Floor — 2026-05-14 (partial)

Allen, Alvarado Gil, Archuleta, Araguin, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Daly, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limon, McGuire, McNerney, Mangervar, Nilo, Ochoa Bulk, Padilla, Perez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Hamburg, Valadez, Wahab, Weber Pearson, Weiner.

Following the prayer, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. So we gather in God's presence. Gracious God, in this world of so many messages, we often feel overwhelmed. Sometimes we barely hear your voice amid the clamor of each day's discouraging news. In what seems like unrelenting struggle, we strain to feel your peace. Help us each day to pay attention, to notice which words, pictures, and attitudes are forming us, to use our ears to hear you, our eyes to see you, and our voices to speak your love. Grant us the courage to challenge falsehood, to distinguish honesty from hypocrisy, to see goodness where it lives, and to overcome world weariness and despair with our unrelenting commitment to the common good. We ask this in your name, amen.

Members, I'm proud to introduce Honorable Salvador Ilia, President of the Government of Catalonia, and leading a delegation that includes diplomatic officials from Spain stationed throughout the United States, Her Excellency, Ángeles Moreno, Spanish Ambassador to the United States, and Carlos Medina, Consul General of the Spain in San Francisco, and Mr. David Andres, Delegate of the Government of Catalonia to the United States. Today we are honored to welcome President Ilia and his colleagues to the Senate floor to honor our 40th anniversary of the Sister State relationship between California and Catalonia, an initiative that began in the Senate in 1986. Please join me in giving a warm California State Senate welcome to our esteemed guests from Catalonia.

Thank you Mr President and I just want to say strong trees bear strong fruit And I so excited that Alma and her family are being honored today Alma does an extraordinary job leading our labor committee staff She works super hard. And now I understand exactly why she is the fierce committee leader that she is. So honored that the family is here with us today and excited for you, Alma. Thank you.

Good morning, Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. It is with great pleasure to recognize Old California Botanicals, a company I recently recognized as Senate District 19's Small Business of the Year. Founded by fifth generation citrus grower and produce broker, J.P. Beal, and based in Redlands, Old California Botanicals is a maker of small batch citrus marmalades and botanical goods inspired by the historic citrus growths of Southern California. Each batch of marmalade is carefully crafted to highlight the vivid aroma, brightness, and complexity that have made California's citrus world renowned. By using rare and heirloom citrus varieties, the company creates products with distinctive flavor profiles that reflect the character of each harvest. In addition to marmalades, Old California Botanicals produces fragrances, which I'm wearing today by the way, if anybody wants to come and, you know, just take a little scent. Natural Bees Rock Lips Balms, soaps made from local oranges and other botanical goods inspired by classic California citrus traditions. Not only has the company been recognized locally, but it also recently achieved international recognition by earning eight medals at the 2026 Artisan World Marmalade Awards in the United Kingdom. This was the first time they completed globally and took home eight awards. This competition draws more than 3400 entries from more than 30 countries, making the achievement a significant recognition of excellence on the global stage. Old California Botanicals represents the entrepreneurial spirit and agricultural legacy that makes our region so special. I want to commend Mr. Beal and the entire team at Old California Botanicals for their dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and California's agricultural heritage. His mother is also with us today in the gallery, Thank you Kathleen for instilling an appreciation for heritage, legacy and entrepreneurship in California's next generation. Each year the California State Senate proudly honors small businesses like this one that strengthen our communities and help drive our economy forward. Please join me in recognizing JP Beale and Old California Botanicals on the Senate floor today. Thank you.

