Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee, Wednesday, April 22, 2026
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Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee California State Assembly
Follow its sittingsSpeaker 4
Great. Thank you. Good morning, chair. Christine Seltzer de Berry. I'm the executive director of Prosecutors Alliance Action and, in my personal capacity, a board member of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District.
And we're here today proud to sponsor a b twenty four eighty three, a smart investment in jobs, justice,
Speaker 4
growth industry in California, and we need more experienced firefighters on the front lines year round. For years, incarcerated fire crews have been a backbone of our emergency response. In 2024 alone, they provided 42% of CAL FIRE's emergency response hours. They have done dangerous, skilled work protecting our homes, our communities, and our loved ones. But when they return home, they face numerous obstacles to continuing their firefighting career.
AB twenty four eighty three fixes that. This bill ensures that incarcerated individuals earn the certificates they need to apply for entry level positions with CAL FIRE when they are returned home. It aligns our workforce needs with common sense. If we trust individuals to fight our fires while incarcerated, we should be ready to hire them to do that same essential work when they come home. Throughout my career in both prosecution and public defense, I've seen that one of the strongest ways to reduce recidivism is stable, meaningful employment.
Speaker 17
A job provides structure, dignity, and a pathway forward. It strengthens families, reduces economic strain, and helps break cycles of incarceration. From a workforce perspective, the need is urgent. Cal Fire is projected to hire more than 2,400 positions in the coming years, And we can help fill those positions with formerly incarcerated firefighters who are already trained, tested, and committed to protecting our communities. AB twenty four eighty three turns experience into opportunity.
Speaker 4
It strengthens California's ability to respond to the fires we know are coming, and it makes all of our communities safer. We respectfully ask for your I vote.
Speaker 5
Good morning, chair. My name is, chief Roy O'Ramey. I'm the cofounder and the CEO of the forestry and fire recruitment program. I spent two seasons as an incarcerated firefighter at Batista Conservation Camp, and that's where I fell in love with wildland firefighting. It gave me purpose and it gave me direction.
And when I came home in 2014, I wanted to continue that work, but I quickly realized how difficult that transition really was. I had the experience. I had the training, but I didn't have the certifications, the guidance, or even the pathway to move forward. I had to, figure out myself, navigating the application process, the requirements that nobody really prepared me for. I refused to give up, and I figured out the pathway, and it led me to The US, employment with the US Forest Service and later on with CAL FIRE.
Speaker 18
Today, FFRP has helped transition over 360 people get jobs in forestry fire careers, and including 60 of those individuals actually work for Cal Fire today. And many people who serve are just like me, formerly incarcerated, individuals who already did the work and already served on the front lines, and we are ready to continue protecting our communities. For decades, incarcerated firefighters have been on the front lines, resting their lives, completing rigorous training, and gaining real hands on experience. But when they come home, they often don't receive the official certification for that work. This isn't about special treatment.
Speaker 5
AB twenty four eighty three, creates a modest hiring, preference, one that recognize their experience still while maintaining a fair and competitive process. At its core, this bill is about recognizing that public safety and rehabilitation goes hand in hand. A vote I is a step toward honoring that work and creating real pathways and building safer and more resilient communities. Thank you for your time and your consideration.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Are there any, more witnesses in support? Please step forward and give your name, organization, and your position.
Speaker 6
Good morning. Jasmine Asher representing the Greater Sacramento Urban League. We're in support.
Speaker 10
Good morning. Bella Kern on behalf of the Michelson Center for Public Policy, cosponsors in support.
Speaker 6
Good morning, chair. Carmen Nicole Cox with the Cox Run for Law and Policy on behalf of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program. Proud cosponsors in support. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Seeing no more witnesses, are there any witnesses in opposition? Please come forward. Seeing none, are there any witnesses to to give a position at the mic. Seeing none, well, I guess it's just me.
So I'm very first of all, to the author, what a great bill. Please, can I I I am the chair? I wanna be a coauthor. Absolutely.
Speaker 1
a coauthor. I think it's the what we should be doing right now in California. This is California, and how we make it a great state is making sure that we provide jobs, jobs, and more jobs, and this is the way that we do it. And to the young man, I am so super proud of you for what you're doing, how you're leading, on this issue because we need leaders in this issue, and so I'm I'm extremely proud of you. I had an opportunity to visit one of the camps in Pacific Palisades and Eaton, and I got to visit with some of the incarcerated firefighters.
