Assembly Higher Education Committee, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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Assembly Higher Education Committee California State Assembly
Ihren Sitzungen folgenRedner 1
Thank you so much. Six members present. Thank you so much, colleagues, for being president and on time. And before we proceed with our first author, let's take up the consent calendar this time. We have three bills on consent, and they are as follows.
File item number six, assembly bill one six six nine by senator Ramos as amended. File item number 10, a b two two five one by senator Rodriguez as amended. And file number 12, bill two four three six by senator Fong. I'm sorry. Assembly bill one seven five nine by mister Ramos.
Thank you. We have a motion by vice chair DeMaio and a second by Summer Patel. Any questions or comments, colleagues? Seeing none, mister secretary, roll call, please. On consent, Fong.
Aye.
Redner 2
Fong, aye. DeMaio. Aye. DeMaio, aye. Berner.
Gonzalez? Aye. Gonzalez, aye. Aye. Jackson, aye.
Mersucci I Patel. Patel I Rodriguez. Sharp Collins. Thank you so
Redner 1
much, colleagues. Consent calendar has six votes, so we'll keep the roll open for additional members to add on. The consent calendar is out, and we'll keep the roll open for additional members to add on. At this time now, we'll begin with our proceedings for legislation to be presented today. First up, I'd like to welcome Summer Burman presenting item number Assembly Bill two seven seven one.
Welcome, Berman Berman. Item number 15. Welcome.
Redner 1
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. 2236. Yes. File item number nine.
Welcome, mister Berman, presenting assembly about two two three six. Welcome.
Redner 3
Thank you, sir. Thank you, mister chair and members. My previous legislation, AB eleven eleven, requires the California community colleges to adopt a student facing common course numbering system, meaning comparable general education and transfer pathway courses have the same course number at all community colleges. A common course numbering system is crucial to reduce unnecessary confusion, ease advising, streamline transfer, and reduce excess credit accumulation. As community college students take courses that are part of the common course numbering system, articulation of these courses at the CSU and UC is vital.
Course articulation is a necessary function for transfer students and dual enrollment students who are in college credits at a community college and need those courses to count towards their bachelor's degree. Given faculty's expertise and a central role in articulation, a b 2236 would set a target date for the intersegmental committee of academic senates to establish an agreement for implementing streamlined system level articulation of those community college courses. This would ensure that students receive credit for these courses and would not be required to take them again after they transfer. AB twenty two thirty six is a necessary step to fulfill the promise of common course numbering, saving students both time and money. And I respectfully ask for an I vote.
And I'm joined today by, Joshua Hagan, vice president of policy and advocacy at the Campaign for College Opportunity, and Alicia Nachpal, vice president of legislative affairs at the Student Senate for the California Community College.
Redner 24
Great. Good afternoon, chair Fogg and members of the committee. Joshua Hagan, vice president of policy and advocacy with the Campaign for College Opportunity, a nonpartisan policy and advocacy organization focused on ensuring all Californians have equitable access to college. Every year, California community college students intending to transfer do everything right, set up education plans, decide their major, take the required courses, pass them, and prepare to transfer only to find out that their credits are evaluated and accepted differently depending on where they enrolled. AB eleven eleven, also authored by assembly member Berman, required community colleges to establish a common course numbering system for general education and transfer courses to address these challenges.
Redner 5
This past fall semester, students across the state started taking the first phase of courses in common course numbering system. Simultaneously, the community colleges have continued to work on developing courses to the course templates developed by faculty from all three systems. Progress is promising, but concerns remain as students enroll in these commonly numbered courses without system wide articulation in place. Currently, each community college has to submit nearly the exact same course to each of the CSUs and UCs to articulate, where each individual campus decides whether or not to articulate the course. This individual review and articulation process leads to scenarios where it is possible for students transferring to the same university from different community colleges who took the same course with the same course number to receive credit differently for the same work.
That is confusing, that is inequitable, and that is extremely costly for students. Receiving credit for courses you successfully completed should not depend on your ZIP code. Commonly numbered courses, by design, ought to commonly transfer. AB 2236 would solve this by charging faculty leadership to develop a process to articulate the common numbered course templates so that student mobility can be maximized, the articulation for these courses is determined before students start taking them. Thank you, and we respectfully ask for your I vote.
Redner 1
If everyone could just pull the microphones closer to them. It's a little loud outside today, so I wanna make sure all all the comments will be nerd. Welcome.
Redner 5
Thank you. Good afternoon, chair Fong and members. My name is Alicia Nakpal, and I serve as the vice president of legislative affairs for the student senate for the California Community Colleges. SSCCC is the official voice of more than 2,200,000 students within our system, and we are proud cosponsors of AB twenty two thirty six. For far too long, community college students have been forced to navigate a complex transfer maze.
Redner 6
Each year, thousands lose valuable time, financial aid, and momentum because the courses they complete at different community colleges do not align with the requirements of their intended four year institutions. This misalignment creates unnecessary barriers, delaying degree attainment, and increasing the overall cost of education for students who can least afford it. This is not just inefficient. It is costly. Students lose financial aid eligibility, accumulate excess units, and delay their time to their degree.
For many, this means an additional semester, even year of coursework that they cannot afford. Though slack of streamlined articulation is more than a bureaucratic hurdle, it is an equity issue that disproportionately impacts first generation and low income students who cannot afford the excess credit penalty. A b two twenty two thirty six bills on existing law and the promise of common course numbering by ensuring that once a course is identified, it is actually honored through a system wide articulation agreement by requiring faculty from the UC, CSU, and community colleges to establish a streamlined system level agreement by 2027, this bill ensures that a general education course at Fresno City College means the same thing as one at San Diego Mesa College, East Los Angeles College, or Berkeley City College. This bill provides transparency for students and helps ensure that they will no longer be left in the dark about how their hard work translates to a degree. The SSCCC believes that a student's journey from a community college to a four year institution should be a bridge and not a barrier.
AB twenty two thirty six is a common sense step toward a truly integrated higher education system that puts student success first. On behalf of the 2,200,000 students we represent, I respectfully ask for your I vote. Thank you.
Redner 8
of lieutenant governor Eleni Kunulakis as a proud cosponsor in support. Thank you.
Redner 10
Hi. Good afternoon. Carol Gonzales on behalf of the Cal State Student Association and proud to support the bill. Thank you.
Redner 10
Cristal Padilla on behalf of the chief executive officers of the California Community Colleges in support.
Redner 11
Good afternoon, chair and members. Vincent Rosso with the University of California Student Association. We're here in strong support. Thank you.
Redner 21
Chair members, Austin Webster with w strategies on behalf of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. No official position, but appreciate the ongoing dialogue with the member's office.
Redner 7
Anna Matthews on behalf of the California Community College Independence Union, also no position, but appreciate the effort to rectify some of the issues and implementation. Thank you.
Redner 14
Good afternoon. Sara Abu Bibs on behalf of the Institute for College Access and Success and Support.
Redner 13
Good afternoon. My name is Dana Nacano, executive committee member for the Academic Senate of the California State University System, here on behalf of chair Boy to, state our position of opposition. You should also have received the note of opposition just shortly before the beginning of this hearing, so you'll touch you should you should have that waiting for you in your mailboxes.
Redner 1
And actually, think that was a are there any additional witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Seeing none, colleagues, any questions or comments? Elsomir Patel.
Redner 15
Yeah. I wanna thank the author for bringing this bill forward. We're spending so much effort in common course numbering and making sure we have systems and legislation in place to help us vertically articulate that is just so critical to this work actually taking place. I'm intrigued to hear that there was opposition, and I hope that you're working with the opposition because this is an absolute necessity for our students out there. And with that, I would like to move the bill and ask to be added as a coauthor at the appropriate time.
Thank you.
Redner 1
Second by mister Murasuchi. Any further questions or comments from colleagues? Seeing none, there's somewhere we'd like to close, please.
Redner 3
Yeah. Appreciate everyone who came in support. I appreciate it as some folks who have concerns, and we've been having lots of dialogue and conversations with all the stakeholders and labs, and we'll continue to do that as the bill moves forward. And respectfully ask for evidence. Thanks.
And honored honored to have you honored to have you as a co author. Appreciate you.
Redner 1
Well, thank you so much. Thank you so much, mister Berman. I really appreciate you bringing this bill forward and for your long standing work in this area. We know the common course numbering is something that legislator has legislature has literally been working on for thirty years. It's time to take the national next step and ensure that this work informs articulation between our segments.
And with that, I'm happy to support your bill today.
Redner 2
File item 9AB2236. The motion is do pass and re refer to the committee on appropriations. Fong? Aye. Fong, aye.
DeMio? Aye. DeMio, aye. Burner, Gonzales, Jackson? Aye.
Jackson, aye. Marucci? Aye. Marucci, aye. Patel?
Aye. Patel, aye. Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tengefah?
Redner 1
Thank you so much. That currently has five votes, and we'll keep the roll open for additional members to add on. Thank you so much, mister Berman. Next up, we'll welcome back mister Berman presenting item number 15, assembly bill two seven seven one, committee on business and professions. Welcome.
Redner 3
Thank you very much, doctor Jackson. Good news is you've already voted for this in BNP. Okay. AB twenty seven seventy one is a sunset vehicle for the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. Specifically, this bill extends the sunset date for the bureau until 01/01/2031, clarifies and narrows exemptions, tightens accreditation and approval requirements for schools and programs, and makes a variety of other technical changes and policy reforms in response to issues raised during the bureau's sense of review.
And I'm joined today by Elizabeth Elias, the deputy bureau chief of enforcement, to answer any
Redner 1
Thank you so much. Are there witnesses in support in the hearing room? Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room?
Redner 20
Yes. Mister chair and members, Steve Hansen, on behalf of Northeastern University, we presented during the sunset review hearing, and there's couple issues we'd like to continue talking with your staff and the members about related to, the bureau's own report about high quality, low risk institutions having an easier path with the bureau and the STRIF and how it's administered on those institutions. Those students shouldn't have to pay those fees because they are essentially endowed institutions and are not at risk of failure. And we've had a productive, I think, conversation with the bureau, but we'd like to continue to have this through the process. And thank you, Kevin, for your time talking about this and members.
Redner 14
Applications for the bureau. I set up a website again on behalf of the Institute for College Access and Success. We really support the bureau's ability to modify the fees to become fiscally solvent. It's a critical agency for protecting students, and the first line of defense right now is the federal higher education ecosystem continues to do Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. Any additional questions or comments from colleagues? Seeing none, someone would like to close, please.
Redner 1
Well, thank you so much. It was honor and privilege to participate in the joint Sunset Oversight hearing last month on the BPPE. And thank you, mister chair, for your leadership and efforts working with our staff and our and the committees to making sure that our hearing was a success in informing this legislation. The bureau serves an important role in the higher education space and has thrived under the leadership of director Debbie Cochran. While we'll miss her at the bureau, I'm truly delighted she'll be joining us at leading the California Education Interagency Council and her work and efforts.
We greatly appreciate director Debbie Cochran for everything she's doing and will continue to do for our council going forward. This bill incorporates numerous suggestions from the bureau, and I'm proud to support it today. With that, mister secretary, roll call, please. I'm sorry. Oh, yes.
Okay. Vice chair DeMille.
Redner 17
Sorry. I must have missed the member part. I had a question. So we've got this state bureau, the bureau for private postsecondary education. How many private colleges does it oversee?
Do you have any now?
Redner 18
Yes. Currently, we have about 900, in institutions and about 300, out of state registrations.
Redner 17
Okay. And so this doesn't oversee the the government or public sector colleges and universities, just the private universities. You spend nineteen to twenty twenty nineteen to twenty two million dollars a year?
Redner 17
110 staff. Okay. So we're spending roughly $20,000,000, a 100, full time equivalent staff FTE. Did this agency exist in 1990?
Redner 18
I believe so. I I'm sorry. I don't have that history with me at the moment.
