Senate Floor

The Senate will convene in 30 seconds. Once again, the Senate will convene in 30 seconds. Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

A quorum is present. Would Members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise? We will be led in prayer this morning by our chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

We pray in gratitude for the diversity of ways that humans have responded to the mystery of life through our various religions and declarations of faith. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says, no religion is an island. We are all involved with one another.

So, gracious God, of our understanding and experience, may our interfaith journeys help us to be in solidarity in the pursuit of what is right and just. May we learn the art of true dialogue wherein we listen to each other and grow in love and understanding.

May we find common ground in our shared commitment to support the afflicted and oppressed of our world. And may our devotion to service be an expression of our faith in the goodness of humanity and in the great goodness of you, our God.

We echo the words of Mary Macleod Bethune when she says, faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. And so, gracious God, help us to believe that it is possible to grow in interfaith harmony in ways that are creative, inventive, loving, kind and compassionate.

We ask this in your many names. Amen.

Members, please join me in the pledge. Allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States. Under privileges of the floor, it is with such delight to be able to wish. Members, let's wish a happy birthday to Senator Allen. Senator Allen, happy birthday to you.

And under privileges of the floor, from the majority leader's desk, Senator Weber Pierson. You are recognized for the introduction of your guest.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today to recognize and welcome distinguished representatives from the National Council of Negro Women who are joining us here in the Capitol. And as they celebrate a remarkable milestone, the National Council of Negro Women is celebrating their 90th anniversary.

This esteemed organization was founded by the visionary educator, civil rights leader, presidential advisor, who was quoted during our prayer this morning? Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Dr. Bethune established the organization to bring together the voices and leadership of black women across the country, working collectively to advocate for equity, opportunity and justice for all.

For nine decades, the Council of Negro Women has played a vital role in advancing civil rights, expanding educational and economic opportunities, promoting health and wellness, and strengthening families and communities. Their work continues to empower women and uplift communities right here in California and across this nation.

Today we are honored to have with us three outstanding leaders representing this historic organization. Micah Jump, state manager for the National Council of Negro Women. Ms. Jump coordinates and oversees more than 300 social justice programs nationwide. Donna Wood, who's President of the Northern California State Coalition of the National Council of Negro women.

And Dr. Helena Johnson, President of the South Southern California State Coalition of the National Council of Negro Women. They are joined today by a hundred Members and supporters in the gallery who are here to commemorate this important anniversary and to continue the legacy and service and advocacy that began with Dr. Bethune 90 years ago.

Please join me in welcoming these distinguished leaders and Members of the National Negro Council of Women to the the California State Senate and in recognizing their enduring contributions to advancing opportunity, equity and community empowerment. Welcome to the Capitol and thank you for your continued leadership and service.

Senators, group photo in the back. If you wish to be in a group photo, please make your way to the back of the chamber.

Senator Valaderis, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. Today, all the way from Los Angeles county county, we have Stephanie Banky, the dean of Santa Clarita Christian School, and the fourth grade students on their California history trip. I think I see some future Senators up there as well.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you would just please help me welcome them to the great capital of Sacramento in California. Thank you.

Welcome to the Capitol. Members will take just one second while we're waiting for a guest to arrive in the gallery.

And Senator Cervantes, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, on behalf of myself and Senator Padilla, especially during Women's History Month, I want to ask you to join me in giving a warm Senate welcome to the student athletes of Coachella Valley's high school's girls soccer team.

These young women just made history bringing home Coachella Valley High School first ever state regional CIF championship. They are competing for the CIF state title for the first time in the school's history this weekend right here in Sacramento. As a former athlete myself, I am so proud of them for representing their families and their communities.

And every girl who will wear that jersey after them. Colleagues, please help me in joining in, wishing them the strength, the heart and the victory this Friday in welcoming you to your state capitol, all the way from Coachella.

Messages from the Governor will be deemed read, Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted under motions, resolutions and notices. Any Members seeing none, we will move to the consideration of the daily file under governor's appointments. Item number one. Senator, you are. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Item number one.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file. Item number one is a confirmation of Andy Nakahata for appointment as Executive Director to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development bank, also known as the iBank. He joined the I Bank later last year to serve as a Chief Deputy Director for nearly 30 years of a career in the private sector.

