Assembly Floor

Good morning, California. Assembly is now in session. Assembly member Gonzales notices the absence of a quorum. Sergeant Arms will prepare the chamber, bringing the absent members. Clerk will call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for today's prayer. Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez will offer today's prayer. Assemblymember Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Members, please join me in a moment of reflection. As we gather here today in this chamber in service to the people of California, we pause to reflect on a truth that transcends denominations and traditions, that every person possesses inherent dignity and value. For those who draw strength and are the firm believers in faith, we remember the timeless call to our love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable, and see ourselves in one another.

For those who find meaning through other paths, we unite around the shared belief that every human being deserves compassion and belonging.

Today, we give thanks for the opportunity to serve, for the patience to listen, for the courage to lead, and for the responsibility entrusted in us to build communities where all are worth and where people can thrive. As we recognize pride month, we celebrate the countless LGBTQ plus Californians who have strengthened our communities, have enriched our culture, served our golden state, and helped shaped our society closer to its highest ideals. We honor those who live authentically despite great risk and hardship.

We recognize those who continue to seek acceptance. We reflect on those seeking safety, and we recognize those seeking belonging and understanding.

We remember those who have felt unseen, those who walk their daily path feeling excluded or told they are somehow less than. May they know what each of us should know, that we are worthy of love, that we are worthy of respect, and they are worthy of every opportunity to live openly and fully as ourselves. May we never lose sight of the simple truth, but profound truth that love is not diminished when it's shared. Love is love. It grows.

It heals. It brings us closer to one another. As we continue the work before us, may we be guided by compassion over judgment, understanding over fear, and unity over division. May we build a California where every person knows they belong, every family knows they matter, and every community is embraced with dignity and with grace. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminds us, my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.

May we remember that none of us are made stronger by pushing others to the margins. We are strongest when every person has a seat at the table, a voice in the conversation, and the freedom to be exactly who they are. May that spirit of love and humanity guide us as we celebrate Pride Month and the dignity and strength of every Californian. Amen.

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute. Assemblymember Zbur will lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

Members and guests, please join me for the pledge of allegiance. Ready. Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag, The United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands...

May be seated. and to the To our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the chamber 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, Thursday, 05/07/2026. The Assembly met at 9am. The honorable Josh Lowenthal, speaker Pro-temporary The Assembly presiding

Majority leader Garcia moves that Mister Ta Seconds that the reading of the previous state's journal be dispensed with. Presentation on 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. The office of the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal, which brings us to procedural motions. Assistant majority leader Garcia, you are recognized for your procedural motion.

Thank you, Mister speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly rule one eighteen a to allow Assembly members Lowenthal, Michelle Rodriguez, Garcia, Nguyen, and Ramos in the rear of the chamber to, in the rear of the chamber to allow a civil member Ward to have guests on the floor today.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer the following bills to committee, SB 1089 Richardson from the Public Employment and Retirement Committee to the Appropriations Committee, and SB 1388 Durazo from the Insurance Committee to the Housing and Community Development Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

At the request of the author, please remove file item 50, HR 110 Bonta from the consent calendar.

Clerk will note.

At the request of the author, I am giving one day notice to remove the following items from the inactive file. Item a six, SB 615, Allen, and item a 13, SB 716, Durazo.

Clerk will note.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly rule 56 to allow the following committees to notice bills pending re referral. Elections committee to notice the following bills for their July 1 hearing, SB 884, Umberg, pending rereferral from the public safety committee, and SB 1418 Cervantes, pending rereferral from the public safety committee.

Natural resources committee to notice the following bills for their June 29 hearing, SB 1087, Cabaldon, pending rereferral from the Transportation Committee, SB 1213 Reyes, pending rereferral from the Transportation Committee, and SB 1230 Viadaris, pending rereferral from the public safety committee. Privacy and consumer protection committee to notice SB 574 Umberg for their July 1 hearing, pending receipt from the Judiciary Committee.

Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee to notice SB 883, Umberg, for their June 30 hearing, pending receipt from the Emergency Management Committee, and local government committee to notice SB 1090 Perez further July 1 hearing pending rereferral from the Housing and Committee Development Committee.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I request you to have as consent to suspend joint rule 62 a, the file notice requirement to allow the following committees to set bills. Banking and finance committee to hear SB 546 Grayson for their hearing today, Monday, June 22, and government of organization committee to set SB 1294 Rubio for their hearing on Wednesday, June 24.

Without objection, such shall be the order.

I move to suspend Assembly rule 46 and Assembly rule 66 to allow the Assembly to take action on ACA 20 Gabriel this week.

Okay.

It's awkward when I'm right beside you

Leader Flora, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. Hold consent, ask for a roll call vote.

Okay. Thank you, leader Flora. Members, consent has been withheld. This motion has been seconded by Assemblymember Pellerin. This requires 40 votes.

Clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. Mister Garcia is asking Flora is asking for a no 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, 11. The motion carries. Mister Garcia, you may continue.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Pursuant to Assembly rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer SB 623, Umberg, from the Housing and Community Development Committee to the Judiciary Committee.

Without objection.

I request unanimous consent to suspend joint rule 62 a, the file notice requirement to allow the following committees to set bills. Judiciary committees to set SB 623, Umberg, for their hearing on Tuesday, June 23, and appropriations to set SB 1350 McNerney for their hearing on Wednesday, June 24.

Without objection, thank you, Mister Garcia. Members, will you, join me in welcoming former Assembly member, Christina Garcia, who's at the rear of the chamber? Welcome back. Welcome back.

Members, we will now move to the assembly's pride month ceremony. We will take up file 31, House Resolution 115 by Assemblymember Ward. The clerk will read.

House Resolution 115 by Assemblymember Ward and others relative to Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pride month.

Member Ward, you may now open the measure.

Thank you, Mister Speaker and Members. Well, it's still June, so happy pride. As Chair of the California legislative LGBTQ caucus, I rise today to present HR 115 to recognize June 2026 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month.

Each year, Pride Month reminds us of our collective responsibility to support our LGBTQ community members, celebrate the beauty of our diversity, and affirm that everyone deserves to live openly and authentically without fear or a sign in addition to serving as a celebration of our community, our history, our resilience, and our progress. Pride is a reminder that progress is never inevitable.

Every right that we enjoy today exists because generations of brave individuals organized, advocated, marched, and refused to disappear. Now this year's pride theme is the category as pride tens across the board, honoring the legacy of ballroom culture and especially the black and Latino LGBTQ communities that created it. Ballroom emerged because LGBTQ people of color who were excluded elsewhere, created spaces where they could be seen, celebrated, and safe. Through houses, Ballroom created chosen families. Through competition, Ballroom created confidence.

And through creativity, Ballroom transformed pain into power. Perhaps most importantly, Ballroom taught generations of LGBTQ people that authenticity is something to be celebrated and uplifted, not hidden. Our last pride, we have seen attempts to erase transgender people's existence, remove LGBTQ historical monuments, strip access to health care coverage, criminalize providers who deliver utmost medically necessary health care, and even ban transgender people for maintaining identification documents such as driver's licenses, which also creates de facto transgender voting bans. These targeted actions are not just political. Country.

So let us be especially clear. We in California will not stand by while the safety, dignity, and rights of our community members are threatened. When those in positions of power attempt to impose unconstitutional or discriminatory policies that undermine life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we will stand up and fight back. And we do so in the name of pride. Because pride was never about permission.

