Floor — 2026-04-27 (partial)

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Addis, Agriar Currie, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Avila Fadius, Baines, Bauer-Cahan, Bennett, Berman, Berner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Coloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chin, Connelly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, El Huari, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gibson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark Gonzalez, Hadwick, Haney, Harbedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Cora, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKenna, Murasuchi Huen Ortega Pacheco Pappin Patel Patterson Pellerin Petrie Norris Quirk Silva Ramos Ransom Celeste Rodriguez Michelle Rodriguez Rogers Rubio Sanchez Chiavo Schultz Sharp Collins Solache Soria Stephanie Ta Tangipa Valencia Wallace Ward Wicks Wilson Zabur Mr Speaker

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

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing and join us in the flag salute Assemblymember Bennett will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance Members please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance

You may be seated. To our guests and visitors today, State law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct of official business. Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal remedies. Reading of the previous day's journal.

On to our procedural motions. Madam Majority Leader, you're recognized for your procedural motions.

Without objection, such will be the order.

Without objection, such will be the order. Okay, members, it is Assemblymember Castillo's birthday today. Please join me in welcoming and wishing her a very happy birthday.

And for your birthday, we wish you a very healthy wrist. Okay. Okay, members, we are going to have a grip of guest introductions. We're going to begin today with Assemblymember Ortega. You are recognized for your guest introduction. Why don't we do all three of your guest introductions, if that's okay?

forget that most of us started our careers as interns down here. Okay next guest introductions are going to be from Dr. Sharp-Collins who will be giving those from the majority leader's desk. I believe you have two introductions.

Zeta Phi Beta. Let's go. Zeta Phi Beta. Can I take a picture? Thank you. . .

BuapANC!

They are in.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. I'd like to request that you join me in welcoming two outstanding interns from my district office, Ariella Fletes and Giancarlo Sazueta. Let me tell you a little bit about both of them. Ariella is a fourth-year political science major at San Diego State University and on track to graduate this May to pursue law school. In fact, she spent the weekend studying for the bar. She's guided by a deeply personal conviction that no family should have to navigate our immigration system without a fierce advocate by their side. She's temporarily away from her family in Los Angeles. Attention to colleagues in LA. You have someone here that's future powerhouse attorney in Los Angeles. She's in our district office where she's learning that meaningful policy doesn't just mean learning it from a textbook, but it starts by standing alongside the people that are impacted by laws. Standing next to her is Giancarlo, who is a fourth-year administration major who also is graduating this May. His journey began at community college in Ukiah before he transferred down to San Diego. We get a lot of talent from the state in San Diego. He understands that the most powerful engines are built, not bought. He took apart a 1984 Toyota Celica with his own hands, fixed it up, and sold it before he moved down to San Diego. He knows what it's like to take grease into grit and putting it into action. The philosophy he brings to the work that he does for the public with our office. So whether he's eyeing a master's in public policy, a Sacramento Capital Fellowship program perhaps, or work in local government, he really approaches building a better community the same way he approaches the way he works on classic cars, with patience, precision, and a belief that every little piece matters. Members, please join me in welcoming our two interns from our district office in San Diego, Giancarlo Sassueta and Ariela Fletes. Welcome, Team Alvarez. Welcome.

Thank you Okay he pulling the finishers right now Okay continuing on with guest introductions I think your group is coming forward Assemblymember McKinner, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you. Welcome, AKA. Welcome, welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, it is my pleasure to introduce you to students from also known as the Ivy League of the Central Valley, Fresno State, who are participating in the university's Agricultural Leadership Development Program. Because of their impressive backgrounds and academic accomplishments, these students were selected to participate in this leadership development program and to research significant issues impacting California agriculture. The program includes the class visiting the state capitol and state agencies for first-hand exposure to the process of formulating public policy, which includes watching floor session this afternoon. As a leader in agricultural research, Fresno State has showcased its impact as the first CSU to be part of the United Nations global impact. I told you, the Ivy League of the Central Valley. This is just one of the important partnerships that Fresno State Agricultural Leadership has formed as it continues to recognize the importance of developing local scholars who will impact the future of agriculture. Also joining the students are their professors, Serini Konduru and Annette Levi, who should be congratulated for their dedication for developing the next generation of ag leaders. Assembly members, please join me in welcoming them to the assembly floor.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm proud to introduce for the first time on the floor, LA City Councilmember Isabel Jurado, who represents Los Angeles City Council District 14. She represents the areas of Boyle Heights, downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, and many of the areas that you hear me talk about on this floor. Please give her a warm Sacramento welcome. Welcome council member.

Okay, continuing with our marathon of guest introductions, Assemblymember Jackson, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Welcome, Ambassador Dexter. Thank you.

Members, thank you Mr. Speaker. Members, it is my honor to welcome 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from Excelsior Middle School and Elementary School students from Old River and Knightson Elementary Schools who have joined us in the gallery. These students are here today to advocate for the restoration of tobacco use prevention education program funding for all of Contra Costa schools that wish to participate Anyway the small school districts they are from Byron Union and Knights in Elementary had program funding cut this year This group is a mix of students in the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Peer Mentor Program and some members of Excelsior Youth Advisory Group. And this is a group that meets monthly to have conversations identifying campus issues and working collaboratively towards meaningful solutions. All students reflect a genuine investment in civic engagement and advocacy. They understand that policy decisions have real impact on their school and communities, and they are motivated to be a part of that. They are particularly passionate about health and well-being. They are acutely aware of the growing impact of vaping among youth and view education and awareness as essential tools in addressing this issue. What stands out most is their strong sense of responsibility to others, their peers, their school community, and their families. These students recognize the power of collective voice and the importance of active citizenship. They are thoughtful, informed, and committed to advocating for positive change. Mr. Speaker, permission to use a prop?