Redner 17
But there was a time when we didn't have this, and presumably another government department would oversee private universities because we've had those for a while. Yeah. My concern here is we have a cost of living crisis. We have a budget crisis. And, you know, there's always good intention somewhere behind every bill, bureaucracy, program that we we, we start.
We don't always agree, but I think that people say, well, here's a need and a role. Let's create let's create something. And then it never goes away, and it grows. And then someone has to pay for that. We're at a point where I think we've built so much up that we have to start thinking through when these programs come up for your authorization.
Is there a more thoughtful, more cost efficient way to do it rather than just saying, well, let's just extend it for presumably four or five more years. And I think that's what the bill's intent is. I'd like us to, in this legislature, start looking at these programs from that standpoint. There are good refinements in here. I look at some of the things.
Go, no. That makes sense. That makes sense. And then I pause and say, but are we fundamentally getting to the the root problem that I think this state government is afflicted which with which is we've just become a behemoth. I might support this if I knew that there was a commitment that this would not increase costs.
Would the author commit that any attempt to amend the bill to increase fees would be opposed by by you? If it gets to the senate and they say, oh, I think we need to use this to increase fees.
Redner 23
Yeah. I appreciate the question. And then just for a little point of clarification, the the bureau is is funded by the entities that are being overseen by the bureau. So there's no general fund draw. You know, it doesn't impact the the cost of living challenges of of folks are getting high quality education, that they can graduate and get good paying jobs.
Redner 3
And so that's that's the trade off, is there's a cost, but but there's a cost of not having anything, which is a lot of the scandals that we've seen with certain private post secondary institutions that have gone bankrupt and left a lot of their students holding the bag. So that and so I I appreciate the concern around cost, but there's a, I would argue, a greater cost of not having the institution the
Redner 17
end So but you wouldn't make a commitment to disavow and prevent a fee being amended into this bill, an authorization for a fee increase or an extension?
Redner 17
And that's my concern is that it appears in this committee as well. There's some refinements. We're gonna extend it. Does good things, but there's no commitment that we're not gonna see the government say, see all the good things we're doing now. Let's extract the cost.
Because that's what a lot of bureaucracies do is is they take on a life of their own, and they use a good intention to justify. And we have to kinda push back and say, are we getting cost benefit analysis? You know, some of the same things that we would question about a private university can easily be questioned about a public university. Are we seeing degrees that are are being offered that are are worth what what what we're we're we're paying for the degree, what the student's paying. And then also, are we making sure that the funds being used by these government universities and colleges are appropriately being spent?
So I'm not gonna support this today because I think that we need to do more thinking about is
Redner 17
a better way to provide oversight for various functions? I'm not saying we should have no oversight for the private sector. We have a lot of laws that apply to both public and private universities. But I I think when we do a reauthorization of a program, we should be thinking about pairing back and being becoming more cost effective. So I won't be supporting the bill at this at this point.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, vice chair. Any further questions or comments? Seenan, in summary, we'd like to close, please.
Redner 3
Yeah. I appreciate the the points. I appreciate the the dialogue and the conversations. I do wanna note that as it relates to the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, their application fees were last increased in 2009, so seventeen years ago. And their annual fees, which is another set of fees that they have, were last increased in 2018, so so eight years ago.
So I do think it's a a bureau that's been very fiscally prudent, but the reality is that the cost of doing things increases over time. And and so that's why sometimes fee increases need to be considered, which we are considering as a part of the sunset process, which is why I couldn't make the commitment asked by the vice chair, but totally appreciate the comments. In respect to ask for Adel.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, and thank you so much again for the joint oversight at Sunset hearing last month on the BPP. It's all the committees that were involved to really make sure that this informed this legislation and plays a critical role in the higher education space as well to to regulate programs in here to make sure that we're not providing we're providing, like, valuable education opportunities. There's a lot of frightening folks out there as well, veterans or anybody else that's as they seek their posting their education opportunities. And so I think at that hearing, we had a robust hearing around a number of these issues and going forward, I know there's a number of things that we're gonna continue to work on together here with BPPE. But with that, I look look forward to supporting the measure and this incorporates many of the suggestions from the bureau as well.
So thank you for the context. Mister secretary, roll call, please.
Redner 2
File item number 15AB2771. The motion is due pass and re refer to the committee on business and professions. Fong? Aye. Fong?
Aye. DeMio? Yes. DeMio? No.
Berner, Gonzales, Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Mersucci, aye. Patel?
Aye. Patel, aye. Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tangipa?
Redner 1
Motion by doctor Patel, second by doctor Jackson. We have a motion and a second. Let's, do the roll call one more time. Apologize.
Redner 2
Okay. File item number 15AB2771. The motion is due pass and refer to the committee on business and professions. Fong? Aye.
Fong? Aye. DeMio? No. DeMio?
No. Berner? Gonzalez? Jackson? Aye.
Jackson, aye. Marucci? Aye. Marucci, aye. Patel?
Redner 1
Thank you so much. As the vote is currently four to one, we'll keep the roll open for additional members out on.
Redner 1
Thank you, mister Jar. Alright. Thank you. No worries. Now we'd to welcome Assembler Coloza presenting item number 11, assembly bill two four two two.
Welcome Assembler Coloza.
Redner 22
Thank you, mister chair and members, for the opportunity to present a b two four two two today. Thank you to the committee consultants for their hard work on this bill. Happy to accept the amendments that clarify the length of the financial aid delay, the amount that will be postponed, and the requirements of students to provide documentation if the aid is coming from an outside source that does not communicate with the college. I'm proud to present this bill, a b two four two two, which addresses a sometimes invisible but deeply consequential issue affecting students across California's higher education system. For thousands of students every year, financial aid is not a supplement.
It is the difference between staying enrolled and dropping out. It pays for tuition, housing, books, and basic living expenses. Yet too often, students find themselves in limbo when their aid is delayed due to administrative backlogs, verification issues, or processing errors that are entirely beyond their control. This challenge is becoming even more urgent in light of federal, uncertainty at the US Department of Education and the continued instability of some of those financial aid programs at the federal level. This has led to pauses, delays, and confusions for students relying on critical support.
When the federal government falters, it is our students here in California who feel the impact most directly. Imagine doing everything right, submitting your forms on time, responding to every request, meeting, and deadline, only to be told that your aid has not yet been processed. Meanwhile, tuition deadlines loom, enrollment holds are placed, and late field late fees begin to accumulate. For many students, this creates an impossible situation. Pay out of pocket, money that they do not have or risk losing their place in school.
Colleges will now have to provide reasonable protections for students whose financial aid is delayed due to factors outside of their control and ensuring students will not be punished for circumstances they did not create. A b two four two two is about protecting our students and making sure that we recognize that our systems are not always perfect. And when they fall short, students should not bear the consequences. This does not all excuse students from their responsibilities nor does it lower standards. Instead, it ensures institutions respond with flexibility and common sense when administrative delays occur.
Redner 32
Maintaining accountability on both the student side and the college administrative side is critically important. And lastly, just wanna add that at a time when we are trying to work to expand, as this committee knows, access to higher education and improve student outcomes and student success, these are the type of barriers that we need to continue to remove, when it's brought forth by our very own students. And so with me today to testify in support is Alex McCray, a student from CSU Sacramento, reading on behalf of a student from UCLA who could not join us today, as well as Tanaya Safi, policy codirector for what we all deserve, which is a youth led organization that is the sponsor of our bill.
Redner 23
afternoon, chair and committee members. My name is Alex McCray, and I'm an incoming freshman at UCLA. I will be reading Hannah Hernandez's personal testimony who is a senior at UCLA. I'm here today to support this bill because I personally experience the stress and instability that occurs when financial aid gets delayed as well as many of my peers. During Hannah's time in school, her middle class scholarship was delayed for approximately three to four months.
Throughout that period, there was very little transparency about why the delay was happening or when the funds would be released. She spent numerous hours anxiously check checking fast phone or emails for updates that never came. At times, she even wondered if she had done something wrong on her application and if she was the only one who's experiencing these delays because there was little to no information about it. This uncertainty had a serious impact on her academic excellent experience. Instead of focusing fully on her education, she was distracted and overwhelmed.
She spent her time searching for jobs and trying to figure out how she would cover her expenses. Given her family's financial circumstances, she could only truly rely on herself. Because of these delays, she had to take out extra loans to cover school expenses and housing. She was unsure if she she would be able to afford basic necessities like rent or for how long. Many of my peers were going through the same thing.
Redner 22
One of my peers shared that they couldn't afford to buy Christmas gifts for their family that year because of these delays. Another one of my peers had their entire financial aid package delayed. They had to negotiate a payment plan with UCLA while simultaneously taking on significant loan debt. Even then, they had no certainty about when their aid would be resolved or when they would be able to keep up with their future or if they would be able to keep up with their future payments. Students should not have to live with this level of uncertainty just to access their education.
Redner 23
Financial aid don't delays don't just affect our finances. They affect our mental health, our academic performance, and our ability to succeed. So that is why I urge you to support this bill so that students do not have to fear losing access to the resources that they depend on and education that they deserve. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Redner 33
Thank you, chair Fong and members of the committee. My name is Tanaya Safi, and I'm a high school student in Sacramento and the California co director of policy with what we all deserve, proud sponsors of this bill. AB two four two two prevents post secondary students from being penalized due to delays in financial aid disbursement that are beyond their control. Under current law, institutions are required to provide an aggregate summary of financial aid awarded. However, there are no protections or defined grace periods in place when those funds are delayed.
Redner 24
As a result, many institutions consider delayed financial aid as nonpayment, triggering automatic consequences such as late fees, whole transcript holds, and students being dropped from courses. The bill requires that California community colleges and California state universities to create soft holds for payments and enrollment. As of 2024, one in four students say that FAFSA delays affected their ability to stay enrolled in their current programs, jeopardizing their ability to stay in classes and maintain access to student resources. Reporting that marginalized populations face the most burden from financial aid delays, these disruptions create significant uncertainty for students awaiting time sensitive aid. Without protections, the period between financial aid award and disbursement can prevent students from enrollment in courses, causing them to lose class schedules and delay their academic progress.
AB two four two two ensures that students can maintain enrollment and academic standing while awaiting financial aid by shifting the burden of delays away from students. It establishes protections and ensures that access to education for all Californians is not dependent on the timing of financial aid processing. Thank you for your time, and we urge you to give AB two four two two an I vote.
Redner 10
Good afternoon. Carol Gonzalez on behalf of the Cal State Student Association in support. Thank you.
Redner 14
Hi. Sara Bobibs on behalf of the Institute for College Access and Success and Support.
Redner 25
Good evening. Bibi Hamida Hashmad from Davis on behalf of, UC Student Association, and we support this bill. Thank you so much.
Redner 11
Good evening, chair or good afternoon, chair and members. Vincent Rosta with the University of California Student Association. We're excited
Redner 26
Good afternoon. Sasha Horowitz, Los Angeles Unified School District in support.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? As the
Redner 15
cost of living increases, the challenges that our students are facing are ever daunting. Thank you for bringing this bill forward. I have two, daughters in college right now and hear from their, friends in college that these delays are causing enormous amounts of pressure and financial hardship on their families as well and increased anxiety and stress. I wanna applaud you for bringing this bill forward and working with the students to make sure that their voices, their authentic voices are heard. And I'd like to move the bill.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, doctor Patel. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second by doctor Jackson. Any Any further questions or comments, colleagues?
Seeing none, Assembler Coloza, we'd like to close, please.
Redner 22
Respectfully ask for your I vote and just wanna thank the students again for leading on this issue, and I look forward to hopefully getting it out of this committee. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, mister Salosa, for bringing this measure forward and for accepting the committee amendments as allow as outlined on pages five and six of this of the analysis. I believe that this measure supports student retention and equity by ensuring that financial aid delays do not derail a student's ability to stay enrolled and succeed, thereby maintaining their progress towards earning a degree or certificate. And I'm pleased to support this measure today. Mister secretary, roll call, please.