After. Excuse me, nearly 30 years in the private sector. His experience is in financing public infrastructure projects and he has led the public finance division at TD Securities, UBS Financial Services, Citigroup, Goldman Snacks Company and many others.

He is completely qualified for this position and he was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5 vote on February 18th. Respectfully, yes for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 32, No 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving on to item number two. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, the confirmation of Richard Stein for appointment to California Arts Council is before you. And he is recently retired arts professional, has served for 15 years as a President of Arts Orange County. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of laguna Playhouse.

In 2025, he was recognized as a statewide arts advocacy champion for California Arts Advocates. He was approved by unanimous vote in the Rules Committee on February 18th. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Thank you. Members, I rise today to strongly support the appointment of Richard Stein to the California Arts Council. He's long resided in San Juan Capistrano in my district, and served as the President and CEO of the Arts, Orange County for 17 years until retiring last year.

In that role, he helped turn the organization into a leading nonprofit arts council. He's widely recognized for his collaborative style, his expertise and leadership. In 2025, he received the statewide Arts Advocacy Champion Award. Please join me in voting to confirm Richard Stein to the California Arts Council. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Grove, you may close.

Respectfully ask for an Aye vote.

Thank you. Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Once more. Secretary, please call absent Members.

[Roll Call]

Aye 33. No 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item three. Senator Grove, you are recognized for item three.

Okay, thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, file item number three is a confirmation of Nicholas. Sorry, it's not Nicholas. It's Nick Hardman. Okay, everybody's mic should go up. No, I'm giving him a bad time because I know he's watching. Watching. So the confirmation didn't want anybody confused.

His legal name is Nicholas Hardiman, but it's Nick Hardiman for the appointment of the California Housing Finance Agency board of directors. Mr. Hardiman is an experienced and dedicated public service servant who served in the state Legislature for over 20 years, most recently as a chief of staff to our former pro tem, Tony Atkins.

He will do an incredibly good job on this position. And my only regret is that we didn't get to pull him in for questioning in front of the Rules Committee to make him answer a bunch of questions. He was required not to appear, but we know that he'll do a really good job.

Respectfully asked for an aye vote, but I had to give him a bad time.

Thank you, Senator, for your confusion. And then clarification and then. Sounds like he was saved from the Rules Committee. So, having said that, seeing no further discussion or debate, Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes. 33. No 0. The appointment is confirmed. Members, we are Moving to Senate. Third reading, item number 12. Senator Allen, from the majority's desk, you are recognized for item 12. SCR127.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution127 by Senator Allen. Relative to Multi Faith Heritage Month.

Two Jews.

And a Muslim.

Walk onto the Senate floor to present SCR 127 to recognize December's Multi Faith Heritage Month, celebrating California's home to one of the most diverse populations in the world.

As we speak, many Californians are observing Ramadan, are looking forward to Pesach and Easter right around the corner, only underscoring the many faiths practiced and celebrated here.

We know that California's vault beliefs contribute meaningfully, as Sister Michelle said earlier, to our civic and cultural life and our rich diversity. We're foundational to our identity, our economics, social and our intellectual vitality.

Establishing a Multi Faith Heritage Month celebrates this vast diversity across our districts and encourages Californians to foster communities grounded in mutual respect and understanding amongst our different faiths and cultures.

I'd like to thank my colleagues as well as my joint authors for bringing this forward in honestly one of the most difficult times in America's history and the fact that we are prioritizing unity and respect for each other.

Thank you. And we respectfully ask for an aye vote on Scr127.

Thank you, Senator, for that very diverse presentation and seeing no mics up for discussion or debate. Members, without objection, we will apply unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection. That role is 33 eyes, no zero. And the resolution is adopted. Well done, Senator. We're moving back to privileges of the floor so you can recognize your guest.

Well, thank you so much, Mr. President. Our wonderful sponsors are here. Muhammad Khan, President of the Multi Faith Initiative, and Saher Hamdani, who sits on the board. I've known and worked with Mohammed for several years now. His important work with the Multi Faith Initiative promotes collaboration and the shared understanding across faiths and cultures statewide.

