Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

We have a quorum. A quorum is present. Would members of the members and guests beyond the rail please rise. We'll be led in prayer by our guest Chaplain Dupree, after which, follow me in the Pledge to our Flag.

And before we begin, I offer this blessing. As a dual state certified educator, I offer blessings for students, educators, staff, volunteers, and parents as many return to school this month. Safety, growth, and great success. As today begins, may we turn towards the grounding that steadies our shared presence. Creator, God, source of hope.

We pause to honor the privilege of shaping the well-being of California. In this moment of stillness, may clarity rise and purpose deepen. Howard Thurman reminds us, don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. May we always come alive to the work of justice and compassion across this state.

May today's decisions reflect vitality, courage, and a commitment to the common good of all who call California home sweet home. Shalom. May it be so, and amen.

Thank you. And now follow me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance. Without objection, Senate rule, 55 is suspended to allow guests on the floor today. And now, privileges of the floor. In a moment.

While we're waiting, I will add that we have a plethora of business today and still wanting to give everybody their due with regard to introductions and resolutions. Nonetheless, we want to move with alacrity and efficiency. We will move to Senator Smallwood Cuevas at the majority leader's desk. You are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mister president, and good morning, colleagues. I am proud to present and to recognize, and ask for you all to welcome Al Mahi Lekha Shrine Auditorium from my district, and we're marking their one hundred years of service to Los Angeles and California. And as they come to the floor, we wanna welcome them and to celebrate not just all of their years of service, but the resilience of this tremendous organization that has served my district and all of California.

Joining us today on the floor are David Chernick, president of the Shrine Auditorium, along with distinguished leaders, Raffi Basamean, who is the recorder. We wanna also welcome Steve Harris, Potatid, our Chair, and Zach Maples, who is a board member, as well as Jack Cohizian, who is Director of Public Relations.

We wanna welcome them today again for their years of service. The Shriners were founded and built the Almalaka Temple in 1888, and they later built the shrine auditorium which opened its doors in 1906 and has been home to so many of our storied events, over the years. In 1920, we know that tragedy struck, and a devastating fire destroyed and a devastating fire destroyed the auditorium, a grave loss for its members who found a sense of belonging and community there. But the Shriners did not let that loss define them. They rebuilt, and they built rebuilt bigger and better.

And for that, since 1926, we know that they have completed this magnificent auditorium, which we cherish today. And this amazing auditorium went on to serve for many decades as the Los Angeles Civic Auditorium, right in the middle of our district. This iconic landmark has welcomed legendary performers like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Barbra Streisand, as well as hosting major events including 10 Academy Award ceremonies, 16 Grammy Award ceremonies, and the SAG AFTRA Awards.

The shrine has also appeared on the screen in many films including King Kong, Foul Play, and both versions of A Star is Born, and it continues to host concerts and major events today. It is more than a building.

It is a piece of Los Angeles history and a powerful reminder of what resilience can create and what strong community leaders can do when they come together in their community. The building is only half of the story. I wanna remind folks that every single year, volunteer members, they come together to present and provide thousands of hours to ensure no child is denied care because their family can't afford the health care.

They help these children and their families through some of the toughest times through Shriners Hospitals for Children. And their service doesn't stop there.

They also organize community giveaways. They provide scholarships. They honor our veterans and our first responders year after year after year. A hundred years ago, out of the ashes of a devastating fire, the Shriners built something that was meant to last, meant to give for generations, and they haven't slowed down. They continue to build and serve.

We are so proud of them. We are so proud of this legacy that we celebrate today. And with that, I ask you colleagues to join me in honoring the Shriner Auditorium.

Thank you, Senator Smallwood Cuevas and Shriners for the wonderful work that they do all over the place. And now, recognizing the pro tem.

Thank you, members. Today, we will be recognizing the twenty twenty six science fellows cohort through the California Council on Science and Technology program. The partnership between the legislature and the California Council on Science and Technology allows for people in the disciplines of science, medicine, and technology to be given the opportunity to become directly involved in the legislative process. Our science fellows have analyzed and staffed bills, engage with constituents and stakeholders, and work with their colleagues on legislative priorities in the Senate offices.

The program provides a pipeline for fellows to advance their careers in public service. With many former science fellows today serving at various levels of government. I'd like to now turn it over to Senator doctor Weber Pierson, who will recognize her fellow, followed by Senators Allens, Cortese, and Blakespear.

Senator Weber Pierson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Members, it gives me a great honor to introduce the Senate committee's fellow, Natalie Guerrare. Originally from Milwaukee, Natalie has a BA in classics and genomics and computational biology from Washington University in Saint Louis. She moved to Los Angeles in 2019 to study the cardiac scarring process that occurs in heart disease and earned a PhD in molecular biology from UCLA. Natalie has spent this year analyzing many complex bills for the committee with an eye towards evidence based policy.

She applies her training as a biologist to evaluate scientific evidence, which has been essential to our decision making on bills before the Senate Health Committee. During her fellowship, Natalie worked on bills spanning public health, biomedical research, health insurance, toxic exposures, emerging drugs, and the health care workforce. She also helped put together two oversight hearings related to the regulation of kratom and health care access and affordability. Natalie is actually staffing legislation for me to reduce prescription drug costs for Californians by increasing access to biosimilar medications.

This has been a very heavy lift for her for our office, and her work on this very complex bill has been invaluable.

Natalie has demonstrated a strong commitment to science and facts in her work and with the committee. She uses critical analysis in her approach to legislation and has truly become a valued member of the team. I actually forgot that she was a fellow because of her knowledge and her hard work and her impressive input with the entire team. In her free time, Natalie enjoys running and hiking, watching horror films, and exploring Sacramento with friends.

After her stint as a fellow, she plans to hopefully stay working on health policy and is considering multiple possibilities, but we definitely hope that she stays here in California.

We will miss her positive attitude, her amazing work ethic, and the excitement she shows when diving into a new policy area. Thank you, Natalie, this year for all that you have done, and congratulations.

And Senator Allen, you are recognized from the majority leader's desk.

Well, thank you, Mr. President, and congratulations to you. It's my great honor to recognize a really special, CCST fellow who served in my capital office for the past year, doctor Emily Miao, who also just celebrated her birthday just this week. Emily earned her degree in chemical engineering and her PhD in geochemistry from CalTech, and her doctoral research focused on igneous, petrology, and isotope metallomics, or volcanoes, for those of us who aren't doctors of geochemistry.

While her background wasn't in policy, she just fearlessly took up the role of legislative staffer, and she's been such a great, member of my policy team over the course of a challenging technical year here in the legislature and really dove in deep on a number of difficult science oriented bills that we introduced.

She's actually the eighth CCST fellow that I've had the pleasure of working with during my time in the capital. Some of you may remember, this is a program that I continue to praise for the caliber of the fellows that it produces every year. This is a special, special program. It brings together our scientific community and policymaking and has such an invaluable impact on our legislative process. So in keeping with tradition, Emily has proven to be a brilliant staffer, a quick learner.

Her knowledge of specific policy and process and local politics across my district simply erupted early weeks here and only has grown since. In addition to staffing five different areas of of issues and serving as my lead advisor for the environmental quality committee this year, Emily's actually read four separate bills involving the implementation of SB 54, the mitigation of plastic pollution, wildfire rebuilding processes, local government, housing in LA, so many controversial and important topics. And though life in the building can be tough, Emily has thrived here.

If anything, the pressure heat of life in Sacramento, both literally and figuratively, have further crystallized her talents. As soon as our work for the session is done here in Sacramento, Emily's gonna be moving back to Southern California to continue her environmental work with the Department of Toxic Substance Control, and though her absence will leave a volcanic crater in our office, we can't wait to follow all the great work that she'll continue to do.

Emily, it's been such a joy to watch your growth this past year, just to personally and politically and policy wise benefit from your knowledge. As many of us wrap up our time here in the legislature, we're just really genuinely heartened to know there's so many young folks that are coming up through the system who are so devoted to protecting and improving our great state. You exemplify that spirit that is at the heart of the CSST, fellowship program.

Colleagues, I just wanna, ask you to join me in recognizing the the extraordinary young person that is doctor Emily Miao. Appreciate her for her service to the Senate.

And now, Senator Cortese is recognized at the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mister president and colleagues. I rise today to recognize Samuel Myers, who served as a science fellow in the Senate Transportation Committee this year. Sam is originally from Seattle, but he studied math and physics as an undergrad at the University of Idaho, where he first honed in on his interest in astronomy and politics. He pursued both interests when he earned his PhD in planetary science at the University of Arizona, where he also worked to establish a science policy fellowship.

Since becoming a 2026 CCST science fellow, Sam jumped into California's transportation policy with focus and precision.

I enjoyed working with him so often on so many bills. He worked on or analyzed 26 bills and resolutions this year assigned to him on critical issues, some of them I'm sure were yours, such as illegal dumping violations, aviation policy, zero emission vehicle regulations, passenger and freight rail reporting and much more. Sam is a hard worker. He's taken every opportunity to engage with our issuer in transportation and learn from his mentors on the committee, and he's had good ones.

We are very grateful for the hours he spent researching bill ideas, writing analyses, and meeting with staff and stakeholders.

So whether he continues to work on California transportation issues in the future or he returns to advocating for the rest of the universe, literally, I'm confident that Sam has a bright future of important work ahead of him. Thank you, Sam.

And now, Senator Blakespear is recognized at the majority leader's desk.

