Senate Floor

Secretary will call roll.

Alan, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguin, Ashby, Becker, Blaisebir, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortesi, Dali, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limon, McGuire, McNearney, Menjivar, Nilo, Ochoa Bog, Padilla, Perez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Sillarto, Smallwood Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Amber, Baladares, Wahab, Weber Pearson, Weiner.

A quorum is present. Will the members and the guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise? We will be led in prayer this afternoon by our guest chaplain, Reverend Jason Vinci, after which please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Reverend Jason Vinci.

Let us pray. Sustainer of life who abundantly nourishes all that breeze, teach us to honor the land, air, and water as the mother she is, trusting the harvest to come. Let our labor regenerate and not exploit. May care for one another be our worship and service our prayer. Strengthen all who are suffering and protect this planet, our home.

As we honor, respect, and care for rivers, plants, animals, and one another, may our lives promote liberty

and justice for all. May our lives promote liberty and justice for all. Namaste. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Without objection, Senate rule 55 will be suspended to allow a videographer and photographer on the floor today. Members, under privileges of the floor, today we are going to acknowledge some of our outgoing members who have chosen two speakers to speak for them or at them or with them. And, today, we are going to excuse me.

Members, if we can give respect to these outgoing members and their family and guests, many of them have brought guests with them both here in the chamber as well as up in the gallery. We want to first turn our attention to Senator Allen, guest sitting with Senator Allen, Melanie Lutheran Allen, his wife, Ezra Allen, and Ina Allen children, as well as up in the guest, William Nicholas, Susan Shannon William Nicholas' brother, Susan Shannon, friend, Melba Mascarelli's friend, and Leah Mendelson, friend.

And we have some folks that, Senator Allen has chosen to speak, and that would be beginning with Senator Stern. Senator Stern will get up and deliver a couple of minutes of comments.

Thank you, Mister president. I will be intentionally brief here. As it says in the Talmud, only some of a person's praise should be said in his presence. The reason we have this, this prohibition on, overly praising is not just to be careful of inflating someone else's ego or from false flattery, but also, for risk of being corrected. So I don't wanna overly praise my dear friend, should some of you have a countering opinion here.

You get no opportunity to bring that debate. This is a non debatable item. Ben's father, Michael Allen, whose memory is a blessing, when he taught, when he was still walking among us, he he taught some of the great classics. And some of his studies, focused on the writings of Chaucer. Those of you who have, not read your Canterbury Tales as of late, I'll give you a quick refresher.

There is someone called the Clerk. There are many other characters in this story. The clerk actually comes before the sergeant of the law. And the sergeant of the law is someone I don't know. Maybe some of you may know someone like this, but an extraordinarily successful lawyer, someone wealthy, professionally prominent, knowledgeable, aware that they're knowledgeable about every statute and precedent.

That sergeant is somebody who seemed, quote, busier than he was. The clerk, on the other hand, the clerk is almost the opposite. They have no conspicuous status, no concern about appearing important. That what Chaucer says of the clerk is, and gladly he would learn and gladly teach. There's something about my friend from Santa Monica where that gladness is in his day all day.

He doesn't seem busier than he is. In fact, he's busier than he seems, which is kind of hard to imagine because the man has so many plates spinning at once. And the two biggest plates of all are sitting right on on the floor here that he and his wife somehow you're spinning them just with such beauty, despite everything happening. I I like to say I was there, before it all began out in the woods in Northeast Ohio.

I think it's the only Jewish wedding they've seen in that part of Northeast Ohio and then, you know, sticks.

I I gave a good shot at the ceremony. I think I botched one of the the prayers, but slept in a a plastic cot in the woods with no air conditioning and woke up at 03:00 in the morning to get back to something. And and out of all this chaos and all this beauty, Melanie came into his life and, he made the smartest decision any any person can make, which is to choose the right spouse, to choose the right partner.

And I think everything else from there, is just a a beautiful destiny. And and so, when it comes to these kinds of people, you might say, how does the clerk behave?

How how does this this person who doesn't draw attention themselves get work done? Aren't they last in line or don't things sort of pass them by? The gladness is not necessarily an asset in our line of work. You have to be tough. You have to be ornery.

You have to stake out your position. Ben listens. Ben deliberates live in front of you. If you're in a hearing and you've ever presented a bill or ever heard him present a bill, he is actually processing that in front of you. And while that may be frustrating for some, I think it takes enormous bravery to make up your mind in front of people while they're watching.

And I think things are complicated, and I think there is value in thinking things through. And even when that has to happen live, gladly, he will learn. And gladly, he teaches too. And I have learned so much from him, not just in how to be a Senator because everyone's got their own way, but just how to be a good man and how to put your ego where it belongs and how to speak kindly and how to what leading really looks like. And I'm grateful for that.

And I think this whole town benefits from somebody like you succeeding because it shows that a different model is possible.

And so I would just say, you know, whether it's the Voter's Choice Act and letting people get to a a drop box, to how they get what they get their lunch in and whether you you get something that's gonna make your kids' lives worse or actually make your planet better, whatever that box is or that cup of disposable something or the straw you get, you think of Ben Allen.

When you, when you get your lunch, when you make your vote, and and when you when you walk through this great state, he's everywhere and yet you won't see him because he's not gonna announce. Because he's the clerk and that's how he goes about his business. And so I hope you keep gladly teaching and gladly learning.

And I'm grateful to have had a chance to work alongside with you and I don't know what I'm gonna do here without you. Aye, I would just maybe we'll just set up a memorial Ben Allen corner there and I can just sit in it and talk talk to, myself, for for another two years. But in the absence of that, we'll just say thank you.

Thank you, Senator. We'll provide therapy for you next year. Senator Blake Spear, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. And the the good Senator from Los Angeles gave a great speech right there. And I'm I'm grateful to be able to add my voice to that as well right now. It's a true honor to rise to honor the greatness and the wonderfulness of my good friend, our good friend, Ben Allen, the Senator from Santa Monica, who will sadly be leaving us this year after a full and impactful twelve years as a California state Senator.

In so many ways, Ben epitomizes the absolute best of the Senate.

He's very smart, He's thoughtful. He's collegial, and he's kind. He's committed to good policy for the benefit of all, and he's strategic. He cares deeply about the state of California, and I particularly love that he's committed to protecting both the people and the majestic beauty and bounty of our incredible environment for future generations to enjoy. Over his years, Ben has built a truly impressive legacy of accomplishment.

He's been a leading voice on climate and environmental policy in the entire legislature, with legislation tackling plastic pollution, electric vehicle battery recycling, recycling claims, clean transportation, and protection of California's waterways, among many others. In 2024, voters approved the $10,000,000,000 climate bond that he authored, Prop four. In 2022, the legislature passed his SB 54, absolutely groundbreaking legislation that when implemented will dramatically reduce wasteful single use packaging. And Ben has done so much more than environmental work.

He's fought to make our democracy more accessible by expanding vote centers.

He's championed arts education. He strengthened California's creative economy, and he's deeply involved in California's policies around energy and wildfire. As I'm the person who took the baton from Ben as the Chair of the environmental quality committee after his eventful six years, I am truly in awe and admire what Ben has been able to accomplish as a Senator. I've also been a keen observer over my four years here about how he approaches things.

He always has so many balls in the air at the same time, and his interruptions will interrupt his previous interruptions.

And what that means is that no matter what he's working on, he'll always make time for you because he'll interrupt what he's doing to make time for you. And I would say he is far above the average in his interest and willingness to engage with people who disagree with him. He's quick to say, let's just go talk to that person. Let's understand what they're thinking about and why.

And it's not uncommon for him to be delayed in getting to the next thing that he has on his schedule because he was deep in conversation with a critic.

Ben is an intellectual, he is a problem solver, and importantly, he's fun to be around. He's genuinely someone that everybody likes. California is better because Ben Allen chose to devote his talents to public service. Ben, it has been an honor to serve alongside you, to watch you, to learn from you. Your next chapter will be just as impactful and we wish you every success.

And please know that your warmth, your intelligence, and your camaraderie will be deeply missed by me and so many of us.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Allen, this is your opportunity to bask in the praises of two colleagues. You have, some time for some closing remarks.

Well, thank you, Mister president. I it's a it's a real, special poignant moment for me to stand before you. It's been the honor of my life to get this opportunity to serve in this extraordinary institution. You know, I grew up in this institution in many respects. When I first walked, my very first time ever setting foot on this floor was the day that I was sworn in.

And I was here with my mom and dad, and today, twelve years later, I'm here with my wife and two wonderful children. And this has been a period of growth, of change, of incredible successes, disappointments, but but but deep, deep friendships. And I just appreciate everyone here so deeply.

I've had the chance to speak with you, a couple days ago at our farewell dinner, so I'm not going to address my wonderful colleagues who I just appreciate so deeply all the work that we've done together over many, many years. But I will say this job is unlike any other.

It's so eclectic. It's so, meaningful. It's impactful. I I noticed this from the very beginning when we had a situation in my district where we had an HIV positive person who needed a a transplant for an organ, and it was illegal to transplant, to donate an organ if you were HIV positive. That was on the books, and yet here was someone who was also HIV positive who needed an organ.

There was someone who was willing to donate, but it was illegal. And this was someone in my district. So we were able to quickly get a bill through, you know, on urgency. I spoke to the Republican leadership and we pulled this thing together within just even a matter of a week, and we were able to save this person's life.

You know, the power associated with that, the opportunity to change a moment for somebody, to change their life, to be able to save them was just, it shook me when I first got here.

And yet, we also know that this job is full of disappointments and years and years of work. So many of the bills that have been mentioned were many, many years in the making. Many, many failed votes on the last day in the Assembly where we were down by three and we just couldn't get it above 41, and yet we kept going and we kept going. We finally got these things across the finish line.

Let me start by just thanking my wonderful district, the people of the 24th, the formerly 26th District Of Los Angeles, special district full of creative people, innovators, dreamers, people who come from all over the world to contribute to what makes California so special.