Redner 2
File item number 11, a b twenty four twenty two. The motion is due pass as amended and re refer to the committee on appropriations. Fong? Aye. Fong, aye.
Demayo? Aye. Demayo, aye. Erner, Gonzalez, Jackson? Aye.
Jackson, aye. Murucci? Patel? Aye. Patel, aye.
Rodriguez, Chuck Collins, Tengepa?
Redner 1
Thank you so much, colleagues. The added measure has four votes. We'll keep the roll open for additional members. Thank you, Samar Coloza. Next up, we would like to welcome Asumar Pacheco presenting assembly bill one six six nine.
Welcome, Asumar Pacheco.
Redner 16
Good afternoon, and thank you, mister chair and members. I am here to present assembly bill sixteen sixty nine, which ensures that college students may take a leave of absence for medical or mental health reasons and return to their studies through a clear protected process. I wanna thank the committee for all their hard work on this bill, and I will be accepting the committee amendments. College students are facing a mental health crisis. The data is bleak.
Thirty seven percent of college students struggle with depression. Nearly one third experience anxiety. One in five students contemplate suicide. And adults during and adults during college age years, which are ages eight to 18 to 25, have the highest prevalence of mental health disorders. Poor mental health can have a drastic consequence for student success, both in the day to day functioning and their academic performance.
During college, students don't always have access to the support they need to manage these challenges. In some situations, the best solution for a student may be stepping away from school to focus on their health. Temporary leave allows a student to stabilize and return ready to complete their education. However, not all California colleges and universities have a clear leave of absence frame framework. While some schools allow a student to take a leave of absence, others require a student facing a mental health crisis to withdraw entirely.
Redner 30
That can mean reapplying with no guarantee of readmission even after they have already started their degree. AB sixteen sixty nine gives students the flexibility they deserve to step away from school to focus on medical or mental health treatment. It creates an accessible, equitable, and protected pathway for students to return to their studies where they left off without having to face academic consequences or reapply. This bill uplifts student health, safety, and well-being while prioritizing educational growth and success. And with me today to speak in support of the bill is Natalia Cornejo Ayers, the UC Student Association disability justice officer and a UC Berkeley student.
Redner 16
And Jen Calinato. Calinato. Calinato. Sac State Associated Student Academic Affairs vice president. And I will hand it over to my witnesses so that they can speak.
Redner 27
Good afternoon, honorable chair Fong and esteemed members of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. My name is Jen Golanado. I currently serve as the vice president of academic affairs for Associated Students Incorporated at Sacramento State, where I have the distinct pleasure of representing over 31,000 students. I'm here today to share a student perspective on Assembly Bill sixteen sixty nine. While ASI has not formally taken a position on this bill just yet, I'm here to speak about the very realities our students are facing, not just at my campus, but throughout the system.
Right now, when a Sacramento State student experiences a mental health crisis, whether it be severe anxiety, depression, trauma, or another condition, they are forced into an impossible choice, either to remain enrolled while struggling and risk academic failures or withdraw from the university entirely. And withdrawing is not a simple pause. To return, a student must reapply for admission, pay application fees again, and go through the full admissions process without a guarantee of acceptance and often lose priority registration and financial aid. For many students, especially those who are already in crisis, this process becomes a barrier to even come back. AB sixteen sixty nine directly addresses this gap.
And beginning in the twenty twenty seven, twenty twenty eight academic year, it would require that CSU campuses along with the community colleges and the UCs to implement medical formal leaves of absence policies that allow students to take time away for one academic year or longer without losing their student status or having to reapply. It ensures that students can return when they are ready with stability and dignity. This bill also recognizes that not every student needs to fully step away, but allows reasonable accommodations while allowing students to face those medical challenges and continue their coursework with flexibility and support. This is especially critical in higher education, not just at Sacramento State. Throughout the system, we serve first generation students, low income students, working parents, and student parents.
Redner 6
For many of them, withdrawing doesn't just mean taking time off. It often means never returning, not just because they lack the ability to do so, but because the path to come back is far too difficult to navigate. While at the same time, the demand for mental health services continue to exceed campus capacities more than they can handle. Students often wait weeks for appointments, and many choose to suffer in silence out of fear of losing their place at the university. Assembly bill sixteen sixty nine helps remove that fear by ensuring that taking care of one's mental health does not come come at the cost of one's education.
Redner 27
As you consider this bill, I urge you to center student experiences. Talk to students who have had to withdraw and could not return. Talk to those who stay enrolled while struggling and saw their academic progress decline. I'd like to further emphasize that point that I am living proof of that. Why, again, as ASI has not taken a formal position, this is a critical conversation more now than ever.
Students deserve policies that recognize that mental health is health and that their support is their ability to persist and succeed. Thank you for your time and consideration on this bill.
Redner 28
Thank you. Good afternoon, chair Fong and members. My name is Adalia Corrano Ayers, and I'm a second year student at UC Berkeley here on behalf of the UC Student Association who is a proud cosponsor of AB sixteen sixty nine. Today, I hope to you that you could put an end to the traumatizing nature of the withdrawal process, which must be undertaken for a mental health leave of absence, and we thank Assembly Member Pateko for her leadership on this bill. I'd like to share the experience of my former graduate student director, a top student in a world renowned graduate program at Cal.
Despite growing up on the autism spectrum, below the poverty line, and navigating racial disparities as Latino American, he found his passion in education. He earned high distinctions and secured opportunities within some of the most prestigious programs at the university. But even hard fought success offers no protection when life is turned completely upside down. Just before the end of his first semester of grad school, he learned that his single mother was experiencing domestic abuse. Bearing that inexplicable weight while juggling financial pressures in the bay, teaching dozens of undergrads, meeting paper deadlines, and fulfilling rigorous fellowship and research obligations naturally took a severe toll on his physical mental health, ultimately forcing him to pursue a mental level of absence.
Withdrawing from UC Berkeley was one of most decision difficult decisions he's ever made. He's relied on financial aid and instructor earnings, so taking time away meant even greater financial insecurity. What he did not anticipate was the severe trauma of the withdrawal process itself. He was required to gather evidence and describe his mental health and family crisis to his department and program heads. With all of this happening within a month, he had no time to process or grieve his mother while actively battling severe depression and facing profound uncertainty about his return to Cal when there is no promise that he could return.
Redner 18
I'd like to leave you all with a question that he asks himself every day since this crisis. What is one good reason why students must endure trauma without any promise that they could return to their university? AB sixteen sixty nine allows for both medical leaves of absences for mental health reasons and extended reasonable accommodations for students with learning disabilities like myself and the 23,000 students I represent at the UC, ensuring consistency in our pursuit of a higher education. At the appropriate time, I respectfully request your I vote. Thank you.
Redner 8
Hello. My name is Reyna. I am from UC Irvine and on behalf of the UC Student Association, and I support this field. Thank you.
Redner 29
Hello. My name is Emma Kettleleerly. I'm a student at UC Irvine, and I'm here on behalf of the UC Student Association, and I strongly support AB one six six nine.
Redner 25
Hello. My name is Hiba Khan. I'm also from UC Irvine, also on behalf of the UC's, student association, and I also strongly support this bill. Thank you.
Redner 25
Hello. My name is Cindy Lee. I'm a UC San Barbara student with the University of California, Student Association. On behalf of over 230,000 undergraduates, we strongly support this bill.
Redner 25
Hi. I'm Trinea Thornton. I'm a UCR student, and I'm in strong support of this bill.
Redner 9
My name is Miles May. I'm a UC Berkeley student, and I support this bill. Thank you.
Redner 19
Hi. My name is Naylaud Gibson. I'm a UC Berkeley student, and I support this bill.
Redner 25
Hello. My name is Jacqueline Deeba, and as a student of UC Riverside, I support this bill. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. Are there witnesses in opposition in a hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? Samara Patel.
Redner 15
Thank you for bringing this bill forward. As I mentioned with the previous hearing, I have two children that are currently in college and one in high school. All three have expressed, lots of concern for their peers and and making sure that we provide pathways to address mental challenges when they come up. And having a policy in place where we know how we can do that safely and in a way that's sustainable for our students is very important. So I appreciate you bringing this bill forward.
It's it's important work. And if I can move the bill, I'd love to do that.
Redner 1
But Thank you so much. We have a motion by doctor Patel and a second by doctor Jackson. Thank you so much, colleagues. Any further questions or comments? Seeing none, Asumma Pacheco, would you like to close, please?
Redner 1
Thank you so much, Asama Pacheco, for authoring this very important measure to allow our students to receive medical leave at postsecondary education institutions here in California. And I'm deeply sympathetic to the stories shared here today, And I thank you for your bravery, and not only continue your education, but in speaking here today. And I look forward to supporting your measure here today. And with your permission, I would like to be added as a coauthor.
Redner 2
File item number two, AB1669. The motion is due pass as amended and we refer to the committee on appropriations. Fong?
Redner 2
Fong? Aye. DeMeyer? Aye. DeMaio, aye.
Berner, Gonzales, Jackson, aye. Marucci? Patel? Aye. Patel, aye.
Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tongipa?
Redner 1
That measure has four votes. We'll keep the roll open for additional members. Thank you.
Redner 1
We'd like to welcome Assembly Ransom presenting Assembly Bill one seven one three, item number three. Welcome Assembly Ransom.
Redner 30
Alright. Thank you. Good afternoon, chair and members. Appreciate the opportunity to present assembly bill seventeen thirteen. Transitioning to higher education whether from a k 12 school or as an adult returning to the education system can be a stressful time for any student.
But accessing higher education is far too difficult for students with diff disabilities in particular. There are thousands of students in California who receive academic accommodations because of a documented diagnosed disability. But when those students start their higher education careers, too many are forced to prove that they are still living with that disability. Students who have an IEP or a five zero four plan or who have relied on those accommodations are being told in essence that their school doesn't believe they have that disability. Being sent off for a new diagnosis, especially for students with chronic conditions, is stressful, time consuming, and also costs a lot.
For someone sitting with their diagnosis in in diagnosis in hand in the IEP, this is just another roadblock our education system sets in their way. I'm proud to say that this assembly bill seventeen thirteen is a bill that was brought to me by a constituent that you will hear from soon. This is a straightforward solution to make sure that our students in California who have documented disabilities are allowed to get the support that they need. AB seventeen thirteen requires an institution of higher education to accept an IEP or five zero four plan which documents their disability as proof of their diagnosis. This bill prevents academic institutions from requiring timely, costly rediagnosis that can discourage our students from seeking the accommodations that they need to thrive.
With me to testify today are Madeleine Heal, the constituent who submitted the idea to our office through the There Ought to Be a Law program and a paraprofessional for, working in special education, as well as Khalud Rashid with the Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living. And with that, I'm gonna turn it over to my witnesses for testimony. Madeline?
Redner 19
Good afternoon, chair Fong and members of the committee. My name is Madeline Hill, I and am in strong support of a b seventeen thirteen. As a child, I had an IEP beginning the first grade. Throughout my entire k through twelfth journey, I struggled academically and personally, but I kept going. Like many students with disabilities, school was never easy for me.
Every year required support, patience, and people who believed I was capable even when I didn't believe in myself. After high school, I attended community college, and unlike many students navigating disability challenges and major life transitions, I had to stop. I started again, stopped again, and then I started once more. It has truly been a journey of persistence, setbacks, and resilience. Today, I'm proud to say that this June, I will be graduating with my associate's degree of arts.
Redner 25
This is why this bill is deeply personal to me. AB seventeen thirteen matters because students should not have keep proving what has already been documented through years of educational history just to receive support in higher education. This bill helps bridge the transition from k through 12 into college allowing IEPs and five zero four plans to serve as verification of disability so students can access accommodations faster without unnecessary delays. I work in education as a paraprofessional supporting special education, so I have experience from this I experienced this from both ends. Every day, I work with students who will one day become young adults entering our colleges and universities.
Redner 19
I see this potential I see their potential, their challenges, and support that they all need to succeed. I also see the importance of making sure the path does not become harder. The movement should not leave when they leave high school. This is not just a bill about my story. It's about the future of students we serve and now making sure that they have a smoother transition into adulthood and higher education.
