Communication and Collaboration Committee Meeting
June 13, 2025
DRAFT Meeting Minutes

Action Items: 
•	Ms. Viramontes-Nhan will send information to Committee Members about the Section 504 lawsuit. 

1.	 Call to Order 

2.	 Introductions
Roque Alas Bucton – C and C Chair/SILC Member
Armando Escobedo – C and C Chair/SILC Vice-Chair
Ligia Andrade Zuniga – SILC Chair/Executive Director, Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) 
Rian Dindzans – SICL Member/C and C Member
Russell Dawson Rawlings – Communications and Strategic Partnerships Manager, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) 
Sarah Harris – Chief, Independent Living, Assistive Technology, and Traumatic Brain Injury Section (ILATS), Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Carrie England – SILC Executive Director
Allison Viramontes-Nhan – SILC Legislative Specialist
Danielle Hess – SILC Office Manager

3.	 Public Comment
None

4.	 SILC Member Updates
Mr. Escobedo shared that Tri-County Independent Living, Inc. (TCIL) is holding their 2025 Expo at the Sequoia Conference Center on September 26.  

5.	 Approval of the Draft Minutes from May 9, 2025, Communication and Collaboration Committee Meeting
Mr. Escobedo motioned for approval of the Draft Minutes from May 9, 2025, and Mr. Alas Bucton seconded the motion. This passed unanimously through a roll call vote, with Ms. Andrade Zuniga not present.  

6.	 Legislation Update
Ms. Viramontes-Nhan reviewed the legislative deadlines for June 2025. June 6 is the last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house, and June 15 is the date that the budget bill must be passed. 

Ms. Viramontes-Nhan continues to follow up with the Chief of Staff from both Assemblymember Lackey and Assemblymember Bryan’s offices for status updates about the Legislative Disability Caucus. They had no new updates since they shared in May that they were looking to recruit members. 

a.	Legislative Items for Review
i.	For Consideration Bills
There are no new bills for consideration by the C and C members. 

ii.	Watchlist Bills
Four bills have been removed from the SILC watchlist because they have become two-year bills after failing legislative deadlines. Updates on these bills will continue in January 2026. 
•	AB 315 (Bonta) Medi-Cal: Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver. 
•	AB 517 (Krell) Medi-Cal: complex rehabilitation technology: wheelchairs. 
•	AB 804 (Wicks) Medi-Cal: housing support services.
•	AB 1161 (Harabedian) Public social services: state of emergency or health emergency. 

Two bills have passed out of the Assembly and are awaiting committee assignment in the Senate. 
•	AB 246 (Bryan) Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025. 
•	AB 1069 (Bains) Older adults: emergency shelters.

Three Senate bills are on the SILC Watchlist, and all with different statuses listed below: 
•	SB 84 (Niello) Disability access: construction-related accessibility claims: notice of violation and opportunity to correct. This bill is in the Assembly and held at the desk awaiting committee assignment. 
•	SB 470 (Laird) Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act: teleconferencing. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. 
•	SB 590 (Durazo) Paid family leave: eligibility: care for designated persons. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Insurance Committee. 

There are no Federal bills on the SILC Watchlist.

iii.	Possible Action and/or Educational Letters
1.	Educational Letter for RE: SB 470 (Laird) Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act: teleconferencing.

In May, the C and C Committee approved the letter, but it has not been submitted because of difficulties getting guidance on submission through the new portal. This will be submitted to the Governor’s office when the bill goes before him, unless guidance is received about the portal. 

b.	Legislative Items for Consideration from SILC Members
i.	State or Federal Legislation: Please send bill information to Allison at least 48 hours before the Communication and Collaboration Committee to be added to our For Consideration List. 

c.	Current Events and Updates
Mr. Alas Bucton asked Ms. England about any impacts on the Independent Living Network from the proposed California State Budget. At this time, there is no way to know how things will progress until the Federal Budget is approved. She will share information with the SILC members when she has it. 

Mr. Dawson Rawlings shared information about the first California Disability Leadership Alliance (CDLA) day on June 16, which will include live performances by disabled artists, speakers, and information booths. They will also attempt to livestream the presentations through the Disability Rights California (DRC) Facebook page. 

d.	Discussion on National Topics
Ms. Viramontes-Nhan shared updates on the Texas v. Beccera case, which argued for the elimination of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 because they believe it is unconstitutional. This has been withdrawn and a new case, Texas v. Kennedy, has been filed to argue the unconstitutionality of updates made to Section 504 under the Biden Administration to expand the rights of people with disabilities. 

Ms. Viramontes-Nhan spoke about an Opportunity for Public Comment Regarding the U.S. Department of Energy Plans to Rescind Requirements Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that specify what standards newly constructed and altered buildings must meet to be considered accessible. She shared ways that C and C Committee can interact with this without lobbying, including sharing factual information, including updates on this as an agenda item during meetings, and supporting disability rights education and awareness. Committee members discussed different roles within the network and how they can support, as well as other resources. 

Mr. Alas Bucton asked if there have been any updates on the establishment of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), where Administration on Community Living (ACL) is proposed to be housed. Ms. England shared that there aren’t any updates at this time, and she will share information as soon as she has it. 

7.	 Advocacy and Collaborations – Request from Members or Partner Organizations 
a.	Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF)
Ms. Hess shared that YLF is about a month from happening, and the team is in the final stages of pulling everything together. She will be on site all week and will look at asking a delegate to speak at the next SILC meeting after YLF. There were 60 delegates accepted for the 2025 program. 

b.	Suggestions for Future Speakers and Topics Related to the 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
There were no recommendations. 

8.	 Summary of Activities Requiring Follow-Up at Next Meeting
a.	Next Meeting July 11, 2025
The C and C Committee will not meet in August in favor of the full SILC meeting. 

9.	 Adjourn