Floor — 2026-04-16 (partial)

Please join me in a moment of reflection. I'd like to share one of my monthly notes to our infant grandnephew. Happy ninth birthday, little one, and welcome to your first spring season. Your Uncle Bob loves the spring and summer. Your Auntie Patty loves the autumn and winter. I guess that's a way of saying every season of the year has its own charm and is wonderful. And this is your first spring season. The days and months will quickly pass, the seasons change, and the years will go by. Soon you will take for granted the seasons, thinking they are an endless cycle. We all have done that, but how many springs will be ours to enjoy? However many, that number is limited. This awareness will grow in meaning the older you become. For your auntie and uncle, this is especially meaningful because we are old. We know that the seasons we now enjoy have always been limited, and so we do our best to just enjoy them all. I remember your great-grandpa, my dad, looking around the dining room when our whole family gathered for a Thanksgiving feast. Your dad was maybe seven years old at the time. Great-grandpa looked so content. Then I heard him quietly say, Now is the best time, just because we are all together. Your great-grandpa knew that any time we can be together with family is a moment to cherish. We wish you a long, full life, little one, and we hope you learn to appreciate every season, holding close the people you love while you have them. Love your Auntie Patty. Let us all appreciate every season and hold close to people we love while we have them. Namu Amidabusu. Let us live with kindness and gratitude beyond words.

Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under our indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assembly Members Michelle Rodriguez, Garcia, and Papan to have guests in the rear of the chamber today.

I move to withdraw AB 2148 Marasucci and AB 2341 Fong from the Appropriations Committee and order the bills to the second reading file.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 97, I request unanimous consent to re-refer File Item 94, AB 2655 Valencia, to the Appropriations Committee.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 51, I request unanimous consent to refer AB 2615 Zabir to the Education Committee.

At the request of the author, please remove File Number 172ACR129 Haney from the consent calendar.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee. AB 1750, Coloza from the Higher Education Committee to the Education Committee. AB 1770, Garcia from the Health Committee to the Judiciary Committee. AB 1805, Ransom from the Communications and Conveyance Committee to the Emergency Management Committee. AB 1850, Irwin from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee. AB 1869 Haney from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Labor and Employment Committee. AB 2060 Marisucci from the Public Employment and Retirement Committee to the Education Committee. AB 2119 Jackson from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee. And AB 2318 El Harari from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the following committees to notice bills pending re-referral. Judiciary to set AB 1557 Pappen for their hearing on Tuesday, April 21st pending re-referral from the Transportation Committee. Privacy Committee to set AB 2285 Valencia for their hearing on Tuesday April 21st pending re from the Banking and Finance Committee Higher Education Committee to set AB 2606 Ellis for their hearing on Tuesday April 21st pending re-referral from the Natural Resources Committee. Local Government Committee to set AB 1751 Quirk Silva, AB 2296 Pappen, AB 2480 Avila Farrius, AB 2576 Harbidion, and AB 2601 Lee for their hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd, pending re-referral from the Housing and Community Development Committee. And Utilities Energy Committee to notice the following bills for their hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd. AB 2163, Jeff Gonzalez, pending re-referral from the Economic Development and Growth and Household Impact Committee. AB 2647 Calderon pending re-referral from the Natural Resources Committee. Governmental Organization Committee to notice the following bills for their hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd. AB 1578 Jackson pending re-referral from the Local Government Committee. And AB 2653 Lee pending re-referral from the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules to take up AB 2670 immediately without reference to file in order to protect vulnerable Californians from the ongoing Medi-Cal fraud crisis and hold criminals accountable.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I make the debatable motion to re-refer AB 2624, the Stop Nick Shirley Act, back to the Privacy Committee.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I make the debatable motion to re-refer AB 2624, the Stop the Nick Shirley Act, back to the Privacy Committee.

Correct.

We understand the rules.

Seconded by Mr. Tangipa. The reason why I make the motion.

I understand, Mr. Speaker, and we will keep our comments to the propriety of the re-referral of AB 2624, the Stop Nick Shirley Act. The reason why we are asking it to be re-referred to the Privacy Committee is that the author of this bill misrepresented contents of the bill, lied to committee members, and as a result, the Privacy Committee was denied their opportunity to a fair vetting of the bill I urge this body to send this bill back to the Privacy Committee so that they can revote on this bill. I do not believe that the members of the committee would vote to advance it out of committee as they did last week.

If they knew.

Point of order.