Three of them are here, actually a number of people are here from the district, but Susie and Leah and my brother Will, just appreciate you guys so much and all the folks who helped to make this career possible for me. Of course, what makes our district from our office side is the extraordinary staff, and we've literally taken over half of the audience up here. They can't even see me right now, unfortunately, because of the angle, but there they are waving.

This this is dozens of of staffers who've worked with me, who I had the great honor of my life to get to work with throughout twelve years of service to our community, both in in the capital and down in Los Angeles. And they work so hard to make sure that we're responsive, that we get back to every single constituent who calls, that we're there for our community.

And I just wanna I'm gonna show incredible restraint here by not naming everybody just because there's so many people here today, but I just wanna say how much I deeply appreciate my wonderful team, and I look forward to getting a chance to thank you all personally at our reception later today.

Our incredible Capitol staff that has been at the heart of all of our great legislative successes and all of the work that we've done together over the years, big bills, small bills, the painstaking the way you've adopted my perhaps overly thoughtful approach to things and incorporated it and embraced it and let it guide the way you did your work.

And I know that many times you probably didn't wanna have that extra conversation with that extra stakeholder one more time just to see if we could land this issue or this challenge or this other thing, and yet you did it because you knew that's what we wanted to do and you made better legislation as a result. And I just appreciate that so deeply. I also wanna, of course, thank our, you know, my my incredible parents, my mom and dad.

My father, when he first sat here, was translating the Latin, you know, when when we first were sworn in. He's been a light in my life. Someone who instilled me a deep love of environmentalism, of but also of the academy of of of the of the deliberative process of discussion of of of conversation.

And so, so much of the the the the light that shines in me comes from him as it does from my mother who is so full of love, a real firecracker herself, and she sends all of her regards to to everyone here. She's been she's been a proud part of our Senate family as well.

And and of course, you know, my family is represented by my wonderful brother, Will, who has a deeply devoted public servant in his own right, a wonderful soul, and a very sharp person who's helping to improve public health down in Los Angeles County.

My two wonderful kids who were just a little sparkle in our eyes when I first started here, hi there, sweetie, and they have been wonderful, wonderful additions to my life, but I will say we know that it's really not easy being in a political family, and you know, that takes a toll, and every time I meet a former politician's child, especially an older person, I always wanna ask him, how do I do this?

How do I make sure that I can raise a kid who's gonna feel loved and that you give them your time, that you're balanced, that you're there for them? Because we know how much this job takes away from our families. And that's one of the reasons why I wanna just take a couple final moments to speak to my wife, who has really borne the biggest brunt, quite frankly, of the challenge of serving in this office.

You know, her substantial contribution to my time here, the incredible emotional and physical labor that goes into raising a family with a husband who's gone half the time during the legislative session, the little things that don't get fixed quite as quickly, the constant conversations about Southwest logistical flights, and we're gonna move the car here and get it over there, things that normal folks don't have to deal with, all while we've been living in a wonderful 1,200 square foot condo with our little roommate here, Ezra, as the baby has struggled to sleep.

So it's been a it's been a wild ride. I I wanna just thank Melanie, who's been such a wonderful, advisor to me. She has substantial political experience herself. We actually first met we first got together.

Our first date was at the Hollywood Bowl when a donor had invited me with a plus one, and I said, I'm gonna invite Melanie. And we ended up going during the campaign. She was running an independent expenditure for a council race at the time, and I think we just bonded over the miseries and exhilaration of campaigning because we were so deep in the experience, deep into my time before I was elected.

And so we've made it through, and I just wanted to give a little twist on a very special Jewish prayer that we say on Friday nights, which is a husband says to his wife, which is all about Aneesha Chayil, who's a woman of valor whose value is far beyond rubies. Her husband's heart trusts in her and he shall lack no fortune.

She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life. She stretches out her hand to those in need. Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the future. She opens her mouth with wisdom. The teachings of justice are on her tongue.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain. And this is my little twist. But a woman who knows how to organize and can tolerate a life of politics, she shall be praised. I love you, sweetie. Thank you to my dear Senate colleagues.

This has been the honor of my life. I appreciate you so much.

Thank you so much, Senator Allen, for those touching comments. Before moving to the next outgoing member, we do want to welcome two very special guests, former senators Steve Glazer and his wife, Melba. Glad to have you with us today. In

the chamber. And then we also have with us former Senator Susan Eggman. There she is right there in the middle. Thank you for being with us. Moving on to our next outgoing Senator, Senator Caballero, you are very much valued here.

the back of

Guest sitting with you at your desk, Marina Downes granddaughter and Zoe Downes granddaughter. And then guest in the chamber, your husband, Juan, Yurenga, and may Maddie Downes, your daughter, and then the numerous, guests that you have with us up in the gallery. You have two chosen members to speak on your behalf, and that is beginning with Senator Ashby. You are recognized.

Thank you, Mister presiding officer. Words like trailblazer, pioneer, champion, and fierce advocate are splashed across the life of Senator Ana Caballero. It's easy to see why her career inspires such description. Born in Arizona to a family of minors, Anna learned the value of hard work, never to waste nor to delay, and early on chose to aggressively pursue a life of service.

At the time that Senator Caballero attended law school at the prestigious University of California in Los Angeles, fewer than 3% of lawyers in this nation were women.

And of that number, the percentage who were Latina was so small that it was essentially unquantifiable. Her law school experience was full of ridicule and unfair expectations to somehow rectify generations of sexism and racism by being undeniably and impossibly flawless. Like so many of us, there was one teacher, a professor of law and communications who really saw her. And he suggested a coveted internship in Washington DC where she would learn about the application of law in federal communications regulations relative to protecting our youth.

Not only did that semester in Washington DC show that future Senator what was possible?

It lit a fire in the woman who would become the founding partner of a law firm and of a nonprofit, the first woman to be elected mayor of Salinas in its one hundred and twenty six year history, as well as the first Latina elected to Assembly District 28 in the Hard Valley of our state.

And after serving in governor Jerry Brown's cabinet as secretary of business and consumer services, she would also become the first Latina to be elected to the Valley State Senate seat, a seat which she has held since 2018. In the legislature, her legacy is clearly centered on four areas in which she has fearlessly led. Number 1, undeniably rural hospitals, not just in the valley, not just in her district, but across the great Golden State. Number 2, farm workers, the truest of her life's passions.

From working as legal counsel in the California Rural Legal Assistance Program, to using her beautiful and perfect Spanish to explain to a room, overflowing with families who work to feed us, but were all implicated by a bill and traveled to Sacramento to advocate. Luckily, they found a friend and an ally waiting for them as the Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee. Number 3, water. All things water, one of California's toughest and most complicated areas of law. And lastly, higher education.

Because Senator Caballero never forgot what it felt like to be alone in law school with the weight of an entire population on her shoulders. Senator Caballero has accomplished so much in her storied career so far, but we all know she is most proud of her marriage to Juan, the three children they raised together, and the six grandchildren that are the absolute light of her life.

The compassion and fight she brings to this floor in this chamber every day is built on a lifetime of not just incredible accomplishments, but also an experience unique to her journey, like explaining to a court bailiff that she's the lawyer, not the interpreter, and therefore does belong at the counsel table in front of the judge.

The journey that began in a humble community surrounded by hardworking minors led to the rise of a titan in the California state legislature, one whom I know we are all honored to know and call our colleague. Senator Caballero, thank you for the battles you fought to get here.

Thank you for being an example to us all. Thank you for choosing this life and allowing all of us to see you in full stride, advocating for people who too often do not see themselves in rooms like this one, and yet here you are.

Thank you, Senator Senator McGuire. You are recognized.

Try not to cry. Mister president, colleagues, I rise today with great respect on behalf of our dear friend and colleague, Senator Caballero. Cab has also been a trusted partner in so many policy issues, pieces of legislation, and politics. And I say partner specifically because sitting in front of us today, right here, right now, is Senator Caballero. And she is one of the most tenacious, loyal, honest as the day is long, and dedicated elected leaders than anyone could ever hope for.

There are a million pieces moving all the time here in the state senate. You don't always know which way things are gonna go and who's gonna go where. Right? But as a Senator and as a leader, one thing that we could always count on is Senator Caballero. Cab's word is her bond.

She's the type of person you want by your side in the darkest times in life. Cab is so good at her job and it's because she cares about all of us, the people sitting in the room. She cares about making good policy that is good for people and the future of the Golden State. And she cares about deliver delivering for those that she works for in the valley.

I was honored to work with her when she was Appropriations Chair, one of the toughest jobs in the building.

And Cab handled it with firmness and fairness, efficiency and style. And I believe that this description would go out on our a roll call vote today from all of us. But what makes her so special is she brings that same determination to everything that she does in life. And when she tells you she's gonna get something done, she means it. You know who else can count on Senator Caballero?

The people who proudly call Madera and Fresno to Larry and Merced County's home. You mess with them, you mess with Senator Caballero. She never backs down. She never backs down on delivering for rural California and their unique needs.

And she's proven it time and time again, as we've heard from the majority leader, on issues of water, on connecting communities to high speed broad broadband, never backing down and always standing strong for farm workers, delivering on the energy needs that this state needs, housing and rural health care.

She's been a tireless champion for the Central Valley, bringing her tenacity and her passion for rural California to everything that she does. When she's When she sees a problem, she gets to work. She follows through and she fixes it. We need more of that in government today. You know, she she started out as an attorney who fought for farm worker rights for the California rural legal assistance.

And she's never forgotten her roots. She has had a trail blazing career, and she has never taken no for an answer. She blazed the road for Latinas in the valley. Being the first mayor, female mayor in city Selena's history. As we heard from the majority leader, the first female Assembly member from our district, a cabinet member, and now finishing up her service in the state senate with the emphasis on service.

Constantly pushing for more housing, keeping rural hospitals afloat, helping small businesses keep their doors open, boosting California's top agricultural economy. This is who Anna Caballero is. She has spent her career fighting for the most vulnerable, fighting for working families and small communities, for people who too often have to fight twice as hard to be heard. And she's never forgotten where she came from or who she's fighting for. That's the legacy that Cab leaves behind.