It was never about comfort. Pride is resilience, community, and the courage to live authentically, and refuse to let anyone else define our worth. Pride is remembering that the rainbow flag was sewn in resistance, that marches are born from movements, and that our community does not abandon one another when the attacks intensify or when progress is threatened. Important. Pride still has power.

That power cannot be legislated away. It cannot be banned, erased, or canceled, no matter how many times a certain collective tries from one generation to the next. And that is why this month remains so important. With HR 115, we signal to our incredible constituents across California because we all have LGBTQ constituents that they are seen, they are valued, and they belong. And to our colleagues who are not LGBTQ, your presence and support matters today and every day.

Progress has always depended upon people willing to stand up for one another, and we are grateful for your partnership. And to those who would rather see us a raise, we aren't going anywhere. We aren't we're not gonna dim or shine. We're not gonna go back into the closet. And as my final pride month, as the 2526 Chair of our California legislative LGBTQ caucus, I am proud to bring forward this resolution to commemorate this important month and reaffirm support for all members of our LGBTQ plus community.

Assemblymember Ward. Assemblymember Muratsuchi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus in strong support of HR 115 to embrace and celebrate the LGBTQ community, especially within our own API community. As a straight ally, I often hear from my API LGBTQ friends that one of the biggest challenges that they face is that as API LGBTQ people, they often feel like they're not accepted in either community and that they feel like they do not fully belong in either community.

Many API cultures share a strong emphasis on family, tradition, and traditional gender roles, which make it more difficult to come out to family members risking resistance or even outright rejection from their parents and from their loved ones. We recognize the challenges of our API LGBTQ brothers and sisters and strongly embrace and celebrate them.

And and so for for those reasons, I rise in strong support of HR 55115.

Thank you, Senator Muratsuchi. We appreciate and love our allies. And next, Assemblymember Zbur.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members. On behalf of the both the Jewish caucus and the Latino caucus, I rise today in strong support of HR 115, recognizing LGBTQ plus pride month. As a proud member of the LGBTQ caucus, the Jewish caucus, and the Latino caucus, I'm especially proud and honored to speak on this resolution. Pride month, which we celebrate today, represents inclusion and recognition alongside honoring those who've come before us and began the movement that we continue to fight today.

Pride month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ plus community, reflect on the progress we've made, and reaffirm that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

That affirmation is particularly important today. Across the country, LGBTQ plus people continue to face efforts to marginalize our identities, restrict our rights, and undermine our ability to participate fully in public life. In moments like these, solidarity matters. Across the world, 2,000,000,000 people live in places where same sex relationships are criminalized, and many LGBTQ plus people flee their home countries seeking safety in California. This is why LGBTQ plus people are overrepresented among our immigrant communities.

So when our immigrant communities are targeted, LGBTQ plus people feel those risks very profoundly. Members, the Jewish value of or community teaches that we're responsible for one another and that our communities are strongest when they reject hatred and exclusion in all forms. Earlier this year, the Jewish caucus and the LGBTQ caucus put that value into practice through our drag Purim celebration. It was a joyful reminder that building community means creating spaces where people feel welcomed, valued, and celebrated for who they are.

Visibility is important and something we will continue fighting for alongside the resources we need to live healthy and happy lives.

Recently, we've seen an uptick in anti LGBTQ rhetoric, which threatens to undo the years of progress that we have fought so hard and have earned. So now more than ever, it's crucial we continue to fight for LGBTQ plus civil rights and inclusion for all members of our community and from all walks of life.

As we recognize pride month, the Jewish caucus and the Latino caucus are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ plus community and continue the ongoing work of building a California where everyone can live with dignity, safety, and belonging. In that spirit and on behalf of the Latino caucus and the Jewish caucus, I respectfully request an aye vote on HR 115.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ward. Sorry, Zbur. Next, we have our amazing assemblywoman Irwin who will be speaking on her last pride as a member.

Thank you very much, Speaker. On behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus, I rise in support of HR 115. California has long been a leader in advancing civil rights and ensuring equal treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As we recognize pride month, we also honor the extraordinary contributions of LGBTQ plus women who have helped shape our state and nation.

We remember pioneers such as Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin whose courage and leadership helped launch the nation's first lesbian rights organization here in California.

And that laid the groundwork for generations of progress. We recognize leaders such as Laphonza Butler whose historic service has broken barriers and expanded opportunities in public life. And we celebrate trailblazers such as Billie Jean King, whose advocacy for equality transformed not only the world of sports, but our broader understanding of fairness and opportunity. Their stories remind us that California and America are stronger because of the courage, leadership, and service of LGBTQ plus women.

By supporting HR 115, we affirm that every Californian deserves to live with dignity, safety, and the freedom to participate fully in civil and community life.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your Aye vote.

Thank you, assemblywoman, for being such a strong advocate for our community. Assemblywoman Elhawary, you are now recognized.

Good afternoon, Speaker and Members. I am honored to speak on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus in support of HR 115. To celebrate the LGBTQ plus community is to recognize the long impact of black culture on the pride we see today. From the beauty and bravery of Marsha P Johnson to the creation of ball culture, black LGBTQ plus icons continue every day to uplift the community. Even before the Stonewall Riot, black queer organizers were active in California.

Ernestine Eckstein, black Lesbian activist, spoke at Picket Lines in San Francisco in the nineteen sixties, recognized as

a key leader in the gay rights movement at the time. During the AIDS epidemic, activists like Phil Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Organization in LA and San Francisco, worked to increase treatment and end the stigmas. So as we recognize LGBTQ plus pride month, let us remember the resiliency and bravery of unapologetic black advocates before us. Pride isn't just a celebration, it's a commitment. Thank you.

Thank you, assemblywoman. And as we get ready to celebrate big pride in San Francisco, Assembly Member Haney.

And you all are invited, Mister Speaker, Members. This this coming Sunday, we will have a hundreds of thousands of people join us in celebration of pride month in San Francisco for one of the world's largest pride parades. I'm a very proud representative of the city of San Francisco, which for generations has been one of the hearts of the LGBTQ rights movement. Our city has been a place of refuge, community, and activism for people seeking the freedom to live openly and authentically.

It is a place where countless individuals found acceptance when they could not find it elsewhere and where movements for equality helped change the course of our state and our nation.

I very proudly represent the district that includes the Castro District, which was the district represented by Harvey Milk. And much of my Assembly district includes a district that Harvey Milk once ran for. And he, of course, was one of the first openly gay l g b gay elected officials in the country.

From the pink triangle overlooking Twin Peaks to the pride flag flying above Harvey Milk Plaza, our city honors the history, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ people who helped shape San Francisco into the city it is today. Pride has always been more than a celebration.

It is a recognition of those who fought for the rights many of us now enjoy. It is a tribute to the activists who organized protests and demanded equal treatment under the law, And it is a reminder of the extraordinary courage shown by LGBTQ people who live openly when doing so so comes with tremendous risk. It is also, of course, a reminder of all of the work that we still have to do.

We have to take action, not just speak up, to ensure that everyone has the freedoms that ever all of us deserve, and the freedoms that we celebrate this month that were hard won are protected. I wanna wish everyone a happy pride month, and let us honor the history of this movement, recognize the contributions of the LGBTQ community, and recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all.