Good morning, members. As the Chair of the senate environmental quality committee, the CCST science fellows program is particularly near and dear to my heart. Last year, EQ became the first committee in legislative history to have all three of its consultant positions filled by science fellow alumni. And this year, the committee has had the honor of hosting doctor Alyssa Paletti, who continues EQ's unbroken legacy for seventeen years of hosting a science fellow every year of the program's existence.

It's been my privilege in EQ to work on many pieces of legislation that sits squarely at the intersection of science and policy.

The CCST fellows and alumni have been instrumental to doing that work well. Alyssa joined EQ as a science fellow after earning her PhD in atmospheric and climate science from the University of Washington, before which she earned her bachelor's in planetary science from Caltech. Having done significant work in her dissertation on climate and economic modeling of decarbonization solutions, Alyssa seemed like a natural fit for EQ.

Alyssa demonstrated her brainpower and EQ this year, which is no small feat, with the bottle bill, SB 54, compostable plastics, bag bans, and more, Alyssa dove right into numerous complicated policies, each of which had years of history and pages of regulations to understand. And that wasn't all she did this year.

Besides covering an array of other bills on topics ranging from carb regulations to bisphenols, she also staffed one of my bills, which will help protect the health and safety of lifeguards and other outdoor workers exposed to environmental hazards in the EQ committee and the California state legislature. Thank you. And it has been such a joy to have you on our team this year.

Senator Jones, I believe you have some comments for us.

Thank you, Mister president. I have the honor of sharing some closing thoughts on the science fellows program. And, members, I wanna thank you for sharing a little about a little bit about each one of your fellows with us. I'm always amazed to see people go through all the schooling it takes to become a PhD, because I barely got my bachelor's degree, and then come up here and work in the capital. That's fantastic.

We are blessed that they share their brilliance and scientific experience with us to make California policy more data based and science based. During a time when partisan rhetoric sometimes overshadows the science and facts that sound policy should rely on, it's refreshing to see young men and women like these dedicate their time to this higher calling of public service. You and stick with us here in the public policy realm in one way or another.

I'm encouraged to see the success of these, of this program, and I know that the fellows input has bettered the lives of all Californians. Roads forward, and may you use what you've learned here to better inform your public policy issues as you encounter your next roles and your future endeavors.

Thank you for sharing this valuable time of your life with us. We appreciate you.

And I believe we're going to take a group photo now. And, thanks again to another great crop of fellows, both these as well as the others we recognized, before. They are all are always such a great addition to our offices and our institutions. Moving on with privileges of of the floor, Senator Cervantes is recognized from the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mister president. Today, it is my pleasure to recognize and welcome representatives from First Five California, formerly known as the California Children and Families Commission, who are joining us today on the Senate floor. Since its creation by California voters through Prop 10 in 1998, First Five California has worked to ensure that every child can thrive during the most important years of their brain development from the per prenatal period through age five.

Through partnership with counties, parents, caregivers, educators, health care providers, and community organizations, They have helped improve the health, development, well-being of millions of California's youngest children. I wanna recognize the commission's leadership in advancing awareness around adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress response Through their stronger starts campaign, first five California is helping parents and caregivers better understand early childhood development, while providing practical research back tools to build nurturing relationships, support healthy emotional development, and creating stronger starts for children across our great state.

We are joined here today on the Senate floor by Jorge De La Cruz, Jaime Collins Lopez, Gregory Parshukhuk, and Yaira Gonzalez, as well as Irma Vega. Colleagues, please join me in giving First Five California a warm Senate state welcome.

And now, Senator Jones is recognized at the Majority Leader's desk.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. I have a great honor and privilege this morning of introducing to you the Republican Caucus district directors, who have all traveled up to Sacramento from their home districts for a district director summit this week. They've been up for training and camaraderie and learning how to better serve our constituents in our districts. Every single one of these staff members are dedicated to the 1 million constituents that their Senator serves.

And they've been up here working hard this week, getting to know each other better, and also getting to learn and share ideas with each other on how to better serve those 1,000,000 constituents.

So, with that, ladies and gentlemen, the Republican district directors.

Senator Grove, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. I know that we're supposed to be brief and we're trying to get through stuff, but I just wanna thank my District Director, Christine Diaz, because she is just a rock star. Everybody in the district loves her. She's number 1 in constituent services, and her husband's an investigator for special service stuff on the District Attorney's Office, and they are just a power couple in Bakersfield. And I appreciate her taking the leap of faith and joining my office.

And with that, I'm going to join the group picture. I'll be right back up.

Senator Durazo, you are recognized at the Majority Leader's desk, right after that picture is taken.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming Sherry Cywelski, who serves as Vice President of Crisis—Crisis Care—for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is home to the nation's first and most comprehensive suicide prevention center. They serve nearly 300,000 people per year through comprehensive mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services across nine sites in Southern California.

Sherry has dedicated her career to suicide prevention, Spending more than thirty years supporting crisis lines, developing trainings, and reducing stigma associated with mental health.

We'll be taking up SR 131 on consent today, proclaiming September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Didi Hirsch established the first twenty-four-hour suicide prevention crisis line in the United States, and its Suicide Prevention Center continues to provide multilingual crisis call, chat, and text services via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, counseling for survivors of suicide attempts, and support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

We know that timely access to compassionate mental health and crisis care saves lives, and we are grateful for your important work. Colleagues, please help me in welcoming Sherry Cywelski.

And Senator Reyes, you are recognized with some introductions.

Yes.

Thank you, Mister President, members. It's my pleasure to welcome members of the California Student Aid Commission, CSAC, who are here today in support of SCR 195 on—also on consent—which recognizes the month of October as Student Financial Aid Awareness Month. In our state, CSAC plays a pivotal role in dispersing financial aid to students and in providing financial aid guidance to students and their families through their 16 Cal SOAP programs.

California has taken important steps to make applying for financial aid a routine part of preparing for life after high school. In 2021, I authored AB 469, which requires high school seniors to complete the FAFSA or CADAA application before graduation.

CSAC was a key partner in that work, as one of our cosponsors. In the first year of implementation, California saw approximately 30,800 additional FAFSA and CADAA applications from high school students from the—by the September deadline. The applications submitted by the UC and CSU financial aid deadline also increased, representing an—a total of 42,000 additional students. This year, we reached a historic achievement for our state with more than 70% of California's class of 2026 completing FAFSA or CADAA applications.

Together, we must keep increasing financial aid awareness and helping students navigate the application process so they can achieve upward economic mobility.

Recognizing the amazing team at CSAC as a reminder of the cal—of California's commitment to higher education access, affordability, and student success. Joining me on the floor today, we have Dr. Daisy Gonzalez, Executive Director of CSAC; Chris Ferguson, CSAC Commissioner and Executive Vice Chancellor of Finance and Strategic Initiatives at the California Community College Chancellor's Office; and Roderick Figgs of San Bernardino Consortium CalSOAP Project Director. In the gallery, we have the team from the California Student Aid Commission, if they'll please stand.

And we also have student leaders representing our three public higher education segments.

Members, please join me in welcoming my guests here today.

And now, Senator Grove. Senator Grove, you're recognized at the Majority Leader's desk.

Thank you, Mister President. I'm gonna recognize two staff members here, and the reason why I'm doing that is because they have a combined seventy-five years experience and dedication to the people of California in this building, and they're deeply, deeply respected. I'm gonna start with Mark Reeder, who is right here behind me with this beautiful family, his wife, Elena, and his just adorable daughter, Chloe. He's thirty years in the Capitol. He started back in 1992 as an UNROW Fellow.

He managed offices in eight different members across both Assembly and the Senate. Again, starting in 1992 as an UNROW Fellow.

In 1993, a Legislative Analyst to Assemblymember Dean Andahl, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Legislative Assistant to Kirk Pringle, Chief of Staff to Assemblymembers Steve Kuykendall, Assemblymember Ken Maddox, Director of Senate, a Legislative Director for Jim Batten, worked for Ken Maddox, Sam Onstead, Mark Weiland, Janet Wynn, which we all served with, Pat Bates, and most notably, he has rounded out his last seven years in this building, in my office.

In 2019, he joined my team as a Caucus Chief of Staff and he's worked on policy in 2021, since 2021. And he is just one of the most incredible, well thoughtful, balanced individuals you will ever, ever meet.

Generations of Capitol staff, some of them that you guys employ now, owe their careers to Mark Reader for his guidance and patience and mentorship, because he always invested in the younger and new staff coming into the building. He's always the calmest, most steadfast head in the room, generous with his wisdom and time, and always opened doors to junior staff and available by cell phone.

His dedication to public service is evident by the time he spent mentoring young staff in this building, and making sure that California had good policy moving forward. He served both in the Assembly and Senate Fellowship Panels, making sure that you guys all got good fellows in your office, and then he spent countless hours interviewing and vetting many of the young legislative professionals that you see working in this building today.

Mark is so ingrained in the political realm that even met his beautiful wife, Elena, who was appointed by the Governor yesterday in Rules, that you guys, I believe, will see on the floor next week.

She is a former staffer in—right here in the Capitol—and he's created a family deeply rooted in public service. Although his incredible career has been thirty years in this building, his next job and his next career will be more impactful and more beautiful and more rewarding than any years of service that he put in this building, because he's gonna be the girl dad to Ms. Chloe, full time. Yeah.

Mark has always made his family a top priority no matter what, and I'm deeply grateful for this decades of selfless service, his brilliant counsel, his steadfast loyalty, his ability to bring calmness to a situation, and I wish nothing but God's very, very best for Mark, Elena, and Chloe, and it's a well deserved retirement.

But, but first, Senator Strickland is recognized.

