March 23, 2026 · 5,515 words · 14 speakers · 78 segments
Thank you. Secretary will call the roll.
Allen, Alvarado Gill, Archuleta, Araguin, Ashby, Becker, Blakespeare, Cabolden, Caballero, Cervantes, Troy, Cortese, Daly, DeRazzo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limon, McGuire, McNerney, Menjafar, Nilo, Ochoa Bog, Padilla, Perez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Sayarto, Smallwood Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Baladeras, Wahab, Weber Pearson, Wiener.
A quorum is present. Colleagues, if we can return to our guests and please rise. Return to our desks and please rise. Will the guests be on the railing please rise? We'll be led in prayer this morning by Senator Cortese. After which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cortese.
Thank you, Madam President. Gracious and merciful God, since 1993, World Water Day has been celebrated on March 22nd. This year, the theme Water and Gender explains how water access affects gender equality. We pray for all women and girls who are mostly responsible for collecting water each day in many parts of the world, walking long distances to accomplish the task. We lament this burden that keeps girls out of school and limits their opportunities to contribute to the betterment of their societies. We pray to be aware that as climate change leads to scarcity of water in countries already experiencing droughts, women and girls experience more domestic violence because of their inability to find sufficient water. Merciful God, give us guidance on how to be better stewards of this finite resource on which all our lives depend. open our eyes to the urgency for governments and civil society to work for sustainable and affordable solutions to the world water crisis. We ask all of this in your name. Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, and in this world, with liberty and justice for all.
Chancellor Without objection members Senate Rule 55 is suspended to allow guests on the floor for today floor session Moving to privileges of the floor, we have four introductions today. Senator Laird has two special introductions from the Majority Leader's desk. Senator Laird, if your guests are ready.
What did we decide we were doing with that? I would do the picture with him without the easel. Perfect. You?
Senator Laird.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise to welcome the winner of the 2025 California Wildlife Photo of the Year, Ms. Alice Cahill, who happens to be a resident of my district in Morro Bay. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy and the California Watchable Wildlife sponsor the annual wildlife photo contest to acknowledge photos that illustrate California's diverse wildlife and natural lands. Ms. Cahill's photo was taken at Atascadero Lake, obviously not far from Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County in my district. And it's an incredible photograph, and we will be photographed with it in the back in a moment so you can all see it, that shows the exact instant a bald eagle snatched an American coot out of midair. This is not an older guy. This is actually an animal that was a coot that was snatched out of the air. She is joined by her husband, Don, We must thank for gifting Alice with her first real camera in 1992. The photo reflects her passion, patience, and commitment to her craft. I ask my colleagues to give a warm welcome to this honoree, Ms. Alice Cahill.
Congratulations. Let's see that photo, Senator Laird. Please join the award recipient for a group photo. Thank you. Thank you Thank you Thank you. All right, Senator Laird, you may proceed with your second introduction.
Thank you. The second introduction is somebody you all know, Chuck Bonham, who just finished 15 years as the longest-serving director of fish and wildlife in California history. He managed to shepherd the department through the 150th anniversary. He was a key strategist of the governor in the 2024 strategy for salmon surviving in a hotter, drier future. He led the development of five major water infrastructure permits. His department has really been instrumental in the marine protected areas and the enforcement. he has had an amazing career and there are now more scientists in the Department of Fish and Wildlife than wildlife officers it has been a real orientation and he has really moved this department into the modern century he's going on to the Nature Conservancy where many of us will be able to continue to work with him because he is the California director but he was part of an amazing team that really protected fish and wildlife in California. And I know there's another speaker, another two speakers. Uh-oh, here comes the Joshua tree. But I just hope at the appropriate time you will all join me in thanking him for an incredible public career.