And I wanna thank the member, from San Diego and all of the members of the LGBTQ caucus wishing you a happy pride month and respectfully ask for your Aye vote on HR 115.

Thank you, Assembly Member Haney, and good luck this weekend as you celebrate big pride this weekend. Next, we have a Senate Member Ramos.

Well, thank you so much, Mister Speaker, and I rise on behalf of the California Native American Legislative Caucus in support of HR 115. In a time when we see basic human rights under attack because of ethnicity, immigration status, or race, we also see attempts to undermine and erase the human and civil rights of our LGBTQ plus brothers and sisters.

Today, I am proud to stand side by side with our LGBTQ plus caucus in recognizing and recognizing their achievements their achievements to the state of California in positions that are held. We also see contributions that are made within Indian country as we have tribal leaders that are part of the LGBTQ plus community. In recognizing and protecting all rights, we also strengthen our own rights.

We also want to bring attention to the achievements that we see on this floor through pieces of legislation, through resolutions like this that continue to move forward. The resiliency is demonstrated in its unity to combat hate and hostility against their community with empowerment and education. We will all succeed when through their struggles, our struggles, we will reinforce that resiliency by celebrating their many contributions to the state nation. I urge you to vote aye.

And as we stand together, we stand together for unity, resiliency to ensure that every voice is respected and honored in the state of California.

I urge your Aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Ramos. Next, we have Assemblymember Demaio. You are now recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I wanna thank my colleagues for, the uplifting, and celebratory remarks made on this resolution. I think that they are quite appropriate. I want to start first by making it clear that we all celebrate pride. I don't think there's a single member in this chamber that doesn't wish the best for LGBT community members.

We want them to go out, be their authentic selves, achieve happiness. Sadly, we couldn't say that thirty years ago. Perhaps we couldn't say that fifteen years ago. But without a shadow of a doubt, we can say that today. Now that does not mean that all of our members are going to add their name as co author to this resolution because the resolution actually contains some controversial policy positions.

Being against some of those policies does not make you anti LGBT. It just means that we have a difference of opinion on policy, on how to treat people fairly, on how to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, and afforded their constitutional rights. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt, as the only gay Republican that I know of serving in this body, that without hesitation, I know every single one of my fellow Republican caucus members shares my views.

Some people in life are glass half empty in how they look at the world. Others are glass half full.

On this issue, my hope is that we can get to a glass half full mindset because the evidence is overwhelming. No civil rights change. No social change has happened faster than what we've seen on the issue of how people view the LGBT community and their rights. This is something to celebrate. I'm sure that there are things that we could dwell on that need improvement.

We can do that across the board for every community. Even our faith based communities, Today, if they brought a resolution forward celebrating their faith, they may say, hey, I think government policies are off on how my church is is treated and whether people respect our first amendment rights to worship as we as we desire. And so I'm not saying that not that there are not issues to address. There certainly are. But this isn't a moment of time that we should be very joyous.

I wanna thank the author of the resolution for adding certain accomplishments into the resolution that demonstrate that there is a bipartisan, a nonpartisan commitment to having LGBT leaders at the table. This year's resolution acknowledges that president Trump appointed Scott Bessent as his Treasury secretary, openly gay member of the cabinet.

But what it fails to recognize, and I don't think it was intentional, is that president Trump actually made history appointing the first openly gay member of his cabinet with his appointment of ambassador Richard Grenell as the DNI director in his first administration. Again, these are all milestones to acknowledge and to celebrate, But one thing that should unite us today, every Californian, irrespective of their gender, their religion, who they love, their orientation, their skin color, Every Californian is afforded equal protection.

They are afforded their rights, and they should be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

On that, we can all agree and wish everyone a happy pride.

Thank you, Assembly Member Demaio, and I can't agree with you more. Anyone in this chamber, the state of California, or in our world should live their authentic self and love who they wanna love. Thank you for your words. With that, seeing no hearing no other debates, that's a number of words. You may close.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members, and colleagues. I wanna thank all those who stood with us in support of this important resolution and celebration of pride month. Our colleagues from Torrance, from West Hollywood, San Francisco, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Highland, and, yes, my neighbor and colleague from San Diego as well. Members, I'd be remiss if I didn't close by reminding us how we arrive at this moment every June. While joyful, celebratory, and colorful, pride is it didn't begin as a celebration.

Pride began as a response to discrimination, harassment, exclusion, and violence. It began because LGBTQ people were told they didn't belong and others forcefully tried to push their elders out of existence. We had the uprising at the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco. We had protests at the Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles and famously, you know, the uprising at Stonewall in New York.

But in all these places, our community has always had the fight to fee to be seen, to be respected, and be treated equally under the law.

With my colleague from San Diego. It is an issue about being half glass half empty or glass half full. When it comes to our civil rights, civil rights for all of our communities, that glass should always be all the way. Disappear. And it's such when we talk about both the joy and the challenges facing our community.

And yes, last couple of years with regard to many of our rights and many of our needs. We're not changing the subject of pride. We're honoring the very history that created pride. We cannot celebrate our history without selectively forgetting parts of it. Community while excluding members of that same community when they are deemed politically inconvenient to some.

Pride has always been strongest when we have stood together. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people of every race, religion, background, generation, and more. The history of our movement teaches us that progress is achieved when we expand belonging, not when we narrow it. That is why pride remains as important it is today as it was decades ago.

It is a celebration of how far we've come, an acknowledgment of the work still to be done before us, and a commitment that no member of our community will be left behind.

With that members, I respectfully ask for your support of HR 115. And again, Mister speaker, ask that for the first role to be open for coauthors.

Thank you, Mister, Chair of the LGBT caucus as an award. All debate having ceased. The clerk will now open the role for coauthors. Members, this is for co authors. 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 role. There are 53 co authors. Without objection, we will now take a voice vote on the resolution.

All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, say no. The Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Congratulations to happy pride.

Senator Warr, you're recognized for your introductory remarks.

Well, thank you, Mister speaker and members. Today, I wanna thank you all very much for celebrating pride month with us. I wanna start by giving a warm welcome to guests of our honorees who are up in the gallery. In addition, joining us today is our esteemed guest, the Dykes on Bikes, who not only kicked us off pre floor with the motorcycle procession, but are also celebrating their fiftieth anniversary this year. Please give them a congratulatory applause for this incredible milestone.

Now members, in celebration of pride month and this year's ballroom inspired theme, the category is pride, tens across the board. You'll find some legendary gifts awaiting for you on your desk. In true ballroom fashion, we wanted to make sure strike a pose, and keep cool under pressure as we head into the end of session.

So today, you'll find a glitter fan because every icon deserves dramatic flair, a lipstick pen because pride month is always a good time to make bold statements, some Sour Patch candy kids, Sour Patch kids candy because much like politics, pride can be a little sweet, a little sour, and always colorful. And finally, an LGBTQ caucus pin so you can wear your support for equality, dignity, inclusion, and excellence with pride.

You'll also find a program featuring a QR code linking to the biographies of this year's 15 legendary California pride honorees, leaders from across the Golden State who embolden authenticity, courage, leadership, and community. And speaking of serving, I hope to see you all tonight at our LGBTQ caucus pride celebration where we we will be celebrating the artistry, joy, and legacy of ballroom culture alongside some of the best ballroom houses on the West Coast.

So you can break out the sequence, practice your runway walk, and Mister speaker, permission to use a prop?

Without objection.

