Assembly Governmental Organization Committee, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Derzeit keine Kapitel verfügbar
Legende
Markierungen im Transkript
- Text Aktuell abgespielter Satz
- Text Suchergebnis
- Text Redebeitrag, auf den der geöffnete Link verweist
Klicken Sie auf einen Satz, um das Video ab dieser Stelle abzuspielen. Markieren Sie Text, um ihn mit Redner, Zeitstempel und Link zu zitieren.
Weitere Optionen
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee California State Assembly
Ihren Sitzungen folgenRedner 4
Davies here. Alvarez? Berman? Brian? Brian here.
Carrillo? Dixon. Dixon here. Fong.
Redner 4
Pacheco here. Ramos. Here. Rodriguez here. Solache?
Soria? Here. Soria here. Ta? Ta here.
Valencia? Wallace? Here.
Redner 1
have a motion and a second, but do we have any other any members of the audience in support of the bill? You may come up.
Redner 4
Good afternoon Chair and members. Naomi Padron on behalf of the Distilled Spirits Council in support. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any others in support? Okay. Are there any witnesses in opposition? Okay.
Any members of the public in opposition? Okay. Any questions or comments from the committee? Assemblymember Dixon.
Redner 6
Thank you, Madam Chair. I support the bill. Of course, I always support our restaurants and small business. I do have a question because I represent a beach community. And have you wait.
There's no comment from law enforcement. I'm I don't know the answer, so it's not a trick question. I just wonder if what we're experiencing in our beach communities because there are many restaurants right along the beach within walking distance, and they could leave a restaurant. Is there education or special packaging or how you close-up an open drink? And what what do we do to make sure they're not I'm sure they're going those consumers are going right to the beach and having a good day.
So what do we do to educate people about being careful with their alcohol in public places?
Redner 5
Thank you so much, and I appreciate the question, and it's a great question. I I would say, in short, that if people are taking alcohol to the beach and those kinds of things, then they're subject to open container laws as it is in many beach areas in San Diego and other areas are pretty strict and have zero tolerance. So that is a related issue, but I do think separate. This is this is for folks that are leaving restaurants and transporting by vehicle or going to other places where alcohol is permitted to be consumed. But you raise a good point, and I I think that that, again, is governed by existing open container laws.
Redner 17
And and that's true. And and thank you for that because that's what law enforcement would be, and lifeguards would be enforcing and protecting on the beaches. I so I haven't heard anything. So maybe it's doing all well in Newport Beach, in Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach. Yeah.
Redner 6
But I just wanted to raise that if there was a concern. But if if they are enforcing the laws, that's good. But I I do want our restaurants to get back on their feet. And
Redner 2
I'll say as a proud gaucho, drinking on the beach was something that existed prior to this bill. I imagine it'll exist after this bill, but your point is well taken.
Redner 6
Okay. Well, thank you. Alright. Wouldn't want to get in the way of that. Alright.
Thanks.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any other questions or comments from the committee? Okay. Hearing none, I just wanted to add to that that the safeguards that were put into the bill in 2020 still exist today, so to make sure that we deal with, you know, any unintended consequences that's still in place. I also see that the author will offer committee amendments adding the urgency clause to the measure, citing the need to provide stability for designated on sale licensees during the New Year's Eve holiday.
The amendment is intended to ensure these licensees can continue selling their products without disruption and to prevent economic harm or consumer confusion resulting from the current statutory sunset date of 12/31/2026.
Redner 2
Yeah. I know. And I wanna thank your staff for flagging that and working with our our retailers on that one. We did not want this law to lapse literally on New Year's Eve, which is a huge economic opportunity for our restaurants just to have it restart on January 1, so we made it very clear with an urgency statute.
Redner 1
Thank you. Okay. Let's see. See no other comments. Madam?
We have a motion and a second. Can you call the roll, please?
Redner 4
AB2663, Rogers, the motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment. Rubio? Aye. Rubio, aye. Davies?
Aye. Davies, aye. Alvarez? Berman Brian Brian I. Carrillo Dixon Dixon I.
Phong Phong I. Gabriel Gallagher Gallagher I. Gibson Mesito, I. McKinnar, Wynn, I. Pacheco, I.
Ramos, Rodriguez, I. Solache, Soria, I. Ta, Ta aye. Valencia? Wallace?
Wallace
Redner 1
bill has the votes. We'll leave the roll open for members to add on. Thank you. They're on consent. Yes.
Yes. So we'll go ahead and move on to consent calendar. I need a motion.
Redner 1
Okay. I have a motion by, somebody member Dixon, I'm sorry. Assembly member Davies. A second by assembly member Fong. Can you call the roll, please?
For the consent calendar and yes. Give me
Redner 1
See, the the measures on consent are a b nineteen forty seven, a b nineteen ninety one, Aguirre Curry, a b 2,006, Michelle Rodriguez, a b twenty one seventy three, Wallace, a b twenty three sixty, Arambula, a b twenty three seventy five, Rubio, a b twenty four fifty five, Haney, AB 2,536 Rubio, AB 2,539 Ramos, and AB 2,644 Rubio. Madam Secretary, can you call the roll please?
