Senate Standing Committee on Education
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Well, good morning everybody. Assembly Committee on Education will come to order and today there are 24 bills on today's agenda. However, item number one, AB 252 by Assemblymember Holden has been pulled by the author. We have nine bills on consent today. They are as follows.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Item number seven AB 1885 item number nine AB 2019 item number 10 AB 2831 item number 13 Ajar 13 item number 15 AB 2534 item number 16 AB 2690 item number 17 AB 2834 item number 20 AB 2936 item number 22 AB 3087 in the interest of time today, witnesses are asked to limit their testimony to two minutes, two minutes each to ensure the Committee will be able to complete today's agenda in a timely fashion. In the absence of a quorum, we will begin as a Subcommitee with the first Bill. Welcome Assemblymember Muratsuchi. You may begin when you are ready. Or as I like to say, zero.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Impeccable Japanese Mister chair. Good morning Senators. Good morning everyone. I am proud to present Assembly Bill 1825, the California Freedom the Read Act. We all know that there's been a national movement to ban books at our public libraries, and this Bill is designed to fight back.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
We know that our freedom to read is fundamental to our democracy. But according to the American Library Association, last year there was a 65% increase in attempted book bans, the highest level ever recorded by the American Library Association.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Of those challenges, 47% of the challenges book challenges were for titles representing the voices and lived experiences of the LGBTQ community and the BIPOC, the communities of color. This Bill was written by librarians and First Amendment lawyers. It has received bipartisan support in the Assembly, and I would respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
I'd like to find my witness list.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Miss Duran?
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Yes? Crystal Duran, representing the California Library Association.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Good morning. Please, please proceed. You have two minutes.
- Crystal Duran
Person
Good morning, Mister Chairman and Members of the Committee. I'm Crystal Duran, the Library Director for the Belvedere Tiburon Library, and I'm here representing the California Library Association today. So, as our letter indicates, CLA has officially removed its opposed, unless amended position, and we're now in support of AB 1825 as amended.
- Crystal Duran
Person
At their core, library directors and staff believe in protecting intellectual freedom. We support the right of California library patrons to have access to diverse body materials that educate, inspire, inform, and enlighten. We are library professionals, and we're trained in reviewing and securing materials that suit the needs of our communities.
- Crystal Duran
Person
Public libraries do not support the banning of books. What we do support is having informed decisions regarding materials in our libraries to meet local community needs. Many libraries have individual policies that allow community Members to engage with us and raise issues concerning certain materials.
- Crystal Duran
Person
We work together to understand their concerns and communicate the respective decisions around the placement and the materials throughout the public library. Having those clear and detailed policies in place in every public library is essential. This bill will require us to submit those policies to the state librarian will be able to provide technical assistance.
- Crystal Duran
Person
Language in the bill also protects library staff from retaliation for not removing an item that has not been first invented through the review process. CLA wants to thank Assemblymember Muratsuchi and his Chief of Staff for the productive negotiations to date and for accepting amendments that were important to CLA.
- Crystal Duran
Person
As a co chair of the CLA Legislative Committee, I participated in these discussions with the assemblymember and appreciated his thoughtful approach and regardless for the work of the library community when shaping the spell. For these reasons, CLA supports AB 1825, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. And making a grand entrance. Miss Valencia, welcome.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
Thank you. Good morning, chair and Committee Members. My name is Cynthia Valencia. I am a legislative advocate with the ACLU California Action here in support of AB 1825.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
Public libraries are a cornerstone of our communities, ensuring that people, regardless of age, income, excuse me, education, race, or geographic location, have free and open access to information so they can meaningfully engage in civic life.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
They are also bound by the First Amendment, and we must protect the fundamental right of access to diverse and inclusive information at our public libraries.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
We are very thankful to assemblymember Muratsuchi for introducing legislation, excuse me, that would prohibit public libraries from exercising their discretion to procure content in a manner that discriminates against or excludes materials based on specified protected characteristics or on the basis that the materials contain inclusive or diverse perspectives.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
Over the past year, more than 3000 books have been banned in libraries across America. These books disproportionately feature stories about LGBTQ people, people of color, and historically marginalized communities. Book bans to this effect are not only discriminatory, they are a violation of people's First Amendment right to access information. Politically motivated censorship has no place in our state.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
In California, we have seen several municipalities pass legislation to censor books. Fresno County introduced a resolution that is an invasive and unconstitutional form of censorship that targets books based on seemingly disfavored speech, namely references to bodily autonomy and gender identity.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
The City of Huntington Beach introduced a resolution that would impose an unconstitutional censorship regime on people's right to access library books and materials protected by the First Amendment.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
I had been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 13 years and been a public library user of the Huntington Beach Public Library, Orange County Public Library since I was a young girl.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
All of us who use public libraries, and especially young people, have a right not just to express themselves, but to learn from a diverse range of materials, including library books by and about LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. We commend librarians and communities who have rejected these censorship campaigns.
- Cynthia Valencia
Person
We must protect the fundamental First Amendment right of access to diverse and inclusive information at our public libraries. For these reasons, we we support AB 1825 energy to vote yes.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you very much. You're pioneering a new legislative support run a quarter mile and deliver a statement duathlon. You did well. Thank you. Any other witnesses in support, please come forward with your name, your organization, and your position. Welcome, Mister Pulsipher
- Craig Pulsipher
Person
Craig Pulsipher on behalf Of Equality California in strong support
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Mister Steiger.
- Mitch Steiger
Person
Thank you, Mister chair Members and staff. Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, also in support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Any other witnesses in support? Do you have any witnesses in opposition here today? Seeing none, we will come back to the dais, which is impressively lonely. I appreciate the Bill.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
We do not yet have a quorum, and so everybody knows we have multiple Committee hearings going on right now, including a budget hearing that includes a bunch of us. So with that, you know, glad to seek a motion. I'm glad to support the bill when we have a quorum, if you'd like to close, Assemblymember.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Thank you, Mister chair. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. And thank you to the witnesses. We'll take that up when we have a quorum. Thank you very much. You have two. I'm sorry. To your next bills. Let us do that. You will be presenting AB 1917 or 2226 your choice.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
All right. If I may, I'd like to take up AB 1917 first.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Very good. Please proceed.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am presenting AB 1917, which is at its core, a common sense good government bill. It would require all school board Members to receive the basic public education governance law training, including responsible fiscal management, during their time of service on the School Board, so that they may properly and ethically execute their duties.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
As a former School Board Member, I know that one of my first trainings as a new School Board Member with the Torrance Unified School District was to participate in the California School Boards Association Masters in Governance program.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
A great program taught me the basics of managing multimillion dollar budgets, which a lot of School Board Members, you know, when they get elected, School Boards and they have absolutely no experience in dealing with those kind of budgets, much less issues like public employee, you know, issues collective bargaining, ethics, open meeting laws and so on.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
So this bill, again, is common sense, good government bill has received bipartisan support, and here to testify in support of the bill representing the California county superintendents is. I think I have my notes out here. Gayle Garbolino-Mojica, Placer County Superintendent, and Doris Johnson, representing the Association of California School Administrators.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And before I turn over to the witnesses, Mr. Chair, I want to begin by committing to accept the Committee Amendments.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
I appreciate that. We'll touch on that as we close. Welcome to both of you. You each have two minutes.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
Thank you. Good morning, Chair and Members. My name is Gayle Garbolino-Mojica and I am the Placer County Superintendent of Schools, where I serve 16 school districts and 75,000 students across our county.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
I am here today as President of the California County Superintendents, an Association that supports 58 county superintendents of schools, and I am pleased to support Assemblymember Muratsuchi, AB 1917. Effective governance is the cornerstone upon which successful School Boards build foundations for educational excellence and community trust.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
Board Members represent the diverse voices of the communities they serve and deserve to be supported in their decision making roles.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
AB 1917 goes a long way to providing the support because it helps ensure that all Members of the governance team come to the table with foundational knowledge and understanding of topics critical to their roles, open meeting laws, school finance, personnel laws, and school accountability laws.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
In the past 18 years that I have been County Superintendent, I have seen firsthand the complex issues School Board Members face. I have seen school boards adopt interim budgets without certifying whether or not they are positive, qualified or negative. I have seen School Boards not understand their fiduciary responsibility when approving collective bargaining agreements and necessary disclosures.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
I have seen School Board trustees resign abruptly when it was brought to their attention that a previous action violated government code 1090 or the Political Reform Act. School Board Members go into public service for altruistic reasons.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
This bill supports School Boards in their ability to make informed decisions in the context of transparency, trust and good governance as they lead the way for our 5.5 million students they serve statewide. In closing, I hope you will support our students by supporting AB 1917.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you very much.
- Dorothy Johnson
Person
Good morning, Mr. Chair and Members. Dorothy Johnson on behalf of Acts of the Association of California School Administrators, just want to echo a few of the comments shared by my fellow witness.
- Dorothy Johnson
Person
But just how important this is to have that foundational knowledge and much like city councils, boards of supervisors, special district directors, lots of different valuable experience brought to the table, but not necessarily in public education and all the areas that were mentioned. So we think this is a reasonable request, a reasonable requirement. We do request your aye vote.
- Dorothy Johnson
Person
And just want to make a note. We also appreciate the balanced approach for how the trainings are developed and offered. We think this will help with compliance, manage resources, and really, again, maximize best outcomes for the board, the district, the county office, and of course, our students. Thank you so much.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Any other witnesses in support here in the hearing room? Do we have any witnesses in opposite support? I'm going too fast for you. Welcome.
- Pamela Gibbs
Person
Good morning, Mr. Chair and Senators. Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education. And we strongly support the bill.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you, Miss Gibbs. Any other witnesses support? Seeing none. Any witnesses in opposition? Also seeing none. Come back. Please. Mr. Machado.
- Carlos Machado
Person
Good morning. Carlos Machado with California School Board Association. We're a tweener. We have an opposed, unless amended position.
- Carlos Machado
Person
I do want to start off by saying thank you to the author and to his staff for meeting with us and hearing our concerns, and also for the last set of amendments, given that this is modeled on the FPPC process for the development of the ethics training.
- Carlos Machado
Person
And in that setting, the materials that are developed by entities that are going to provide the training must consult with the FPPC.
- Carlos Machado
Person
There's similar language in this bill that consultation, in practice and under regulations by the FPPC, would allow an entity to meet that consultation requirement by reviewing the course curriculum details on their website and providing some other measure of review and understanding of those not necessarily requiring specifically that consultation happen with the FPPC staff that's pursuant to regulations.
- Carlos Machado
Person
The Attorney General, in that instance, also has indicated on its website that they won't be providing consultation in any meaningful way in person on these things.
- Carlos Machado
Person
Given that the Department doesn't have, the Department of Education doesn't have the expertise that other agencies have in some of these areas, we would ask that the bill be amended to reflect the type of consultation that's provided under the FPPC ethics model.
- Carlos Machado
Person
With that, I'd be happy to take it back to our members to see if they would move to a support position. But again, I do want to express my appreciation to the author for his hearing out our concerns on this bill.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
I appreciate that. Thank you. Any other witnesses in opposition? I'm seeing none.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Not yet, but I will. Ready to go? Coming back to the dais. Colleague singular. Any questions or comments for the author?
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I do. I do have a question because they brought a really good point out. As a former Member of the School Board in our district, I did go through the CSBA training, and it was incredibly helpful and very, very informative.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And one of the things that I often questioned was why wasn't the majority of the School Board Members going through that program for training? Because I thought it was imperative that every single Member, School Board Member had attending. And it's interesting because as a School Board Member, I wasn't aware that that training was available.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
A fellow Board Member from a different school district that brought it to my attention. So he does. And I thought they had a great program for training in our region. So he made a really good point.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
If school districts have the capacity to provide this training through the CSBA, how would you be able to align that with yours and trying to ensure that, you know, something that's already working really, really well.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
One thing is having, you know, requiring School Board Members to attend the school, the training, and another one is creating a completely different program or a new program for school districts to, or School Board Members to participate in. So how do you, how would you be able to work that?
- Carlos Machado
Person
Okay.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
In order to make sure that we don't replace something that is actually really, really effective.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Yeah. Let me share some of my thoughts before I see if our witnesses have any comments on it also. But we're both big fans of the CSBA's Master's in Governance. I was trying to look for my certificate of completion as an exhibit for today.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
You know, I would be perfectly happy if it was modeled on the CSBA Master's in Governance program, but we just didn't want to mandate any particular program.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
I think school districts should have a choice of what, either to provide development, provide their own training, to try to save costs of contracting out or contracting with paying for CSBA services, to provide the Master's in Governance, to allow those co-board Members to participate in the Master's in Governance program.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so we certainly want to continue to work with CSPA. We will definitely follow up on clarifying the nature of the consultations with the CSBA and with the CD to make sure that we provide quality training for all our School Board Members. Want to see if.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
As somebody who has been a county Superintendent and a district Superintendent for over 20 years, I think we're confusing what this training is versus CSBA's Master's in Governance, which is a wonderful program, but it is a multiple day, very long hours, you know, four to 6 hours, multiple days over the year.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
This training that we're proposing is more like the ethics training that elected officials take upon assuming office. So back in 2004, when AB 1234 was passed, it stated that city councils, countywide electeds, Board of Supervisors all had to take the ethics training every two years. That legislation back then did not include School Board Members.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
So that has since been rectified just in the last year or two, which will take effect, I believe, in 2025. This is kind of in conjunction with that training. It won't be a multiple days training, it will be probably many hours. It can be completed much quicker.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
And as much as the Master's in Governance training is high quality professional development that I would also encourage every School Board Member to take, I see the training being offered by 1917 as the basic minimum level of understanding that School Boards need to have.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So, Mr. Chair, I have an additional question. So you're not proposing that we do this in lieu of the CSBA, but in addition to.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
I'm saying that the CSBA is more optional, but it's much more expansive in time and in topics. They'll talk about governance, setting, missions and visions, which are all great high quality professional development opportunities. I see this as more of a nuts and bolts. This is what a government code 1090 violation is. This is what a disclosure when you settle with your associations, this is the required disclosures.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
We have School Board Members that get elected in November and they take office in December, and the very first thing that they have to do is they have to approve a first interim.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
And I can't tell you in my years of being a county Superintendent how many School Board Members come to me and they said, Gayle, I was not prepared to take action on such an important thing. I didn't even know what a first interim was. So it's more of a nuts and bolts.
- Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Person
This is what you need to have alongside the ethics training which will be required, I believe, next year. At the same time, it doesn't replace what CSBA is offering. It's just I see CSBA as a much more broad and expansive and basically a higher quality of professional development that School Board Members can seek optionally.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
So, you know, I do appreciate your comments, Superintendent, and that gets directly to the conversations that you and I have had Assemblymember about my suggestion that to the extent possible, this training take place before a newly elected Member takes office and said, I think you've made the point better than I could.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
It's so important and it's not infrequent that, you know, a newly elected board Member has had no prior experience in public service, and they benefit hugely from that training. Conversely, in the absence of that training, we see all manner of problems.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
I know, Ms. Johnson, you've testified in support of a bill that I think arose directly out of those issues. So do appreciate you accepting those amendments, because I agree with you. I think that's important. Would you like to close?
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Thank you very much for the questions. We will continue to work to make this work for everyone, and I respectfully ask for aye vote.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you again, in the absence of a quorum, we'll take this up when we do have one. Thank you to both the witnesses and thank you, Assemblymember. Assemblymember, I'm sorry, we've got Assemblymember Gabriel, I'm going to have to ask you to. Okay. Yeah. And I do apologize.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
He's doing the people's business today, and he took a brief time out to come talk to us.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Welcome, Assemblymember Gabriel.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Thank you very much Mr. Chair and Members, for allowing me to present AB 2316. I want to start by thanking the chair and Committee staff for their thoughtful assistance and I will be accepting the Committee amendments as outlined in the analysis.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
AB 2316 is a bipartisan Bill that would prohibit schools from serving foods containing additives linked to cancer, DNA damage, hyperactivity, and neurobehavioral problems in children.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Given these longstanding concerns, in 2019, the Legislature directed the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, known as OEHHA, to conduct an independent and thorough scientific examination into the impact of synthetic food dyes on children. In 2021, after an exhaustive review involving top scientists from the University of California, OEHHA issued a report with clear findings.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Most importantly, the State of California concluded, quote, that consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
The report also found that current FDA approval of synthetic food dyes is based on 35 to 70-year-old studies that were not designed to detect the types of behavioral effects that have been observed in children and that newer studies indicate that current FDA guidelines may not adequately protect children.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
The conclusions reached by the State of California about the harm caused by these chemicals is consistent with that of many other nations around the world, which have banned, restricted, or required these coloring agents to include strict warning labels.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
To be clear, this Bill will not result in a ban on any foods in California, nor will it result in any products coming off the shelf.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
On the contrary, it will simply encourage companies to make very minor modifications to the food sold in our schools to remove the harmful chemicals and replace them with safer, alternative ingredients that they already use in Europe and so many other nations around the world.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
This simple change can make a huge difference, particularly for our students who struggle with ADHD and other learning issues. As anyone who has watched a child struggle knows, it makes no sense to provide them with therapies and intervention in the classroom and then feed them chemicals at lunch that further exacerbate their challenges.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Finally, it's important to note that more than 95% of products served in schools are already free from these chemicals, and that a number of school districts across the state, including rural school districts and Los Angeles Unified, have already stopped serving foods that include these harmful additives.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
We have worked with stakeholders and opposition and are accepting a delay in implementation to give industry and districts time to comply and negotiate contracts.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
This common-sense measure is sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and it's supported by doctors, nurses, classroom teachers, the California State PCA, and school administrators across the state, as well as more than 70 plus community organizations.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
With me today to testify in support of the Bill are Scott Faber, the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs from the Environmental Working Group, and Kim Franzel, the Director of nutrition services at the California Department of Education. Thank you and I respectfully request your aye vote.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And thank you. Ms. Franzel, you have two minutes. Please proceed.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
Thank you Chair and Committee Members. Kim Franzell, Department of Education on behalf of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurman, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of AB 2316 and establishing strong public health policies for our 5.8 million public school students. Research confirms, and you heard some of this from Assemblymember Gabriel.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
When children have consistent access to school meals, to nutritious school meals, there is a correlation to improved overall health for life, such as fewer chronic diseases, reduced obesity rates, reduced diabetes, less absenteeism in school, better concentration in school, and better academic outcomes such as improved standardized test scores just by making available a wholesome breakfast and lunch each and every school day.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
Over the past several years, California has invested and CDE has provided more than $750 million in state grant funds to help our schools bolster and improve their ability to offer more quality foods and offer more freshly prepared, locally sourced and minimally processed school meals.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
We can further this commitment through AB 2316 and taking the necessary steps to mitigate a child's exposure to certain dyes and titanium dioxide in our school meal programs.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
As the first state in the nation to implement universal meals for all students serving over 879 million school meals annually, we really do have an obligation to create greater access to healthy school meals for every TK and 12th-grade student, while eliminating nutrition insecurity for nearly 60% of our students who are living at or below the federal poverty level. We need to continue our commitment to making available the healthiest school meals possible by this phased approach of eliminating certain dyes and titanium dioxide from our California school meals, we need to think about it as healthy foods is healthy medicine.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
I respectfully request your aye vote on AB 2316. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And thank you Mr. Faber. Welcome.
- Scott Faber
Person
Thank you Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Scott Faber. Before I joined EWG, I was the Vice President for federal affairs for the Consumer Brands Association. I'm also a law Professor at Georgetown Law where I teach food law. I'd like to quickly make four quick points.
- Scott Faber
Person
One is the overwhelming evidence shows that these dyes are making it harder for some of our kids to learn. OEHHA's unprecedented study looked at human evidence of what happens when kids eat dyes, as well as animal studies showing what happens to their brains.
- Scott Faber
Person
And California State scientists conclusively determined that some kids suffer from the behavioral effects of these dyes and that these dyes are changing not just the structure of their brains, but how their brains transmit signals.
- Scott Faber
Person
Two, the FDA has not reviewed these dyes since the 1960s, seventies, and eighties, long before toxicological studies could detect the effects of behavior on our kids' brains. And meetings held by the FDA in 2011 of the FDA's Food Advisory Council and in 2019 of the FDA Science Board were meetings of professionals.
- Scott Faber
Person
They were not the sort of thorough reviews that agencies conduct when deciding whether chemicals are safe. Three, our food school professionals will have many options if AB 2316 were to become law. Only 4% of the 11,000 foods sold on the tray and only 3% of foods sold a la carte.
- Scott Faber
Person
And none of the commodity foods provided by USDA for the upcoming school year have these colors or titanium dioxide. Only one out of 700 dairy products offered in schools has titanium dioxide on the label. And as Assemblymember Gabriel mentioned, food companies can and do quickly reformulate to eliminate these sorts of chemicals.
- Scott Faber
Person
When other countries required a warning on foods for these synthetic dyes, companies quickly replaced the synthetic colors in American fruit loops with natural colors, as is in Canadian fruit loops. Just as an example.
- Scott Faber
Person
The last point I'd like to make is that despite the harms described by the OEHHA report, FDA has no plans to reconsider the safety of these chemicals and is not required to do so. The FDA does not have a comprehensive food safety system.
- Scott Faber
Person
In fact, 99% of the new chemicals that are added to food since 2020, sorry, since 2000, were reviewed not by FDA, but by the chemical companies. So let's do what's best for our kids, for our parents, for our teachers, and eliminate these synthetic colors and titanium dioxide from foods offered at school. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you very much. I think what everybody's wondering is here, are you going to hand out the new one or the old box of fruit loose for all of us to share? Anybody else here in support of the measure? If so, please come forward.
- David Bolog
Person
David Bolag, representing the SFE alliance, Informed Alhambra, and the Neighbors of the 40th Assembly District for Sane Legislation. We're happy to support this sane and necessary legislation.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you, sir. Next, please.
- Natalie Nax
Person
I'm Natalie Nax on behalf of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners in support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you.
- Celeste Wicks
Person
Celeste Wicks with Clean Earth for Kids in support. Also supporting: North Equity Justice, California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice, Facts, Grandparents in Action, and the Centers for Environmental Health. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Chris Myers
Person
Chris Myers with the California School Employees Association in strong support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Sam Nasher
Person
Hello. Sam Nasher, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Office of Education in support. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Patricia Rucker
Person
Good morning. Patricia Rucker with the California Teachers Association in strong support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Welcome sir.
- Andrew Antwih
Person
Good morning Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee. I thank the author for this important measure. Andrew Antwih, on behalf of Foodsafe LLC and on behalf of the office of Kat Taylor.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Stacey Riordan
Person
Good morning. Stacey Riordan with the Youth Mental Health Equity Coalition in support and thank the author and staff for this Bill. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Karen Amagon
Person
Good morning chair and Members. Karen Amagon, on behalf of a Voice for Choice Advocacy, Stand Up California, and as a mom, we strongly support this Bill.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Tiffany Mok
Person
Tiffany Mok, on behalf of CFT in support. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Marissa Bismark
Person
Good morning. Marissa Bismark on behalf of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, proud co-sponsor and in support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Kisten Zalhart
Person
Morning. Kristen Zalhart. I'm with Eat Real, a public health nonprofit that supports schools across California and the nation to serve higher quality and more nutritious food. I'm in full support. I'm also in support as a mom. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Leilani Aguinaldo
Person
Good morning. Leilani Aguinaldo, on behalf of Fresno Unified School District in support.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Ryan Spencer
Person
Ryan Spencer on behalf of a few associations, the Clean Water Action, California Environmental Voters, Friends Committee on Legislation, the Socioeco Education, and the California Medical Association, all in support. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Susan Little
Person
Susan Little with Environmental Working Group, but here on behalf of the Physicians for Social Responsibility of San Francisco and Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Any other witnesses in support? Seeing none. Let's now go to opposition. Welcome gentlemen and lady. You can come to the table.
- John Hewitt
Person
Thank you. Mr. Chair.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Please. If you folks would scoot that way. Just one. Okay.
- John Hewitt
Person
Thank you. Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, thank you very much. John Hewitt on behalf of the Consumer Brands Association, I would also like to recognize the author and thank Mr. Gabriel for bringing this important discussion and dialogue to us and in front of us today.
- John Hewitt
Person
Just a couple points on rebuttal if I will. I'm not going to delve into the reams of reports of science on one side or science on the other. I will just touch quickly on the OEHHA report since much focus has been made of that lately.
- John Hewitt
Person
The OEHHA report and subsequently the Miller review that followed up on the OEHHA report failed to establish any causation. There was some correlation that was indicated in that you look at the 2021 Senate Health Committee analysis, it laid it out pretty, pretty thoroughly. I won't go back and reread and review that.
- John Hewitt
Person
I just wanted to highlight that for the Committee's benefit here today. There are severe limitations in the scientific studies summarized by OEHHA. Most notably, there's one quote that stands out that yes, there is a need to reevaluate exposure in children and for additional research to provide a more complete database for establishing protective measures.
- John Hewitt
Person
But again, there are no sources or actual references to causation. Correlation is about as far as it goes with respect to the OEHHA report. But again, I didn't want to get into this science versus that science.
- John Hewitt
Person
I think the discussion about what's best for our children is a good one to have and again appreciate the Member bringing this to the forefront. With respect to the policy itself, I think there is an opportunity to make a clean and clear delineation, an opportunity to move forward when we talk about what what the state provides.
- John Hewitt
Person
The state does provide two meals to all students per day. I think that's a great policy. It's one that was established post-COVID, commend the state for doing that.
- John Hewitt
Person
You know, and with respect to the tray and those meals that we provide to the students, if we look at opportunities to apply this policy to the tray, I think that's a fair discussion to have.
- John Hewitt
Person
I know that we've had that with the member's office, but I think there is a distinction when we look at a la carte, competitive adult sales, vending, ASB opportunities, things like that, that are on campus where there is actual choice and parents provide money to kids or kids make the choices based on what their parents have provided them with respect to those.
- John Hewitt
Person
There's also my daughter had an IEP at school. She did not have a food designation on the IEPs, but those are often included in there as well.
- John Hewitt
Person
So again, I think there's a clear and clean distinction that could be made about the tray, if you will, the USD or the state-provided meals and then those discretionary foods that students can buy. Interested in continuing to talk to the author about where that delineation and that distinction can be made.
- John Hewitt
Person
Because I think there's an opportunity to move forward with respect to that, I will reserve the rest of my time for any questions that the Committee or the author may have.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Appreciate it. Thank you. Other witnesses in opposition.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
Dennis Albiani, on behalf of the American Beverage Association. I wanted to make sure, just because I got some information from some of the offices, what amendments he's taken.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
Just whatever amendments that were actually taken. Is it just in the, in the analysis or was there additional ones today? I'd heard some stuff from different offices.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Today being... I'm not sure. I'm not sure. So it's only what you see in the analysis.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
Okay, that's fine. That's correct. Correct.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That's where we stand right now.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
Sounds great. All I was going to say is that there is a huge policy difference between the food that's provided by the state and the competitive foods.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
And those competitive foods, as Mr. Hewitt mentioned, are also available to staff members to that and that money and the funds that are produced by that help subsidize the deficiency that we have with the nutrition program.
- Dennis Albiani
Person
And so as we restrain the competitive sales, we could be impacting, and will likely be impacting the subsidies for the school nutrition program. And so that's a real education discussion and one that I think would be important to further explore today. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Other witnesses in opposition, Mr. Regele.
- Adam Regele
Person
Morning, Chair and Members. Adam Regele on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, in opposition. Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Peter Kellison
Person
Peter Kellison, on behalf of the National Confectioners Association in opposition.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Next please.