I would like to note this. The winner of the art contest, I'll have her wave her hand, Alondra Ortiz, and she's showing how on one side it's a barren tree and it says we do this for profit and on the other side is a blossoming tree saying we do this for health and this won an art contest. I'd also like to also give a special shout out to Elsa Crow who is the dear family friend of our very own colleague Robert Garcia. I'm incredibly proud to recognize this group of young advocates. They participated in a mock committee hearing today to advocate for the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Peer Program, and I will tell you it got a unanimous recommendation to us as a legislature to restore it. Please join me in applause in welcoming these wonderful students to the State Assembly floor.

Okay, members, last but not least, Our friend Assemblymember Kalra, you are recognized with your guest introduction.

And with that, we will be moving on to Business on the Daily File.

Okay, we are moving on to business on the daily file, beginning with second reading file items 1 through 72.

all bills will be deemed red and all amendments will be deemed adopted onto concurrence file item 73 we will pass and retain on reconsideration file items 74 to 76 all items shall be continued And that brings us to the Assembly third reading file. We will pass and retain file item 77 through 82. And that brings us to file item number 83. That's AB 2323 by Assemblymember McKenner. The clerk will read.

Assemblymember McKenner, you are recognized.

open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.

The measure passes. We're going to pass through a tandem file items 84, 85, 86. That brings us to file item number 87. That's ACR 149 by Assemblymember Hart. The clerk will read.

Assemblymember Hart, you are recognized.

Thank you, Assemblymember Hart. Assemblymember DeMaio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Assemblymember DeMaio. Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized.

Thank you, Assemblymember Addis. Assemblymember Pellerin, you are recognized.

Thank you Assemblymember Pellerin. Assemblymember Bennett, you are recognized.

the weakest, the most vulnerable amongst us, have access to beaches that would, without it, be closed off by the most powerful amongst us. That's why we need to celebrate this 50 years of the Coastal Act. And that's why we have to keep asking ourselves, what would the powerful have done if we didn't have the protection of the Coastal Act? The one thing I think we've heard today that we can be sure of is there would be fireworks at a local city that might be doing some environmental damage. But we wouldn't have 1,100 miles of protected shoreline for every Californian, no matter how weak or vulnerable they are. I strongly urge support for ACR 148. Thank you.