Redner 4
The motions on the consent calendar are as follows: nineteen forty seven, do pass to appropriations, recommend consent nineteen ninety one, pass to appropriations, recommend consent 2,006, do pass to appropriations, recommend consent 2,173, Do pass to Appropriations, recommend consent. 2360 Do pass to Appropriations, recommend consent. 2,375 Do pass, recommend consent. 2,455 Do pass, recommend consent. 2,536 Do pass to Appropriations, recommend consent.
Two 539, do pass, recommend consent. 2640 four, do pass to appropriations, recommend consent. Rubio? Aye. Rubio, aye.
Davies? Aye. Davies, aye. Alvarez? Berman?
Brian? Brian, I. Carrillo? Dixon? Dixon, I.
Phong? Aye. Fong, I. Gabriel? Gallagher?
Gallagher, I. Gibson? Mesito, I. McKinnar, Wynn, I. Pacheco, I.
Ramos Rodriguez, I. Solache, Soria, Aye. Soria, aye. Ta? Aye.
Ta, aye. Valencia? Wallace? Wallace, aye.
Redner 1
Okay. The consent calendar has enough votes. We'll leave the roll open for absent members. Thank you. While we're still waiting, I have an announcement.
Assembly Member Tau has requested to pull Item eight AB two thousand two ninety four from today's agenda. Thank you. So I understand that assembly member Haney and assembly member, Mark Gonzales are on their way. So hopefully, just a few more minutes. Thank you.
Welcome, Assembly Member Gonzales. Welcome, Assembly Member Curio. Assembly Member Gonzales, as soon as you're ready, we're ready for you.
Redner 9
Thank you, Madam Chair and members. I am pleased to present AB 2,099 which will clarify and codify the term customary maintenance for all outdoor advertising displays. This definition of customary maintenance would include the replacement of structural components such as post or bracings and reinforcement of improvement of existing structures while keeping or reducing the number of posts. The term customary maintenance has never been defined in law before, which leaves room for regulatory agencies to give varying interpretations. AB 2,099 will ensure there is consistency in the industry and in the enforcement.
This is a reintroduction of a version of AB seven seventy which I authored last year and receiving as support in this committee. I'm also working on amendments to clarify this bill would apply to state permitting process and does not affect or impact the ability of local governments to have their own permits and environmental reviews. This afternoon, primary witnesses in support here to testify on this bill are mister Steve Cruz on behalf of California State Outdoor Advertising Association and Sean Marcinik for technical questions. Take it away.
Redner 10
Thank you, assembly member. Steve Cruz on behalf of the California State Outdoor Advertising Association in support of AB twenty ninety nine. Our association represents about 90% of the billboards in our state. As the assembly member stated, the measure provides a clear and reasonable definition of customary maintenance under the Outdoor Advertising Act. Currently, that term is not defined in statute, which has led to inconsistent interpretation and regulatory uncertainty for both the industry and state agencies.
The bill clarifies that routine activities such as replacing structural components or using stronger materials are permissible so long as the display remains in an existing configuration. Importantly, this measure applies only to state law and does not alter preempt local ordinances. As an assembly member stated, we're gonna work on further amendments to clarify those that purpose. These maintenance activities are critical to ensuring that structural integrity of advertising displays, particularly in the face of extreme weather, and help protect both workers and the public. AB 29 promotes safety, consistency, and clarity without expanding the footprint or changing the the nature of existing displays.
For these reasons, we respectfully ask for your I vote. And with me here today is Sean Morsenik with Hans and Bridget to answer any technical questions.
Redner 1
Thank you. K. Any witnesses in opposition? Thank you. You'll each have two minutes.
Redner 11
Chair and members, my name is Mike Wilson. I'm a Humboldt County supervisor and a licensed professional civil engineer, and I'm here in opposition of two zero nine nine. In Humboldt County, we have about 100 Outdoor Advertising Act permitted billboards, and most are in appropriate locations. Some are in wetlands and culturally sensitive areas. Every time we try and enforce our building code on these structures, the billboard companies threaten legal action under ODA and we have to ask Caltrans for their interpretation.
We did exactly that just months before the committee analysis referenced a newsletter, and we did that just before that newsletter came out. That billboard currently has a pending ODA violation and awaiting a judge's ruling. For us, the newsletter was not new guidance. It confirmed what we already knew. CCR Section 2,707 has defined customary maintenance since 1976.
Courts have applied it and upheld it. The law did not change. AB 2,099 is a response to a potential enforcement signal, not any new change policy. AB
Redner 13
effectively removes the permit trigger for new structural work on existing billboards statewide. Any city, county, or state agency that requires a building permit for work beyond the currently permitted structure may incur eminent domain level compensation claims under BBC section 5,412, Caltrans, Fish and Wildlife, your local building department just for doing their jobs. When permit enforcement becomes a financial and litigation liability, worker safety, public safety, environmental protection suffer. And I've looked at the potential amendments, and I can tell you they don't address what we're trying to get to because of that section. When non conforming structures are constructed using new materials, their replacement value increases substantially without tax assessment.