I, I just wanna echo Senator Groves' comments about Mark Reader. Mark Reader is one of my closest friends. In fact, when I got elected when I was 27, 28 years old, I tried to convince him to be my chief of staff. He made a smart decision and, and actually went to Ken Maddox, who's a great friend. But he's been a value—valued—person I go to for advice for over thirty years, and I wish you nothing but the best.

You're one of the most wonderful people I know. You got a great heart, and you're a great dad and you're a great husband, and that's the most important thing. So, I wish you nothing but the best, and thanks for all the advice you've given me through the years. You're a remarkable person. Thank, thanks, Mark.

If other members would like to join in a group photo, please do.

Yeah.

You may proceed.

Thank you, Mister President. And just one more adage to, to Mark Reader. Jeff shot their wedding—our photographer shot their wedding pictures and photos here actually on the Capitol grounds and in the Chamber.

Then they were excellent pictures.

Yeah. Yes. So, again, it's my privilege to introduce my dear friend and my scheduler, Alisa Simbach. So, I wanna congratulate her over forty years of incredible years in this Legislature. Forty years as a scheduler in this building.

Right? Either in the Assembly or the Senate. She began her Senate career in 1985 by scheduling for Senator, excuse me, Secretary—Scheduling Secretary—for Senator Bill Leonard, where she began building the expertise of knowledge that she would lay the foundation for her forty-one-year career. Alicia went on to serve as an Executive Assistant Scheduler for Senator Bob Hirt and managed legislation through the legislative process and responded to constituent legislative inquires. She later served as an Executive Assistant Scheduler in the Office Manager of Senator Bruce McPherson, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office.

And in 2004 to 2014, ten years, Alicia served as the office Senate Floor Analysis and Principal Consultant to the Senate Floor Coordinator, providing floor analysis, coordinating amendments, and working directly with Senate desk staff during that time.

Alicia returned to the Senate Member's Office in 2015, serving as Executive Assistant Scheduler and Office Manager for Senator John Morlock, who most of us have served with, and then joined my office in 2020, and we've been blessed to have her for the last six years. Throughout Alicia's career, she's played an integral role in welcoming and preparing new Administrative Assistants, participating in numerous training programs, and even contributing to the official Senate training materials that guide our incoming staff. Alicia's wealth of institutional knowledge is unmatched.

Having worked in the Senate for almost her entire professional career, it's clear that Alicia has not only been an integral to the role of the state California, but integral to every team that she's been a part of. For Alicia, public service is truly been a family calling.

She and her two sisters each dedicated their careers to serving the people of the state of California, collectively leaving an extraordinary legacy of commitment, professionalism, and integrity. As a woman of deep faith, Alicia often quietly spent many of her lunch breaks attending the noon mass and praying for those in need. In fact, before joining the Senate, Alicia served as the Secretary and Office Manager for the Roman Catholic dais in Sacramento in 1981 and soon after, the Secretary and the Manager of that office.

Alicia's patience—I disputed that with my chief of staff, when she wanted to use that word—Alicia's patience, kindness, and genuine desire to see others succeed have left a lasting imprint in anyone lucky enough to have worked with her.

She's deeply respected, genuinely beloved, and her absence from this building will be profoundly felt throughout the Capitol community. Although saying goodbye to my friend Alicia may be tough, I've been fortunate to have her by my side for the last six years, and I just wanna make sure that you guys understand this is a metaphor. This is not a true statement. It's a metaphor—that was so, seventy five combined years of experience, these two people know where the bodies are buried.

And I just wanna thank my good friend.

She's Latina. You guys will get this. You don't mess with Latina women. You do what you are told, when you are told, and she makes sure that the office runs very, very smoothly. And she's been just an incredible member, along with Mark Reader, to our team. Thank you.

Senator Ochoa Bogh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. Ladies and gentlemen—ladies and gentlemen of the Senate—I'm just so grateful just to share a couple of words about Alicia and how much she means to me as a fellow Latina. Coming into this building six years ago, she was a warm, welcoming, comforting presence in in our hallways.

We didn't see each other very much at the very beginning, but as I was able to literally work alongside Senator Grove and be able to go into the office and have that institutionalized—talk about institutional knowledge—you're absolutely right.

And as a new member coming into this building, it's been an amazing experience and benefit to get to hear what her counsel and her guidance has been. And I just wanna just publicly share, Alicia, you're going to be dearly, dearly missed.

And no offense to Mr. Reader, who does a great job, but we all know that schedulers are the most powerful people in any legislator's office. And now, moving ever so swiftly along, messages from the governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. And reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Now, under motions, resolutions, and notices, do we have any from the floor? Seeing... Yeah. Senator Smallwood Cuevas.

Mr. President, please remove file item 300, ACR 226 from consent in order to be taken up.

So noted. So under motions, resolutions, without objection, measures reported by the Appropriations Committee with the recommendation of do pass will be given their second reading upon being reported and ordered to a third reading. And without objection, measures reported by the Appropriations Committee with the recommendation do pass as amended will be given their second reading and amendments adopted upon being reported and ordered returned to second reading. Now on to considerations of the daily file. Second reading file. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 1560, 1897, 744, 956, 2262, and Assembly Bill 2795.

Now moving to Senate third reading. This will be on file 45 SR 128 by Senator Perez. Please read.

Senator resolution one twenty eight by Senator Perez relative to California Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. And you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Members SR 128 acknowledges September 3 as California neuroblastoma awareness day. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants and the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. And fortunately, the symptoms are often nonspecific resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for this disease is typically very intensive and early detection is key as neuroblastoma accounts for approximately fifteen percent of childhood cancer deaths.

By recognizing September 3 as California neuroblastoma awareness day, this will help increase knowledge of this disease as it has received less research funding than other adult cancers. The hope of increased awareness will drive earlier diagnosis and treatment and hopefully more research. I wanna thank my young constituent, Mikaela, who raised this awareness to my office. She was hoping to attend today to see this presentation, but couldn't because she is starting school.

I thank her for taking her own experience to advocate for others and I know that she's actually watching right now from school.

SR 128 recognizes children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and their families to let them know that we see them and stand with them during their fight against this disease. For all these reasons, I ask for your aye vote.

Seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

Alan. Alvarado-Gil. Archuleta. Alright. Arreguin.

Alright. Ashby. Alright. Becker. Blake Spear.

Alright. Cabaldon. Alright. Caballero. Alright.

Cervantes. Joy. Aye. Cortezi. Aye.

Dali. Aye. Durazo. Aye. Gonzales.

Aye. Grayson. Aye. Grove. Aye.

Hurtado. Aye. Jones. Aye. Laird.

Aye. Limon. Maguire, I McNearney, I Menjivar, I Nilo, I Ochoa Bog, I Padilla, I Perez, I Reyes, I Richardson, I Rubio, Aye, Ciardo. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas. Aye, Stern.

Aye, Strickland. Aye, Humbert. Aye, Volodares. Wahab. Aye, Weber Pearson.

Aye, Weiner. Aye.

Please call the absent members.

Alan? Aye. Alvarado Gil, Becker, Cervantes? Aye. Limon Baladares?

Next is, Senator Durazo at the majority leader's desk, and it is item file item 46, SR 130. Secretary, please read.

Senator resolution one thirty by Senator Durazo relative to recovery month.

And you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Senate resolution 130 proclaims September as recovery month. National recovery month has been observed each September since 1989 to promote evidence based treatment and recovery, honor the strength of those in recovery, and recognize the dedication of the providers that made recovery possible. These providers see people at their most vulnerable moments. They step in and support families when other systems have failed, when fear and stigma silence people who need help.

Substance use and mental health struggles are not an abstract policy issue. These struggles show up in our bank parks, our emergency rooms, in jails, in schools, in far too many preventable deaths. The substance use crisis is complex, but we have the tools and the people who know what works. And now with proposition one investments, these life changing programs have more resources.

These organizations embody the principles that recovery month is intended to honor, namely that recovery is possible, quality treatment changes and saves lives, and comprehensive community based care strengthens the health of the entire state.

But thank you, Mister Chair Mister president, and I ask my colleagues for an aye vote.

And seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

Alan. Hi. Hi. Alvarado Gil, Archuleta.

Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi.

Hi.

Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi.

Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Aye, Caballero.

Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi.

Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Cortesi. Aye, Dali. Aye, Durazo. Aye, Gonzales.

Aye, Grayson. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado. Aye, Jones. Aye, Laird.

Aye, Limon. Maguire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Minjabar. Aye, Nila.

Aye, Ochoa Bog. Aye, Padilla. Aye, Perez. Aye, Reyes. Aye, Richardson.

Aye, Rubio. Aye, Ciardo. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas. Aye, Stern. Aye, Strickland.

Aye, Humbert. Aye, Volodares.

The ayes are 36. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. And, Senator D'Orazo, you're recognized for recognizing guests.

Okay. My guest. Thank you, Mr. President. Please join me, colleagues, in welcoming two providers from Los Angeles, St. Vincent's and CRI-Help. I'm very proud to recognize the St. Vincent Behavioral Health Campus and welcome its principal, Shay Yadin, to the Senate floor. Shay and his team have developed an ambitious vision to transform the historic St. Vincent Hospital Campus into a comprehensive behavioral health and recovery center, where people can receive mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, crisis stabilization, residential care, outpatient services, and supportive housing in one single location.

When St. Vincent sought funding through Prop 1, we were proud to work closely with Shay and his team and advocate alongside other partners for this important project. I'm so grateful to him for his vision. And because of that, he has received two state grants totaling a 135 million.