Thank you again, Mr. President. And good morning, colleagues. Today I'm proud to recognize a passionate organizer, an important legislator, and an activist of the people, Tennessee House Representative Justin Jones. Justin Jones does not just hold office. He fights from it. He fights not just for his constituents. He fights for our democracy, and he represents all of us well. A California native raised by a single mother who was a nurse and a union organizer, he knew how important service is and that solidarity with service go hand in hand. He took to the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol in 2020, leading a 62-day sit-in after the murder of George Floyd. And in 2022, the people of the 52nd District, in response to his bravery and his courage and his ability to speak truth to power, they sent him to the 52nd District of the Tennessee House because they knew the exact kind of fighter that they needed. He went straight to work championing gun safety, standing with grieving families after school shootings, and, of course, he lifted his voice against injustice. And we all watched in the news and in the headlines how much it cost him. Tennessee Republicans voted to expel him, not for corruption, not for any violation, but simply for speaking up for the people who elected him. Let us be clear about this moment that we're in, and we want to thank Representative Jones for reminding us that this democracy, the ability for us to be in this room, the ability for us to have one of the most diverse legislatures in the country, to have parity in this House for women is because of the blood, sweat, and tears of men and women who fought for the right to vote, who fought to ensure that representation meant they would be included. And his visit here in California this week after the Supreme Court ruling that is going to devastate again another shocking blow to our democracy and our Constitution that all we have to do is stand up and fight That is what his message is And during his break he's here crisscrossing the country, reminding us of that important fact. I represent nearly 1 million people in the state senate, the mighty 28th district, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, West Adams, Baldwin Hills, South Central, black and brown working families who know exactly what it means when the law stops protecting our vote. When our government turns on us. When we are brutalized just for simply wanting to be Americans. My district is not so different from Nashville's 52nd. What they did to Justin Jones, expelling him as a representative, and after that Supreme Court vote a day later, that governor called a special session, first time ever. Session happened 24 hours later, and they redrew the lines, eliminating the representation for his community. And then after that, they stripped him of all of his committees. And when they realized how much of an uproar there was when he was expelled the first time, they decided, well, they're going to strip all the Democrats of their committees. So now 50% of Tennessee has no representation. This is what is happening to our democracy as we sit in this chamber. And just like we know when ICE came to Los Angeles and began brutalizing our immigrant neighbors, it was a blueprint and a roadmap for what was to come in Chicago. in Minnesota. So know that stripping Democrats of their committees and power is the next game and rule of attack. So we are grateful for the courage of Representative Jones to come here and be with us today to educate us about what California needs to do. We need to support our sister's bill to strengthen California's voting rights. sister, Senator Cervantes.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's the seriousness of this visitor that I wanted to convey to this body. I apologize for going off my talking points. California is ready, already moving to protect what the court just stripped away. And we will not stop there because the vote is only half the fight. We must protect the right to vote. We must educate our constituents on how to protect themselves. We must defend against suppression tactics and ensure that every vote is counted. Representative Jones, thank you. We see you and California has your back. And we will fight alongside you for every vote, every voice and every community. and we will be with you when the Freedom Ride takes off this summer to go to the South to defend the voting rights of every American We will not be silenced Please join me colleagues in welcoming Tennessee House Representative Justin Jones

Thank you, Mr. President. I also want to rise on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus to welcome Representative Justin Jones here. He is, as many of us are, native Californians. He is a son of California who has taken his voice to another state to speak boldly on issues that we hold so near and dear here in California, such as democracy, justice, and voting rights. I want to thank you for your voice. I want to thank you for your fight, and I want to welcome you here to the Senate floor. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President and members. I want to also thank Representative Jones. On behalf of the Latino Caucus, I'm the chair of 38 members that represent every corner of California. We thank you so much. We stand in solidarity with the California Legislative Black Caucus, with our colleagues from San Diego and in Los Angeles, as well as you. We've talked about it last night. We are willing to be in the fight with you, whether it's here or anywhere across the country, because it's not just Tennessee and California. It's many southern states. It's states that believe that our voice, black and brown voices, don't matter, and we will make sure that it does matter. Thank you so much for being here.

item number two senator Grove thank you mr. president colleagues file item number two is a confirmation of Rick Simpson for the appointment of the Commission on teacher credentialing now retired mr. Simpson has also served 40 plus years as a career as a legislative staff including serving on the education policy advisor to deputy chief of staff for multiple assembly speakers as well as senior consultant for the assembly education committee. In 2019 he also had been the governor's appointee to the California Law Revision Commission. He was approved on the rule at the rules committee on April 29th on a unanimous vote respectfully asked for an aye vote.

Allen. Aye. Avrodo Gil. Aye. Archileta. Aye. Iroguine. Aye. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blake Spear. Cobaldin. Aye. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. Durazo. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Grayson. Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado. Aye. Jones. Aye. Laird. Aye. Aye. Limon. McGuire. Aye. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Menjavar. Aye. Nilo. Aye. Ochoa Boog. Aye. Padilla. Aye. Perez. Reyes. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Ciarto. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umber. Valadares. Aye.