Redner 11
And when jurisdiction later needs to remove that structure for road realignment or new development, eminent domain compensation will be exponentially higher for new for that new structure and then it is for a depreciated wood when it replaced. I urge you to hold the spill in committee until these issues are addressed. Thank you.
Redner 7
Good afternoon, chair and members. I'm Alex Lumer on behalf of the Environmental Protection Information Center. We work to protect old growth forests, wetlands, and wild places along the North Coast, and I'm here today in respectful opposition to AB 2,099. The Outdoor Advertising Act, or OAA, was enacted in response to the Federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965, and its explicit purpose was to bring California into compliance with federal standards designed to protect natural landscapes and viewsheds. The OAA established regulatory standards for the placement of billboards and a framework under which existing nonconforming displays in sensitive areas would eventually be removed as their useful life ended.
Redner 13
Essentially, pre OAA billboards were temporarily grandfathered in. The law was not designed to make all billboards permanent. It was designed to manage their gradual reduction. AB two ninety nine inverts that framework by allowing unlimited structural reconstruction under the definition of maintenance and removing the normal lifespan limitation. The bill would make nonconforming billboards in sensitive areas effectively permanent.
Displays in sensitive areas like a wetland could now be structurally fortified without a permit, without environmental review, and without end of life limitation that was supposed to trigger an eventual removal. This is not a minor issue. Of the more than 6,300 billboards along California highways, more than 500 are in or near wetlands and bays, and more than 600 are adjacent to tribal cultural sites and historic resources. These are structures the OA was meant to manage towards eventual removal. AB two ninety nine instead grants them structural immortality.
The bill also retroactively protects unpermitted structural elements and additions made without environmental review by defining maintenance around whatever is physically on the structure today rather than what is the permit originally authorized. For these reasons, we urge the committee to vote no on AB 2,999.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any members of the public in support of the bill? You may step to the microphone. Okay, seeing none, any members of the public in opposition? Please approach the mic.
Good afternoon, Madam Chair. Karen Lang on behalf of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in opposition. Thank you. Any other members in opposition? Okay, bringing it back up to the committee.
Any questions or comments from the committee members? Okay, I have a motion by Assembly Member Soria and a second by Assembly Member Nguyen. Okay. Assembly Member, you may close.
Redner 9
Thank you so much. We will work together on this. I just wanna keep in mind that this is related to, making sure that we cleaned up a lot of these billboards that often get locally permitted, that are often abandoned, that are not maintained. And our goal here is to be able to create that definition so that it gives the ability for the folks who are utilizing those billboards, not new billboards. This is not creating new billboards.
This is just simply making to make sure that the community looks good, it's clean and that it's maintained, and that the folks who are advertising in it are the ones who are maintaining it as well. And with that, I respectfully ask for your I vote.
Redner 4
AB 2,099, Mark Gonzales, the motion is due passed to the committee on appropriations. Rubio? Aye. Rubio, I. Davies?
Aye. Davies, I. Alvarez? Berman? Brian.
Brian I Carrillo. Carrillo I Dixon. Dixon I Phong. Phong I Gabriel. Gallagher.
Gibson. Mesito, Mesito, I, McKinnar, Wynn, Wynn, I, Pacheco, I, Ramos, I, Rodriguez, I, Solace, Soraya?
Redner 1
Wallace aye. Okay. The measure has the votes to get out but we will leave the roll open for absent members. Thank you. Okay.
We're opening the roll for the consent calendar for members that just arrived.
Redner 4
On the consent calendar, Alvarez, Berman, Gabriel, Gibson, McKinnar, Ramos, Ramos I, Cario, Cario I, Solace, Valencia. Opening the roll on file item number 15, a b 2663, Rogers, Alvarez, Berman, Carrillo, Carrillo I, Gabriel, Gibson, McKinnar, Ramos, Ramos I, Solache, Valencia.
Redner 4
Solache, aye. Gibson? Aye. Gibson, aye. AB2099, Gibson?
Aye. Gibson, aye. On the consent calendar, Gibson? Gibson, aye. Opening the roll for Assembly Member Valencia on the consent calendar.
Valencia
Redner 4
File item six AB 2,099 Valencia, Valencia I. File item 15 AB 2,663 Valencia, Valencia I.
Redner 1
Thank you. Still waiting for Assembly Member Jackson, Assembly Member Haney, and Assembly Member Adiz. Welcome, assembly member Haney.
Redner 15
All right. Thank you, Madam Chair and members. I'm proud to present, AB twenty seventeen, the California Eid State Holiday Act, which recognizes Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha in California and ensures students observing Eid receive excused absences. California is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the country with well over 500,000 Muslim residents. Yet our state calendar does not reflect these deeply significant observances.
