Senate Floor Session

Alvarado Gill, Archileta, Araguin, Ashby, Becker, Blakespeare, Cobalden, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Daly, Durazo, Gonzales, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limon, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Nilo, Ochoa Bogue, Padilla, Perez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Sayarto, Smallwood Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valadaris, Wahab, Weber Pearson, Wiener.

So we gather in God's presence. In Laudato Si, Pope Francis says, The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor. We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth. compassionate God you created the world for all of us to share a world of beauty and plenty create in us a desire to live simply so that our lives may reflect your generosity creator God you gave us responsibility for the earth a world of riches and delight Create in us a desire to live sustainably so that those who follow after us may enjoy the fruits of your creation. God of justice and peace, you give us the capacity to change, to bring about a world that mirrors your wisdom. Create in us a desire to act in solidarity with all creation so that all life is set free to flourish. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Senator Grove you are recognized Thank you Madam President Colleagues please join me in recognizing students from the Fresno State Ag Leadership Development Program as they standing just to my right up here who joined us today in the gallery. Because of their impressive backgrounds and academic accomplishments, these students were selected to participate in this leadership development program and to research significant issues that are impacting California agriculture. This program includes visits to the state capital and state agencies to meet with individuals firsthand to learn the process of policy making and making sure that we save our critical agriculture industry. Joining the students today is Serini Konduru and Annette Levi, who we thank for their dedication to developing these next generation of agriculture leaders in our state. These are the next generation of agricultural leaders that will carry the torch for food-producing counties like Curran-Tolaria and Fresno County to make sure that we continue to feed the world. So thank you guys for being here. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam President, and good afternoon, colleagues. Today, you notice I'm wearing green, and that's because we're here to celebrate the mighty Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. And so I rise with a great honor to recognize the incredible legacy of the AKA sorority. this sorority incorporated as the first Greek letter college organization founded by black women. When I think about 1908, a group of black women at Howard University staring down segregation, exclusion, and a world that told them they didn't belong, I don't just see history. What we see are organizers. What we see are builders. What we see are women who refuse to wait for a seat at the table and built their own. And we're so honored to have some of these women with us today, both on the floor and in the gallery. These were women who not only pursued higher education, they created space for themselves and for every black woman to be who she wanted to be and to build the world that she deserved. By 1910, in the midst of Jim Crow, they formalized that vision, a sisterhood grounded in service and scholarship and deep commitment to uplifting the black community. They planted a seed in hostile soil, and it grew anyway, and it continues to grow so many years later. And what stands out is how that sense of purpose has never wavered, but carried forward for more than a century with the same intention and resilience we still need today across the state. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated has remained committed to meeting the needs of our communities through education, health, economic empowerment, and social justice. And their impact is felt not just locally, but around the world. With a sisterhood of over 300 members strong 300 members strong their mission remains the same to be of service to all mankind Is that powerful to be of service to all mankind Today we are proud to celebrate their 27th annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol, honoring their history and the work they do to move our communities forward. At this time, I would like to recognize the distinguished members who are here joining us today. President Emeritus Desi Woods-Jones, Congresswoman. I know she is around. Let's give her a hand. And then I will name the other esteemed members, a.k.a. Far Western Regional Director Nicole Jordan, 25th, a.k.a. Far Western Regional Director Carol Dixon, Protocol Chair Dr. Charlotte Gallup-Moore, and co-chair and our former caucus staffer, Laniece Jones. We also have co-chair Lawana Bivens, co-chair Patrice Marshall McKenzie is all with us today, and of course the beautiful women in the gallery. Thank you so much for all of your service. Let's give them a warm Senate welcome, and we thank each of them for their leadership, their service, and their continued dedication to strengthening our communities.

I don't know if I didn't hear it, but we didn't acknowledge one of our own, Adrian Thames, who's one of our sergeants who looks out after us and keeps it real and is a true example of public service and womanhood. Congratulations.

Senegal 9-12 with amendments, 11-24 with amendments, 11-99 with amendments, 13-09 with amendments, 13-14 with amendments,

File item 28. Senator Reyes, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam President. File item 28 is a confirmation of Heather Lynn Gonzalez for appointment to the Court Reporters Board She a certified shorthand reporter and owner of Gonzalez Reporting Incorporated She is also a member of the California Deposition Reporters Association She was approved by the Rules Committee on April 15th. Members, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Alan. Alvarado Gill. No. Archuleta.