Not just her incredible career and the positions that she has held, but most importantly, the people she has lifted up and the lives that she has changed. I am so honored, Senator Caballero, to have the privilege of working with you over these past ten years. I am forever grateful that you have been part of my life, family's life. Not only are you a friend, I love you very much and I love Juan. Thank you for your partnership, your dedication to the people of California.

It's been one heck of a ride and I'm glad to have been on it with you. I know the best days are still ahead. Can we please give a round of applause for the one, the only, Senator Caballero?

Senator Caballero, you may make some closing remarks. Although you already got your standing ovation. So

So that's it.

That's it.

Go ahead.

Thank you very much, president. First and I have some notes because otherwise I'd be flubbering and, and I'd stay up here way too long. So first, let me say thank you to our majority leader for those wonderful words. I appreciate you so much, and I've been very honored to serve with you here in the Senate, as well as Mister Pro Tem Emeritus. Thank you so much for your words as well.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be on your leadership team and, means the world to me that, that I can consider you a friend, and I love you back just as much because I think, you go through tough times when you have to make tough decisions on behalf of the state of California. I'm really honored to have you both speak today. Thank you for agreeing to do that, and thank you for your kind words.

I wanna start by introducing my guests, both here and in the rear of the chamber. You heard that it's actually my two granddaughters that are here with me today.

They are both, University of Utah students, both Zoe and Madison. I'm really happy to have them here because they live in Utah, so we don't always have a chance to get together. Also, I have my daughter here in the back, Marina Downs, who's sitting next to, Juan Uranga junior back there, if you could just if you could just wave. And all three of them, my daughter just got her masters from the University of Utah, so I'm real proud of her. She said masters of the law.

And as parents, you know how your kids say, I don't wanna be anything like you, and then she goes and gets a masters in the law. So I'm so proud of her. I'm particularly proud of her, but she she's done a great job. Let me just say that, I wouldn't be here without, my incredible husband, Juan Inaga Junior. Juan, you wanna stand up and wave?

I'm gonna make you stand up and wave, isn't it? Juan is the absolute love of my life. He loves politics and has been an active partner in everything I do in politics, and that's that's a rare gem. But he's also the first Vato of the 14th Senate District, which he puts on all his salutations. And he's also, one of the original founders of the plus one club. And you have to understand that the plus one club are the spouses. And when the calendar says plus one can attend something, that means he gets to come with me. So if you they started a club, and they were about to go around to the funds for themselves.

So I said, okay, that's it. Yeah. I said, yeah, that would be a lot of fun. Anyway, thank you for being here, and I'm really happy to have family with me. Guests in the viewing gallery who are my friends and family, and who have been me been with me on this lifelong journey.

My first boss from California Rural Legal Assistance, I know he gets embarrassed when I say that, which is why I say it. Much for being here. It's been a great ride, and you bringing me to Salinas is what started all of this. So I'd say I have a very special place in my heart. I also have individuals that have worked on almost every campaign I ever did.

Some that are were active union members and really contributed to organizing and making sure I did a grassroots campaign. My godchildren are here as well. They grew up with my kids, and they're doing great things, and I expect, really good things. They they had the opportunity to all grow up together like cousins.

And I say this because I didn't have any family with Juan and I had no family there in our community and it was really wonderful to have people who, really cared about us and looked out after our children.

My law partners are here. They worked with me to represent farm workers and blue collar workers. And, we had a law practice for twenty five years. And so they're still they're still good friends, and their kids are my godchildren. So I'm really happy to have them here.

And the reason that they're all here is that you all are my family here in the Senate. There's no question that I consider you all family because family is not really the people who you agree with or who always do as you say that it's the people that you work with, that you you get to know really well, that you share things with, and that you work alongside.

And to me, it's important that I say to you how important I think you are, and how much I wanna continue to be in contact with you because the work that we do is not easy. And the more that we can make sure we're still responding to each other, it's important. And I also wanna thank you for your patience, your your good questions.

For those of you who voted on my bills, I wanna thank you as well. And also the courtesy. We have a real courtesy in this house, and I really appreciate it because we're not always gonna agree, but being able to talk about things and do it courteously is really important. So now I wanna do some thank yous. I wanna thank the floor unit for helping me to learn how to run the Senate, even though I really didn't wanna do it.

You remember I came in and said, don't make me do this. This is not I don't feel comfortable with this. Thank you so much because you you taught me how to do something different when I didn't really wanna do it. And I think we have all been in that position before. I wanna thank the sergeants and the special services for transportation, for all always maintaining a safe work environment, even when we have to cross the street and walk between hostile groups of people.

Some people that are not hostile, but some hostile, or that deal with people who show up and throw blood on us, because we many of us were here when that happened. It was a scary time, and it was dealt with stellar. And so thank you so much. I wanna thank the California Highway Patrol for always being available to keep us safe. And I wanna thank the leadership team as well for working with our staff to work out schedules, meetings, and bills.

I also wanna thank the Department of General Services for the janitorial services, the elevator maintenance, the parking services, the security services, and everything else that keeps this place running. I know that they work hard, and I appreciate their cheerful attitudes, their the conversations we've been able to share with with each other, and most importantly, the work that they do.

It's really important that we acknowledge that we wouldn't be here, and things wouldn't work all that great unless we had all of these people that surround us, and that really make it, a place that's pleasant to show up to every day. And I wanna thank Miguel and his crew who make sure that the lunch money that we collectively contribute provides the healthy snacks we all love and appreciate. Come on, you gotta have those lunch snacks and for preparing the delicious ceviche on Monday mornings.

I mean, who can forget that? And finally, I wanna thank the staff who has worked with me for so many years, who show who work shoulder to shoulder with me every day. Words can't express how, important you have been to my life and what each of you means to me. The work is not just a job. It's a calling.

We're blessed to be able to provide for the people in our communities, and I appreciate the teamwork that you do with me to make it all possible. Thank you for your hours of service, for working hard, for your commitment to the residents that we serve, for your advice, opinions, and your passion for your work. And we haven't always agreed on where to go and how to do it.

But the fact that we can work together and you support the work that I do is really, really important. And I couldn't do the good good work without you.

And I constantly hear good comments and and compliments about you all the time about the work that you do and how important you are in the district. So thank you. I together we've done some really great things. Dollars to small communities that lacked state investments. Money that supported new police stations, ambulance, fire, fire machinery, apparatus, wastewater treatment facilities, money for flood victims, and of course, bringing back the Madera hospital was a great accomplishment.

And we couldn't have done it without you working with me and, also the Assembly member to make sure that that that we could get this the hospital started. And it was the poster child for 15 other hospitals that were at risk of closing and also got money. So we did good for our community, but it ended up helping other communities as well. For your friendship. Thank you for always having my back.

My passion for service, as you all heard, started with my family roots in a copper mining community in Arizona. My family had a good life because of the work they did to create and support a union. And as a result, I understood at a very young age the power of collective action. And I grew up during the tumultuous sixties and the seventies with visions of what was possible.

And I mentioned this very quickly because when I think back, and, you know, leaving me makes you reflective.

You think back and you say, you know, why did I why have I committed myself to a career of service that I can't seem to stop, quite frankly? And the answer was really is really simple. California was on the move. Housing construction was booming. Our schools were new.

I went to brand new schools when I was a kid. New technologies brought us televisions and telephones. Right? Black and white televisions, but they were televisions. And a race to space created a new industry filled with excitement and anticipation, culminating in the United States landing on the Moon.

So there was great optimism in the air. But at the same time, at the same time, I saw our much beloved President Kennedy shot and killed on national TV. I was his age when I saw that. His brother, a vibrant young candidate for president, was also assassinated. I saw the brutality and the anguish of the civil rights marches.

Young black children as targets of violence with dogs and firehose used as weapons against protesters demanding just justice. And I saw the senseless murder of a pastor, a man of God, the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, who advocated for justice, peace, and a dream. All this as we watch the news on TV. A blessing to have TV and then to see it all in on the screen right in front of you. It was a lot for a child to see, to digest, and to understand.

And it stayed seared in my brain and in my psyche. What I came to understand is that we live in a country built on the highest ideals of equality, opportunity, and love of country. And it was that, the optimism, hope, and passion for these ideals that led me to law school, even though I hated it, and eventually to elected office. I believe in our country and our state, and I know you all do too. Our histories may be different.

Our memories and our experiences may conflict, but our commitment to service guides our work. And I am certain that you all have the will and the knowledge to work together and solve the issues that California Californians want action on. We have a lot more more to do. I'm leaving the Senate, but I'm not done yet. Count on me as an ally.

I'll be cheering you all on from afar, and you can call me at any time. I've been honored to serve with all of you. It's been the experience of a lifetime and one that I will treasure forever. I wanna thank you all. May your higher power guide all of our work, and I wanna wish you good health and good whiskey.

Our next outgoing Senator is Senator Durazo. Guest sitting with Senator Durazo, Mario Salazar's son and Michael Contreras's son, as well as Camila Contreras granddaughter who's taking a break somewhere. And then a guest in the chamber, Serena Castillo, niece and Liz Durazo's sister. Today, we have speaking on behalf of Senator Durazo. Senator Smallwood Cuevas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, this morning I rise to honor a true visionary, a fierce champion for working people, and a trailblazer whose leadership has forever changed our state. Senator Maria Elena Durazo, my sister, my friend, my mentor. Now I understand Senator Durazo was leaving the Senate for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, so I am doing this under duress, against all term limits.

And also, I wanna point out that apparently, the senators idea of a retirement is more people, more problems, and even challenging budget.

Only Senator Maria Elena Durazo would step up to the plate and swing hard to that. And for more than two decades, I have watched her lead, and she's always taught me and so many others that when you lead, you lead with courage. You lead knowing the cost and standing up anyway. She is a skilled believer, practitioner of nonviolence. And nonviolence means it's not about the physical force.