Eid is the the most holy days in in Islam marked by prayer, reflection, charity, and community, and are observed by over 1,900,000,000 Muslims worldwide. Despite this, Muslim students across California are often forced to choose between attending school or fully observing their holidays. Even when absences are excused, students miss instructional time and can feel isolated from their peers. Employees face similar challenges when workplaces do not formally recognize Eid. California prides itself on being one of the most diverse and inclusive states in the nation, but our laws have not yet caught up.
Other jurisdictions, including Washington State, New York City, and several major school districts have already taken steps to formally recognize Eid. AB 2017 will bring California in line with these efforts by adding Eid al Fitr and Eid al Ada to the state holiday calendar while maintaining flexibility for courts and local educational agencies. This approach mirrors how California recognizes observances such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. Here to testify with me today is Commissioner Tara Goraya on behalf of the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and Usama Mukadem, legislative and government affairs director for the Council on American Islamic Relations.
Redner 7
Well, good afternoon, Madam Chair Rubio and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in a strong support of AB twenty seventeen. This is exactly the type of bill that reflects the values of California to that strives to ensure that every community is seen, respected, and included. I want to thank Assembly Member Haney for championing this bill and making sure that all communities are in fact included. My name is Tara Aguirre and I serve as a commissioner on the California Commission on Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs.
Yes, it's a mouthful, or we affectionately call CAPIA. The commission is one of the proud sponsors of AB twenty seventeen. The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs represents more than 7,000,000 Asian Americans, native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across California. We serve as a bridge between the governor, the legislature, and the diverse communities we represent, helping ensure the voices, cultures, and needs of our communities are heard and respected. Muslim Californians are an integral part of the fabric of this state.
For me, this bill is deeply personal. I am Muslim American, Asian American, and a Californian that was born actually right here in Sacramento. And I know what it means when the state acknowledges your community's traditions as part of California's story. AB twenty seventeen is more than adding another date to the calendar. It is about recognition.
It is about belonging. It is about telling approximately 1,000,000 Californians who celebrate Eid that we see. Eid is a meaningful and cultural and religious moment. I still remember celebrating Eid as a student. Like many families, my parents needed to get creative to make sure that holiday was excused, and in fact, that we were able to also get credit for our schoolwork.
Redner 20
And for a mom now of two who are in fourth grade and sixth grade, I want children to feel proud of who they are, proud of their culture, proud of their faith, and never be afraid to share it, recognizing Eid as a state holiday would allow families to celebrate openly and without penalty. At the commission, we have learned that understanding each other's cultures strengthens our community and strengthens California. Deserves that recognition. AB twenty seventeen will help ensure Muslim Californians and the many families who celebrate Eid are seen, understood, and reflected in the story of California. For these reasons and many, many more, I respectfully urge your aye vote on AB twenty seventeen, and I thank you for your time today.
Redner 8
Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the committee. My name is Usama Mukhadim, and I currently serve as the legislative and government affairs director for the Council on American Islamic Relations California Chapter, the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties organization and a proud cosponsor of AB twenty seventeen. As the committee that oversees the organization of our state agencies, you know that these holidays are more than just administrative scheduling. They're a reflection of our state's values. AB twenty seventeen formally includes Eid al Fitr and Eid al Abha, the two primary holidays for Muslims worldwide as a part of our state's law.
It gives Muslim state employees the equitable option to use their earned holiday credit without friction and grants public schools the authorization to observe these days. But beyond government organization, this bill is a critical intervention for the well-being of our Muslim youth in California. Care California recently released our 2025 bullying report, and the findings are sobering. Fifty percent of Muslim students in California report experiencing bullying based on their religious identity. Half of our Muslim students feel a fundamental lack of safety and belonging in their schools.
Redner 11
And most alarmingly, forty three percent of these students have missed school entirely as a result of this hostility. I know that these realities are very intimate to someone like me who grew up in a most a post nine eleven America as a Muslim with the name Osama, and I experienced firsthand the weight of being treated as an outsider. And tragically, this isn't just a relic of the past. Today, we're seeing a resurgence in anti Muslim hostility and rhetoric being spewed at the highest levels of our nation's government. When elected officials rely on rhetoric and policies that scapegoat communities and divide us by religion, that hostility trickles down into our local classrooms.
Redner 8
It emboldens bullies, it erodes our sense of safety, and it forces our children to carry a burden they do not deserve. And in the face of this national climate, California has a responsibility to chart a different path here. Islam teaches that with difficulty comes ease. So for California's over 1,000,000 Muslims, many of whom are state workers, parents, and children, a b twenty seventeen represents this ease. And publicly recognizing Eid through our state apparatus is a powerful way for this legislature to declare that Muslim tradition traditions and presence are deeply valued and institutionally protected here in California.
And for those reasons, I respectfully request your aye vote on this bill. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any witnesses in opposition? Okay. Seeing none, any members of the public in support? You can step up to the mic.
And that be your name, organization, and your position. Hello.