I just want to personally thank Mohammad for his work on SCR127 and his continued efforts with the initiative, and ask that you all join me in showing some appreciation and welcoming both Muhammad and Saher, two wonderful leaders in the Multi Faith Dialogue effort, to our Senate chamber.

And evidently everybody's being invited to join in the back of the chamber.

Members returning Back to Senate, third reading. Moving to item five. Item five, SCR 110. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 by Senator Grove relative to Women's Military History Week.

Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Or, excuse me, thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to present SCR110, which commemorates next week, March 6th 16th through the 22nd, 2026, as women history Military Week. Since the American Revolutionary war, more than 3 million women veterans have served in the United States Armed Forces, and that number continues to grow.

Over 9,000 female troops have earned combat badges during combat operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan. This year marks the 13th anniversary since women have been allowed to serve in combat roles, and specifically including artillery, armory and infantry.

Since then, we have seen more women in leadership and frontline combat roles, including Brigadier General Laura Yeager, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot who assumed command of the California National Guard's 40th Infantry Division and became the first woman in command in the United States army infantry division in 2019.

Women are now training for and serving in combat units and operations, and a number are receiving their Ranger tags. That number continues to grow. Today, women in all services are now eligible to serve in the Special Operation Forces. Despite the barriers, throughout history, women have still served our country in various strategic roles, including.

In 1978, Deborah Sampson disguised herself. Excuse me, I apologize. In 1778, Deborah Sanson disguised herself as a man and bravely served in the Continental army during the Civil War. Dr. Mary Walker, a physician, became the first and only woman ever awarded the correct Congressional Medal of honor.

In 2005, Sergeant Leah Ann Hester became the first woman in the United States army to earn a Silver Star for direct combat action. In 2008, General Ann Dunwoody became the first female four star General in military history.

In 2023, Admiral Lisa Frenetti became the first woman to serve as the Chief Naval Operations Officer and the first woman to sit in the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On our own floor, we've had previous Senators.

Senator Melissa Melendez, who served in the United States military, along with Senator Susan Eggman, who just left us last year or two years ago in the last election cycle, as the first female veteran elected to the California State Legislature, it is my distinct Honor to present SCR110 along with my colleague and Marine veteran, Senator Caroline Menjivar, respectfully ask for an Aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Archuleta, you are recognized.

Thank you, madam. Mr. President. Thank you so much. I rise also to support Ser110, but also I'd like to give a shout out to my daughter in law, Tiffany Archuleta, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Intelligence officer, West Point graduate, married to my son Brandon and she served with honor and distinction and as Senator Umberg and myself wear these paratrooper wings. She also wears her paratrooper wings because she completed jump school. So I'm very proud of her. But I'm also proud of all the women who served our nation in uniform.

It is with great admiration and respect that I rise today in support of SCR110 honoring women Military History when we think about military history, the images that often come to mind are soldiers, generals and battlefield dominated by men.

But throughout history, women have played a crucial role in warfare, often overcoming barriers, prejudice, restrictions to serve their country with courage, honor and determination. It is more and today modern history shows us that women's military roles expanded, as we heard earlier, significantly through major global conflicts.

During World War I and World War II, millions of women served as nurses, pilots, mechanics, intelligence officers. In the United States, organizations like the Women Air Force service pilots called WASPs allowed women to fly military aircraft, to transport supplies and train pilots.

Though they were not initially recognized as official military personnel, their contributions were essential to the war effort. The Women's Army Corps established in 1942, allowed women to serve in non combat roles.

Decades later, as we all know, policies continue to evolve, cultivating in 2015 when the United States Department of Defense opened all combat positions to women, allowing for more new leaders like Ann Dunwoody, who made history when she became the first woman in US Military history to achieve the rank of four star General.

Admiral Michelle Howard, who was the first African American woman to command the United States Navy ship and became the first female four star admiral in Navy history in 2014. And Air Force General Lori Robinson took over as leader of the US Northern Command in 2016, becoming the first woman to lead a combatant command.

Today, women serve as pilots, engineers, medics, commanders and more. Their service continues to change and challenge stereotypes to expand opportunities for future generations. Women military history is not just about the past. It's about perseverance, equality and the ongoing fight for recognition.

