Tom Lackey — Tom Lackey delivers a continuous speech opposing the measure. He says the Legislature should be building trust with constituents rather than advancing something he views as disappointing, political, and harmful to public confidence. He argues that gerrymandering benefits insiders, feeds distrust, and is not what voters want, then urges members to reflect on whether their actions serve the public and to resist the measure.
Tom Lackey — Tom Lackey, after being recognized, delivers a brief floor statement criticizing how the chamber has spent its time that morning. He argues the discussion has focused on issues outside the Legislature’s purview rather than California’s real problems, and closes by urging members to stop insulting those who disagree.
Josh Lowenthal — Josh Lowenthal delivers a continuous floor speech supporting the measure, reflecting on the national redistricting debate and his father’s long effort to create California’s independent redistricting commission. He explains that his father, a former Assembly Member and later congressman, pursued reform through ACA 19, subsequent Assembly efforts, and later H.R. 2978 in Congress, all aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring elected officials listen to constituents. Lowenthal closes by saying he proudly joins his father in urging temporary suspension of the commission and asks for an aye vote on ACA 8.
Josh Lowenthal — The speaker appears to refer to Lowenthal in discussing someone who fought for people's rights to have a voice in democracy; the transcript is garbled and may be referring to a member of the Lowenthal family.
ACA19 — Described as a 2002 constitutional amendment introduced to create an independent redistricting commission; it received no support and died.
SCA3 — Described as the 2006 reintroduction of the independent redistricting concept that passed one bicameral body but was lost before deadlines and died.
Sharon Quirk-Silva — Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva is recognized and then speaks in support of ACA 8, describing it as a historic moment for democracy.
Tri Ta — Assembly Member Tri Ta delivers a unified floor speech in opposition to ACA 8. He reflects on his personal journey leaving his country in 1982 for freedom, contrasts that experience with the importance of fair elections and democratic values in California, recalls taking his oath of office, and speaks about the concerns of immigrant communities in his district before concluding by urging a no vote on ACA 8.
Tri Ta — The speaker is being thanked as Assembly Member Taipa, referring to Tri Ta.
Tasha Boerner — Assembly Member Tasha Boerner is recognized and then begins her remarks in strong support of ACA 8.
Wendy Carrillo — Carrillo is recognized and speaks in support of ACA 8.
Wendy Carrillo — Assembly Member Carrillo is thanked before the next speaker is recognized.
Mark González — Assembly Member Mark González is recognized and speaks in strong support of ACA 8, and is then thanked after his remarks.
Mark González — The transcript appears to say 'Assembly Member Calra,' likely a transcription error, as the speaker is being thanked by name.
Mia Bonta — Assembly Member Mia Bonta delivers remarks in support of ACA 8, speaking on behalf of AD 18 (Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville) and as a proud co-author. She notes her role as chair of the Assembly Health Committee and concludes by asking for an I vote.
Nick Schultz — Assembly Member Schultz raises a point of order and urges adherence to the rules of the body, and the Speaker acknowledges Schultz in response.
Nick Schultz — Speaks in support of ACA 8 and urges an aye vote.
Nick Schultz — Nick Schultz is recognized and briefly responds by thanking his colleague from Palmdale for his remarks, while emphasizing the importance of decorum and disagreeing without being disagreeable. The exchange then closes with a final thank-you to Assembly Member Schultz.
Nick Schultz — Nick Schultz raised a point of order asking the Speaker to keep remarks focused on the bill and not external matters, and the Speaker responded that the point was well taken.
Mike Gipson — Assembly Member Mike Gipson was recognized by the chair, responded briefly to the prior remarks by emphasizing the importance of not remaining silent, and was later thanked for speaking in support of the measure.
Mike Gipson — Assembly Member Garcia is cited as seconding the motion; the transcript likely refers to Assembly Member Garcia, not a named member in the expected list.
Luz Rivas — Likely the intended reference in 'Speaker Revis'; praised for standing up and being bold.
Corey Jackson — Corey Jackson is recognized to speak, requests permission to use a prop but is denied, and then begins remarks about the need for thorough debate and democratic discussion. He is later recognized again after the previous speaker concludes, continuing the same floor sequence.
Steve Bennett — Assembly Member Bennett delivers a sustained speech in support of ACA 8, urging colleagues to view the issue in national, global, and historical context. He contrasts violent or autocratic power grabs with democratic transfer of power, warns that autocrats and oligarchs weaken democracy by changing the rules, and cites Russia as an example of democracy lost. He acknowledges a colleague’s criticism of Texas but argues that California must not remain passive, because failing to act would weaken its influence and further empower intimidation, deceit, and oligarch-funded false outrage. He closes by stressing that this is a critical moment to counter these tactics and asks for an aye vote on ACA 8.