Redner 12
My name is Mohammed Abouzaid. I'm the son and grandson of SEIU Local eighty seven, a union rooted in diversity and equality. I stand here not only as a Muslim student representing members of the Local eighty seven and the Yemeni Student Club, but as an Arab American high schooler who studies the same curriculum and follows the same rules and contributes to the same community as everyone
Redner 1
else. Excuse me. So thank you. Your name, position, and organization where you need to move it along. The the primary witnesses already did their two minutes.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
Redner 17
Good afternoon, assembly members. My name is Abdul Hadwan. I'm the vice president of SEIU Local eighty seven in San Francisco, and I'm here to support AB twenty seventeen. Thank you, madam.
Redner 18
Good afternoon, chair and members. Omar Altamimi here in my capacity as the vice chair of SALAM, the Sacramento Area League Of Associated Muslims in support. Thank you. Thank you.
Redner 2
Good afternoon. My name is Manushi. I'm a small business owner here in Sacramento, and I'm in support of this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
Redner 19
Good afternoon. My name is Fosia Farouk. I'm the policy and advocacy coordinator for CARE Sacramento Valley Central California. And on behalf of CARE SVCC in Chirula, we are proud to express our support.
Redner 1
Thank you. Hello. My name is Kasaramini. I'm with Chirla. I'm here to support of the bill.
Thank you. Thank you. Hello, everyone. I'm Hasina Bahram, program coordinator at Salaam Islamic Center, and I'm here to support AB twenty seventeen. Thank you.
Redner 20
Chair and members, Hala Hijazi, founder of Muslim Impact Council and a twenty five year public servant. I'm here in support of AB twenty seventeen.
Redner 16
My name is Ahmed Abu Zaid. I am with the Yemen Association, and I support the bill. Please vote for it.
Redner 1
K. Any other members in support? K. Any members of the audience in opposition? K.
Seeing none, I'll bring it back up to the dais. Assemblymember Nguyen.
Redner 14
Thank you, madam chair. I wanna thank the member for bringing this for up. I have a huge, huge community of Muslim Americans in my district, and when I saw this come across, it just made my heart smile because it is about time that we bring this forward and that we recognize this and share it share it with all of us to be able to offer this opportunity for other children to understand it, to celebrate it, to know it, to love it, and to just make sure that we wanna say that we accept all of you, and we accept this, and that we're so happy and proud to be able to celebrate this with all of you, and that it just opens up an opportunity to learn more about everybody's culture. And so I wanna thank you for coming out here to testify, and I wanna thank all of you for coming out here to speak out and show your support for this as well too. I know that we could have had this whole entire capital filled with community members to talk about how this is so needed.
So thank you, Assembly Member Haney, for bringing this forward. This is such a great and wonderful opportunity. I am proud to move this bill if I can, madam chair. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any other comments? Assembly member Brian and then assembly member, Gabriel.
Redner 12
I just wanna thank our colleague from San Francisco. This is long overdue. We're behind other states, and it's important that we affirm and we see our Muslim community, and give folks the flexibility to make this a state holiday. I'd be happy to join you as a coauthor, and I second the motion to move the bill.
Redner 5
Yeah. Thank you very much, madam chair. And I I also wanna thank my colleague from San Francisco. I wanna thank all the witnesses and everyone who came to speak in support of this and really just associate myself with the comments of our colleague from the Sacramento area. You know, this really struck a chord with me as a as a little kid, you know, and being a religious minority and being Jewish.
There are so many times when school would start around Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. We would have graduations on Jewish holidays. And it puts young people and their families in a really challenging position. And acceptance and sell actually, more than accept celebration of diversity, celebration of religious minority, celebration of the fact that we are so fortunate to live in a state that is blessed with people of many different faiths and backgrounds and cultures is really important. And so I think this is a really a beautiful bill.
I appreciate you bringing it forward. And I'll also just associate myself with what the assembly member said. It provides a beautiful opportunity to teach our kids. I have three little boys and they've come home from school asking me about Diwali. My son got really angry at me the other day that we don't celebrate Lunar New Year.
Redner 1
And so he's asking me all these questions about why we don't, where's his red envelope? So but it but it it is. It's a beautiful opportunity. You know, we have Armenian Genocide Day off in in LAUSD. And I think that they become really powerful teaching tools for our kids both about the diversity of the state, and this will be a beautiful way to teach our kids about Islam and about the contributions of the Muslim community to California and to the world, but also to help them to think as global citizens.
Redner 5
So I just want to thank you, and I too look forward to supporting the bill.
Redner 22
Yes. I would just like to thank the author for the bill. Thank you guys for coming up and speaking with us, and I would just like to be added as a coauthor.
Redner 15
Thank you very much. I want to thank the author for his bold leadership. And let me just align my comments with those who have already spoken. I think that with everything that's going on in our country today, California yet another time shows great leadership, shows a united front in solidarity. Certainly, rest of the country can learn from California as being a leader, showing united front, showing that every time that racism and discrimination rids its ugly head, that California can continue to shine and shine bright as an example, as a state, being united.