The pride that they took in their work was just awesome. It was breathtaking. I felt like a grandmother there visiting all my grandsons, and it just was amazing, just the pride that they had. And I think this will cut recidivism in half because when you get out and you have something to do and you have something that you could take pride in, saving lives, saving people's homes, this gives these folks pride. And so, when we talk about this is notwe're not giving anybody any preference, they've already did their on the job training, which I think is valuable when you haveit's education, when you have on the job training.
So with that, I do recommend an eye, but we're gonna stop. Do we have enough to vote? No? Not yet. And so and and to clarify, we did not we're not proposing amendments.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Thank you. Well, we'll take up motions at roll call once we establish a quorum.
Speaker 3
Sorry. It's okay. There these are folks, just like chief Royal Ramey, who have done, the work, who have stepped up, protected our communities, and this is our time to really recognize that. They stepped up under some of the turf toughest circumstances. And, I've shared before, but my family was directly impacted by the Eaton fires.
And so knowing, that when they come home, they can get a real chance, that's exactly what this bill is looking to do, and and we owe them that. So, please give them that chance, and I, request an eye vote. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Yes. On the row, A B 619, Valencia. Hey. A B 1619, Valencia.
Did I read it all wrong? I'm just well, I am dyslexic. Good
Speaker 4
morning. Good morning, madam chair and members. Hopefully, everybody's having a a pleasant day so far. I wanna start by accepting the committee amendments and thank your staff, and the committee for their diligent work on this bill. AB sixteen nineteen would increase trustee stipend limits for county employees retirement system boards, California State Teachers Retirement Systems, also known as CalSTRS, and California Public Employees Retirement Systems, CalPERS, from $100 to $320 per meeting.
Speaker 10
Employees' retirement boards oversee complex public pension systems, often managing multibillion dollar investment portfolios. Trustees dedicate substantial time reviewing funds, reports, budgets, disability retirement applications, and litigation. Despite these responsibilities, the $100 stipend limit has not been updated in nearly forty years. AB sixteen nineteen increases the stipend while maintaining local control since it is subject to local approval. With me with me to provide testimony today is mister Roger Hilton with the Orange County Employees Retirement System.
Speaker 11
Good morning, honorable chair, honorable committee members. My name is Roger Hilton. I know I wear a bunch of different hats, but today, I'm wearing the hat of a trustee for retirement board for Orange County. I served thirty three years as a deputy sheriff. Nine of those years, I was the elected safety member, and now I am the elected retiree member.
And I'm here to support the bill. I'm gonna be very brief today. The current $100 stipend was set nearly forty years ago. It has not kept pace with the economic realities and the growing complexity of these systems, a b sixteen nineteen allows retirement boards the option to increase compensation up to $320 per meeting with a maximum of five meetings per month. One example is when I started in 2012, our system had $9,000,000,000 in assets.
Today, it has 28,000,000,000. So the the expectations placed on the board members has have grown, but their compensation has not. Retirement board members carry serious fiduciary responsibility managing large investment portfolios and benefit systems that public employees depend on. AB sixteen nineteen modernizes their compensation to reflect the weight of that responsibility and to account for inflation. Any increase requires the adoption of the local board of supervisors, preserving full local control.
Speaker 9
I will say the the impact on diversity. Current the current limited stipend can discourage participation due to financial constraints and the amount of time needed to carry out duty. Without action, current stipend structures limits diversity of candidates able to serve. A b sixteen nineteen helps ensure the people managing billions in public retirement assets are qualified, committed, and diverse. I respectfully request an I vote.
Speaker 11
Thank you very much. And if anybody has any questions, I'm willing to answer.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Are there any other witnesses, on for a b sixteen nineteen? Please come to the mic. State your name, affiliation, and position.
Speaker 21
Good morning, chair members. Naomi Padron on behalf of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association. We don't have a formal position, but we'd like to thank the author, the committee, specifically Michael Bolden, for working with us on Lacerra the specific amendments. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. We're gonna pause for a minute and establish a quorum. Madam secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 6
McKinnon. Here. McKinnon present. Lackey? Here.
Lackey present. Alanis. Burner. Garcia. Garcia present.
Wynn? Wynn present. Michelle Rodriguez. We have a quorum.