Remember that here in California, pride always gets tens across the board. So happy pride month, everybody. I wanna thank you again for celebrating with us today.

Thank you, Mister Chair, and, thank you for acknowledging our tax on bikes. It's so beautiful to see them in the capital. You know, I'm so sorry you couldn't bring your bikes into the capital, but your presence here today is everything. For the two thousand twenty six Assembly observance of Pride Month, we will recognize 15 distinguished honorees for their invaluable contributions to our state and country. I'm appointing an expert committee to bring my honorees onto the floor for a ceremony.

Members should retire to the rear of the chamber as they call your name. Assembly members Ward, Rogers, El Hawari, Mark Gonzalez, Helleran, Lee, Agra Curry, Harabedian, Haney, Zibur, doctor Jackson, and vice Chair, Senator Cervantes. I ask the speaker Rivas and Republican leader Flora move to the front. Senator Ayles, who receive our honorees.

Members should retire to the rear of the chamber as they call your name. Assembly members Ward, Rogers, El Hawari, Mark Gonzalez, Helleran, Lee, Agra Curry, Harabedian, Haney, Zibur, doctor Jackson, and vice Chair, Senator Cervantes. I ask the speaker Rivas and Republican leader Flora move to the front. Senator Ayles, who receive our honorees.

Yeah. Members, it is now time to introduce and welcome our 2026 honorees, the clerk will read.

Escorted by Assembly member Ward is retired United States Army Major, Veronica Zerrer. Major Zerrer served with the Army's first and thirty Fifth Infantry Divisions and currently serves on the California Veterans Board and San Diego LGBT Center's Veterans Wall of Honor Advisory Council. In her civilian career, she has worked as a building contractor for a homeless shelter with a Native American tribe and other nonprofits. Please welcome a retired United States Army Major, Veronica Zerrer. Escorted by Assembly member Solache and Senator Cervantes is Jonathan P Higgins.

Doctor Higgins, professionally known as doctor John Paul, is an award winning educator, media critic, and leader whose work focuses on race, gender, and identity. They also serve as director of strategic communications and advocacy programs at Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and as executive producer of the Black Fat Film podcast. Please welcome Jonathan Higgins. Escorted by Assembly member Mark Gonzales are Jay Trinidad, Trino Garcia, and Adam Vasquez Garcia. Trino and Adam are Chicano artists and LGBTQ plus advocates dedicated to amplifying queer voices.

They have served as guest speakers at the San Diego State Prison and were honored as LA Pride twenty twenty five community grand marshals. Through their creative work, they continue to uplift communities across California. Please welcome Jay Trinidad Garcia and Adam Vasquez Garcia. Escorted by Assemblymember Solache is Ariana Bates. Ariana is a twenty six year veteran high school counselor and yoga teacher working in Southeast Los Angeles.

In 2011, she also founded the Unity Day Conference that focuses on LGBTQ plus resources, suicide prevention, and wellness. Please welcome Ariana Bates. Escorted by Assemblymember Rogers is doctor Amy Carter. Doctor Carter is the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools. She is the first woman elected to that role, and she leads countywide efforts to advance student safety, literacy, and belonging.

As an out LGBTQ plus leader, she is committed to building inclusive school systems where every student can learn, feel safe, and thrive. Please welcome Doctor. Amy Carter.

Escorted by Assemblymember Doctor. Corey Jackson is Lazaro Concepcion. Lazaro, known as Lola Veronica, is a legendary drag performer, host, and community icon. Originally from Cuba, Lola began performing at just 14 years old and became one of the most recognized Latina drag personalities through work at iconic venues and production. Lazaro has hosted pride celebration and shared stages with major Latin music artists.

Please welcome Lazaro Concepcion. Escorted by Assembly member Ehlawary is Luis Vasquez. Luis is a community builder and proud Navy veteran who leads with heart, purpose, and a deep belief in possibility. A Salvadorian American, Luis brings many years of experience in nonprofit leadership and public service. He currently serves as commissioner for the Los Angeles County LGBTQ plus Commission and is a cofounder of Rainbow Labs.

Please welcome Luis Vasquez. Escorted by your Assembly member Lee is TJ Bruce. TJ is the proud owner of The Depot, Badlands, and Splash Night Clubs with nearly 30 of dedication to LGBTQ plus nightlife and community. He is committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces where unity and pride continue to thrive. Please welcome TJ Bruce.

Escorted by Assembly members Zbur is Lauren Cazares. Lauren is the vice mayor of La Mesa and associate director of political affairs at Equality California. A proud Lesbian woman of Mexican American heritage and is the first openly LGBTQ plus municipal elected official in Eastern San Diego County. She has advanced equality at the local, state, and national levels. Please welcome Lauren Cazares.

Escorted by Assemblymember Pellerin is Monica Martinez. Monica is a Santa Cruz County supervisor and is the first openly LGBTQ plus person elected to the board in Santa Cruz County's history. She is a public servant focused on expanding access to care and ensuring every community can be healthy, safe, and supported. Please welcome Monica Martinez. Escorted by Assembly member Zbur is B. Scott.

B. Scott is a trailblazing media media man, a beloved LGBTQ plus icon, and the founder of one of the world's largest LGBTQ plus media brands. As an early pioneer of the digital age and one of the first YouTube celebrities, B. helped build a foundation for inclusivity, authentic self expression, and centering of queer voices of color. Please welcome B. Scott. Escorted by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry is Elizabeth Padilla.

Elizabeth is a community advocate and program leader at ICON CDC, where she supports sidewalk vendors in Los Angeles to access permits and expand economic opportunities. As an LGBTQ plus leader, she is committed to advancing inclusive community development and empowering small business owners to thrive. Please welcome Elizabeth Padilla.

Escorted by Assembly member Harabedian is Keeley Mardell-Carrera. Keeley is a lover of diverse books and unusual animals. She founded the Underdog Bookstore nonprofit to protect and maintain a safe community space in the San Gabriel Valley that was at risk of closing. Please welcome Keely Mardell-Carrera. Escorted by Assembly member Haney is Christopher Verdugo.

Christopher is the CEO of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the founding CEO of the Chan National Queer Arts Center, A nationally recognized arts leader and Chorus America board member, he has dedicated his career to advancing equity, belonging, and the power of music to create meaningful change. Please welcome Christopher Verdugo. Unable to attend today's ceremony is Assembly member doctor Corey Jackson's honoree, Matthew J Sanchez.

Matthew was the founder, CEO, and perfumer of Matteo Parfums, an award winning fine fragrance company rooted in multiculturalism and imaginative inclusivity. Founded in 2017, Matthew has grown Matteo Parfums to over 15 countries, won L'Oreal's Inclusive Beauty Fund grant, and was named to Forbes thirty under thirty list this year.

Please join the caucus in honoring Matthew J Sanchez.

Congratulations, and thank you to honorees. Please move to the center for a group photo.

On behalf of Chair Ward and vice Chair Cervantes and the members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, thank you for helping us celebrate this year's remarkable honorees. Members, to learn more about these distinguished individuals, please read their biographies by scanning the QR code and the program found on your desk. Members and staff are welcome to attend a reception for pride honorees today at ace of spades at 5PM.

This concludes our celebration. Once again, happy pride. As honorees exit the chamber, let's give them another round of applause.

Members appreciate your patience. We need to wait for our guest introductions to arrive into the gallery before they can be introduced since the gallery had been closed. While we are waiting, assistant majority leader Garcia, you are recognized for your procedural motion.