I respectfully ask for your support in a b seventeen 13. Thank you.
Redner 34
Good afternoon, chair Fong and members. My name is Khalid Rashid. I'm the systems change advocate with Disability Resources Agency for Independent Living, also known as DRAIL. DRAIL is designated to serve six counties, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus. I also serve as the central rural regional deputy director for the disability organizing network, a California network for disabled people and all and our ally alleys who recognize who organize for systems change where people with disabilities live, learn, work, shop, play, and vote.
Redner 31
In my work, I hear from individuals with disabilities who are trying to move forward in their lives, many of them pursuing higher education. What should be an exciting step often becomes frustrating and discouraging because they are asked repeatedly to prove their disability just to receive basic accommodations. I've seen how these delays impact confidence, academic success, and even deciding whether or not someone stays in school. I also bring my own experience. When I went to college, I was on dialysis, and I just acquired my disability after high school.
I did not have an IEP or a five zero four plan, and I didn't know what to ask for. I requested a notetaker and permission to record lectures so that on days I had dialysis and was too tired, I could keep up. Transitioning to college is already stressful. Adding a disability and being required to reprove it creates another barrier when when the goal should be equal access and education. Eighty seventeen thirteen is a practical solution.
It reduces unnecessary barriers by promoting consistency and recognizing documentation students already have. It allows students to focus on learning instead of navigating systems that were not designed with them in mind. At DRAIL, we believe disability should never be a barrier to opportunity. This moves this bill moves us closer to that goal. Thank you.
Redner 32
Good afternoon. Justin Selmick on behalf of the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability as well as the California Community College chancellor's office in support. Thank you.
Redner 28
Hi. My name is Natalia. I'm a student at UC Berkeley. I live with disabilities, and I'm a disability leader on my campus that has experienced this personally and sees hundreds of students have this exact problem, and I support this.
Redner 2
Hello. My name is Jacqueline Deva as a student from UC Riverside and for the UCSA. And as a student who works in the district, I support this because I understand the struggles that people personally in my life have to go with. So I support this bill.
Redner 1
Are there witnesses in opposition in a hearing room? Are there tweeners in a hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? Do a motion and a second. Thank you so much.
Redner 15
I was wondering whether you have and you may not have this information, but I'm curious. Many students enter onto a UC campus, for example. There's a reason why I have this specific question. And they are required to purchase or, add on supplemental insurance because their insurance policy doesn't cover it. Do you know whether those plans even cover that costly process of that redetermination?
So say that their own insurance plans don't cover it, but then they're required to get a plan to be on campus. Do those plans even cover it?
Redner 30
So, assembly member, thank you for the question. That was not part of our research and preparation, for this bill. So I'm we're I am not aware whether or not the, the school's insurance plan would cover the additional, retesting. But I will tell you whether it covers it or not, in in enduring having to re endure explaining your situation over again and be re diagnosed with something you've already been diagnosed with is problematic either way. But thank you for the question.
Redner 15
Yeah. Because, of course, what we know is those diagnoses aren't transient with grade level. Yep. Thank They are part of your physical being. So Absolutely.
Appreciate you bringing this bill forward. Excited to support it today. Thank you.
Redner 30
Yes, chair Fong. Thank you again for the opportunity to present this bill. Again, this bill is grounded in the reality that our students face each and every day. Just out in the hallway today, folks were asking what we were doing, and they were sharing stories about how this affected their own family, their own children, nieces, and nephews. And we don't like this for our children.
Redner 27
We know we've heard of students who've had to fill a class four or five times before they were taken seriously. And so going to school, higher education is stressful enough in anyone's life. It's a challenge and often a financial challenge, and it should not be an accessibility challenge as well. I wanna applaud Madeleine Hill for bringing this bill to our team, and just say this is exactly how government should work. Instead of people, you know, bringing us problems, bring us a solution.
Redner 30
And that's what she did today. So I wanna, really acknowledge that. And I wanna thank our other witness, Khalud Rashid, for also being here to support our students and make sure that everyone can thrive no matter what their diagnosis. With that, I respectfully ask for your vote on behalf of all of California students who are living with disabilities.
Redner 1
And thank you so much, mister Sama Ransom, for authoring this measure and for working so closely with our committee staff on the bill and print, and thank you to your lead witnesses as well. And we know that maintaining educational access for disabled students is not only a directive from our federal government, but also a more imperative this committee has long been supportive of protecting. I look forward to supporting the measure here today and the thoughtful steps it takes to help students maintain access to education by reducing out of pocket cost to our students. Thank you so much again. And, mister secretary, roll call, please.
Redner 2
File item number 3AB1713. The motion is due pass and re refer to the committee on appropriations. Fong?
Redner 2
Fong, aye. DeMio? Aye. DeMio, aye. Burner, Gonzalez, Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, aye. Murasuchi, Patel? Aye. Patel, aye.
Rodriguez, Chuck Collins, Tongipa?
Redner 1
Thank you so much. That measure has four votes, and we'll keep the roll open for additional members add on. Thank you, Maranssen.
Redner 1
Next up, we'd like to welcome assimilator Stephanie presenting item number five, assembly bill one seven three four. Sorry. Welcome assembler Stephanie.
Redner 33
you, chair and colleagues. I I first wanna start off by thanking the chair and committee for their thoughtful work and collaboration on this bill, and I will be accepting the committee amendments. Today, I'm presenting a b seventeen thirty four, the Count Hunger Act, which responds to the federal government's decision to gut hunger data, basically, to gut the data, the collection of it. A b seventeen thirty four will secure and expand California's own food insecurity research. The Trump administration has made a deliberate choice to stop measuring hunger America.
They defunded the USDA's annual household food security survey and cut funding for key food and nutrition programs. The message seems to be if you stop collecting the data, the problem will just disappear. But hunger doesn't just disappear when you stop looking at it. All that disappears really is our ability to respond to that hunger and food insecurity. Without this data, California loses its line of sight into who is struggling to put food on the table, where the gaps are, and how federal, how sweeping federal policy changes are hitting families across our state.
We cannot we cannot fight a problem we can't see. The Count Hunger Act refuses to accept that blindfold. A b seventeen thirty four will secure funding for parts of UCLA's California Health Interview Survey and expand the pool of eligible survey respondents to account for the high cost of living in California. This bill is about refusing to let Californians go unseen and making sure no hungry family goes unaccounted for. With me today to testify in support are Marshawn and Maxwell from the San Francisco Marin Food Bank.
Redner 34
Thank you, assembly member Stephanie. Good afternoon, chair Fong and members. My name is Marshawn Tappan, associate director of policy and advocacy at the San Francisco Marin Food Bank, proud cosponsors of AB seventeen thirty four to count hunger act. The California Health Interview Survey, CHISS, is an annual health survey administered by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. It reaches over 25,000 households yearly across a variety of topics in health.
The CHIS study has been a valuable supplement alongside the recently national survey. However, with the impacts of federal cuts to these social safety nets programs in the uncertain future for CHES funded for future surveys, this survey too is in jeopardy. The actions California should take to ensure that doesn't happen, as a first step, the state of California should fund and support CHIS in expanding the food security questions to households below 400% of the federal poverty line. That's approximately 128,000 for a family of four, roughly the cost of living in California. The funding and expansion will provide us with a sustainable source of data on food security prevalence as the cost of living increases across California.
I will let my colleague explain further. Maxwell.
Redner 9
Thank you, Marshawn. Good afternoon, chair Fong and members of the committee. My name is Maxwell Titzwerth. As chief data and technology officer at the Samsas Gomeran food bank, I can tell you that we're at risk of flying by blind. As you heard, the USDA hunger survey has been suspended, and the CHIS food security screener, our best remaining state tool, is now at risk.
Redner 15
AB seventeen thirty four, the CALHOWNGR Act fixes this. It retains the existing CHIS food security measurement and expands screening from 200 to 4% of the federal poverty line because research shows that a third of food insecure households earn above the that 200% line. CHIS is a unique California asset. Respondents in every county, surveys in six languages, no existing survey in California matches that reach. This is a two year pilot.
Redner 9
It's targeted. It ensures California doesn't leave struggling families invisible simply because they earn a few dollars above an outdated cutoff. This is evidence based policy making in action.
Redner 35
Mister chair and members, Adam Kegelman on behalf of No Kid Hungry in support. Thank you.
Redner 37
Brian Leahy, AARP volunteer on behalf of our 3,200,000 California members in strong support. Thank you.
Redner 35
Josh Wright on behalf of the California Association of Food Banks, proud cosponsors and in support.
Redner 17
Jonathan Munoz on behalf of First Life California in strong support and I'd like to thank the author for her leadership on this.
Redner 5
chair and members. Jason Schmelzer on behalf of Alameda, stop wasting strong support. Thanks.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? Vice chair DeMille?
Redner 17
So $287,000, and it seems like we have, like, a predetermined, contract awarder, contract, recipient.
Redner 34
No. CHIS has been doing this work for over two decades. So they've been, familiar with this work. They had an infrastructure, the staff power, and they've been doing it for quite some time. So this is
Redner 9
State government. The it it varies year to year, but the challenge here is that we're trying to expand to cover more households who are at risk of food insecurity.
Redner 17
Okay. So when you say you're covering more households, isn't this a survey?
Redner 9
Because households between 204100% of the federal poverty line are not included in the survey. And national research shows that about a third of households who are food and secure are above that 200% line. We're missing quite a few folks by not including folks above that 200%
Redner 9
DPH through a variety of sources funds the existing on a year to year basis, but it does vary.
Redner 17
Okay. And have we reconsidered how we're collecting the data using the existing money to see if we can cover both bases without expanding the cost to taxpayers by $287,000?
Redner 9
It's funded every year, so the funding is at risk right now. DPH is not committed to funding it. We're also again, we're considering expanding as well.
Redner 17
But but that's not my question. Have you reconsidered your research methodology? In today's day and age, we have all sorts of new automated technology systems, AI, social media. We're not I mean, I think we have some, people up here that are familiar with surveys. If you're in a political campaign, you get a poll sometimes, and those have become more cost efficient as they've moved from phone calls to, you know, live, you know, live questions to embracing technology, and now they're even using AI.
Again, I I come back to every every contractor wants a contract, particularly in this case, you guys are the only ones getting the money.
Redner 17
But but there's obviously a designated recipient of the money. It's not gonna be out to open bid, I I would presume. So for $287,000 on a survey being done by government, I I'm questioning, is there have we sat down and really sharpened the pencil and thought through, our research methodology, our sample, size, our, survey methodology in terms of collection of data? We've done that? Is this the only way we can do it?
Can we open it up to a a bid? Maybe, we look at your baseline funding for this survey and ask a variety of actors out there if they can achieve the same or better data for a lower price.
Redner 34
So just to chime in, as we know, surveys does not cost under $287,000. Usually, if you wanna start a a new survey, you have to look at the infrastructure. You need to look at the questions. You have to look at the manpower. You gotta look at the system.
Redner 29
Is automation involved and all that stuff? That's over a million dollars when we did the research on it. So using this exist existing infrastructure make more sense reasonably because the price is so affordable. Now when you say the zero to 200%, what was the cost 200 to 400%? CHES is giving a remarkable rate for this work, for both years and to increase or expand the survey up to 400%, it's only 287,000, which could've easily been over 500 k if they really was interested in making money off the contract.
Redner 34
I think their interest is, simple, counting the hunger and making sure we address food insecurity in the state of California. So that's the focus. It's CHIS. They've been doing it for over twenty years. If there's other entities out there that does this work, perfect.