Speaker 1
there any other witnesses? Are there any witnesses in opposition? Please come forward. Seeing none, are there any witnesses that would like to come in opposition that would like to come to the mic? Seeing none, I'll bring it back to the members.
Second. And the bill was moved by assemblymember Nguyen and seconded by assemblymember Lackey. Would you like to close?
Speaker 10
Thank you, madam chair. I firmly believe in public pensions, and much of the work that we do in this body revolves around ensuring that public servants receive those pensions after a long tenure, it's equally as important to ensure that the folks that have oversight and jurisdiction in managing those funds are also appropriately compensated. And because of that, I respectfully ask for a yes vote on this bill.
Speaker 6
Item number one, a b sixteen nineteen, the motion is due passed as amended. McKinnon. Aye. McKinnon. Aye.
Lackey.
Speaker 6
Lackey. Alanis. Aye. Alanis. Aye.
Burner. Yeah. Burner. Garcia. Garcia, aye.
Wynn? Aye. Wynn, aye. Michelle Rodriguez? We have six votes.
We'll keep the roll open for absent members.
Speaker 1
I will, Assembly Member Lackey will be chairing the meeting while I present a couple of bills. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Mister chair, members, I'm presenting the committee's bill AB 2,780 which is the annual public employee retirement laws cleanup bill. This bill makes minor technical clarifying or conforming changes to the teacher's retirement law administering by CalSTRS and the county employees retirement law administered by the 20 independent county retirement systems for the continued efficient and effective administration of retirement for public employees, retirees and their beneficiaries. With me today are representatives from CalSTRS and the County Retirement System to offer comments of support and answer technical questions.
Speaker 3
Wonderful. Good morning, mister chair and members of the committee. Joycelyn Martinez Wade from the California State Teachers Retirement System, cosponsors of the bill and happy to answer any questions on the provisions related to CalSTRS.
Speaker 19
Very good. Alright. Do we have anybody in the audience that would like to express their support for this bill? Please come forward. Seeing none, do we have any opposition that would like to come and express their opposition?
Speaker 14
Apparently not. Seeing none. How about anybody in the audience that would just like to come to the mic and express their opposition? Apparently not. Okay.
Back to the, each one of us up here.
Speaker 14
K. We have multiple motions, so we're in good shape there. Ma'am, would you like to close?
Speaker 6
Item number six a b twenty seven eighty, the motion is do pass and be referred to the committee on appropriations. McKinnon. Aye. McKinnon. Aye.
Lackie. Aye. Lackie. Aye. Alanis.
Aye. Alanis. Aye. Burner.
Speaker 6
Burner? Aye. Garcia? Aye. Garcia?
Aye. Win? Win? Aye. Michelle Rodriguez?
We have six votes. We'll place the roll
Speaker 1
You. Members, I'm presenting my bill a b twenty five nineteen. Late last year, I became aware of an issue following my bill a b nineteen ninety seven signed into law in 2024 that made various changes to CalSTRS law to simplify payroll reporting processes that benefit CalSTRS employees, the system, and retirees. However, while simplifying those processes, that bill excluded some charter school positions from continuing to being CalSTRS, and that was not my intention whatsoever. You all know me.
I strongly believe in being fair, and this bill is intended to correct that issue so that they can continue participating in the system, especially since continuing to work and earn service credits toward their pension is important to those people and extremely important to me. With me today are two representatives of charter schools in my district to offer comments and support. A representative from CalSTRS is also here to answer any technical questions. Thank you. You may begin.
Speaker 22
Good morning. My name is Danielle Kelsick, and I am the superintendent of environmental charter schools, a network of four public charter schools serving 1,700 students in LA's South Bay. Eighty two percent of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and yet ninety eight percent of our graduates are accepted to college every year. I started my career out of state as a classroom teacher with no intention of becoming a school leader. I spent years working directly with students until I was encouraged to apply for school leadership by my principal at Environmental Charter High School.
Speaker 17
At ECS, developing teachers into leaders is central to who we are. Six of our current school administrators were previously teachers or counselors at ECS. That is the promise of charter schools, and it is a promise that AB nineteen ninety seven now puts at risk. Due to an unintended consequence of AB nineteen ninety seven, educators promoted after 07/01/2027 would lose CalSTRS eligibility. At ECS, that means 162 employees would be impacted, including counselors, psychologists, social workers, and librarians, all critical to student success.