Senator Grove, you're recognized on final item 9. Thank you. I'd like to go back to the previous item just briefly. I was just informed by the good senator from Santa Cruz that Mr. Simpson is also a Santa Cruz graduate, and that was failed to be mentioned when we did the introduction.

Just making a clarification, sir. File item 9, colleagues, is a confirmation of Laura Ederton Speed for the appointment of the Executive Director of the State Bar Association. Prior to this appointment, she was serving as the Director of Leadership Support Services for the Judicial Council of California. She also is a former Senate staff member, having served in the policy consultant for the Senate Republican Policy Office, where she first started as a Senate Fellow. She was approved by the Rules Committee on April 29th on a unanimous vote. respectfully ask for an aye vote. Seeing no further question or debate,

Aragon. Aye. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. Durazo. Aye.

Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado. Aye. Jones. Aye. Laird. Aye. Limon. McGuire. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Menjabar. Aye. Nilo. Aye. Ochoa Boat. Aye. Padilla. Aye. Perez. Reyes. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Aye. Wahab? Aye. Weber Pearson? Aye. Weiner? Aye.

Senate concurrent resolution 163 by Senator Ochoa Bogue relative to California Tourism Month.

Seeing no senators wishing to be recognized, Secretary, please call the roll on file item. Oh, sorry, this measure is eligible for a unanimous roll call. Does any member object to the application of our unanimous roll call? Seeing none, ayes 35, no zero. The resolution is adopted. Senator Ochoa-Bogue at the Majority Leader's desk for introduction of guests.

Members, if any member wishes to join Senator Ochoa Bogue and our guests for a photograph, please do so at this time. Thank you. Thank you Senator Ochoa-Bogan. Yes, continuing with Senator third reading we'll proceed to file item 81 by Senator Grayson at the majority leader's desk.

relative to Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week. Senator Grayson. Thank you Mr. President. I am pleased to present SCR 170 which proclaims the week of May 25th to May 29th as Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week. For over a decade now in my role as critical response chaplain I've been able to witness firsthand the intense physical and the mental pressure that first responders endure and now that my son has begun a career in firefighting I understand the impact on families even more intimately during wildfire season many of us rightfully worry about the danger wild firefighters experience on the front lines but I'm afraid we too often forget the trauma that they can carry with them even after fires are extinguished. Through the course of their careers, these brave women and men witness firsthand lives and homes lost and destroyed by flames, and the impact this has on firefighters is very, very clear. Studies have shown that one in five firefighters will experience a post-traumatic stress injury at some point in their career, and that firefighters are ten times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide as compared to the general public. Breaking the stigma related to mental health struggles is critical to ensuring that firefighters paramedics and other first responders receive the life care and resources that they need In 2019, I was proud to author legislation to increase access to effective mental health services for firefighters by establishing the Peer Support and Crisis Referral Pilot Program that now allows firefighters to seek mental health assistance without fear of job repercussions. During this Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week, I hope all Californians can join together to thank our firefighters for their duty and sacrifice, recognize the hardships that they face, and commit ourselves to doing more to support them. SCR 170 provides an important opportunity to raise awareness and destigmatize behavioral health struggles that California firefighters, both active and retired, face. And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Minority Leader Senator Jones at your desk. Thank you, Mr. President and members. I also rise in support of SCR 170, and for some of the same reasons. My son, who you all met on Monday, is training to become a firefighter. He has finished Fire Academy. He is currently an EMT, working his way through paramedic school. And in just a few short years that he's been pursuing this career, has already had some very harrowing experiences and stories. And so I want to rise in support of this SCR and make sure that all firefighters in the state of California know that the California State Senate support them and want the very best for their mental and physical health and for themselves and their families. Thank you very much.

Senator Duasso. Yes, I also rise in support of the resolution. So much of what our firefighters do, of course, is in fighting fires, which are so dangerous and cause so much damage, not only physical damage, but hurt people. But I also want to say the role of the firefighters in urban areas where firefighting doesn't happen every day. And I can only imagine the stress when you have to face every day, day in and day out, very, very poor communities, communities where people don't know the English language and how firefighters are there for them, taking care of them, responding to them, showing compassion for them. And that's what I know of the leaders of the firefighters, Vince Wells, Dave Gelati, and Dale Roberts, who represent all the firefighters. Thank you so much for what you do in our urban areas as much as what you do in the fires. Thank you.