But we know CHIS has established infrastructure with data posted on their website about their methodology, how they take the survey, who they collect the data from, and how long they've been doing this work, and then the credibility behind this work. So we was looking at all that, when we proposed this idea to assembly member Stephanie because, we don't have time to wait. We lost the national survey, so we lost that dataset. If we don't act here, we will lose this dataset. Do we lot national in California
Redner 17
at that point. Dataset, the national survey was was discontinued. I know we can, you know, try to, you know, wipe it away with politics, but people are typically looking for good data to make better decisions. We've seen even this administration invest in investigations, research to make decisions. So to simply say, well, they don't like data.
I'm just let's set aside the politics for a moment. Is it that we weren't using the information at the federal level that we were getting from the previous survey, or did the information continue to kinda reinforce things that we were already doing? Do you have a do do you what's what was
Redner 34
the justification? Was being used for several data sets. One in particular was map the meal gap that the federal data was being used for here in California. So we were using that data along with other states. I went to DC last month, and I was talking to some of my colleagues out there who does this work.
They was using the national survey as well, and they were disappointed about the discontinuation of it and excited that California might step up to the plate to at least replace it in the state of California. We know that more need to be done nationally, but just because we stop counting doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Hunger is still prevalent, and we need to do something to address it in the state of California, and this is the first step.
Redner 17
So I again, my concern goes back to we get a lot of well intentioned ideas up here. And it seems at first blush, oh, who can argue with more data? But if there was a reason why we stopped funding the survey, it probably was because it wasn't informing decision making in a way that made policymakers at the federal level, at least, feel that they were able to manage their programs better. And then secondly, I am very concerned about the no bid nature of this. It seems as though we have a predetermined contractor.
I'm sure the contractor may or the the, you know, the survey, group may be wonderful. They may do a great job, but we don't know that. And, so I'm gonna oppose this bill not because I don't like data. I'm all about performance measurement and government. I'm all about data analytics.
Anyone who wants to Google my twenty five years in business knows exactly
Redner 17
My bona fides on this issue. But, sir, that's exactly why I'm raising this problem because I can smell a problem a mile away on data issues. And I believe that this is a contract that's hotwired, and I would like to make sure that when we are looking at evidence based policy making that we really go out to the market and say, here are what decision makers are trying to grapple with. Here's some questions that we're trying to get to the bottom of. Design a methodology in a survey and a data collection model, then give us a cost that will help decision makers.
In fact, frankly, if you care about reducing the issues around hunger, you would wanna put us on hot seat. Elected officials should be telling you advocates, here's the data we need to see in order to make the following changes in law that you're trying to advance. Because I'm willing to pay money for data as long as it results in good government decisions. I'm not confident that the bill before us today does that. I do not fault the author.
I think the author is legitimately interested in good data. But I would caution that before we accept the recommendation of the contractor that we, as legislators, push back a bit more and maybe clarify maybe we need to do a little bit more of our work as to what are our goals and what sort of data would we need. I'd like to hear from government program managers coming up saying, here's what I'm looking for. Here are some of the questions I harbor, and this is what a survey instrument might be able to answer for me. So I'm open to continuing the discussion.
This is an area that I'm a geek on, and that's that's why I saw some red flags that perhaps were not raised earlier in the process.
Redner 15
Thank you, chair Fong, and thank you to assembly member Stephanie for bringing this very important bill forward. And thank you to those that work in the food security industry in making sure that Californians can continue to be fed because that is absolutely critical at this moment. I have a couple of quick questions just to, get to the nugget of the policy position you're bringing forward. Just to clarify for me, the California Health Interview Survey, is that a program that's currently ongoing with infrastructure well established and reliable to the state of California? Correct.
And this would be a simple expansion of that to the to bridge the gap that the federal government has created in its current policy decisions?
Redner 15
Okay. Excellent. And in your bill, you also stated that it is it will be enacted upon appropriation, so you are seeking funding for that. And you're just looking for a nod from this committee so that you could go and pursue pursue that funding mechanism. Very good explanation.
Redner 38
Yes. And then my final question is just around that 200 to 400% below poverty line. I would imagine that this population of folks in California are some of the hardest hit, most vulnerable community members, maybe not with a cell phone at hand or technology at their fingertips, to answer a survey digitally. Are there multiple modalities with how the survey is conducted so that we can actually reach our community members where they are in a capacity that they're able to speak with someone?
Redner 9
Correct. Yes. It moved to a telephone and web based starting in 2019. So they're continuously looking at methodology.
Redner 15
Thank you. I really do appreciate you bringing this thoughtful piece of legislation forward. It's important that we as Californians fill the gaps when our federal government has created them. And, hopefully, in future years, we will reestablish these, these very important money saving, cost saving, community benefiting programs across The United States because I would hate to see the inefficiencies we bring forward if every single state had to fund their own such survey. That would be terribly inefficient for 50 states to duplicate this program.
So thank you for filling the gaps for us in the meantime. Thank you. With that, I'd like to move the bill.
Redner 1
have a second? Second by doctor Jackson. Summer Stephanie, we'd to close, please.
Redner 33
Yes. Thank you. And I I just wanna touch on a few things. The San Francisco Marin Food Bank brought this to me under a lot of distress given what's happening in our country right now and given the number of people that has increased in terms of who they need to feed. And they brought this to me in distress because of what I said when I opened that the Trump administration, the federal government defunded the USDA's annual household food security survey and cut funding for key food and nutrition programs.
Redner 35
Now in questions from the dais in terms of, well, why would the federal government do that? If you're asking us here, the three of us here, to explain why the federal government is doing anything that it's doing, we cannot. I cannot explain to you why Elon Musk stood on a stage with a chainsaw and would acted like a crazy person, tried to make all these cuts through all these different departments. What did that get us? I'm not gonna be able to explain to you what the federal government is doing, but what I can explain to you is that these are incredible people who are doing incredible work, and I resent the nefarious implications that we're just going to contract out to someone who has this contract and they're doing this for nefarious reasons, god forbid.
Redner 33
God forbid they measure hunger. God forbid they find out where the gaps are. God forbid they try to do the work that they continue to that they need to continue to do to make sure people aren't going hungry, and that we're hitting everyone who is food insecure. That's what this bill is doing. We are trying to make certain that we have enough information in place so that these incredible individuals who work at the San Francisco Marin Food Bank can do the work they need to do to make sure that people eat.
That's it. There's nothing nefarious about there. Nothing nefarious about this. It is making sure we have surveys in place to find out who's food insecure and
Redner 1
Thank you so much, so much, Stephanie, for bringing this very important measure forward and for taking the committee's amendments. As you said, in the wake of the federal government counseling important survey reports on food insecurity, California must stand in the gap and continue to fund reports that provide credible and comprehensive data on the health and health care needs of Californians. And with that, I look forward to supporting your measure here today.
Redner 2
File item number five, a b 1734. The motion is due, pass as amended, and re referred to the committee on appropriations. Fong?
Redner 2
Fong, aye. De Mayo? No. De Mayo? No.
Berner, Gonzales, Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Murasuchi, Patel? Aye.
Patel, aye. Rodriguez, Schoch Collins, Tongipa?
Redner 1
Thank you so much. That measure has three ayes. One no. We'll keep the role open for additional members out on. Thank
Redner 1
up, we'd to welcome Summer Arons Presenting item 14, two seven six six. Welcome, Summer Ahrens.
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Good afternoon, mister chair and members. I'm here to present my bill a b two seven six six, which takes significant steps to enhance the ability of our foster youth and former foster youth and students experiencing homelessness to obtain stable housing in our California colleges and universities. It requires the California community colleges prioritize housing for current and former foster youth and homeless students. Colleges and CSU campuses along with UC campuses are requested to identify foster youth and homeless students within housing applications and prominently display the priority housing benefits on their websites. Additionally, housing deposits and fees for foster youth and homeless students must be deferred until the financial aid is dispersed.
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As someone who was in the foster system, I understand firsthand the struggles that many of these students face today. Additionally, I was also homeless at, as I've spoken very publicly, while, attending our college, our our community colleges. And, I would just ask that, we consider the lived experience of the work that we're trying to do. And with me today is Jessica Petros, the director of education at John Burton Advocates for Youth, and Isil Casias, a first year student at UC Davis.
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Good afternoon, chair and members of the committee. My name is Jessica Petros, director of education at John Burton Advocates for Youth. For far too long, students with experience in foster care and with homelessness have faced significant barriers, leading to just twelve percent and fifteen percent respectively achieving a higher education compared with 49% of their peers. While California has made meaningful progress in closing this gap, two key factors continue to drive this disparity, persistent housing instability and limited access to the college courses they need to graduate. Nearly half of foster youth attending community college and twenty five percent enrolled in the CSUs experience homelessness, and there is a clear connection between a lack of stable housing and failure to persist in and complete postsecondary education.
While the CSU system is required and the UCs are requested to provide priority housing to students with experience in foster care or with homelessness, the California community colleges are not subject to this requirement. As a result, students at community colleges who make up the majority of these populations face unequal access to stable housing even as community college housing capacity has expanded. At institutions where priority housing does exist, students are often unaware of this benefit, particularly students who have experienced homelessness. This coupled with up front housing deposits and fees that are required often months before a student even receives their financial aid can block access to campus housing, and in some cases, prevent enrollment altogether for students with little or no financial support. AB two seven six six will address these challenges by increasing access to priority housing across all three systems of higher education, removing unnecessary barriers to upfront campus housing fees, and expanding priority registration eligibility for foster youth at the community colleges, ensuring students can enroll in the classes they need to succeed and achieve the California dream through postsecondary education.
It is for these reasons that I respectfully urge and I vote in support of a b two seven six six.
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Hello, everyone. Good afternoon. My name is Ezel Casias, and I'm a first year at UC Davis majoring in environmental policy. My journey to get here wasn't always easy as I experienced homelessness as a child and entered foster care system at 15. As a foster youth, I don't have a financial safety net to fall back on when emergencies happen, unlike many of my peers.
Without stable housing, it's nearly impossible to build a future, let alone succeed in higher education. For me, accessing on campus housing at UC Davis was critical to pursuing my goals, But nobody told me that foster youth were eligible for priority housing. There was no clear information on the housing website. Luckily, I found out through a question on the application, which connected me to that support. Having a question to I dent to identify eligible population about priority housing was a game changer for me.
Securing housing changed everything. It gave me stability, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on my education. It made me feel seen and supported by my university. I don't have a car, and I rely on being close to campus to get to class. Without on campus housing, just getting to school each day would be a barrier.
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While I was fortunate, many students are. Not all campuses offer a clearly communicated priority housing for foster youth. Students like me are working to overcome significant challenges that we that were never our choices. Policies like priority housing and registration helped level the playing field and remove barriers so we can succeed and transform our lives through a college degree. That's why I respectfully urge an I vote on a b two seven six six.
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Good afternoon, chair and members. Kate Rogers on behalf of the Student Homes Coalition, proud sponsor in support.
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Good afternoon. Justin Selmuk on behalf of the California Community College Chancellor's Office in support.
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Hi. Carol Gonzales on behalf of the Cal State Student Association in support. Thank you.
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Hi. Sara Blobibs on behalf of the Institute for College Access and Success and support.
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Hi. My name is Serena Bracey. I go to UC Davis, and I'm a former foster youth, and I am in support.
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Hi. My name is Jada on behalf of JBAY, John Burton Youth Advocates, a student at UC Davis. I am in support of a B22766.
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Hello. Sasha Horowitz with the Los Angeles Unified School District in support.
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Hey. My name is Natalia. I'm a UC Berkeley student, I'm in strong support.
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Hey, everyone. Vincent Ross with the University of California Student Association in strong support. Proud of you coming on as cosponsors as well.
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Good afternoon, chair Fong and members. With public advocates in strong support.
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Thank you. Good afternoon, mister chair and members. Pasha Alfasabi with You Aspire in strong support. Thank you.
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Good afternoon. I'm Tara George, UC Davis student and You Aspire intern in strong support.
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Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments?
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We have a motion and a second. Thank you so much, colleagues. Seeing no further questions or comments, mister Aaron, would you have to close, please?