Thank you very much. As a proud representative of coastal Los Angeles County, I rise in strong support of ACR 149. And I want to share my personal experience I was not born and raised in California but I was born and raised on a tropical island of Okinawa which folks in Japan consider Okinawa to be like the Hawaii of Japan And, you know, I saw during my childhood how uncontrolled development on beachfront, on coastline, how it destroyed the beaches, how it destroyed the ocean, it destroyed natural habitats. And so, you know, while I understand that there are tremendous pressures, tremendous economic business pressures to build on the coast, even to the detriment of California's iconic coast, it is only because of strong laws like the Coastal Act that we continue to all enjoy the beautiful, One of the most beautiful coastlines in the entire world. And so that's why I feel so passionately that, you know, we need to have a check against these tremendous economic forces that want to develop our coastline. And that is the Coastal Act. And that is why I'm proud to stand in strong support of ACR 149.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, today I rise in support of ACR 149. Protecting our 1,100 miles of coastline is not a partisan luxury, but a duty to preserve California's natural heritage for future generations. Supporting ACR 149 reconfirms our commitment to being good stewards of the land and the sea. California's coastal economy is a powerhouse, generating over $44 billion annually through tourism, recreation, and fishing. The Coastal Act is built in a unique partnership with local governments and empowers our coastal cities and counties to lead their own planning through local coastal programs. Supporting ACR 149 is a vote for local autonomy, ensuring that coastal communities have the final say on their shores. Finally, ACR 149 is a commitment to the California First policy that prioritizes our long-term environmental health as a foundation of a long-term economic prosperity. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I'm actually fortunate enough to represent about a fourth of the California coastline and have an opportunity to talk not just to folks who today benefit from the decision that was made 50 years ago, but folks who were actually there at the time. And I think of local environmental leaders in my community like Dick Day, like Carol Hart, who's in the back and will get introduced, like Michael Allen and other folks who have fought to make sure that we had that preservation in places, not just for our local economies, environmental principles, but really to make sure that we protected that land for folks. We have sections of the trail out on our coast named after Bill Cordham and others who have fought to keep that land available. And really the roots of the Coastal Act come from my district, from two different incidents that happened. The first was local activists who were organizing to prevent a nuclear power plant from being built on the fault lines right along our coast on Sonoma County. You also had an incident where they were successful, by the way, one where they were not successful, where in Sea Ranch in my district, locals were trying to block off access to the coast for folks who didn live in that specific community And there was a push to make sure that there was guaranteed access and that failed at the time It really started this conversation about who the coast should be for and if it was going to be California icon how do we make sure that that represented everybody My colleague from Ventura asked, what would our coast look like if we had not passed the Coastal Act 50 years ago? It's really not that difficult for us. We'd be Florida. If you look at Florida, it is the wealthy few who have access to their coastal resources, at the detriment of the public. And this isn't just a conversation that happened 50 years ago in California. Even just as recently as 10 years ago, when State Parks was proposing an Iron Ranger program to charge for additional parking for people to access the coast, you had an entire groundswell of community members who looked at that and said even that would have a detrimental impact on allowing people to access this natural resource. So I rise in full support of ACR 149. for the environmental reasons, for the economic reasons, but also for the cultural reasons, because California would not be California without its iconic coast.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of ACR 149, inspired by all of the colleagues who have spoken on behalf of the coast that they represent. our colleague from Sonoma just mentioned the representation at the northern part of the coast of California. I represent the complete opposite end of the state in the south, touching Mexico. And often, and I want to rise and thank, in this case, certainly the Coastal Act, which has worked to help to maintain access, because that has been the case. I was a young boy from Barrio Logan who the bay was only literally a few blocks away from where I live. And I actually our access to the water has been walled off by uses that have been permitted along our bay. And so I did not have access to to our bay. I grew up as a kid from San Diego who actually never really went to the beach because there was no access to the water in the communities that I come from. And this day, we see that we have kids who have no access to the water and the beach in Imperial Beach because of that closure that you hear about me talking about Tijuana River Valley on a regular basis here before you. And I want to recognize the Coastal Act for trying to make sure that the access there is defended through actions on behalf of our communities. But the same way I do want to call attention to us as we celebrate today that the world has changed and California is growing. And all that was done, which was to be celebrated to protect the coast, we need to be careful that we do not, and unfortunately some of the data does show, that the zip codes along the coast are significantly higher income communities. and while there are some public access points to the coast, which is a good thing, there must also be opportunities for people to live in the coast of all income levels. And so I want to just call attention to that. That work remains to be done. In the spirit of the Coastal Act, of access to the coast, it should also be access to living on the coast. As we have a lot of workers who travel from miles and miles away for hours sometimes to go and work at the coastline, we also should give them the opportunity to live there so I ask that as we celebrate today and we should that as we continue to celebrate the Coastal Act and the work that we do that we keep everybody in and that we create that access that we've all fought for, that the visionary individuals 50 years ago fought for, and that we should continue to fight for, by the way, and not allow bad development and bad things to happen on the coast, but that the access can be continued through its natural resources and also just being able to spend a day on the beach, on the bay, with your family. For that reason, I rise in support of ACR 149.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I really appreciate the comments from colleagues all the way from San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Ventura, the South Bay, Laguna Niguel, San Diego, Santa Rosa, for their bipartisan comments in support of this resolution. I think the conversation highlighted the complexity and the challenge of protecting California's greatest treasure, our coastline. It is not an easy job. It requires diligence and persistence and commitment. And it is the issues facing coastal protection change as our environment changes and as our economy changes. And having the Coastal Commission as a backstop with a mission to protect coastal access, every one of our constituents in California depends on the Coastal Commission to make sure that we have access to our coast. and the 50 years of work that has preserved that right, that has enhanced that right, that has restored habitat and wetlands and coastal habitats is critical. And the next 50 years going forward will be that much more challenging. But I know the people who are committed to this work will continue to persevere. This resolution honors the legacy and reaffirms our commitment to protecting California's coast for years to come, ensuring that these extraordinary resources are preserved for local families, visitors, and future generations. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming on the floor former Coastal Commission Chairs Carol Hart, Donna Brownsey, and Justin Cummings, along with Coastal Conservancy Vice Chair Marcella Gutierrez and Susan Jordan, founder of the California Coastal Protection Network. Also joining us up in the gallery is Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Hucklebridge, Coastal Conservancy Executive Director Amy Hutzel, former Conservancy Executive Officer Sam Schuchat, and former Coastal Commission Executive Director Jack Ainsworth. Thank you and welcome to the California State Assembly. Thank you Thank you. Thank you.

Assemblymember Hart, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 2011 will codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law. Last year, the Trump administration stopped enforcing federal protections that require insurers demonstrate that they provide equal access to mental health and substance use disorder care as they do with traditional physical medicine. California has continued enforcing these regulations through the Department of Insurance and the Department of Managed Healthcare, but the state's authority to do so could be revoked depending on federal changes. AB 2011 enshrines these protections in state law so state regulators can continue to enforce parity requirements. This bill does not expand covered benefits, create any new mandates, or impose any new duties on regulators. It only codifies existing standards the state is already enforcing in full effect. At a time when our state is working to expand behavioral health care, AB 2011 ensures that the promise of equal access becomes a reality for all Californians. I respectfully request an aye vote.

Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 2691, the Public Trust Protection Act, which expands the list of felony convictions that disqualify someone from running for or holding state or local elected office to include sexual assault and human trafficking, and I respectfully ask your aye vote.