Thank you. Aye, Daly. No, Durazo. Aye, Gonzales. Grayson. Aye, Grove. Grove, no. Hurtado. Aye, Jones. No, Laird. Aye, Limon. McGuire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjavar. Aye, Nilo. No, Ochoa Bog. No, Paria. Aye, Pera. Aye, Pera. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjavar. Aye, Menjavar. Aye, Nilo. No, Ochoa Bog. No, Paria. Aye, Pera. Aye, Pera. Aye. Aye. Reyes. Aye. Aye. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Sayartal. No. Smallwood Cuevas. Stern. Aye. Strickland. No. No. Umberg. Aye. Valladares. No. Wahab. Aye. Weber Pearson. Aye. Weiner. Aye. Aye. Wiener. Aye.

Allen. Aye. Archuleta. Aye. Caballero. Gonzalez. Limón. Rubio. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye.

Thank you, Madam President and members. File item 34 is a confirmation of Ana Cubas for reappointment to the California Law Revision Commission. She is the founder and president of Latina Public Service Academy and also the founder and chief executive officer of her firm, Ana Cubas Consulting. She was first appointed to the commission in 2019. and was approved by the Rules Committee on April 22nd. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Allen. Aye. Alvarado Gill. No. Archuleta. Aye. Aragon. Aye. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Aye. Cabaldon. Caballero. Cervantes. Aye. Aye. Choy. No. Cortese. Aye. Dally. No. Durazo. Aye. Gonzales. Grayson. Aye. Grove. No. Rattato. Aye. Jones. No. Laird. Aye. Limon. McGuire. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Menjivar. Aye. Aye, Menjavar. Aye. Aye, Nilo. Aye. No, Ochoa Bog. Aye. No, Padilla. Perez. Aye. Aye, Reyes. Aye. Aye, Richardson. Aye. Aye, Rubio. Sayarto. No. No, Smallwood Cuevas. Stern. Aye. Aye, Strickland. No. No, Umberg. Aye. Aye, Valladares. Wahab. Aye. Weber Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.

Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Gonzalez. Limon. Paria. Rubio. Paria, aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Valadares. No.

Thank you, Madam President. Members, final item 35 is the confirmation of David Huebner for reappointment to the California Law Revision Commission. He previously served on the commission between 1999 and 2007, and after a hiatus, he rejoined the commission in 2022. He is an international arbitrator and mediator and a former United States ambassador to New Zealand. He was approved by the Rules Committee on April 22nd. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Allen. Aye. Alvarado Gill. No. Archuleta. Aye. Aragina. Aye. Ashby. Aye. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. No. Cortese. Aye. Daly. No. Durazo. Aye. Gonzales. Grayson. Aye. Grove. No. Hurtado. Aye. Jones. No. Aye, Jones. No, Laird. Aye, Limon. McGuire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjavar. Aye, Nilo. No, Ochoabog. No, Padilla. Aye, Perez. Reyes Aye Richardson Aye Rubio Sayarto I no Smallwood Cuevas Aye Stern Aye Strickland? No. Umberg? Aye. Valladares? No. Wahab? Aye. Weber Pearson? Aye. Weiner? Aye.

Aye. Wiener. Aye.

Caballero, Gonzales, Limon, Perez. Aye. Rubio.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 by Senator Laird relative to the California Coastal Act of 1976.

Thank you very much, Madam President. I rise today to present SCR 136, which commemorates 50 years of coastal protection in California, both with the Coastal Commission and with the Coastal Conservancy. In 1972, the voters of California created the Coastal Commission when they passed Proposition 25 by a landslide. Four years later, the legislature passed the Coastal Act and the Coastal Conservancy Act, two landmark acts, and we now celebrate the 50th anniversary of both. I've been around long enough to remember what it was like before them, when things were constructed that cut off access to the coast, when there was not a conservancy that helped with economic development and with environmental protection and with agricultural land protection all in the coastal area. And if you imagine the coast without some of the things that have happened in the last 50 years, Big Sur would not be a state scenic highway. We wouldn't have a seven-mile public trail around the Hearst Ranch. And historic Lighthouse Point in my district would be overrun with excessive development and instead is a state park. And this goes hand in hand with the work of the Conservancy. And I know that in my district, 83,000 acres of the Hearst Ranch, 32,000 acres of the Kamada Ranch, and many more have been enabled because of the actions of the Conservancy. And I know in other members' districts, if you went to Santa Monica, the Jonathan Club may still be an all-white men's club if the Coastal Commission wasn't there and didn't take it to court and open up that club the way it should. My colleague from Encinitas, in that district, there would not be a Trestles Park. There would not be the surfing that goes on in that area. And it's true in many, many other places. That is the tribute. My friend Peter Douglas, who is the long-term executive director of the Coastal Commission, said the best coastal success stories are the things you don't see, the wetlands that weren't filled in, the 20 coastal plants that weren't built, the coastal ranches that weren't turned into shopping centers, but the coast is never saved. He said it is always being saved With that I ask that we honor the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Commission and the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Conservancy with an aye vote on SCR 136