Redner 16
And certainly for our children, Can one when this bill passes, hopefully, it it certainly gets to the governor's desk, it can be another feather in our hat to one display that during this time, we could all stand in unity together, and celebrate, for all of our children this holiday, standing in unity like all the other holidays. So, one, I would ask the author if he would also add my name as a coauthor on this bill. And thank you very much to the witnesses for articulating this point. I'm surprised that we haven't done this sooner, so maybe just needed you to be elected for you to bring this bill forward. So thank you very much.
Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any other comments? No. With that, I want to also thank you for that. I know that we celebrate many, many cultures and communities, and know that this is just another addition to the many the diversity that we have in our state.
So thank you very much for bringing it forward. And, Assembly Member, you may close.
Redner 15
Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you to all of the members for comments. I could not agree more. We are a country that is founded on religious freedom. It is in our First Amendment. We are the most diverse state in the country.
Redner 14
Every single one of us has Muslim residents, Muslim Californians, Muslim workers, Muslim students who are contributing so much to our state. And this is the way that we can recognize their most holy of days and provide them with the opportunity to celebrate with their families, with their communities, and even more, as you all have said, make sure that they feel fully included and seen in their full identity across our state. This will help to do that. Just lastly really want to thank the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, CARE California, and the Muslim Impact Council, Hala Hejazi, who's here without whom this would not have happened, the folks from SEIU eighty seven who came up today. There is huge support for this across the state.
Redner 1
Thank you very much. I have a motion by Assembly Member Winn and a second by Assembly Member Pacheco. Secretary, can you please call the roll?
Redner 4
File item five AB twenty seventeen by Assembly Member Haney. The motion is due passed to the Committee on Public Employment and Retirement. Rubio? Aye. Rubio, aye.
Davies?
Redner 4
Davies, aye. Alvarez? Berman, Brian, Brian, I. Carrillo, I. Dixon, I.
Dixon, Phong, I. Gabriel, Gabriel, I. Gallagher, Gibson, I. Gibson, I. Masito, McKinnar, I.
Wynn, I. Pacheco, Ramos, Ramos, Rodriguez, I. Solache, I. Soria, Thank
Redner 1
you. That bill has votes to pass, but we'll leave the roll open for absent members. Thank you. We'll go next. Assembly Member Addis.
Redner 21
Thank you, madam chair and members and staff. I'm gonna keep my comments short and then turn it over to our witnesses to tell you a little bit more about this. But the gist is that I'm here to present AB twenty seven thirty one that would authorize 12 additional alcohol licenses for Santa Cruz County. Six of which would be reserved for the city of Watsonville and the other six for Southern Santa Santa Cruz County. I'm happy to tell you all about it if you have questions, but I'm gonna pass it on to my two witnesses to tell you a little bit more about this.
Redner 20
Thank you. Hi, everybody. Kim Dasurpa. I'm a second district supervisor in the county of Santa Cruz. Thank you for hearing our pleas today regarding this issue.
Redner 16
And thank you to assembly member, Dawn Addis. The measure would authorize, like she said, the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control to issue an additional 12 licenses to entities within the County Of Santa Cruz. Specifically, six licenses would be issued to entities within the city of Watsonville, and the remaining six would be issued to entities within the communities of Aptos, Capitola, Live Oak, and Soquel. The board supports the board of supervisors supports this effort to assist small businesses seeking to locate in these parts of the county, as well as to advance equitable economic development opportunities for these communities. Currently, the city of Santa Cruz proper, which has a very similar population to the city of Watsonville, holds over 60 type 47 licenses.
Redner 20
The city of Watsonville, by contrast, who has a similar population, like I said, holds six licenses.
Redner 20
a matter of equity. The area that I represent, has about a population a little bit less, has 12 licenses. As a result, no new businesses can apply or obtain any licenses locally because we've reached our cap as of 06/30/2025. So as as a result, no new businesses can apply for locally under the current law. Businesses seeking to serve spirits must therefore purchase an existing license on the secondary market where inflated costs create significant barriers for small and locally owned establishments.
So we're talking about type 47. These are restaurant liquor licenses. In our county, they can cost upwards of $300,000 on the secondary market. Tourism in the Santa Cruz County is tourism is the leading industry in Santa Cruz County.
Redner 18
Good afternoon. My name is Tamara Vides. I'm the city manager for the city of Watsonville. And I am here today in strong support of AB 2,731. As you heard, this is a significant challenge for our communities because of the statutory cap that our county has reached.
Redner 24
So small businesses, business that want to expand and grow really have a challenge in obtaining these type of licenses. I want to touch on that for the last seven years the city of Watsonville has carefully prepared to ensure that responsible expansion of alcohol service establishments in our community. We have a local ordinance that really establish a strong safety net and prioritizes responsible operations, prevents misuse and really ensures accountability. We have a very strong local oversight and enforcement tools available that really supports this time of expansion this type of businesses. At the same time, our policies are supporting balanced economic growth, and these efforts will support a vibrant and mixed use downtown and thriving economy in our community, one that both the county supervisors and our city council strongly support.