Senator Rubio. Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I also rise with pride because it is important that we always recognize these heroes. They represent the very best of courage, humanity, and they take care of us in ways that we could only imagine. I've had the honor of visiting some sites after fires. And not only do they put out the fires, but they spend so many days away from their families. So I want to just make sure that we highlight that aspect of it. I've spoken to spouses, children, and the sacrifice that also their loved ones have to make is something that's worth reiterating. They go through a lot of stress, a lot of trauma themselves. In fact, I sat with a group of women who talk about the mental health aspect of not knowing whether or not your loved one is going to come back. I was a kinder teacher when a little boy walked in one day, and he was sad, and I asked, what's wrong? And he shared that Daddy had just died. I didn't understand, and then I learned he was a firefighter and didn't come home. And so these stories are important to tell because it's beyond what they do to save structures and lives. It is the sacrifice of their extended family that we need to commend. And what an honor to stand here in support of SCR 170. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. my colleague, the Senate from Concord, for bringing this important resolution forward. It was just a few days ago that we honored Brian Rice, the outgoing president of the California Professional Firefighters, who really made this a key focus of his work to raise awareness of the mental health challenges that our brave first responders face. I mean, we can't even imagine the challenges that they face, going into fires, collapsed buildings, providing emergency medical care for people who are in need, These are heroes, and it's critical that we raise awareness of this issue and provide critical support to make sure all of our firefighters and paramedics and EMTs who serve this state have the support and care that they need. I want to thank the center for this resolution. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Briefly, I rise also in support to just reaffirm the fact that many, many decades ago I had the honor to work often side by side with many of these folks. They have always amazed me. In fact, on a personal level, at times they have been there for me personally. They are folks that often go unrecognized and taken for granted, and we should never, ever take our heroes for granted. If I may indulge a moment as well, I know we celebrated Mr. Rice. We're joined by Darrell Roberts, the incoming president, who just happens to be from the fine community of Chula Vista, Local 2180. So I'm beaming with pride today, not just for what they do every day, what they continue to do to make us all remember what they do and be supportive of what they do going into the future, and I urge an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. President, and to all of our colleagues from across the state who stood to speak today. I am grateful for your words, how incredible that we honor these heroes on the floor today, And I do think that it is stark we honored their outgoing president earlier this week. One of the last things he did as president of their union is do a podcast about his own mental health struggles where he considered taking his own life and how and why he decided not to do that. Much of which was related to wanting to stay here and help the next and the next after that. and such is the duty of a firefighter. We're in good hands in the transition with Doc, who is indeed from Chula Vista. But every day we are safer, our families are safer, our children are better off, we can leave them at school and know that should an emergency happen, a big red truck will show up and one of these heroes will get off and provide life-saving support to our family members, wherever they are in this state. So today, on a day where we are asked through SCR 170 to remember their mental health, I urge an aye vote.

I am so grateful for the overwhelming support of my colleagues. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. President. In the back of the chamber, I am pleased to welcome some of our firefighters. Darrell Roberts, President, California Professional Firefighters. Dave Gelati, President, L.A. County Firefighters Local 1014 and co-chair of California Fire Service Task Force on Behavioral Health. Kristen Thompson EMS Division Chief Newport Beach Fire Department and co of California Fire Service Task Force on Behavioral Health Vince Wells President of Contra Costa County Firefighters Local 1230 And from Contra Costa County Fire we have with us newly appointed Fire Chief Aaron McAllister Battalion Chief Bob Atlas, Fire Captain Rafael Ochoa, Fire Captain Paramedic Brent Bowling, Fire Captain Robert Ruddick, and District Health and Wellness Coordinator Alicia Moraes. let's uh colleagues would you join me and let's give honor to those who run into the face of death so that we may escape to a place of life

Thank you.