- Margaret Lie
Person
Margie Lie, on behalf of the California League of Food Producers in respectful opposition.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you.
- Dean Talley
Person
Chair and Members, Dean Talley with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in opposition. Thank you.
- Audra Hartmann
Person
Audra Hartmann on behalf of the American Chemistry Council in opposition.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you.
- Michael Ians
Person
Good morning Michael Ians on behalf of Dairy Institute of California in opposition trying to still focus on titanium dioxide. Thanks.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Okay. Thank you. Any tweeners? I see no tweeners. This seemed like a bill that might have some tweeners. Let's come back to the dais colleagues questions concerns for Mister Gabriel. Senator Ochoa Bogh.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. Okay, so this was a- this was a very interesting bill for me. Full disclosure, I was the kind of mom who bought everything organic as much as I could, was the kind of mom who avoided anything artificial and did not give my children any sugar for their first year of life.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So this is why I was very passionate about this particular bill. So I was reading thoroughly on it and I have some questions with regards to.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I was focusing on the letters that we received both from the coalitions for pro and against it and here are the questions that I have because I think it's really interesting to discuss this. When I read the WIHA letter of support I was reading and it was.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And per the Chair he could decide who he would like to answer this.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
But according to this paragraph, it said that researchers also found that the FDA acceptable daily intakes for synthetic food diets are based on a 35 to 70 year old studies that were not designed to detect the types of behavioral effects that have been observed, which was mentioned earlier.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Comparisons with newer studies indicate that the current amounts may not adequately protect children from behavioral effects. For some dyes, these comparisons indicate that updated levels would be much lower. Doesn't state which ones. It also goes on to talk about the highest exposure for multiple dyes. The highest exposures are found in juice and during soft drinks.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Also they highlight red number three. It said that if revised ADIs were to be based on newer studies, common exposure to food, diets and foods would exceed the revised guidance. So for the public who has not read the letter, this is on behalf of the report by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
It was done within that capacity by our universities here in California. So these are studies that were done here. Now when I went back and studied the letter in opposition to this particular bill, the studies were found, it challenged and said that the FDA in fact has reviewed.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
The FDA and the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization have reviewed these particular substances. Blue one in 2011, 2019 blue two 2011-19 green three, red forty, yellow five and yellow six all, both all 2011 and 2019. And titanium dioxide was reviewed in 2024.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So my question here and it was trying to, you know, as someone who's trying to legislate, make a decision based on data and science, it was very confusing to have one report stating that we haven't done these studies in, you know, 35 to 70 years and having another one stating that these particular groups have done studies in 2011 and 2019.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So, you know, as someone who's trying to be responsible, you know, one thing is having a choice as a parent saying, okay, I choose based on the information that I've read not to do this. But when we're trying to make law based on science and data, you know, and you have two conflicting.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You know, we have the State of California, and then we have groups that literally worldwide groups, New Zealand, Canada. What's the other country that I read on here? So I was doing my homework.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You know, we have the UK, we have Canada, we have New Zealand, we have the US all stating that they have updated studies on the US. Who are we to take precedence on and really have that credibility? Because I'm looking at scientific groups and it makes me feel like this is how I feel about climate change.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You have areas that are science data. This is why I'm so focused on education Senator Newman on math and science and ensuring that our students have the up to date education. Because I, as a Legislator, passionate about health and so forth, we're coming up with different scientific groups, literally updated scientific data stating the opposing perspective.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Let's have the author answer this. I think it gets to your broader context and perspective.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Yeah. And thank you. And I think, first of all, thank you, Senator, for putting so much time and attention into this. I know how valuable everybody's time is right now. So I really appreciate your thoughtful approach here.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
I think, just to be very candid, and I say this respectfully, there's a little bit of mixing and matching in terms of what the opposition is citing. Right. They're taking some studies that were looking at whether should titanium dioxide be banned in all foods, as it is in the European Union and is not in other countries?
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
We're not trying to ban it in all foods served in the State of California. We're saying it should not be served in our schools. And the European Union has prohibited, I think it's green 3 and titanium dioxide from all foods in Europe.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
So if you went to any of the 27 nations in the European Union, you could not find a product with that dye. You could not find a product with titanium dioxide.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And they have also taken that additional step, as we discussed, of requiring a warning label that says literally says, this product can harm your kids on foods that include these other dyes. So they have looked at the science and taken these steps, and that's why they are providing those warning labels.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
I think what OEHA did here is part of the reason that they did this research is there was a lot of this conversation happening in the Legislature, I think a lot of it actually, before I was here, and there was back and forth between groups who said, no, this is harmful to kids. No, it's not.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And so the Legislature said, let's put some money in the budget. Let's ask an independent referee to look at this that we trust, that doesn't have any skin in the game, that doesn't have any money to make. Let's ask our state scientists here in California to do that review. And if you talk about. We have talked about.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Their report was the product of two year multifaceted evaluation. They extensively reviewed existing studies of the effects of these dyes on both humans and animals. They talked about the studies. These studies demonstrate clearly that some children are likely to be more adversely affected by synthetic food dyes.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
That's the human studies and animal studies indicate that synthetic food dyes affect activity, memory and learning, cause changes in neurotransmitters in the brain, and cause microscopic changes in brain structure. So they went back and looked at all of the studies, and if you'll allow me, maybe we'll bring Mister Faber into the conversation.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
He used to actually have Mister Albiani's job representing the food industry, and told me at the beginning of this, the industry strategy here will be to pick and choose different lines from different studies and try to weave them together in a way that creates a different narrative.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
But if you look at what we have asked our state scientists to do, and then you look at this, they conducted a two day scientific symposium to foster discussion among researchers in academia, in industry and government.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And then they sent a draft version of the report for comment by Members of the public, and external peer review by experts identified by the University of California Office of the Press. So this was a very thorough, very comprehensive look at all of the studies involving humans, all of the studies involving animals.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Folks in industry were brought to the table. Folks in government were brought to the table. Independent scientific experts, the best in the world, were came to the table, and they reached a very clear and firm conclusion about the fact that this has an impact on at least some of our children.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And that impact is that it interferes with their ability to learn. So I think we are very comfortable here in the basis of the science that we have, I will say one thing is, if you take a step back, and even if you accept every single argument that the opposition makes, and we don't, we contest that.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
But even if you accept every argument that they make, their argument is the science is mixed on whether these chemicals harm children.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And my perspective of that is, if the science is mixed, and we know also that these are not essential ingredients, they can make every single product without these ingredients, why would we not take that little extra step to be protective of our children, especially when we're talking about three to 4% of products served, and especially when we're giving them three years to make those changes.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
So to me, it's even if you accept every argument that they make, even if you agree with them that the science is mixed, I would say, well, you know what? Given the minimal burden on industry here, I think we can take that extra step to protect ourselves.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And to that point, in addition to the extended timeline, you've also allowed for the exemption for commodities, correct. Or commodity foods, correct. Right. Okay. And then. I'm not sure that's clearly reflected in the analysis, but it's one of the. Yes, sir.
- John Hewitt
Person
Mister Chair, if we may, just a second on. I had just a couple less than a minute of comments, but I did want to just ask about the. I did review the Committee analysis wasn't completely clear to me what the exemption for commodity foods was. If.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Mister Chair, if I may ask, this is the easiest way to nail this down. Let the author speak to it, and we'll clarify if necessary. Go ahead.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Yeah, so I see. I mean, what's listed on page seven of the Committee amendments? The following amends delay the implementation date. I believe we've agreed on December 31 of 2027. So, a full three year delay, which I think is actually more than what we had talked about, in some cases with opposition.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
So we're giving them more time to reformulate than the conversations. And then it says, an exception for you, the USDA food program, I think that was talking about titanium dioxide that might appear in dairy. As you heard from Mister Faber, they identified one of 700 foods that have titanium dioxide. So we're happy to provide that exemption.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And I was led to believe that was pizza. Pizza. I don't know if it's true. You had another comment, Mister Ferritin?
- Scott Faber
Person
I just wanted to respond to your comment, Senator, because I'm not sure. Your honor. Oh, sorry. Can you hear me now? Yeah. So, first of all, thank you for all the work you've done to dig into this issue. It's really important. And I also teach chemical safety law at Georgetown Law School.
- Scott Faber
Person
And when our government, whether it's the state government or the Federal Government, asks, is a chemical safe? We look at all the ways that a chemical can harm the body, as well as all the ways that we might be exposed to that particular chemical. And that's what Aweha did in this study.
- Scott Faber
Person
They looked at all the clinical studies, 27 different clinical, double blind, crossover studies that looked at how kids respond when they are fed these dyes, as well as many hundreds of animal studies and in vitro studies, to understand how these chemicals impact our bodies.
- Scott Faber
Person
And as Assembly Member Gabriel said, the OEHA scientists found that these studies not only change our brains physically, but interfere with the neurotransmitters in our brains in ways that make kids less likely to be attentive, to increase the likelihood of hyperactivity.
- Scott Faber
Person
But the other thing to your point, that OEHA looked at was how much more we're being exposed to these chemicals. So it's not just a question of the harm that it might cause to one of our organs, but how often are we being exposed to that harm?
- Scott Faber
Person
And what we have found was that there's been a five fold increase in our exposure to these dyes, especially in products consumed by kids.
- Scott Faber
Person
And so if what OEHA did is what we'd all hoped FDA would do, which is asked, given how we're now exposed to these chemicals and what we know about how they harm our brains, are kids more likely, some kids likely to be susceptible to the neurobehavioral harms caused by these chemicals? FDA has not done that.
- Scott Faber
Person
What FDA did was they held two meetings of professionals to have a conversation not unlike the conversation we're having now, that's not the kind of systematic, thorough, comprehensive review of hazard and exposure that governments typically do when they regulate chemicals, I think we all wish that FDA would do that.
- Scott Faber
Person
And as someone who has spent many years trying to persuade FDA to look back at these decisions that were made in the sixties and seventies and eighties based on using toxicology, that didn't understand how these chemicals interfered with our brains or harmed our brains, which used an estimate of exposure that is badly out of date, ideally, FDA would update those studies, but they're not going to do that.
- Scott Faber
Person
I wish that were not the case. So it's really now, in light of that, the question is, will the state step in? Based on the fact that your state scientists have done the work that we all hope FDA would do. And can I just say one quick thing about these other governments just on titanium dioxide?
- Josh Newman
Legislator
One quick thing, because I know. Wrap up here. Go ahead. One quick thing.
- Scott Faber
Person
Yeah.
- Scott Faber
Person
So the fundamental difference here, I'm happy to sit with you and go through this, but that if you assume that the nanoparticles think of them almost like microplastic, the nanoparticles, the tiny little particles that enter your body when you eat titanium dioxide, if you assume that those nanoparticles enter the gut and ultimately go through the membrane in your gut and into your bloodstream, and that if you assume that happens, then there's lots of evidence that that will harm organs, especially the liver.
- Scott Faber
Person
The agencies that have looked at this question and have concluded that titanium dioxide is still safe to eat did not assume that titanium dioxide, these tiny little nanoparticles, would ultimately get into your GI tract and enter your bloodstream. That's the fundamental difference.
- Scott Faber
Person
Since the European Food Safety Authority EFSA drew that conclusion, other studies have also found that these nanoparticles enter your gut, enter your bloodstream and can harm your organs, causing harm to your DNA, they can cause neurological harm, can cause immune system harm.
- Scott Faber
Person
So there's new science since the 2022 EFSA review that suggests that these nanoparticles pose the harms that EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, and let me in the interest of even hand this, give Mister Hewitt a chance to respond.
- John Hewitt
Person
Thank you Mister Chair. Just in the interest of time, I'm not going to debate the science as much as Mister Faber and I have a good time doing that. I will just focus on just three quick points. USDA, the Biden Administration just updated the school nutrition standards that was based on consultation with FDA about total diet, etcetera.
- John Hewitt
Person
They updated it with respect to sugars, sodium, fats, et cetera, calories. They chose not to address the issue of ingredients, color ingredients. Secondly, to the extent that the author would like to have a discussion about on ramp, we're not going to debate the science. I don't want to do that here.
- John Hewitt
Person
But we can have an on ramp to add these ingredients back in based on an FDA review. More than happy to have a discussion of what that looks like. If Mister favor wants FDA to review these items, we're happy to have a discussion about what that on ramp looks like. To include them back in.
- John Hewitt
Person
I think that would only be fair. And then thirdly, I think there is a key distinction and policy distinction still to be made that with respect to the mandatory meals that the State of California provides on the tray.
- John Hewitt
Person
I think there's policy distinction about separating those out from the discretionary purchased items by adults and other students in the ALA carte program. So those are just the three items that we're still willing and open to discuss at this point. But thank you Mister chair for the additional.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Appreciate it. And I will say of the author, I think you've been more than sort of amenable having these discussions as the bill has moved forward.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You have one more thing, one final, just final comment. So in debating and really looking into the information that was given to us on both sides, I was reading and I was looking literally the scientific findings from the different countries that have come up with their findings.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I'm going to base, I'm going to support the bill today and I'm going to share why. I'm going to give the weight to our California scientists and our universities who have done the research up to date. I'm hopeful, I'm optimistic that they did an extensive review here.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Based the fact that we're the California Legislature, I think it only falls upon us to ensure that we're using our California based science and data that we have access to. So because of that, I'm going to. But I am.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I'm very hesitant because we do have worldwide organizations that actually have done their own studies are coming on the opposite of where we're coming from. So I am. That's the debate that I'm having today. But I'm going in with faith that they did, the California scientists did their research and their work.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And I rather, I rather be wrong on the safety of our kids.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Appreciate that. Senator Wilk.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
Thank, thank you, Mister Chair. So I've enjoyed spending time with you and being educated by you. And the one thing that I feel sad about is that my parents have passed. Because now I realize I wasn't a bad kid. I ate too many cheetos, which I think probably happens to a lot of kids.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
So the facts are this. There's dye. Why is the dye in there? The dye is in there for marketing. It has no nutritional value at all. Zero, zilch. So that's 12 as you said, even if the science is mixed, don't we want to err on the side of the children? So, of course.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
And then I know for me, just anecdotally, when I travel internationally, I always feel better than I do in America. And I've come to the conclusion that it's the food that we consume. So with that, I'm supporting you today.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Thank you.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
I just have one question, and for the opposition, as the author pointed out, I mean, there's a very small number of foods that are actually affected by the proposed legislation. So how should we think, and also allowing that the author has taken the amendment to provide additional time to make that transition.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
So to the extent that you're opposed, and we're talking about either 5% or 4% of food is available to children, how should we think about that in a larger context?
