Impact

  • 2023-2024 Legislative Session
    The Commission only takes positions on legislations that would implement it's recommendations. 
     
    The Commission is currently supporting ten legislative proposals that would implement recommendations from its labor trafficking, intimate partner violence, peace officer training, artificial intelligence, online meetings, and developmental disabilities reports.
     

    Labor Trafficking

    Summary: AB 235 would establish the Labor Trafficking Unit within the Civil Rights Department to receive and investigate complaints alleging labor trafficking and take steps to prevent labor trafficking.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice, the Commission recommended California should empower state agencies to investigate labor trafficking crimes and incorporate labor trafficking into existing multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional efforts to combat the underground economy.
    Status: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
     
    Summary: AB 380 would establish the Labor Trafficking Unit within the Department of Industrial Relations to receive, investigate, and prosecute complaints alleging labor trafficking and take steps to prevent it.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice, the Commission recommended California mandate that the Department of Industrial Relations pursues labor trafficking alongside its other work to combat the underground economy.
    Status: Passed in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
     
    Summary: AB 1149 would establish the California Multidisciplinary Alliance to Stop Trafficking Act Task Force. This Task Force would examine collaborative models to combat trafficking, evaluate the state’s progress on this issue, and provide recommendations for further work against human trafficking.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Human Trafficking: Coordinating a California Response, the Commission recommended the creation of a statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Council to build and enhance collaboration among communities throughout the state, study and improve services for victims and survivors of all forms of human trafficking and assist in the successful prosecution of human traffickers.
    Status: Held under submission .in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
     

    Intimate Partner Violence

    Summary: AB 304 would place oversight of batterer intervention programs within the Department of Justice, establish statewide programmatic standards, require program providers to publicly post fee information to be shared with defendants, and require trauma-informed judicial training, among other measures intended to rehabilitate and hold accountable domestic violence offenders.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long-Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission  recommended that the state review its requirements for batterer intervention programs to determine if they facilitate rehabilitation; begin a process to determine how to tailor rehabilitative services to an individual’s needs; and, ensure that rehabilitation is not contingent on an individual’s ability to pay.
    Status: Hearing scheduled in Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 22.
     
    Summary: AB 479 would extend provisions, until July 1, 2026, that authorize the Counties of Napa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Yolo to offer an alternative program for individuals convicted of domestic violence.
    Background:  In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis, A Long-Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission recommended that the state should review its requirements for batterer intervention program to determine if they facilitate rehabilitation. The Commission also recommended that the state should begin a process to determine how to tailor rehabilitative services to an individual’s needs.
    Status: Hearing scheduled in Senate Public Safety Committee on June 6.
     
    Summary: AB 1028 would require a health practitioner who suspects that a patient has suffered physical injury that is caused by domestic violence to provide counseling, education, or other support, and a warm handoff or referral to domestic violence or sexual violence advocacy services.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long-Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission recommended that the state prioritize often overlooked groups who suffer from intimate partner violence.
    Status: Hearing scheduled in Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 22.
     

    Peace Officer Training

    Summary: AB 390 would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to partner with academic researchers to conduct an assessment of existing peace office training requirements and determine how well they are working for peace officers in the field. Among other things, the bill would require POST to establish a process to collect and secure data for research as well as a permanent academic review board. 
    Background:  In its 2021 report, Law Enforcement Training: Identifying What Works for Officers and Communities, the Commission recommended that POST partner with academic researchers to assess existing officer training requirements and determine how well they are working for officers in the field. Additionally, the Commission called on POST to establish a process to collect and secure data for research purposes in order to improve training as well as a permanent academic review board.
    Status: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
     

    Artificial Intelligence

    Summary: SB 313 would establish the Office of Artificial Intelligence within the Department of Technology. The bill would also empower the office to guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems by a state agency to ensure that all artificial intelligence (AI) systems are designed and deployed in a manner that is consistent with state and federal laws and regulations regarding privacy and civil liberties and that minimizes bias and promotes equitable outcomes for all Californians.
    Background: In its 2018 report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California, the Commission recommended the State appoint an AI special advisor that would create a strategic plan to incorporate AI within state government and oversee the safe and transparent deployment of AI. The Commission also emphasized the need for an AI policymaking agenda that would protect core values – autonomy, responsibility, privacy, transparency, and accountability.
    Status: Held under submission in Senate Appropriations Committee.
     