Senate concurrent resolution 174 by Senator Perez relative to the 60th anniversary of Pilot Regional Centers.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise to present a CR 174 on behalf of Senator Perez to recognize 2026 as the 60th anniversary of California's two pilot regional centers, the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and the Golden Gate Regional Center. I'm a proud principal co-author of this resolution. Established in 1966, these pilot regional centers established the foundation for today's system of community-based services and support for Californians living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to the establishment of regional centers, approximately 13,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities lived in state developmental centers isolated from their families and communities due to a lack of availability of community-based support. These regional centers introduced a person-centered service model based on cultural humility and community support to better accommodate people living with these disabilities. following a 1968 assembly report showing the pilot centers to be successful in 1969 then Assemblymember Franklin Lanterman introduced the Lanterman developmental disabilities Services Act to expand the regional center model statewide today this model continues to expand and diversify there are now 21 nonprofit regional centers serving nearly 500,000 individuals across California in fact approximately 99 of the children served receive care from the comfort of their homes with their families California regional center system has become a model for the nation establishing California as a leader in disability rights and community care This resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of these two pilot regional centers and reaffirms the legislature's commitment to sustaining and strengthening California's community-based developmental services system for future generations. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise in support of SCR 174. And if you read the Jess Unruh biography by Bill Boyarsky, it describes how Speaker Jess Unruh in the 1960s wanted to deal with developmental disability issues and how he asked then Assemblymember Jerry Walde to head a select committee on this. and the pilot centers came from that. Interestingly, given who we are and how we operate, that book describes how he wanted to do it himself without staff, how Jess Sundra had to prevail upon him to take Art Bolton so he actually had a staff member that was helping him lead to the regional centers. And when I worked for him in the early 1970s, people came out of crowds across the state, parents to thank him for that work. It's hard to believe it's 60 years. It's replaced the institutions. We need to continue to invest on it. This resolution calls attention to it and I ask for an aye vote on SCR 174.

Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Colleagues this item is eligible for the

majority leader's desk for introduction of guests. Thank you Mr. President. Our colleagues in partnership with Senator Perez, please join me in welcoming advocates and affiliates of the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and the Golden Gate Regional Center to acknowledge the significance of their 60th anniversary please welcome Eric Zygman the executive director of the Golden Gate Regional Center Edith Arias a parent and former Golden Gate Regional Center board member Peter Mendoza one of my constituents served by the Golden Gate Regional Center since 1975 sir Bowie of Shippian the executive director of the Frank D Lanterman Regional Center Mary Marcella senator Perez's constituent served by the Lanterman Regional Center Al Marcella Mary's father and Lillian Ramirez support staff with the Lanterman Regional Center please join me in welcoming them