Assemblymember Chiavo, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. On behalf of Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, today I present House Resolution 31, recognizing April 29, 2026, as Denim Day in California. But I want to take a moment not just to talk about Denim Day, but to be clear why we're still here. talking about it. This year Denim Day hits differently. It's not just about raising awareness of sexual assault, it's about facing something deeper, how often people who cause harm stay in positions of power, protected by systems that were never really built to hold them accountable. We've seen that play out again and again with Dolores Huerta, another woman speaking about the abuse by Cesar Chavez, or women who came forward about the harassment and assault they faced with Eric Swalwell, when survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump continue to speak out and still don't see the accountability that they deserve. And just last month, a global CNN investigation exposed the horrifying rise of rape academies, Online communities where predators are not only celebrated, but they're systematically trained on how to drug their victims, commit sexual assault, and evade justice. We're now seeing rape culture being proliferated and flourishing and even celebrated online. All of this doesn't happen by accident. People don't get away with harm for years or even decades because no one noticed. It happens because systems are systems allow it protect it excuse it and that includes spaces like this one So today isn just about wearing jeans or posting something online it's about being honest with ourselves about the role that we play in either maintaining those systems or changing them. Because the truth is, we do have power. Not just the kind written into our titles or positions, but the kind that comes from using our voices, from refusing to look away, from calling things what they are, even when it's uncomfortable, and maybe especially when it's uncomfortable. And I want to say something to anyone in this room and beyond who has experienced harm. You're not alone. There are too many of us, more than we often realize. people who carry these experiences quietly showing up to work, to serve, to lead to keep going and that's why this matters so much because sexual violence exists in our communities, in our workplaces and in spaces where decisions get made and it continues in part because of the silence and the doubt and the questions that get asked of survivors instead of those who caused the harm we can't be the people who ask what were they wearing or why didn't they say something sooner because those questions are part of the problem they're what keep people quiet they're what allow harm to continue so if denim day means anything it should mean this that we chose to show up differently that we choose to believe people and that we choose to hold power accountable, including when it's inconvenient, including when it's close to us. So today, we wear our denim, but more than that, we must use our voices. That's how we will continue to make the change that matters. And if anyone is listening today who is still in the shadows of your experience, please hear me that it is not your fault. Help is available right now. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or chat 24-7 at rainn.org, R-A-I-N-N.org. There's a community ready to help, and I appreciate all of those who do this work day in and day out to support survivors in our community. Thank you and I urge an aye vote on HR 31.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the author from San Fernando for introducing this important resolution and thank you to my colleague for presenting it on her behalf. I rise in support of H.R. 31 on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus. I remember it really like it was yesterday. I was a young girl, early elementary, coming home from school, and my friend had diverted to the right, and I was going to go two more blocks to get home from school. And I remember that day because I had on a really cute dress, and I was twirling around in it at recess. Well, when my friend departed to the right, two boys who were behind me waited until she was And one of them grabbed me as the other one tried to put his hand under my dress. And I saw a familiar vehicle driving by, and it was my aunt. And I was so excited to see her and felt like refuge had come, safety. And she said, ooh, Lori, I'm going to tell your mama. And she kept going to my house. Well, thankfully, that was enough to startle the boys, and they stopped and let me go. and took off running. But on the way home, as I walked two more blocks, all I could think about was I was gonna be in trouble, and what happened to me was my fault. And I was so thankful that when I got home, my mom wasn't home, and she didn't have a chance to tell on me. But I tell you, in that moment, it stayed with me. I didn't want to wear dresses for a long time after that. And when abuse would later come, I didn't tell anybody because in my mind, it was my fault. I had somehow welcomed it. Today is a symbolic day around sexual assault awareness, and we wear our jeans as an act of symbolism. But I will tell you that the impact on people who are seeking help or justice from sexual assault, they're plagued, so many of them, by harmful myths and stereotypes, and even people in your own family who don't understand and don't believe you. And so I rise on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus telling my story, and I will tell you I've unwound that, and in a place of healing and survivorship and help others. But I stand on behalf of the Black Caucus because we know that black women are disproportionately impacted. These harmful myths and stereotypes impact and marginalize groups the most. Those who often face intersectional challenges as it relates to seeking justice, to seeking help when it comes to sexual assault. And as my colleague said, I'm not alone. There are so many women walking around from the trauma of the past related to instances like this where they weren't believed or where they were assumed that what came to them was their fault. And I will say, having been a pastor, well, still a pastor, but having done pastoral work, that it wasn't just women who came to me, it was men who came struggling with that same thing. It doesn't matter your gender, so many of us have experienced sexual assault. So I'm glad that we're doing the symbolic act today of wearing our denim. But let it not end there. Let it be action where we support survivors, where we believe them when they say that something happened. And we fight like tooth or nail to ensure that they have justice. With that, members, I strongly ask you to support HR 31 by our colleague from San Fernando.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. Thank you to my colleague from the Black Caucus for sharing her story and for her bravery. On behalf of the California Legislative Native American Caucus I rise in support of HR 31 to commemorate Denim Day Thank you to my colleague from San Fernando Valley for elevating the voices that are too often unheard and shedding light on the experiences of survivors and the work that remains before us to support them. Thank you as well to my colleague from Santa Clarita for presenting this item on her behalf. Four out of five Native American women experience violence in their lifetime. And California is among the top five states in the nation for unresolved missing and murdered indigenous peoples. These crimes are not rooted in what women wear, the places they go, or the time of day they choose to leave their homes, but from the actions of those who perpetuate them. Too often, blaming the victim has shifted attention away from accountability, placing it unjustly on survivors and reinforcing silence instead of calling for justice. this is unacceptable. We must do more to demand accountability and offer support for the survivors across our state. It's not enough to acknowledge the harm caused. We must ensure survivors have access to care and pathways for healing. As a member of the Native American Caucus, I made a pledge to bring awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous peoples crisis in which Native American women experience sexual assault at the highest rates per capita of any demographic group. Thanks to the leadership of our chair and the member from San Bernardino, next week we will learn more and deepen our understanding of this crisis as we observe MMIP week here at the Capitol. And as we continue to reflect on this important work, today I want to take a moment to stand in solidarity, wearing denim, in support of survivors and victims of sexual assault, and in recognition of the courage and the resilience of every woman and man who has experienced gender-based violence. For these reasons, I ask for your aye vote on HR 31.