File item number 91. That's SB 631 by Senator Richardson. Presented by Assemblymember Patel. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 631 by Senator Richardson an act relating to charter schools.

Assemblymember Patel, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members, I'm proud to present SB 631 on behalf of Senator Richardson. Established in 1996, the charter school Revolving Loan Fund provided low interest loans of up to 250,000 to new charter schools to assist with establishing themselves.

Since assuming administration of the program in 2014, the California School Finance Authority has seen a steady decline in the number of applications to the program. SB 631, upon the request of the state treasurer, will allow the Charter School Revolving Loan Fund to utilize $27 million in Reserve.

This bill has received broad bipartisan support, received no no votes on the Senate Floor and has no opposition. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SB 631.

Thank you, Assemblymember Patel. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes. Ayes 16. Noes 0. The measure passes pass and retain and file item 92. File item number three.

We're going to pass temporarily pass and retain on file items 94,95. That brings us to file item number 96. That is SB663 by Senator Allen, presented by Assemblymember Irwin. Clerk will read

Senate Bill 663 by Senator Allen and others an act related to taxation and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Members, this is a 54 vote Bill. Assemblymember Irwin, you are recognized.

Thank you. SB663 provides immediate property tax relief and eases the recovery for victims of the January wildfires. SB663 addresses key challenges by extending the deadline for victims to file misfortune and Calamity claims from 12 to 24 months, extending special exemptions for up to eight years, and extending the time that homeowners.

Have to rebuild from five to eight years for the base tax year to. Transfer to new construction. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Irwin. 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 no. 0 on the urgency Ayes 59 no. 0 on the measure.

The measure passes final item number 97 that is SB 669 by Pro Tem Mcguire presented by Assemblymember Bonta. The Clerk will read

Senate Bill 669 by Senator McGuire and others an act relating to perinatal health.

Assembly Member Bonta. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I'm presenting SB 669 on behalf of Pro Tem Mcguire. SB 669 proposes an innovative pilot for the California Department of Public Health to authorize a small number of critical access hospitals to partner with alternative birth centers and midwives to provide standby perinatal services.

The model would have appropriate licensed or Certified staff available 24 hours a day to take care of women going through labor or with minor pregnancy complications. As many of you know, hospitals have been closing labor and delivery services at an alarming rate, creating maternity care deserts where pregnant people don't have access easily to perinatal care.

The north coast has been particularly hard hit by this phenomenon. The lack of accessibility means pregnant people in rural areas often have to travel long distances and over dangerous roads to have a baby and to get prenatal care and postpartum follow ups.

Maternity care deserts often lead to babies being delivered in emergency rooms or at home without medical professionals or life saving medical equipment. The problem is especially pronounced for women of color who have higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight and maternal mortality compared to white women.

Research shows many benefits to using a midwife during pregnancy and postpartum better chances of having a low intervention birth, lower cost of care due to less medical intervention and reduction of preterm birth and other adverse birth outcomes.

This Bill is sponsored by Plumas District Hospital and Partnership Health Plan and is supported by ACOG and SEIU and there is no opposition. I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta. Assemblymember Hadwick, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this Bill as it comes from. Sponsored from one of my local hospitals. I live in Modoc County and I drove two hours to have my youngest child 17 years ago. They haven't been able to have a baby there for over 30 years.

So it was very common in my district to drive hours upon hours to get that care. My bonus daughter just had a baby last weekend and drove 100 miles to do that. So it is a very, very real problem in rural California. So I strongly support this Bill and ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Hadwick. Assemblymember Bonta, do you wish to close?

Just want to simply thank my colleague from Modoc County for speaking to the very real concerns that we this Bill addresses along with our focus on alternative birthing centers. With that, I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonta. 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, zero. The measure passes. Pass and retain file items 98, 99, 100, 101, 102.

Passed temporarily on file item 103. Assemblymember Zbur, you are recognized.

Mr. Speaker. Announcing a Democratic caucus in the members lounge. We're meeting now, so please proceed. Proceed there.

Thank you. Mr. Zbur. Members, we're going to recess under call for caucuses. Democrats are going to meet in the members lounge. Republicans are going to meet in Capitol room 125. And we will reconvene at 1:30 sharp. 1:30 sharp.

Assembly is back in session. Picking up where we left off. File item 103. That's SB 779 by Senator Archuleta, presented by Assembly Member Berman. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 779 by Senator Archuleta, an act relating to contractors.