- John Hewitt
Person
Mister chair, thank you. I think, first of all, I went through and read the two different reports that CSPI had put out with respect to this. I tried to find those exact numbers. I couldn't. I'm not going to dispute that. There was one spot in there that said 15%, but 4%. 15%.
- John Hewitt
Person
Let's just talk about the impacts of that. The fact of the matter remains that a LA carte items are used to subsidize and help make school districts whole. Those items are utilized for financial purposes. The State of California is spending over close to $600 million a year, you know, with respect to providing two meals a day.
- John Hewitt
Person
They do so at a loss to many school districts. They utilize the a LA carte items to backfill. Some of those a LA carte items have those colors in there. We think that there's a distinction, again, a distinction to be made with respect to that. So again, whether it's 4% or 15%, 4% of 500 million is.
- John Hewitt
Person
590 million is a lot. 14% is even more. But again, I'm willing and happy to have a discussion. I don't know that the author is equally as excited about. You know, look, we'll have FDA do the studies the Senator mentioned about giving deference to OEHA.
- John Hewitt
Person
If FDA comes back and re reviews these items and says everything's fine based on some independent criterion standard, there should be an on ramp to include these ingredients back into our nutrition program.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Okay. I appreciate it. I expect. Okay, please.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
I just want to make a comment regarding the competitive foods and point out that in California, we were the first in the nation to take strong, make strong standards around the competitive foods, to the point that USDA actually followed suit many years later to some of the standards that we set, knowing that we wanted to get caffeine out of elementary schools, that we didn't want to have sodas as competitive foods.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
So I would encourage everyone to consider keeping the competitive foods on the table for the elimination of these items. Additionally, with the universal meals, the State of California is giving $1.9 billion to support schools to pay the difference between the federal reimbursement. So schools are in better financially, in a better place.
- Kim Frinzell
Person
And many schools have opted not to do competitive foods for the very fact that they want the healthiest foods possible and to really promote the universal meals through a breakfast and lunch each day.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Appreciate that. And so I know you'll touch on many, if not all of these issues in your close. I also wanted to point out that the bill is currently structured does not include char schools. Is that correct? It does. It does. It does. All schools. Okay. So I don't want to be clear on that. Very good.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Any other questions? No. Sorry about that. Thank you.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Thank you very much, Senator. And I just want to appreciate everybody, both the opposition and the witnesses and all of the Senators for the thoughtful conversation. I was going to take Senator Wilk's beautiful comments as my close, but since I've been admonished by the chair to respond, I'll just make a few comments.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
One is, you heard from the Department of Education, from Miss Franzell, competitive foods. The food safety regulations have always applied to both foods on the tray and competitive foods. So essentially what the industry is asking for here is really an unprecedented carve out for a very small number of chemicals.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
You know, we agree that that is not how food safety law has worked. It is not how we have done the work in our schools. And to me, that would seem to be a really radical departure from the way that we have always worked to protect children in our schools.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
I will say I'm not sure I quite buy the argument that this is somehow going to impact the bottom lines of schools. We haven't seen any evidence to that.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And I feel pretty confident that if our schools were going to take a financial hit, our State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the PTA, and certainly CTA and CSCA would not be in support of this Bill if this was going to meaningfully reduce school budgets.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
There's no way that all of these education stakeholders, so many, so many districts, so many superintendents, so many school board Members, would support this Bill. So I don't actually, I guess I'm less, I'm extremely confident that there's not going to be a financial impact on our districts from doing all this.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And one of the things that we haven't talked about today, but I did a chance to talk with some of you about, which I think is important that people understand because of the school nutrition requirements already in law, many of these companies have already reformulated and are already selling different products in our schools.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
So the bag of chips that you buy across the street at the convenience store and the bag of chips that you buy in the school, even though they may have the same packaging, they're actually different because the bag of chips at the convenience store doesn't meet and comply with the nutritional standards that are already part of law.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
So, again, I will just, I think Senator Wilk summed it up beautifully. You know, when we're thinking about some potential minor, I would argue, hypothetical burden on industry, we're standing with our kids, protecting our kids, protecting the ability of young people to learn. As a dad, I'm going to stand with the kids every single time.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
And with that, respectfully request your.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
I thank you for that. And again to point out that one of your amendments includes provision for sufficient time for the market to readjust to these new formulations. With that, we do not have a quorum, so we will not take a motion until such time as we do. But I'll support the bill when we do.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And I appreciate all of your testimony.
- Jesse Gabriel
Legislator
Thank you very much.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
All right, Assembly Member, you probably wish that were briefer, but it was. It was at least very thorough, and I apologize. I have to go present a bill in another Committee. I'm going to leave the gavel in the capable hands for my Vice Chair, and I will be back as soon as I can.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Good morning, umo. I'm Omarisu ji. Grateful to have you. And you will be doing Bill file item number five, AB 197017. Right? No, sorry. Number six, AB 2226.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Yes. Thank you very much. You're ready. Thank you, Vice Chair Ochoa Bogh. I'm presenting a bill that is very familiar to this Committee, and so I won't belabor the point. A bill that would make kindergarten mandatory.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
I first want to thank Senator Rubio's leadership on this topic, and she was trying to make it for the hearing, but I believe she is in another Committee hearing.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
But as this Committee well knows, the biggest return on investment in terms of closing achievement and opportunity gaps, especially in Low income black and brown communities, is quality early childhood education. While we are working so hard to provide universal access to transitional kindergarten, we are missing between four to 5% of kids who are not enrolling in kindergarten.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And we know that that is especially the case. There is a higher percentage of African American and Latino kids that are not enrolling in kindergarten. And so it's absolutely important that we join 17 other states in the District of Columbia that already require kindergarten to be mandatory.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so I would now like to turn it over to our witnesses, Anna Ioakimedes with the Los Angeles Unified School District and Tony Troguero with the California Teachers Association.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
Thank you. Good morning chair and Members, I'm Anna Ioakimedes legislative advocate with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Los Angeles Unified is a proud sponsor of Assembly Bill 2226 to make kindergarten a mandatory grade level in California starting in 2026.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
Los Angeles Unified views mandatory kindergarten as a key piece of California's vision to make sure every child has the early learning opportunities they need to succeed. It's also fundamental to equity and closing the achievement gap we see between some of our kids coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and their classmates. At Los Angeles Unified.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
We've seen that kids who attend kindergarten do better on their year end assessments in 1st, second and third grade and have higher scores on their smarter balance tests as late as fifth grade. These impressive results are not unique to Los Angeles Unified.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
Recent research done by experts at UC Irvine demonstrated that children in states with mandatory kindergarten do better. They are more likely to go to college, earn more, and are less likely to be poor as adults.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
These impacts are strongest for Latino and black children, which is exactly the groups we need to focus on to level the playing field and make sure all kids in Los Angeles and California graduate ready for the world. As with all other mandatory grades, the same parental rights to use private school or home school are maintained.
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
With our mandatory kindergarten Bill, we hope that California will join the 17 other states that prioritize early learning for all children and make kindergarten a mandatory grade. And respectfully request your aye vote.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much.
- Antoinette Trigueiro
Person
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, Members of the Committee, Tony Troguero, on behalf of the California Teachers Association, a co sponsor of Assembly Bill 2226 and a longtime supporter of the importance of kindergarten, particularly as it relates to student achievement.
- Antoinette Trigueiro
Person
Kindergarten provides the building blocks of physical, social and emotional development, as well as the basics of language, literacy, thinking, cognitive skills. Kindergarten teaches cooperation, patience, sharing, listening, and other social and emotional learning skills. If a child misses kindergarten, they miss early milestones in reading and math skills, which forces them to confront those hurdles in the first grade.
- Antoinette Trigueiro
Person
Without kindergarten, children will be far behind their peers when entering first grade. The disparities for students who do not attend kindergarten are not only physically visible as it pertains to a student's confidence and participation in class, but also academically measurable.
- Antoinette Trigueiro
Person
Now more than ever, we must ensure our youngest learners receive critical instruction early on to prepare both socially and academically. And the best way to support classroom teachers is by having students prepared in the classroom as they move up each academic grade level.
- Antoinette Trigueiro
Person
We need to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential, and kindergarten is the key. On behalf of our 300,000 Members of the California Teachers Association, we respectfully request and I vote.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, ma'am. All right, now we'll continue with any witnesses in support of AB 2226 here in room 2100. Welcome.
- Cassie Mancini
Person
Good morning. Cassie Mancini. On behalf of the California School Employees Association in support. Thank you.
- Faith Lee
Person
Good morning. My name is Faith Lee with Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Southern California. We're in support. Thank you.
- Jennifer Baker
Person
Good morning. Jennifer Baker with the California Retired Teachers Association as well as the California Association for Bilingual Education in Support.
- Celeste Wicks
Person
Good morning. Celeste Wicks for Clean Earth 4 Kids in support. Also supporting North County Equity, Justice and Eco Sustainability Peeps. Thank you.
- Sierra Coco
Person
Sierra Coco, San Diego Unified in support.
- Stella Johnson
Person
Stella Johnson on behalf of San Francisco Unified School District in support.
- Espon Nunez
Person
Espon Nunez on behalf of the California Charter School Association. In support and also on behalf of the Alliance College Ready Public Schools. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. We'll now continue with any witnesses in opposition to AB 2226. Your name, sir?
- David Bolog
Person
Good morning, Senators. David Bolog.
- David Bolog
Person
On behalf of Informed Alhambra, with the backing of the SFE Alliance, with five reasons why, we respectfully ask for your no vote. Number one, we acknowledge the author's intention to further early childhood development. Whereas the sponsors motivation may be to increase declining enrollment at a Unified School District and raise more union dues for the CTA.
- David Bolog
Person
Number two, children develop at different rates. Mandating kindergarten ignores the natural variabilities in early childhood development. Some students may benefit from an additional year at home or in a less structural educational setting.
- David Bolog
Person
The decision about when and how a child begins their formal education should largely rest with their parents or guardians who are most familiar with the child's development and readiness for school. Number three, according to education code 4800, kindergarten classrooms are limited to 24 students with a 12 to one teacher to student ratio.
- David Bolog
Person
The kindergarten teacher's assistant is not always in the classroom, which leaves the teacher alone with 24 students for extended periods of time. Number four, children that are more active have a harder time sitting still. This has led to misdiagnosing children with ADHD or attention deficit disorder, resulting in children taking unneeded medications.
- David Bolog
Person
We all know these drugs are not without their undesired side effects. These mind altering substances could and often do kill the spirit of the child in order to control them for the benefit of the classroom. We wouldn't want this happening to any children even younger.
- David Bolog
Person
And number five, in Mister Marisucci's own Assembly District, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District infrastructure is becoming more dilapidated by the day and badly in need of structural maintenance and repair. This has caused the district to shut down one of its schools for three days this year due to a lack of electrical power.
- David Bolog
Person
With the current mandate for compulsory schooling, the state cannot or lacks the will to meet its obligation to provide funding for safe and adequate learning facilities. These reasons show that parents, school and the state is not ready to add on more for schooling demonstrating. The best choice for this Committee is to reject this legislation.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. Do we have any other witnesses in opposition to AB 2226 here in room 2100? Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the dais. Any comments and questions? No? Okay. Well, historically, you probably already know I've been opposed to mandating kindergarten.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Not because there is no merit to it, because I do believe that there's great benefits to kindergarten. Of course, our children do incredibly well. But I also believe, as a parent and as a former educator, that children develop in different ways, and especially in those first five years, the maturity is very, very different for many, many children.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And I think once we have a mandate for a grade, especially a brand new grade level, making a mandated, that means that our parents don't have as many choices in making decisions for their kids, because now the state comes in and says, now the state has authority and jurisdiction over those children.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And so that's where I, you know, I have a concern is that those kids are only ours, truly ours, for the first couple of years. And after that, the school comes in and says, okay, this is what is best for your child. This is what you should do with your child.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And it infringes on the freedoms of the choices of the parents. And that's why I wholeheartedly support kindergarten. But I don't support mandatory kindergarten. If the parent chooses and thinks that their child is ready for that grade and to come into the classroom and participate, then lo and behold, it's there for all of our kids.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
But there are some kids and some parents who believe and will be under the understanding that, no, this child is not ready to go into kindergarten. I have parents who have put their kids in public schools and at some point see a change in their child's behavior and say, you know what?
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You're not ready for public schools to be on their own. So we're gonna do some homeschooling. We're gonna change the schools for you. So those are options that parents make when they have the ability to do that.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And in this case, I will continue to oppose the mandatory kindergarten, but I'm grateful that we offer it as a state, that we offer it to all of our parents. And quite frankly, we only have, what, maybe three to 5% of kids who are not attending kindergarten.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So with that, I will respectfully not be supporting the Bill again this year. And we don't have a. We don't have many Members here, so we'll leave it open for our Members who. He's going to have a close? zero, yes, absolutely. Sorry, those were my comments, but yes, absolutely. Please, would you like to close?