So like many counties before us, AB 2,731 really provides a measure and limited expansion of licenses, creating the availability and really taking advantage of building an equitable economic development, supporting local entrepreneurship and allowing cities like Watsonville to fully implement the safeguards we have put in place. We respectfully urge you to support and thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any witnesses in opposition? Okay Seeing none Members of the public in support of the bill please come up to the microphone Okay Any members of the public in opposition? Okay Seeing none I'll bring it back to the committee Any questions, comments from committee members? Okay.
I have a motion by Assembly Member Pacheco and second by Assembly Member Solace. Just wanted to add that the current distribution of type 47 licenses in Santa Cruz County is not aligned with population patterns. And the author's amendments are to maintain consistency with prior legislative exemptions for new original neighborhood restricted special on sale general license issued to bona fide public eating places and designated counties or census tracts, the bill should be amended to provide that the ABC shall not issue more than five such licenses per year under the specified provisions. With that, Senator Member, you may close.
Redner 23
Thank you so much, madam chair. The the, one detail that I will add is that, the bill does prevent these new licenses from being sold on the secondary market, which I think is very important given the cost of license, original licenses and licenses on the secondary market. And with that, I'll respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Okay.
I have a motion.
Redner 1
Yes. And you just were accepting all the amendments, correct? Yes. Okay. Thank you.
With that, I have a motion by Assembly Member that was Pacheco and Solace, Ian Gibson, everybody.
Redner 4
File item 16 AB twenty seven thirty one by Assembly Member Addis. The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. Rubio? Aye. Rubio I.
Davies? Aye. Davies I. Alvarez? Berman?
Brian? Brian I. Carrillo? Carrillo I. Dixon?
Dixon I. Phong I. Gabriel I. Gallagher Gibson I. I.
Mesito McKinnon I. Wynn Win? Aye. Pacheco? Aye.
Pacheco, aye. Ramos? Ramos, aye. Rodriguez, aye. Solache, aye.
Soraya? Ta? Aye. Ta, aye. Valencia?
Wallace? Aye. Wallace, aye.
Redner 1
Thank you. The bill has votes, and we'll leave the roll open for additional members. Thank
Redner 25
Thank you very much, madam chair, members. This is AB eighteen twenty three, which would require state agencies and departments to develop or update all strategic plans to incorporate practices that advance equity and require a racial equity analysis before implementing any budgets or regulations. In 2022, governor Newsom announced executive order n 1622, which tasked departments and agencies with embedding equity into their strategic plans from 2023 through 2026. We should commend the governor's leadership with his executive order and the steps taken by the state to provide support for these efforts. Resources such as the racial equity framework and the racial equity commission are a great start but we must do more to achieve equity on a systemic level for this administration and future administrations to come.
California thrives when all communities thrive. AB eighteen twenty three lays the foundation for equity to be embedded in government policies and programs to better meet the needs of such a diverse population as California so that no one falls through the cracks. With me today is Holly a program officer leading the Capitol Collaborative on Race and Equity at the Public Health Institute.
Redner 6
Thank you, and good afternoon, Madam Chair and members. I'm Holly Nickel, from the State of Equity and the co founder of the Capital Collaborative on Race and Equity, where since 2017, we have worked with over 60 state government entities to provide connection, learning support, and coaching on how they will institute racial equity in all government operations. We've also worked with the Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley to complete a racial equity assessment across the state apparatus, where we surveyed 145 state entities and conducted interviews with employees responsible for moving equity forward in their organizations. From both our decorative work and from the racial equity assessment that informed the California Racial Equity Commission's racial equity framework in the past year, we have found that there is a strong mass of state employees who have self coordinated their own equity efforts. The most common types of created infrastructure put in place to support racial equity work include dedicated staff, equity work groups, and web pages with equity focused information.
Redner 26
But these efforts often lack clarity and authority, are understaffed, are not standardized, have little transparency transparency, excuse me, and lack accountability. In interviews I conducted, participants suggested that the success of future racial equity efforts in part will depend on tools, guidance, and templates to support equity in strategic planning and budgeting. So, it's clear that what is needed is durable and lasting codified infrastructure and guidance that will help employees and State entities year after year be accountable for racial equity both in their strategic plans and with their budgets proactively instead of retroactively. AB eighteen twenty three is a critical piece of legislation that provides a clear, actionable framework to ensure state agencies deliver equitable outcomes, not just intentions. So I respectfully ask for your A vote.
Redner 1
Thank you. Okay, any other witnesses in support? Okay, any witnesses in opposition? Okay, seeing none, members of the public in support, you may come up to the microphone. Name, organization, and position.
Redner 23
Good afternoon, members. My name is Alina Santa Maria. On behalf of NextGen California and public health advocates,
Redner 20
Good afternoon. Maria Barakat with the Green Lighting Institute in support.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any other members of the public in support? Okay. Any members of the public in opposition? Okay.