At a time when California faces a teacher shortage, especially in high need communities like ours, we cannot afford to penalize educators for staying in the profession and advancing their careers. AB twenty five nineteen fixes this with a solution that mirrors traditional district processes to designate positions subject to CalSTRS membership. I've built my career in public education, and I rely on CalSTRS for retirement. Our educators deserve the same security. Keeping educators in CalSTRS is good for them, and it's good for the fund.
Every educator pushed out is a member lost. AB twenty five nineteen keeps those members in, and I'd like to thank assembly member McKinnar for her commitment to protect our pensions. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on AB twenty five nineteen. Thank you.
Speaker 18
Good morning. My name is Marina Rivera Leal. I'm an eleventh grade English teacher and department chair at Environmental Charter Schools in Lawndale, and I'm passionate about working in the same community where I grew up. As a student, I didn't always love school. Instead of belonging, I experienced microaggressions and teachers who weren't always culturally responsive or inclusive.
While those experiences didn't necessarily bring me to the classroom, they absolutely kept me in the classroom because I saw the impact I could have on students who felt the way I once did. I first taught in Miami, then in Oakland, where I served as a dean of culture and later as an assistant principal at a charter school. Then I made the deliberate choice. I made my way back home to the South Bay, and I went back into the classroom. I wanted to be with students who could have been me, kids growing up in the South Bay Of LA.
I took that step with a very clear goal in mind, to become a school leader, not at a school an hour away from me or in a different state, but in my own community. That's the plan. Department chair today and with the support of my network, leadership tomorrow, right down the street from where I live. AB nineteen ninety seven inadvertently puts that plan at risk. If I accept a promotion after 07/01/2027, I lose my CalSTRS eligibility and would be forced to choose between leading in my own community and the retirement security my family depends on.
Speaker 11
I'm recently married and plan to have children, and I help care for family members in need. CalSTRS is not an abstraction for me, nor is it for my colleagues who I can name right now that also aspire to move into administrative work. Passionate educators who would be extraordinary school leaders would face the same impossible choice. AB 2519 means none of us have to make it. Thank you, Assembly Member McKinnon, for introducing a b twenty five nineteen, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
Speaker 14
Thank you. Do you have any people in the audience who'd like to express their support for this measure? Please come forward. State your position, name, and organization.
Speaker 9
Good morning. My name is Habib Thomas. I'm the senior director of fiscal services for Sage Oak Charter Schools, and I support AB twenty five nineteen.
Speaker 12
Good morning, Cynthia. Rachel with Springs Charter Schools, and I support the bill. Thank you.
Speaker 16
Good morning. Mary Cox, superintendent of Coral Butte Charter School, and I'm in support.
Speaker 5
Good morning. Jared Austin, superintendent, Kairos Public Schools in support of the bill. Thank you.
Speaker 14
Good morning. Jeff Rice, founder and director of a plus, and we're in support of the bill. Thank you. Good morning. Joe Wood, superintendent for Natomas Charter School here in Sacramento in support of the bill.
Thank you.
Speaker 19
Good morning. Dorothy Johnson on behalf of the Association of California School Administrators. Apologies for not getting our letter of support in time for
Speaker 20
the committee analysis, but thank the author for her leadership. Thank you.
Speaker 12
Shannon Green, representing California Pacific Charter Schools in support.
Speaker 21
Mister chair, madam chair, members, Adam Keglin, on behalf of California LULAC, National Action Network, and Alliance College Ready Public Schools in support.
Speaker 14
Thank you. Eric Premack with the Charter Schools Development Center in support.
Thank you.
Speaker 23
Xavier Maltese with the California Charter Schools sponsoring. Thank you to the author.
Speaker 14
Thank you. K. Witnesses in opposition? Seeing none. Anybody, wanna go to the mic and express their opposition?
Looks like there's no one. Okay. We'll come back to the dais. Who's the bill? Second.
K. Multiple motions. You may close.
Speaker 1
Yes. Members, this was a was a tough one, and I hope that everyone kind of pays attention to what happened here. I did a bill last year. It had unintended consequences. I met with the charter school employees and teachers and looked across the screen at them and found out they were losing their retirement, their CalSTRS, because of a bill that I did, and I was mortified.
Because I asked them who did the bill, and they're like, you. I'm like, okay. Well, I didn't like that. And so I promised that I would fix this. And so we're we're trying.