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Thank you very much, Vice Chair. Again, this Committee has taken up this proposal many times with Senator Rubio's leadership. Just to quickly address your concerns, Vice Chair, I just wanted to emphasize that the Bill will allow for homeschooling to give parents that option. It also allows for private schools.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
It also allows for either full day or half day kindergarten.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so I think when you balance that with all of the clear data showing the long term benefits, the opportunity to close those achievement and opportunity gaps, especially where Latino and African American communities are participating in kindergarten at a lower rate than other communities, and that there is abundant data showing that the achievement gap largely starts before kids get to k through 12.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so why wouldn't we want to have all of our kids at the same starting line? That is the intent of the bill. I appreciate your concerns. Respectfully ask for the senator's aye votes.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, Member Muratsuchi, for your time. All right, we'll now continue with Member McCarty. File item number four, AB 2508.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Present to you a bill with no opposition. Unanimous support so far. This expands on our CalKIDS Program, which was one of the biggest wins of the past few years in the budget process, where we created universal college savings accounts for kids when they enter kindergarten. And the research is clear.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
Pretty amazing that even if you have less than dollar 500 in your name for a college account, you're 25% more likely to go on a college, basically building expectations. College shouldn't be just about kids that have trust funds. This should be about offering opportunities for saving early on. So we created this program.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
But one little bit flaw is some of our most vulnerable students are in the education system are foster youth students. And so, of course, if there's a foster youth that starts as a foster youth when they're in kindergarten, they'll enter this program and get a CalKID account in their name.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
However, if they become a foster youth later in life, like second grade or third grade or fourth grade they miss the boat. And these are the kids that we need the most to be able to have a solid education opportunity. So this would just expand eligibility.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
No new monies, but an existing allocation for all kids who enter the foster youth system between first and 12th grade would be eligible to enter the CalKIDS Program. Respectfully ask for your aye vote. With me today are the John Byrne Advocates for Youth and a former foster youth from California. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful welcome.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
Thank you very much. My name is Debbie Rauscher and I'm the Chief Program Officer at John Burton Advocates for Youth, or JBAY. JBAY was founded by Senator John Burton and works to improve outcomes for youth who have been in the foster care system.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
Among all student groups in California, foster youth face the greatest barriers to achieving their educational goals. Abuse and neglect in the home, removal from family, and frequent moves contribute to the poor outcomes we see.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
Despite the fact that 90% express a desire to attend college, the percentage who go on to earn a two or four year degree is less than a third of that for the population more broadly. Research shows that college affordability and the need to work is the primary reason California's foster youth choose not to attend college.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
They simply can't afford it. The CalKIDS Program is poised to play a major role in changing these statistics. Research shows that children with college savings in their name are three times more likely to enroll in post-secondary education and four times more likely to graduate.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
One study found that students who had a college savings account were 40% less likely to be chronically absent than students without an account. When the Legislature adopted this program, the intention was to provide enhanced deposits for foster youth. However, under the current language, nearly half of all foster youth are ineligible for this enhanced deposit.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
Only if a child's foster care involvement overlap with census day of the first grade are they eligible for this benefit. But this isn't how the foster care system works.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
Abuse and neglect can happen to a child at any age, and the state bears responsibility for the well-being of all of its children in foster care, not just those in the first grade. Foster youth of any age face enormous barriers, and they all have the same hopes and dreams for a better future.
- Debbie Rauscher
Person
AB 2508 will remedy this oversight, opening up the possibility of higher education to thousands of foster youth. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on AB 2508.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much and welcome.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
Thank you. Good morning. My name is Wednesday Pope and I am a current student at Folsom Lake College majoring in Law and Public Policy. I'll be transferring to a four-year University this coming year. Because the CalKIDS Program currently only applies to students in foster care in the first grade, unfortunately, students like me are not eligible for this vital program.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
I spent over eight years in and out of foster care starting as a newborn. However, never in those eight years was I actually in foster care in the first grade. I am a first-generation college student.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
Growing up, I experienced not only foster care, but also extreme poverty and no one ever spoke to me about college and the benefits. I thought it was something out of reach. I had heard that it was expensive and would lead me into long term debt.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
At the age of 16, I graduated high school early while experiencing homelessness by the age of 17. Despite lacking an emotional and financial safety net, I decided to take a risk and give college a try with the hope of creating a better future for myself. Despite having financial aid, I still struggled to make ends meet while in college.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
It wasn't an easy journey. It has taken me seven years to get where I am today, at times having to take a break from college just to make sure my basic needs were met. Every dollar that I spent towards school was a dollar that I didn't have for food or housing.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
Having a CalKIDS account could have given me the resources I needed to stay in school my first semester. There are many kids in foster care just like me who didn't think that college is possible for them and believe it is something that they can't afford.
- Wednesday Pope
Person
Expanding these CalKIDS accounts to all youth in foster care in the first through 12th grade sends the message to youth that they are college material and creates hope that resources are in place to help them succeed. It is for these reasons that I urge your support in AB 2508. Thank you for your time.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. All right, now I'll continue with any witnesses in support of AB 2508 here in room 2100.
- Paige Clark
Person
Good morning. Paige Clark with the National Center for Youth Law in strong support.
- Annie Thomas
Person
Good morning. Annie Thomas, on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services in support.
- Tranecia Jones
Person
Hi, good morning. My name is Tranecia Jones and I am a former foster youth and I'm currently attending Sacramento State and I support this bill. Thank you.
- Celeste Wicks
Person
Good morning. Celeste Wicks with Clean Earth for Kids in support. Also supporting this bill, north Eco-Equity and Justice and Eco-Sustainability Peeps. Thank you.
- Caroline Nguyen
Person
Good morning. Caroline Nguyen, the UC Student Association in support.
- Sara Bachez
Person
Sara Bachez Children Now in support.
- Sam Nasher
Person
Sam Nasher on behalf of the Los Angeles County Office of Education in support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. Seeing no other witnesses in support, we'll now continue with any witnesses in opposition to 2508, seeing none. I'll now bring it back to the dais. Senator Wilk.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
Thank you, Madam Chair. Obviously, we don't have a quorum. Happy to move the bill when we do. I know for me, one out of every three foster youth in LA County resides in my district. And pre-Covid, Lackey and myself on a regular basis would pull in foster youth, buy them lunch and just listen to their stories.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
And one, it's a rough life with a lot of times with very little hope. This actually provides hope which can spark. Thank you for your testimony, by the way, and thank you for everything you're doing on your own. It's very impressive, but we need to lift up everybody. This is a great program.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
I'm glad to see it being expanded. Happy to support it today. And I want to thank you for all your work in this space in your entire legislative career. I think you've been a real advocate and I want to thank you for that.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I echo those sentiments. Wednesday, wow. I can just see the aura that you're emanating. You are just an old soul. But I have to say those life experiences, as harsh as they might seem, I think has brought forth this beautiful young lady that we see before us.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And I think a lot of it is because of your life experience that will guide you in leadership moving forward. I'm excited to see your future endeavors and what you do in that capacity. But kudos and continue on that journey. And whoever was your support system, thank them. Thank them for that.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I thank them for the work that they've done in helping, supporting you, getting you this far. On that I will also be supporting this bill. Thank you so much. Member McCarthy for the work that you've done in education as well.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I know we've had many, many discussions when it comes to education, and thank you for your counseling and your guidance with that. Would you like to close?
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
Thank you for those really kind words. You know, this is my final year here, and I look about some of the things that we did over the years, and this is, I think, one of our huge accomplishments, and this is a way to make it better.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
And that's what we should do is look back at our laws and where did we miss out? One thing that really gets me is what Senator Wilk just mentioned is the lack of resources and opportunities for extremely vulnerable population. We all know the statistics Wednesday here. Frankly, a miracle here. And here you are sharing your story.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
And too many young Californians don't have your story, but when you get a college savings account with your name on it, you get a letter to you and it's like, I have this money to go to college. And that's the brilliance of this whole thing.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
It sets up expectations and people like, I have money for me to go to college, and it shouldn't be just trust fund kids are going to go to private schools. You know, this really has a remarkable opportunity to expand opportunity and build up expectations for success.
- Kevin McCarty
Legislator
So we're going to reallocate the existing allocation, the budget for the CalKIDS Program, which has been undersubscribed. So this will maximize participation and respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. We'll leave it open until we're ready to vote when we have a quorum establishment. Okay. We see Member Weber here in our Committee hearing room where she'll be presenting file item number eight AB 1919.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And Member. Yes. Proceed when you're ready.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
Okay, great. Good morning, Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. I want to thank the committee staff for all your thoughtful work and conversations on this bill. I am here to present AB 1919, which will require local education agencies to adopt at least one of the evidence-based best practices for restorative justice on school campuses from the list of recommendations from the California Department of Education.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
This bill will authorize participation in a restorative justice program identified as best practice as one of the alternative means of correction that schools may use before they consider suspension of a student. The disproportionate incidence of suspensions and expulsions among certain populations, including Black students, has gained nationwide attention in recent years. Data shows that punitive and/or zero tolerance school discipline policies that rely exclusively punishments are ineffectively and stand in the way of student achievement.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
Data also shows that these punitive discipline policies disproportionately impact Black students, particularly Black males and students with disabilities. Black students are four times more likely to be suspended than their White counterparts without indication to show that they behave more--misbehave more. Restorative justice practices engage in collaborative problem-solving, empowers change and growth, and focuses on building systems that address disorderly conduct in a way that strengthens relationships.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
In 2022, AB 2598 was signed into law, which required the California Department of Education to work with stakeholders to develop a standard model to implement restorative justice best practices for local education agencies and make them available on their website as a part of efforts to improve campus culture and climate. This bill will build upon 8528, create a supportive school climate, and will allow the dedicated focus necessary for the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
AB 1919 will address remaining inequities within our public education system and improve school climate, which leads to increased attendance, reduced feelings of isolation, bullying, classroom disruption, truancy, antisocial behavior, and disputes among students. Restorative practices and restorative justice methods allows for greater understanding and community healing in addressing youth behavior.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
With me here to speak in support of the bill is Matin Abdel-Qawi, Chief Program Officer of Kingmakers of Oakland and Taneicia Herring, government relations specialist from California-Hawaii State Conference, NAACP. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, Dr. Weber. Welcome.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
Good morning. Good morning and greetings. My name is Matin Abdel-Qawi. I am the Chief Program Officer for Kingmakers of Oakland. With 30 years in education and youth development, I have dedicated my career to creating supportive environments where all students can thrive.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
I have served as a teacher, a principal, and a high school network superintendent in the Oakland Unified School District, working directly with underserved communities to promote educational equity. Our organization, Kingmakers of Oakland, is committed to transforming the lives of Black boys through education and community support.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
We reimagine systems of education, culture, and wellness while driving narrative change that celebrates Black people and culture and improving educational and life outcomes for all Black boys. We believe that restorative justice is crucial to achieving these goals as it directly addresses the systemic issues that lead to high suspension rates and educational disparities.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
In California, Black students are suspended at rates three times higher than their White peers. This disproportionate suspension rate leads to significant learning loss, with suspended students being twice as likely to drop out of school. For Black males, this reality is even starker, contributing to a cycle of disadvantage and disengagement.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
When I was a principal in Oakland, we implemented restorative practices and witnessed remarkable transformations. One student who had faced multiple suspensions was given the opportunity to participate in a restorative circle. This intervention allowed the student to express his struggles, take responsibility, and develop a plan to address the harm that was caused.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
Over time, this student improved academically and even became a peer mediator, helping others navigate conflicts. I saw firsthand the impact of restorative justice on individual students and the school community. Kingmakers of Oakland supports AB 1919 because it aligns with our core values, King-centered, love, African-centered, collective will, and partnership.
- Matin Abdel-Qawi
Person
This legislation promises to reduce suspensions and promote restorative practices, which are essential to educational and personal growth for our youth. We urge you to support AB 1919 and help us build a more just and inclusive educational system for all.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, sir. We usually have a time limit of four minutes, two minutes each witness, so you have about a minute--just over--just a minute and 15 seconds.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
Okay. No problem. Thanks.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I should have mentioned that before.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
It's okay. Thank you. Good morning, Members of the Committee. My name is Taneicia Herring, and I am with the California-Hawaii NAACP, and our principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority citizens in California and eliminate race prejudice. We are proud to support AB 1919 as this bill directly relates to our previously sponsored bill signed into law, AB 1165: McCarty, people discipline.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
For an incident of racist bullying, harassment, or intimidation, AB 1165 encouraged local education agencies to have both the victim and perpetrator engaged in a restorative justice practice that is found to suit the needs of both the victim and the perpetrator.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
AB 1919 takes a step further and will require local education agencies to implement at least one of the California Department of Education's list of best practices for restorative justice before moving on to suspension or expulsion in any case. Black students often fall victim to zero tolerance policies adopted at schools.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
While having the attention to maintain student safety, these policies disproportionately affect them. Enforcing these policies, students are subjected to suspensions and expulsions. Students suspended or expelled for a discretionary violation are nearly three times more likely to be in contact with the juvenile justice system the following year.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
In extreme cases, Black students are arrested and sent to juvenile detention centers by school resource officers. About 15 percent of K through 12 public school students are Black, but they make up more than 30 percent of students who are suspended, expelled, or arrested.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
Zero tolerance policies criminalize Black students for minor infractions and contribute to their school-to-prison pipeline, pushing them out of classrooms and into the juvenile criminal justice systems. We appreciate the efforts of this bill, particularly that the measure mandates schools keep records of the alternate form of correction that is used, particularly when a kid is suspended as a last resort.
- Taneicia Herring
Person
We thank Assembly Member Dr. Akilah Weber for writing this critical and crucial legislation, and we hope that AB 1919 will be a starting point for the marathon ahead of us to increase the use of restorative justice practices on school campuses in place of utilizing suspensions and expulsions as first choices. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. That was pretty quick reading. We'll now continue with any witnesses in support of AB 1919 here in Room 2100.
- Sierra Cook
Person
Sierra Cook with San Diego Unified, in support.
- Stella Johnson
Person
Stella Johnson, on behalf of San Francisco Unified School District, in support.