Assembly Member Berman, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. SB 779 would establish new minimum enforcement fines and increase existing minimum enforcement fines that are assessed by the Contractors State License Board. These increases ensure that enforcement fines continue to reflect the seriousness of the violation and provide an incentive to comply with the Contractors State License law. This bill has no opposition and has received no no votes. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Berman. 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, noes 0. The measure passes. We're going to pass temporarily on file number 104.

Pass and retain on file item 105, 6, 7. Pass temporarily on file 108. Pass and retain on file numbers 109, 110. Pass temporarily on file 111. Pass and retain on file item 112. That brings us to file item... Excuse me. Please speak with the floor unit, Mr. Gipson. We're gonna... We're gonna go to file item 113.

That's SB 36 by Senator Umberg, presented by Assembly Member Krell. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 36 by Senator Umberg and others, an act relating to price gouging.

Assembly Member Krell, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to urge your support of SB 36. In the wake of the horrendous wildfires in Los Angeles, we saw an increase in price gouging, particularly in the rental market. This bill comprehensively addresses a loophole that allowed price gouging to occur. It would allow for better enforcement and better protect consumers. This has widespread support, and respectfully ask for 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 43, noes 14. The measure passes. Going to pass and retain on file item number 114.

That brings file item number 115. That's SB 41 by Senator Wiener, presented by Assembly Member Bonta. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 41 by Senator Wiener and others, an act relating to pharmacy benefits.

Assembly Member Bonta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to present SB 41 on behalf of Senator Wiener, which will increase transparency and address pharmacy benefit manager practices that contribute to rising prescription drug prices.

PBMs negotiate and buy prescription drugs in bulk from the manufacturers on behalf of health plans and insurers, as well as establish formularies and pharmacy networks and set reimbursement rates at health plans pay pharmacies. These entities began as small claim administrators for health plans and have since expanded into large corporations that significantly influence prescription drug costs and access.

Their significant influence has raised concerns about certain business decisions. This is a bipartisan support issue in Congress and this body to regulate them. There have been well documented exposures in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times and other respected publications documenting the problems PBMs are causing. The New York Times in its Investigation found that PBMs often push patients towards drugs and higher out of pocket costs.

The reason that PBMs often favor higher cost drugs are because of rebates. Since PBMs own their own health plans and mail order pharmacies, they have great incentive to steer patients toward their own affiliated pharmacies, away from brick and mortar and and neighborhood pharmacies, putting those independent pharmacists in jeopardy.

PBMs control pharmacy reimbursements and often set rates that favor their own affiliates, leading independent pharmacies underpaid, sometimes below drug cost, causing financial losses on essential medications. Most people are familiar with the lack of choice by mail order by PBMs, though the amount of medication they are able to get doesn't change.

Patients can receive a 90 day supply through PBM mail orders, but are often limited to a 30 day 30 days at local pharmacies, a policy that steers use toward mail order and impacts community pharmacies. Members, PBMs operate with no transparency and no accountability and patients bear the cost, whether it's through higher premiums, increased out of pocket expenses, or being denied timely access to their medication. I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bonta. Assembly Member Avila Farias, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in respectful opposition of SB 41. Earlier this year we passed AB 116 to fully license and regulate PBMs, ensuring the state will collect comprehensive data to guide meaningful reform. SB 41 pushes sweeping changes without that information, putting the cart before the horse. We owe Californians reforms based on facts and not assumptions.

And the stakes could not be higher. For California's 15 million Latinos, the frontline workers, small business owners, and multigenerational caregivers, this is not an abstract debate. These are the communities where pharmacies close first, premiums rise fastest, and online only mandates it hit hardest. SB 41 threatens access to care and that means real harm to real families. For these reasons, I respectfully urge a no vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Avila Farias. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Bonta, do you wish to close?

Thank you, Members. I respectfully disagree with my colleague from Contra Costa. This piece of legislation in the PBM reform that is sorely needed has been negotiated over the course of two years, two legislative cycles.

We understand very much so and have already experienced the closures of our independent pharmacies, the inability of our constituents to be able to get the care and medication that they need because they are being forced into having to pay significantly increased costs as a result of PBMs, which largely stand unregulated.

It is the wild west out there when it comes to prescription drug use. And prescription drugs are the number one reason why people experience medical debt in the State of California. So when you are focusing on making sure that we are regulating this wild west environment right now, I want you to think about your constituents who need us to be able to move forward PBM reform this year. With that, I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bonta. 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 1. The measure passes. Pass and retain and file items 116, 117. File item 118. That's SB 71 by Senator Wiener, presented by Assembly Member Ward.

The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 71 by Senator Wiener and others, an act relating to environmental quality.

Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy to present today SB 71 on behalf of Senator Wiener, which will extend the statutory CEQA exemptions for transit and active transportation projects, which significantly advance the state's climate, safety, and public health goals while improving access and mobility options to January 1, 2040.

SB 71 will also make clarifying changes to existing law and provide exemption parity between ferry and other transit modes. This bill helps California build the infrastructure it needs faster and cheaper, showing that California can bring critical projects online by removing red tape. This to receive no no votes, and respectfully request your aye vote.

Seeing no further debate, 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. Ayes 56, noes one. The measure passes. We'll pass and retain...

On file item 119 through 122, bringing us to item 123. SB 263 by Senator Gonzalez, presented by Assemblymember Lowenthal. The clerk will read.

Senate Bill 263 by Senator Gonzalez and others, an act relating to international trade.

Assmblymember Lowenthal, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, today I rise to present Senate Bill 263 by Senator Gonzalez, which directs the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to analyze the impacts of tariffs on California.

Recent amendments incorporated recommendations from the Governor's office, extended the deadline for the study and moved the study from Cal SDA to go biz to improve implementations. Folks, tariffs are a tax and when imposed without careful strategic planning, they will raise costs for California families and businesses and harm our workers.

And we feel that in District 69 with the port of Long Beach. Department of Finance is projecting a $7.8 billion drop in state revenues due to tariffs, which has contributed to our budget deficit. Right now, California must stand up for our workers, our residents, our businesses already feeling economic pressure due to chaos at the federal level.

SB 263 will ensure policymakers have a comprehensive statewide data to help us understand the impacts of tariffs and design data driven policies to mitigate negative effects in our state. On behalf of Senator Gonzalez, thank you. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on SB 263.

Seeing no further debate, 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. Ayes 52, noes 5. The measure passes, will pass and retain on items 124 through 127.

We will pass temporarily on item 128. We will pass and retain on items 129 through 134, bringing us to 135. SB 464 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, presented by Senator Mckinnor. The Clerk will read

Senate Bill 464 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas and others an act relating to civil rights.

McKinnor, you are recognized.

Madam Speaker. SB464 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas enhances the Civil Rights Department's pay equity data reports by expanding the job Categories, including these reports, to better reflect our state's workforce. Recent floor amendments have removed all opposition to this measure. SB 464 is the legislative Black Caucus priority Bill and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember McKinnor. 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. 49. No 6. The measure pass. Madam Majority Leader.

Okay, we're going to go backwards to File item number 120, please. That's SB88 by Senator Caballero, presented by our Majority Leader. The Clerk will read

Senate Bill 88 by Senator Caballero and others an act relating to air resources.

Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm here today to present SB88 on behalf of Senator Caballero. You've heard me talk about biomass before. The trees, the brush, the ag waste that can pile up, and the smoke and pollution that come when it burns.

This Bill is sponsored by two air districts to help make sure we understand these emissions and prevent them. We all know wildfires have been devastating to our community communities across the state. They destroy homes and pollute our air and lungs, releasing smoke, toxins and greenhouse gases.

Just one bad fire season can undo years of progress that we've made on climate. As we work on fire protection and as our farmers deal with the changing climate, we've got to make sure this forest and ag waste just doesn't get burned up.

Instead, we can turn to something useful like biofuels, biochar or clean energy that cuts pollution and creates new opportunities for our rural communities. This Bill asks our state agencies to study the emissions from this waste and come up with a strategy to turn it into carbon removal products.

It also makes sure that CAL FIRE does a state funded project. The leftover waste doesn't just sit or pilot or get torched. It gets put to good use. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. 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 zero. The measure passes.

File item number 121. That's SB 224 by Senator Hurtado, presented by Assembly Member Papan. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 224 by Senator Hurtado, an act relating to water.

Assembly Member Papan, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. So I rise about none other than water. So this bill is about mandating that the Department of Water Resources update their modeling and their forecasting of water supply to include the effects of climate change. The bill will take effect in January of 27. It has no no votes and bipartisan support. Respectfully request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Papan. 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 65, noes 1. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 122.

We've already dispensed with file item 123. Pass and retain on file items 124, 25, 26, 27. Pass temporarily on file item 128. Pass and retain on file items 129 through 134. We've already dispensed with file item 135. File item 136. That's SB 471 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez. This is a 54 vote bill, members. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 471 by Senator Menjivar, an act relating to developmental services and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Today, I rise on behalf of my Marine Corps sister, Senator Menjivar, to present SB 471. The amendments taken in Assembly Appropriations address technical assistance received from the Department of Developmental Services and adds an urgency clause.