Sade Elhawary — Assembly Member Sade Elhawary speaks in support of ACA 8, arguing that Republicans are trying to rig the rules because they fear voters. She describes the impact in her district, including racial profiling and federal agents targeting people based on skin color, and shares that her Guatemalan mother and Mexican stepfather, both American citizens, are afraid to leave home. Her remarks frame the issue as intimidation rather than democracy, and the chair then thanks her after she finishes.
Sade Elhawary — The speaker is recognized and speaks in support of ACA 8 as a proud co-author.
Jesse Gabriel — Assembly Member Gabriel is recognized to speak and then delivers remarks in support of ACA 8, opening with sadness and conviction. He concludes his comments by requesting an aye vote, and the chair thanks him afterward.
Jesse Gabriel — Jokingly apologized to Mr. Gabriel in reference to Skittles.
John Harabedian — Assembly Member Erins is recognized and speaks as a proud co-sponsor of ACA 8. The remarks conclude with brief thank-yous addressed to the same member, though the name appears inconsistently transcribed as Erins and Burner.
John Harabedian — Assembly Member Harabedian raises a point of order and asks the speakers to address the bill before the body.
John Harabedian — Raises a point of order objecting to the use of maps as props.
Rhodesia Ransom — Begins remarks in support, saying democracy is on the line.
Laurie Davies — Assembly Member Laurie Davies is recognized and questions whether ACA 8 is the right course of action, asking members to consider honestly whether they believe it is appropriate. She frames the issue as one of principle, stating that gerrymandering is wrong, and the exchange continues with a final question directed back to her about whether she or anyone she knows signed an NDA.
Laurie Davies — Assembly Member Davies argued that lawmakers should listen to the public and cited polling showing concern about the cost of the special election and broad opposition to returning redistricting power to politicians, including strong opposition among Republicans and independents. She concluded by recommending opposition to SB 280.
Laurie Davies — She is recognized and asks who drew the maps on behalf of 500,000 Californians.
Chris Rogers — Assembly Member Rogers was recognized and spoke in support of the measure, agreeing with colleagues, and was then thanked by the presiding officer after his remarks.
Vince Fong — Assembly Member Fong was recognized and spoke in support of ACA 8.
Mark González — The chair thanked Assembly Member Gonzales after the prior remarks.
Mark González — Mark González is recognized and then begins his remarks by referencing what happened in the Elections Committee that week, saying he wants to walk members through several key developments, including a technical witness who invoked attorney-client privilege.
Mark González — Mark González defends his remarks by saying he writes his own talking points and that the maps were developed through California’s process with expert and community input. The chair then thanks him, and the exchange is acknowledged before the next procedural point.
Mark González — The Majority Leader thanks her colleague Senator González for partnership on the issue; likely a reference to Assembly Member Mark González or another González, but the transcript says 'Senator González.'
David Alvarez — Assembly Member Arambula was recognized to speak on the item and concluded his remarks by respectfully asking for an aye vote.
David Tangipa — Assembly Member Tangipa was recognized to speak next.
David Tangipa — Assembly Member David Tangipa is called on during the welcome and introduction sequence, following the Marshawn Lynch welcome.
David Tangipa — David Tangipa presents and defends his amendments, arguing that legislators should not be allowed to approve redistricting maps and then immediately run for the districts they helped create. He says the amendment closes a loophole that lets lawmakers change the rules and benefit personally, and he closes by urging support for the amendments and a no vote on the motion to table them.
David Tangipa — Assembly Member Tangipa is recognized to speak on the bill and is reminded to address its merits. He responds with a data-driven argument, saying he prefers to focus on facts and dates and contends that California’s problems are driven more by legislative priorities than by who is president. The exchange concludes with a closing thank-you after his remarks.
David Tangipa — David Tangipa delivered a sustained critique of the redistricting maps and process, arguing that the effort undermines liberty, transparency, and accountability. He said the changes affect millions of Californians, accused the legislative body of gaslighting the public, and questioned who actually drew the maps and made the key decisions. He emphasized that democracy requires clear authorship and public accountability, contrasted the secretive process with the Citizens Redistricting Commission’s intended role, and used Fresno as an example of a city split across multiple districts. Tangipa concluded that secrecy itself is a form of gerrymandering and urged lawmakers to vote no on the maps because the public does not know who created them.
David Tangipa — Assembly Member David Tangipa was recognized for a point of order and clarification regarding comments being made, then briefly followed up on the same issue before the chair ruled the point not well taken.
AB1441 — Referenced as a bill for independent redistricting in the speaker's district; the speaker says it was voted against.
Josh Hoover — Assembly Member Josh Hoover is recognized, delivers his remarks, and concludes by urging a no vote.