It's about the soul force, the moral force, and the mountains that it can move, and the injustice that it can defeat. And we have seen her do that time and time again when she became the first woman, the first Latina to lead a major union in Southern California, and again to become the first woman to lead the mighty Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

She has stood up for all workers, but particularly for the most vulnerable undocumented workers when too many people, both in politics and outside, including some in our own labor movement who were even afraid to say the word undocumented. She taught us a worker without papers is still a worker. A mother without papers is still a mother, and a human being without papers is somebody.

And that courage became law because of her work. With SB62, the Garment Worker Protection Act, Senator Durazo took on a powerful fashion industry and held brands accountable for workers who make their clothes. Through SB 639, she fought to end subminimum wages for workers. She pushed historic protections for domestic workers and protected immigrant street vendors through SB 635. And with SB29 and SB56, her health care for all bills, she made California listen.

She made California stand up. She made California the first state in the nation to open Medi Cal to every Californian regardless of immigration status. That is the transformational leadership she demonstrates time and time again, not simply changing the laws, but changing lives because that's what this work is about, changing lives for the better for generations. Senator Durazo is a social engineer. And I call her a social engineer because she's always so ahead of her time.

She can see the society we need to become before so many of her peers can see it. And she is consistently on the right side of justice. What makes this so personal is that Senator Durazo has been a mentor to so many, including a young black girl from South LA. She showed me that women like us don't have to choose between being strong and being loving, between fighting hard and keeping our humanity.

And she also loves a good Motown hour playlist dance card, and there's nothing like watching her throw her head back to sing I am every woman by Chaka Khan.

It is quite a sight. She always arrives early in this building whenever we have a 8AM Zoom. The lights come on, and there she is sitting in her office. I don't know how she does it even when she's on those 6AM flights. But she doesn't just arrive early for the work and leave late for the work.

She doesn't just do that in the times of battle. She also does it when it's time to break bread, when it's time to fellowship. She puts a premium on building community. Because when you know each other deeply, you stand up more fiercely. And that is a a testament that she has taught so many of us in this chamber.

She has reliable integrity that we can never forget. Now, Senator Durazo takes that same courage to this board of supervisors to govern nearly 10,000,000 people with a budget exceeding $50,000,000,000 the size of Portugal, a whole country, and a state that is wide as the state a county as wide as the state of Pennsylvania in mileage. Senator Durazo, you came from the fields of California, and you helped change the halls of power in California. You organized when organizing was hard. You stood when standing was lonely.

You spoke when silence would have been safer. The building changes. The titles may change too, but you always understand the assignment. And that is to lift working families, to defend our democracy, to stand up for immigrants, to protect the vulnerable, and to leave the door wider for women coming behind you. I love you, hermana en la lucha.

Thank you for welcoming me to this chamber. Thank you for mentoring me and always showing us what courage looks like day in and day out, year after year, the twelve years that you have been in this chamber. And because of Senator Maria Elena Durazo, si se puede.

Senator Gonzalez, you are recognized.

Well, this is gonna be hard. I think the very first time I met her, she was very unimpressed with me. I remember meeting her. I have to say, I was a Long Beach City Council candidate at the time, and literally my consultant's like, go up to her, shake her hand, tell her who you are. And I said, I'm Lena, I'm running for Long Beach City Council, my dad's a teamster.

She was like, sorry for you. And I'm like, sorry for me because of my name, like, because I'm running, my dad's a teamster, what why are you sorry? But it made me realize, like, she does not get impressed easily. It's not about the title or what you say to her, it's your actions. And that's what I've really appreciated about her.

So how do I do justice in this few minutes, for her life's work? I'm not sure, but I'm gonna try. You know, when president Obama, describes you and describes her as one of the most profound labor leaders in America, you listen. And you know, when you're from the largest county in the state like Los Angeles, Maria Elena Durazo is a household name. So when I came up here, I was really confused as to why people didn't really understand the magnitude of her work.

The daughter of farm workers, after going to law school in LA, leading the nation's largest labor federation after her her beloved husband Miguel, another icon in labor, shaking down elected officials in the entertainment capital of the world to do the right thing. Simply put people first. Put them first in multimillion and billion dollar industries, raise up for the janitors for better rages, a hotel worker for improved working conditions, a truck driver or public sector employee for the ability to unionize and beyond.

And it didn't change when she got to the state Senate as we know. Oh, you all know this very, very well.

She's probably shaken many of us down, myself included, here in this Senate chamber with landmark legislation, as my colleague from Los Angeles mentioned, for workers in the fourth largest economy, a $25 minimum wage for health care workers. Her favorite moment, I just asked her at lunch. Her favorite moment, healthcare for all regardless of immigration status. Better wages and working conditions for women in the garment industry, oversight and transparency on detention centers, and an unwavering commitment to immigrant families, especially during her tenure as Latino caucus Chair during a pandemic, and much more.

And while I'm missing some of my colleagues get a little squirmy with her policies or watching some of you run to your computers and frantically scroll when you see a Durazo bill pop up on the floor, more importantly, I'll miss my friend.

Her integrity and her determination for her community and our state, my Senate bestie. She is a true friend that will literally call out the injustice the minute she sees it. A loyal friend who you never have to worry about whether she does the right thing or not. A really fun friend who, yes, does a great rendition of Janis Joplin's Piece of My Heart one night and will button it up the next day to go Chair a meeting in local government that's really, really hard.

And a genuine friend who loves the Dodgers, who loves her hardworking team who is equally impressive, and her amazing sons, Michael and Mario.

And of course, her grandkids, Seneca, Sydney, and little Camila who's running around here. Maria Elena is what I call a Latina for good who will continue shaking down those around her. So through her, hopefully someday everyone can realize the value and dignity of the worker, the immigrant, the hardworking parent, and those who have historically felt unseen. Sacramento's loss will be LA County's gain, so LA County board of supervisors, put your seat belts on, you're getting a real one in Senator Maria Elena Durazo. We love you Senadora.

Senator Durazo.

Thank you, Mister president. Thank you so much, Senator Gonzalez and Senator Smallwood Cuevas, and everyone here, farewell. But I wanna say first to my family, in particular to those that traveled here today, as was introduced, my sister Liz and her daughter, my two sons, Mario, Michael, my granddaughter, Camila, and her mother, Veronica. Thank you for your inspiration.

The way you each live your lives, meet your challenges, laugh at your flaws, but embrace your family, you are a constant reminder that I too must do what you do.

My appreciation for the hard work of my dedicated staff, you took stories of courage and you turned them into laws that make a difference. And, of course, to the entire capital staff for taking care of us, feeding us, and driving us whenever we needed to go somewhere. Pope Leo recently warned all so called powerful people to avoid the delusion of omnipotence and warned successful people to avoid the idolatry of self. Our personal brand should never be more important than the values our parents instilled in us.

I leave here as I came here, grateful for the privilege of seeing the unseen people, the gardeners, the laborers, the garment workers, and farm workers.

The men and women struggling to overcome their lack of status or reclaiming their personhood after serving time, or rebuilding their bodies after an injury or illness, or restoring their bonds with children or parents. Senators, my dear coworkers, we are imperfect people who meet here in this place to do more for other imperfect people, but who have far less. We must balance the certainty of our own convictions with the humility required to hear what we don't agree with.

Next year and the years that follow, I will make liberal use of my privileges of this floor as I continue stubbornly to pursue this work. This is a small gift I leave to you.

It's a plastic zip tie like those that I wore each of the 13 times that my stubbornness landed me in jail. But also, they come in handy to keep your tomato plants growing straight. Thank you. Be well and do good.

Next, outgoing Senator, Senator Jones. And today speaking, we will turn first to Senator Grove.

Thank you. Thank you, Mister president. I appreciate the opportunity that my colleague, my friend of sixteen years, has allowed me to say a few words. He did definitely put parameters on what I was allowed to say and not say. And this one time in my life, I have chosen to honor his request.

Sixteen years together, six in the Assembly and eight in the Senate, and two years campaigning to get here. That's a long time to have a work colleague and be my younger brother. I'm just a few months older than him, but he always insists that I'm his honorary older sister. So that's where that comes from. Like I said, I had a lot of funny stories, but he told me to stick to the facts and nothing but the facts.

So I'm gonna share a few things that you may or may not know about Brian. He's a proud air force brat. He was born in Texas and he followed his dad's illustrious military career. Most of his young life moving from place to place. And finally settling down in California, in Santee, where they moved from a mobile home or a trailer into their dream home in San Diego, California.

And after that, he started working very, very young. His dad had a construction and a carpentry company, and Brian was required or he volunteered or was told or voluntold, I'm assuming from a military officer, that he had to go to work every day at the construction at the construction site. They did door framing and hinges and door frames.

And he was 12 years old, and if his father was here today, I would tell him that he violated California's labor laws, making his son get up at 04:30 in the morning to go work and make door frames. But I think that instilled the hard work that Brian has always put in everything that he's done.

He left the construction site and he went to the restaurant business. He became an expert pizza maker for Domino's, and he worked up the chain ladder, and he became manager of one of the Domino's. And apparently, according to his beautiful wife, he was very successful at pizza making. That's what she said. You were, okay.

At 12 years old, like I said, he started working for his dad. And then the pizza manager, he started his own carpet cleaning company, so he knows how to clean carpets and make pizza. And that made him qualified to come to the California state legislature. Just saying.

Okay. He also, is just an incredible human being, and and like I said, it's just really been an honor. And I'm trying to like skip around so I don't start crying, as I said I wasn't gonna cry. He's even been a pastor, and I think that's one of the most important jobs he've had, because he has, pastors tend to have empathy for people when people are hurting.

And his empathy that he has for people that are hurting in the state of California, When Brian goes to bat for them, he leaves everything on the table, including his heart.

And even the battles that he loses, he is we're gonna do it again. We're gonna fight and we're gonna protect people. He is the father of three amazing children. He has two boys and a girl. He has Christopher, and Christopher is married, and he has his wife Sierra.