- Kathleen Fay
Person
Kathleen Fay for California State PTA, in support.
- Sam Nasher
Person
Sam Nasher, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, in support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. We'll bring it back to the dais. Any questions, comments? Oh. I guess, yeah, I forgot. Sorry about that. Good point. Do we have any witnesses in opposition to AB 1919? Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the dais.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
So I just have one quick question. So the schools have to keep a record of what they do. Are we going to be collecting that data?
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
Yes.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
With the Department of Education? So we can take a look at it? All right. Great. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. So no other--we don't have any members here today, so would you like to close, Dr. Weber?
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
Really appreciate those who came out and speak in support of this bill. This is extremely important. You know, I am data-driven, which is why the original bill that required CDE to look at best practices and post them on the website was one of the first bills that I authored because understanding that restorative justice works, want to make sure that our schools implement the best practice to ensure that our schools and our students and our communities are able to deal with children who may be perceived to have some kind of behavioral problems, for whatever reason is going on in their social environment.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
And instead of punishing them, oftentimes at very young ages, and turning them away from school and education, this is a way in which we can bring them in, show them that they mean enough to the community and to the school so that they can continue to focus on what's important, which is getting their education, coming back, and giving back to the community that had given them so much.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
And so this is extremely critical. I am a mother of two young Black boys and am very ashamed to say that my oldest dealt with some disciplinary issues disproportionately, starting at the age of three. And this was when his mother, his grandmother was a State Assembly Member and his mother was a practicing physician.
- Akilah Weber
Legislator
All of us had graduate degrees. So it is real, it happens, and this is one way to stop it. And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote when it's appropriate on AB 1919. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, Dr. Weber, and thank you to our witnesses for coming here today and testifying. We appreciate your time. We'll now move forward with--okay. Member Hoover first, File Item Number 11.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Madam Chair, I'm going to let Miguel skip me.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Oh, okay. Okay. So we have Member Santiago presenting File Item Number 12: AB 2093. Welcome.
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Thank you, and I just want to keep my commitment to being quick and for no other reason, otherwise I'd love to present for this for an hour because it's something I've been working on since 2017, where we've made community colleges free for all students available if they go full time.
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Today, we would present before the committee to make community colleges education free, even for a BA, and this is something incredibly important. Now, in the interest of time, I will move over to my two witnesses, but I do want to thank Mr. Wilk, who when first back in 2013--sorry--2017, we introduced it, he reached across the aisle, having had community college background in his own history, that he understood, and we understood how important it was to give free community college.
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Some folks might say, well, you know, it's a handout, but really what it is is for full time students, and the success rate for students jumps up exponentially when you commit to going to full time. So not only does this make sense for those students who are in need, but it also makes sense for the educational institution, which now increases its full time--sorry--its, its enrollment hours.
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
But it also makes sense for society in general when you have students now going to community college for free who have committed to go full time, which their success rate is much higher. So for all the right reasons, free community college makes sense. Today we want to introduce that for BAs as well, and we have two witnesses. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, and welcome.
- Maria Veloz
Person
Thank you. Good morning, Madam Vice Chair and Honorable Members of the Committee. My name is Maria Luisa Veloz, and I'm sharing testimony on behalf of Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, the Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District. The Los Angeles Community College District is the proud sponsor of AB 2093.
- Maria Veloz
Person
AB 2093, an expansion of the California College Promise Program, will allow students who choose to pursue their baccalaureate degree at a community college to complete that degree tuition-free at the California Community College of their choice, relieving them of significant financial burden. By choosing to pursue a bachelor's degree at LACCD, students can save significantly on tuition costs.
- Maria Veloz
Person
The approximate cost of a BA degree at LACCD is 10,560 dollars as compared to the the estimated 30,000 dollar price tag for a CSU four-year degree. Furthermore, as you know, CSU is projected to increase tuition by 30 percent over the next five years.
- Maria Veloz
Person
According to a recent UCLA study, students enrolled at community college bachelor's programs had an average income of roughly 40,000 dollars. These students are likely to be older, a third of them between the ages of 30 and 39 years old. They have families and dependents. Immediately upon completing their BA degree, they earned an average of 65,000 dollars upon completion of their degree.
- Maria Veloz
Person
AB 2093 is a legislative victory for equity in higher education that will uplift thousands of families by creating pathways to higher paying jobs. It will significantly impact the economic landscape of our community, and for that reason, we respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you, ma'am.
- Celia Esposito-Noy
Person
Good morning, Vice Chair and Members. My name is Dr. Celia Esposito-Noy, and I am the Superintendent President at Solano Community College District. As many professions require a bachelor's degree, community college baccalaureate degree programs are essential for students wishing to access affordable and relevant programs that meet workforce needs.
- Celia Esposito-Noy
Person
Approximately 1,600 students are enrolled in community college baccalaureate degrees statewide. Students are opting to enroll and complete their BA degrees at their local community college, not only because they can remain close to home, but because these programs make them job-ready. These programs have high success rates.
- Celia Esposito-Noy
Person
For example, at Solano College, 100 percent of our biomanufacturing students graduate, and 100 percent of those graduates secure employment and/or are accepted into graduate programs. The average starting salary for these graduates is 80,000 dollars a year. These bachelor degrees are affordable and equip our community with an educated workforce to meet local demands.
- Celia Esposito-Noy
Person
95 percent of the students who complete a bachelor's degree from the community college remain in California. If AB 2093 is passed, it would allow us to see our California Community College Promise Program funds to make the baccalaureate degrees free for all four years, providing significant financial relief to students and their families.
- Celia Esposito-Noy
Person
This, in turn, would provide our communities with an educated workforce that is not saddled with student debt. Just like AB 19 made the first two years of community college free and SB 850 and AB 927 expanded access to baccalaureate degrees, this is another landmark bill that will improve access and completion rates for all students. For these reasons, I request that you vote yes on this important bill. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. We'll now move forward with any witnesses in support of AB 2093.
- Mark McDonald
Person
Thank you, Vice Chair and Members. Mark McDonald. I have a list here on behalf of the Antelope Valley, Contra Costa, Foothill, De Anza, Palo Verde, Peralta, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Southwestern Community College Districts, as well as the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild and the California Community College Baccalaureate Association, and really want to thank Assembly Member Santiago. It's been great working with you over these years on this goal. Thank you.
- Carol Gonzalez
Person
Hi. Good morning. Carol Gonzalez, on behalf of Long Beach City College, in support. Thank you.
- Tiffany Mok
Person
Tiffany Mok, on behalf of CFT, in enthusiastic support from my members, so thank you.
- Celeste Wicks
Person
Celeste Wicks, for CleanEarth4Kids, in support. Also in support: North County Equity Justice and Eco-Sustainability Peeps. Thank you.
- Cassie Mancini
Person
Cassie Mancini, on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support.
- Bella Kern
Person
Bella Curran, on behalf of Santa Monica College, in support.
- Stephanie Goldman
Person
Stephanie Goldman, on behalf of the Student Senate for the California Community Colleges, in support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. Seeing no other witnesses in support, we'll now move to witnesses in opposition to AB 2093. Seeing no witnesses in opposition, we'll bring it back to the dais.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
I know we have to be out of this room for another committee hearing, so support the bill. Thank you so much for all your work in this space. It's going to be a loss for this Legislature and for Californians that you're leaving us. I know you're going to go off and do bigger and better things, but it's really been a pleasure serving with you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Member Santiago, would you like to close?
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Oh, sorry. Sorry. Before we close--just made aware--do you accept the amendments?
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Yes, I do, and I apologize about not stating that at the beginning. Thank you. I appreciate the work on the committee.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, wonderful. So the amendments have been accepted. Once again?
- Miguel Santiago
Legislator
Yeah. Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you again for that.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, and we'll have to wait for a quorum before we're able to vote on this. Thank you. Now we're going to move forward with Member Hoover. We're going to be presenting or he's going to be presenting File Item Number 11: AB 3216.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
No worries. Thank you, Senator. Senator, you got it. Happy to add you as a co-author.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Yeah, that was, Senator, for those that could not hear, Senator Wilk has offered or requested to be added as a co-author.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
I haven't even said anything yet.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So welcome, Member Hoover, and when you're ready, please proceed.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Thank you so much, Madam Chair, Members. Thank you for the opportunity to present this really important Bill, Assembly Bill 3216. I'm here today, obviously, as a Member of the Assembly, but also as a parent of a high school student, of a middle school student, and of an elementary school student.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
So, children who span the age range and will be affected by the impacts of AB 3216. Our kids are in crisis. Rates of depression and anxiety in the United States have risen by more than 50% from 2010 to 2019. The suicide rate has risen 48% for adolescents aged 10 to 19.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
And for girls aged 10 to 14, the suicide rate has gone up 131% during that period of time. Rates of cyberbullying are also at an all-time high. And when I was looking at introducing this legislation, I had to ask myself, and after reading a number of studies on this as well, what is the correlation here?
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
What has happened during that period of time that has led to this? You know, one of the biggest things that has changed is that smartphones have become much more prevalent in the hands of young people starting in the early 2010s. Grades we know suffer when learning is disrupted as a result of smartphone distractions in the classroom.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Up to 15% of teenagers reportedly engage in problematic social media use, which includes symptoms such as preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, neglect of other areas life, and lying to parents and friends about time spent on social media.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
In the latest Gallup data that we have, American teenagers reported spending around 5 hours per day on social media platforms alone, something that we have never experienced in our history prior to the early 2010s. We have seen a 70% increase in the number of high school seniors expressing that life often feels meaningless.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Now, more than one in five seniors express this. Poor mental health outcomes and smartphone use are also most strongly correlated in kids under the age of 14. And so a lot of these statistics are why is what led me to introduce AB 3216, which is a very simple Bill.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
It will require school districts to take action to address this crisis simply by requiring them to pass a policy limiting smartphone use in the classroom.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Districts that have already done this across the state have seen incredible results, and momentum is growing for this movement across the world, as noted in the Bill, in September 2018, France adopted a nationwide smartphone ban in all primary and middle schools in order to promote pupil achievement and healthy social development.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
England has done something similar, and the London School of Economics and Political Science published in 2015 a study that found test scores improved significantly at schools that banned mobile phone use and that the most significant gains in pupil performance were made by the most disadvantaged and underachieving pupils, another major goal that we have here in California.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
In 2015, Spain enacted a restriction on mobile phones in school settings, showing an increase of students test scores as well as a documented decrease in incidents of bullying. I think I'm very grateful to the strong bipartisan support we've already had on this Bill.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
We have our Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, Al Muratsuchi, as a joint author, as well as Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal as a joint author, also was very grateful to see Governor Newsom come out and support of this concept last week, and the largest school district in California, Los Angeles Unified, just passed a policy on this as well.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
I want to keep up this momentum, so would greatly appreciate support of this Bill. Before I close, turn over to my witnesses, I just want to point out a couple points that I think the opposition will likely raise.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
We crafted this Bill very carefully to provide a lot of flexibility when it comes to allowing school districts to craft the policies that work best for their local community. Nothing in my Bill prescribes what has to be done at the local level.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
It simply requires that action be taken, and so I want to be very clear about that. The Bill also provides exceptions during emergencies when permission is given by a teacher or administrator, when a doctor deems the smartphone use necessary, or when the smartphone is required in an IEP.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Very excited to have with me today two wonderful people from my district. Going to start with Tarek McFaul, who is the principal of Sutter Middle School in Folsom, and then followed by David Reed, who is a board member and former President of the Folsom Unified School District. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful and welcome. And you have two minutes each.
- Tarik McFall
Person
Thank you. Good morning, Madam Chair and Members. My name is Tarik McFall. I'm going into my fourth year as proud principal at Sutter Middle School in Folsom Cordova Unified School District. I wanted to speak to you briefly about my experiences with smartphones on campus.
- Tarik McFall
Person
Prior to the 23-24 school year, students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade were allowed to have their cell phones during lunchtime. And what I have found in my years of experience, 12 years of experience in middle school, I found no situations where students should have their cell phones out on campus.
- Tarik McFall
Person
It made it very difficult to monitor. And so during the 2023-2024 school year, our board voted on a policy which kept students from having their phones during lunch. And what we found on our campus were less incidents where students were airdropping inappropriate materials on their cell phones. There were no incidents of vandalism in our restrooms.
- Tarik McFall
Person
We had a reduction of fights on campus. So what we also saw for the positive aspect were more students going to the library, more students joining clubs at lunch, more students actually having face-to-face conversations, which was remarkable. I want to talk about a really powerful email I received from a parent who also said.
- Tarik McFall
Person
She emailed me and said how happy she was about this policy because her child, their family, had chosen not to have cell phones or buy their child a cell phone. And during lunch his 6th grade year, his two friends had cell phones, but he didn't.
- Tarik McFall
Person
And he found it very hard to kind of interact with them during that time. And this past school year, he's been able to, with the cell phones put away, they've been able to have actual conversations. And again, what we have seen is just a tremendous positive influence by not having cell phones out.
- Tarik McFall
Person
And so for that, I wanted to say that I wholeheartedly support AB 3216 and moving forward, I think it will be a great way for all schools to move forward.
- David Reed
Person
Madam Chair and Members of the Committee, my name is David Reed and I am a trustee with the Folsom Cordova Unified School Districts Board of Education. I am here in support of AB 3216 and to share FCUSD's experience with adopting a cell phone policy.
- David Reed
Person
FCUSD was one of the first school districts in the state to adopt a cell phone policy in 2020. Before adopting the policy, we sought the input from parents, teachers, and students. Based on this input, we decided to adopt a graduated policy where we banned cell phones in elementary schools.
- David Reed
Person
We allowed the use of cell phones at lunchtime at middle schools, and we allowed the use of cell phones at lunchtime and during passing periods at high school. The policy was a complete success at the elementary level. Our experience at the middle and high school levels was more challenging.