Thank you for your leadership, your vision, your partnership, and for your dedication for all of Los Angeles, but in particular to the Westlake MacArthur Park community. Thank you. For CRI-Help, joining us today are two of CRI-Help's leaders. Brandon Fernandez, MPH, is the organization's chief executive officer and a gubernatorial appointee to the Commission for Behavioral Health.

Brandon also serves on the board of other advocacy organizations, including the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program Executives and Young People in Recovery. With him is Baldomero Gonzalez known as Junie, the organization's chief operating officer. Since 1971, CRI-Help has specialized in the treatment of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

Together, they have led a rapid expansion of access to service in Los Angeles County, meeting more than 3,500 Californians a year where they are, from withdrawal management, through residential and outpatient treatment to housing services. CRI-Help's newest expansion will extend that continuum to eliminate one more barrier by providing residential treatment support to women with children.

I would also like to commend the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, CAADPE. Robb Layne is executive director of CAADPE, the state's only association representing the full spectrum of substance use disorder services, bringing over two decades of experience.

Robb spent over ten years as staff in the Assembly and Senate and continues his public service today by sitting on numerous statewide boards. In the gallery, we have Tom Renfree, happens to be father of one of my staff, and... Bethany. And Trent Murphy from CAADPE. Thank you for your work. And finally, I want to welcome Mark Faucette from Advocates for Human Potential Inc.

Mark is a respected leader in behavioral health and substance use treatment for decades in California. Through his leadership with an incredible dedicated team of experts at Advocates for Human Potential, in partnership with the California Department of Healthcare Services, he has played an important role, and I go to him quite often in supporting the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. Thank you all for your leadership to make our systems better. Colleagues, please help me in thanking this incredible group of leaders.

And now, in a moment... File item 47, SR 132. Secretary, please read.

Senator Resolution 132 by Senator Durazo relative to Landscapers Appreciation Day.

Senator Durazo, you're recognized.

Thank you. My only other one colleagues. Thank you, Mister president. SR 132 recognizes September 21 as Landscaper Appreciation Day. Landscapers wake up early, early, early in the morning, as they say, to get to work before the sun rises, to get ready, pack their lunch, and beat the traffic.

Then they hit the road to start their landscaping route and often cross multiple spaces in different cities. These people, these men and women are out in the sun in many regions in triple digits during the summer, mowing lawns, trimming trees, nurturing our plants, and more, all tailored to the to the preferences of each individual client. Even amidst the ice rates, many of these workers kept doing arduous, hard work, while prone to being racially profiled and kidnapped.

Unfortunately, many landscapers are subject to verbal and physical threats, either for making noise with the leaf blower or other machineries, for simply doing their job. Some can't finish their job until they feel safe again, making their day even longer.

Due to the informal nature of the job and the minimal labor protections, landscapers are forced to accept these conditions or risk losing their jobs or not getting paid. Yet despite the difficult circumstances and low wages, landscapers continue working daily. What keeps them going is pride for their work and their families, to keep their families fed and housed and given opportunities in their future. This resolution is especially meaningful to my office since the parents of two capital staffers are landscapers themselves.

Javier and Martin are two of the many thousands of workers that have found landscaping industry as a path for economic mobility in a market that often shuts out immigrant workers.

Today, we show respect for their contributions to our environment and to our communities. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no microphones up, please call the roll.

Alan. Aye. Avaradogale. Archuleta. Aye.

Adagine. Aye. Ashby. Aye, Becker, Blaisepeer, aye, Cabaldon, Caballero, aye, Cervantes, aye, Cortesi, aye, Dali, aye, Durazo, aye, Gonzalez, aye, Grayson, Aye, Grove, Aye, Hurtado, Aye, Jones, Laird, Aye, Limon, Aye, Maguire, Aye, McNearney, Aye, Menjivar, Aye, Nilo, Aye, Ochoa Bog. Aye, Padilla.

Aye, Perez. Aye, Reyes. Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye, Ciardo.

Aye, Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland.

Aye. Humbert. Baladares. Wahab. Aye.

Weber Pearson. Aye. Weiner. Aye.

Please call the absent members.

Alvarado Gil, Becker, Cabaldon? Aye. Cervantes? Aye. Jones?

Aye. Humbert Valadares?

We, do have a lot of business today as I mentioned before. And if everybody is on the floor to vote, we'll go, much more quickly. Please, call the absent members.

Alvarado-Gil, Becker, Humbert, Baladares.

The ayes are 36, the noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. And I believe you have some guests to recognize.

Yes. Thank you, Mister president. I'm honored to welcome a wonderful group of landscapers with Sembrando Semillas Dei Laborer Workers Center, an affiliate of the National Day Labor Organizing Network. They are joining us today in the gallery. Thank you to inclusive action for the city and the California immigrant policy center.

And so, next we have File Item 49: SR 134. Secretary, please read.

Senate Resolution 134 by Senator Wahab, relative to Afghan Independence Day.

And Senator Wahab, you are recognized.

Hey, folks. I know that this is very important to the community just to be recognized, so I rise to present Senate Resolution 134, honoring the independence of Afghanistan and its people, otherwise known as Istiqlal. Afghanistan is more than a place on a map. It's the ancient nexus between empires, a global capital of philosophy, art, architecture, and the home of resilient people.

For many Afghans, August 19th is more than just a date, and as many other communities that have dealt with imperialism and much more, it is the independence of that nation. It is a celebration of the enduring commitment to sovereignty, self-determination, and the preservation of a national identity. Afghans have arrived in California fleeing war, persecution, and humanitarian crisis, and brought resilience, determination, and commitment to democracy.

As Afghan Americans, we celebrate the beauty of diverse nation, honor the sacrifices of elders, and advocate for everyone to live in freedom, dignity, and equality, including women, which is often forgotten in Afghanistan today. Today, Afghan Americans strengthen the great State of California as educators, poets, judges, doctors, elected officials, and much more. In honoring Afghan and Afghan Americans, we celebrate their presence in our communities, honor their enduring spirit, and recognize their invaluable contributions to democracy. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

[Roll call].

Please call the absent members.

[Roll call].

The ayes are 37. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. Next is File Item 50: SR 135. Please read.

Senate Resolution 135 by Senator Archuleta, relative to the 240th Infantry Division of the California National Guard.

Senator Archuleta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today, I rise to recognize the extraordinary history, service, and sacrifice of the 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard, a division that has answered the call of our state, our nation, and it has been in existence for more than a century. When I think of some of the most recognized military units in American history, names like the 82nd Airborne Division, the 1st Marine Division, the Navy SEALs, and the Tuskegee Airmen often come to mind.

The California National Guard, a unit equally deserving of recognition, the 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard, one fact puts its legacy into perspective. Three soldiers serving with the division received the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military decoration for valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Sergeant David Bleak, Sergeant Gilbert Collier, and Corporal Clifton Speicher all served with the division's 223rd Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. That is extraordinary distinction. By comparison, the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II had six Medal of Honor recipients and is associated with these six Medal of Honor recipients. For three soldiers of the 40th to have earned the same honor speaks volumes about the courage and sacrifice embedded in this California division and its history.

The 40th Infantry Division was organized in 1917 at Camp Kearny, California, with soldiers from across Western United States. During World War I, it deployed to France and trained and provided more than 24th--I'm sorry--27,000 replacement soldiers to the American units fighting in the Western Front. During World War II, the division fought throughout the Pacific, including combat operations in the Philippines. The division later returned to combat during the Korean War, where 376 soldiers were killed in action and more than 1,400 were wounded.

It was during the Korean War that Bleak, Collier, and Speicher earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary acts of courage, again, above and beyond the call of duty. The division service also extended far beyond overseas combat. Here at home, in California, its soldiers have repeatedly responded to wildlife, fires, earthquakes, floods, civil emergencies, and other disasters throughout California.

Since September 11, members of the division have supported military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and elsewhere around the world. California has provided the best of the best. The division has also broken barriers. In 2019, Major General Laura Yeager became the first woman in the United States Army history to command an infantry division where she assumed command of the 40th Infantry Division here in California.

The 40th remains an active part of our national defense today. It is recognized throughout America. In 2023, more than 500 soldiers from California, from the division, and its headquarters deployed to the Middle East, making its largest headquarters deployment since the Korean War. More than a century after its creation, the men and women of the 40th Infantry Division continue to serve our nation abroad and stand ready to protect Californians here at home.

This resolution recognizes the extraordinary history, honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and expresses our gratitude to those who served, those who continue to serve, and the families who have supported them throughout history. I am proud to recognize the 40th Infantry Division and its enduring tradition of courage, sacrifice, readiness, and service to California and the United States. The patch that I have is the patch of the 40th Infantry Division, California, California's history. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Choi, you're recognized.

Thank you, President and distinguished colleagues. I rise today in strong support of recognizing the 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard and its extraordinary historic relationship with the Republic of Korea. The 40th Infantry Division, known as the Sunshine Division, is not simply a California military unit. It is a part of the shared history between California and Korea.

I visited the headquarters in Los Alamitos in several different occasions related to Korean War activities and anniversaries. Following World War II, the 40th Infantry Division served in Korea from 1945 to 1946. Then North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. The division was again called to duty. California soldiers arrived in Korea in 1952 and fought bravely to defend the freedom and democracy, but their service went beyond the battlefield.

In the Korea town of Kapyong, California soldiers saw Korean children studying in difficult wartime conditions. They responded not only with the military strength but with the compassion. The soldiers contributed their own money, two bucks each person, to help build a school for those children. That school became a lasting symbol of the friendship between California and Korea. Each year, this school invites U.S. soldiers to the school and continue that strong relationship.