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Thank you so much, mister chair and members for your due consideration. I'd like to just underline what was mentioned earlier. By age 29, only twelve percent of foster youth, who of students who have experienced homelessness are going to be able to complete just a two year degree compared to forty nine percent of the regular student population. And we don't need to do an expensive study to know that stable housing is a direct contributor to the success of our students, especially our foster youth who've been through enough, and I would respectfully ask for your I vote.
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Thank you so much, mister Semmer Erins, for bringing this very important measure forward and for sharing your journey from homelessness to being in foster care to now serving as a legislator and being a champion champion of these very issues. In today's economy, post secondary education is essential for long term economic security and the development of a fulfilling career path. And yet 80 while 85% of foster youth aspire to go to college, only a small fraction ever complete a degree. Youth have experienced homelessness often follow a similar trajectory. For proper support and guidance, however, youth with experience in foster care or homelessness can be successful college students.
And I believe this bill does just that, and it please support the measure here today. Mister secretary, roll call, please.
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File item number 14, a b twenty seven sixty six. The motion is due pass and re refer to the committee on human services. Fong? Aye. Fong, aye.
DeMaio, Berner, Gonzalez, Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Marisucci, Patel? Aye.
Patel, aye. Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tungupa?
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That measure has three votes, and we'll keep the rope open for district members' honor. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.
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Next up, we'd like to welcome a summer Bauer Cahan presenting two items. First up, file number eight, assembly bill two two one two
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Perfect. Thank you, mister chair and members. Perfect. Here you are. Good afternoon, mister chair and members.
Today, I'm proud to present a b twenty two twelve, the Higher Education AI Response Act or the HEAR Survivors Act. This is an appropriate time for this bill to be heard because April is sexual assault awareness month. And I would say this week is an especially important time for us to be hearing this bill in these halls of power. AB twenty two twelve updates the definition of sexual harassment in the post secondary education code to account for modern digital technologies, and it requires California's higher education institutions to develop policies that address nonconsensual deep fakes, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and other forms of tech facilitated sexual harassment. I'm accepting the committee amendments today, which clarify the standard of consent required for the creation and distribution of digitized sexually explicit materials.
Require universities to provide students with a list of resources for combating text facilitated sexual harassment and make various technical changes. I wanna thank the committee for all of their work on all of that and more. As we know, harassment back when I was in college was almost exclusively in person, and the world has changed, and our universities have not kept up to date. And this bill is really an honor to carry in part because it was brought to us by the people most affected, the individuals at our universities who wanted this protection and who believe California can do better for everyone on our campus who's experiencing online, harassment of this nature. And so with me today is America Rodriguez Lagos, a third year undergraduate student at UCLA and a member of Survivors and Allies, the sponsor of the measure, as well as Survivors and Allies members, Celine Betancourt.
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Good afternoon, chair and committee members. My name is America Rodriguez Lagos. I am a third year undergraduate at UCLA and a member of Survivors and Allies, the proud sponsor of AB twenty two twelve. This bill updates the education code definition of sexual harassment to include AI generated sexually explicit material. Institutions need standardized policies to address tech facilitated sexual harassment.
I'd like to share with you all a testimony from one of our members. When I was in college, I sent intimate images to someone that I was dating. Months later, I discovered that they were using those images to create content without my consent. That content is still online. I was devastated and didn't know who to turn to.
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I didn't tell anyone at school because I didn't think they would believe me, although it deeply impacted my mental health. I wish that my university would have provided the information about what I could do in this situation. I wish I had known what resources were available to me. Currently, higher ed institutions lack consistent standards to prevent, investigate, and respond to these cases. In survivors and allies survey of California college students, one in seven survivors experienced online sexual harm, and seventy percent never reached out to their institutions for support.
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AV twenty two twelve recognizes that sexual violence is no longer confined to physical spaces and that institutions must respond to digital and AI generated sexual harm with the same urgency. We thank assembly member, Baur Khan, for her leadership on this issue, and we respectfully ask for your I vote. Thank you.
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And Selene Benningcourt is here for a technical question. I'm an adviser and alumna of UCLA and UCSB.
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Good afternoon, chair members. Adriani Silvana with the UC Student Association in strong support.
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Kylie Wallace with the UC Berkeley ASUC Sexual Violence Commission strongly in support.
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Good afternoon. Mars Van Aracile on behalf of the UC Berkeley ASUC Sexual Violence Commission. Thank you.
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My name is Roma Kapoor. I'm codirector of the ASUC Sexual Violence Commission public policy department, and I'm in strong support.
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Becca Kramer with Kaiser Advocacy. We really appreciate the author's office working with us, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation is pleased to support.
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Thank you. Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? We have a motion and a second.
Thank you so much. Seeing no questions or comments, Elsemer, we'd like to close, please.
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And I just wanna thank all of the students that traveled up here. I know time is of the essence when you're a student and you have so much on your plate, and their advocacy does mean a lot, and it's resulting in these really critical changes in the code that will help protect all of our students that are in California institutions. So thank
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Thank you so much, mister Bauer Kahn, for working so closely with our committee staff on this very important issue, and I appreciate you accepting the committee's amendments. Now I was concerned when I learned during this committee's artificial intelligence hearing that the CSU did not have a policy to address technology, facilitate a sexual harassment, and I'm grateful that this bill rectifies this oversight. And I look forward to supporting the measure here today. And with your permission, miss Emer, I would like to be added as a coauthor.
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File item number eight, a b twenty two twelve. The motion is to pass as amended and re refer to the committee on privacy and consumer protection. Fong? Aye. Fong, aye.
De Mayo? Aye. De Mayo? Aye. Berner?
Gonzalez? Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Murasuchi, Patel?
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That measure has four votes, and we'll keep the rope in for additional members to add on.
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Item number 13, assembly bill two five zero four. Welcome, summoner Bauer Cahan.
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Thank you, mister chair and members. And, again, I wanna thank the committee staff on their work on this bill, and we'll be accepting committee amendments here today. With that, I'm proud to present a b twenty five zero four, which creates the future of creative industries pilot program, which will support and upscale professional staff within the creative and entertainment industries. And I think this bill is incredibly exciting because when I'm asked, which I'm asked a lot, what is the next frontier in legislation on artificial intelligence? The answer really is the future of workers in California.
How do we uphold the economy when the world is changing around us? And so we've seen a lot of bills that focus on upskilling and how do we get our workers ready. And this one is slightly different because for the first time, we had industry calling us and saying, we want jobs to be in our industry that allows people to thrive in the AI future, but we need help with the upskilling and the training. So we'll provide the jobs. Will you, the state, provide the upskilling?
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And I think that was the magic moment that I was waiting for, where we could really marry a future of work that is real and we understand with the upskilling. I also wanna thank the community college, the chancellor at the community colleges who's been in conversations with us about this in really helping us navigate the path that has landed in this bill because they have done this before in other areas. They used the example when we met with them about a program they did after the LA wildfires where they used the community college system to upscale workers to clean up the wildfires, a skill that was needed rapidly. And we had this infrastructure at community colleges that could be used to train people to do that work. And really using that model to move over to the AI future to say, let's use our community colleges, that amazing infrastructure that everyone in California has access to to create a workforce training program that will allow people to move into the AI future.
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And it is incredibly apt that it is Hollywood and our amazing talent in the movie industry that is coming together to do this because their strike was really the first time we had a real deep conversation about what AI meant for the future of work. And so us taking this first step with the creative arts industries, I think, is incredibly exciting, and I think will be not only important for that industry, but I really see this as a first step, a pilot, the opportunity to see how we upskill in one industry that then we can use to model in other industries in the future. And so I'm really excited about this bill if you can't tell. And with that, I will turn it over to Hannah. I know you're not supposed to have favorites.
Right? That's only normal. I'll turn it over to Hannah Lincoln Hoegger, senior policy and political adviser with William Morris Endeavor.
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Thank you. Good afternoon. Hi, chair Fong. Thank for having me, committee members, and a huge thank you to Rebecca for your partnership and your leadership on this issue. It was a real kind of nascent idea when we started talking about it, and I'm really proud of where it's come.
So my name's Hannah Lincoln Hooker. I'm here today on behalf of WME, William Morris Endeavor, a global talent agency with over a hundred and twenty five years of experience representing clients across film, television, music, sports, beyond. We are the largest agency in the world, and we have a front row seat to what's happening in this industry right now. California's creative economy employs more than 760,000 workers, roughly 5% of the state's workforce, with an average salary of a $191,000. But those numbers are shrinking.
We are facing a market consolidation, a global content market actively out com out competing California for production, and a technological revolution that is reshaping every job in this ecosystem. Up to 62,000 creative and entertainment jobs in California could be disrupted by AI in 2026. That is not a distant threat. That is now. Unlike other technological transitions, this one is happening at lightning speed, and we need public policy to respond in kind.
Thank you for your support of the expanded film and TV tax credit last year. That really mattered, but we are at an inflection point that requires a broader response. AB twenty five zero four is part of that response. The future of creative industries pilot program will establish a forward thinking workforce training partnership between the entertainment industry and California community colleges designed by, within, for employers. It is an early investment in skills and infrastructure that will allow California to adapt more effectively and to focus and to focus on augmenting human work rather than replacing it.
AI should be a tool for humans and artists, not the other way around. This pilot program will expand access and opportunity for workers who don't otherwise have the resources to adapt, ensure employers have a pipeline of skilled human talent, and center economic inclusion and human creativity. We love the California Community Colleges and are excited to partner with the chancellor and her team to develop this exciting program. It is a powerful opportunity to support the entertainment industry's transition to the AI economy while continuing our commitment to hiring from a diverse pipeline of talent. I ask for your support in building what we hope is the first of many programs designed to keep California's creative workforce and this industry right here where it belongs.
Thank you.
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witnesses in support in the hearing room? Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room?
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Anna Matthews on behalf of the California Community College Independence Union. Appreciate the intent of the bill. At this time, we have no formal position, but wanted to, kind of share the perspective kind of from the faculty. As a principal, faculty prefer for curriculum not to be legislated as faculty are usually supposed to have jurisdiction over academic affairs. We know that this is an emerging issue.
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It's definitely something that's important, and we know that partnerships with creative industries are mentioned in the bill, but we also hope to see meaningful outreach and feedback from the community college faculty who end up implementing bills like this on the ground. Thank you.
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Thank you so much. Colleagues, any questions or comments? Assemblymember Jackson.
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Assemblymember, I I've mentioned it before, but you have taken this issue by the horns, and you are looking at every corner, every crevice. You're flipping this baby upside down, and I continue to be amazed how you have tackled this issue, the expertise you are building, the experts you are listening to and building around you. And so I continue to be amazed of your work, when it comes to this issue. So well done.
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We have a motion and a second. Thank you so much. Any further questions or comments? Sina, would you like to close, please?
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to everyone and thank you to my colleague for the very kind words. This is, when I was asked to chair the committee right at the advent of artificial intelligence, I knew I was taking on quite the undertaking, but it has really been a privilege that the speaker asked me to do that because this it is the future, and we, especially here in California, have an obligation to lead. And so when our industries ask us to partner with them, I think it is the perfect moment to lean in. And so I'm so grateful for the community colleges leaning in, for our industries leaning in, and, you know, this envisions our technology companies helping us navigate how this works and, our unions and our workers. And so I actually appreciated the comments by the faculty because, we should bring them in.
So point taken. Obviously, this is the first step, so we will move forward. But we have been in conversations, with the art unions down in Los Angeles who are partners in this, but we would like to bring in our faculty as well. So the more the merrier, frankly. But let's create a future of work that involves augmentation and not replacement.
Hannah said better than I could, but with that I respectfully ask for your I vote.
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Thank you so much, Summer Power K, and for bringing this very important measure forward. And thank you for the joint hearing we had last August as well. I think that was very important to really talk about how, you know, like, the issues that's impacting in the workplace and the workforce, but also especially in our creative spaces as well. But I believe your bill will help make community colleges a hub for upskilling in this space and happy to support it here today. With that, mister secretary, roll call, please.