Thank you so much, Madam President. I rise today in support of SCR 136. I want to say thank you to the good Senator from Santa Cruz for his leadership, both here as well as Secretary of Natural Resources. And, of course, we are honoring the 50 years of the Coastal Act, protecting California's incredible coastline, along with the establishment of the Conservancy, born from the will of the people of California. You know, together, the work of both the Commission and the Conservancy, we've conserved over a half million acres of natural lands, restored over 100,000 acres of coastal habitat, that opened 875 miles of coastal trail to the public, all the while supporting a $51 billion coastal and ocean economy. We are deeply honored to be joined by both members of the Commission and the Conservancy, and those members are setting the gold standard for coastal resilience, expanding outdoor recreation, which is a $90 billion economy here in the state of California, along with coastal protection. And I'm going to end it right here, Madam President, with this. This resolution is not just about the past 50 years, but doubling down on a commitment for the next 50, for a strong century of the California coast. We respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise today in strong support of SCR 136. For Senate District 38, the coast is not abstract. It is central to who we are. From Mission Bay to Encinitas to San Clemente, our coastline defines our communities and supports our local economy. I represent 60 miles of coastline in San Diego County. The coast provides access to open space that belongs to all Californians, not just those who live nearby. As sea level continues to rise, balancing responsible development with coastal protection is more important now than ever. In my district, we see both the benefits and the tensions of coastal management every day. The Coastal Commission's work helps navigate challenges like protecting homes and infrastructure while defending the long-term health of our shoreline. STR 136 affirms our commitment to this principle. It recognizes that strong, thoughtful coastal governance is essential to California's identity, economy, and climate future. Colleagues, our coast is one of California's greatest treasures. It's our responsibility to protect it, not just for today, but for generations to come. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in strong support of this resolution, which celebrates 50 years of the California Coastal Act, one of the most important environmental achievements in California history. As chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, I see every day how critical it is to protect and steward our coast. My district, the 13th Senate District, includes over 60 miles of coastline, home to over 75,000 coastal residents, and is ground zero for sea level rise. For the greater Bay Area, by 2050, more than 75,000 households could be at risk from flooding caused by rising seas. I would like to thank my colleague from Santa Cruz for all of his efforts over all the years in protecting our coastline and for bringing forward this important resolution. I respectfully ask for an aye vote Thank you Senator Padilla you are recognized Thank you Madam President and colleagues I rise in strong support as a proud co There is another former chair of the commission that not in the gallery

It's my distinguished honor to serve for a number of years on the California Coastal Commission and in the leadership as chairman of the commission. And I have to tell you, I got to serve with an amazing group of people with more heart than I could ever imagine, more determination to respect the original purpose and vision of the Coastal Act. And the heart of the Coastal Act is really not all that complicated. It's that the coast belongs to all of us, and that it is our greatest, one of our greatest assets for public health, for recreation, and for our economy. The beauty and the wonder of the California coast is renowned the world over, and it would not be what it is today if it were not for the vision and the integrity of the act and the many commissions who have come and gone and continue to serve to this day. I'm pleased to see many of my former colleagues who I've learned from, sometimes debated, and had the honor of serving with. It is wonderful to see you all, and a couple of distinguished EDs as well. It is good to see back, so thank you for your service, and colleagues, I urge and I vote.