Today, more than seven decades later, the relationship continues through veterans, military exchanges, and the Korean American community. The 40th Infantry Division reminds us that the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea was built not only through the treaties and governments but through the courage, sacrifice, and the personal relationships of American soldiers and the Korean people. As a California State Senator and a proud Korean American, I am especially honored to recognize this remarkable connection.

Let us remember the California soldiers who served and sacrificed in Korea, honor the Korean people who stood with them, and reaffirm our commitment to the enduring U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance. The friendship forged in Korea more than 70 years ago continues to shine today. Thank you, and I appreciate the senator bringing up this wonderful recognition of the 40th Division of the Infantry Division. And thank you, and then I urge colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Senator Archuleta, you may close.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to, again, recognize the 40th, but remember, these citizen soldiers that are from the 40th Infantry Division here in California, they've served all over the world, and I'm gonna go ahead and name, if I may, my colleague, Senator Choi.

Your homeland in Korea is a safer, better country because of the sacrifices made by the Californians from the 40th Infantry. Three hundred and seventy six lives were were lost, but South Korea is a proud country, proud, and I know that every time our American soldiers are there, they're well treated and well respected, and especially the Californians.

So thank you so very much for--Senators--allowing me to do this because it's so important that we recognize our citizen soldiers, your constituents, the men and women that you represent throughout California. Thank you, Mr. President. I urge an aye vote on SR 135.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the--

So, this measure without objection is eligible for unanimous roll call. And seeing no objection, the ayes are 36.

The nos are zero. The resolution is adopted. Again, please, everybody, be here to vote. We'll be able to move much more quickly. Otherwise, we might have to bring dinner in.

Next is file item 51, SR 136. Please read.

Senator resolution 136 by Senator Ochoa Bogue relative to National Family Week.

Senator Ochoa Bogh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise today to recognize National Family Week and to celebrate the people who give our lives meaning and and a sense of belonging. Family can take many forms today, whether it's biological, adoptive, grandparents, two moms, two dads, older siblings, or friends that became family who raised us. What matters most is the love, the commitment, and support we share.

Our families teach us compassion, responsibility, resilience, and hope, which are values that reach far beyond the walls of any home.

When families are supported, children are more likely to thrive. Older adults are less likely to feel alone, and communities become healthier, safer, and more connected. This National Family Week let us express gratitude to those who have cared for us, stood beside us, and reminded us that none of us have to face life alone. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Hurtado, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise in strong support of this resolution. Many of you that know me know how important family is to me, and, this resolution is a wonderful reminder this week to make sure to remember to love our family members, appreciate what they do for us, and the sacrifices that they make for us as well. And I'll I'll be taking this in mind as I'm going to be joined by my relatives, my sisters from Texas this weekend.

So, thank you for this measure and I urge, an eye on this measure.

Senator Grove, you're recognized.

Thank you. I rise in support of this resolution as well, and there is nothing more important than family. Coming from a grandma with 11 grandkids, family is extraordinarily important, and we have an obligation to make sure that our family nucleus is strong and that we are all are all together and repair those relationships with your family because family is obviously the most important thing. There's a a a citation in the resolution and it's an excellent argument for this resolution.

It was actually president Ronald Reagan who made the statement, the family is a basic unit of our society, the heart of a free democracy.

It provides love, acceptance, guidance, support, and instruction to an individual and unconditional love and acceptance. That's a big deal. So respectfully ask for an aye vote on this.

Senator Ochoa, you may close.

I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Please.

Please call the roll. [Roll Call]

Thank you. The Ayes are 36. The noes are 0. The resolution is adopted. And now, item, 52, SR 137. Secretary, please read.

Senator Resolution 137 by Senator Ochoa Bogh. In relation of National Chiropractic Health Month.

Senator Ochoa Bogh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise to present SR 137, which recognizes October 2026 as National Chiropractic Health Month in California. Joint muscular and skeletal health are essential to healthy aging, helping people remain active, independent, and engaged in their communities. Unfortunately, one in five Americans experience chronic pain, making access to safe and effective treatment options increasingly important.

Doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive education and clinical training in the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, preparing them to evaluate and manage a wide range of conditions.

Primary market care also provides patients with a non drug approach to managing many common conditions. This can be particularly important as we look for ways to address pain while reducing reliance on potentially addictive medications. Please join me in recognizing the importance important role chiropractors play in the health and well-being of Californians. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. And seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll. Oh, this is eligible for unanimous roll call of the the ayes are 36, the noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. Okay.

Next is file item 59. That is ACR 107. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution one zero seven by Assembly member Barrackahann relative to the Diablo Range.

Presented by, Assembly excuse me. Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Thank you, Assembly member Nilo.

I appreciate

that. On behalf of Assembly member Bauer Kehan, I rise with alacrity to present ACR 107 Well, then hurry up. Which recognize give me a chance. Which recognizes the importance of the Diablo Range, one of California's most significant lift, overlooked natural landscapes. This covers 4,000,000 acres, 12 counties, some of which I represent.

It was a trivia question at the Senate Democratic Caucus and not many people knew where the Diablo Range was. Now they do, because this resolution celebrates the ecological, historical, and economic significance of the Diablo Range and encourages continued stewardship of the landscape, I respectfully ask for an iPhone.

And seeing no microphones up, please call the roll.

Alan. Hi. Alvarado-Gil. Archuleta. Hi.

Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Ashby.

Hi. Becker. Blake Spear. Hi. Caballero.

Hi. Cervantes. Choi. Cortesi? Aye, Dali?

Aye, Durazo? Aye, Gonzales? Aye, Grayson? Aye, Grove? Aye, Hurtado?

Aye, Jones? Laird? Aye, Limon? Maguire. Aye.

McNerney. Aye. Menjivar. Aye. Nilo.

Ochoa Bog. Padilla. Aye. Perez. Aye.

Reyes. Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye, Ciardo. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas.

Aye, CERN. Aye, Strickland. Humbert. Aye, Volodares. Aye.

Weber Pearson? Aye. Weiner? Aye. Call the absent members.

Avrado Gil, Becker, Cabaldon, aye. Cervantes, aye. Choi, aye. Jones, Limon, Nilo, Ochoa Bog, aye. Strickland, Baladares.

The ayes are 33. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. Next is file item 53, ACR 159. Please read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution one fifty nine by Assemblymember Cara, relative to

indigent defense. You're you're recognized, Senator Reyes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mister president and members. I rise to present ACR 159 on behalf of Assemblymember Carl Ra, which declares the importance of indigent defense to due process, equal justice, and democratic governance. In 1963, the United States Supreme Court unanimous unanimously decided in Gideon versus Wainwright that the sixth and fourteenth amendments of The United States Constitution guarantee the right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

Public defenders play a critical role in fulfilling this this obligation, but the right to counsel is not satisfied by the mere appointment of counsel if public defense attorneys are without adequate time and resources. In response to the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis, ACR 159 affirms the fundamental importance of public defenders to due process and calls for more statewide support for indigent defense.

California has had a long standing commitment to the principle that justice should not depend on wealth or access to private resources, and we must ensure the public defenders offices have the resources to provide effective representation. Senators, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on ACR 159.

And seeing no microphones up, please call the roll.

Allen. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. Becker. Blake Spear.

Aye. Cabaldon. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes.

Choi. Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye, Ciardo. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas.

Aye, CERN. Aye, Strickland. Humbert. Aye, Balladares. Aye.

Weber Pearson. Aye. Weiner. Aye. Cervantes.

Aye.

Please call the absent members.

Avrado Gil, Becker, Cabaldon, Aye, Choi, Grove, Limon, Nilo, Ochoa Bog, Strickland,

The ayes are 31. The nos are zero. The resolution is adopted. Now file item 60, AJR 29.

Please read. Assembly joint resolution 29 by Assemblymember Berman, relative to voting by mail.

Presented by Senator Weiner, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, I rise today to present Assembly joint Resolution 29 on behalf of Assembly member Berman. In just over two months, more than 23,000,000 active registered Californians will begin receiving their ballot in the mail for our November general election. Voting by mail is enormously popular with California voters across party lines with over 89% of voters using a vote by mail ballot this past June.

California voters of all political persuasions have embraced voting by mail because it is safe, secure, reliable, and allows all Californians to participate in their democracy.

But if president Trump has his way, this could all change. Shortly after voting by mail himself, president Trump issued executive order one four three nine nine to take away the authority of states to operate their elections, and instead directed the US Postal Service to only mail ballots to voters on a federally approved list. This represents an unprecedented and unconstitutional intrusion in the state election administration.

AJR 29 clearly and unequivocally puts California on record in opposition to this executive order and calls on Congress to protect the rights of states to offer the safe, secure, and reliable voting option for their citizens. I respectfully request your aye vote.

Senator Strickland, you're recognized.

Thank you, madam president, members. The president isn't restricting vote by mail. He's restricting vote by mail after election day. That's number 1. Number 2, I think it's very important to understand that we need to purge our voter rolls because right now, we vote and send out to everybody.

And in all 58 states, we're way behind on people getting mail in ballots that are live ballots, where people moved out of state. They've been deceased. In fact, in my district, a dog voted in the last two elections. And so we need to improve our election system here in California, and I wanna make the record straight because in the national side, it's not not to vote by mail. It's to not vote by mail after election day, and there's a reason why we have election day.

And now there's rumors that they're gonna even count ballots that are naming postmarked after election day. So we need to improve our election system here in California. And for those reasons, I do not support AJR '29, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Senator Choi, you're recognized. Thank you, president. I rise in strong opposition to AJR 29. While, some here may disagree with the administration's election proposals, that does not change the fact that federal election laws and the policies and matters for federal policymakers and the judges to decide. This resolution is opposing common sense measure that could improve the efficiency of and trust in our elections process.