Before we thank him, we're going to move into our speaker, Senator Grove,
on this introduction. Thank you, Madam President. I just echo my colleagues' comments because you were a really good director and not that we agreed on everything that you did. As a matter of fact, we probably didn't agree on a lot, but you were always responsive. You always were solution-orientated. If we couldn't get everything we wanted, you were trying to navigate how we could make things better, especially in our rural communities, rural mountain communities, and in the Kern River area where I was at, or I'm at. So thank you very much for your service. Senator McGuire you're recognized. Thank you so
much Madam President. Rise alongside both senators to be able to just say a few
words about Mr. Director's outstanding leadership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. I've had the honor to be able to work with him over the past decade as chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture and I got to say Chuck Bonham shows up every single time. Returns every text returns every phone call and email If you want to know anything about Dungeness crab quagga mussels zebra mussels purple urchin smelt oysters and kelp Chuck is your guy And perhaps the most difficult task of all, and I got to say it's one of the most difficult jobs in state service, has been balancing the stewardship of some of California's most threatened species from wolves to Dungeness crab, while also recognizing the communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy fisheries and ecosystems. And Mr. Director has never shied away from these challenges. For more than 15 years, he's been a steady and thoughtful leader, responsive, dedicated, and put people over politics each and every time. Through fisheries disasters, domoic acid outbreaks, whale entanglements, wildfires, he's worked to be able to ensure that California's storied fishing fleet can endure while protecting the fish and wildlife that make these waters so extraordinary. In our sheet, he has put in over 300 hours into the Dungeness Crab Working Group. Ladies and gentlemen, can I get a shell? Yeah. And what I'll also say is we cut our teeth on the issue of landing fees. And that was incredibly difficult to be able to land with the fleet. but guess who was always there every step of the way? Chuck Bonham. I just want to take a moment to say thank you for your leadership. We wish you continued success. You have been the best thing that's happened to that agency. We are going to miss you deeply and really grateful for your incredible work.
Senator Stern.
There's very little I can add other than a few other species to that list. So I just want to round it out for you. Not just the wolves and the mussels and the lions. there's an extinction event that would otherwise have occurred on our watch that isn't now. I believe we won't see that in Southern California because Chuck Bonham, and it's not just about the fish and the mammals and the things we love about California, the wildness that makes us great. It's as people, how we behave in positions of power and how not to let our stature and our ego dominate how we do that job somehow to be that sort of that soldier mindset to not be above others i think that's why you have such respect from across this uh that servant mentality even though um you might you know wield a a large budget and um and have the ability to to give people the stiff arm you never did and um so we'll we'll be missing a great leader um but we know you're not leaving our service so you're never allowed to stop serving the state of California thank you Chuck
seeing no other mics up we'd like to give a round of applause and thank the director for his service and ongoing service the state of California members if we could do a group photo in the back with the director please
Thank you. Thank you.
Senator Gonzalez, please introduce your special guest.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, join me in welcoming to the Senate chamber, Michael Allegria, the fire chief for the city of Avalon. Fun fact, he's not just the fire chief, he's actually my cousin. Chief Allegria is a fourth generation Islander. You can tell by the amazing shirt that he's wearing today. But he has served the city of Avalon for over 24 years, rising through the ranks of firefighter, engineer, captain, before being appointed as chief. He leads the Avalon Fire Department's emergency response, fire prevention, and public safety operations. The department responds to approximately 1,200 fire and EMS calls within city limits each year. And he is responsible for the city of Avalon's sole fire station, including 10 firefighters that are full-time and supported by 30-year-round reserve firefighters, ensuring the safety of 4,000 residents and approximately 1 million visitors annually. Please join me in thanking the Chief, my dear cousin, for his dedication and service to the island and the Avalon community, and the brave men and women who serve alongside him. Thank you, members.
Chief Cousin, thank you so much for your fire service.
Thank you.
For anyone else wishing to crash the family photo, Please join in the back.
Thank you.
Our final special guest introduction today is going to be from Senator Gomez Reyes and Senator Rubio from the Majority Leader SESC.
Thank you, Madam President. Today alongside Senator Rubio I am proud to introduce and welcome a delegation of Inland Empire students student leaders from Cal Poly Pomona to the Senate floor They were referred to us by Dr. Susan Terry Gomez, provost at Cal Poly Pomona, and I will follow in the lead of my colleague, Senator Gonzalez. Fun fact, Dr. Susan Terry Gomez is my sister. These students are here through CHESS, California Higher Education Students Summit, to meet directly with legislators and advocates for policies that impact higher education and the California State University System. The Cal Poly Pomona Associated Students, Inc. delegation is a diverse group of student leaders representing the academic excellence, professional ambition, and civic commitment of the California State University System. They are engaging in critical conversations around affordability, access, student success, and the future of public higher education in our state. Composed of students across disciplines, including political science, communications, psychology, engineering, architecture, animal science, finance, and urban planning, This delegation reflects the breadth of California's future workforce. Thank you, Madam President.