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File item number 13AB2504. The motion is due pass as amended and re refer to the committee on privacy and consumer protection. Fong? Aye. Fong, aye.
De Mayo. Burner, Gonzales, Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Marisucci?
Patel? Aye. Patel, aye. Rodriguez, Chuck Collins, Dongiba?
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That motion has three votes and we'll keep that measure has three votes and we'll keep the roll open for district members to add on.
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Thank you, mister Charity. Again, immense gratitude to your staff. They've been amazing to work with.
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much to the staff as well. Thank you, assembly member. Next up, we'd like to welcome doctor Jackson presenting item number one, Assembly Bill one six four one. Welcome, Assemblyman Jackson. Welcome, doctor Jackson.
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Thank you very much, mister chair. I am profoundly grateful to be able to present a b sixteen forty one today, which amends the education code to formally include tribal colleges and universities as a recognized segment of public post secondary education in California. This recognition ensures that tribal institutions are no longer sidelined, but instead are meaningfully included in higher education planning, legislation, and coordinating bodies where critical decisions are made. It affirms the academic excellence and cultural leadership of tribal colleges, making clear that these institutions and the communities they serve are no longer in visible within our state's education system. With me today to speak on the impact of this bill are Sean Reagan, executive vice president of the California Indian Nations College, and Nathaniel Barrett, vice president of external affairs with the associate of students at the California Indian Nations College.
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Good afternoon, chair Fong and committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of a b sixteen forty one and the need for tribal colleges and universities in California. We're proud to sponsor a b sixteen forty one and thank doctor Jackson for his leadership on this bill and also mister Ramos, mister Gonzales, and mister Wallace for their support as well. California Indian Nations College is an accredited public two year associate degree granting tribal college chartered by the twenty nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. We're located in Southern California, but we have students from throughout the state, both native and non native.
American Indian students face numerous challenges in higher education, historical, cultural, but they are resilient. And with their with and with the proper support, they accomplish their goals and help make their communities better. Tribal colleges or universities or TCUs are a vital part of that process. Students who started a TCU are four times more likely to earn their bachelor's degree. California is home to one fifth of all federally recognized tribes and over 1,400,000 people who identify as American Indian or Alaska native.
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There is a need for TCUs in California, but the current education code definitions do not recognize TCUs. We're not a UC, a CSU, or a triple c. And as a public institution, we do not we're not part of the independent institutions of higher education. So as it stands now, TCUs are the invisible institutions of higher education in California. A b sixteen forty one revenues that.
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From our point of view, a b sixteen forty one does not create a new segment of higher education, but rather recognizes and codifies one that already exists in the state. We are here. Our students are here. TCUs and TCU students are not currently seen. We're not part of the discussions around higher education.
TCUs and TCU students often do not have that voice, and their voice is important. We thank you for allowing us to speak today and for giving us a voice here in this committee. Turn it over to one of our students, Nate Barrett, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote on a b sixteen forty one.
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Hello. My name is Nathaniel Barrett. I'm an enrolled member of the VES Band of Kumeyaay Indians, and I'm also a student here at, CINC where I serve as the current studio body of VP external affairs. Like many indigenous students, I walk two worlds, one world filled with traditions and cultural values, another one with western systems and practices. I have firsthand experience of what it is like to see my community go overlooked and unseen.
TCU connects excuse me. Two worlds connect. Like many indigenous students, I walk two worlds, one filled with traditions and cultural values, another with Western systems and practices. I have firsthand experience of what it's like to see my community go overlooked and unseen. TCU connects those two worlds.
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As a TCU, CINC is important because it gives the opportunity for underserved students to be recognized and acknowledged. This college is rebuilding in the relationship between natives and education for a lot of us with the history of boarding schools and Western education that sought to strip our identity, our relationship with education came before we were even born. Because of colleges like CINC, I can overcome systematic barriers where I can feel supported and recognized to pursue my degree. Also, my dream is of being a travel lobbyist, CINC, is consistently evolving and opening doors for many students like myself to speak at tables where the we lack representation to address what we need. With a b sixteen forty one, it helps give TCUs the opportunities and acknowledgment that is needed.
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I wanna thank you, chair and members, for your time, and plea please help us be seen in both eye on sixteen forty one.
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Hello. My name is Lillian Alonis. I am a second year student at California Indian Nations College, and I support this bill. Thank you.
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Thank you, chair members. Chris Morales on behalf of the CSU office of the chancellor in support.
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Good afternoon. Jessica Don, University of California, also in support. Apologies. We weren't able to get our letter in on time.
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Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweeners in the hearing room? Colleagues, any questions or comments? Assemblymember, we'd like to close, please. Respectfully answer your vote.
Thank you so much, mister Jackson, for bringing this very important measure forward. I believe that this is an important step towards acknowledging the role that tribal colleges and universities play in serving not just Native American communities, but all students in advancing educational equity while preserving existing governance structures and flexibility for future policy alignment. With that, I'm pleased to support the measure today. Do we have a motion? Motion.
And I'll and I'll second it. Mister secretary, roll call, please. File
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item number one, a B1641. The motion is due, pass, and re refer to the committee on appropriations. Fong? Aye. Fong?
Aye. De Mayo? Burner? Gonzalez? Jackson?
Aye. Jackson? Aye. Marisucci? Patel?
Aye. Patel? Aye. Rodriguez? Sharp Collins?
Tengeba? That
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measure has three votes, and we'll keep the roll open for additional members. Thank you so much. We'll be here. I'm gonna have to build present right now. Wanna run it or?
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Hi. Good afternoon, mister chair and members. Assembly bill seventeen thirty is the culmination of years of work to address sexual harassment complaints on community college campuses. In 2024, I, along with nine other members, authored 12 bills in response to the committee's report on how the state could better address incidents of sexual harassment on college campuses. My bill, Assembly Bill two zero four eight, required the chancellor's office of the California Community Colleges to convene a work group of stakeholders to provide recommendations to the legislature on systemic campus reforms that effectively prevent, detect, and address sexual harassment on community college campuses.
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The gender equity work group convened throughout 2025 and made the following recommendations. The existing community college policies had many gaps and were not fulfilling the requirements under California and federal law, and a majority of Title IX coordinators are tasked with more than simply addressing Title IX to address the gaps and complaints found by the report that gender equity Thank you. The gender equity work group recommended authorizing the California Community College System to enter a contract with an external resolution authority to adjudicate all discrimination complaints at community colleges throughout the state. Assembly bill one seven three zero proposes to implement this recommendation, and continuity of grievance procedures in compliance with state and federal law is imperative, especially at a time when the Federal Office of Civil Rights is downsizing both in capacity and its protection it provides to students. Thank you.
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Okay. Thank you very much. Are there any witnesses in supportive support in the hearing room?
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Hana Ben Vanisti on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in support.
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Are there any in opposition in the hearing room? Any tweeners in the room? Oh, good afternoon. Justin Selnick on behalf of
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the California Community College chancellor's office. We do not have an official position at this time, but given the, bill as a result of recommendations from our report, we've been working with the author on the current version of the bill and continue to do so as it moves through the legislative and budget process. Thank you.
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Good afternoon. Andrew Martinez, Community College, League of California. I wanna thank the author for working on this bill and the staff as well. We continue to have conversations with the author's staff. Wanna work on this as we navigate the process going forward.
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This is a significant change in the way we operate using a third party vendor. We wanna make sure that we're doing a product that works appropriately with all of our colleges and districts since it is a significant investment. Thank you so much.
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Thank you very much. Seeing no questions from committee, Mister chair, would you like to close?
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Thank you so much, and thank you so much to Ellen and the committee and to everybody for their work and efforts and the partnership. And efforts on this is another step to continue to implement their recommendations going forward. And so with that, I respectfully, I ask for a nay vote.
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Thank you very much. I will second, the the bill. And, mister secretary, please call the roll.
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File item number four, a b seventeen thirty. The motion is due pass and re refer to the committee, on judiciary. Fong? Aye. Fong?
Aye. De Mayo, Berner, Gonzales, Jackson? Aye. Jackson, aye. Murasuchi, Patel, Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tangipa?
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Good afternoon, mister chair and members. Assembly bill 18 o nine removes a sunset providing authorization for school districts and community college districts to use job order contracting. It makes a clarification in the term of individual contracts. Job order contract is one of several alternative methods for awarding construction related contracts. While most construction contracts are for construction or major modernization of schools, Job order contracts relate to repairs and maintenance work or maintenance work.
Contracts are awarded for specific jobs, such as window repairs, before any work is needed. When a school needs window repair work, the district can sign an individual contract for that work immediately since the bidding has already been completed. Job order contracting is an efficient way to screen and secure contractors who are ready to be deployed when repairs are needed. Job order contracting started as a pilot for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2003 and has since been expanded to all the school districts and the California community colleges. The legislature has extended the sunset four times.
Assembly bill one eight zero nine removes the sunset and clarifies that the term of individual contracts is five years. Here to testify in support is Sasha Horowitz with the Los Angeles Unified School District and Kirk Blackburn with the Gordian Group.
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Thank you. Good afternoon, chair, members. Sasha Horwitz on behalf of the Los Angeles Unified School District. As assembly member Fong shared, a b 18 o nine is a simple bill addressing a project delivery method for school construction and procurement. It will remove the sunset on the job order contracting or JAC statutes used by both school districts and community colleges along with some other technical changes.
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JAC is an optional, cost effective procedure for bidding public works projects known for accelerating completion and reducing costs and contracts in complexity while following all competitive bill bidding laws. The Joc Law preserves a more efficient and cost effective process for addressing maintenance and construction needs by allowing a school district or community college to effectively bundle individual maintenance and construction contracts into a single master contract. The service terms are negotiated in advance, ensuring that contractors are available and ready to start work as soon as services are needed. This bill maintains requirements to have a project labor agreement and keeps the same dollar limits on contracts. Finally, these contracts are paid for locally and do not have any state costs.
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Good afternoon, chair, member, and members. Kirk Blackburn here on behalf of Gordian, the inventor of job order contracting. Here to, urge your support for the bill and ants help answer any questions.
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Thank you very much. Are there any witnesses in support, in the hearing room?
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Good afternoon, mister chair, committee members, and committee staff. Michelle Gill on behalf of California Association of School Business Officials in support.
Redner 17
Good afternoon, mister chair, members. Richard Markson on behalf of the Western Electrical Contractors Association. Job order contracting is supposed to be one of the most accessible entry points into public works. As the other witnesses testified, these are smaller repetitive projects, exactly the kind that a DVBE or a small business contractor would rely upon to get their foot in the door to build a track record and grow their business. But under current law, as described, that door is closed.
Redner 42
To use job order contracting, a school district or a community college district not only must enter into a project labor agreement for the job order contracting, but for every contract that that district then lets for construction. This is a huge flaw in the measure and holds school districts hostage to enter into an exclusive PLA to in order to use this cost saving measure. So instead of expanding opportunity, the structure narrows the field and concentrates the work among a smaller group of firms, primarily union firms. There's a fundamental contradiction here. Job order contracting is intended to reduce cost and simplify procurement, yet it's conditioned on a requirement that increases complexity and limits the competition.
And most importantly, from my perspective, is the legislature has never studied this version of job order contracting with the mandatory project labor agreement. The independent evaluation that was required in an earlier statute was never completed, and the only data that was collected pre predates the PLA mandate. And at the same time, credible research, including a RAND study, has shown that PLAs increase construction costs by 15 to 20%. So you're being asked to make permanent a program that has never been properly evaluated, is currently structured, and may be undermining both cost efficiency and access for small businesses. We're not opposed to job order contracting.
It can and should be a valuable tool, but it should be open to any eligible qualified contractor, not just one that promises to only use a certain labor force. For those reasons, we are opposed. Thank you.
Redner 20
Thank you very much. Are there any tweeters in the room? Seeing none, are there any committee questions or comments at this time?
Redner 20
It's been moved by assemblyman Burner Assembly member Burner, seconded by doctor Sharp Collins. Assemblyman Tengiba.