Senator Allen, you are recognized. Thank you so much, Madam President. I also rise in support. I want to thank the Center for Santa Cruz for giving us this opportunity to commemorate 50 years of invaluable conservation work by our Coastal Commission. From the rich geological history of the Palos Veritas Peninsula, which used to be part of the Catalina Island chain, to the habitat of the world's rarest butterfly, the Palos Veritas Blue. My district is home to a combination of ancient marine terraces, coastal mountain biomes, and kelp forests that hold ecological and scientific value that exists nowhere else on the globe. It's also a district that is beautiful and so many people come from all over the world to enjoy our coast and the protection of the coast and the access to the coast that was preserved by the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission over many, many years is something that's precious beyond words. I want to tell a little story about Alan Siroti, who was my predecessor several senators back. And he was a wonderful man. He passed away just a couple of years ago. And I love to introduce him sometimes when you come to events as the guy who helped make our state fossil the saber-toothed cat. But that became almost my running line about him when I would see him at things. And he finally came up to me and said, Ben, I love you, man. could you please mention my role in the Coastal Act and the creation of the Coastal Commission? And of course, I focused on that from ever after, because he was so proud of his role in drafting legislation, making this extraordinary project possible. And so I just want to remind you, as we celebrate this extraordinary 50 years of protection of our coast, it was a legislator sitting in these seats, just like us, who laid down a legacy that has left such a gift to generations of future Californians who, just like me, have enjoyed access to the coast summertime after summertime, winter after wintertime. It's part of what makes California so special, and it was this body that helped to create the protections that we all enjoy. And so we should keep that in mind as we do our work, and I just ask humbly for an I vote, an enthusiastic I vote, on SDR. 136. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Just quickly, I want to say I had the privilege of serving on the California Coastal Commission, appointed by Speaker then Wesson, and I thought, what am I doing here? I'm the head of the Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union. What do I have to know or say or learn about this? But one of the most important things I learned was that to have access to the coast, You don't have to own a wealthy beach home on that. That every one of all Californians' people have an access to that coast, to the beaches. And I didn't know that before I was appointed to this position. I learned how important the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission is to poor and working people, that they have as much an access to those beaches as anyone else. It doesn't matter where you live or how wealthy you are or how poor you are. So that stuck with me, and I'm very grateful that I got to work a few years with Peter Douglas and all the other members of the commission. So I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated and made this happen with the Coastal Act. Thank you very much.

Senator Grove, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Well, I agree with my colleagues' comments about access to the coast. I can share a story where we had a group of human trafficking survivors that had never seen the coast. And I appreciate the fact that the Coastal Commission does set aside our beaches to allow us to go to places where some people may not ever have the opportunity to go if they don't have the resources to buy a home on the beach. And while I deeply respect my colleague who brought this forward, I think there could be some balance with the Coastal Commission. SCR 36 celebrates a regulatory regime that is layered in decades of state mandates atop of local decision-making. So we immediately take all the local decision-making process out of anything having to do with the coast and where they're elected to represent the people. It often delays or blocks businesses, housing, infrastructure. We see that with Palisades and the rebuilding of the fire in the coast of what's going on down there. The rising cost of ultimately getting passed to consumers and taxpayers and those people. I have people on the coast that have to go through rigorous amounts of paperwork and long delays just to fix a spigot or water faucet on their own property. So I think that there are balances in this. The resolution is pointed language also against federal offshore oil and gas exploration. While I know that you guys are completely against it, we wouldn't be in that situation if we hadn't been decimated in-state production. And I just want to say that we have a responsible resource off this coast that will help us continue to drop our dependence on foreign countries for the oil that we use. And this absolutely is against any of that. And while the resolution touts billions of dollars in public investment and conserved acreage, which is deeply appreciated, It glosses over opportunities for foregone tax revenue and restricted development, higher cost prices in coastal communities. And my biggest issue with the resolution is supports an organization that supersedes what the elected representatives of the people want for that area and goes to an unelected bureaucratic agency. And with all due respect to my friend, the co-author, the former Secretary of Natural Resources, and the comments that my colleagues made which I do support in making sure we have coastal access I think this agency goes extraordinarily too far Thank you Seeing no further discussion or debate Senator Laird would you like to close

Secretary, please call the roll. Allen.

Alvarado Gil.

Archuleta.

Arrigin.

Ashby.

Becker.

Blakespeare.

Cambodin.

Caballero. Cervantes.

Choi.

Cortese.

Daly. No. Durazo. Aye. Gonzalez. Greason. Aye.

Jones.

Nilo.

Padilla.

Perez.

Reyes.

Richardson.

Rubio.

No.

Stern.

