1. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES

President Debbie Mesloh called the meeting to order at 11:16 am. She excused Commissioner Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and Commissioner Andreas Shorter who were absent.

President Mesloh noted that Commission Secretary Herschell Larrick asked City Attorney Brad Russi to attend the Commission meeting but he was not available. He replied that he would welcome Commissioners to email him with any questions.

No changes to the agenda.

No Public Comment.

Action: To approve agenda.

m/s/c(Zwart/Miry/Unanimous except for Absent: Schwab-Pomerantz and Shorter)

2. OLD BUSINESS

1. Ban on City Funds to States with Restrictive Abortion Laws

Shakirah Simley, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Vallie Brown, was in attendance to provide answers to Commissioner questions.

President Mesloh stated that she hoped the Commission could reach a place of unity and find a way to support the concept of the legislation. She noted that good points have been raised on the language of the legislation and that the language and precision of that language are important, but ultimately it is also very important for the Commission to support the spirit of this legislation.

Vice President Breanna Zwart said that she understands that no legislation is perfect or a silver bullet, and that she supports the intent of this legislation. She said that she feels it is important to let women know that the Commission supports them, that it is better to take action then to keep deferring it, and that the legislation can be refined later.

Commissioner Julie Soo said that she was concerned that the Commission was moving to support the legislation too quickly without due consideration of the language of the legislation. She stated that the definition of abortion within the legislation was her primary sticking point but that she had other specific concerns as well. Commissioner Soo provided the Commission with suggestions of changes to make within the legislation and asked that Commission Secretary Larrick scan them and disseminate them to the Commission and to Supervisor Brown’s Office. President Mesloh agreed and asked Commission Secretary Larrick to do so. Commissioner Soo allowed that the language of the legislation would probably undergo more changes as it moves through the Board of Supervisor’s committee system, and that in essence she could support the spirit of the legislation. (See Attachments: A. Email of text changes, B. Text Changes to Legislation, C. State Legislation Definition of Abortion)

Commissioner Shokooh Miry reported that she appreciated Ms. Simley’s presentation at the last meeting and the discussion that ensued, and that she supported the legislation.

President Mesloh asked Ms. Simley to comment on Commissioner Soo’s language concerns.

Ms. Simley said that the text of the legislation was crafted with the advice of many allies including Planned Parenthood with the goal of presenting legislation that can hold up to intra and inter-state legal contests. She said that another goal is to expand and strengthen Title 12X, and that their use of the definition of abortion has been carefully considered. She did say that there was some room to change the title and other language concerns. Ms. Simley said that the legislation holds a role for the Department to work closely with the City Attorney’s Office to draft the list of banned states. She said that currently for the LGBT portion, the Office of Transgender Initiatives consults with the City Attorney’s Office and if the legislation goes through the Department would be added to that process. Ms. Simley handed the Commissioners a single sheet presentation on California State Protections on Right to Privacy that they considered when writing the legislation. (See attachment D. SSimley Handout on Privacy)

President Mesloh said that she believed it was important to support the legislation on some level before it goes to hearing on July 11. She asked if the Commission was ready to vote on support of it and said that the Commission could place some caveats on the support. President Mesloh stated the motion as “motion to support the intent and focus of the legislation to place a ban on city funds to states with restrictive abortion laws with these two considerations: 1. Encompass as many women as possible, and 2. Return to the Commission after the GAO hearing to present any changes in language of legislation”.

Public Comment:

1. Thea Selby, member of the public, said that the women’s movement should follow the LGBT movement and emulate their methods like using this legislation. She said to use the economic might of California as the 5^th largest economy in the world. She said that she agreed with Commissioner Soo that legislation with broader definitions are better. She said that there is a war on women, with 22 states already having passed anti-abortion legislation and another 7-10 in the process. She said that we need to not be focused on abortion, but we need to be expanding and protecting women’s reproductive rights.
2. Nancy Rock, Democratic Women in Action, she said that she agreed with Commissioner Soo that the hyperbole in the legislative language should be removed and more precise language be put in place. She said that she wanted the title and intent changed to any state with restriction on women’s health care. She reported that VAWA is being attacked. She asked that the legislation go with the Planned Parenthood language.
3. Jane Bernard-Powers, Democratic Women in Action, said that she is pleased that the Commission is being careful of its consideration, that legal analysis is important, and that she appreciates the support of the idea of the legislation.

Action: To Support the Intent and Focus of the Board of Supervisors Legislation to Place a Ban on City Funds to States with Restrictive Abortion Laws with two considerations: 1. Encompass as many women as possible, and 2. Return to the Commission after the GAO hearing to present any changes in the language of the legislation.

m/s/c(Mesloh/Soo/Unanimous except for Absent: Schwab-Pomerantz and Shorter)

3. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

No Public Comment.

4. ADJOURNMENT

Action: To adjourn the meeting.

m/s/c(Soo/Zwart/Unanimous except for Absent: Schwab-Pomerantz and Shorter)

 

   Attachment A: JS email to Supervisor VB
   Attachment B: JS markup of VB legislation
   Attachment C: CA State Legislation Definition of Abortion
   Attachment D: SSimley Handout on Privacy