As a state senator representing Cal Poly Pomona, it is my honor to introduce you to these students joining us here today. At the forefront of this delegation is President Emilia Ellsworth, a political science major who will be attending Northeastern School of Law to focus on human and civil rights law. She is joined by Vice President Bia Mayshain, a communications major with an emphasis in multimedia journalism, who also has earned graduate school acceptance from Stanford, USC Berkeley, and USC, an extraordinary achievement that highlights the caliber of CSU students. Supporting their effort is Secretary of External Affairs, Alejandra Lopez Sanchez, a political science who successfully coordinated and secured legislative meetings for the delegation's advocacy efforts at the Capitol today. A great group of students who already came to my office, and I'm super impressed with their talent, just their drive and their dedication to making things better for students. Their delegation includes students preparing for careers in law, public policy, journalism, mental health, higher education leadership, engineering, healthcare, and sustainable design. Together, these students embody Cal Poly Pomona's learn by doing philosophy, demonstrating leadership not only in the classroom, but also in the halls of government, all while representing the next generation of leaders committed to serving and strengthening California's communities. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome these fine students from California State University.
Thank you so much. round of applause to all of them. Before we do sorry so we have one more speaker
on this item. Senator Perez. Just wanted to join with my colleagues and just rec welcoming you all from Cal Poly Pomona. I know you all are here for chess for your CSU Lobby Day which is extra special. I used to be a part of the Cal State Student Association almost 12 years ago and so it's so exciting to see so many of you participating today I know for some of you it your first time visiting Sacramento and visiting the Capitol And so I hope that you soak up the process I remember being in this chamber for the first time and thinking man it be so cool to one day be a senator and now here I am So I hope that you all will continue to be inspired by this work, continue to be involved, and continue to advocate for your fellow students. And now we can welcome these future leaders to the California State Senate.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The President will be deemed read. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly are at the desk. Secretary please read.
Madam President, I am directed to inform your Honorable Body that the Assembly on this day passed. Assembly Bill 2156. Sue Parker, Chief Clerk of the Assembly.
of committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Moving under motions, resolutions, and notices. Without a motion to approve Senate journals, without objection, the Senate journals for March 16, 2026 through March 19, 2026 will be approved as corrected by the minute clerk. Would any other member wish to be recognized under this section? Seeing none, moving into consideration of the daily file. We have items one through four under second reading file. Secretary please read. Senate bill 868 with amendments, 943 with amendments, 978 with amendments, and Senate bill 985 with amendments. Second reading file has been read. We're gonna move into Senate third reading. We have one item item 29 by Senator Ochoa From the Majority Leader desk Secretary, please read file item 29.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 132 by Senator Ochoa-Bo relative to California Steam Robotics Day.
Senator.
Thank you, Madam President and ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. I'm pleased to present SCR 132, which recognizes March 22nd as California STEAM Robotics Day. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, or STEAM, programs help focus students on career technical education training, exposing them to many career paths early on. Today, we celebrate the growing innovation and creativity found in classrooms across California. Students are not just participating in the future, they are building it through the designing, coding, and engineering technologies that will shape our communities. Robotics education provides high quality technical training and it teaches students how to solve real-world problems, giving them 21st century skills that will serve them throughout their life. Research has shown that 78% of college students majoring in these fields made a decision to pursue STEAM related careers while in high school and 21% said middle school or earlier. Proclaiming a California STEAM Robotics Day acknowledges the value of partnerships between our tech industry and our educational institutions in supporting the development of STEAM programs in California schools. Let's Let's continue supporting our students and the STEAM programs that are shaping the next generation. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Choi, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President and colleagues. I rise in strong support of Senate concurrent resolution 132, establishing March 22nd, 2026 as California's STEAM Robotics Day. My support for this measure is rooted in my background as an educator. Before serving in the legislature and at the local level, I spent time teaching at the universities and the community colleges, college levels. And later served on the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education. Those experiences showed me that how we teach matters just as much as what we teach. Students learn best through hands-on experiential learning. That is exactly what the robotics education delivers. As recognized in SCR 132, STEAM programs help students build critical thinking like teamwork and problem solving while preparing them for careers in fields like engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. From the classroom to the school board, I have seen how these programs can change a student's direction. They spark curiosity and open doors to real opportunity. Organizations like FIRST, along with CUNY, Our career technical education programs like my SB 1222 are helping students across California turn knowledge into innovation. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
Senator Weber Pearson, you're recognized.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I too rise in support of SCR 132 and want to thank the Senator for bringing this bill forward. As someone who has done STEM, STEAM as a child, but also continues to do that currently, many of you are aware of the fact that on the weekends I work with my Links chapter and we have our Links to STEM program and we are an FLL robotics team. And so I work with the kids, teaching them coding, along with other experiments. In fact, I just got back with them yesterday from Baltimore because it's also the NSBE junior chapter, and NSBE stands for National Society of Black Engineers, and so we took them there to compete, and so proud of our team that took second place in mathematics. And so it is extremely important, they were competing against students from all over the country, that we are ensuring that we are preparing our California students to not only compete nationally but also internationally. And so with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SCR 132.