Thank you, Mister speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend joint rule 62 a, the file notice requirement to allow the Appropriations Committee to set SB 719, Cabaldon, for their hearing on Wednesday, June 24.

Without objection, such shall be in the order. Okay. Members, thank you for waiting. We are going to get moving with our guest introductions, and we're going to potentially need to pause or or do some more as we do our, business on the daily file. We're going to begin if I could have decorum, please.

Thank you, members. We are going to begin with Assembly member Addis. You are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mister speaker and colleagues. Today, I'm honored to introduce Lily Norcross, a brave and resilient young woman up here in the gallery, and her father, Trevor, who's become a fierce advocate. Happening to them, frankly, I was shocked. Colleagues, Lily and Trevor have experienced what no family should ever have to endure. As a high school sophomore, Lily was outed by the Christian right, relentlessly attacked by adults in our community, and subjected to bullying by her peers.

All for one simple reason. Lily is a young athlete who likes to run track, wanted to try new things at school, and happens to be transgender. In the face of these harrowing experiences, Lily and her family had a choice to make. While many families would have stayed silent either by choice or because they felt forced to out of fear, Lily and her family did something tremendously hard. They put themselves at risk and chose to speak out.

Lily and her family have now become nationwide, statewide, and local leaders championing trans existence, making sure that truth rings loud, and providing a voice for those who are unable to speak. Colleagues, today, we've talked a lot and we've met heroes in the community, people who are battling for the LGBTQIA community each and every day, battling for the right to exist. And today in the gallery, we have two strong and humble warriors that are also on the front lines of these battles.

So please, colleagues, help me give a very warm welcome to Lily and Trevor Norcross.

Thank you.

Thank you. Assembly member Addis. Assembly member Rubio, you are recognized from the majority leader's desk for your guest introduction.

Yes. Thank you, Mister speaker and members. Today, I am excited to welcome my 22 students from Assembly District forty eight, our fifth annual young legislator program. These students have spent the last six months learning about public service and the legislative process and are here today to see the process in action. They've also learned about practical things like budgeting and personal personal finance and networking.

Our San Gabriel Valley students visit us from the communities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Charter Oak, Covina Valley, and West Covina to name a few. My amazing district staff is also with them, and I wanna thank them for chaperoning all our kids. Please, some of these students are attending college in the fall. We've got Cornell, UC Davis, UC San Diego, San Francisco University, Cal Poly Pomona, the Naval Academy, Harvard, Princeton. A couple of them are or one of them was Gates Millennium Scholar recipient.

And we've got Cal State Fullerton, UCLA, and many of the other prestigious schools, as well as our prestigious community colleges. Please join me in welcoming our future legislators to the California State Assembly.

Continuing on, Assemblymember Fong, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Good afternoon, Mister speaker and members. Please join me in welcoming the twenty twenty six Asian Pacific Islander Capital Association or APICA Fellows in the gallery. APICA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of legislative staff, advocates, and other professionals based here in Sacramento. This is the eleventh year that APICA has provided a paid summer fellowship. Former fellows have applied to the a state Assembly and state Senate fellowship programs and haven't have landed jobs here in our legislature.

Thank you to all the members hosting fellows this year, and thank you to the PICA board and volunteers for organizing the program and providing the mentorship and guidance. Colleagues and members, please join me in warmly welcoming Sabrina Avenida, Jake Chang, Marissa DeDote, Michelle Nakahata, Bryce Trevino, and Alexia Vu to the State Assembly into Sacramento.

Okay. And I am gonna do a guest introduction from the dais council member. Get you up in front and center. I have the pleasure of welcoming my good friend, council member Megan Kerr, from the Long Beach City Council. Council member Kerr has been dedicated advocate for her community, for our community, working to improve public safety, strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, and expand opportunities for families throughout Long Beach.

She has built a stellar reputation as a thoughtful and collaborative leader who brings people together to solve problems and get real results. And I can't think of how many families have been united with a rescue pet because of council member Kerr. She's a tireless advocate for Long Beach, and I'm thrilled to have her here today. Let's welcome her to the California Assembly. Welcome.

Okay. Our next next guest introduction will be both by our assistant majority leader as well as Assembly member Ramos. Mister Garcia, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mister speaker and members. It is my honor to recognize doctor Richard Hart, who is retiring as president of Loma Linda University Health after eighteen years of service, and more than five decades of contributions to the education and growth of the institution. Doctor Hart began his career with Loma Linda University Health in 1972, and has served in numerous leadership positions, including director of the Center for Health Promotion, Dean of the School of Public Health, chancellor and chief executive officer, and ultimately president.

Under doctor Hart's leadership, Loma Linda University Health expanded its impact through the development of the San Bernardino campus, improving access to health care and education in the region. Doctor Hart's influence extends far beyond just California.

As president of Adventist Health International, he has supported hospitals and clinics in developing countries and overseeing partnerships with organizations throughout the world. His legacy at not only Loma Linda University Health, but throughout his distinguished career is one of genuine care, growth, and service. Members, please join me to congratulate Doctor. Richard Hart on his remarkable career and thank him for his many contributions to health care, education, and public service. We wish him a fulfilling and well deserved retirement.

Thank you, doctor Richard Hart.

And Assembly member Ramos, you are recognized for your guest's introduction.

Well, thank you so much, Mister speaker, and I join my colleague in honoring, doctor Hart on his retirement. Today, I'm honored to introduce someone who has dedicated his entire life to serving the people of the Inland Empire. Doctor Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health. Doctor Hart and his wife, Judy, have been part of the Loma Linda community and surrounding areas for decades. Doctor Hart began first as a student, then as a physician, an educator, and eventually as president of Loma Linda University.

In every one of his roles, he has always maintained a focus on making sure the people of the Inland Empire receive whole person care with compassion and dignity. Under his leadership, Loma Linda has continued its long relationship with the O'Haviathan people of San Manuel, a partnership that goes back to the early nineteen hundreds when Loma Linda doctors would come out to our reservation to care for tribal members, including my mom and my grandmother.

That connection is still strong today with Loma Linda physicians serving patients at Indian health service clinics across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, including the San Manuel clinic in Grand Terrace. I've been grateful to support the shared mission from securing 4,000,000 for the Resiliency Institute of Childhood Adversity to helping advance the Samuel Gateway College and continuing the work of my parents. Rest their souls.

James and Rowena Ramos, who were recognized for their efforts on behalf of Loma Linda in 2015, where they received the light, the path award, and treasured that acknowledgment. One more personal note, doctor Hart and I have a long history of supporting each other over the years. Long before I served as county supervisor, chairman, and chairman of the people of. We continue to form our relationship that is based that is based in faith and a shared commitment to uplifting our community.

As doctor Hart prepares for retirement, we thank him for his lifetime of service and for the impact he's had on families throughout our region.

I also am proud to introduce doctor Anthony Hillard and his wife Tammy who will step be stepping up into this leadership role. Doctor Hillard brings deep experience and a strong commitment to continuing Loma Linda's mission. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming doctor Richard Hart and doctor Hillard to the Assembly floor.

And our final guest introduction belongs to system majority leader Garcia. You are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Members, the words, and bromocriptine are are not only difficult to pronounce, they are much more difficult to spell. Even more difficult and impressive is spelling these and 29 other words in ninety seconds, which is exactly what my special guest accomplished as part of the tie breaking spell off at the end of May at the twenty twenty six Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.