    Customer-Centric Government

    Summary: SB 544 would update teleconferencing requirements in the Bagley-Keene Act, which govern how state boards and commissions conduct open meetings, to promote equity and public participation through virtual meetings while safeguarding the personal safety of board and commission members.
    Background: In its 2021 report, The Government of Tomorrow: Online Meetings, the Commission recommended that state boards and commissions provide public access to their meetings in both a physical location and a teleconferencing option. The Commission also recommended allowing board and commission members to participate in meetings remotely without requiring public disclosure of those locations.
    Status: Held at desk in the Assembly.
     

    Developmental Disabilities

    Summary: AB 1147 would require that the state address several issues within its developmental disabilities services system, including disparities in treatment based on race and geographical location, regional boards, standard services, vendorization, and technology.
    Background: In its 2023 report, A System in Distress: Caring for Californians with Developmental Disabilities, the Commission called for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to identify a standard set of core services to be delivered by all regional centers, and to utilize technology to make it easier for consumers to find out what services are available. The Commission also recommended that regional centers use standard categories to track the race and ethnicity of clients receiving services so that disparities could be more easily identified. Additionally, the Commission recommended that DDS put forward a comprehensive project plan to modernize its data systems. The Commission also called for DDS to standardize the vendorization process and allow vendors to provide services across the regional center system. Finally, the Commission recommended that the state enhance support for regional center governing boards, including additional training and greater protection against retaliation.
    Status: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.
  • 2021-2022 Legislative Session

    The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations.

    Affordable Housing

    Summary: This bill would establish the Coordinated Affordable Housing Finance Committee, comprising representatives from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Housing Financing Agency, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the Treasurer, and the Controller. The bill directs this committee to allocate state-controlled affordable housing rental resources through a single process and competition so that applicants may receive all state assistance at one time with a single application.
    Background: In its 2022 report, California Housing: Building a More Affordable Future, the Commission recommended consolidating housing functions and formalizing the relationships among the state’s housing agencies.
    Status: Referred to Senate Housing Committee.
     

    Customer-Centric Government

    Summary: This bill would align California law with federal law to ensure that local jurisdictions approve of telecommunications projects within reasonable time periods and utilize permitting best practices.  
    Background: In its 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government, the Commission urged the state to improve and expand accessibility to digital government services. Yet our 2020 Issue Brief on California’s Digital Divide found that as many as 2.3 million Californians lack access to broadband, hindering their ability to access education, contribute to a productive economy, and obtain government services. 
    Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 467, Statutes of 2021.
     
    Summary: This bill would amend the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act to require that teleconference meetings that are open to the public be observable both audibly and visually. The bill would also clarify that members of a board participating remotely shall count towards a quorum and would only require public disclosure of the designated primary physical meeting location from which the public may participate.
    Background: In its 2015 report, Conversations for a Workable Government, the Commission encouraged the Legislature to find ways to modernize public participation in government. In another 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government, the Commission called on agencies and departments to offer maximum options for Californians to conveniently access government services -- whatever the platform they choose to use.
    Status: Died in Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
     
    Summary: This bill would require local governments to allow microtrenching for the installation of underground fiber.
    Background: In its 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government, the Commission urged the state to improve and expand accessibility to digital government services. Yet our 2020 Issue Brief on California’s Digital Divide found that as many as 2.3 million Californians lack access to broadband, hindering their ability to access education, contribute to a productive economy, and obtain government services. 
    Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 677, Statutes of 2021. 
     