Mr. Speaker, no one should be talking about one of my members on the floor that they are a liar.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The confusion created around this bill can easily be resolved if the bill is sent back to Privacy Committee and the language of the bill is actually vetted. Section 6218.19 was misrepresented at the Privacy Committee as not stopping citizen journalists from recording and posting Internet evidence of fraud. That's exactly what this bill does. Read the language yourself. It is plain English. First Amendment lawyers are appalled by this. Journalist organizations are appalled by this. This is an infringement on the First Amendment rights of individuals and journalists to go out and uncover fraud. The Privacy Committee deserves the right of proper, truthful information as to what the contents and the effect of a bill would be. Assembly Bill 2624, when I questioned the author at committee, she denied that her bill had these provisions in the text. And now we find just looking at the plain English provisions, section 6218.19 prohibits an individual from posting a video online if the fraud organization says you can't do that. The fraud organization can then, quote, seek injunctive and declaratory relief in a court of competent jurisdiction. The citizen journalist then could be bankrupt with high costly attorney's fees and penalties. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that if the Privacy Committee had the proper, accurate, truthful information on the contents of this bill, that it never would have been referred out of the Privacy Committee. The best way to do this bill is to refer it back to Privacy Committee. And that's why I'm making this motion under Assembly Bill 96. Republicans are concerned about this bill, and we would like you to hear out our arguments in favor of the re-referral.

I move to lay the motion on the table. I'd like to offer a substitute motion to move to business on the daily file.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members. We've got a very special treat today. So it's truly my honor to recognize Captain Zenos Christakis and Lieutenant Colonel Fousekis and the F-Zones who serve as Greece's presidential guard and stand as a powerful symbol of Greece's heritage, as well as the enduring values of democracy, which of course brings us all here, and the rule of law. I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the United Hellenic Societies of California for organizing the visit of the EBSONES, as they're called. That's our version of soldier. EBSONES to the Bay Area and the California legislature. The legacy of EBSONES is deeply intertwined with the history of Greece. Across centuries, from the fight for independence in ancient times and into modern times, they have been instrumental in the development of modern Greece. modern Greece. Today, they stand as a proud symbol of Greek culture at home and across the globe. Excuse me. They continue their legacy through their ceremonial duties with their distinctive uniforms. They bring to life Greece's rich history and deep sense of tradition. Each and every one of these guards can understand that I'm coughing while giving my remarks, has demonstrated incredible dedication, discipline, and unwavering commitment to honoring those who came before them with the utmost respect. As a proud Greek-American to the members of the EVEZONES, I say we are honored to welcome you to California and we thank you for your service in representing the culture and the traditions of Greece So thank you for being here Please recognize my distinguished guests Thank you. Thank you.

Great. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, today I rise to recognize an extraordinary group of student-athletes whose dedication and discipline has brought great pride to their school and community. The Whitney High School Girls Cross Country Team. This is the high school in which I actually live pretty much right across the street. They're all my neighbors. In November, this remarkable team won the 2026 Division II State Championship, again earning the state title. But even more impressive this team has secured the Sac Joaquin Section title for four consecutive years So in the gallery up here we have head coach Jerry Dodge coaches Dave Kopech Hunter Schwab athletic director Meredith Kane, assistant principal in charge of athletics Penny Shelton, and I also got to recognize the amazing athletes, of course, Sophie Hutchinson, Ava Soto, Jane Landon, Kaylee Smith, Addie Ewers, Ava Hurin, and Isabel Lael. I do want to say one other thing is that Jane Landon, I should say this, is actually the granddaughter of former Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, who is right back here in the back of the chambers. So welcome Ms. Bonilla back to the chambers as well. But she, yes.