By remembering the contributions of women who served our nation before current and in the future, we honor their courage and ensure that their stories will never be forgotten. For these reasons, I rise to support scr110. Thank you Mr. President.

Thank you Senator Rubio. You are recognized.

Thank you Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise also in strong support of scr110. I want to thank the great Senator who introduced this resolution. But I want to take a moment to acknowledge. First of all, thank her and all those that served that are on this floor.

She already mentioned we have women like Senator Menjavar, Senator Susan Egwin, who just left us, and herself, Melissa Melendez, and many others who I think demonstrate that bravery that we sometimes have to demonstrate here. But thank you. Thank you for your service as we honor this.

This week, we honor the courage and sacrifice and leadership of the women who served in every branch of our armed forces, from the earliest pioneers who fought for the right to serve to the thousands of women protecting our nation today. Their dedication has strengthened our military and our country.

Their service reminds us that patriotism, bravery and sacrifice knows no gender, and that our nation is stronger because of their contributions. Again, I want to thank the great Senator who introduced this resolution. I want to thank her and all women serving today. Thank you.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Grove, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank my colleagues for speaking on this resolution, specifically my colleague from Baldwin park, who is very always supportive of this. And I do want to recognize that the individual that is not here with us today, Senator Mengavar, served the United States Marine Corps.

She's presided on the dais, and she is an incredible advocate for the military personnel, all. All branches. And even though she's in the Marines, but all branches. And I just respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Thank you so much. Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 34. Noes 0. The resolution is adopted. Moving on, Members, to items 20. SCR 137. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 137 by Senator Ashby relative to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day.

Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Mr. President. Thank you. It is an honor to rise on behalf of the Women's caucus to present SCR137 today, which proclaims March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day. Justice Ginsburg started her career at Harvard Law School. But partway through, due to a family move, she had to adjust and finished her law degree at Columbia.

This has always served as a point of inspiration to me. I was a young single mom in law school, and Justice Ginsburg was the only other person I had heard about who had to balance being a mom while going to law school.

She, of course, understood that women cannot be equal citizens without autonomy, economic opportunity, and the full protection of the law. She spent a lifetime fighting for equity. After graduating top in her class, she eventually would become the second woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. Supreme Court in 1993.

She's famous for her collars, which she wore to remind people that the robes could be feminine as well. Many of my colleagues in the room today are wearing collars in her honor, which I think she would be quite pleased about.

Justice Ginsburg was a pioneer for women, and she serves as a role model to so many of us. I'm honored to stand and present SCR 137 in her name today. And I ask my colleagues to please join me in supporting this resolution.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Yes, thank you. I thank my good colleague from Sacramento for bringing forward SCR137 today and just want to add my voice to supporting the importance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. You know, her quiet subversion throughout many decades of working on behalf of women's equality and equality of all types is really a model.

And so many of us, I think, have found inspiration in her. And today many of us are wearing the collar in recognition of the great work that she did on the Supreme Court and also before that, in her advocacy and the role model that she was.

So I want to say a big thank you, and I urge all my colleagues to support SCR137.

Senator Valladeris, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I also rise in support of SCR 137. And like many Americans, and probably lots of my colleagues here on this side of the aisle, I didn't always agree with her judicial philosophy. But there is something about her life that I think is especially worth reflecting on in today's political climate.

Her friendship with Justice Antonin Scalia. These two were ideological opposites. Their legal views could not have been more different. And their dissents were sharp, were direct and often unforgettable. But outside of the courtroom, they were dear friends. They went to the opera together. Their families spent New Year's Eve together.

They even traveled together once and rode an elephant in India together. And their friendship wasn't just professional, it was deeply personal. Their families loved each other. Justice Scalia's wife and Justice Ginsburg's husband would trade recipes and cook for everyone. The families celebrated holidays together and stayed up late talking and laughing long into the night.

One New Year's Eve, after Justice Ginsburg's husband had passed away, she joined the Scalia family for a quiet celebration. During that evening, she shared a story with Justice Scalia's son and his new wife about the first time that she noticed her own husband in college, when a professor singled him out in class for giving the best answer.