It is undeniable that the current vote by mail process creates situations sorry, here, now, where elections officials may relinquish custody and control over mail ballots. The executive order that that this resolution, is opposing or would establish uniform standards for mail, in or absentee ballots that are sent through the mail. The Federal Government is well within its rights to implement security measures.

We should be focusing on ways to restore confidence in California's election system rather than picking unnecessary fights with the Federal Government to maintain our inefficient and the flawed elections process. I urge a no vote.

Senator Grove, you're recognized.

Thank you. Respectfully, you rise in opposition of AJR 25 just to reiterate some of the points that we have. Even in my leadership, in the Senate, when it was at the end at the beginning of the Biden administration, California was applying for exemptions in order to not have to purge their voter rolls. We're only one of six states in the entire United States Of America who applies applies for those exemptions to not purge our voter rolls.

And we have significant evidence that people that are multiply voting, homeless people are voting, which they have the right to do, but they have to have an address to be able to to be able to provide a voting, a vote in the state of California.

And again, just to reiterate, the president's executive order was to not allow voting and mail in ballots for votes mail in ballots postmarked after election day. And again, we have election day for a reason, and it's just after election day that those ballots would be disqualified. Respectfully ask for a no vote.

Senator Wiener, you may close.

Thank you very much, Mister president. We need to be clear that the president's executive order required a federally approved list of voters and only they would be able to vote by mail. But I think we also have to look at the bigger picture here that what's happening is we have a president who is deeply unpopular. His policies are deeply unpopular, whether it's the war in Iran or trying to destroy the health care system.

And so instead of just trying to win an election, which he knows is gonna be hard for him because of his deeply unpopular policies, they're instead trying to disenfranchise people.

And they're doing it in a variety of ways, and this is one of those ways. And in California, the state runs good elections. We see a lot of conspiracy theories like in the recent Los Angeles mayor's race, which I think is trying to set the table for broader national conspiracy theories to try to undermine the November election, and we should push back against that. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent members.

Alvarado-Gil. Becker. Cervantes? Aye. Jones? No.

The ayes are 29. The noes are nine. The resolution is adopted. Next is file item one thirteen, AJR 17. Please read.

Assembly joint resolution 17 by Assembly member Celestia Rodriguez relative to immigration. Senator Aragon Aragon, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to present AGR 17 by Assemblymember Celestia Rodriguez, a resolution in support of the renewing immigration provisions of the immigration act of 1929. For millions of immigrants, California is not temporary. It's where they work, where they raise their children, where they build careers, where they pay taxes, and where they contribute to the communities that we all call home. Yet our immigration laws have failed to keep pace with that reality.

The Federal Immigration Registry Provision was created in 1929 to provide a pathway to legal residency for individuals who've lived in The United States for an extended period. Congress has updated the registry several times, including most recently in 1986, setting the cutoff in which somebody had to have been in The United States at 01/01/1972. That date has not been updated in nearly forty years, making the provision virtually unusable today for the millions of immigrants who live in our country.

AGR 14 calls on Congress to modernize the registry by establishing a rolling eligibility date, such as residency of seven years or more, So long term immigrants can apply for lawful permanent residency, through this legislation, which has been introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and our Senator Alex Padilla. This simple legislative fix will restore access to a long standing legalization mechanism that has already existed in federal law for nearly a century.

More than 8,000,000 undocumented immigrants could benefit from a modernized registry. In California alone, home to over 10,900,000 undocumented residents, Hundreds of thousands would become instantly eligible for relief. And we know that the legal status provides life changing protections, such as work authorization, access to health care, freedom from deportation, and help stabilize immigrant families and communities. The uncertainty that our failed immigration system provides affects so many people in our state, but it also affects all of us as well. It affects our state's economy.

In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, upgrading the registry is the most direct and efficient way to provide long term status to long term immigrants who are already contributing to our country. Now more than ever, Congress must act. Assembly joint Resolution 17 reflects our values as a state committed to inclusion, dignity, and justice for all. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Gonzalez, you're recognized.

Thank you. And I wanna thank, my colleague from the Assembly for bringing, this resolution forward. And Mister president, members, I rise today in very strong support of AJR 17 as the Chair of the Latino caucus. As been said by my colleague from the Bay Area, immigrant community is California's most amazing melting pot of diversity, and they're an integral component of our state's social and economic fabric.

Immigrant communities aspire to the same things as you and me, good paying jobs, access to affordable health care, a home of their own, while they're also paying billions of dollars in our state's taxes, their own income, receiving barely anything back.

Property taxes, sales taxes, they're doing it. Our undocumented and immigrant communities are under particular stress from being kidnapped off the street to a broken immigration system that tells them they are not eligible to be, in the system and actually do things what people sometimes say quote unquote the right way. We cannot continue with our current immigration system and must demand that Congress take action to create actual pathways to citizenship for all immigrants.

The renewing immigration provisions of the immigration act of 1929 reintroduced by California's congressional leaders in 2023 is a common sense solution. We must all, regardless of party affiliation, believe in this solution as it provides real support and pathways for every single family, regardless of where they come from and where their birth of origin is.

That is the American dream. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Senator Arteghain, you may close.

I wanna thank the Senator from Long Beach, the Chair of the Latino caucus for her comments and support. We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. I think we can all agree. But until that time, this is a clear path to legalize thousands and thousands of people in California who are hardworking, contributing members of our communities. And I respectfully ask for an

I vote. Please call the roll.

Alan. Arada Gill. Archuleta, aye, Ateguin, aye, Ashby, aye, Becker, Blake Spear, aye, Cabaldon, aye, Caballero, aye, Cervantes, Joy, Cortesi, Dali, Durazo, Aye, Gonzales, Aye, Grayson, Aye, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Aye, Niemann, Maguire, Richardson. Aye. Aye, Rubio.

Aye, Ciardo. Smallwood Cuevas. Stern. Aye, Strickland. Humbert.

Aye, Volodares. Wahab. Aye. Weber Pearson. Weiner.

Reyes, aye.

Please call the absent members.

Allen, Alvarado Gil, Becker, Cervantes, aye. Joy Cortesi, aye. Dali, Grove, Hurtado, aye. Jones,

Call the absent members, please.

Allen. Aye. Aye. Becker, Choi, Dali, Grove, Jones, Limon. Nilo, Ochoa Bog, Sciarto, Strickland, Baladares, Weber Pearson.

Limonai.

The ayes are 28. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. And now, File Item 211, ACR 162, please read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162 by Assemblymember Hadwick, relative to the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway.

Presented by Senator Strickland, who is recognized.

Thank you, Mister President, members. It's a privilege and honor to introduce this ACR 162 on behalf of Assemblywoman Hadwick. This resolution designates a portion of Route 99 in Butte County as the Congressman Doug LaMalfa Memorial Highway. Doug LaMalfa was a fourth-generation rice farmer who lived in Northern California his whole life. He was a state assemblyman.

He was a state senator. He was a member of Congress. He was chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. Doug LaMalfa had a reputation of being a bipartisan leader who could agree to disagree without being disagreeable. In fact, House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, said Rep LaMalfa treasured his community, worked powerfully to protect California's farmers, and served those he represented with principled purpose.

Doug LaMalfa was a very special friend of mine. You know, I went with Doug LaMalfa to his district many, many times. He was my roommate when I was here in Sacramento in my previous stint, and I've never seen a member have a relationship with his district more than Doug LaMalfa. You know, he wasn't assemblyman—again, I know him when he was Assemblyman and Senator and Congressman. I've been with him and his district.

They didn't call him Assemblyman. They didn't call him Senator. They didn't call him Congressman. They called him Doug. And I've never seen a, a person that have such a personal relationship with so many people in his district, and he will be missed.

In fact, this resolution is a fitting tribute because Doug always fought for rural Northern California. Again, he was my roommate. He's one of my closest friends. I've never heard anybody ever say a negative word about Doug LaMalfa. He had a heart of a lion, and I will miss him dearly.

He actually, in fact, officiated my wedding. And so, this is very personal to me, and I would appreciate every vote for Doug LaMalfa because he fought for California, he fought for this country, and particularly, rural California. I ask for your aye vote for this important resolution.

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

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 32. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. Perhaps we don't have too much more business left, but perhaps the sergeants could run around and put some glue on seats. Just a thought.

Anyway, moving on to file item two twelve, ACR 61. Please read.

Assembly from current Resolution 61 by Assemblymember Stephanie relative to Philistines Awareness Week.

Presented by Senator Rubio who is recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise today to present ACR 61 on behalf of Assemblymember, Stephanie, which will proclaim the week of April 9 through 04/15/2025 as Philicite Awareness Week in California. Every week in the county, at least one child is tragically murdered by a parent or step parent, most often during divorce, separation, custody battles, and visitation disputes.

This resolution is inspired by the life of Pierce Howard Hugh, an incredible nine year old little boy from San Francisco who was shot and killed by his father during a custody dispute in 2021. In the aftermath of the tragedy, his mother, Leslie, founded Pierce's Pledge, an organization that advocates for protecting children during family law proceedings.

Sadly, these tragedies are not confined to one community or one point in time. They have also touched so many other counties like Los Angeles County on 05/27/2026, where a two year old, child, named Alec Basmajin wait. I'm sorry. Basmajin. I wanna make sure I said his name right.

And his six day old six day old sister, Ella, were killed in an apparent murder suicide Less than two weeks later, on 06/07/2026, 10 year old Twins Twin Brothers, Joseph and Grace and Travis, were also killed in an apparent murder suicide. I'm gonna add this resolution Samia, Samantha, and Samara, who were murdered in February 2022 by their father, who not only killed the three little girls, he killed himself and killed the chaperone and left a mother devastated, Ileana.