But she came up to me and she said she too wanted to be here to recognize her granddaughter and recognize the entire team for their successes, and that was really important to her. So congratulations to my neighbors and these amazing young women and the amazing job you've been doing over several years. So thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise today to present ACR 120, which is back on concurrence. Amendments in the Senate fixed and a typo. Thank you, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Colleagues, today I rise to present Assembly Concurrent Resolution 150, which declares the week of April 12, 2026 as California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency calls. professionals and render life-saving assistance to Californians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is celebrated nationally but had its start in California. When in 1981, Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office first started the idea. To all our dispatchers and system professionals, thank you for all the sacrifices you make to create a better and safer work for the public. Your commitment to your profession is appreciated by the residents you serve. Please join me in celebrating these important professionals, and I also ask that the first row will be open for co-authors.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I am honored to rise in support of ACR 150, which places a much-deserved spotlight on our state's vital safety telecommunications workers. My aunt is a public safety dispatcher and tirelessly serves her community whenever emergency assistance is needed. And my district, like many of you, is rich with current and former frontline public safety professionals who have relied on the hard, often thankless work of these dedicated public safety telecommunicators. I recently visited a communications center in Rialto, and staff there shared that due to funding challenges, they have lost significant numbers of their workforce to other industries. We cannot allow this. California's public safety telecommunicators provide essential assistance for all Californians serving as the first critical contact for anyone seeking emergency services. And without them, our entire emergency response network cannot function. As a key component of the chain of survival, the work of public dispatchers is of vital importance, and our work here in this body must reflect their level of importance both to us and to the protection and preservation of life and property. I would like to thank the author for bringing this ACR forward, and I respectfully urge your aye vote. Thank you.

I just asked for an aye vote

with me today here are representatives from the dispatcher community please join me in welcoming Jordan Robert, Communications Dispatch Manager at the Regional Fire Communications Center with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and President of CalNINA, California Chapter of National Emergency Number Association. Michael Bextran, Assistant Chief for Tactical Communication at California Office of Emergency Services and President of the Northern California APCO Chapter Association of Public Safety. Communication Officials Tina Meyer, Communications Supervisor with the Brea Police Department and Southern California APCO Chapter President. Please join me in welcoming him Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. AB 2233 ensures that when a treatment is prescribed and approved for someone with autism, Patients can accept it and will not lose the right treatment hour for missing appointment. Children with autism in California are facing real challenge accessing therapy treatment. Even after a healthcare provider, which right care and a health plan authorizes it, families often cannot fully use those hours, creating a gap between approval and access. Sometimes families are struggling to find a provider or dealing with health issues. It can make them miss an appointment. Unfortunately, those unused hours can be cowed against them and are no longer authorized. AB 2233 does not interfere with utilization, review, or medical necessity determination. Health plan will continue to have full authority to review care, ensure clinical appropriateness, and address fraud or over-utilization. This bill does not expend benefit or mandate new services. AB 2233 simply clarify that once care is authorized, a patient can access it and does not lose it because of a misappointment. This bill has received a strong bipartisan support, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. AB 1601 is a district bill being brought on behalf of the retirees for the county of Sonoma. Sonoma County is the only county in the state that would require legislation to be able to even consider a cost of living adjustment for its retirees. As a result, it's been since 2008 that these retirees have seen any type of an increase, which has cut into their purchasing power by nearly 60%. To be clear, this bill does not grant them the COLA. It creates a pathway where in which the Board of Supervisors, who are fully in support of this bill, could work with actuarials to be able to create a limited and targeted cost of living adjustment for the lowest paid workers at the county. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present AB 1801, which will strengthen the public knowledge of whether they will have a private detention facility in your own backyard. SB 29 in 2017 established a review and public hearing process for opening a private immigration detention facility, but recent cases exposed loopholes that allowed rush approvals and limited meaningful impact. AB 1801 closes those loopholes by requiring a full 180-day notice before approval, ensuring hearings are properly spaced, and applying transparency rules to all related agreements. This bill ensures communities have a real, meaningful voice in decisions that happen in their own neighborhood about private detention facilities, and these private detention facilities are not good neighbors. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

April 17th through April 23rd, 2026 as Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week in California. This resolution ensures that we remember one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century, And we honor the resilience in survivors and their families. April 17, 2026 marks the 51st anniversary of the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia, which began a brutal regime led by Pol Pot. Between 1975 and 1979, more than 1.7 million Cambodians, roughly 21 percent of the population, died through genocide, starvation, forced labor, and crimes against humanity. Families were separated, religious institutions destroyed, intellectuals targeted, and Cambodian culture was deliberately attacked. California is home to the largest Cambodian population in the United States, and Long Beach is recognized as the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia. Californians have strengthened our state through public service, entrepreneurship, arts, culture, and community leadership. This resolution honors survivors who rebuilt their lives after unimaginable trauma. It also recognizes the children and grandchildren of survivors who continue to carry forward Cambodian heritage and contribute to our communities. Remembering genocide is not only about the past. It is about vigilance in the present. We must teach future generations where hatred, authoritarianism, and dehumanization can lead. H.R. 103 stands for truth. It stands for remembrance. It stands for justice. It stands for respect. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

to adjourn majority leader Aguiar curry moves and mr. Patterson seconds that