But she wasn't just telling a story. She was sharing something, something personal, something meaningful with a young couple starting their own life together. And I think that moment says something very powerful, because opening up like that, sharing family stories, sharing life advice, that's something we only do with the people that we truly trust.

Yet these two people who disagreed profoundly on the law and many issues that facing our country, they never softened their convictions. Their opinions were fierce, their disagreements were real. But they also understood something that sometimes feels lost today.

Justice Scalia once explained it simply when a Clerk asked why he sent Justice Ginsburg roses for her birthday, even though she rarely sided with him in major cases, he said, some things are more important than votes. And that lesson spills especially important right now.

In a healthy Republic, we should be able to debate fiercely without turning disagreement into hostility. Justice Ginsburg and Justice Scalia showed us that strong convictions and genuine friendship can exist.

At the same time, and in a moment where our country often feels deeply divided, that example may be one of the most meaningful legacies that they both leave behind. I strongly urge an aye vote.

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I also stand here in strong support of SCR137. This is so important to all of us here on this floor and to so many around the world. I rise today to honor her name and her legacy. And we all wear this choker in honor of her legacy.

She was such a strong leader and individual that really was small in statute, but was very powerful with her voice. She was about making sure that everything was fair. She refused to accept limitations on herself, on women, or on anyone denied their rightful place in society. The fight is deeply personal to so many of us.

I know because I was told many times, I don't belong. I was told not to go to college. I was told not to run for the Senate seat. And the list of obstacles that women face goes on and on.

But Justice Ginsburg faced the same dismissiveness at Harvard, where she was just one of nine women in a class of 500. Even the dean questioned her and asked her, how dare she take a man's seat? Let's be clear. There's no such thing as a man's seat. There never was. Justice Ginsburg knew that.

She worked to make sure no woman ever had to justify being at any place, in any room. Her decision reshaped our legal landscape, not by changing laws, but but by ensuring that the Constitution's promise of equality actually meant something in practice.

She knew that women's rights, civil rights, and human rights were all bound together and that the fight for one was a fight for all. Justice Ginsburg once said, permission to read?

Without objection.

Thank you. Judges should not be swayed by the weather of the day, but by the cloth climate of the era. And that resonates with me today. She wasn't making radical changes. She was ensuring that the laws reflected the evolving reality that people live every day. Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.

It shouldn't be that women are the exception. And one of the items that I'd like to point out is on this floor, we shouldn't be the exception. And I'm very thankful to see that they are 21 women on this floor. So we are the majority today, and that is thanks to people like Ruth Ginsburg.

Women's rights are also essential part of everyone's human rights. In trained inequality, she fought so hard for the ability for everyone to have the right to just live, love, and enjoy their lives. Justice Ginsburg's legacy isn't just written in court rulings.

It lives in every woman who refuses to shrink, in every young girl who dares to dream, and every fight for justice that continues today. So for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg day, I ask that we recommit ourselves to working together and keep that legacy going. Because the fight for justice is never truly over.

So once again today, my colleagues and I wore this choker in honor of of her name. And I want to thank the great Senator from Sacramento for bringing this forward. With that, I ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator, you may close.

In speaking to a young group of graduates in 2009, Justice Ginsburg said, use the education that you have received to help repair tears in your communities and work toward the health and well being of your generation and the generations that follow your own. May we all Work to repair the broken pieces of our world.

I urge an Aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. And without objection, we will apply the unanimous roll call. Ayes 34, no, 0. The resolution is adopted. Moving on to the next item, item 22, SR 85.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Resolution 85 by Senator Umberg relative to multiple Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

Senator Umberg, you are recognized.

Well, thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Today I rise NAS for your support of SR85, which recognizes the week of March 8, 2026 to March 14, 2026 as multiple sclerosis Awareness week. In recognition of the importance of finding the cause of and a cure for multiple sclerosis. Ms. Is a serious issue.

One million Americans are affected by this neurologic disease. With 200 new cases diagnosed weekly, Ms. Is unpredictable, often disabling. An often disabling disease of which the central nervous system is impacted, and it affects 40,000 Californians.

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 during what are often the most productive working years and family building years of their lives. MS, can present differently in individuals. It may cause fatigue, mobility challenges, vision loss, cognitive impairment, making it difficult for many to maintain employment and independence.