SB 471 would grant the Department of Developmental Services, otherwise known as DDS, ombudsman statutory authority to assist individuals served by regional centers and their families with inquiries, complaints, or grievances in a fair and neutral manner. We learned early last year through a Los Angeles Times article that adults with autism were facing abuse at an LA group home.

The alleged perpetrator in the case had previously worked for a group home where he allegedly committed misdemeanor battery and as a result, was banned from working there. However, the case was said to be resolved out of court and the alleged perpetrator was able to continue working with the same population, just at another group home.

The shuffling of the perpetrator to other group homes without any recourse for the DDS client and the families is absolutely unacceptable. Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated incident and is a devastating result of of the gaps in protecting individuals served by Regional Centers.

SB 471 provides the needed statutory authority to strengthen the role of the DDS Ombudsman and helps close the gaps that exist in the DDS system, just like the one that occurred in Los Angeles. I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting our IDD population by eliminating the statutory limitations that exist for the DDS Ombudsman.

The Bill has received zero no votes and has no opposition. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

That is the most amazing support-support speech I've ever heard. 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, 70. Noes, 0, on the urgency.

Ayes, 70. Noes, 0, on the measure. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 137. We've already dispensed with file item 138. Pass and retain on file items 139, 40, 41. Brings us to file item 142. That's SB 571 by sender Archuleta, presented by Assemblymember Gabriel.

Senate Bill 571 by Senator Archuleta and others an act relating to crimes.

Assembly Member Gabriel, you are recognized.

Thank you very much Mr. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I rise to 80% SB571 on behalf of Senators Archuleta and Araguain. During the January 2025 fires in Southern California, we saw reports of individuals attempting to take advantage of victims who are displaced.

By evacuation orders, they disguise themselves as firefighters, FEMA workers and even law enforcement to gain access to fire damage areas.

The damage caused by those who impersonate and loot far exceeds the monetary losses to communities and victims personal property when communities can't trust the directions of public safety officials if they are unsure who to trust and have no way of knowing if their cherished belongings are safely left behind.

Ensuring public trust in first responders and local public safety officials is crucial to keeping communities safe, especially during states of emergency when victims are in disarray. This Bill is a clear sign that California has zero tolerance for those who would take advantage of wildfire and other natural disaster victims. Respectfully request your aye vote on SB571.

Thank you Assemblymember Gabriel. 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 68 noes one. The measure passes file item number 143.

That's SB 580 by Senator Durazo, presented by Assemblymember Bryan.

The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 580 by Senator Durazo and accolades of state government.

Assembly Member Bryan. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. SB50 strengthens the Attorney General's model policies with clear guidance to state and local agencies on how to protect our communities when confronted with civil immigration enforcement. California is home to over 10 million immigrants who contribute over 8.5 billion in taxes.

Are at the forefront of essential industries like construction, agriculture, hospitality, childcare and so much more. At this very moment, immigrants are being targeted on all fronts. With the looming threat of immigration enforcement, our communities are faced with fear and instability, forced to choose between safety, work and supporting their families.

Despite guidance from the Attorney General, some sectors remain without clear instructions, leaving workers unprepared, sensitive data exposed and the public at risk. SB580 is a crucial step to protect and empower our communities, especially those who are currently under attack. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Bryan. 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 vote Ayes 50. Noes 17. The measure passes pass and retain on file.

Item 144. Brings us to file item 145. That's SB 610 by Senator Pérez, presented by Assembly Member Harabedian. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 610 by Senator Pérez and others, an act relating to housing.

Assembly Member Harabedian, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present SB 710 on behalf of Senators Pérez, Allen, and Wahab. This bill strengthens protections for tenants and homeowners after disasters. The January 2025 wildfires devastated Los Angeles County and many residents were left vulnerable to exploitation and confusion over their rights in the aftermath.

This bill, SB 610, clarifies responsibilities and closes loopholes. Specifically, this bill clarifies that debris from a disaster makes a unit uninhabitable and landlords, not tenants, must repair damage, including smoke and ash. Tenants are not required to pay rent during mandatory evacuation orders and DFPI must coordinate with lenders to provide mortgage forbearance for fire impacted homeowners.

With disasters now year round, tenants and homeowners cannot rely only on temporary protections or goodwill. SB 610 sets clear statewide standards to provide stability and relief as families recover. Due to the diligent work of the authors, the California Apartment Association is now neutral. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Harabedian. All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll up. 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 49, noes 9. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file items 146, 47, 48. Brings us to file item 149. That's SB 640 by Senator Cabaldon, presented by our Majority Leader.

Senate Bill 640 by Senator Cabaldon and others an act relating to post secondary education.