    Forest Management

    Summary: This bill would build upon the objectives established in California’s Forest Carbon Plan by establishing state goals for fuel treatment and vegetation management. The bill would also require the Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency to submit a report to the Legislature on the positions and resources needed to achieve those goals by January 2023; and annually thereafter, on the progress made toward implementing those goals.
    Background: In its 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada, the Commission called for the California Natural Resources Agency, its relevant departments, and the California Environmental Protection Agency to regularly report to the Legislature and post online progress on the metrics listed in the Forest Carbon plan, as well as the steps it is taking to begin implementing the plan. Furthermore, the Commission urged the state to outline a plan to staff up and fund the additional positions needed to meet the plan’s goals of treating 500,000 acres of nonfederal land per year with similar treatment goals on federal land.
    Current Status: Held under submission in Senate Appropriations.
     
    Summary: This bill would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) to hire additional firefighters to fully staff frontline fire engines as well as add more fuel crews to provide on-the-ground support during fire season, proactively move on defensible space and fire prevention projects, and protect vulnerable communities. The bill would also require CalFire to provide a long-term staffing plan to the Legislature by 2024.
    Background: In its 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada, the Commission urged the state to outline a plan to staff up and fund the additional positions needed to meet the Forest Carbon Plan’s goals of treating 500,000 acres of nonfederal land per year with similar treatment goals on federal land.
    Current Status: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File.
     

    Intimate Partner Violence

    Summary: This bill would enable recipients of grant funding awarded pursuant to California Penal Code §13823.15 to receive the entirety of the state’s portion of the grant funding in a single disbursement at the beginning of the grant period. 
    Background: In 2020, the Commission released Intimate Partner Violence: Getting the Money to Those on the Front Line, which recommended that the Legislature should enact, and the Governor should sign into law, a mechanism through which recipients of Domestic Violence Assistance Program funding, or any future program implementing California Penal Code §13823.15, receive the entirety of state’s portion of the grant funding at the beginning of the grant period. 
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 680, Statutes of 2021.
     
    Summary: This bill would expand the Removing Barriers to Employment Act to include persons who are at risk of committing violence or are at risk of intimate partner violence on the list of those eligible to receive grant funding.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long-Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission recommended the Legislature expand the Removing Barriers to Employment Act to explicitly include victims of domestic violence.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 323, Statutes of 2021.
     
    Summary: This bill would strengthen family court procedures to ensure that those subject to a domestic violence protective order relinquish their firearms.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission urged the state to better enforce its firearms laws and ensure that firearms immediately are removed from those prohibited from owning them.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 685, Statutes of 2021.
     
    Summary: This bill would prohibit debt collectors from collecting or attempting to collect debt from survivors of domestic violence who can provide documentation that the debt was incurred as a result of economic abuse. 
    Background: In 2021, the Commission released Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, which called for the creation of a program that collaborates with credit bureaus and financial institutions to help survivors understand their financial picture, recover from damage to their finances and credit, and protect against future economic abuse.
    Current Status: Died in Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.
     
    Summary: This bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and administer a program that awards grants to homeless shelters to serve the needs of pets for people experiencing homelessness.  

    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission urged the state to help survivors of intimate partner violence access lifesaving shelter for themselves and their pets. 

    Current Status: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File.
     
    Summary: This bill would enable recipients of grant funding awarded pursuant to California Penal Code §13823.15 to receive the entirety of the state’s portion of the grant funding in a single disbursement at the beginning of the grant period.
    Background: In 2020, the Commission released Intimate Partner Violence: Getting the Money to Those on the Front Line, which recommended that the Legislature should enact, and the Governor should sign into law, a mechanism through which recipients of Domestic Violence Assistance Program funding, or any future program implementing California Penal Code §13823.15, receive the entirety of state’s portion of the grant funding at the beginning of the grant period. 
    Current Status: Died in Assembly Public Safety Committee.
     
    Summary: This bill would require the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to set and measure progress toward goals to prevent and end homelessness among domestic violence survivors and their children and among unaccompanied women in California.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission found that service providers and advocates have difficulty in getting leaders in all levels of government to understand the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness and the breadth of the problem. To make a difference, we called on California to include domestic violence experts in its policymaking processes for homelessness and housing instability.
    Current status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 665, Statutes of 2022.
     