These challenges can negatively affect a person's ability to hold a job, maintain relationships, or even care for themselves, and could place a significant challenge to families and caregivers. I'd also ask to recognize the important work of folks here in California and particularly our local individuals.

Local leaders Cindy Decker and Rhnata Shigerian for their continued advocacy and dedication to supporting individuals and families impacted by MS. Awareness, education and continued research are critical to improving the quality of life for those living with MS. And to advancing the cause and finding a cure for MS.

Therefore, SR85 proclaims the week as multiple schools Rosa's Awareness week to educate and spread awareness to the public on the large impact that MS. Has on a sizable portion of our state and country's population, and to spread awareness on the importance of finding a cause of and cure for MS. With that, I urge an aye vote.

Thank you.

Thank you, Senators. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Members, without objection, we will apply. Unanimous roll call. Ayes 34, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Members, we are moving to the special consent calendar. Is there any Member that would like to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing none. Secretary, please read items on the consent calendar.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 127, 128, 132, 134.

Secretary, please call roll on final item 28.

[Roll Call]

Secretary, please call absent Members.

[Roll Call]

Aye 33, No . 0 on item 28 and that roll call eyes 33 no. 0 will apply to the rest of the items on the special consent calendar. Members, we're moving to cons. Committee announcements. Committee announcements. Senator Laird, you are recognized for your announcement. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Budget Subcommitee 3 on Health and Human Services will meet in the swing space

room 1200 immediately upon adjournment. Thank you, Senator. Senator Hurtado, you are recognized for your announcement.

Thank you. Senate Budget Subcommitee 4 will convene 15 minutes upon adjournment. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Perez, you are recognized.

Senate Subcommitee on Education will meet in room 2100 of the swing space upon adjournment of session or 15 minutes after. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Richardson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Budget sub five will be covering three key areas today. The first one is the Board of State and Community Corrections. We'll be having an overview and discussing the Grant Administration program. Then we're going to do the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

We're going to talk about their lump sum payments, population estimates and prison capacity. And finally, in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations, we're going to be reviewing the facility and capital outlay proposals. Please come to room 112 immediately following adjournment.

Thank you, Senator, for your full disclosure on your announcement. Senator Cabaldon, you are recognized to see if you can do better.

Thank you, Mr. President. The select Committee on California's Wine Industry will convene at 2:30pm this afternoon at Napa Valley College.

Thank you so very much. Members, we have one adjournment memory. Going to motions and resolutions we want to recognize. If you have conversations, please take them off the floor. We want to recognize Senator Wiener for your adjournment memory.

Thank you very much, Mr. President and colleagues, I rise today to ask that the Senate adjourn in memory of Dr. William Ma, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, scholar and friend who left a lasting mark on all who knew him. He is fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues as brilliant and charming.

Dr. Ma lived an accomplished life, immigrating from China to the US and completing his Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degrees, all on full scholarships. He was happiest when surrounded by his wife, his children, grandchildren and pets. He shared over 50 years of marriage with his wife, Sophia Ma.

Dr. Ma proudly raised three children, Fiona, Michael and Samantha, and later proudly became a grandfather. He raised a family grounded in education, faith and hard work. As a father, he always gave his children the advice to not waste time time and to always be punctual.

Dr. Ma was an extremely supportive father of his daughter, Fiona Ma, our California State Treasurer. He attended her events for many, many years, always glowing with pride and always offering unwavering support for her public service. Dr. Ma loved parties, gatherings and having thoughtful conversations. He also had a passion for researching the stock market.

He was known for his bright smile and will be remembered for being extremely friendly, kind and outgoing. He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, dignity and strong family values. Colleagues, please join me in a journey in the Senate today in memory of Dr. William Ma. May his memory be a blessing.

Our condolences to family and friends. Please bring the name of your adjournment memory to the front desk for proper memorialization. With that, if there is no other business pro Tem Limon, the desk is clear.

Thank you. Members, the next session will be on Monday, March 16th at 2:00pm thank you.

The Senate is in recess until 3:30pm at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Monday, March 16, 2026 at 2:00pm Have a good weekend, Members.