Madam Majority leader, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, today I rise to present SB 640 on behalf of Senator Cabaldon. Across California, tens of thousands of our bright young people who've worked hard, done everything right and are fully qualified for college. But they make it never make it there.

SB640 makes the process better for our young people trying to go to college. If a high school senior meets the CSU requirements, they get an admission letter automatically. It calls. It's called direct admission. Education experts have found that just getting that acceptance letter in the mail can push a student needs to take the next step.

This was tried in a pilot program in Riverside County. And other states like Idaho and Illinois have already done this and they've seen more students headed to college too. This is especially important for our students of color. Studies show that even when they're qualified and they don't apply to school, they could get into.

And that can hold them back in their careers and incomes for the rest of their life. At the same time, many CSU campuses, including mine in Northern California, Sonoma State, need more students to enroll. This Bill will help them to do so. It's a win win. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. 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. 68, no 0. The measure passes. Pass and retain and file items 150. 151.

That brings us file item 152, SB 655 by Senator Stern, presented by Assemblymember Haney. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 655 by Senator Stern and others, an act relating to housing.

Assemblymember Haney, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members. I rise to present SB 655 on behalf of Senator Stern. SB 655 will establish a statewide policy that all residential dwelling units shall be able to maintain a safe maximum indoor temperature.

Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States and heat waves are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity across the country. The California Department of Public Health reported 395 excess deaths in California during a 10-day heat wave in September 2022 alone.

With limited extreme heat protections for residential settings, Californians face dangerously high indoor temperatures during heat waves, increasing the risk of heat related illness and death. SB 655 will require that state agencies, when developing or updating relevant programs and policies, align with California's goal of ensuring all residential units can maintain a safe indoor temperature. Thank you, and I 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, 47. Noes, 5. The measure passes. File item 153.

That's SB 660 by Senator Menjevar presented by Assemblymember Bonta. The Clerk will read

Senate Bill 660 by Senator Menjavar and others an act relating to the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework.

Assembly Member Bonta, you're recognized.

Thank you. Speaker and Members, I rise to present SB660 on behalf of Senator Menjavar. SB660 is about supporting the future of our healthcare data exchange. Data Exchange ensures the right information is in the right place at the right time for our very deserving constituents.

Gone should be the days where healthcare providers are faxing health records or they are on the phone on hold waiting for information. Data Exchange means that someone in LA, if someone in LA shows up in an emergency room in Truckee, the Tahoe Forest hospital can find out she's allergic to Penicillin.

It means you don't have to repeat X rays or blood tests just because those records are locked in some other provider's computer system. Data Exchange is a win win. It will eliminate redundant and costly tests and appointments, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and readmissions, deliver more effective coordinated care across all settings, and improve health outcomes while lowering costs.

But it only works if everyone actually participates and exchanges data. A data exchange framework already exists in state law. Many entities have been required to start sharing data since January 2024. However, what is missing is a lead agency to oversee that this is happening and to develop compliance mechanisms as needed.

Policies and procedures are currently vetted through an established stakeholder advisory group run at the agency level. This Bill transfers responsibility to the Department of Health Care Access Information, or HCAI as we know it.

As far as compliance, this Bill codifies existing requirements where entities contracting with the Department of Healthcare Services, CalPERS and Covered California must agree to execute data sharing. This is already required in existing contracts. This Bill simply codifies this existing practice. Importantly, this Bill also protects gender affirming care and immigration information from Data Exchange. It's 2025.

Let's get it together on data exchange. Your family Members, all Californians, are counting on us to make sure their health data is shared in a timely and secure way to ensure that they are getting the best possible care. We deserve no less.

This Bill is a logical step forward to make sure the system we already set up actually works the way it's supposed to. I respectfully request your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Bonsa, Assemblymember DeMaio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to SB 660 not because we disagree with the notion of using data driven decisions and exchanging data, but remember, every Bill we pass in this chamber has a cost and at some point we break the backs of health care providers of hospitals.

The Governor yesterday or the day before took to his Twitter account from wherever he is campaigning or vacationing or sitting back and he said the Federal Government allowed a hospital to shut down in rural California. And I said, well hold on a second. The Federal Government allowed.

In other words, the Federal Government didn't come in and bail out. Why did that hospital have financial problems in the first place? Could it be that we have a high cost of operating? Could it be that we've added regulations to hospitals?

Again, some of them could be very well intended, but at some point you break the back of the health care providers. The California Hospital Association has gone on record in opposition to this Bill. They have said that they cannot afford this Bill at this time.

We have so many of our health care facilities, our hospitals that are warning us that they are becoming financially insolvent, that they could go bankrupt. Now is the time for us to pump the brakes.