Strickland, Umberg, Umberg I, Valadeiras, Wahab, I, Weber Pearson, I, Wiener, I. Secretary, please call the absent members. Caballero, Dally, Gonzalez, Limon, Nilo, Ochoa Bo, Rubio, Strickland, Valadares.

Thank you very much, Madam President. In addition to the former chair that is my seatmate of the Coastal Commission, I would like to introduce in the gallery the Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Hucklebridge, the Coastal Conservancy Executive Officer Amy Hutzel, the Coastal Conservancy Vice Chair, Marcy Gutierrez, former Coastal Commission Chairs Carol Hart, Donna Brownsey, and Justin Cummings, former Commission Executive Director Jack Ainsworth, and former Conservancy Executive Officer Sam Schuchat. Please welcome them to the Senate.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I rise as the author of Senate Resolution 68 on behalf of the Women's Caucus for the annual commemoration of Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but also as Vice Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus. We commemorate Denim Day on the last Wednesday of April. This month is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month, where we recognize by wearing teal as a symbol of support for survivors. For decades, people across the world have worn denim to protest an Italian Supreme Court ruling that suggested a survivor's clothing could be interpreted as consent. We wear denim to send a clear and undeniable message, clothing is not consent. To consider a survivor's manner of dress as evidence of consent wrongly scrutinizes the actions of the survivor instead of placing that scrutiny where it belongs, on the actions of the perpetrator. In California, we strengthened that message into law. In 2021, with the enactment of my Assembly Bill 939 we prohibited a survivor manner of dress from being used as evidence of consent in a sexual assault case Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported and under crimes in our society The reality of the survivor manner of dress from being used as evidence of consent in a sexual assault case Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported and under prosecuted crimes in our society The reality is that survivors often face immense barriers when seeking justice. Nearly one in three women globally or approximately 840 million women have experienced physical or sexual violence. In the United States, about 434,000 people age 12 and older are sexually assaulted annually, with data showing that more than 53% of women and over 29% of men report experiencing some form of sexual violence. According to studies based on 2025 and 2026 data, queer, bisexual, and transgender individuals are disproportionately targeted, with up to 64% of transgender people experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime. Women, LGBTQ+, individuals, immigrants, and communities of color experience disproportionately higher rates of violence and greater obstacles when trying to access support. For many, reporting means risking discrimination, being dismissed, or not being believed. For others, it means reliving trauma over and over again through systems that can feel cold, invasive, invasive, and apathetic. And for some, it means navigating institutions that were never designed with their safety or dignity in mind. Denim Day calls on us to do more than wear jeans. It calls on us to listen, truly listen to survivors, to believe them, to support them, to stand with them. It calls on us to build systems that are trauma-informed, equitable, and centered on accountability. Systems that recognize the power imbalances that often exist between a survivor and a and a perpetrator. Systems that do not silence survivors but instead uplift their voices and protect their rights. Today let's recommit ourselves to that belief that sexual assault has no place in any of our communities and to every person affected by sexual violence no matter when or by whom you are not alone and help is available at your local rape crisis center. Also, to every survivor who has carried this in silence, we see you, we believe you, and we will not stop until the systems meant to protect you actually do. Colleagues, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SR 68.

Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I rise in support of Senate Resolution SR68, known as Denim Day, a day that carries meaning far beyond what we wear. Denim Day reminds us of a painful truth that too often survivors of sexual violence have not been met with justice, but with doubt, blame, and silence. It calls on all of us to confront those harmful narratives and to do better. We are reminded by women like Recy Taylor, who was abducted and assaulted in 1944 and bravely spoke out despite being denied justice. That legacy continues today through leaders like Tarana Burke, who created a movement centered on healing, empowerment, and making sure survivors, women and girls would be seen, heard, and supported. Wearing denim today is a simple but a powerful act. It says we stand with individuals, and I changed on that line, survivors. We stand with individuals, all individuals, that are committed to shifting ourselves culture to no longer allow harm to go unchallenged. As a caucus, the Legislative Black Caucus, we remain committed to turning awareness into action through policy, advocacy, and ensuring every woman, every person feels seen and supported. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on SR68.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise on behalf of all the caucuses I'm a part of. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is about more than simply knowing that sexual assault is happening. It is a time to examine why and how it is happening. Women and girls, as we know, are disproportionately targeted and victimized by sexual predators. And we as a society know that it's wrong, but it continues to happen in our schools, in our prisons, and even in our homes when people are supposed to feel the safest. While the resolution calls California as the national leader addressing sexual assault, there are still various areas where we are falling short. Incarcerated women in our prisons continue to get sexually assaulted by our own workers who were put there to look after them. We teach people to watch out for strangers, but we don't prepare them for the reality that harm may come from someone who knows their routine, their fears, or who has been entrusted to care for them. As a former therapist for women who have experienced gender-based violence, I've seen firsthand how that abuse is rarely random in the long-term impacts that it has on a person, how it's often planned, hidden, and strategically done without any witnesses nearby. There are cultural and systemic elements at play, and too often the burden falls on the survivor to come forward and admit to have been assaulted, to put their face and name associated to the story, to subject themselves to judgment, humiliation, discreditation, and disbelief, and to persist in their pursuit of justice, a process that forces them to relive the trauma over and over again and with the age of social media to be called a liar, a slut, or a whore. And even when they do come forward, systems fail to create change, policies change, systems fail to create change, And policies still needed to change to prevent more attacks. Because as the resolution also notes, the CDC has deemed sexual assaults as a preventable health issue. However, in examples where more and more people are turning to dating apps for love, more and more women are reporting having been attacked through encounters made on these apps and the companies failing to protect them. cases of women reporting of a man raping them, and apps taking three to four more times of other women to get raped to do something about it. As we navigate and balance how to put policies in place to protect victims and survivors, or protect this form of sexual assault constantly happening, let's make sure that we do that without having them, survivors and victims, take a back seat to the privileges of another demographic. A recent piece by CNN highlighted an international online community of husbands who helped one another drug and sexually assault their wives. Many of the assaults were recorded on video and posted online for the entertainment of users within that disgusting community. In this piece, in this incident, the women survivors had to show their faces and admit to the world to being betrayed by the person they likely trusted the most. However the perpetrators the individuals who sexually assaulted their partners and were convicted in court were kept anonymous Their faces and their names were concealed and kept private to protect their identities and their reputations This is not justice but instead the kind of backwards thinking that allows these crimes to persist and the needs to be left in the past. It is time that we shift where perpetrators are protected and instead are held accountable, which is why more than ever, I ask for an eye vote on this resolution and for us to do more in the policy gaps that exist in California.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, on behalf of the LGBTQ caucus, I rise in support of SR68 by the good Senator from Riverside. The number 68 is especially significant because every 68 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. I stand here not just in support of the over 38 million survivors of sexual assault and rape, but also as one of them. While people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, are susceptible to experiencing sexual violence, women reported experiencing a substantial threat of sexual violence, especially bisexual women like myself. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, almost 80% of bisexual women and over 56% of bisexual men reported experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetimes, and almost 60% of both lesbian women and gay men reported experiencing contact sexual violence. Survivors could be anyone, our friends, our family, and our colleagues. But perpetrators could be anyone too, and we must hold them accountable as well, especially when they are the people who are close to us. While I acknowledge and I am grateful that the state of California is a leader in protecting survivors and preventing sexual assault and rape, there is still more work to be done. Because this state is the leader, we cannot forget about the survivors in other states whose rights are being ripped away by the institutions sworn to protect them. We cannot forget about the survivors who have experienced sexual violence in the past and have now found the courage to speak out. Survivors do not need your pity. They need justice. And justice comes from action from bodies like ours holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. But for us to truly stand in support of survivors, we must listen to and believe and support survivors before we speak for them. For those who are not ready yet to speak, we are here for you. For those finding their voice to speak, we support you. And for those who have found the strength to speak, you will not be silenced. Today, I rise in strong support of this resolution and the millions of survivors that are so much more than the things that have happened to them. We see you, we hear you, and we believe you. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Today, colleagues, I also rise in support of this resolution. Denim day started because a court once questioned a victim's clothing, as if what she wore somehow made what happened to her acceptable. And let that sink in. For so many women and survivors, the hardest part isn't what just happened, it's what comes after. The fear the anxiety the reality that the person who hurt them could one day show up again And while their trauma doesn expire too often in states like ours our protections often do That doesn make sense to me and doesn make sense to victims If we truly believe victims, if we actually stand with them, then we have to make sure that they're protected for the long term, not simply the moment. That's what I'm fighting for. Not politics, not headlines, just making sure survivors can live their lives without constantly looking over their shoulder. Because real support means real protection in the form of permanent protective orders as well. I strongly urge an aye vote. Thank you, Senator Wahab. You are recognized.