We're doing it. And I would really, really be grateful for your I vote. Thank you.
Speaker 6
Item number five, a b twenty five nineteen. The motion is due passed and we refer to the committee on appropriations. McKinnon. Aye. McKinnon.
Aye. Lackie. Aye. Lackie. Aye.
Allenese. Aye. Allenese. Burner. Aye.
Burner. Aye. Garcia.
Speaker 6
Nguyen. Michelle Rodriguez. Aye. Michelle Rodriguez. Aye.
That bill is out seven to zero.
Speaker 14
Apparently, we're gonna take a brief recess because we have no authors present.
Speaker 14
do what? We did. Oh, oh, yeah. Yeah. We can catch up for missed missed votes.
Speaker 6
Item number one, a b sixteen nineteen. The current vote is six zero. Michelle Rodriguez? Aye. Michelle Rodriguez, aye.
The bill is out seven to zero. Item number six, a b twenty seven eighty. The current vote is six zero. Michelle Rodriguez. Aye.
Michelle Rodriguez. Aye. The bill is out seven to zero. We need a motion on item number three, a b 24. So moved.
Item number three, a b twenty forty three, the motion is due passed and re referred to the committee on appropriations. McKinnon.
Speaker 6
Alanis, Burner. Garci burner, I. Garcia. Aye. Garcia, I.
Wynn. Aye. Wynn. Michelle Rodriguez. Aye.
Michelle Rodriguez. Aye. The bill is out seven to zero.
Speaker 15
We'll take a ten minute recess for waiting for authors. Thank you. Next bill to be heard, a b twenty seventeen, Haney.
Speaker 9
Thank you, madam chair. I am proud to present AB twenty seventeen, the California Eid State Holiday Act, which recognizes Eid Al Fetter and Eid Al Ada in California and ensures students observing Eid receive excused absences. California is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, yet our state does not reflect these deeply significant observances. Eid al Fitr and Eid al Ada are among the holiest days in Islam marked by prayer, reflection, charity, and community and are observed by over 1,900,000 billion Muslims worldwide. Despite this, Muslim students across California are often forced to choose between attending school or fully observing their holidays.
Even when absences are excused, students miss instructional time and can feel isolated from their peers. Employees face the same burden when workplaces do not formally recognize California prides itself on being one of the most diverse and inclusive states in the nation, but our laws have not yet caught up. Other jurisdictions, including Washington State, New York City, and several major school districts have already taken steps to formally recognize Eid. AB twenty seventeen brings California in line with these efforts by adding these holy days to the state holiday calendar while maintaining flexibility for courts and local educational agencies. The bill ensures excused absences for students, allows schools and community colleges to close through negotiated agreements, and enables employees to observe Eid using existing leave or personal holiday credit.
This, approach mirrors how California recognizes observances such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. Here to testify with me today is Hala Hejazi, CEO and founder of the Muslim Impact Council, and Ahmed Alokta for yeah. Welcome.
Speaker 2
Good morning, chair. My name is Ahmed Rokhdah, and I'm here in support of a b 2017 on behalf of the Muslim Association at the California State University in Sacramento. So I attended Natomas Charter School, which is the the it's it's a part of the most diverse school district here in California and and only the second in the nation. But even so, in a place that's so diverse and reflected so many backgrounds and communities, Eid was still so often unfamiliar to many people around me. Eid is is one of the most important holidays in my faith.
Yet for most of my life, I found people not even knowing what it is. Just just last month when we when we were celebrating Haiti, I had my younger brother come up to me. He asked me a question. It was it was pretty heartbreaking, to be honest. He's like, why don't others celebrate Haiti with us?
And it's it's it's it's a shame really that people don't understand the importance of a holiday that, us Muslims hold so sacred to. I'd love to be able to tell my classmates and teachers that I am observing, observing aid and for them to immediately understand what what that means. Too often, I feel like Muslims have to explain ourselves, misclass quietly, and feel like our traditions are invisible or something separate from the shared society that we have. And AB, 2017 would help change that. It would help chain it would help, Muslims feel seen, respected, and included in our schools.
Speaker 16
It would mean that the future students can celebrate their faith openly and proudly without feeling misunderstood. Recognition, it matters, especially for young people who are still learning where they fit in. They should not have to feel or they should not have to feel like they have to explain or justify their identity just to be seen or feel like they they they, you know, they have to justify their their place in a place that's already theirs. And this bill says something it's something very simple yet so extraordinarily powerful that you belong here without any conditions, and anything less than that is simply not enough. I respectfully ask for your a vote.