These heartbreaking losses remind us that Philistines is not a distant or historical issue. It continues to take the lives of children in our communities across our cities, state, and our country, and around the world. ACR 61 brings much needed awareness to a silent but devastating pattern of violence and urges family law practitioners and the broader legal system to take active steps to prevent harm.

And though this resolution is focused on one week in April, these patterns of violence occur every week of every year. I respectfully ask for your vote on this important resolution. Let us remember, Pierce, and honor every child lost to Philistines and commit ourselves to doing whatever we can to prevent these heartbreaking tragedies from happening again. With that, I respect for the Ashwin High vote. Thank you.

Seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

Allen. Hi. Alvarado Gil Archuleta. Hi. Adegin.

Hi. Ashby. Aye, Becker. Blake Spear. Aye, Cabaldon.

Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi. Aye, Cortesi. Valley.

Aye, Durazo. Gonzales, Aye, Grayson, Aye, Grove, Hurtado, Aye, Jones, Aye, Laird, Aye, Limon, Maguire, Aye, McNerney, Aye, Menjivar, Aye, Nilo, Aye, Ochoa Bog. Aye, Padilla. Aye, Perez. Reyes.

Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye, Ciarto. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas.

Call the ayes. Members, please.

Oh. Alvarado-Gil, Becker, Limon, Perez, Webber Pearson.

The ayes are 35. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted. Now, file item, excuse me, 253, AJR 9. Please read.

Assembly Joint Resolution 9 by Assemblymember Wallis, relative to national parks.

And presented with alacrity by Senator Laird. You are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister President. I rise to present Assembly Joint Resolution 9 on behalf of Assemblymember Greg Wallis, urging the President and the Congress to restore full and consistent funding for the National Park Service and to prohibit the transfer of public lands. Our national parks aren't just national wonders; they're economic engines and cultural landmarks in 2023 alone. More than 36 million visitors provided over $5 billion in economic output in California.

Join me in calling on Congress and the President to reinvest in protecting our national parks. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

And seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 35, the noes are 0. The resolution is adopted. And now, the last resolution of the day, file item 300, ACR 226. Please read.

Assembly to Concurrent Resolution 226, Boston member Wilson, relative to Black Girl Joy Day.

Presented by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Please remove file item number 300, ACR 226 from the consent in order to for it to be taken up at this time. I want to say members, I'm pleased to present SCR 226 to officially designate August 10 as Black Girl Joy Day in California.

This day is not just a celebration, but a profound acknowledgment of the vibrant role black girls play in enriching our state's diverse tapestry. Since her first steps in the sands of The Americas in 1619, she has endured and overcome dehumanization and horrific oppression.

Today, despite facing systemic challenges, from a young age, including higher rates of school discipline and exposure to violence, black girls continue to make significant contributions across a various field of politics, academics, law, arts, and community service.

Black Girl Joy Day is an opportunity to challenge and change the negative stereotypes that often are associated with our black girls. It promotes a narrative of success, creativity, and leadership celebrates the brilliance and beauty inherent in each black girl. This is more than a symbolic gesture.

It is a commitment to the future, the future where every black girl in California can thrive in a society that acknowledges and celebrates her, and I enthusiastically and respectfully ask for your eye vote on ACR 226. Thank you.

Seeing no microphones raised, please call the roll.

[ROLL CALL]

The ayes are 35. The noes are zero. The resolution is adopted.

Senator Strickland, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. In talks with leadership, I'm asking for reconsideration for file item two eleven, ACR 162 by Hadway.

Without objection, reconsideration is granted.

Ayes 35 Noes 0, on the reconsideration. And on the file itself, secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The ayes are 31. The noes are 0. That resolution is adopted. Now moving to the consent, we have two special consent, files. Does anyone choose to pull any items off of consent?

Seeing none, first is special consent calendar number 31. Please read. Number 31And 32. Please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 108-142. Senate Resolution 108. Senate Concurrent Resolution 188, 191, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 193, 125, 212, 216, 225, 227, Senate Resolution 123, Senate Concurrent Resolution 195, 196, Senate Resolution 129, and Senate Resolution 131.

[Roll Call]

The Ayes are 36. The Noes are 0. The consent calendars are adopted. And now, committee announcements, Senator Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. For those who are looking forward to today's long suspense hearing. The Senate Committee on Appropriations will convene shortly after adjournment of session. We will be, at the O Street Building in Room 2200.

Thank you very much. Now, returning to, excuse me, motions and resolution. This is the time for for adjourned memory, emotions. And, first, we will have, Senator Richardson. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Today, I rise to honor Eric Washington, a remarkable and gifted young man who served in the communities throughout my district, including Compton and Watts. You might have heard the news that on July 4, Eric's life was tragically cut shot cut short by a bullet, killing him and another young lady at a community celebration he was attending. Eric was a committed activist against gun violence. He attempted to deescalate the situation and unfortunately was shot and killed.

Eric worked Eric Washington worked as an Assembly field rep, like many of our staff do every day, working in the community, trying to help. And he did such great work and showed so much professionalism and efficiency that he was promoted to working into the housing authority, where he was doing very well there. What I just wanna briefly share with you was that at Eric's funeral, being a young man, the mayor spoke on his behalf. The, deputy police chief of Los Angeles PD spoke on his behalf.

Pastors. It just spoke to his work. And if we could be so blessed that when our time is done that people will look back and say, that's a person who actually served the community. But the biggest thing that touched me was it was standing room only, and there were people, young adults, many former gang members, lining the streets, just listening to his service.

So I ask that we keep his mother covered in prayer and that we also keep all of our staff covered who are out there doing the work in the community on our behalf to help Californians. Thank you.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Mister Washington's friends and family, and if you'd bring the name forward so it can be properly recognized. Next is Senator Caballero. You are recognized.

Is this on? There we go. Thank you, Mister president. Today, I rise to adjourn in the memory of my dear friend, former mayor of Madera, Santos Garcia, who passed away on May 2 at the age of 69. There are some people whose present is larger than life.

With with his signature cowboy hat, his warm smile, and unmistakable laugh, mayor Garcia was one of them. He had a talent for making everyone feel included, welcomed and important, but what made mayor Garcia truly extraordinary was his heart. Mayor Garcia was born on 12/08/1956 in Casas Grandes, Arizona, DeSantos and Esperanza Garcia. He came from humble beginnings.

As the son of migrant farm workers, he spent his childhood traveling the fields of California and Arizona with his family, picking tomatoes, cotton, picking tomatoes, cotton, and whatever crops were in season.

Those early years taught him the value of hard work, sacrifice, and community. They shaped the man he would become. Later, through determination and grit, Santos Garcia attended Fresno State University where he studied history. It was there that his world expanded and his great love story began. During a trip to Nicaragua, he met a young woman named Martha.

They fell in love, married in Rivas, Nicaragua, and together built a beautiful life that spanned forty four years of marriage. They first raised their family in the Bay Area before making the decision to settle in Madera, the city that would ultimately become the center of Mayor Garcia's public life and his greatest path greatest passion. Together, the Garcias raised five children, Santos, Esperanza, Xiomara, Javier, and Tomas. Nothing made him prouder than his family.

He adored his grandchildren, Mia, Jacqueline, Kiara, and Elliot, and loved nothing more than cheering them on at a game, celebrating their achievements, or simply spending family time together.

He also loved the simple things, a cafecito, a copy of the Fresno Bee on his front porch, camping trips to Monterey, a glass of bino after a long day's work, cheering for the Dodgers, and of course attending rallies. Lots and lots of rallies. Public service was not something Mayor Garcia did, it was who he was.

He spent thirty three years serving as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service and became a respected labor leader, serving as editor of the Central Valley Union newspaper and later as vice president of the Central Valley Letter Carriers Union. He brought that same servant's heart to public office, first on the Madera City Council, and then obviously as mayor.

For Santos Garcia, Para La Gente was not a campaign slogan, it was a calling and the way he lived his life. I was proud to join him as he fought for affordable housing, safer streets, expanded parks, and local businesses. He worked tirelessly to save Madera Community Hospital because he knew what it meant for the for the families. During the pandemic, he stood beside families facing housing insecurity and price gouging. And around every Thanksgiving, he made sure families had meals on their table.

He showed up for backpack giveaways, bicycle giveaways, ribbon Cuttings, community events, because he believed leadership means showing up. I had the privilege of working alongside mayor Garcia, or Mister Madera, as he was affectionately called, but more importantly, I had the privilege privilege of calling him my friend.

My husband and I are devastated by this loss and we both extend our condolences to his beloved wife Martha, who is also my dear friend and a powerhouse in her own right, to his children and grandchildren, to his siblings Carlos, Blanca, Raul, and Rebecca, and to the countless people throughout Madera and the Central Valley whose lives are better because mayor Santos Garcia walked among us. And while our hearts are heavy, I know exactly what he would tell us.

Keep going, keep believing, and never stop fighting for your community.

May our dear friend rest in in eternal peace, and may we honor his memory by carrying forward the work he loved and the people he served. I ask that the state Senate adjourn in the memory of Mayor Santos Garcia.

And we share our deepest sympathies with you, your husband, and Santos Garcia's friends and relatives. If you could bring the name forward just so it could be properly recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister president. I'd like to also take this opportunity to recognize his family that's here today who have joined us in the gallery. His wife, Martha Garcia, his two daughters, Esperanza Cross Miller and Xiomara Russell, and his three sons, Santos, Javier, and Thomas

Garcia. Thank you for being here.