He has Matthew, and he has Melina. And Melina is the middle daughter. She's in the middle and the boys are on the bookends. She I know being a father to those kids is probably one of the things that he cherished most until they gave him grandchildren. And now they're kinda second shelf because being a papa is probably one of the greatest jobs that he has.

I do wanna tell you that he does have two dogs that he says he hates, which I don't think that's true, but he does say he hates his two dogs. Brian and I were both elected in 2010, and we came in in the Tea Party movement. We came in, rabble rousers, you know, starting fights with John Perez, making hay on the Assembly floor.

And so if you think we're bad now, you should have known us in 2010, because we came in with the Tim Donnelly's and many others. Like I said, in the Tim the Tea Party movement.

He had government experience on the city council. I did not. That's probably evident in most cases. And, I know that's probably showed. He's, with this small group of, like, really tight knit legislators in the Assembly that banded together, mostly over our faith.

Right? Because believe me, operating in the super minority in this building, you have to have a lot of faith in Christ to be able to come to this building every single day to fight for the people that you love. It's a very diverse state, and our districts are very different than some of our colleagues' difference in the majority party. And to win just a small battle is a huge victory, and you win you won many of those battles.

He organized the prayer breakfast, we had a sold out crowd at the Hyatt.

He's just really been involved in everything that he does every day is something that I think he wakes up in the morning and says, okay, God, what do you have for me today? Because I'm gonna do it, no matter how hard it seems. He came here to address affordability, homeless, to fight for people like in the foster youth system, because he really truly cares about foster youth. He cares about people that are trafficked. He cares about homeless students.

Some kids have even sofa served on his on his couch. He has a huge heart and but I wanna spend a lot of time before I go into a close about his time as a Republican leader. Being a Republican leader, I've done that, and it's probably one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have in your life. But he has really done some changes, made changes that I think are significant, that will help all of us in the future, and help Californians.

It took boldness to do what you did on that separation with the CRP.

It took courage, and you really you had to convince all of us it was the right thing to do. I told you what was going on out there, and you actually pulled the trigger and made it happen. And so I'm really proud of the changes that you've made. I'm proud of your leadership, and what you've done to help our caucus be successful in picking up a seat, and the things that you've done to help magnify our voice in the state of California.

Your comms team is incredible.

They always do right by us, and you just have really been a very very strong leader. And you brought unity to our caucus, which we didn't have before you took over. And I wanna thank you for that. You've done an excellent job. Now I know he's sitting over there and he's like, he he forgot my wife.

She forgot my wife. And he's dying to tell me something. And And I was hoping that he would act or say something and I could just put my hand up in his face like I always do, but he didn't. He didn't take the bait. In 1992, he made the best decision of his life.

He asked Heather out on a date, and she has been standing by his side for thirty four years, and she is one of the most amazing women that I've ever met. And the beautiful thing about Heather is that when Brian tries to tell me what to do, or any of us what to do, and we disagree with him, we pick up the phone and call Heather, and instantly Heather's calling Brian, and we get our way.

So she's been an asset to all of us in the California state legislature as well. Going back to what I started out with, a poor kid from Texas, a really poor kid for Texas pursuing the California dream is evident there really is a God because you are now one of 40,000,000 people like all of us in the state of California.

And we don't know what the future holds, we don't know what's happening, most people know what they're doing when they leave, but we know that God has a plan for us.

And so the scripture I leave with you is that, it's obviously Jeremiah twenty nine eleven. For I know the plans he has for you. It's to give you, to prosper you, not to harm you, but plans to give you a hope and a future. I'll miss you my friend. It's been a great sixteen years.

It's been a fun ride. It's been a hard ride, but it's been fun. And it's been my honor to serve with you.

Senator McGuire, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mister president. Members, I'm deeply honored to be able to speak on behalf of my dear friend and partner across the aisle and someone who I have to say I'm really grateful to have worked with, Mister leader, Senator Brian Jones. So I wanna welcome everyone. Welcome to the life of Brian. And what can I tell you about leader Jones here today?

First of all, I can tell you I think I could speak on behalf of Madam Pro Tem or Pro Tem Emeritus Atkins and myself. We're all fortunate to have been able to work with this decent, dedicated leader who never stops fighting for the people of San Diego County. I can tell you that Brian Jones is a person of his word. You can always trust Brian. He says what he means.

He does what he says, and he always has your back. Well, most of the time, maybe not on bills and budget. But in all seriousness, what I appreciate most about Senator Jones, he's a person of his word. And if he gives you his commitment, he'll stand by it, and you'll stand by it even if it costs him politically within his own party. Over the last several years, Senator Jones and I have been through a lot together. Civil unrest that has gripped our society and came into the capital. Security challenges with members here at the capital and their home.

Internal challenges with the running of the institution. Legal threats, and, of course, the occasional dust up between members and the two houses. In every damn time every damn time working with Senator Jones, we've been able to work through the rough stuff with respect and coming through together on the other side, and I'm incredibly grateful. I can also say that he's been a forceful advocate for his caucus and a strong defender of this institution and making sure the Senate delivers for the people of California.

In fact, the vast majority of the people of California actually live between Senator Jones' home in San Diego County, and where I live in Sonoma County.

But as far apart as we may be, across the state and maybe as far apart politcally, we've been able to find common ground. And I think that says something about Brian Jones. Because in these hyper partisan times people say that Democrats and Republicans can't work together, let alone be friends. And I gotta say that could not be further from the truth, especially when it comes to Senator Jones. Long before either of us were ever serving in leadership, we had a friendship built on mutual respect, a shared commitment to serving our communities, and a willingness to work together even when we didn't agree.

And over the years, and there were some tough times, we stood shoulder to shoulder on issues that affect communities across our state. Coming out hard against political violence, standing up for veterans, and together, putting more firefighters on the front lines in the communities that are most threatened by mega fires. During his time in this legislature, he's been a tireless advocate for homeless kids. No one has stood stronger.

He's gone to the mat for foster kids and for veterans and California small businesses who were the start who were the heart of our nation leading economy.

But what I remember most about Senator Jones is the way he treated people. He listens, and he listens with compassion. He always makes room for common ground. He believes that this world revolves around strong relationships and trust. And that is no small thing.

And I wanna say great how grateful I am. I've heard that being minority leader is not an easy job. But Brian has carried that responsibility with dignity because he understood that leadership is more than just winning arguments. It's about finding a path forward. It's about delivering progress for the communities that Republican leaders in this legislature proudly represent and the issues that they believe in.

And like Brian, I think many of us grew up in challenged households. He doesn't talk about this much. But Brian's family had some tough times growing up. They had to work hard to put food on the table. And when you grow up facing challenges, you wanna be able to make life better for others as an adult.

And that's what Brian Jones has done. That spirit of service has been the heart of Senator Jones's career, working hard every day to make life better for the people in the communities he represents. He's a public servant who delivers. He has a big heart. And through it all, as we heard from a good Senator, his wife, Heather, and his kids have been his North Star.

His wife Heather and his kids have been his North Star. Senator Jones, I wanna tell you, you have been a friend and a trusted partner to people on both sides of the aisle. I'm grateful to have been through tough times with you together because I think those tough times bring you closer. You've proven that we can always disagree without being disagreeable, and you have always led with people over politics.

I wanna wanna say thank you for always standing up for your principles and always making room to listen to someone else's.

And we've had some time where we've been able to hear each other even though it may have been heated. And I wanna thank you, Brian, for more than two decades of public service, for faithfully serving the people of your district, the people of California, and the colleagues who will put their trust in you as leader. Thank you for being a minority leader with a big heart. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for leader Brian Jones.

Senator Jones. Thank you, Mister president and members. What a blessing. This is the second time I've had the opportunity to be termed out. I was just realizing the last time was ten years ago when we were turned out of the Assembly.

I've left city council and you know, there's there's there's a saying that we're all warned by, I think, when we show up on our first day or our first week that, you know, some of the cynical people that have served on this floor or work across the street say, the friends that you have in while you're in the legislator legislature are just friends that you have while you're in the legislature.

Well, I can tell you that having left to one office twice and now the second time leaving the legislature that sometimes that's true. Sometimes that statement's true. But oftentimes, if you're determined because relationships are two ways that you're gonna maintain those relationships, those friendships are real. And I'll tell you the example today is Shannon and myself.

We've been friends for sixteen years. But friend doesn't really describe what we are. And I know that Mike McGuire and I are gonna be friends for a long time. And if he makes it to DC, I'll come see him there. And if he doesn't make it to DC, I'll come console him on the day after the election. That's a promise. But I do have to thank start by thanking my family who have put up with this as all of us have shared now for sixteen years.

It's hard to believe that sixteen years ago when I started in the Assembly, my kids were in junior high and high school. And now I have two grandkids, and my daughter announced the other day a third one on the way. Thank you. Roger's always told me that version two is better than version one, and I appreciate that because it is true.

Actually, the best thing that Roger ever told me about grandkids is the reason grandkids are so special to you is because you have a common enemy.

And I like that. That wasn't in my notes, but and my kids are watching. So my son, Christopher, and his wife, Sierra, and their daughter, Georgia, thank you. To my daughter Melina and her husband Justin and their son Vincent and whatever number 2's gonna be, thank you. To my son Matthew, who's working hard to become a paramedic and a firefighter, thank you.

And to my wife, Heather, who did not sign up for this, I promise you, thirty four years ago, when I, tricked her into marrying me, This is some this is a surprise to a lot of spouses when you come home one day. Oh, by the way, I'm gonna run for city council. Shouldn't we talk about that first? Well, I thought we did. I mentioned it a while back.

No. We never really came to a conclusion that that was what you were gonna do. That's a real conversation, by the way, between her and me. My mom and my dad as Shannon mentioned have been rocks solid rock of foundation in my life despite the challenges that they had to overcome. And my dad passed away one month after I became minority leader.

And so he didn't get to enjoy this. Right? But I know that he really would have thought it was cool that I got to do this. And they were married fifty six years when he passed away. And I just wanna say, mom, I love you and thank you.