Thank you very much, Mr. President and colleagues. I rise to present S.R. 111. As a proud member of this legislature's LGBTQ caucus, I rise today to recognize May 17, 2026 as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia, and we'll be urging all of you to do the same. For many like me in this chamber, this issue is deeply personal. It reflects not just policy, but really it's about human beings. Our communities, our families, for some of us our own lived experiences in navigating spaces throughout our lives that have not always been inclusive or welcoming. California, as a state, has long been a leader in advancing equality and civil rights. We should never shrink for the political convenience of the moment from this distinguished legacy or the work that lies ahead. We also have to be very honest. This hard-fought progress is not only uneven, it is also particularly today under intense pressure. LGBTQ plus people continue to face discrimination, violence, and exclusion, especially our transgender siblings who are too often targeted simply because of who they are. Indeed, Mr. President and colleagues, it It is the unfortunate reality of the human experience and human history that often ignorance, not always malicious, but pure, misunderstanding, misinformation, and the all-too-human trait of fearing what we don't understand, always leads a path towards indifference, intolerance, hatred, and too often violence. In short, it's too easy in the human condition to fear and to loathe what we don't understand, what we don't relate to, what we fear is different from ourselves. In recent years, we've seen a troubling rise in reports of anti-LGBTQ hate violence, incidents of people being harassed, physically attacked, and worse. This reality underscores something important. This is not just about the idea of equality. It is about ensuring the safety of all people, of all people in all of our communities. And it really is also, isn't it, about the success or the failure, about the American experiment and the great American ideal. For many, we are one, or we strive to be. Every human being deserves to feel safe walking down the street, in their neighborhood, and in their community. Research consistently shows that LGBTQ plus youth face higher rates of bullying, rejection, and homelessness. They're significantly more likely to struggle with mental health challenges as a result. And let me be clear, all too often these challenges are not the result of struggling with who they are, but it is the result of struggling with how they are all too too often isolated and rejected and mistreated. Sadly, today we see that our centers of learning, schools, have become one of the most common settings for hate incidents and harassment. This should concern all of us, no matter our lived experience, no matter our social or cultural backgrounds, no matter our politics. These are just a few examples of why California has taken steps to try to ensure the utmost safety and the protections against discrimination and protections for all of us. This International Day, which this resolution commemorates, is observed globally around the world as a call to action and a reminder that the fight for dignity and safety is also global. It's not symbolic. It really should be a reaffirmation. A reaffirmation of who we are, who we strive to be, and our responsibility. What we aspire to be as a people. A responsibility to combat hate in all its forms. Whether it shows up in our schools, in our streets, or in our institutions. A responsibility to ensure that every person can live authentically. and without fear, with respect for their humanity. And a responsibility to continue building a California where safety, dignity, and equality are real and not imagined. And most of all, most of all, a responsibility to not be silent. To not be silent, but to act. And Mr. President, I have to say, as I prepare to conclude, I feel compelled to make the following observations. They're personal, and they're painful. The subject of the LGBTQ community, certainly trans people of late, ideas of culture, religion, morality, and politics, have been fraught, emotional and intense, and today all too often become primarily political and lose their humanity. This should not be a political or a partisan issue. The acknowledgement that we should not hate, but that we should love, that we should accept and not reject people different from ourselves, should not be political. It should be about our humanity. When I joined the legislature, one of the greatest honors of my life, I was pleased to learn that I had the opportunity to serve with some amazing, talented, and distinguished people, and some of whom have very different politics than mine, and with whom I have great personal respect. But I have to say, we cannot omit the painful reality that silence in the face of discrimination is complicity. there was a famous poem called first they came published in 1946 right after the second world war by a german pastor named martin niemohler and the pastor famously wrote first they came for the jews and i did not speak out because i was not a jew and it continues of course today we see iterations that say first they came for the immigrants And I did not speak out because I not an immigrant What am I saying here? What I'm saying is, with respect, but with honesty, every time a resolution comes to this floor dealing with hatred, intolerance, violence, every time, 90% of the time, dealing with the LGBTQ community, and all the appertinent issues, sometimes recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ persons, political leaders, some of whom assassinated, and on and on and on. Even on this floor, there is silence. As a human being, I have to share that every time the role is called, every time a name is called, just like on a resolution like this one, and there is silence. because of politics, because of a fear of constituencies wrapped up in the moment, in their own fear and hatred. A name is called, and instead of an affirming I, there is silence. As an out and proud gay man, every time that happens on a resolution on this floor, and every time a name is called and it is followed by silence on a resolution that just simply says we should not hate. It is like another cut in the long history of cuts and it hurts like hell. It hurts. We must find the moral courage to stand up and be heard and not be silent. Because the idea that all of us belong, no matter our political, cultural, or religious differences, the idea that we all have value is the most moral and American thing I can think of. And every time a resolution goes up of this nature, that board should be full of green lights and no silent or blank spaces. Mr. President and colleagues, with great respect, I respectfully ask for an aye vote and that the first roll be open for co-authors.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise in support of SR-111 and commend my colleague from San Diego for bringing this important resolution forward. This resolution recognizes the International Day against homophobia, biphobia, interphobia, transphobia, and observance that feels especially urgent in this moment. As Vice Chair of the Jewish Caucus, I rise in strong support. This resolution is personal for me, too. and first let me acknowledge and remember the deaths of a number of young people in my district including the child of a friend of mine in the last year and a half who have taken their own lives on the Caltrain tracks in my district. Both the LGBTQ and Jewish communities know what it means to be targeted and excluded. We know what it means to fight generation after generation for acceptance dignity and equality When I say we know just last night in Washington D it was reported that the son of a U senator went on a 10-minute tirade against Jews and gays in Washington, D.C. So we've seen a troubling rise in hate and dehumanization directed at the LGBTQ community, and particularly the trans community. Many individuals live at the intersection of these identities and the face the hate in compounded ways. There are many proud LGBTQ Jewish Californians who continue to contribute to our state and strengthen our communities.