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to say first thank you to those who have already spoken. very eloquently from the Black Caucus and Native American Caucus. Thank you to the author from the San Fernando Valley, and thank you to the presenter from Santa Clarita who spoke so truthfully on this issue. I rise as vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in proud support of HR 31 in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in honor of Denim Day. And I will say first that believing survivors and expanding their access to justice are foundational to my personal legislative work. The very first bill that a constituent ever asked me to carry was about survivors' access to justice. And every year since, I have worked to create exactly that because I believe our job here in the legislature is to protect the most vulnerable, to prevent the most heinous crimes, and to amplify the voices of those who have been the most silenced. and that commitment is deeply rooted in Jewish faith, tradition, and culture. For Jewish people, justice is not optional. It is literally commanded. The Hebrew word tzedak or justice appears again and again in Jewish texts, prayers, and values, and central to that justice is a fight for survivors to be believed. this goes back to biblical times such as when Tamar fought against her half Amnon trying to stop him from raping her and then truly spoke truth to power saying aloud what had happened to her in the face of overwhelming opposition And this work is carried forward today with organizations like the National Council of Jewish Women in San Francisco, who work to preserve human dignity and freedom, and are fighting to end sex trafficking and other forms of sexual violence, or scholars like Dr. Rochelle Ziedel focused on uncovering the sexual violence of the Holocaust, breaking through the denial and silence so that every survivor is remembered and respected. And yet, as you have heard on this floor time and time again, and also today from our colleague from Santa Clarita, we govern in a moment of profound contradiction. those who have committed sexual assault have been permitted to inhabit our highest halls of power from President Trump in the Oval Office to the Swalwell's of Congress to Epstein and his donor class to Chavez who led a vital worker movement and these perpetrators of sexual violence have been allowed to reach the highest of heights simply because people around them either chose not to believe or chose not to act and so that's the culture that Demi and Denim Day works to interrupt it's a culture that is about more than staying silent and allowing perpetrators to continue Demi Denim Day wants us to do more to be more we wear our jeans today but really what we're trying to do is to dismantle the myths that a survivors clothing or behavior or silence determines their culpability. We are about ending a culture of retaliation and fear that keeps so many from ever coming forward, as you have heard from colleagues right here on this floor. This movement of Denim Day is about replacing sympathy with true prevention. It is about demanding that our institution reflects the values that we hold dear. And so I ask you colleagues to join with the Jewish caucus, the Native American caucus, the Black caucus, and others that you're going to hear from today to deliver on the promise of Denim Day by focusing on justice and dignity, by ensuring prevention, and most importantly, by sending legislation out of this body to the governor's desk that truly uplifts and centers survivors. So on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, I urge your support for H.R. 31.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in support of HR 31. We recognize Denim Day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month to support survivors and stand against victim blaming. Engraged by the 1998 Italian court case that overturned a conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. We continue to carry that global movement. We wear jeans as a sign of protest and solidarity for survivors. Denim Day serves as a powerful reminder that survivors are not at fault because of the clothes they wear. No means no. We must speak out against the harmful myths, jokes, and stereotypes that silent survivors, embolden abusers, and contribute to a violent culture. We must empower survivors to share their stories without fear or shame and teach our society and the next generation of affirmative consent I would like to thank my colleague from Susan City for sharing her story and the many survivors that maybe today didn't share their story and that lived throughout our state of California for being courageous in their journey and for speaking up in their own very way. It's never the victim's fault. Thank you, speaker and members. on behalf of the LGBTQ caucus, I respectfully request an aye vote on HR 31. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise to and strong support of HR 31. And I want to thank the member from Susan for sharing her childhood girlhood story because I wasn't planning on speaking, and yet her memory reminded me of myself being eight and nine years old with my sister and I walking home from school where a car pulled up to us and the man driving exposed himself to us. Thankfully, we were able to run and report. And at that time, being just eight years old, we called the police and the police came to our house and we had to explain what had happened. But of course, it could have been much worse. We know that with sexual assault, it often happens within the family circle from relatives, even family members living within the home. We know that sexual assault often happens from somebody that the individual knows, perhaps a date, where we get the term date rape. But sexual assault happens everywhere, whether it's at churches or schools and bathrooms, everywhere. And we know for women, it's always that alert that we have to think about as we walk, even around the Capitol, even to our homes. It's always a thought. We also know that it happens to boys and men and girls and women and even children and babies. So we have to ask ourselves what is happening in our culture, what is happening in our world that perpetuates this? What is happening that there are online date rape sites? What is happening when we look at predators that are out there and it goes back to what can we do about it? and certainly the first step is believing individuals, but the second step is educating. And when we talk about educating, it's about respect for women. It's about understanding when no means no. And sometimes it's the simplest form, and yet that is not understood. Many of us hold self-defense workshops, and those are often done by your local public safety and what they teach us is how do you defend yourself and yet we have to understand who these perpetrators are and what they're looking for and often it's a woman who's not prepared so let Ladies, be on alert. Put your cell phones away when you're walking. Notice your surroundings. We have to start somewhere. But with that, we have to begin with believing women. Thank you, and I support HR 31.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 31, recognizing Denim Day, a day that stands with survivors of sexual violence and send a clear message, we believe you. This issue is not abstract to me. It's deeply personal. I'm a survivor of workplace sexual violence. I was proud to be a part of the We Said Enough movement. Women in this very capital who stood up, spoke out, and demanded that this institution do better. We stood strong to make sure women are safe in these halls. But let me be clear, standing up is not easy. When I chose to speak out, I paid a price. I was fired, not from one job, but from two. I was blackballed out of Sacramento, but I didn't stay down, my friends. I came back as an assembly member. And now I stand here with the commitment to make sure no woman has to choose between her safety and her livelihood. I want to thank the leaders of We Said Enough, Adama Awu and Samantha Corbin and the others, for their courage and their leadership. They helped build a movement that changed this capital and continues to push us forward. Because here's the truth. It's hard to report. It's hard to come forward. But when there's an infrastructure in place where survivors are supported, believed, and protected, it becomes possible. That is what Denim Day represents. It's not just about awareness. It's about accountability. It's about culture change. It's about ensuring that every workplace, including this one, is safe for everyone. So today, I stand not just as a legislator, but as a survivor. And I say we will continue this work. We will continue to build systems that protect and support and uplift survivors. Because enough was said, and now we act. Thank you.