Thank you. I see no other mics up. Senator Chobo, you may now close.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank my colleague from Irvine and my colleague from San Diego for sharing their experiences with STEM STEAM. Very proud to know and learn what we have, the talents that you have, and thank you, Senator, from San Diego for the work or your volunteer hours on the weekend. This just shows the caliber of folks that we have on the Senate floor, and I'm so proud to be able to serve with all of you. With that, Madam President, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
Thank you, Senator. Secretary, please call the roll.
Allen. Alvarado Gill. Aye. Aye. Archuleta. Aragon. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Aye. Cobalden. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. Durazo. Gonzales. Durazo, aye. Gonzales, aye. Grayson. Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado. Jones. Aye. Aye. Jones. Aye. Aye. Laird. Aye. Aye. Limon. McGuire. Aye. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Aye. Menjavar. Aye. Nilo. Aye. Ochoa Bog. Aye. Aye. Padilla. Aye. Aye. Perez. Aye. Aye. Richardson. Aye. Aye. Rubio. Sayarto. Aye. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valadirez. Aye. Wahab. Weber Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.
Please call the absent members.
Allen. Archuleta. Aragon. Ashby. Aye. Hurtado.
Limon Rubio Aye Ayes 34 noes 0 The resolution is adopted Senator Ochoa I believe you have some special guests
Now is the time to introduce them. Thank you, Madam President. As a matter of fact, I do. I'm pleased to welcome to the Senate floor some incredibly talented individuals who are making incredible strides within the robotics field. field. The first is Ethan Wynn, a senior from Poway High School and president of his high school robotics competition team. He has been a strong advocate on this issue in the legislature for several years. Next I'll introduce the team from Garner Holt Productions, Garner Holt, president and CEO, Jermaine Kaufman, vice president, and Steven Butler, director of finance. When Ethan first started high school, he says he lacked motivation and direction for his future, but everything changed when he was introduced to his school's robotics competition team. Ethan has gained hands-on experience, learned industry-level skills, and met many people in the tech industry, which has sparked his passion for electrical engineering as a future career. Ethan's team, Team SPDR 1622, is a part of FIRST Robotics, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. There are 2,697 FIRST Robotics teams serving more than 35,000 California students who are gaining confidence and learning the valuable skills needed to inspire the next generation of industry leaders for California's STEM workforce. Ethan finished a competition yesterday in San Diego and immediately jumped on a flight to be here with us today. Thank you Ethan. I'm honored to be collaborating on this issue with such a brilliant young man and I look forward to seeing what he does next. I'm also pleased to have the team from Garner Holt Productions with me today. I know many of you have experienced the magic of animatronics at Disneyland and Disney World, many of which were designed by Mr. Garner Holt. Since 1975, Mr. Garner Holt himself has been immersed in the making of mechanical magic. Some of his most notable works include the animatronics at the MGM Grand Adventures in Las Vegas, and the Haunted Mansion Holiday Ride and Fantasmic at Disneyland. Mr. Garner Holt also started Garner Holt Education through Imagination, or ETI, which is a national leader in hands-on STEAM education for students of all ages. ETI created Garner Holt Anti-Maker Spaces and Career Exploration Labs, which deliver cutting-edge programs that integrate robotics, engineering, and creative design. These spaces help students build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills, and introduce STEAM career pathways. Please join me in recognizing the Garner-Hole team and Ethan Wynn for their achievements in the robotics industry. Welcome to the California State Senate.
Thank you
Thank you. Thank you.
We will now be moving into Governor's appointments. We have five items under Governor's appointments, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, all by Senator Grove. Senator Grove, file item 6.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, file item 6 is a confirmation of Paul Tupi for appointment of Director of Alcohol, Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control. Prior to his leadership role, he had been serving in the department for a deputy division chief. He started his career at ABC over 17 years ago and an enforcement agent in 2009. He was approved by the Rules Committee on the 11th with a 5-0 vote. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.
Thank you. Seeing no mics up, Secretary please call the roll.