two teenagers hurled fireworks into a pride celebration by shouting slurs, injuring several people. These are not isolated incidents, and they are signs of the work ahead. And that's why solidarity matters. The last few years, the Jewish and LGBTQ caucuses came together to host a drag forum, a celebration that brought our communities together through joy, shared traditions, and connection. Because when we build understanding, we help defeat hate. Our shared experiences only reinforce our ability to work together. I expectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus. I originally hadn't planned on doing so. I actually stood to stand with my brother, the gentleman from San Diego. But I'll start with those words from the caucus, and then I'll say one word of encouragement to you. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus in strong support of SR111 in recognition of the International Day Against Hate. of the LGBTQIA plus discrimination, a day that calls on all of us to stand against hate, violence, discrimination against all communities, all people in this world. For many individuals, the fight to live openly and safely remains ongoing, reminding us that equality and dignity should never be conditional. That reality also reminds us that we cannot speak about justice and equality without recognizing leaders like Bayard Rustin, a chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, a trusted advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, whose contributions were often overlooked and his leadership was overshadowed simply because he was a gay black man. Or Marsha Johnson, a black transgender activist who helped shape the modern LGBTQ rights movement and advocated for homeless LGBTQ youth and vulnerable communities. And then let's also not forget Audrey Lord, whose writing and activism challenged this nation to confront itself about racism, sexism, injustice while becoming one of the most influential black feminist voices of her generation. In 2024 alone, at least 32 transgender and gender expansive individuals were murdered nationwide, with black transgender women representing nearly half of those deaths. These aren statistics These are lives These are people These are people we work with and our friends These are communities still calling for safety openness freedom equal protection that we are all guaranteed by the law. As I close, I want to say, you know, I grew up as a mixed girl in South Central Los Angeles. And I experienced hatred. Some people might remember why I have a little fight in me and you see Richardson 2.0. It's because I've been fighting all my life about why am I this supposed black girl whose skin, you can see my veins like white people, or you can see freckles on my face like white people, so clearly I couldn't be black. That's what I grew up with, and that's how I started fighting at a very young age. So I want to be consistent in my comments. I've stood with the Jewish community against anti-Semitism, and it must stop. I've stood against racism and the attacks on voting rights that are impacting African Americans throughout this country. But today, I'm standing with my brothers and sisters here, and I ask permission to read. Without objection, permission granted. One of Martin Luther King's famous quotes regarding the inaction of allies said, in the end, we will be remembered not for the words of our enemies, but actually for the silence of our friends. Know that I'm a friend and I refuse to sit silent on this day. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the resolution. I want to thank my colleague from San Diego for his leadership on it. You know, I think a lot of times people perceive or think that everything is always moving in a positive direction for LGBTQ people, and it's all good. You've got marriage equality, et cetera, et cetera. It's all good. And we know that although we've made progress, there's backsliding, and we know that around the world LGBTQ people are at severe risk. There are countries in various parts of the world, whether Iran or Qatar or the UAE or Saudi Arabia or Uganda, other countries in Africa or Russia, where being LGBTQ means that you are subject either officially or effectively to the death penalty, either an official death sentence or you will just effectively be killed even though it's outside of the law. And that's what LGBTQ people experience through big swaths of the world. It's still extremely dangerous for anyone to know that you are gay, lesbian, bi, trans. and of course I will note that because the Trump administration has illegally basically destroyed the asylum system in this country they can't even come here legally even if they are at risk of being hanged which happens to gay men in Iran by the way you can't come to this country anymore because of what this administration has done to our asylum system which is just vile we also know that in this country there's been significant backsliding there's an entire movement dedicated to destroying equality and civil rights for LGBTQ people, trans people first and foremost, including these hate laws that are being passed in state after state and that they're trying to pass in Congress, including just attacks on just existing protections for LGBTQ people. We still don't have a federal civil rights law for sexual orientation or gender identity in this country. You can still be evicted from your apartment in most states simply for being gay. And so there is so much work to do, and we have to fight and protect the gains that we've achieved and keep moving forward, protecting people here in the U.S., but protecting LGBTQ people and standing up for them around the world. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Senator Padilla, you may close.

I'll debate having ceased. Simply note the procedure by which co-authors are added by roll call only occurs in the other house. The Senate rules do not provide for such an action,

The ayes are 26, the noes are 0, the resolution is adopted. Proceeding next to the second day consent calendar, items 114 through 121. Secretary, please read all of the items on the consent calendar.

Does any member wish to remove any item from the consent calendar? Seeing none, Secretary, please call the roll on the first item, and then we will apply the vote to the remaining items on the consent agenda.

Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. Durazo. Gonzalez Aye Grayson Aye Grove Aye Hurtado Aye Jones Laird Aye Aye Limon. McGuire. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Menjabar. Aye. Nilo. Ochoa Boat. Padilla. Aye. Perez. Reyes. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Cillarto. Aye. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Aye. Stern? Aye. Strickland? Aye. Umberg? Valadez? Wahab? Aye. Weber-Pearson? Aye. Weiner? Aye. Call the option, members. Abraudoguio? Aye. Blakespeare? Durazo? Jones? Aye. Limon? Nilo? Ochoabog? Aye. Perez Reyes Umberg Paladares. Aye.

Item 114, the measure is adopted and the Ayes 34, no 0 on the remainder of the consent calendar. We'll pause for one moment. All right, moving next to committee announcements, Senator Chavantes.

Proceeding next to Senator Allen.

All right, so the members, we have two options for singing and dancing hearing today's. Next, we'll proceed to return to motions and resolutions. Thank you Thank you All right the Senate will be in momentary recess We are reconvening and moving back to motions and resolutions. Senator Alvarado-Gill.

All right. Secretary will note.

Thank you.

Right. Without objection, reconsideration is granted.

Thank you.

Well, thank you, Mr. President. It's with great sadness but profound appreciation that I rise to honor Carl Anthony, a trailblazing city planner who fought for decades for environmental justice, racial justice, our climate, and for sustainability. He was at the forefront of the intersectionality of racial equity, the environment, and urban planning. Born in Philadelphia in 1939, Mr. Anthony was the only African American student when he started attending architecture school at Columbia University, where he got involved in the civil rights movement, encouraging other African American students to apply to the architecture program. After traveling the world to study traditional African architecture, he moved to California where he was an assistant professor of architecture at the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design from 1971 to 1979. In 1988, Mr. Anthony was appointed to the board of the Earth Island Institute by its founder, the icon in the environmental movement, David Brower. During his time on the board, he co-founded the Urban Habitat Program, bringing together multicultural leadership in the environmental justice movement. In the 2000s, he solidified his legacy as a national leader on issues around the environment and equity, serving as the director of the Ford Foundation Sustainable Metropolitan Communities Initiative in New York City. When he returned to Berkeley, which was his home, he co-founded the nonprofit environmental justice organization Breakthrough Communities, headquartered in Oakland, where he nurtured the next generation of leaders committed to equity and sustainability. Mr. Anthony's approach to architecture and city planning helped challenge the status quo. In his 2017 book, The Earth, the City, and the Hidden Narrative of Race, he made the case for how healing the earth required healing our social fabric and that justice, community, and ecology are all part of a single story. As we remember Carl Anthony today, we are called not only to honor him, but to continue his critical work. He will push us to ask ourselves, how do we build communities that are not only sustainable, but also just, including racially just? How do we ensure that every voice is heard, every neighborhood is valued, and every future is protected? Colleagues, let us build on his legacy by recognizing our shared humanity and our shared responsibility to protect this planet and its inhabitants. I respectfully ask that we adjourn the Senate and honor Carl Anthony today.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, please help me in a journey in the memory of Lupe Estrella, the longtime city clerk for the city of La Verne. Born in La Verne, educated in the city, and devoted to serving the community for more than 40 years. Lupe began her journey at City Hall as a 17-year-old intern. She never left. Over the decades she became the welcoming face of the City Hall. The steady on the phone that people heard, the trusted guide for residents, elected officials, and co-workers alike. Many knew her as the city clerk. Many more knew her as a person who always knew how to help. She would go out of her way to help you, where to go, what to do, and who to call if you needed anything. But titles never captured who she was. People called her Miss Laverne, and that name was well-earned. Lupin loved the city deeply and fiercely. If someone needed to be celebrated, she was there organizing. If someone needed encouragement, she was there giving it. If a new council member or commissioner needed guidance, she was there to support them. She was there with patience and wisdom. Those who worked beside her remember her professionalism, her strength, an enormous heart. Her friends remember her humor and loyalty. Her family remembers a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and the center of so many cherished family moments. Her passing leaves a space that cannot be filled because there was only one Lupe Estrella in the city of La Verne but the impact she made remains all around us in the people she mentored the friendships she built the community she strengthened, and the love she gave so freely. Thank you to Lupe for her service, her spirit, her laughter, and the love she gave to everyone in the community of the city of La Verne. Once again ladies and gentlemen please join me in adjourning in her memory of Lupe Estrella. Thank you Mr. President. Thank

Thank you, presiding officer and colleagues. The Senate will reconvene on Monday at 2 o'clock.