Thank you for being here. Thank you. Senator Hurtado, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise today to adjourn in the memory of Tyler Raper, a devoted husband, a proud father, a gifted tradesman, a union brother, and a friend to so many throughout the Central Valley. Tyler built his life around hard work, family, and service to others. Following in his father's footsteps, Tyler chose a career in the construction trades. He was a ten year member of the carpenters union, a graduate of its apprenticeship program, a Journeyman Carpenter, an expert welder, and an accomplished bridge builder.

Tyler was a sought after employee with stellar work ethic. Every foreman wanted Tyler on their crew. Not only because he was exceptionally skilled, but because he was dependable and someone others wanted beside them. Tyler took great pride in his work, but nothing compared to the pride he had in his family. He was completely devoted to his wife, Bailey, and their three young sons, Weston, Wyatt, and Walker.

No matter how demanding the job was, Tyler made time for what mattered most. He coached Weston's baseball team where he taught those young players more than how to play the game. He taught them to work hard, show up for one another, and lead by example. Those were the lessons he gave his sons encouraging them to work hard, follow their dreams, and become the people they were meant to be. Those who knew Tyler remember his soft spot for animals and his even bigger heart for people.

He put others first without ever making a show of it. Whether on a job site, around a dinner table, or on the sidelines of a baseball game, People simply gravitated towards him. Tyler's family is joining us via online today and I hope that you all know that the life your son built is a reflection of the values passed down to him. The dignity of hard work, devotion to family, and loyalty to others, and leaving things better than you found them.

And Tyler did leave things better than he found them.

He was a bridge builder, quite literally. In the years ahead, when we all drive across the bridges of Bakersfield and or see high speed rail carrying people throughout the valley or across California, I hope we remember Tyler whose hands built the infrastructure we depend on upon. His work will help ensure the future generations have safe reliable transportation for them and their families, their jobs and

their

communities. And to Weston, Wyatt and Walker, who are still so young, I hope as you grow older, you always know how respected your dad was, how hard he worked, and above everything else, how deeply he loved you. Someday you may cross a bridge your dad helped build and proudly say, my dad helped build this. But his greatest legacy will always be the three of you.

Tyler's legacy lives in his family, in his union brothers and coworkers, in the friendships he made, and in the Central Valley that bears the mark of his work.

His hands helped build the future of this valley of California, and his sons will carry his spirit into its future. Tyler is survived by his beloved wife, Bailey, his sons Weston, Wyatt, and Walker, His father Josh, and the many family members, friends, coworkers, unions, union brothers, and sisters who will carry his memory forward. Colleagues, I ask that you please join me in adjourning the California State Senate in the memory of Tyler Raper.

Thank you. Our deepest sympathies to the friends and relatives of Mister Raper. And if you could bring the name forward so it can be properly recognized. And, Senator Ashby, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to adjourn in memory of Cynthia McDaniel, who passed away on June 27 at the age of 70. Cynthia is the mother of one of our good friends, a long time Senate staffer, Phyllis Cook, who has worked in Senate special services since 2006. Cynthia was born in Topeka, Kansas before making Sacramento her home. She excelled at Gymnastics, eventually earning a scholarship to compete at UC Davis.

Go, Aggies. After college, Cynthia dedicated herself to public service, working for more than twenty five years for the state of California. Beyond being a dedicated public servant, Cynthia was a cherished grandmother and great grandmother who found immense joy in time with family. In true Cynthia fashion, she held on as long as she could, just long enough to see her granddaughter graduate from high school two months ago.

Those who knew her will remember her racing neighborhood children down the streets and performing gymnastics tricks in the yards to the delight of many.

She had an infectious laugh, a warm smile, and a gift for making any moment special with just the sound of her gentle voice and encouraging words. A true loss to us all. Many of Cynthia's family members are either joining us or watching online today, including her husband, daughter and son, son-in-law, her sister, and her grandchildren. All beloved to her. Members, please join me in adjourning in her memory.

And we share our deepest sympathies for the, friends and relatives of miss McDaniel and bring the name forward so it can be properly recognized. Senator Umberg, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president and colleagues. I rise with great sadness to honor the life and very rich legacy of justice Marsha G Slough, who served on the fourth district court of appeal and was a two decade veteran of the state's judiciary. Justice Slough attended Ottawa University on a basketball scholarship and later received her JD from Whittier Law School. She was born in Texas and raised in Southwestern Kansas. Justice Slough called herself a, quote, blue collar judge, end quote.

In 2003, justice Slough was appointed to the San Bernardino Superior Court by Governor Gray Davis, where she served for a decade. She went on to serve as presiding judge of the county's juvenile court from 2007 to 2010, as presiding judge of the entire San Bernardino court from 2012 to 2015. Justice Lyle was then appointed to the fourth district court of appeal division two, Riverside, by governor Jerry Brown in 2015, making history as the first openly gay justice on that court.

Over a tenure on the fourth district, justice Slough authored 454 opinions, including 55 published opinions, an amazing, amazing amount of work. Justice Slough served nearly a decade on judicial council where she chaired its executive planning committee and played a key role in drafting emergency court rules during the COVID nineteen pandemic.

Those emergency rules helped curb the spread of COVID nineteen in California jails, reduced evictions and foreclosures, and encouraged the use of remote technology to remain access to courts. I had a first row seat to witness justice Slough's dedication and passion for access to justice. Under very difficult circumstances during the pandemic, justice Slough was an incredible advocate, making sure that our justice system was accessible even times of emergency.

And she worked tirelessly with us here in the legislature to make sure that the funding, make sure that the laws were such that all would have as much access as was humanly possible during that very trying time. In 2021, Justice Stile led a statewide work group on post pandemic initiatives that examined practices employed by courts during the pandemic to improve court practices going forward.

In other words, taking the lessons learned and implementing them for future efficiency, for future access to justice. She also chaired the judicial branches pretrial reform and operations work group, which launched pretrial pilots that have since grown to include programs in all 58 counties. Justice Slough retired from the fourth district in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of justice led with empathy and integrity.

Justice Slough brought a genuine, humane approach to her work and was instrumental in improving justice in California, and I just stand as a witness to that. Justice Slough was survived by her her spouse Jill Sibler.

And here today, our friends and coworkers who deeply loved and respected justice Slough in our gallery is Jackie Diarmada, Corey Jaspersen, Tracy Kenny, and Heather Resaridis. Members, I ask that we adjourn in honor of the life and the legacy of justice Slough.

And we share our deepest sympathies with friends and relatives of justice Slough, bringing the name forward so it can be properly I'm forgetting. Senator Reyes wants to make some comments. She recognized.

Thank you, Mister president and members. I too rise and ask that we adjourn in the memory of a dear friend, Justice MarshaSlough. She was an absolutely respected member of the bench. As an attorney, she was willing to take time to mentor incoming attorneys like myself, and to teach us some of some areas of the law that we may not have known about. As a jurist, her demeanor and her treatment of both the attorneys as well as the parties that appeared before her was much appreciated.

She had shared that our court system, our justice system should be for everyone. She made sure that those appearing before her were treated with respect. They all knew that justice was being served when they were before her. She represented the best in attorneys, the best in superior court judges, and the best in district court justices. I'm proud to call her my friend.

She will be sorely missed. We send our sincere condolences to her family, her friends, and her loved ones. I I join my colleague from Orange County and ask that we adjourn in her memory.

And again, Senator Umbert, please bring her name forward so it can be properly recognized. And now, Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, I rise today to adjourn in the memory of Miles Elliott, an incredible aviation professional and a community leader from Porterville, California who tragically lost his life on 08/07/2026. Miles was assisting the suppression, of the wild Widemouth two fire in Central Utah when his helicopter tragically crashed, taking the lives of Miles along with his fellow pilot, Chris Anderson. Miles was a true American patriot and a hero who dedicated his career and his life protecting our communities across the country from wildland fires.

Miles was deeply rooted in his hometown of Porterville, serving in the Porterville on the Porterville Air Airport Committee and the Little League Board.

He also mentored young aviators through programs like experimental aircraft aviation's Young Eagles. His family has described Miles as a devoted father, fiance, and friend, and a well talented pilot, entrepreneur, photographer, mentor, and business owner. He was an exceptional, intelligent, and gifted person who approached life with incredible sense of curiosity, passion, and purpose. Miles had an adventurous spirit, an extraordinary depth of knowledge across many areas, but what made that knowledge especially meaningful, however, was his desire to share with others.

He was always willing to teach, guide, lean, and lean, and lend a hand, and pass along something he had learned, as he did without expecting anything at all in return.

Miles had a way of leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to cross this path. His generosity, his intelligence, his adventurous spirit, and his willingness to help others touch countless lives, and will continue to be remembered by his family, friends, and the Porterville community. Perhaps most importantly, his family described Miles very simply and powerful, as a true hero.

He is survived by his beautiful fiancee, Brianna, their son, Truxton, as well as his mother and sister, in recognition of the service and sacrifice for this extraordinary pilot who protect wild lands and our properties across the nation, I respectfully ask that we adjourn in the memory of Miles Elliott.

Thank you. We send our deepest sympathies to friends and relatives of Mister Elliott. And if you can bring his name forward so it may be properly recognized. If there is no further business, Senator Grove, the desk is clear.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, get ready for next week. Today, the Senate is in recess and will until legislative business has been received, we will reconvene Monday, 08/17/2026 at 2PM.

As said, the Senator the Senate is in recess until all legislative business has been received. We'll reconvene Monday, August 17, 2PM.