Allen Alvarado-Gilla Aye. Archuleta Arrigin Ashby Aye. Aye, Becker. Aye, Blakespeare. Aye, Cobaldon. Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi. Aye, Cortese. Aye, Daly. Aye, DeRazo. Aye, Gonzales. Aye, Grayson. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado. Jones. Aye, Laird. Aye, Limong. McGuire. Aye. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Menjivar. Aye. Aye. Ochoa Bog. Aye. Paria. Aye. Aye. Perez. Aye. Aye. Reyes. Aye Richardson Aye Rubio Aye Sayarto Aye Smallwood Cuevas Aye Stern Aye Strickland Aye Umberg. Aye. Valaderas. Aye. Wahab. Weber Pearson. Aye. Weiner. Aye.
Ayes 34, noes 0. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Grohl, file item 7.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues file item 7 is the confirmation of Peter Bridery for appointment for the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. He has a long history with the commission. Prior to his appointment, he had been serving as an alternate member since the commission's
creation in 1985. He also currently serves as an assistant chief for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. He was approved by the Rules Committee on the 11th with a 5-0 vote. Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Secretary, please call the roll.
Alan. Alvarado Gill. Aye. Archuleta. Arrigin. Ashby. Aye. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choy. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. DeRazzo. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Aye. Grove. Aye. Hurtado. Jones. Aye. Aye. Laird. Limon. Aye. Laird, aye. Limon. Maguire. Aye. Aye. McNerney. Aye. Aye. Menjavar. Aye. Nilo. Aye. Aye. Richardson. Aye. Reyes, aye. Richardson, aye. Rubio. Sayarto. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valaderas. Aye. Wahab. Weber Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.
Please call the absent members.
Allen. Archuleta. Aragin Gonzales Hurtado Limon Rubio Rubio aye Wahab
Oh she just said it
Gonzales aye
Ayes 34 Noes 0 The appointment is confirmed Senator Grohl file item 8.
Thank you Madam President. Colleagues file item 8 is a confirmation of Dr. Youngping Chen for appointment to the California Acupuncture Board. Dr. Chen has served since 2020 and is currently serves as the board's president. She is a licensed acupuncturist and a doctor that specializes in internal Chinese medicine. She is also professor at Alhambra Medical University and she was approved on the 11th as well by the Rules Committee respectfully asked for an aye vote. Secretary please call the roll. Alan, I'll vote
Aye. Archuleta. Aragin. Ashby. Becker. Aye. Blakespeare. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choy. Aye. Cortese. Aye. Daly. Aye. Durazo. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Grayson. Aye. Grove. Aye. Aye, Jones. Aye, Laird. Aye, Limon. McGuire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjivar. Aye. Aye, Nilo. Aye. Aye, Ochoa Bog. Aye. Aye, Padilla. Aye. Aye, Perez. Aye. Aye, Reyes. Aye. Aye, Richardson. Aye. Aye, Rubio. Aye. Aye, Sayarto. Aye. Aye, Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valadez. Aye. Wahab. Weber-Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.
Please call the absent member.
Allen. Archuleta. Aragon. Ashby. Aye. Hurtado. Limon. Wahab.
Ayes 34 and noes 0. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Groh, file item 10.
Thank you, Madam President. File item 10 is a confirmation of Gregory Lung for reappointment to the California Accupunture Board. He's currently retired and was first appointed to the board in 2024. Prior to his retirement, he had a long career as a registered nurse in public health and the health care industry. He was approved also on the 11th by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote. Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Secretary, please call the roll.
Allen, Alvarado Gil. Aye. Aye, Archuleta, Arrigin, Ashby. Aye. Aye, Becker. Aye. Aye, Blakespeare. Aye. Aye, Cabaldon. Aye. Aye, Caballero. Aye. Aye, Cervantes. Aye. Aye, Choi. Aye, Cortese. Aye. Aye, Daly. Aye, Durazo. Aye. Aye, Gonzalez. Aye. Aye, Grayson. Aye. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado. Jones Aye Laird Aye Limon McGuire Aye Aye McNerney Aye Aye Menjivar Aye Aye. Nilo. Aye. Ochoa Bogue. Aye. Padilla. Aye. Aye. Perez. Aye. Aye. Reyes. Aye. Aye. Richardson. Aye. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Aye. Sayarto. Aye. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valadez. Aye. Wahab. Weber-Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.
Ayes 34 and no 0. Appointment is confirmed in. Senator Groh, final item?