Thank you, everybody. I have no prepared remarks, but I do have something that I believe deserves to be spoken about. And that is, it is heartwarming to see this body rally around inappropriate behavior at the expense of another individual. But let me just tell you, we've got work to do. I've been part of supporting legislation that has failed here. And it's shocking to me. When we rally around this degree of inappropriate behavior, but we can't rally around finding it within us to punish those who sexually assault developmentally disabled individuals. It doesn't even, in most cases, rise to the level of felony. shame on us who in the world wants to stand and defend individuals who would prey upon these vulnerable people Shameful We definitely got work to do and I want you to know that I will do all I can whether I'm here in this body or whether I'm not here in this body, to fix this problem. It's shameful, and I'm thankful we're rallying around this aspect. And I want to thank all the women who have had the courage to stand here and expose the fact that they were abused in this manner. It's wicked. It's hurtful. It's painful. And I think in our effort to try to be balanced in the way we hand out penalties, we need to be mindful of the victims and the fact that, you know, I heard in public safety just not long ago someone on the other side talk about healing. For the perpetrators. I think that we need to think about the healing of those who have been assaulted. And try to, I don't know how you balance that. I just don't. But one thing I do know is you need to hold people to a degree of accountability for being so hurtful. Because their actions are many times permanent. Thank you for your time.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, there's an old saying that the truth is the best armor. Today, many of us stand on this floor wearing a different kind of armor, denim. Now, to some, a pair of jeans might seem like a common, everyday thing. But in the context of today, this fabric represents a profound moral statement. It stands as a reminder of a time not so long ago when a court suggested that the clothes a woman wore could somehow excuse the inexcusable. We wear this denim today to say with one clear and unwavering voice, no consent is not a matter of fashion it's a matter of fundamental human dignity but as we look at this symbol of justice my thoughts turn to those who have worn a much heavier uniform the men and women of our armed forces we often speak of America as that shining city on a hill a beacon of hope for the world. That beacon is kept lit by the sacrifice of our veterans. Yet, for too many of our heroes, the greatest threat they faced wasn't on a foreign battlefield, but within their own ranks. Military sexual trauma is a quiet crisis that strikes at the very heart of the trust that holds our military together. When a soldier, a sailor, an airman, or a moraine is betrayed by one of their own, it isn't just a crime. It's a breach of the sacred bond that makes our nation's defense possible. I think of the veterans returning home to California, perhaps the quiet community of the 36th Assembly District, or the bustling streets of our great cities. they carried our flag with honor but many returned carrying a heavy weight a silent burden Statistics tell us that nearly one in four women veterans and many thousands of brave men have faced this trauma For them, the war didn't end at the homecoming parade. It followed them home in the form of isolation, PTSD, and a struggle to find their place in the civilian world. We owe them more than just our gratitude. We owe them a state that is as committed to their healing as they were to our protection. Government's first duty is to protect the people. and our highest calling is to stand up for those who have been silenced. Today, as we wear this denim, let us recommit ourselves to the work of justice. Let us ensure that every veteran who has suffered knows that they are not alone, they are not forgotten, and their courage in speaking out is just as heroic as their service in uniform. We can do better. We must do better. And by the grace of God, we will. As someone who was, as I've said on this floor many times, sexually assaulted as a seven-year-old boy. And then in the military again. I choose to heal out loud and tell these things because that's how I live my journey. Because there are other men out there and women who are struggling with just talking about it. So I talk about it. Not, you know, some people might fear that they will be looked at in a weird way or looked at and put in a corner. But let me tell you this. Your vulnerability is your strength. Your truth is your strength. So today, colleagues, I rise in support of H.R. 31, and I ask you to rise in support of the men and women who serve this nation and those who have been assaulted, who have not served, who are just our community members, to rise and protect them, not only in voice, but in action. Mr. Speaker, I yield.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I, like my seatmate, wasn't planning on speaking today. But when I got here in this legislature, we were at about a quarter women, maybe 25%. We are now at almost 50% women. And it has been amazing to watch the transformation that representation means in this body and in this legislature. In the beginning of my career here, I sat on the Public Safety Committee with my colleague from Palmdale. and there was a bill coming forward right around Denim Day by now Senator Cervantes. When I got here, the law said that women or men who were sexually assaulted had to have a hearing during the course of their trial to determine here in California whether what they were wearing justified the sexual assault. Most judges were deeming the evidence inadmissible And so what was the harm in putting a sexual assault survivor through this hearing? And so the law sat on the books. It was literally what Denim Day was about. We had to fight like hell to get that bill passed. I remember the day it was up in public safety, Senator Cervantes was sick, or her children were sick. And we did her proud and we got that bill out but it was a fight And so things have changed and representation frankly is better I want to thank all of my colleagues who stood up to speak about their own experiences It's not surprising so many can. 30 to 50 percent of women have experienced sexual assault. And it isn't just women, as we heard from our colleague. Thank you for sharing your story. It's so important that we all speak. But we do need our actions to follow this. But I want to be clear that when we act to protect sexual assault survivors, like every space we legislate in, we should allow the survivors to lead us. We should listen to the people who are most impacted by any work we do. And that's true here in this context as well. And through listening and acting, listening to the survivors, the people who are most impacted, I truly believe we can move our law to a way that is more just. because honestly, sexual assault isn't just about using our bodies in ways in which they should never be used. It is about subjugation and control. It is about making women and others feel less than. It is about so much. And we deserve a world where we are equal, where we are empowered, and where we get to sit in this floor and carry the same power that our male colleagues have. And I will say the last thing I want to say, because the congressman from the 14th has been mentioned many times today, the former congressman, I want the survivors out there to know that we are here. We are here to change the law. We are here to hear them. We are also here to speak up for them. These seats are not working at anything if we are not preventing people from being sexually assaulted in the workplace. And so I ask them, if they can, and I know it's hard, to allow us to do the work to make sure the people who serve in the highest offices in California are not people who would ever do such a thing. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