Speaker 13
Honorable chair McHuner and members of the committee, thank you. I'm Hala Hejazi, and I speak today as a leader with twenty five years of public service focusing on California's competitive advantage. We often cite our state as the fifth largest economy in the world, but that economy is only as strong as the people who power it. AB twenty seventeen is a critical piece of civic infrastructure that aligns our statutes with the functional reality of modern, world class, and diverse workforce. In my work reaching government and the private sector, I see one recurring challenge, workforce stability.
When our state formally recognizes the cultural and religious milestones of its residents, we're doing more than making a symbolic gesture. We are sending a clear single a signal to every worker, student, entrepreneur that California is a place where they can belong and thrive. Currently, there's a gap between our state's values and our formal recognitions. This bell bridges the gap, providing a framework for inclusion that reduces fear and social friction and fosters a strong sense of shared civic identity. Ultimately, this is about modernization.
As we build a resilient future, we must recognize that a sense of belonging is a primary driver of civic engagement and productivity. By passing AB twenty seventeen, we are updating our approach to community building. This is not a partisan issue. It's a progress issue. It ensures our government reflects the people it serves in a way that is both practical and profound.
Speaker 20
California has always been the laboratory for the future. Today, you have the opportunity It's okay. You have an opportunity to lead the nation by demonstrating that our diversity is the greatest strategic asset. I respectfully urge you a vote on AB twenty seventeen. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Thank you so much. Are there any more witnesses in support? Please come forward and give your name, organization, and your position. And you almost made me cry too.
Speaker 12
Madrid, on behalf of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, cheerlea in support.
Speaker 24
Osama Mukhadim, a legislative director at the Council on American Islamic Relations California chapter and a proud cosponsor of this bill and strong support. Thank you.
Speaker 8
My name is Aliyah Akbar, and I'm a Muslim mom and an emergency room physician taking care of veterans in California, Sacramento for about twenty years. And Just name I'm
Speaker 1
trying not to affiliation. I'm sorry, ma'am. Name, affiliation, and position.
Speaker 7
Okay. My name is Aliyah Akbar, and I'm a Muslim mom. And I do not represent any organization. I'm here as a Muslim mom, and my 14 year old girl, when she was in high school
Speaker 1
I'm I'm sorry, ma'am. We have minutes? Yes. Support you need support the bill.
Speaker 23
Hello. My name is Joseph Saragosa here on behalf of the California Commission on Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs. We are proud to cosponsor AB twenty seventeen, and we respectfully ask for your eye vote today. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Speaker 7
Good morning. My name is Anaz Mujtaba, community member and university student, and I support this bill.
Speaker 24
Good morning. My name is Haras Numan. I'm a eighth grader at Granite Oaks Middle School, and I support this bill.
Speaker 26
Good morning. My name is Batool Abaidullah. I am a business owner and a Muslim, and I support this bill. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Hi. Salam. I am Mahboobah Khan. I'm a substitute teacher at FEA and a member at Muslim Community of Folsom, and I heartily, with my full heart, support this bill. Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 7
Hello, everyone. Good morning. My name is Manor Carzon. I am a master's student, and I'm also here with the Council on American and Islamic Relations, and I full heartedly support this bill.
Speaker 28
Okay. There we go. Thank you, brother. Imam Julius Thibodeau Hassan, I am the Imam at Masjid Asabor, and I fully support this bill.
Speaker 13
Good morning. Kausir Rimini on behalf of Cearla and CAPC, fully supportive of the bill. Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 24
Good morning, everybody. My name is Hassan Obadola. I'm a state employee, and I fully support this bill.
Speaker 30
professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center and the vice chair for the department of internal medicine. I fully support this bill.
Speaker 1
Thank you. I'm seeing no more witnesses in support. Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Seeing none, are there any witnesses that would like to come to the mic and give their position? Seeing none.
Speaker 1
Well, is for opposition. No. No. You just can't. So we'd I'd like to bring it back to the members, bring it to the dais.
Any questions? Assembly member Nguyen?