Item 11. Thank you. Madam President, colleagues, final item. The final item today is file 11 with the confirmation of Roy Mather for appointment to the Board of Pilot Commissioners in the bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Susun. He is the wharf master for Martinez Refining Company and previously served as a supervisor in the Office of Spill Prevention and Response at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He serves in the board's position as a representative tanker company operations. He was approved on the 11th as well on a 5-0 vote for the rules committee or by the rules committee. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.
Five presentations. I get it, Senator Grove. Secretary, please call the roll.
Allen, Alvarado Gil, Archuleta, Araguin, Ashby, Becker, Blake Spear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choi. Aye, Cortese. Aye, Daly. Aye, DeRazo. Aye, Gonzalez. Aye, Grayson. Aye, Grove. Aye, Hurtado. Jones. Aye, Laird. Aye, Limon. McGuire. Aye, McNerney. Aye, Menjivar. Aye, Nilo. Aye, Echobo. Aye, Padilla. Aye. Aye. Perez. Aye. Reyes. Aye. Richardson. Aye. Rubio. Aye. Sayarto. Aye. Aye. Smallwood Cuevas. Aye. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Aye. Umberg. Aye. Valaderas Aye Wahab Weber Pearson Aye Wiener Aye We We going to be returning to motions and resolutions
To suspend the joint rules without objection, Joint Rule 62A will be suspended to allow the Committee on Governmental Organization to hear Assembly Bill 2156 on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, without sufficient notice in the daily file. Senators, give me a quick minute. So under motions and resolutions, we have one aim to do today. Senator Blackspear, you are recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise today to adjourn in memory of Ann Colchin, a dedicated public servant, trailblazer, and cornerstone of the Carlsbad community who passed away on March 9th at the age of 93. Anne was a role model for local government officials who learned from her example. She devoted over three decades of her life to public service in Carlsbad, serving on the City Council from 1980 to 2012. That's 32 years. Her commitment to good governance, fiscal responsibility, and quality of life helped transform Carlsbad from a quiet seaside town into the thriving, well-planned city that we know today, with the population more than tripling during her tenure. Long before she entered politics, Anne made her mark as an educator, inspiring students with her energy, compassion, and love of learning. Teaching gave Anne a unique perspective. She understood how policies affect families, schools, and opportunities. Her background as an educator grounded her approach to governance, ensuring that every decision she made considered the next generation. Anne was instrumental in ensuring that Carlsbad's growth was balanced with environmental preservation so that the natural beauty of the city's coastline, lagoons, and backcountry was protected in the general plan. She helped shape land use policies that have become models for sustainable city planning throughout California. Anne had a rare gift. She listened before she spoke. She believed in practical progress. She took time to understand the needs of residents and work toward consensus rather than generating conflict. Her calm, methodical approach set a standard for civic leadership. Her colleagues called her the conscience of the council reminding everyone to put the community first She was also known for her meticulous attention to detail She reportedly read every page of every staff report and we all know how challenging that can be. But Anne's impact extended far beyond City Hall. She served on the boards of many coastal preservation groups, as well as the North County Transit District, the San Diego County Water Authority, the Encino Wastewater Authority, and the San Diego Division of the League of California cities. She was always, and she always found room in her schedule for those who needed help or advice. Anne's leadership left a tangible legacy. She helped to build parks, libraries, and infrastructure that continue to serve residents today. In fact, the courtyard of the beautiful Dove Library, which includes a theater and a gallery, is named in her honor. Not long before her passing, she joined family members there for a concert, enjoying the fruits of her labor. Anne embodied public service in its truest form. Her life reminds us that good governance is built on kindness, integrity, and persistence. Anne was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, David. Our condolences go to Anne's children, Steve, Laura, and Leslie, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With gratitude for Anne's extraordinary decades of service, I ask that we adjourn today's Senate in her memory. May we continue to be inspired by her legacy of compassion, wisdom, and community leadership. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator, for sharing Anne's vast legacy with the Senate. Please bring her name forward so that she may be properly memorialized. Members, as a reminder, immediately following a session, we will be following our pro tem. We have been asked to arrive in the Assembly Chambers together for the joint convention on the State of the Judiciary Address. address. If you need a quick break, we'll wait for you at the gate, but we have to walk over together. Madam Pro Tem, there is no other desk on, there is no other business on the desk. It is clear. Thank you, members. After the state of judicia, we will have our next floor session, which is scheduled Thursday, March 26th at 9 a.m. The Senate is in recess until all legislative business has been received. We will reconvene Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. Thank you.