Redner 9
You know, I just actually wanna echo some of the opposition's statements. I think what where we are at right now is, I think, a forewarning. I think the LAO is warning us. I think a lot of groups have been warning us that in the future, if we keep moving bills forward that are going to drive up cost, there will be a point where we need to correct them. And LA Unified is in a very detrimental position when it comes to the litigation and lawsuits.
Redner 43
We've seen what happened to Sacramento Unified District with the receivership that they're in. We've seen what happened to school districts all across the entire state of California are falling into receivership, and it needs to be put on record today that this is the good time. There will be a bad time. We have a boom or bust style budget, but when we're locking ourselves in the contracts like this in the future, we're just gonna have to come back and correct them. And so this is something that I think just wanted to make sure that we are on record, that it's kind of bills like this that are going to artificially choke us that we're just gonna have to come back and correct.
So there's no way I can support this, but I don't think that it's responsible for us to really lock in these style contracting at this point where all of the red flags and all of the red lights are blinking, but we're not doing anything about those. So thank you.
Redner 17
Thank you. And I was not here for my colleague's remarks, but I kind of sense where you were, and it probably relates to the unfair, uncompetitive contracting mandate that is included in this bill in the form of a project labor agreement. I am not against a unionized workforce. I'm not against having a merit shop workforce. People should be able to choose who they wanna get training from, how they want to associate and bargain for weigh wages and negotiate with their employers.
That's fine. It's freedom. What I have a problem with is when government officials use government authority to put their thumb on the scale because presumably they're gonna get a benefit from it. When a project is done by a union, the union gets to take union dues. Many of those dues go into campaign funds, which then, of course, go back into politics.
How this is not pay to play on a large sense, I don't know. And this is why people don't like government. This why they don't have trust and confidence in the decisions that sometimes are made in government. We must hold ourselves to the highest level of of integrity and transparency and fairness, and that is why we shouldn't be mandating a project labor agreement, which is literally saying you're only gonna be able to hire unions. Oh, and by the way, the people voting for this are the ones that are benefiting from most of those dues that are being put into the political funds.
It stinks. It's unfair. And who pays the price? The taxpayers do in terms of higher cost of projects. 25, 30%, consistently, these projects are coming in way over cost estimates in bankrupting or busting the budgets.
Redner 31
There are a lot of projects that are so expensive that for example, in LA, they just enacted a rental car fee increase because their project was done with a project labor agreement. And and so those rental car taxes are now higher every time someone tries to rent a car in LA, we're paying the price for this sort of uncompetitive contracting practice. I have I like job order contracting. I think, you know, design build, performance based contracts, whatever works from a cost efficiency standpoint, we should give flexibility and allow that authority to our our agencies and then hold them accountable and say, did you get the performance? Did you get the price?
Redner 17
Did the work get done on time? But then to add the poison pill that this bill adds. So this is not about flexibility. This is literally about hotwiring the contracts in these districts for a particular interest, and that is not how government should function. In your in your soul, you all know that that's not how we should be doing business.
And that is why I urge the author to keep the good, which is the contract flexibility, and let's make sure that we jettison the bad.
Redner 20
Any additional questions or comments from committee members at this time? Seeing none, the we have a motion oh, do you have a assembly member Fong, would you like to close?
Redner 1
Thank you so much, mister chairman, and thank you so much to my colleagues. This is simply a bill that would allow for additional it's an alternative method for awarding construction contracts and allows a school or community college district to lock in a price for the task under a single single master contract. And where pair is needed at a school or a college, the district will sign an individual for on individual contract for the work at that site based on our already determined price. And so with that, I will certainly ask for an I vote.
Redner 20
We have a motion. We have a second. The motion before us is due passed to the Appropriations Committee. Mister secretary, please call the roll.
Redner 2
Aye. Fong? Aye. DeMio? No.
Burner? Aye. Burner, aye. Gonzales? Jackson?
Aye. Jackson, aye. Marisucci? Aye. Patel?
Rodriguez? Sharp Collins? Sharp Collins, aye. Tongiva? Tongiva?
No.
Redner 20
vote is five two, and we will hold this bill open. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, colleagues. At this time, we'll entertain add ons for our various measures, and I'll pass it over to mister secretary.
Redner 2
On the consent calendar, absent members, Boehner? Aye. Boehner, aye. Rodriguez, Sharp Collins? Aye.
Sharp Collins, aye. Tanguipa? Aye. Tanguipa, aye.
Redner 1
Thank you so much, colleagues. The consent calendar is out. We'll move on to
Redner 2
the next item. Mister secretary, please. File item number one, AB1641. Calling the absent members. De Mayo?
By some member Jackson. DeMio, I. Burner? I. Burner, I.
Gonzalez, Jacks oh, sorry. Jackson has voted I. Marisucci? I. Marisucci, I.
Sharp Collins? Aye. Sharp Collins, aye. Tongipa? Aye.
Tongipa, aye.
Redner 1
you so much. That has eight votes, and we'll keep the roll open for any additional members. Next up.
Redner 2
File item number 2AB1669. Absent members, Boehner. Aye. Boehner, aye. Gonzalez, Mersucci, aye.
Rodriguez, Charc Collins? Aye. Chuck Collins, aye. Tongipa? Aye.
Tongipa, aye.
Redner 1
Measure has eight votes, and we'll keep the roll open for any additional members. Next item, please. Thank you.
Redner 2
File item number 3AB1713. Absent members, Burner. Aye. Burner, aye. Gonzales, Mersucci, aye.
Rodriguez, Charcot Collins, aye. Tongipa? Aye. Tongipa, aye.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. That has eight votes, and we'll keep the rope up for any additional members. Thank you.
Redner 2
File item number 4AB1730. Absent members, De Mayo? Aye. De Mayo, aye. Burner, Burner, I.
Gonzalez? Mersucci? Mersucci, I. Patel? Rodriguez?
Sharp Collins? Aye. Tongepa? Aye. Tongepa, I.
67. Thank
Redner 2
File item number 5AB1734. Absent members, Boehner. Aye. Boehner, aye. Gonzalez.
Mersucci. Aye. Mersucci. Aye. Rodriguez.
Sharp Collins. Aye. Sharp Collins. Aye. Tongebob.
Redner 1
That measure of six votes. It's out. We'll keep the row open for additional members. Thank you. Next item, mister secretary.
Redner 2
File item number 7AB18O9. Absent members, Gonzales, Patel, Rodriguez. Oh.
Redner 2
Burner? Aye. Gonzales? Marucci? Aye.
Marucci? Aye. Rodriguez? Sharp Collins? Aye.
Sharp Collins? Tanguiba?
Redner 2
File item number 8AB2212? Tanghipa aye. On on file item number eight, absent member, Gonzales, AB2212. Nope. Okay.
Redner 2
Eight. David twenty two twelve. Same. Oh, okay. All is not voting.
Eight votes. That
Redner 1
member that measure has eight votes, and we'll keep the Okay. We can close the roll on that item. Thank you so much. Next item, mister secretary. Okay.
Okay. We're gonna take a moment back there. Measure we'll do measure number nine right now then.
Redner 2
File item number nine, a b twenty two thirty six. Absent members, Berner. Aye. Berner, a Gonzalez. Rodriguez?
Sharp Collins? Sharp Collins, aye. Tongepah? Aye. Tongepah, aye.
Gonzalez, aye.
Redner 2
File item number 11AB2422. Absent members, Boehner. Aye. Boehner, aye. Gonzalez?
Aye. Gonzalez, aye. Mersucci? Aye. Mersucci, aye.
Rodriguez? Trump Collins? Aye. Trump Collins, aye. Togipa?
Aye. Togipa? Aye.
Redner 2
De Mayo, I. Burner? Aye. Burner, I. Gonzalez?
Aye. Gonzalez, I. Marasucci? Aye. Marasucci, I.
Rodriguez? Sharp Collins? Aye. Sharp Collins, I. Tongipa?
Aye. Tongipa, I.
Redner 2
File item number fourteen, a b twenty seven sixty six. Absent members, De Mayo? Aye. De Mayo, aye. Burner?
Aye. Burner, aye. Gonzales? Aye. Gonzales, aye.
Marucci? Aye. Rodriguez? Trump Collins? Aye.
Trump Collins, aye. Tongipa? Aye. Tongipa, aye. That
Redner 2
File item number File item number 15AB2771. Burner? Aye. Burner? Aye.
Gonzales? Aye. Gonzales? Aye. Rodriguez?
Sharp Collins? Aye. Sharp Collins? Aye. Tongiva?
Aye. Tanguiva? Aye.
Redner 1
Thank you. Thank you so many members. We're not turning out. I know. We're not we'll have additional add ons, please.
Thank you. Alright. Next up is thank you so much, colleagues. It's file item number one. This is for under reconsideration.
Assembly bill one eight five two by a similar Baines. Do we have a motion for reconsideration? So. Second. Okay.
We have a motion and a second for reconsideration. Any further questions or comments?
Redner 1
There's already been, like, 17 committees going on today. So Okay. I'm sorry. It doesn't need a second, sir. So then okay.
So now let's vote on the reconsideration motion.
Redner 2
On granting reconsideration for a b eighteen fifty two by assembly member Baines. Fong?
Redner 2
Fong, not voting. DeMio, Berner, Gonzales, Jackson, Mersucci, Mersucci I, Patel, Rodriguez, Sharp Collins, Tangipa? Tangipa I.
Redner 2
granting reconsideration for a b eighteen fifty two, Gonzalez. Sharp Collins. Sharp Collins, no. Gonzalez, no.
Redner 1
That has two ayes, two nos, and one not voting, and we'll keep the we're open for a few more minutes. Thank you. Anyone entertain add ons in any additional items? Thank you, mister secretary. We can do.
Redner 2
Oh, well. So I have file item one, a b sixteen forty one by assembly member Jackson. Absent member Gonzales? Aye. Gonzales, aye.
Redner 2
File item number two, a B1669 by assembly member Pacheco. Absent member, Jeff Gonzales. Aye. Gonzales, aye.
Redner 2
File item number three a b seventeen thirteen by assembly member Ransom Gonzales. Gonzales, aye.
Redner 2
File item number four, a b seventeen thirty by assembly member Fong. Absent member Gonzales?
Redner 1
That measures eight votes. Is that we can hold the road open for that one. Thank you.
Redner 2
File item number five, a b seventeen thirty four by assembly member Stephanie, absent member Gonzalez? Aye. Gonzalez, aye. Rodriguez, Tongipa? Oh, Tongipa is not voting.
So that
Redner 2
File item number seven, AB18O9 by assembly member Fong. Absent members, Gonzalez? No. Gonzalez, no. Patel Rodriguez?
Redner 1
We'll keep the rope in for, for additional members. Thank you. Thank you so much, colleagues. We'll keep the rope in for additional members to add on, and thank you so much to the assembly higher education staff, to colleagues, to everyone for a robust Assembly Higher Education meeting, and we'll keep the world open for a few more minutes. Thank you so much.
Redner 2
On file item number 8AB twenty two twelve, Jeff Gonzalez not voting to aye.
Redner 2
Mister secretary, roll call, please. On file item number four, a b seventeen thirty by assembly member Fong, Absent member Patel?
Redner 2
File item number seven, a b 18 o nine by assembly member Fong, absent member Patel. Aye. Patel, aye.
Redner 1
Thank you so much. That measure is out. And then the final one is the reconsideration motion.
Redner 2
Assemblymember Pattel on granting reconsideration for AB eighteen fifty two. Patel not voting.
Redner 1
The motion for reconsideration is at two two and two. So the motion for reconsideration fails. Thank you so much. And now thank you so much, colleagues, for a robust Assembly Higher Education Committee meeting. Thank you so much to the committee staff, to everyone involved with today's hearing.
Please engage with our team early for our next policy hearing on next Tuesday, April 21, and really appreciate everyone's context and working efforts with our committee. And with that, this Higher Education Committee meeting is adjourned. Thank you so much.
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