Speaker 16
Thank you. Thank you, madam chair. I just wanna again, I this came through our BNP, and I was so excited to be able to hear not only the testimonials, but just like everybody is saying, this is your whole heart. This is so long overdue, and this is a great step for us to be able to show the rest of the world what they could do, what they should be doing. I wanna thank you for your testimony.
That I mean, you made me cry as well, so I could feel it, how emotional it is, how special it is. My daughter is in the fifth grade, and just this year, for the first time, she started learning about it because her teacher is Muslim. And I thought that was so wonderful because she brought home a box with treats in it. And, you know, it's said Eid, and and she, you know, she was asking if she has difficulty in speaking, and so she was trying to say Ramadan. Right?
Speaker 5
And I just thought that was so cute that they're learning this in the fifth grade. And it it really should be taught, you know, at such a young age for all these other kids to understand and to learn about all of our different cultures in here. This is what makes our world so beautiful is that we are a part of so many different cultures and so many different traditions. And I'm so thrilled and happy that this is coming forward finally. And I I really wanna thank the author for for bringing this forward.
Speaker 16
This is long overdue, but I'm so glad that it's happening now while I'm here so that I could be able to vote on this not just once, twice. Looking forward to seeing this on the floor and making this a real thing happen for us here in California. I'm gonna be celebrating with all of you all as well. It's truly, truly special moment for me. Thank you so much.
And with that, I think it's already moved. If it hasn't been seconded, I'd second it.
Speaker 1
Any other members? Any comments? Well, I have some comments. I thank you for bringing the, bringing the bill. I thank the author.
He always has such great bills. I love his bills. And I I I thank you as well. I felt it being an African American woman, you know, celebrating Juneteenth and teaching people about our history, celebrating Black History Month, being able to actually teach folks about our history is really important to me. And so can you pronounce the name of the holiday again?
Speaker 1
I I have never heard of it, so I look forward to learning. I'm I'm glad that I'm going to vote for the bill, and my recommendation is a yes. And I haven't heard heard of the holiday. And so we did have, assembly member Bill Isaley here with us, and he's now he's no longer in the assembly, but we have senator Wahhab. And so if the senator can hear me, I'm gonna be looking for you to teach us all about it, senator.
And with that, would you like to close?
Speaker 2
Sure. And I really appreciate, those comments and really wanna thank Ahmed and and Hala and the Muslim Muslim, Impact Council, CARE, and, the California Commission on APIA Affairs. This is resonating across California throughout Muslim communities. This is a moment of pride, of of recognition, of inclusion, of our commitment as a state to our diversity and to making sure that all of our residents feel fully seen and included and that they're not punished for simply wanting to celebrate with their communities on their most holy days. It's a very proud moment, but it's also a moment for all of Californians to be able to increase understanding and solidarity, and, and and it will help us, I think, with a lot of the challenges we have in terms of people, understanding each other and and and fighting against ignorance.
Speaker 9
And so with that, appreciate the support for the bill, and I respectfully ask for your I vote.
Speaker 1
Thank you. There was a motion by assembly member Burner and a second by assembly member Nguyen. Amendment secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 6
Item number two, a b twenty seventeen. The motion is due passed and re referred to the committee on appropriations. McKinnon. Aye. McKinnon.
Aye. Lackie. Lackie. Aye. Alaniz.
Aye. Alaniz. Aye. Burner. Aye.
Burner. Garcia. Garcia, aye.
Speaker 1
She had to swim in. A b twenty six fifty six, assembly member Petrie Norris.
Speaker 31
Good morning, madam chair and members. Thank you for your patience. I know we're all supposed to be in four places at once today, including, I think, my witness. So we'll see
Speaker 31
So a B2656 ensures that public employee organizations receive advanced notice of the proposed use of generative AI so that they are afforded a meaningful opportunity to provide input on the development, introduction, and use of generative AI in the workplace. This session, there has been a lot of bills focused on artificial intelligence and the impact that that's having on workers across so many sectors. We know that artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized in public sector workplaces often without advanced notice to the employees most directly affected. These tools significantly impact job duties, performance evaluations, and overall working conditions. Without transparency, employees may be subject to decisions made by systems that they don't understand presenting the risk of bias, errors, or lack of human oversight.
Speaker 8
While existing law requires employers to meet and confer over changes to wages, hours, and working conditions does not explicitly address the growing use of AI. This creates a clear gap as this technology rapidly expands across government operations. AB twenty six fifty six establishes a clear common sense requirement. Public employers must provide at least forty five days written notice to recognize employee organizations before developing, purchasing, implementing, or utilizing generative AI to perform work within classified job classifications, within rep within represented job classifications. We believe that this bill will promote a more transparent and thoughtful approach to AI in public employment.