Now might actually be a time for us to reconsider some well intended mandates, but adding to the burden with even a well intended Bill at this point adds fuel to the fire.

I urge this body perhaps to make this a two year Bill to push back to vote no in recognition of the financial strains that our healthcare providers are facing. Thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember DeMaio seeing and hearing no further debate. Assemblymember Bonta, do you wish to close.

Members this is actually the time when we need to preserve our ability to ensure that our patients and our community Members have the ability to be protected with information sharing.

Why in the world would we create a situation where somebody has to go get additional blood tests, additional X rays, not have their providers informed about their current status?

Because we seem to be unwilling to be able to ask and require all of the signatories, including many and most of the hospitals who are a part of Cha to participate in something that they already agreed to participate in. There is such a thing as sunk costs.

We are at a point of sunk cost here and at the end of the day people's lives are on the line when we don't deliver. With making sure that the agreements that we make get put into place.

With that I respectfully request your aye vote on behalf of all of the patients in your district who will be suffering from the incredible cuts to medical that this Federal Government has insisted upon. Thank you.

Thank you Assemblymember Bonta. 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 it.

Clerk will close the roll, tally votes. Ayes, 45. Noes, 5. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file item 154. Brings us to file item 155. That's SB 702 by Senator Limon, presented by Assemblymember Blanco Rubio. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 702 by Senator Limon and others, an act relating to state government.

Assemblymember Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today as a co-author to present SB 702, on behalf of Senator Limon. AB 702 requires the Governor's Office and the Legislature to publish an annual report with aggregate demographic on appointees to statewide boards and commissions.

Reporting demographic data on gubernatorial and legislative appointees is a crucial step towards insurance transparency and embedding good governance principles in California statewide appointment process. Thank you, and 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, 62. Noes, 0. The measure passes. Pass and retain on file items 156, 157.

157. Brings us to file item 158. That's SB 710 by Senator Blakespear, presented by Assembly Member Berman. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 710 by Senator Blakespear and others, an act relating to taxation.

Assembly Member Berman, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. California created a property tax exclusion for solar panels and battery storage to incentivize homeowners to add solar. This has made the transition to solar more accessible to those who otherwise would not have been able to afford the upfront costs. Many homeowners installed solar because of this tax exclusion.

However, this tax benefit will sunset on January 1, 2027. SB 710 will importantly preserve this property tax exclusion for those who have already installed solar prior to the sunset date, ensuring that they continue to benefit from their investment. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Berman. 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 62, noes 0. The measure passes. That brings us to file item 159.

That's SB 711 by Senator McNerney presented by Assemblymember McKenna.

The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 711 by Senator McNerney and accolade to taxation and declaring the urgency thereof to take effect immediately.

Assembly Member Mckinnor, you are recognized. Speaker and Members. SB711 updates California's Revenue and Taxation Code by conforming a specific specified charges made by the Federal Government to the Internal Revenue Code prior to this year.

This bill does not conform to any changes made after January 1, 2025 and therefore it does not conform to the changes made by HR1. I respect. Respectfully ask for your Aye vote.

Thank you Assembly Member Mckinnor, 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. Members this is a 54 vote bill. All Members vote who desire to vote it. All Members vote who desire to vote it.

Ms. McKinnor, move the call. Okay, Assembly Member McKinnor has moved the call. Pass and retain on file item 160. Oh, I'm sorry. Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.

At the request of the author, please move file item 43, SB 453, Stern, to the inactive file.

Clerk will note. Members, pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2, I'm re-referring item 74, SB 451 by Senator Archuleta to the Governmental Organization Committee. Okay, we're... Assembly Member Wilson has asked to lift the call and file item 40. That's SB 30. Clerk will post. We'll close the roll, tally the votes. Ayes 43, noes 19. The measure passes. File item 161.

That's SB 754 by Senator Durazo. Okay. SB 754 by Senator Durazo, presented by Assembly Member Papan. The Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 754 by Senator Durazo, an act relating to public health.

Assembly Member Papan, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to present SB 754 on behalf of Senator Durazo. This bill improves transparency and protects public health by requiring manufacturers of disposable menstrual products to disclose the concentrations of harmful contaminants in their products. Millions of Californians use menstrual products starting as early as 10 year old.

10 years old and continuing for decades. Yet a study published last year found toxic metals in every single tampon tested, including... I know you're waiting. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead. On average, tampons contain lead levels eight times higher than the limit for drinking water in California.

Despite the fact of their intimate use in the vaginal canal, which can be more absorbent than the mouth. SB 754 creates further transparency in these products by requiring the manufacturers to test for foreign metals and disposable menstrual products. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc.