I told myself I was not gonna cry today, but sometimes I can't help it. You know, one of the the bummers of being turned out for me is my staff and having to break that up. You know, after working on this for eight years, I've been blessed that I have three staff members, that have been with me all eight years. My chief of staff, Craig, the, caucus, staff director, Jim, and Laurie, my constituent, services director in the district.

Backed up by the rest of my capital team, Jake, Robert, Isabella, Rochelle, and two honorable mentions, our fellow James and Chris, who I borrowed from Senator Ochoa Bogh for a couple of months, and then gave him back.

But he's a he's an honorary team Jones member. And then in the district, our my district director, Nick, supported by Juliet, Mark, Kyle, and Tristan, who are here today in the audience with this. They came up special for today, and our two newest people, Valeria and Gint.

You have to thank the the the people that helped me get here, the financial supporters, the voters, but more even more importantly is the emotional supporters that are in our in our corner every time when we go back to the district. And I hear all the time.

The best compliment I get from people in the district is I could never do what you do. And I'm sure you all get that as well. And, you know, how do you do that? How do you go up there every Monday and come back on Thursday and I don't really have an answer other than my faith? It really is what guides and directs me and causes me to put my head down and get the job done.

I wanna thank everybody on this floor who I consider a friend, and that's all of you. And especially Senator McGuire and Senator Grove who agreed to share today. Thank you. I appreciate you guys. And a lot of the other friendships that I'm gonna take away from this place.

I'm blessed in that I don't have too many regrets in my service here, in eight years in the Senate and six years in the Assembly and the two years in between. And if I have one regret, it's a simple regret that just maybe and then you heard I'm used to be a pastor. Just maybe I didn't share my faith as much as my God would have liked me to share it. Because I know that we live in a lost and dying and dark world.

And in my life, Jesus is the answer.

And I would hope and pray that for you as well because there's no greater power on earth or in heaven than God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit. And so I will leave you that with this piece of scripture. And I'm glad that others have set the precedent already already for sharing scripture and I'll close with this. Probably the most famous verse of scripture in the world or especially at American football games. John three sixteen through 17.

For this is how God loved the world. He gave his one and only son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through him. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for the honor of serving with you. God bless you, and let's have a great last two weeks.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Senator Jones. And without doubt, your light has shined before us all. With that, messages from the governor will be deemed read, messages from the Assembly will be deemed read, reports of committees will be deemed read, and amendments adopted under motions, resolutions, and notices. Without objection, the Senate journals for 08/10/2026 through 08/13/2026 will be approved as corrected by the minute clerk. Senator Eddigen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to request that file item three, AB 2796, be removed from the consent calendar for the purposes of author's amendments.

The desk will note any other members wishing to be recognized. Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister president. I rise to move file item four seven seven, which is AB 458, and file item four seven two, which is AB 65, to the inactive file at the request of the authors.

The desk will note. Any other members wishing to be recognized? Seeing none, moving to consideration of the daily files, second reading file. Secretary, please read.

Senate concurrent Resolution 193, Assembly Bill 69 2796, Assembly constitute Concurrent Resolution two eighteen, Assembly Bill 2542, 20.

Second reading file will be deemed read. And members, we are going to have the opportunity here in just a few minutes to establish a unanimous roll call. And as long as you stay on the floor, we could get through business a lot quicker for items that do qualify for that.

Right now, we are moving to governor's appointments as we all gather at our seats, we are going to move to governor's appointments items one seventy one, one seventy two, one seventy three, one seventy three, one seventy seven, one seventy nine, one eighty one, one eighty two, one eighty three. Starting with 171, Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, file item one seventy one is the confirmation of Megan Hertel as the director of department of fish and wildlife. Prior to this role, she was serving as a deputy director of biodiversity and habitat and at the natural resources agency, and she also served twelve years as the national, Otterbein Society. I have to tell you that when we interviewed Meghan, she is thoughtful, she's engaging, she goes where it's all easy for us to go places where we're welcome and wanted.

She went up and took on a whole fight up there in the North State regarding wolves, ranchers, the environmentalists, the whole bit.

And she really is a person who tries to find a yes solution for everybody. And, so I'm really excited that she's gonna be the next, director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. She was approved by the rules committee on June 24 on a unanimous vote. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, senators. Seeing no members to be recognized, secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes, 40. No zero. The appointment is confirmed. Item 172. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, item one seventy two is director the confirmation of, doctor Cedric Jamie, Rutland for the appointment to the South Coast Air Quality Management District board. He is a pulmonary and critical care physician and serves on the board's position as an individual with experience and expertise in health effects on air pollution. He was approved by the rules committee on July 1 on a 5-0 vote. Respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Can we substitute the roll?

In this case, we do have to call the roll on appointments, but we will do that later. With that, seeing no one no members to be recognized for speech, Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Secretary of peace call absent members.

[Roll Call]

Eyes 39. Noes 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 173, Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mister President, colleagues, you're gonna wanna come back to the floor, this appointee is a little sketchy. File item 173 is the confirmation of Michael Gunning, the Michael Gunning. No.

No? Oh, stop it. He's wrong again. Okay. the Michael Gunning for the reappointment to the Teachers Retirement Board where he served since 2022.

He's a Chief Strategy Officer for Lighthouse Public Affairs, and he previously served as a Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the California Building Industry Association. Again, consider this appointment and what it means. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, senators. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye, Alvarado-Gil. Aye, Archuleta. Aye, Arreguin. Aye, Ashby.

Aye Becker, Aye Blakespear, Aye Cabaldon, Aye Caballero, Cervantes, Aye Choi, Aye Cortese, Aye Dahle, Aye Durazo, Aye, Gonzales, Aye, Grayson, Aye, Grove, Aye, Hurtado, Aye, Jones, Aye, Laird, Limon, McGuire, Aye, McNerney, Aye, Menjivar, Aye, Niello. Aye, Ochoa Bogh. Aye, Padilla. Aye, Perez. Reyes.

Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye Seyarto. Aye Smallwood-Cuevas. Aye Stern.

I Strickland. I Umberg. I Valladares. I Wahab.

Aye. Weber Pierson? Aye. Weiner? Aye.

Secretary, please call absent members.

Caballero? Aye. Laird? Aye. Limon?

Aye. Perez? Aye.

Aye is 40. No 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 177. Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, final item 177 is a confirmation of Omar Passons for the appointment to the Contractor State License Board. He is a principal consultant with Passons Consulting, and he previously served as the City of San Jose's Deputy City Manager for the Homeless. My colleague from San Jose will not be speaking on this. He was approved by the rules committee on July 1 on a 5-0 vote.

Seeing no microphones raised, for discussion or debate, Secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye.

Archuleta. Aye, Arreguin. Aye. Ashby Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespear. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero Aye. Cervantes Aye. Choi, Aye. Cortese, Aye. Dahle, Aye. Durazo, Aye. Gonzales. Aye, Grayson. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado.

Aye, Jones. Aye, Laird. Aye, Limon. Maguire. Aye, McNerney.

Aye, Menjivar. Aye, Niello. Aye, Ochoa Bogh. Aye, Padilla. Aye, Perez.

Aye, Reyes. Aye, Richardson. Aye, Rubio. Aye. Seyarto. Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas.

Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg, Aye. Valladares Aye.

Wahab. Aye. Weber Pierson Aye. Weiner, Aye.

Secretary, please call absent members.

Limon.

Ayes 39, noes 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 179, Senator Grove, you are once again recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, file item 179 is a confirmation of David Silva for the appointment to the California Air Resources Board. He's the Mayor of the City of Buellton and a member of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Board. He also is a Senior Director of Development for Annual Giving Programs at UC Santa Barbara. He was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0.

Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no mics raised, for members to be recognized, Secretary, please call roll.

Allen, Aye. Alvarado-Gill, Aye. Archuleta, Aye. Arreguin, Aye. Ashby, Aye. Becker, Aye.

Blakespear, Aye, Cabaldon, Aye, Caballero, Aye, Cervantes, Aye, Choi, Aye, Cortese, Aye, Dahle, Aye, Durazo, Aye, Gonzales, Aye, Grayson, Aye, Grove, Aye, Hurtado, Aye, Jones, Aye, Laird, Aye, Limon, Aye, McGuire, Aye, McNerney, Aye, Menjivar, Aye, Niello, Aye. Ochoa Bogh, Aye. Padilla, Aye.Perez, Aye. Reyes, Aye. Richardson, Aye. Rubio, Aye. Seyarto, Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas, Aye. Stern, Aye. Strickland, Aye, Umberg, Aye Valladares, Aye Wahab, Aye. Weber Pierson, I Weiner. Aye.

Secretary, please call absent member.

Becker. Aye.

Aye is 40. No 0. The appointment is confirmed. Item 181, Senator Grove.

Thank you, Mister President. Item 181 is a confirmation of Joseph Ito for a reappointment to the California Independent System Operator Governing Board. If you want the lights to stay on, you will vote aye on this confirmation. He's one of the smartest people you will ever meet. He was first appointed in 2023 and currently serves as the Board's Chair.

He previously served over forty years as staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He was approved by the rules committee on a 5-0 vote, respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye, Ava Alvarado-Gil. Aye, Archuleta. Aye, Arreguin. Aye, Ashby.

Aye, Becker. Aye, Blakespear. Aye, Cabaldon. Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes.

Aye, Choi. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Dahle.

Aye. Durazo. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye.

Grayson. Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado.

Aye. Jones. Laird. Aye. Limon.

McGuire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjivar. Niello. Aye, Ochoa Bogh.

Aye, Padilla. Perez. Aye, Reyes. Richardson. Aye. Rubio.

Aye Seyarto. Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg.

Aye Valladares. Aye. Wahab. Aye. Weber Pierson, Aye. Weiner, Aye.

Secretary please call absent members.

Jones. Limon, Aye. Menjivar, Aye. Padilla, Aye.

Eyes 39, no 0. The appointment is confirmed. Moving to item 182, Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, again, a very smart individual that keeps California's lights on and make sure our energy flows correctly through the ISO. Alice Reynolds for the appointment of California Independent System Operator Governing Board. She previously served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission, and prior to that, she was a senior advisor for energy in the Governor's Office. She was approved by the rules committee on August 5, in a 5-0 vote respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, Secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye. Alvarado-Gil. Aye. Archuleta.

