SACRAMENTO — The California State Assembly on March 6, 2025, approved several bills and two commemorative resolutions, including a change to the legal standard used in potentially dangerous‑dog proceedings, reauthorization of design‑build contracting for certain health care districts, and a measure to authorize management of mute swans.

Assemblymember Schultz presented Assembly Bill 793 to adopt a clear‑and‑convincing standard in proceedings that evaluate whether a dog is “dangerous” or “vicious.” Schultz said the measure aligns with recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association and aims to ensure “decisions such as this are made with greater care and accountability.” The bill passed the Assembly on a recorded vote, Ayes 55, Noes 0.

Why it matters: AB 793 changes the evidentiary threshold used by jurisdictions and animal‑control authorities when making life‑altering determinations about animals. Supporters argued the standard offers a more thorough, equitable process before decisions such as euthanasia are made; the bill had unanimous support in the Assembly Judiciary Committee, according to the debate.

Assemblymember Flora presented AB 533 to reauthorize health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design‑build contracting method for construction of health facilities. Flora said the authority expired January 1, 2025, and sought to restore it. The Assembly approved the bill on a recorded vote, Ayes 57, Noes 0.

Why it matters: Design‑build is a procurement method intended to streamline large construction projects by combining design and construction under a single contract. AB 533 specifically targets health care districts that operate hospitals or clinics; the bill text and related limits are in the bill itself, as discussed on the floor.

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez presented AB 764 to add mute swans to the list of exotic non‑game birds that may be managed to control their populations. Gonzalez described the measure as “a critical step in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of California,” and noted the bill passed the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee unanimously and carried endorsements. The bill passed the Assembly on a recorded vote, Ayes 64, Noes 0. During floor debate, Assemblymember Rogers asked which group “speaks for the mute swans,” and Gonzalez replied, jokingly, that it was “the speaking lobby group that speaks for the mute swans.”

On the resolutions calendar the Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 44, which proclaims California Cities Week, by voice vote after adding 54 coauthors. Assemblymember Pacheco said the week “shines a spotlight on the essential role cities play in our democracy.”

The Assembly also adopted House Resolution 32 recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week. Assemblymember Lowenthal explained the resolution commemorates the April 17, 1975, start of the Khmer Rouge period and honors the estimated 1.7 million Cambodians who died during that regime; the resolution drew broad floor support and was adopted with coauthors added and a voice vote.

The second‑day consent calendar was approved, Ayes 69, Noes 0. The items on the consent calendar included many bills spanning multiple policy areas; one example read on the floor was Assembly Bill 369 (emergency services). The clerk read the full list of consent items and recorded the unanimous passage.

Votes at a glance

- AB 793 (Schultz) — Change to dangerous/vicious‑dog proceedings to a clear‑and‑convincing evidentiary standard. Passed on roll call, Ayes 55, Noes 0. Floor sponsors cited American Veterinary Medical Association guidance and unanimous Assembly Judiciary Committee support. (Transcript evidence: introduction at 4397.185; vote tally at 4579.66.)

- AB 533 (Flora) — Reauthorize health care districts that operate hospitals/clinics to use design‑build contracting for health‑facility construction; authority had expired Jan. 1, 2025. Passed on roll call, Ayes 57, Noes 0. (Transcript evidence: introduction at 4641.085; vote tally at 4699.015.)

- AB 764 (Jeff Gonzalez) — Add mute swans to the list of exotic non‑game birds that can be managed to control populations. Passed on roll call, Ayes 64, Noes 0. (Transcript evidence: introduction at 4718.655; vote tally at 4856.635.)

- ACR 44 (Pacheco) — Proclaims California Cities Week; adopted by voice vote after adding 54 coauthors. (Transcript evidence: introduction at 4030.685; adoption announced at 4207.8003.)

- HR 32 (Lowenthal) — Recognizes Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week and honors survivors and the Cambodian American community; adopted by voice vote after adding coauthors. (Transcript evidence: introduction at 4904.21; adoption announced at 5667.535.)

- Second‑day consent calendar — Multiple items approved unanimously, Ayes 69, Noes 0; the clerk read the listed bills before the roll was taken. Example listed on the floor: AB 369 (emergency services). (Transcript evidence: consent calendar roll call at 6087.73.)

Discussion versus decision

Members debated AB 793, AB 533 and AB 764 on the floor before recorded votes. Remarks that were presented as personal testimony or example (for instance, Assemblymember Hadwick’s account of a relative injured by a dog during AB 793 debate) were part of debate and not separate actions. The resolutions (ACR 44 and HR 32) were presented, opened for coauthors, and adopted by voice vote; coauthor counts were recorded on the floor as noted above.

What’s next

The Assembly adjourned and scheduled its next floor session for Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m., as announced at adjournment.

(Quotes are verbatim from chamber remarks and are attributed to the speakers as recorded on the floor.)