Speaker 31
And by ensuring this early communication, the bill supports more effective and responsible implementation, helps identify and mitigate risks to employees, and strengthens collaboration between employers and employee organizations. This is a balanced approach that supports innovation while reinforcing stable labor relations and informed decision making. Now I may or may not have Ben here. Well, hi.
Speaker 23
you. Ben Theriault. I am the vice president for the Peace Officers Research Association of California who represent, 90,000 public safety employees. Happy to be here with you this morning. We're as a a cosponsor in support of this, bill.
And, essentially, obviously, artificial intelligence is changing our lives. It is a positive thing. Technology is a positive thing. But the boiled down part of this bill is simply notification. A simple email to a labor leader is all that this entices, and there's nothing it's really that simple.
Speaker 24
It's not a it's anything that has to do with, the MMBA or anything into that effect. So it's very cut and dry, very simple. And, look, a forty five day not notification is not a big deal. I think, you know, if, the Terminator was real life, I think people would appreciate if Skynet was gonna come online if they had forty five days, no heads up. I think they'd like that.
Speaker 23
Yes. And that's all this bill does. So we offer, support for that, and thank you for your time.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in support? Please come forward and give your name, organization, and up and position. Seeing none, are there any registered, witnesses in opposition? Join us.
You have two minutes.
Speaker 29
Thank you, madam chair. This, I'm Jean Hurst to air today on behalf of the urban counties of California, a coalition of the largest 14 counties in the state. We do have an opposed position on a b twenty six fifty six. We have raised, general concerns, with the author about the scope of the bill and the practical impact of implementation on local agencies. However, we do really appreciate that the bill recognizes that public agencies are different in terms of their implementation of any technology, including AI.
We've had helpful conversations with the author's office and believe there's an opportunity to work collaboratively on language that meets both her goals and isn't overly burdensome or costly for public agencies, and we look forward to additional conversations with the author as the bill moves forward. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in opposition? Please give your name, affiliation, and position.
Speaker 32
the rural county representatives of California, echoing my colleague's comments, looking forward to working on the bill with the author. Thank you.
Speaker 22
Good morning, madam good morning, madam chair. Erin Avery, California Special Districts Association. Also, behalf of the California State Association of Counties, respectfully opposed, but, again, align my comments with my colleague. Thank you.
Speaker 1
Thank you. I seeing no more witnesses, I'd like to bring it back to the dais. Any questions, comments?
Speaker 1
Second? Okay. Assembly member Rodriguez moved the bill. Assembly member Alanis second the bill. And I would like to say thank you for what you're doing.
Thank the author because we have been talking about AI since January. And I think that forty five days before Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Terminator, came in, that would have helped all Americans. It would be nice for employees to know before, you start shopping and getting the system. So I don't really think it it would be burdensome on the counties because this is the a notif just a notification before you start shopping and and getting your quotes and and and looking for the system, the AI systems. It will be great for employees to know that this is coming their way because AI is taking jobs.
Now I don't know what it would it would do to public safety. We'd love to talk to you and find out how how AI would do with public safety. That's interesting. But, I thank you for the bill, and, I support it. Madam secretary, please call the oh, would you like to close?
Speaker 31
Well, thank you, madam chair. Appreciate your comments in support. And, certainly, we'll continue to to work and have conversations with the opposition so that, we land this plane in a way that, protects workers and doesn't create unnecessary, burdens or regulations. So with that, I respectfully ask for your I vote.
Speaker 6
Item number four, a b twenty six fifty six, the motion is due passed, and we refer to the committee on appropriations. McKinnon. Aye. McKinnon. Aye.
Lackie. Lackie. Aye. Alanis. Aye.
Alanis. Aye. Burner. Garcia. Aye.
Garcia. Nguyen. Michelle Rodriguez. Aye. Michelle Rodriguez, I.
We have six votes. We'll hold the roll for absent members.
Speaker 1
No. No. But for the rest of the everybody. Okay. Did did Michelle, everybody?
Speaker 6
Item number four, a B twenty six fifty six. The current vote is six zero. The motion is due passed and re referred to the committee on appropriations. Brunner?
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