- David Reed
Person
Many middle and high school students continued to use cell phones during class instruction despite the new policy, not to mention using their phones for other purposes in contradiction to board policy. Based on frustrations expressed by middle school teachers, the FCUSD board amended our policy in 2023 to extend the cell phone ban to middle schools.
- David Reed
Person
This ban took effect with the 23-24 school year. We had an immediate transformative change in our middle schools once the ban took effect. One middle school teacher heartbreakingly commented, she forgot what it was like to have students pay attention to her.
- David Reed
Person
As other districts learned about our policy, we started to receive requests to share our policy with them. As a result of our middle school experience, the FCUSD board will be discussing the pros and cons of extending our cell phone band to our high schools at a September board meeting. This was FCUSD's experience.
- David Reed
Person
I recognize that every district has their own issues and what works for one district might not work for another district. That is why I think it is an important element in AB 3216 is that it only requires school districts to adopt a policy. It does not tell them what the policy must say, leaving that to local control.
- David Reed
Person
Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Any witnesses in support of AB 3216 here in room 2100?
- Anna Ioakimedes
Person
Anna Iokimedes on behalf of Los Angeles Unified School District in support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you.
- Pamela Gibbs
Person
Good morning, madam Vice Chair and Members, Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education. We support the Bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. Do we see we have no other witnesses in support? We'll now continue with any witnesses in opposition to AB 3216. Seeing none will bring it back to me. Well, thank you very much for bringing this measure forward.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I will be supporting the Bill today, and it's interesting, I think there's a lot of discussion and a lot of, as you said, momentum with regards to the cell phones and the impact that social media has on the brain. Interesting to note.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I just wanted to point out that back in the day, so my oldest child is 24, 22, and my youngest is 18, just graduated from high school. But when I was in, I did the.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
In our school district at that time, when they were little, they had a preschool parenting program where the student was actually the parent and there was a preschool program. And in that, every week we had classes where the parents would split up and we would take classes on child development brain development or child development brain development.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Positive parenting skills as well as other subject matters that were important to parents in helping them become better parents in raising their children.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
But in one of those classes that we had back then, and this was probably 19 years ago, 18, 19 years ago, they had a class segment on technology and the impact that it had on our brain, and they showed us slides and pictures of what, you know, even 2 hours of technology and how that rewired in the brain looked differently in a child's brain.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So from a very young age, I mean, we've had this knowledge for many, many years in which we've known that technology really does impact, rewires the brain in our children, how that impacts their personality, their behavior. And so I've always taken that into consideration, which is why my children did not have cell phones when they were little. And I was incredibly upset when my husband decided to give them a cell phone in junior high.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I was like, what? Without consulting their mother? So, needless to say, we had a very heavy discussion at that time. But I'm grateful for this Bill that you're bringing forward, because it really does carry on that momentum and those conversations that we're having that we've. Should be having at this time.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So with that, you know, I'll be happy to support the Bill when the opportunity comes forward.
- Josh Hoover
Legislator
Appreciate it. Thanks so much for the opportunity to present.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. All right, we have Member Calderon here. Welcome. And she will be presenting file item number 24 AB 3240. Grateful to have you here today.
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
Thank you. Good morning. I think it's still morning, isn't it? Yes. Good morning, Member, Madam Chair.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Yes. So, morning.
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
I'm here today to present Assembly Bill 3240, which would prohibit the displacement of gift aid awards upon the receipt of private scholarships for students who are eligible for Kell grant awards.
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
Existing law established by the California Ban on Scholarship Displacement act prohibits public and private institutions of higher education from reducing students institution based gift aid offer below their financial need. However, the Scholarship Displacement act only applies to students who are eligible for the federal Pell grant or the California Dream Act.
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
Prohibiting the practice of scholarship displacement is essential to make college more affordable. Adding Cal grant eligible students to the California ban on Scholarship Displacement act would impact nearly 92,000 students. AB 3240 ensures our most vulnerable students receive greater access, equity, and financial assistance to achieve their college dreams.
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
This bill has been supported unanimously thus far and has no opposition. With me in support of the bill is Supriya Patel, a student and policy manager at What We All Deserve.
- Supriya Patel
Person
Hello, Madam Chair and Members. As the Assembly Member mentioned, my name is Supriya Patel, and I am a policy manager at What We All Deserve, a youth led economic justice organization. I am also an incoming college freshman, and so I am very familiar with the issue of paying for college, especially with exorbitantly high college tuitions.
- Supriya Patel
Person
Currently, students with existing financial need are unable to fully utilize outside scholarships when higher education institutions reduce their financial aid. Financial aid is frequently reduced by the amount of the private scholarship known as scholarship displacement, which the Assembly Member also mentioned. And this results in essentially no net benefit for students.
- Supriya Patel
Person
And so the California ban on Scholarship Displacement Act currently prevents institutions of higher education that benefit from state funding or that enroll students receiving state funded financial aid from reducing students institutional aid offers below their financial need.
- Supriya Patel
Person
And AB 3240 would increase equity in higher education by extending the protections of the California ban on scholarship displacement to students who are eligible for Cal grants. Private scholarships are essential to lowering the cost of college for Californians with the most need.
- Supriya Patel
Person
Such scholarships help students pay for classroom materials, transportation, and room and board, a lot of which are not covered in state funded scholarships. AB 3240 levels the playing field for Low income students, helping these individuals achieve their higher education aspirations.
- Supriya Patel
Person
And as an excited incoming college freshman and recent college graduate, I urge you to support AB 3240 and thank you guys for your time.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
They will now continue with any witnesses in support of AB 3240.
- Valerie Johnson
Person
Sorry, I should have been closer to the mic. Valerie Johnson with the Campaign for College Opportunity in support.
- Jesse Reyes
Person
Hi, good afternoon. Jesse Hernandez Reyes with the chancellor's office for the California Community Colleges in support.
- Espan Nunez
Person
Good morning. Espan Nunez, on behalf of the Television Academy Foundation and support. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. We'll now move on to witnesses in opposition to AB 3240. Seeing none will bring it back to me. Well, thank you very much for bringing this measure forward and want to thank the witnesses for coming and testifying. Madam President, would you like to close?
- Lisa Calderon
Legislator
Yes. Thank you. Senator, I respectfully ask for an aye vote at the appropriate time.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. Appreciate that. For those that just tuned in, we do not have a quorum established and we don't have any Members but myself. So we're holding onto the bills until everybody comes back. Right? And we're going to continue with Member Friedman. We're going to. She'll be presenting file item number 14, AB 2507.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And welcome, Member Friedman.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
Good morning, Madam Chair. And Members. Madam Chair, as we all know, financial barriers pose significant obstacles for Low income students striving to complete their college education. High tuition fees, along with expenses related to housing, transportation, textbooks, et cetera, often force our students to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
The issue is particularly acute for Californians who are grappling with increased levels of student loan debt. Moreover, the long term repercussions of repaying student loan debt over several decades cannot be overlooked.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
With the current landscape of student loan interest rates in California soaring as high as 9%, AB 2507 would establish a pilot interest free and no free student loan program at the University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge and Glendale Community College to meet the skyrocketing demands for students who are Low income, homeless, at risk of homelessness or food insecure to have their financial needs met while in pursuit of a higher education.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
Implementing an interest free, no fee student loan program would afford graduates the chance to repay their loans within a reasonable timeframe while saving to start a business, buy a home, pay their rent, all the things that people need to do to succeed. This Bill has no opposition and is received bipartisan support.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
Testifying in support this afternoon is Cliff Berg with the Jewish Free Loan Association and the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California. This Bill, I believe, is also a Jewish Caucus Tacum alum priority Bill. Thank you. Thank you very much and welcome.
- Cliff Berg
Person
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Cliff Berg, on behalf of the Jewish Free Loan Association here, sponsor of AB 2507, urged the Committee to support the establishment of a pilot zero interest, zero fee loan program.
- Cliff Berg
Person
Students, as you know, are having an extremely difficult time meeting the skyrocketing demand for financial support, particularly Low income, homeless and at risk students who are food insecure. I want to thank the author for carrying this Bill.
- Cliff Berg
Person
The Jewish Free Loan Association has been providing zero interest, no free loans for over 120 years and understands firsthand the impact these loans have on students facing dire financial circumstances. Interest free, no fee loans are a lifeline to those in need and repeatedly provide financial assistance when people have nowhere else to turn.
- Cliff Berg
Person
California students are facing more and more obstacles as they navigate getting into and out of graduating from college. Financial barriers hinder Low income students from completing college due to high tuition, housing, transportation and textbook costs, often leading to multiple jobs and accumulating student debt.
- Cliff Berg
Person
I think this program is particularly unique at this time because not only is it no interest, no fee, but the loans are able to be used for support, not just for tuition and books, but for transportation, housing and other life necessities that without financial support, students are at risk of dropping out of the system.
- Cliff Berg
Person
Jewish free loan has been providing as many loans as they can. The program is oversubscribed. Jewish Free loan has over $18 million in loans outstanding started providing loans 120 years ago for small businesses, for everything from birth to death.
- Cliff Berg
Person
They continue to meet those demands, but there is an overwhelming demand from Low income students who need help staying in school. And we would like to demonstrate in this pilot project the importance of not piling on additional interest and fees on students who need financial support.
- Cliff Berg
Person
So we urge your support of this Bill and ask the State of California for the first time to explore the advantage of providing students with no interest, no fee loans. Urge your support. Thank you for your consideration.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, sir. We will now continue with any witnesses in support of AB 2507. C. None will continue with any witnesses in opposition to AB 2507. Seeing none, we'll bring it back.
- Cliff Berg
Person
I will just add, on behalf of witnesses and support, JPAC, juice, public affairs Committee, another client is in support of this Bill and is a priority Bill for this year. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. Thank you. So for the sake of discussion, the loan program would be administered by the. By these colleges, correct? Correct. And backed by the funding would be coming from. We are looking for an allocation.
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
Okay. By the state? Yeah. Okay. But this is money that will come back to the state. It's not a grant program. These are loans.
- Cliff Berg
Person
The notion is it's a revolving Fund. So one of the advantages of the program and what we want to demonstrate is us free loan has like, a 99.9% repayment rate, and there are no, of course, penalty fees for any kind of default. So the program has demonstrated its effectiveness in getting the money back.
- Cliff Berg
Person
So whatever initial funding we're able to work out with the Administration and the Legislature in support of the program would go into that revolving Fund and continue to help students.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. Well, thank you so much for your testimony, sir, for coming here today. Friedman, thank you for your time and for bringing this measure forward. Would you like to close?
- Laura Friedman
Legislator
Just would request, and aye vote when people come.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. Have a great day. All right. All right, we're going to take a recess until further Members arrive. Authors and Members come back to the education Committee. So thank you and for your patience.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Meeting in 30 seconds. In the meantime, we will ask a Member Lowe to work his way up to the podium for file item 18. Give him a chance to turn that you formally recessed before we are officially reconvened here in the Senate Education Committee meeting. Assembly Member Low you may proceed when ready.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Thank you very much, Mister Chair Collings, which bill might be best appropriate? Was it.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
AB 2883
- Evan Low
Legislator
Perfect. I have two before you as well. Thank you very much for allowing me to present Assembly Bill 2883 to recognize the cultural significance of Lunar New Year, to which I know.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Senator, you also have a longstanding relationship with our Asian Paci community as an official holiday at both the CSU and UC campuses across the State of California and respectfully ask for aye vote.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
All right, any witnesses?
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Do we have anyone in the Committee room wishing to speak to the item on support, seeing no one come forward? Yes, we do. Please. Oh. Odd. Say you are not a lead witness. You're here to just indicate support.
- Jacob Akron
Person
Yes.
- Jacob Akron
Person
Jacob Akron, on behalf of the Department of Justice, we support. Thank you.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
All right.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Thank you. Next witness.
- Faith Lee
Person
Morning. I'm with Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Southern California. Faith Lee. We're in support. Thank you.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
All right, thank you. Is there anyone here to testify in opposition? I've seen no one come forward. Is there anyone in the Committee room who wishes to make public comment in opposition? If so, please come forward now. I see none.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
We'll come back and I'll hand the gavel over to our Vice Chair who will share the rest of the meeting. I had no questions or comment on Mister Low's bill. File item 18. Vice Chair Ochoa Bogh. And he has presented. And while you're getting situated, I'll just turn it back to the author for a close.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Thank you very much. And respectfully ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
I'm happy to. I'm happy to move the item. Oh, no quorums established yet. When the time comes, I'm happy to move the bill.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Thank you very much.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Thank you for your presentation.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Thank you very much. I think just point of order, Assembly Member Low also has file item 19 he'd like to present next.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, wonderful. So file item number 19, AB 3034. Please proceed when you're ready.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Thank you very much, Madam Chair and colleagues, this is Assembly Bill 3034 to allow Americorps Members who dedicate a year of volunteering to have the first two years of tuition waived. as sort of a novel idea. But of course, this has helped to support the notion of civic engagement and also service in our State of California.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Respectfully ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, Member Low. I will now move any witnesses in support of AB 3034 here in room 2100. Seeing none, do we have any witnesses in opposition to AB 3034?
- Anabel Urbina
Person
Hello. Anabel Urbina with the California State University Office of the Chancellor in opposition.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. So, seeing no other witnesses in opposition, we'll bring it back to the dais. Any questions, comments? Senator Cortese?
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
No comments,and when we have a quorum, I'm happy to move the Bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. Well, we don't. We do have a California State University in opposition. Would you like to close member Low?
- Evan Low
Legislator
Yes, sure. Certainly, and just from Members of the public to acknowledging that this could be viewed as an inherent cost and, of course, that of engagement with young people is important and happy to address in full faith the continued conversation with their respect segments should this be moved forward.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, wonderful. Well, it looks like we now have a quorum. We'll be able to establish a quorum. So, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Roll Call
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. So we have established a quorum.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Happy to move. File item 19.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So we have a motion for file number. Item number 19. AB 3034. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Roll Call
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. We'll leave that open for our absent Members.