Day Creek Intermediate School in the Etiwanda School District, my home school district, we have been celebrating his wondrous feats since 2022, when he first represented the Inland Empire in the Scripps National Spelling Bee as a fourth grade student. 14 year old Shrey Parikh not only brings great pride to the Etiwanda community, the Inland Empire, but also to our great state of California by succeeding on this grand platform of this prestigious competition.

Seventh winner from California in the spelling bee's one hundred and one year history. Spelling is not all that he excels at. Shrey is an accomplished percussionist and can play the bass drum, timpani, snare drum, Tom Toms, break drum, triangle, glockenspiel, and marimba. And his hobbies include reading, tennis, chess, and solving mathematical problems. Joining Shrey today in the rear of the chamber are his family, his father, Guarav, mother, Katya, brother, Yash, and sister, Aria.

Members, please join me in congratulating Shrey Parikh, the twenty twenty six Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion.

Let's go. Let's go. Take that AI.

Let's go. Let's go. Take that AI.

Okay, members. It is time to get to our businesses on the daily file.

But just before we do that, will you join me in recognizing our good friend, Assemblymember Carrillo is celebrating his birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday, sir. Happy birthday. And speaking of glasses, miss Pellerin, it is Assembly member Pellerin's birthday on Wednesday. Happy birthday.

And somewhere around these parts is Mister Connolly. We'll wait till he gets back on the floor to embarrass him. And in the meantime, we will be moving on to business on the daily file. We'll begin with our second reading file items one through The clerk will read.

Senate bill 7198301175608 with amendments, nine sixty five with amendments, ten seventeen with amendments, thirteen seventy eight with amendments, thirteen eighty one with amendments, fourteen twelve amendments, ten fifty eight, thirteen forty seven, seven sixty two, 1,400, fourteen thirty eight, and Senate Bill 1169 with amendments.

All bills will be deemed read, and all amendments will be deemed adopted, which brings us to concurrence file item 16 through 19, and we begin with file item number 16. That is AB 46 by Assemblymember Wynne. The clerk will read.

Assembly bill 46 by Assemblymember Wynne and others and accurately to diversions.

Assemblymember Wynne, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Thank you, Mister speaker. Members, AB 46 is back before you on concurrence. And after years of work, I'm proud to where we have ultimately landed. AB 46 strengthens judicial discretion in California's mental health diversion program by clarifying the public safety standard courts use when determining whether diversion should be granted.

This is my third year working on mental top diversion issues. And in the past three years, there's been conversations after conversations, negotiations after negotiations, lots of stakeholder inputs, and the current language before you reflects that. Throughout this process, my goal has been simple. Reserve access to treatment while addressing legitimate public safety concerns. AB 46 preserved mental diversion, but it also gives judges a more workable public safety standard when making these decisions.

I believe this final version address the core public safety issues that have been raised about the current diversion framework. Victims and communities deserve confidence that public safety concerns are being meaningfully considered when diversion decisions are being made. Strong diversion programs depend on public's trust, and this bill strengthens that trust while preserving diversion as an important pathway to treatment. Following recent amendments to the public safety standard, Smart Justice removed to a neutral position on this bill.

AB 46 is cosponsored by the California District Attorneys Association and multiple district attorneys offices across the state, many in all of your districts.

This is back on concurrence members. This is a really important issue that we've heard up and down in many of your districts. And as I mentioned earlier, the three years of negotiation, conversations, and pulling everybody on board, this this pathway to ensuring that we preserve the mental health diversion program, but also keeping our communities safe, I believe is the right framework. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Wynne. Seeing and hearing no further debate, 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 one, send amendments are concurred in. Assembly member Wynne, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mister speaker. I have with me here today a really good friend who I've had the honor of working with for many years. He's also the district attorney for our Sacramento County District Attorney, Tian Ho, in the back. Please help me in giving him a huge round of applause.

Okay. Members, we are going to first of all, we need to notice the intention to remove from an inactive file. Item 20 is a notice. And reconsideration file items 21 through 23, all items shall be continued. That brings us to the Assembly third reading file.

That's file lines 24 through 32. We're gonna pass through and send them file on '24. File on '25, that's ACR 187 by Assembly member Jeff Gonzales. The clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution one eighty seven by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez relative to men's mental health month.

Assemblymember Gonzalez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker. Today, I rise to present a Assembly bill, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 187, which proclaims June 2026 as men's mental health month in California. As a twenty one year Marine Corps veteran, I have seen the devastating effects of men's mental health in our nation firsthand. After losing 10 fellow Marines to suicide, I knew I had to act. It's part of the reason I stand here today.

This resolution recognizes the importance of raising awareness around men's mental health, reducing stigma, and encouraging men and boys to never feel discouraged when in difficult situations. Mental health is a key factor that determines one's quality of life. It affects how people handle stress, participate in their communities, and show up for their loved ones. For too many men and boys, mental health struggles often go unseen and untreated because of stigma and the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly one in ten men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half receive treatment.

This statistic shows why awareness and early intervention are so important. If we can break down the stigma, more men and boys can feel secure when seeking guidance. Men's mental health month is about starting conversations even if they seem difficult to have, making resources more accessible, and simply showing up for one another when it matters most. Unfortunately, men account for nearly eighty percent of all suicide deaths nationwide.

This percentage should remain remind all of us here today that when we ignore these challenges, we risk turning early mental health struggles into devastating situations.

Recognizing men's mental health month is not just as symbolic. It's a call to action. By passing ACR 187, California can help send a clear message that men's mental health should never be overlooked. It's okay to ask for help and that no man should have to struggle alone.

Men, off script, we have an obligation as men in our families, as men in our communities to stand up, to stand up and be strong by being vulnerable, by being vulnerable in front of our children, our boys, wherever we're at, because we could save a life by being vulnerable.

And with that, I respectfully ask for your support in passing ACR 187.

Thank you, Assemblymember Gonzalez. Assemblymember doctor Rambula, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker and members. I rise today and wanna thank my colleague from Indio for bringing this resolution forward. As he was speaking, I was called to be able to speak up today. Because it was a week ago that a friend of mine, someone who I went to church with, someone who I knew because our kids went to the same school, died by suicide.

And I'm remembering today Chris Burzak who suffered in silence, who was always the life of the party, who reminded me a lot of Robin Williams.

He was funny. And you would never think that he was suffering with such depression and bipolar, that he was contemplating because he had a beautiful nuclear family, because his wife was successful, because he had three sons. But I'm reminded of Oliver, of William and Thomas who went to school with my daughters and the struggle that they will have because we weren't courageous enough to be vulnerable, that we weren't able to talk about what's suffering just below the surface.

And so for all of us who have ever struggled with mental illness or behavioral health challenges, let us come forward. Let us speak up.

And let us remind ourselves that there are solutions out there. And let's take this challenge as men, as women, as everyone, to make sure that we're addressing it with the tools that are available to us. Therapy is a wonderful thing.

If you're able to talk about the issues that you're having, that you want to speak about, it's a wonderful space to make sure that you're feeling heard, that you're validating, that it's okay to have feelings, that it's okay not to be perfect, that it's real, and that's life, and we can have adversity, and we can have struggles. But together, we can create those solutions that we're all looking for.