    Summary: This bill would authorize county interagency domestic violence death review teams to assist local agencies in identifying and reviewing domestic violence near-death cases. 
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission recommended that California create a framework for data collection and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods the state is using to combat intimate partner violence. Further, the Commission urged state leaders to not be afraid to change course if the evidence indicates current methods are not working.
    Current status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 986, Statutes of 2022.
     
    Summary: This bill would clarify language regarding domestic violence restraining orders to explicitly allow a party to renew those orders.
    Background: In its 2021 report, Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, the Commission recommended that the state develop a comprehensive long-term intimate partner violence prevention and early intervention action plan. The Commission also urged the state to integrate its antiviolence initiative into every segment of society.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 88, Statutes of 2022.
     
    Summary: This bill would entitle an alleged debtor to debt relief if they can establish that an alleged creditor’s claim arises from a coerced debt, including debt resulting from duress, intimidation, threat, force, fraud, or exploitation due to domestic violence.
    Background: In 2021, the Commission released Beyond the Crisis: A Long Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence, which called for the creation of a program that collaborates with credit bureaus and financial institutions to help survivors understand their financial picture, recover from damage to their finances and credit, and protect against future economic abuse.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 989, Statutes of 2022.
     

    Labor Trafficking

    Summary: This bill would require hair, nail, skin care, and other related businesses to post a notice in clear view of the public and employees publicizing human trafficking hotlines a person can call to access help and services. 
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime, the Commission called on California to promote efforts to alert the public to the existence of human trafficking in various sectors and industries. 
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 106, Statutes of 2022.
     
    Summary: This bill would establish the Labor Trafficking Unit within the Department of Industrial Relations to receive, investigate, and prosecute complaints alleging labor trafficking and take steps to prevent it.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice, the Commission recommended California mandate that the Department of Industrial Relations pursues labor trafficking alongside its other work to combat the underground economy.
    Current Status: Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.
     
    Summary: This bill would establish the California Multidisciplinary Alliance to Stop Trafficking Act Task Force to examine collaborative models to combat trafficking, evaluate the state’s progress on this issue, and provide recommendations for further work against human trafficking.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Human Trafficking: Coordinating a California Response, the Commission recommended the creation of a statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Council to build and enhance collaboration among communities throughout the state, study and improve services for victims and survivors of all forms of human trafficking and assist in the successful prosecution of human traffickers.  
    Current Status: Senate Appropriations Suspense File.
     
    Summary: This bill would expand the bases on which a child can be adjudged a dependent child of the juvenile court to explicitly include children who are victims of labor trafficking. Additionally, the bill would change the name of the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Program to the Human Trafficked Children Program and revise the program to include all children who are victims of human trafficking, including those who are the victims of labor trafficking.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime, the Commission recommended lawmakers update existing laws that address human trafficking of commercially sexually exploited children to expand protections to children who are exploited for other forms of labor.
    Current Status: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations.
     
    Summary: This bill would require resource family training to include child labor trafficking education for foster parents caring for children who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, human trafficking.
    Background: In its 2020 report, Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime, the Commission recommended lawmakers update existing laws that address human trafficking of commercially sexually exploited children to expand protections to children who are exploited for other forms of labor.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 548, Statutes of 2021.
     

    Law Enforcement Training

    Summary: This bill would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to partner with academic researchers to conduct an assessment of existing peace office training requirements and determine how well they are working for peace officers in the field. Among other things, the bill would require POST to establish a process to collect and secure data for research as well as a permanent academic review board.  
    Background: In its 2021 report, Law Enforcement Training: Identifying What Works for Officers and Communities, the Commission called on POST to establish a process to collect and secure data for research purposes in order to improve training as well as a permanent academic review board to ensure POST’s training standards and curriculum are aligned with the latest scientific research.
    Status: Senate Appropriations Suspense File.
     

    Occupational Licensing

    Summary: This bill would enact the Nurse Licensure Compact, under which the Board of Registered Nursing and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians would be authorized to issue a multistate license authorizing the holder to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse in all party states under a multistate licensure privilege.
    Background: In its 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, the Commission called on California to require reciprocity for all professionals licensed in other states.
    Current Status: Died in Assembly Business and Professions Committee.
     