And then the DTSC is able to conduct their own independent results and publish the results of any testing along with their own analyses. We have done a lot of good working on increasing accessibility to menstrual products. We've even made them available in public schools for the last three years. Now let's take the next step in ensuring that the products are indeed safe. Thank you very much. Request an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Papan. 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, noes zero.

The measure passes. Pass and retain on file items 162, 63, 64, 65, 66. Pass temporarily, file item 167. Brings us to file item 168. That's SB 793 by Senator Archuleta, presented by Assemblymember Ransom. Clerk will read.

Senate Bill 793 by Senator Archuleta, an act related to public safety.

Assemblymember Ransom, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Today, I am presenting SB 793, on behalf of Senator Archuleta, to prohibit a person from selling, offering for sale, or distributing an unsafe counterfeit lighter that does not comply with the American Society for Testing and Material Safety, or ASTM, International Safety Standards.

ASTM International is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of safety standards. These standards have shown to lower health care costs of unsafe lighters by reducing hospital grade and related burn injuries. Other countries have imported unsafe counterfeit pocket and utility lighters into the United States for decades.

These unregulated items have led to thousands of injuries, millions of dollars in damages, and hundreds of deaths. Californians are needlessly put at risk by these unsafe counterfeit products.

By requiring lighters to meet the ASTM International Standards, California will improve safety for the public, especially for our children, from these dangerous lighters that fail to ensure the safety of users. SB 793 aligns California with other states such as Wisconsin, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Virginia in securing the safety of constituents.

This Bill has no opposition and is supported by the California State Firefighters Association, the Police Chiefs, the Lighters Association, United Steelworkers 134L, and is a Committee Bill. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ransom. 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 votes. Ayes, 62. Noes, 0. The measure passes.

We're going to pass and retain on file items 169 through 178. Members, we are going to begin on our concurrence. We've already passed and retained on file item number two. Brings us to file item number three. That's AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks.

Clerk will read Assembly Bill 671 by Assemblymember Wicks and others an act related to restaurants

Assemblymember Wicks You are recognized.

The next. Next one. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members AB 671 is back on concurrence. This Bill will cut red tape for our local restaurants so we can get these essential venues for food and connection open faster. Our restaurants have taken a big hit since COVID We want to make it easier for them to get started.

Amendments in the Senate add guard rails to ensure food safety and allow local government oversight. Add enforcement provisions, exclude chain restaurants and make other technical changes. This is received bipartisan support. Has so far not received a single no vote. So let's keep the trend going with that. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you Assemblymember Wicks. 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. 65 no 0 send. Amendments are concurred in Members. Stay with me.

We are going to jump into the supplemental file. We are moving in the supplemental file to file item 246 by Assembly Member Wicks.

Clerk will read.

Assembly Bill 1340 by Assembly Member Wicks and others, an act relating to transportation.

Assembly Member Wicks, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. AB 1340 is back on concurrence, and I know often when we have our bills back on concurrence, we speed through them quickly because we have a lot of work on the file to do, which I understand, but I want to take a moment and recognize that with the passage of this bill we will see the largest expansion of collective bargaining rights since the National Labor Relations Bill was enacted in 1935.

This will create the largest pathway for a collective bargaining agreement in the history of California. That's a very big deal. So I just want to recognize that, and we're here today because of the workers, the gig drivers, those that drive us all around. All of us use Lyft and Uber. Those are the workers that have put us here today, that have encouraged our elected officials to act courageously so that they can have a seat at the table to fight for paid leave, to fight for higher pay, to fight for safety and all the other things that they deserve.

They are gig workers, but they deserve the same rights. This bill, coupled with the common sense insurance reforms that we passed yesterday out of this House, create a win-win, a win for consumers whose rides will be cheaper, a win for the workers who will be taking all of us around.

I had the honor of getting to know a lot of the gig drivers throughout the process of this bill, and these are the hard-working Californians who deserve these rights. It was a pleasure to work with my colleague over here, who's going to say some words as well from the Peninsula, and with that, when the time is right, respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Wicks. Assembly Member Berman, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank my colleague from Oakland for authoring this transformative bill and for the opportunity to work with her on this over the past seven months has been really an awesome opportunity.

Our gig rideshare drivers, they're the ones who keep our cities moving, yet they don't have the basic rights that every worker deserves. They deserve--and AB 1340 provides--the right to organize, to sit across the table from the companies as equals, and to fight for fair pay, safety protections, and dignity on the job.