And so I'm thankful and able to be able to stand up today in memory of Chris Burzak to be supporting ACR 187 today, and I urge your support.

Thank you, doctor Rambula. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assemblymember Gonzalez, do you wish to close?

Thank you, members, for allowing me the honor and privilege to present this important resolution. We have an obligation, men, be good role models, be on this floor, but most importantly, show our strength through our vulnerability. Because I can tell you, as someone who almost took his life, that I just needed one guy to reach out to me. I thank God for the faith that I had, and I was able to conquer that.

But one of my brothers, I would have loved to see him reach out to me and ask me those hard questions.

Do you wanna hurt yourself? But because I had a good mask on, they didn't see it. So let's remove the mask because the boys in our life, the men in our life, the peep in our people in our life are counting on us. With that, I respectfully ask for an eyeball.

And can somebody member, do you wish for the first role to be open for co authors? All debate having ceased, clerk will open the role. Members, this is for co authors. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.

This is for co authors. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tallying the votes. There are 56 co authors added without objection. Take a voice vote on the resolution.

All those say in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.

We're gonna pass and retain on file items 2627. File item 28 is ACR 157 by Assembly Member Hoover. The clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 157 by Assembly Member Hoover and others relative to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.

Assembly Member Hoover, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today to present ACR 157, a resolution commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. This historic and bipartisan legislation recognized two important realities. California depends on essential mineral resources, and those resources must be developed responsibly.

Over five decades, SMARRA has guided the responsible operation and reclamation of mining sites across the state, helping to ensure that Californians have the materials needed to build, maintain, and grow our communities and infrastructure while returning those lands to the beneficial uses such as parks, wildlife, habitats, agriculture, housing, hiking trails, land conservation, water infrastructure, and much more.

Many Californians today enjoy former mining sites without ever even realizing it. Surface mining is an integral part of my local economy, and I respectfully ask for an Aye vote on ACR 157.

Thank you. Assemblymember Hoover. All debate having ceased, the clerk will oh, excuse me. Would you like for the first roll to be open for co authors?

Yes. Thank you.

Okay. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co authors. 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 of votes. There are 53 co authors added. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor, say Aye. All those opposed no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Assemblymember Hoover, you're recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mister Speaker. And, joining us today, as a part of this resolution, in the gallery, we have three, awesome individuals from Teichart in my district, Jason Smith, Justin Stein, and David Johnson, as well as two individuals from the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, Robert Dugan and Adam Harper. Please join me in welcoming them in the gallery.

Welcome. Welcome. And continuing on filing number 29 is ACR 222 by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez. The clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution two twenty two by Assembly member Michelle Rodriguez relative to Alzheimer's disease and brain awareness month.

Assembly member Rodriguez, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker and members. I rise today to to present ACR 222 declaring June 2026 as Alzheimer's disease and brain awareness month in California. Alzheimer's disease is one of the most significant public health challenges facing our state. California is home to approximately seven hundred and twenty thousand residents living with Alzheimer's disease more than any other state in the nation.

According to the 2026 California state of public health report, Alzheimer's disease was the leading cause of death among Californians aged 85 and older and the second leading cause of death overall in California in 2024.

The challenge is only growing. State research projects that while California's population will increase by sixteen percent over the next two decades, the number of Californians living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase by a hundred and twenty seven percent. This disease impacts not only those diagnosed, but also the families who care for them. More than 1,400,000 Californian family members and loved ones provide unpaid care contributing approximately 1,900,000,000 of assistance each year valued at more than 53,000,000,000.

This resolution also recognizes the importance of brain health throughout the life by increasing awareness, encouraging early detention, reducing stigma, and promoting healthy habits that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

We can help Californians take a proactive steps to protect their health. ACR 222 honors those living with Alzheimer's, recognizes the dedication of caregivers, and reaffirms California's commitment to advancing research, support services, and public awareness. Colleagues, this resolution is especially meaningful to me because my family has personally experienced this the effects of Alzheimer's disease. My father-in-law had it. Watching a loved one live with this illness showed me firsthand that Alzheimer's does not just impact the individual diagnosed.

It affects entire families, caregivers, and communities. It changes daily life, plays tremendous and emotional and financial burdens on loved ones, and reminds us how important it is to continue raising awareness and supporting research. By recognizing Alzheimer's disease and brain awareness month, we honor those living with the disease, support the families who care for them, and encourage all Californians to prioritize brain health.

Increased awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis, better outcomes, stronger support systems, and ultimately progress toward a future where no family has to endure the challenges of this disease alone. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for any for an aye vote and the first row to be open for coauthors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rodriguez. Assemblymember Brian, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker and colleagues. I wanna thank my colleague from Pomona for bringing this resolution forward, and I am sorry I don't have a purple tie today. I told y'all during the foster youth awareness resolution the day after mother's day that my mother had been diagnosed with something recently that my family was still trying to figure out what that means, And she was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's. And it's in further stages than we were aware of.

And so I wanna thank my colleague because it absolutely impacts an entire family.

It's it's a it's a surreal feeling when the person who always knew where all the things that you lost were is now struggling to remember the 13 children. I can tell you though, she is remembering the nearly 200 children who came through the house through the years that she fostered. She could tell you all of their names and all of their stories. And I had the most amazing conversation with her on Mother's Day on FaceTime. My mother lives in Arkansas.

My sister just moved back to be her primary caregiver. And so it matters when we put in home supportive services in our state budget. It matters when we fight to make sure that people who need help get that help. That's our job, and there's always more that we can do. And so I wanna thank my colleague for leading us today and reminding us how important this is, and I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you, Assemblymember Brian. Assemblymember Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker and members. I too rise in support of ACR 222, and I wanna thank my colleague from Pomona for bringing this resolution forward. I too have shared my personal story before on this floor, and so this issue is very personal to me because my mother, eleven years ago, was diagnosed with early onset of dementia. Unfortunately, that has progressed significantly. And this disease is probably, I would say, one of the most horrible diseases there is to have and to live with.

And so now, fast forward, my father had to retire early a few years ago because my mother required twenty four seven care. And so not only was it now my father's responsibility, my young sister, and, you know, give her a shout out, Yvette, for also stepping in, when my father needed needs that extra help. There's an ex extra two hands to lend to help with my mother's care. And I too, you know, wanna rise to to thank all those IHSS workers.

Because on top of my father and my sister, we also need that extra help.

Because caregiving twenty four seven is really, really tough. And it's tough on a family. It's tough on the kids. I certainly do not do maybe as much, but it takes a toll. It takes a toll.

And so this resolution is so important to bring awareness so that there is early detection, and also that we continue to encourage more investment in research so that we find a cure. We must find a cure because otherwise, this issue will only become greater for the state and for this country, and it's costly. And so that's why it's so important.

So I wanna thank again my colleague from Pomona for bringing forward ACR 222 to bring awareness to Alzheimer's disease, which is impacting thousands of families in our communities. Thank you.

And I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Assemblymember Soria, doctor Randula, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker and members. As this is my final year, I decided to finally share a story about my family that I have not shared thus far about Alzheimer's. And I've been a supporter of our IHSS workers. I've been a supporter of establishing the neurodegenerative registry that we have as a state to

information as we can about Alzheimer's. Information as we can about Alzheimer's. But that philanthropy and giving back didn't start with me. It started with my mom's dad and my grandmother. And it started because it's passed down in our family as well.

make sure that we're capturing as much

Now they helped to establish what is known as the cure Alzheimer's fund. It's curealz.org. And over the last several decades, they've helped to raise nearly $275,000,000. Money that has gone into research. Money that has helped us to do the initial DNA sequence so we could understand about this disease.