I want to thank my colleagues today. there are too many. There's too many of us to speak. And there is more work to do. There's a lot more work to do. I don't think anyone would say that our job is done. But if we truly come together, if we truly work together, we can make impactful change in a way that brave voices in these halls and in this capital community have done and throughout our state have done. to truly make a difference and to change the culture. So we know it can happen. We know it can happen if we have brave voices, if we are part of that change that needs to happen. And so on this day, we ask that everyone be a part of that solution and ensure that we are protecting everyone who has experienced sexual assault and preventing it from happening in the future. And with that, I respectfully request an aye vote on H.R. 31 and for the first roll call to be open for co-authors.

Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm pleased to present AB 1621, which aims to strengthen the integrity and efficiency of California's housing approval process. AB 1621 streamlines the housing approval process by closing loopholes and local permitting timelines, holding agencies accountable when they cause delays, and helping ensure California can build housing faster and more efficiently. By cutting red tape, the bill supports timely housing development to better meet the state's growing needs. I'm thankful that this bill has strong bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Assemblymember Gonzalez, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 1704, which would direct the California Air Resources Board to assess the cost of using low embodied carbon building materials compared to conventional materials. If carbon determines that cost parity between materials is not achieved, the new lower embodied carbon standards would be paused for up to 10 years. Our goal is simple. We must support housing that is both affordable and environmentally responsible. These new standards are about to take effect, yet we still don't know whether the housing markets prepared for such a major shift. If costs rise, we risk increasing building and home prices beyond what our low-income and vulnerable communities can actually afford. Californians are already facing severe housing shortages and affordability challenges. This bill ensures that we don't get worse. We need data-driven responsibility, policy inflammation. We often talk about affordability here. Now we must deliver it in every decision that we make. This bill is balancing environmental standards with affordability. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I truly approach every bill trying to get to yes, and I often don't get there, as my colleagues across the aisle know. I don't speak out against every bill that I vote against. for a variety of reasons. But this bill, I am proud to urge a yes vote on. And I was kind of shocked when I read it, AB 1704 by my colleague from Los Angeles. And here's the thing. Buddy, we got to keep it going. This is a good start, all right? As we are in the water with our floaties on, trying to tame the bureaucratic beast that the state government has become That exactly what AB 1704 does This body passed a well but very misguided unrealistic bill years ago then handed it off to a bureaucracy that has no concept of cost. All they do is they look at regulation and restriction and mandate, and I'm assuming that they're well-intended, but I just don't think they're balanced or tethered by what it costs Californians to comply with a lot of the good intentions but untethered from reality bills that are passed from this body. this bill i hope you will read it again after you vote for it take it back to your office and read it again and then think of some other costly part of state government and take this model and apply it what we're basically saying to the bureaucracy is if we pass a bill and and and cause a mandate to be enforced don't do it until the market can come up with a cost neutral way to comply I firmly believe in the power of human innovation. I believe that Californians are the smartest out there, that we have an amazing market. And if we say, hey, we think we need to do more on the environment, and so here's the goal for the environment, come back to us with a cost-neutral solution. If we approached every problem that way, we wouldn't have to sacrifice our environment. We could actually have both an affordable cost of living and a good environment. So here is the homework assignment on AB 1704. Anyone want to take these items? How about we apply this bill to all CARB regulations? California Air Resources Board. How about we, I would love to amend it. Yes, would you accept a friendly amendment on the floor? How about we apply it to every mandate issued by the Public Utilities Commission that causes someone's electricity bill to go up? How about we do it for the entire damn cap-and-trade program that was just reauthorized by this body? Any takers? Look, take the bill. Take it back to your office. I will work with you. My colleagues on this side, I will work with you. There are ways to do this in a bipartisan manner. We don't have to sacrifice some of the intentions that you have put into law over the years. But when it's not cost neutral, we are committing a sin of trying to impose the cost on working families. Because those are the ones that always get hit. So I urge us, let's not let it die with this one small step. It's a good step. It's an important step. It's something that the member from Los Angeles deserves great praise and kudos for. But let's expand it to other areas. With that, I ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to rise in support of this bill. And now that the Assemblymember from San Diego and the one from Clovis has signed off, I expect unanimous support for it. But I did just want to make a mention to the author as well as I really do appreciate what this bill is looking at when it comes to studying the cost. The only suggestion that I would ask would be if there could be a third party that actually commissions the study instead of asking CARB itself to do it because I think that would help provide efficacy when the study is committed So, again, thank the author for bringing this bill as we look at these studies. Thank you.