- Evan Low
Legislator
Thank you very much, Senators.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. And we have Member Ramos here with us today. He will be presenting file item number 21, AB 3015. When you're ready, sir. Please begin.
- James Ramos
Legislator
Thank you, Madam Chair. Senators, I would like to start off by accepting the Committee amendments. AB 3015 helps to expand college affordability for Native Americans, the most underrepresented group in higher education.
- James Ramos
Legislator
This measure would help ensure qualified students are not disadvantaged by tribal land boundaries and would aim to expand diversity within California's higher education institutions by granting students of federally recognized tribes whose tribal government land borders another state and who live in the state to be classified as a resident for the purposes of tuition fees, eliminates a financial barrier and helps them pursue higher education in the State of California.
- James Ramos
Legislator
Native American students make up less than 1% of enrolled students, and with this Bill, we can offer potential solutions to a problem and uplift. Native American students pursuing higher education in the State of California. With me today to testify and support is Jason Murphy, associate Director for UC state governmental relations.
- Jason Murphy
Person
Madam Chair, and Members, Jason Murphy, on behalf of the University of California, proud to be here today in strong support. We're the sponsor of this Bill. We appreciate the Assembly Member for bringing this Bill forward on our behalf.
- Jason Murphy
Person
Welcome, sir.
- Jason Murphy
Person
This is about seeking to address a very narrow issue that occurs, albeit an important issue, when we've got federally recognized tribes bordering or crossing over, straddling, so to speak, the border between California and other states, such as Nevada and Arizona. We're not aware of any tribes right now that straddle with the Oregon border.
- Jason Murphy
Person
But in these instances, despite the fact that they are members, these Native American students are Members of these federally recognized tribes. If they just so happen to live on the arbitrary other side of their tribal lands in another state, they are no longer or not entitled to resident tuition at the University of California.
- Jason Murphy
Person
We've had instances like this come forward at our campuses. This Bill seeks to rectify it. We ask for an aye vote. Thank you.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, sir. We'll now continue with any witnesses in support of AB 3015 here in room 2100. Please proceed.
- Nune Garipian
Person
Good morning. Nune Garipian on behalf of the Community College League of California, in support. Thank you.
- Anabel Urbina
Person
Anabel Urbina with the California State University Office of the Chancellor in support.
- Jacob Roe
Person
Jacob Roe. On behalf of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges in proud support
- Aubrey Rodriguez
Person
Aubrey Rodriguez on behalf of ACLU, California Action in support.
- Daniella Rodriguez
Person
Daniella Rodriguez with the California Student Aid Commission and support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much. Seeing no other witnesses in support of AB 3015. Now, we will continue with any witnesses in opposition to AB 3015. Seeing none, we'll now bring it back to the dais. Any comments or questions?
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
I'll move the Bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We have a motion by Senator Cortese. Member Ramos, would you like to close?
- James Ramos
Legislator
Thank you. And Madam Chair and Senators, and I ask for your aye vote.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much, Madam Secretary. Please call the roll
- Committee Secretary
Person
Roll Call
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we will hold the roll open for our absent Members. Thank you very much for being here.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Thank you. Madam Chair, may I move the consent calendar?
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Absolutely. We have a motion for the consent calendar. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Roll Call
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
So we will start opening the roll for our different bills. We will start with file item number two. Do we have a motion for Bill item number two? I'll move it with a motion by Senator Cortese. Madam Secretary, please call a roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
File item two, AB 1825. Muratsuchi. The motion is do pass the Senate Judiciary Committee. Newman.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
File number two.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Once again on file item number two, AB 1825. Muratsuchi. The motion is do pass to Senate Judiciary Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Muratsuchi. File item number two. Oh, the bill number.
- Committee Secretary
Person
1825.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
One or two.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay. Okay. We will now move on to file item number 3. AB 2316 by Member Gabriel. We have a motion by Member Senator Wilk on AB 20316. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is do passed as amended to Senator Health Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
All right, we'll keep that open for our absent Members. We'll now move on to file item number four, AB 2508.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
Welcome to move the bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
You have a motion by Senator Wilk. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
File item four, AB 2508. McCarty. The motion is passed to Senate Human Services Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Perfect. We'll keep that on call for our absent Members. Now move on to file item number five, AB 1917, by Member Muratsuchi. We need a motion. Do we have a motion? I'll move it. We have a motion by Senator Cortese. Madam Secretary, please call the rule.
- Committee Secretary
Person
File item number five, AB 1917. Muratsuchi. Motion is do pass to Senate Appropriations Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll keep that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue to file item number six by Member. File item number six, AB 2226 by Muratsuchi.
- Scott Wilk
Legislator
Wilk moves the bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Motion by Senator Wilk. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion passed to Senate Appropriations Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wonderful. We'll now move on to file item number eight, AB 1919 by Member Weber. Do we have a motion moved by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
File item eight, AB 1919, Weber. Motion is do pass the Senate Appropriations Committee.[Roll Call] Okay, okay.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll leave that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue to file item number 11, AB 3216 by Member Hoover. We have a motion by Senator Wilk. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is do pass the Senate Appropriations Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Wilk, aye. Keep that open for absent Members. We'll now continue to file item number 12, AB 2093, by Member Santiago. We have a motion by Senator Wilk. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
The motion is do pass as amended to Senate Appropriations Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll keep that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue to file item number 14, AB 2507 by Member Friedman. We need a motion. Do we have a motion? We have a motion by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is do pass to Senate Appropriations Committee.[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Above 1 second. I'm set. I'm sorry. Yes, that would be okay.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Okay. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll keep that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue to file item number 18, AB 2883 by Member Low. Do we have a motion? We have a motion by Senator Wilk. Madam Secretary, please call the rule.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is do pass to Senate Appropriations Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Aye. And we'll keep that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue with file item number 19. Oh, we did. Okay. Okay, so we'll continue with file item number 24, AB 3240 by Member Calderon. Do we have a motion? No, we have a motion. By Senator Cortese. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Motion is do pass to Senate Appropriations Committee.[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll keep that open for absent Members. All right, we're going to reopen the roll for file item number two, AB 1825. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
File item two, AB 1825. Muratsuchi. The motion is do pass to Senate Judiciary Committee. [Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, we'll keep that open for our absent Members. All right, so we'll continue with the Committee, the Senate Committee on education. We have Member Berman who has graced us with his presence to present file item number 23, AB 3158. You may proceed when you're ready, sir.
- Marc Berman
Legislator
Thank you, Madam Chair and the Senators. And thank you for your patience. Students throughout California are struggling to meet their basic needs, such as food and housing. And in my district, the soaring costs of living have been particularly challenging for community college students in particular.
- Marc Berman
Legislator
To address this, West Valley Mission Community College District funded a college promise scholarship program through their unrestricted General Fund. But the district would like to do more for their students.
- Marc Berman
Legislator
AB 3158 would allow until July 1, 2030 West Valley Mission Community College District to provide free college to their students by waiving tuition fees, which the district is ready and able to do with their existing local funding.
- Marc Berman
Legislator
This would put significant financial resources back into students pockets, ensuring they don't have to choose between taking the extra class they need to graduate or work the extra shift they need to afford groceries or pay their rent. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- Marc Berman
Legislator
And with me today is Melanie Ho, who's the West Valley College student trustee and a summer intern, in Assembly Member of Berman's district office, and Cade Story-Yetto, Chief of Staff for the West Valley Mission Community College districts chancellor's office.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you very much and welcome.
- Melanie Ho
Person
Thank you. So good morning, Senators. My name is Melanie Ho, and I serve as the student trustee at West Valley College, located in Saratoga, California. Today, I'm here to speak about my experience with free tuition.
- Melanie Ho
Person
I'm a first generation college student who struggled through the FAFSA process and experienced firsthand the reimbursement process for free tuition prior to fall semester. I paid dollar 900 out of my own pocket for my classes, and this is not including the cost of textbooks. I received reimbursement for my first semester's tuition several months later.
- Melanie Ho
Person
I want to emphasize the difficulties that many students face due to the rising cost of living in the Bay Area. I can attest for myself and on behalf of many students that waiting several months for nearly $1,000 is quite painful considering we have bills to pay.
- Melanie Ho
Person
AB 3158 is a step towards making education more accessible and affordable for students in the Bay Area. By removing financial barriers, this Bill can help ensure that more students are able to pursue their educational goals. I urge you to support AB 3158 for the future of students seeking education. Thank you. Thank you very much.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
Good afternoon, Senators. Thank you for having us today. My name is Cade Story-Yetto. Like the Member said, I serve as the Chief of Staff to the Chancellor of West Valley Mission Community College District.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
Our district serves over 16,000 students between our two colleges, and as the Member alluded to, several struggle, or more than half of those students struggle with basic needs insecurities, and many drop out as a result of that. So in response to this, our district is making every effort to remove barriers for our students.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
We've waived fees associated with mental health counseling, parking fees, fees associated with basic needs, as well as childcare for our parenting students. And in this year, we've greatly expanded our promise program to offer tuition and enrollment fee waivers for students that qualify and that go through the expansive reimbursement process.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
While this program enrolled over 5,000 students in just our first month alone, the process is just operationally cumbersome for our staff to administer and difficult to navigate and often complex and expensive for our students to apply for, so this Bill is the next step in that iteration for removing barriers for our students.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
It does not ask for a single dollar from the state for our budget. It simply asks for you to authorize our district to draft the policies to formally waive tuition and enrollment fees codified in our board policies to make the existing process a lot more efficient and more efficient for our taxpayers and our staff as well.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
The last thing I'll mention is that this Bill will have no impact on our district's ability to comply with what's called the 50% law, which requires half of our expenses to be spent on instruction based salary.
- Cade Story-Yetto
Person
We will continue to be able to do that, and this Bill will really just allow us to again administer an existing process much more efficiently and really focus on increasing access for our most in need students. So for these reasons, we humbly ask for your support.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony today. We'll now continue with any witnesses in support of AB 3158 here in room 2100, seeing none will continue with any witnesses in opposition to 3158. AB 3158 here in room 2100. Seeing none, we'll bring it back to the dais. Senator Cortese?
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
Yes. First of all, I just wanted to, you know, thank and commend the author for bringing this this year. And I'm a proud co-author of the Bill. And I can assure everyone on the Committee that the district is in excellent shape to execute on this should the Bill get signed into law this year.
- Dave Cortese
Legislator
So with that, I'd be happy to move the Bill.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We have a motion by Senator Cortese. Senator Berman, would you like to close?
- Marc Berman
Legislator
I just want to appreciate the partnership with Senator Cortese on this effort. I appreciate the district for stepping up and saying, hey, we can do this. We want to do this. We think it's better for the district and it's better for our students. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I apologize. I believe we have one more comment.
- Steven Glazer
Legislator
Yeah, I wanted to get this in. I want to do it after his close, though. I wanted to ask, how's the internship in his office? Is that going well? Afterwards.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay. With that? We have a motion by Senator Cortese. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
Roll Call
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, we'll leave that open for our absent Members. So we will be continuing on with lifting calls. We'll begin with file item number two. Consent consent. Zero, we'll begin with our consent calendar. Madam Secretary, please call the roll on the consent calendar.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll leave that open for our absent Members. We'll now continue with file item number two, AB 1825 by Member murasuchi.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
All right. We'll leave that open for our APPCn Members. We'll continue with file item number three, AB 20316 by Member Gabriel.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I'll leave that open for Members. We'll continue with file item number four, AB 2508, by Member Mccarty. Madam Secretary, please call a roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll leave that open for our absent Members. We'll continue with file item number five, AB 1917, by Member Murasuchi Adam. Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll leave that open for our apps and Members. We'll continue with file item number six, AB 2226 by Member Morisucci. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll leave that open for apps and Members. We'll continue with file item number eight, AB 1919, by Member Weber. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Okay, we'll leave that open for our APPCN Members. We'll continue with file item number 11, AB 3216, by Member Hoover. Madam Secretary, please call a roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll leave that open for absent numbers. We'll continue with file item number 12, AB 2093, by Member Santiago. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll leave that open for absent Members. We'll continue with file item number 14, AB 2507, by Member Friedman. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
I'm accommodating. Okay, so we're going to continue with file item number 18, AB 2883 by Member Low. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll leave that open for our Appston Members. We'll continue with file item number 19, AB 3034 by Member Low. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll leave that open for our appstant Members. We'll continue with file item number 21, AB 3015 by Member Ramos. Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
Leave that open for Opsin Members. We'll continue with file item number 23, AB 3158 by Member Berman.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
We'll continue. We'll leave that open for absent Members. We'll continue with file item number 24, AB 3240 by Member Calderon. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
And we'll leave that open for our absent Members.
- Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Legislator
The Committee, the Senate Education Committee will be taking a recess until our chair is able to return to the dais.
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Close out the roll on all open measures. Madam consultant, please proceed through those measures.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
Yeah. The consent calendar is out. Seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measures out, five votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That vote is out seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measures out seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measures at seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measured out six votes to one.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measures at five votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measure is out seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measures out six votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That measure is at six votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
That vote that measures out seven votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And that measure is at six votes to zero.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And that measure is at seven. That concludes, zero, I'm sorry, there's two more. There's another sheet. Please proceed.
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And measures out seven votes to zero
- Committee Secretary
Person
[Roll Call]
- Josh Newman
Legislator
And that measure is out seven votes to zero. That does conclude closes out the roll. This concludes today's hearing. The Senate Committee education. Thank you to staff, especially for your patience on this very hectic day and to the sergeants. And with that, we are adjourned.
Bill AB 2507
Student financial aid: Students at Risk of Homelessness Emergency Pilot Program.
View Bill DetailCommittee Action:Passed
Next bill discussion:Â Â August 12, 2024
Previous bill discussion:Â Â May 22, 2024
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Lobbyist
Legislator