And I want to be clear. Women and people in jeans are raped. Women in dresses are raped. Women in uniforms are raped. Women in burkas are raped. Trans women are raped. Children are raped. Sexual violence is not caused by clothing, identity, or where someone has a right to exist. it is caused by perpetrators who exploit power, trust, isolation, vulnerability, and private spaces. And right now, in my own district, people are shaken with allegations involving someone many people trusted. And I want to highlight that when survivors come forward, they deserve to be heard with dignity, seriousness, and care. No survivor should be shamed, doubted, or silenced. Today we stand with all survivors, and we commit to laws, institutions, and a culture that protects people, holds perpetrators accountable, and never blames the victim. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. I want to thank all our colleagues for supporting SR68 who spoke up in support. respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Secretary please call the roll.

Wahab

That resolution passes. We will now move to file item 43, SCR 130.

Senator, resolution 130 by Senator Grove relative to Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Thank you. Senator Choi, you are recognized.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Grove, would you like to close?

Thank you. Senators, this item is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 37, noes 0. That resolution passes. We will now move to file item 54, SB 1058. Secretary, please read.

Senator McNerney, you are recognized.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senators, this is also eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 37, no zero. It is adopted. We will now move to file item 55, SB 930.

Senate Bill 930 by Senator Reyes, an act relating to privacy.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 37, no zero. We are now at file item 63, SB 917. Secretary, please read.

Senator Laird, you are recognized.

Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, aye 37, noes 0. That measure passes. We are at file item 66, SB 1002. Secretary, please read.

Senator Nilo, you are recognized.

Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. We will call the roll.

File Item 80, SB 1036. Secretary, please call. Please read.

Senator Grayson, you are recognized.

Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 37, noes 0. That measure passes. We are now at file item 81, SCR 131. Secretary, please read.

Senator Blakespear, you are recognized.

Thank you. Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Thank you. Senator Arrigin, you are recognized.

Senator Becker, you are recognized.

thank you senator Nilo you are recognized thank you madam president

seeing no further discussion or debate Senator Blakespeare would you like to close yes thank you

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

Aye, Valadares, Aye, Wahab, Aye, Weber Pearson, Aye. Secretary, please call the absent members.

Ayes 34, nos 0. That resolution passes. We will now move to file item 84, SB 1285. Secretary, please read.

Senator Durazo, you are recognized.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, ayes 37, noes 0. That measure passes. We will now move to file item 85, SB 969. Secretary, please read.

Senator Reyes, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam President. I rise to present SB 969, which ensures Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities can continue to have the option to access services remotely based on their individual needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Developmental Services authorized the option for remote service delivery for critical services, including day programs, independent living services, and behavioral therapy. This option is currently set to expire on December 31, 2026, and DDS does not have clear statutory authority to continue it on a permanent basis. Additionally, there is no consistent process to ensure individuals and families are informed that remote services are available. SB 969 codifies the option for remote service delivery and affirms California's commitment to inclusive, accessible services for all.

I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.

Senator Concurrent Resolution 157 by Senator Cortese relative to school bus driver's day.

Senator Strickland, you are recognized.

Thank you. Learn something new about Senator Jones every day. Senator Jones, you are recognized.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Cortese, would you like to close?

Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 37, noes 0. The resolution passes. Senators, before we move to the consent calendar, are there any members who would like to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing none, Secretary, please read all the items on the consent calendar.

Ayes 37, nos 0 on file item 113. Ayes 37, nos 0 on the rest of the consent calendar. The consent calendar is approved. We are now at committee announcements.

Thank you. Senator Cortese, you are recognized for your committee announcement.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you for that correction. Senators, we are now returning to motions and resolutions for our adjourn in memory. Senator Ochoa Boe, you are recognized.

Thank you, Senator. Our condolences to her entire family and the community. Please bring her name up so that she may be properly memorialized. Senators, before we finish with our business, if the members of the Women's Caucus can stay behind for a photo, that would be greatly appreciated by our vice chair. and if there is no other business pro tem limon the desk is clear thank you members our next scheduled here uh floor session is on thursday april 30th 2026 at 9 a.m thank you the senate is adjourned we will reconvene thursday april 30th 2026 at 9 a.m Thank you.