Aye. Arreguin, Aye. Ashby. Aye, Becker. Aye, Blakespear.

Aye, Cabaldon. Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi. Aye, Cortese.

Aye, Dahle. Aye, Durazo. Aye, Gonzales. Aye, Grayson. Aye. Grove, Aye. Hurtado, Aye. Jones, Laird, Aye. Lemon, Aye. McGuire, Aye. McNerney, Aye Menjivar, Aye Niello.

Aye. Ochoa Bogh. Aye. Padilla. Aye Perez. Aye Reyes. Aye Richardson.

Aye Rubio. Aye Seyarto. Aye, Smallwood-Cuevas. Aye, Stern. Aye, Strickland.

Aye, Umberg, Aye, Valladares. Aye. Wahab. Weber Pearson. Aye, Weiner. Aye.

Secretary, please call absent members.

Jones. Wahab? Aye.

Ayes 39, noes 0, the appointment is confirmed.

File item 183. Senator Grove, lastly, once again, you are recognized.

Yes. Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, last one. File item 183 is the confirmation of Charles Dugan, for appointment to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. He was a City Manager.

He is the city manager, I apologize, for the city of Redlands, and serves as the Commission's position of Chief Administrative Officer. He was approved by the rules committee on a 5-0 vote respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, Secretary, please call roll.

Allen, Aye. Alvarado-Gil, Aye. Archuleta, Aye. Arreguin, Aye. Ashby, Aye. Becker, Aye. Blakespear, Aye. Cabaldon, Aye. Cabellero.

Cervantes., Aye. Choi, Aye. Cortesi.

Dahle, Aye. Durazo, Aye. Gonzales, Aye. Grayson, Aye. Grove.

Hurtado. Aye, Jones. Laird. Aye, Lemon. Maguire.

Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjivar. Aye, Niello. Aye, Ochoa Bogh. Aye, Padilla.

Aye, Perez. Aye, Reyes. Richardson. Aye Rubio. Aye. Seyarto.

Aye. Smallwood-Cuevas. Aye. Stern, Aye. Strickland, Aye. Umberg, Aye. Valladares.

Aye, Wahab. Aye, Weber Pierson. Aye, Weiner. Aye. Reyes, Aye.

Caballero. Cortese. Aye. Grove. Aye. Jones?

Secretary, please call absent members.

Limon? Aye.

Caballero. Aye. Jones.

Secretary, please call absent members.

Ayes 39, noes 0. The appointment is confirmed. Members, we are going to move to unfinished business. This is an opportunity for us to establish that unanimous roll call. It is established.

Okay. We have it established. We are moving to item two ten SB 918, Seyarto. You are rec, or secretary, please read.

Senate bill 918 by Senator Seyarto in equating to full facility.

Senator Seyarto, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister president. I'm glad to be here to get this two week party started off with a great bill, SB 918, which is back on concurrence. SB 918 simply modernizes California's code to reflect how drive through restaurants operate today. Specifically, the bill will allow more flexibility for restaurant drive throughs while maintaining existing food safety standards. The bill took amends in the Assembly, which were technical in nature.

It has enjoyed unanimous support with no opposition. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion of the bank secretary, This is eligible for unanimous roll call. So without objection, seeing no objection, we will apply unanimous roll call. Ayes 40, Nos zero. The amendments are concurred in.

Moving to item 212, SB 832, Senator Allen you are recognized. Secretary, my apologies. Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 832 by Senator Allen in Accolade into the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Senator Allen, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mister president. SB 832, which will update the status, sorry. Update the statute for the upper Los Angeles River and tributaries working group is back on concurrence. It has no opposition, no no votes, and I respect if you ask for your aye vote on eight SB 832.

Thank you, Senator, for your brevity, and this item as well is eligible for unanimous roll call seeing no or seeing no objection. Ayes 40, nosed zero. Amendments are concurred in moving to item two thirteen nine SB 930 Reyes. Senator Reyes, secretary, please read.

Senate bill 930 by Senator Reyes in equity into privacy.

Senator Reyes, you are recognized at your desk for SB 930.

Thank you, Mister president. Members, I rise to present SB 930, which requires proctoring companies who are providing services to a local education agency for a classroom or course based exam to use end to end encryption. Amendments were taken in taken in the Assembly to add a new implementation date. The bill is sponsored by the Riverside and San Bernardino County Offices of Education, has no opposition, and has received bipartisan support. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 40, nos zero, amendments are concurred in. Moving to item 214, SB 1082. Senator Niello secretary, please read.

Senate bill 1082 by Senator Niello and accrual to people's attendance.

Senator Niello, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. SB 1082, relating to streamlining inter interdistrict transfer requests is back on concurrence. Assembly amendments clarify the process for schools and parents as it relates to implementation dates and the thirty day deadline. This proposal does not change eligibility requirements or alter existing appeal rights. Instead, it streamlines existing procedures, reduces unnecessary administrative burden, and promotes timely, transparent, and predictable decision making for families. I respectfully ask an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 40, noes zero. Amendments are concurred in.

Moving to item 215, SB 1129. Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 1129 by Senator Caballero and acculating two attorneys.

Senator Caballero, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president and members. I rise to present SB 1129, which is back on concurrence. The Assembly amendments delete the bill's former community justice worker study provision and instead require the state bar to transmit to the legislature any recommended statutory changes to implement the community justice worker program. Thank you and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 40, noes zero. Amendments are concurred in. Moving to item two sixteen, SB 607.

Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 607 by Senator Wiener in equinative transportation.

Senator Wiener, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister president. I rise to present Senate bill 607, a bill that we amended in the Assembly. This bill makes important changes to modernize the Golden Gate Bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge District's long term loan authority. The bill will help the district finance its critical seismic retrofit program, which will make the bridge operational in the wake of a major earthquake.

Given greater uncertainty around federal funding and reduced post COVID, vehicle bridge crossings, The district needs modernized access to other financing tools for the final phase of this project.

These charges will help ensure that the Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic symbol for our state and a critical link between San Francisco and the North Bay, remains safe, resilient, and operational for generations to come. The bill passed unanimously in the Assembly and in Senate Transportation Committee. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. This item is eligible for unanimous roll call with no objections. Seeing no objection, ayes 40, nosed zero. Amendments are concurred in. Moving to item two nineteen, SB 952.

Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 952 by Senator Laird and equanimity to energy.

Senator Laird, you are recognized for item two nineteen SB 952.

Senator Thank you very much, Mister president. Senate bill 952 is back for concurrence. Assembly amendments clarify the definition of excess procurement, ensuring it's accurately reflects the clean energy goals for the state water project. There's no opposition to bill's bipartisan support. I ask for an aye vote on the con on concurring in the amendment.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, aye is 40, noes zero, amendments are concurred in. Item two twenty one, SB 1005, secretary please read.

Senate bill 1005 by Senator Caballero, linked to local government and declaring the urgency there of to take effect immediately.

Senator Caballero, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to present SB 1005, which was amended in the Assembly to include an urgency clause. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Without objection, this item does qualify for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes forty, noes zero on the urgency. Ayes forty, noes zero. Amendments are concurred in. We are moving to item 222, SB 1055.

Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 1055 by Senator Laird, inequally to public contracts.

Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Senate bill 1055 is back for concurrence. The bill authorizes the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency to use four additional construction labor procurement methods, amendments taken the Assembly, add a project labor agreement requirement for the usage of job order contracting, as well as the reporting requirement. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on the amendments. Thank you, Senator.

Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, eyes 40

We do. Yes. Seeing objection, we will go to roll call. Secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Hi, Alvarado-Gil. Hi, Archuleta. Hi, Arteguin. Hi, Ashby.

Hi, Becker. Hi. Hi, Blake Spear. Hi, Cabaldon. Hi, Caballero.

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

Aye, Gonzales. Aye, Grayson. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado. Aye, Jones.

Aye, Laird. Aye, Limon. McGuire. Aye, McNearney. Aye, Menjivar.

Aye, Nilo. Aye, Ochoa Bog, Padilla. I Perez, I Reyes, I Richardson, I Rubio, I Seeardo, I Smallwood Cuevas, Stern, Aye, Strickland. Aye, Umburg. Aye, Volodares.

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

Smallwood Guevara's aye.

Ayes 38. No zero. Amendments are concurred in. Moving to item two twenty five, SB 1253. Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 1253 by Senator Laird, inaccurate to the rest of the force.

Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. This bill is back for concurrence. Assembly amendments incorporate monitoring requirements to safely expand recreational access at Santa Margarita Lake. The bill has no registered opposition, received unanimous bipartisan support. I ask for an aye vote in concurring in the amendments.

Members, this this item is eligible for unanimous roll call without objection. Seeing no objection, ayes 39, no zero. Amendments are concurred in. Moving to item two twenty seven, SB 1285. Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 1285 by Senator Durazo and Iqualane to juveniles.

Senator Durazo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. SB 1285 is back on the Senate floor for a concurrence vote. This bipartisan bill has support support, and we must uphold California's commitment to meaningful second chances by helping youth begin adulthood with opportunities for healing, rehabilitation, careers, and supportive connections. I thank you, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 39, nosed zero. Amendments are concurred in. Members, we are moving to Assembly third reading.

Before we do that, Senator Becker has a friend in the gallery, Jonathan Parks. Welcome, Jonathan Parks, to the Senate gallery. Very good. Alright. Thank you.

Senator, Assembly members or Assembly third reading, we are moving to item 250, AB 1657. Secretary, please read.

Assembly bill 1657 by a Assembly member of Rogers in equanimated domestic violence.

Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, I rise to present AB 1657, which would prohibit courts from requiring notice be provided to the opposing party before filing a temporary restraining order for domestic violence victims. Think about that for just a minute. Requiring a notice would prohibit requiring a notice to be provided to the opposing party before filing a temporary restraining order for domestic violence.