Seeing none, I'll bring you back up to the dais. Any comments, questions from the committee? Okay. Seeing none, Assembly Member Jackson, you may close. I'm sorry, Assembly Member McKinnon.
Apologies.
Redner 19
Thank you, Madam Chair. First, I want to thank Assembly Member Jackson for his leadership and commitment to advancing equity. Your effort in the past to provide direction to ensure that the State understands what it actually means to operate government policies and programs through an equity lens has not gone unnoticed. Oftentimes in my district, I see communities being left out of the policy making process and systemic inequities continuously harming my constituents they are meant to support. Redlining was a discriminatory 1930s era practice where government and leaders systematically denied mortgages and financial services to residents in specific neighborhoods, primarily targeting Black communities.
Redner 22
It is no surprise that the red lining maps of the 1930s mirror the air quality maps of today that shows that communities I represent like Hawthorne and Inglewood have some of the poorest air quality in the state. That was ninety years ago. Government played a role in creating disparities back then but must be a part of the solution making process today to right these wrongs, and I believe 1823 is a step in the right direction in making and taking care of California's first. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you. Any other comments from or questions from committee members? Okay. Thank you. Hearing none, Assemblymember Jackson, you may close.
Redner 25
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. You know, equity has actually been an enduring principle of civilizations for thousands of years. You can read in the book of Psalms, Proverbs and Isaiah that talks about God saying you need to rule with justice, equality and equity. You can see that in Thomas Jefferson's writings, understanding that yes, we need justice, yes, we need equality, but sometimes there are special circumstances where what we're doing for the entire society still doesn't meet the needs of people, smaller groups of people. So we need equity to ensure that their needs are being met as well.
Redner 22
And it's the same thing as a trained social worker where you create these huge programs to try to capture as many people as possible but understanding that no matter how wide of a net you cast, there's always going to be people who are falling through the cracks. And we can't just say, sorry, we missed you. We have to then say okay, what are your specific needs? What are your specific circumstances and what can we do to making sure you are going to be, your needs are being met as well. So all this says is that California is diverse and will continue to be diverse with multiple needs and we need to make sure that we make it a priority to look for people who have fallen through the cracks so that they can be served as well.
Redner 1
Thank you. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Gibson? Assembly member Gibson?
Redner 1
Yeah. We have Assembly member Carrillo and Solache. Ernie Hanson. Thank you. And Gibson.
Redner 4
File item one, a b eighteen twenty three by assembly member Jackson. The motion is due passed to the committee on appropriations. Rubio, aye. Rubio, aye. Davies?
Redner 4
And Davies, no. Alvarez? Berman? Berman I. Brian?
Brian I. Cario? Cario I. Dixon? Dixon, no.
Phong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Gibson, Gibson, I. Masito, McKinnor, I. Win, Win, I Pacheco, Ramos, Ramos, I Rodriguez. Rodriguez? Rodriguez, aye.
Solache?
Redner 4
Solache, aye. Soria? Ta. Ta, no. Valencia?
Wallace? Wallace, no. It has the votes.
Redner 1
The measure has the votes. We'll leave it open for absent members. Thank you. And we'll open the roll for the absent members.
Redner 4
Opening the roll on the consent calendar. Alvarez? Berman? Aye. Berman, aye.
McKinnar? McKinnar, aye. File item five a b twenty seventeen. Haney Alvarez? Berman.
Redner 4
on the consent calendar? Gabriel, I. File item five, AB twenty seventeen, Haney Alvarez? Berman? Aye.
Berman, I. Gallagher? Macedo? Soria? File item 6AB2099.
Mark Gonzales Alvarez? Berman?
Redner 4
Berman, aye. Gabriel? Aye. Gabriel, Gallagher? Right.
McKinnar? Aye. AB2731, Addis? Alvarez? Berman?
Aye. Berman. I. Gallagher? Mesito?
Soria? Valencia. AB2663, Rogers. Alvarez? Berman?
Redner 1
Thank you. We are done with the members that are present. We'll leave the roll open for those absent members for about five more minutes.
Redner 4
Opening the roll for Assembly Member Mosito. File item one, a b 1823 Jackson. Mosito, no. File item five AB twenty seventeen Haney, Massito. Massito not voting.
File item six, I already have you on that. File item 16, AB2731, Assembly Member Addis Masito? Aye. Masito, aye.
Redner 4
Alvarez, I. Item number 52017 Haney Alvarez Aye. Alvarez I. AB2099 Gonzalez Alvarez?
Redner 4
Alvarez, aye. On the consent calendar we have 22 aye votes. On Assembly Member 1823 Jackson, we have 14 aye votes, five no votes. AB twenty seventeen Haney, 19 aye votes, one not voting. AB2099, we have 21 aye votes.
AB2663, we have 22 aye votes. AB2731, we have 19 aye votes.
Stellen Sie eine Frage zu diesem Video – ich analysiere das Transkript, um Ihnen zu antworten.