This bill does not change drivers' independent contractor status, but it ensures that they have the opportunity to take collective action to improve their lives. When gig rideshare drivers win the right to organize, we raise standards for everyone because what happens in the gig economy sets the tone for the whole economy. I respectfully request an aye vote on concurrence and Senate amendments.

Thank you, Assembly Member Berman. Assembly Member Kalra, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I just wanted to rise to thank our authors from Oakland and Menlo Park for their incredible work on this. I have a lot of battle scars from when I was chairing Labor and the AB 5 battles, and of course, a proposition that the private sector spent close to a quarter of a billion dollars putting on the ballot successfully.

And what really resonates with me are the many, many workers, many hundreds, if not thousands I've met over the last several years; they're the ones that we're fighting for. They're the ones whose work and organization has allowed us to come to this point.

And again, I want to thank the sponsors of the bill that have also worked tirelessly over many years and urge our colleagues to vote for this, and again, want to thank the authors for really being able to thread this needle over a journey that's taken many years. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Kalra. Assembly Member DeMaio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to AB 1340. When we look at these bills, we have to ask ourselves, is it good for the employee? Is it good for the consumer? If the answer to either of these questions is no, we have to weigh and balance.

If the answer to both of these questions is no, we should reject the bill. It has been said that organized labor controls this building, and I would say that for those that say that, this bill would be pretty good evidence to support that view.

Organized labor wants to use the power of government to compel people into their ranks so that they can start taking money out of their paychecks. That money then comes back up here to this building in the form of campaign contributions. That is the perfect definition of a swamp. It's not about the consumer, it's not about the worker, it's about the powerful.

It's about what's in it for the politician. In this bill, we're not going to see workers, drivers, get better benefits. We will see union coffers swell. We will see campaign contributions. That's my prediction if we pass this bill because we've seen it in so many other areas where government puts its thumb on the scale to force people into a labor union whether they like it or not. This bill provides no ability for a driver to say, okay, I don't want to be part of this.

Once unionized, they're forced into the club, their paycheck debited, and sure, we know that in almost every single walk of life--I can't even think of one example where a company has gone union, where government has gone union, and costs, the consumer has gone down. I can think of zero examples.

If there are examples, please let me know. So what we're saying with this bill is not only are we not going to help the workers, but people who rely on these app-based transportation services, seniors that need to order food perhaps, their costs are going to go higher. Oh, but the powerful, they get the benefit. This bill epitomizes why Sacramento is broken, why the influential benefit as consumers and employees have their lot diminished. I urge you to vote no.

Thank you, Assembly Member DeMaio. Assembly Member Ahrens, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of AB 1340. As was referenced beforehand, it's not every day that we can come together and find solutions to important pieces of labor protections because we share our values with them, but this bill is a negotiated settlement with stakeholders, and to be very clear and with due respect to my colleague from Southern California, nobody owns me or anyone in this building.

We do it because we feel with the courage of our conviction and our values, not because of campaign contributions. Nobody owns us. We speak on behalf of our constituents, and I urge you to vote aye on AB 1340.

Thank you, Assembly Member Ahrens. Assembly Member Patterson, you are recognized.

Well, great. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, a year ago, two years ago, I supported a bill to allow our employees here in the California State Legislature to unionize. Generally speaking, I think people have a right to association. Interestingly enough, that bill didn't contain many of the provisions in this bill.

For example, this negotiated settlement requires the transportation network companies to notify employees of their rights every 30 days. Very curious about why the legislature wouldn't be required to notify legislative employees of their rights every 30 days. Maybe it's because this body doesn't want their employees to know what their rights are every 30 days.

So I say, why don't we apply the same standard to that? So given the inconsistency--I've supported bills like this in the past--but given the inconsistency where we have different rules for people out in the wild but not here in our own building, I respectfully ask for a no vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Patterson. Assembly Member Haney, you are recognized. Assembly Member Haney, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise in support of AB 1340. I want to thank my colleagues from Oakland and Menlo Park. I represent many of these companies whose employees will be affected by this bill, including both Lyft and Uber. They are both headquartered in Assembly District 17, and I think this could not be more important for our state to make sure that the over 1.5 million Californians who have worked as a driver or delivery worker for one of these apps have the opportunity to have collective representation.

This is not just about whether these folks have a union; it's about whether they have fair pay and benefits and a voice at the workplace. That makes California better. That makes California stronger. All of these folks are in our district.

They deserve the right to be represented so that they can take care of their families and that these companies also can be able to negotiate with a collective voice so that when issues at the workplace come up that they have folks to work with, it will make these companies stronger, will make these workers and their families stronger, and it will make California stronger. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Haney. Assembly Member Bryan, you are recognized.