Current law does not require pre filing notice before requesting a temporary restraining order, yet some county courts still require victims to notify the opposing party before the judge reviews the application.

This notice requirement can discourage survivors from moving forward because they're afraid of alerting their alleged abuser before the temporary restraining order can be considered. AB 1657 closes that county loophole by prohibiting those pre filing notice requirements, helping victims and survivors access faster, more consistent protection. Colleagues, this bill is, keeps domestic violence victims safe. It removes the danger of victims having to contact their abuser directly and takes away the stress of figuring out who will serve the notice for them.

I'd I'd like to thank Assemblymember Rogers for his hard work on this bill.

This bill has received no no votes, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 39, noes zero, the bill passes. Moving to item 254, AB 2503. Secretary, please read.

Senator Bill twenty five zero three by Senate member Wallace, enacting to interscholastic athletic programs.

Senator Padilla, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mister president. Colleagues rise to present. This, AB 20503 would require the California Interscholastic, Federation to annually review and, if necessary, update heat guidelines to ensure they accurately reflect regional climate conditions. As conditions continue to intensify across the state, a one size fits all approach for heat threshold is no longer appropriate. This bill builds upon youth sports heat guidelines.

This body successfully enacted a few years ago. The bill has bipartisan support received no no votes. Respectfully ask for an

I vote. Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, eyes 39, Noes zero, the bill passes. Moving to item two sixty one, AB 1977.

Secretary, please

Senate bill 1977 by Assembly member Erwin, and acronym it to notary public.

Senator Caballero, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to present AB 1977 on behalf of Assembly member Erwin. This bill, which is sponsored by the California Secretary of State, is a technical cleanup bill. It clarifies and corrects ambiguities and inconsistencies in the Online Notarization Act in order to ensure its implementation by 2030. The bill strengthens consumer protection and provides clarity for notaries, platforms, and users as it aligns statutory requirements when the with the online notarization.

Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye, Alvarado-Gil. No. Archuleta. Aye, Arteguin.

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

Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi. No, Cortesi. Aye, Delhi. No, Durazo.

Aye, Gonzales. Aye, Grayson. Aye. Aye, Grove. No, Hurtado.

Aye. Jones. No Laird. Aye. Limon.

McGuire. Aye. McNearney. Aye. Menjivar.

Aye. Delo. No. Ochoa Bog. No Padilla.

I Perez. I Reyes. I Richardson. I Rubio. I See Arto.

No Smallwood Cuevas. I Stern. Aye, Strickland. No. Umberg.

Aye, Volodares. No. Wahab. Aye, Webber Pearson. Aye, Weiner.

Aye.

Ayes 29, noes 10, the bill passes. Moving to item two sixty five, AB 1551, secretary please read.

Senate bill 1551 by Assembly Member Krell and aculating to the California Rights Commission.

Senator McNerney, you are recognized.

Well, good afternoon, President and distinguished members. I rise today to present AB 1551 on behalf of Assembly member Krell. AB 1551 supports crucial conservation work by identifying the implementation of rice footprints as a priority for the family of California rice commission. Roughly half a million acres of rice provide vital wetland habitat to a diverse array of native birds, reptiles, and fish.

Climate change, water shortages, market shifts, and urban growth all pose challenge to maintaining enough rice acreage to guarantee a viable rice habitat for these species.

In my district, rice farming is being proposed as a method to raise delta islands to above the sea level. Replacing this vital habitat will cost an estimated $2,000,000,000 if we fail to preserve it. This bill has no opposition and has received no no votes. I wanna thank Assemblywoman Krell for carrying this bill, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 39, noes zero, the bill passes. Moving to item 267, AB 1817. Secretary, please.

Legislative bill eighteen seventeen by a side member Addis and Accolade into mobile home parks.

Senator Reyes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Members, I rise to present AB 1817, the mobile home fair process act on behalf of Assembly member Addis. This bill will help ensure that mobile home park residents receive detailed seven day notice with a fair delivery process that mirrors an existing method for sixty day notices. This will give mobile home tenants a fair chance to correct their violations and prevent evictions. This bill has received bipartisan support in both houses and has no opposition.

I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, aye is 39, noes zero. The bill passes. Moving to item two seventy one, AB 1637.

Secretary, please read.

I'll send you a bill sixteen thirty seven by Assemblymember Colosa, in equity into healing arts. Senator Archuleta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. I proudly stand and present Senate Bill AB 1637, the Just What the Doctor Ordered Act. On behalf of the assemblyman, Jesse Colosa, trust in the foundation of patient care. Without it, decisions can be compromised, and ultimately lives can be at risk. AB 1637 protects patients from ensuring that primary care physicians are solely responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their medical records.

Under current law, anyone, including administrative staff, contractors, or clinic supervisors, who are not a licensed physician can alter these records, potentially creating confusion in diagnosis and treatment plans, protecting the accuracy of physician notes leads to the protection of patient safety. We've seen the consequences by failing to protect medical records.

A traveling physician in Kern County working with the affected children and their notes changed by a district supervisor not only treating the threatening the physician, And, so these edits were made out of concern for the clinic's reputation, compromising patient care and trust, and never the patient. Protection of patients starts with diagnostics and treatment plans from their primary physician, not the editor. I strongly request that your aye vote be on AB 1637 to continue the safety of patients and the credibility of physicians.

I urge an aye vote.

Members, this item without objection is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, eyes 39, no zero. The bill passes. Moving to item two seventy six, AB 1894 for support support. Secretary, please read.

A Senate bill 1894 by a Senate member, Blanca Rubio, and I could relate to fish and wildlife.

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise today to present AB 1894 or four on behalf of Assemblymember Rubio. This bill is a San Gabriel Valley caucus priority bill. This bill is in response to concerns from several water districts that prohibition of water imports to recharge brown water supplies is detrimental to the communities and the water suppliers that we rely on.

Amendments taken in committee narrowed the bill to ensure this bill retains its core purpose without unintended constraints on local entities.

The county of Los Angeles submitted late opposition and did not take the thoughtful amendments that were presented earlier. With that, I ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Members, this item without objection is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, eyes 39, Noes zero, the bill passes. Moving to item two seventy seven, AB 1910. Secretary, please read.

Assembly bill 1910 by Assembly member Boerner, inaccurate to maternal health.

Senator Smallwood Quavis, you're recognized on your support support bill.

Thank you, Mister president, for that, reminder. I am pleased to present AB 1910 on behalf of Assembly member Boerner. Her pelvic pelvic floor health bill. One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. There are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care.

AB 1910 addresses these gaps by adding information, advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their hair health care provider. AB 1910 will give the women of California access to safe, reliable information from a source they can trust. And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you so much, Senator. Members, without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 39, no zero. The bill passes. Item two eighty, AB 2476.

Secretary, please read.

Senate bill 2476, Boston member Ellis, and equity into electricity.

Senator Grove, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, and members. AB 2476 expands eligibility for pumped storage hydro projects without mandating new procurement or weakening environmental standards or adding cost to rate payers. Pumped storage hydro is proven efficient and long lasting duration storage technology with the ability to provide critical grid stability. Under current law, pumped storage hydro is only eligible for central procurement, if the project is 500 megawatts or smaller and received a state funding before 2023.

This bill simply removes the pre 2023 funding requirement while keeping the 500 megawatt cap, which will make additional high quality projects eligible for consideration. The bill is the bill encourages competition along long qualified long duration storage projects and strengthens California's energy reliability goals while supporting economic growth and creation in communities, then job creation in communities across our state. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on behalf of Mister Ellis.

Thank you, Senator. Without objection, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, eyes 39, no zero, the bill passes.

We are moving to item two ninety two, AB 2595. Secretary, please read.

I'll send it bill twenty five ninety five by Assemblymember Pappan and Aquilaine's vehicles.

Senator Becker, you are recognized for AB 2595 at your desk.

Thank you, Mister president. I rise to present, this bill on behalf of Assembly member Pappen. It would allow San Mateo County and its local jurisdictions to adopt an ordinance prohibiting children under the age of 12 from riding e bikes. This bill comes in response to two tragedies in San Mateo County resulting in the deaths of two children. To say there's been an outcry in my county is an understatement.

While existing law allows jurisdictions to regulate the use of e bikes, it does not allow local governments to enact stronger age based restrictions without specific authorizing legislation. AB 2595 grants that authorization. It gives San Mateo County and cities the ability to do the same, providing them with the power to address the rise in local e bike incidents involving children and maybe continue to set a precedent for the rest of the state. Thank you. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no mics raised for discussion or debate, secretary, please call roll.

Allen. Aye. Colorado Gill. Aye. Archuleta.

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

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

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

Aye, Limon. Limon, Aye, McGuire. Aye, McBurnie. Aye, Menjober. Nilo.

Aye, Ochoa Bog. Aye, Padilla. I Perez, I Reyes, I Richardson, I Rubio, I Ciardo, Smallwood Cuevas, I Stern, I Strickland, Aye, Humbert. Aye, Volodares. Aye, Wahab.

Aye, Webber Pearson. Aye, Weiner.

Secretary, please call absent members.

Dali. Menjivar, Tiyarto, Weiner. No. Eyes 36.

Eyes 36, noes one. The bill passes. Moving to item two ninety three, AB 1647. Secretary, please read.

A Senate bill 1647 by Assembly member Bryant and equating to juveniles.

Senator Cortese, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mister president. Colleagues, I rise to present AB 1647, which codifies existing California case law to protect statements made by youth during transfer hearings. In Brian, the superior court in that case and Ramona r versus superior court, the California Supreme Court held that statements a young person makes during a transfer hearing or to the probation officer preparing for that hearing cannot be used against them to establish guilt in a later prosecution.

This protection allows the court to hear candid information about the young person's background, circumstances, and capacity for rehabilitation. AB 1647 places the court's long standing rule into statute.

So again, we're taking this case law, from the high court, putting it into statute. The bill preserves use of these statements as sentencing expressly states it does not alter or expand the court's decision. This bill has bipartisan support. It has no no votes. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.