So we could start to create tests that we can do via blood that allow us to identify it without requiring doing a biopsy of someone's brain. That's allowed us then to have research and innovation so that we can treat this as well because we have early detection. And so I'm grateful for those pioneers who came long before us. But it's our responsibility as a body to make sure that those caregivers who are doing the hard work today are getting the respite services that they deserve.

That they have the resiliency to continue to show up time and time again.

Resiliency to continue to show up time and time again. It's difficult work to watch people who you love fade away right before your eyes. And we can do something about it by supporting them more effectively as a body, not just to support this resolution two two two, but to make sure we're supporting the people who put in that work every day, who are caring for our communities, for our parents, our grandparents, and our family members.

And so in honor of my grandparents who worked so hard to get this fund established, to make sure that it was 100% dedicated towards research, that it was supporting institutions that were focusing on a cure, has allowed us to get to this point here today where we are innovating, where we can do testing. And let's make sure that we work together to support the people who care for our communities.

Thank you, and I urge your support on this resolution two two two today.

Thank you, doctor Arambula. Assembly member Hoover, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister speaker. I also rise in support of ACR, two two two. And, you know, this is obviously an issue I've cared about for a long time, but in the last year, it's become even more, I think, important for my family in particular. And I I just wanted to rise because it's not just Alzheimer's. There's also many other forms of dementia that are impacting a lot of Californians.

In the last year, my dad was diagnosed as a very aggressive form at a very young age of Lewy body dementia, which is moving very quickly and changing a lot of our families' lives in the last year. It's a it's a disease that was related and and first noticed and brought to light by actor Robin Williams, the late actor Robin Williams as well. But I just wanna rise and say thank you to my colleague from Pomona for her work on this. I think it's really critical.

We continue, to research this and as, my other colleagues have talked about, but I would what I would say is we have come so far in the last twenty years in terms of research and, and treatment, but we have a lot longer to go.

So thank you so much, and, urgent I vote.

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

Yes. Thank you to my colleagues from Los Angeles, Merced, Fresno, and Folsom for the support for this ACR. I respectfully ask for an aye vote, and the first will be open for co authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rodriguez. All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co authors. 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. There are 62 co authors added. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Assembly member Rodriguez, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Mister speaker. So the purple pin on your desk is for Alzheimer's awareness month. Members, I would like to take a moment to recognize our guests from the Alzheimer's Association who are joining us in the Assembly Gallery today. The Alzheimer's Association is a leading advocate for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and their families providing education, support services, caregiving resources, and funding for critical research aimed at preventing, treating, and ultimately curing the devastating disease.

As we recognize Alzheimer's disease and brain awareness month, we are grateful for the association's tireless work to raise awareness, support caregivers, and improve the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Californians affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Please join me in welcoming and thanking the Alzheimer's Association for the dedication and service to our communities.

Okay. We continue. File item number 30 is ACR 224 by Assemblymember Dixon. The clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 224 by Assemblymember Dixon and others, relative to Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day.

It is so nice to see you not wrestling with the microphone, Assemblymember Dixon.

It took me four years.

Okay. You are recognized to open.

Well, good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. And this is a serious note. I am pleased to present ACR 224, which recognizes 06/23/2026 as Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day in the state of California. The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and connect with others. It has significantly improved accessibility to things like education and health care.

While an incredibly valuable tool it is, indeed, the Internet and social media present significant risks, especially to adolescents, through the perpetuation and promotion of harmful and dangerous behaviors. Teenagers on average spend at least eight hours on screens per day, and ninety-three percent of teenagers use social media. Countless individuals and families have suffered harms. We've all talked about this and read about it, including death, because of experiences on social media platforms, including cyberbullying, harassment, exposure to sex trafficking, and exploitation.

It is important for us to recognize and honor those who have been harmed by social media: the victims, their survivors, their families, and their friends.

Commemorating Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of social media and to advocate for measures to effectively mitigate these harms. Please join me in highlighting this important issue and vote aye on ACR 224. And, Mr. Speaker, I'd like the first roll to be open to co-authors.

Thank you, Assemblymember Dixon. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. And I want to rise in support of ACR 224 and thank my former Vice Chair for her leadership in this space throughout her time in the legislature.

Many of us that sit on Privacy or Health or Judiciary have heard from the parents of these children who've lost their lives, whether it was Coco, who lost her life to fentanyl access on Snapchat, or Alexandra, who lost her life after Instagram showed her content and helped coach her to self-harm, and eventually she did die by suicide. The stories are, one child is one too many. And the government has failed to step in and say that, like every other product on the market, you cannot harm our children.

And so it is time that we stand up. We remember these children. I want to note that tomorrow, many of the surviving parents will be here, and they'll be in the garden at the state library. They're putting a memorial in honor of their children up that, if you have a chance to go see, I think will really hit home the importance of the work that we do to keep kids safe online.

But I just wanted to thank the author and give my love to the parents who live with us every single day.

With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

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

Oh, thank you much. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate your aye vote, so we can honor these victims. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Assemblymember Dixon. The Assemblymember has asked for the first roll to be opened for co-authors. The clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co-authors.

All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. The clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. There are 63 co-authors added. Without objection, we'll take a voice vote on the resolution.

All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.

And we have already dispensed with file item number 31. We're gonna pass and retain on file item 32, brings us to the Senate third reading file. That's file items 33 through 49 we're gonna pass and retain. That brings us to the consent calendar. Moving to a vote on the consent calendar, item 50 has been removed.

This is file items 50 to 54. Does any member wish to remove another item from the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none oh, wait a second. I spy Mister Damon Connolly. Mister Connolly, we missed your birthday last Friday.

I know it was number '29. It was a big one for you. Happy birthday, sir. Happy birthday. Okay.

Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar.

Senate bill 1437 by the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation, and accurately the taxation.

Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. 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 and tally the votes.

I 66 no zero. Consent calendar is adopted. Clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.

Senate bill 1139.

I 66 no zero.

Senate joint Resolution 13.

I 66 no zero.

And Senate congression Resolution one forty three.

I 66 no zero. Moving on to announcements, committees meeting today upon adjournment upon adjournment, emergency management committee and capital room one twenty seven, natural resources committee, capital room four thirty seven, transportation committee, Swing Space 1100, banking and finance at 03:30pm. Not a pawn in German, at 03:30pm. In Capital Room 444, revenue and taxation also at 03:30 pre PM in Capital Room 126. Session schedules as follows, June 23, check-in session.

Wednesday, June 24, check-in session. Thursday, June 25, floor session at 9AM. All other remaining items will be passed and retained. All motions will be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn.

Assistant majority leader Garcia moves. And miss Dixon seconds that this house stands adjourned till Thursday, June 25 at 9AM. The quorum call is lifted, and we are adjourned. Vote changes from the dais.

Vote change, Pellerin, AB 46, aye to not voting.

Vote change, Assembly member Pellerin, Assembly bill 46, aye, to not voting.

Vote change, Ortega, AB 46, from aye to not voting.

Vote change, Assembly member Ortega. Assembly bill 46, aye to not voting.