Thank you to my colleagues from Clovis and from San Diego for their positive comments today. which happens to be National Tele Story Day today. So thank you for that. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will remain in support of this bill today as this is a support, support, bipartisan support bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and ask for your aye vote.

Assemblymember Lee, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. members, AB 1916 simply updates the definition of certified interpreter in the law to include American Sign Language interpreters, allowing them to participate in the existing collective bargaining framework. Respectfully ask your aye vote. Thank you, Assemblymember Lee. All debate

Assemblymember Ward, you are recognized. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Members, AB 2559 requires local governments which collect refundable deposits as a condition of issuing a construction and demolition permit to return the full deposit if the permit holder submits all required documentation demonstrating compliance with the deposit's terms. Within three years of the project's final inspection, this bill is enjoyed broad bipartisan support and has received no no votes. I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you Assemblymember Ward. I'll debate having ceased. Clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. The clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. I-61, no-0. The measure passes. File item 131, that's AB 2663. This is a 54-vote bill by Assemblymember Rogers. The clerk will read. Assembly rule 2663 by Assemblymember Rogers and others, an act relating to alcoholic beverages and declaring the OCC thereof to take effect immediately. Assemblymember Rogers, you are recognized. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. AB 2663 is a support-support sunset extension bill, and I urge an aye vote. Thank you, Assemblymember Rogers. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes. I-64, no-0 on the urgency. I-64, no-0 on the measure. The measure passes which brings us to our last item of the day file item 132 that AB 2731 by Assemblymember Addis The clerk will read Assembly Bill 2731 by Assemblymember Addis an act relating to alcoholic beverages Assemblymember Addis, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present AB 2731 that expands the number of on-sale general alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County to account for disparities in the population. And I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you, Assemblymember Addis. All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll. Tally votes. I 63, no 0. The measure passes. We're going to pass and retain on file item 133. That brings us to the Senate third reading file. File items 136 through 140. We're going to pass and retain on those. Which brings us to a vote on the consent calendar. File item 153. Does any member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar? Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar. Assembly Bill 2280 by Assemblymember Johnson, an act relating to liens. Clerk will open the roll on the consent calendar. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. I-64, no-zero. Consent calendar is adopted. Members, we are going to be moving to adjournments in memory. Before I lift the quorum call, Please a reminder that anyone in Denham to remain after the adjournment in memory to take a photo on the floor. The quorum call is lifted. Let's give our respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on their adjournment in memory. And please take conversations off the floor. Thank you. Thank you. Assemblymember Colosa, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory from the Majority

Thank you, Assemblymember Colosa. Members, let us now observe a moment of silence to honor the life of this historic Californian, Dado Banatau. Thank you. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving on to announcements. The following committee hearings are scheduled to meet right now. Budget Subcommittee 1 in Capital Room 127 and Revenue and Taxation in Capital Room 126. Session schedules as follows. Tuesday, April 28th, check-in session. Wednesday, April 29th, check-in session. Thursday, April 30th, floor session at 9 a.m. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. majority leader Aguiar Curry moves and Mr. Lackey seconds that this house stands adjourned until Thursday April 30th at 9 a.m. the quorum call is lifted and we are adjourned Thank you Thank you. Thank you.