    Summary: This bill would require all healing arts boards under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs to request demographic information from its licensees and registrants.
    Background: In its 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, the Commission recommended the Legislature authorize the collection of demographic information, supplied voluntarily, for license applications across all licensed occupations in California.
    Current Status: Died on Inactive File. 
     
    Summary: This bill would allow a prospective applicant that has been convicted of a crime to submit a request for a pre-application determination to a licensing board. The bill would also require the board to determine if the prospective applicant would be disqualified from licensure based on the information submitted with the request, and deliver that determination to the prospective applicant.
    Background: In its 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, the Commission recommended the state help mitigate some of the barriers applicants face by creating an informal appeals process between a license denial and administrative law hearing to allow applicants the opportunity to explain problems with their applications.
    Current Status: Held under submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
     
    Summary: This bill would require each board within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to publicly post on its website a list of criteria used to evaluate applicants with criminal convictions. The bill would also require DCA to develop a process for each board to use in verifying applicant information and performing background checks of applicants, and would require applicants with convictions to provide certified court documents instead of listing convictions on application documents. Further, it would require the board to develop a procedure to provide for an informal appeals process that would occur between an initial license denial and an administrative law hearing.
    Background: In its 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, the Commission offered several recommendations to help mitigate some of the barriers applicants face. First, the Commission urged the state to ask only for official records and not rely on the applicants’ memory. Second, the Commission recommended state licensing authorities post on their website the list of criteria used to evaluate applications with criminal convictions so that applicants can be better informed about the possibilities of gaining licensure before investing time and resources into education, training, and application fees. Finally, the Commission also called on the state to create an informal appeals process between a license denial and administrative law hearing to allow applicants the opportunity to explain problems with their applications.
    Current Status: Held under submission in Senate Appropriations.
     

    Online Meetings 

    Summary: This bill would amend the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act to allow state boards and commissions to hold meetings entirely by teleconference, while providing a physical location from which members of the public can access the meeting. The bill would also enable board and commission members to participate in meetings remotely without disclosing the locations from which they are participating.
    Background: In its 2021 report, The Government of Tomorrow: Online Meetings, the Commission recommended amending the Bagley-Keene Act to require boards and commissions to provide public access to their meetings in both a physical location and a teleconferencing option, and to allow for the remote participation of board and commission members without required public disclosure and public accessibility to those locations.
    Current Status: Set for hearing in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee on April 20. Hearing postponed.
     
    Summary: This bill would require state boards and commissions to provide members of the public the ability to participate in meetings both in-person and remotely.  
    Background: In its 2021 report, The Government of Tomorrow: Online Meetings, the Commission amending the Bagley-Keene Act to require boards and commissions to provide public access to their meetings in both a physical location and a teleconferencing option.  
    Current Status: Referred to Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
     

    Underground Economy

    Summary:  This bill would make an employer's intentional theft of wages punishable as grand theft when collectively greater than $950. 
    Background: In its 2015 report, Level the Playing Field: Put California's Underground Economy Out of Business, the Commission urged the Legislature to assess existing penalties for white collar crimes and, where appropriate, make adjustments to ensure that rewards of breaking the law do not outweigh the risk or the penalties imposed if caught breaking the law.
    Current Status: Signed by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 325, Statutes of 2021.
     
  • 2019-2020 Legislative Session

    The Commission supported 7 bills that would implement its recommendations during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission supported during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session are in the areas of artificial intelligence, forest management, GIS, occupational licensing, and the Salton Sea. Of those 7 bills, 2 were vetoed and 5 failed to pass.

    Artificial Intelligence

    AB 594 (Salas) - Artificial Intelligence
    Summary:     This bill requires the Director of Technology to designate a position within the Department of Technology to evaluate the uses of artificial intelligence in state government. It also requires the designated person to advise the Director of Technology on incorporating AI into state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards and enterprise architecture. Additionally, this bill requires the department to adopt guidelines by January 1, 2021 to govern the use and implementation of AI technologies in state government including identifying projects and project components to increase efficiency.
    Background: In November 2018, the Commission issued the Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California report, which recommended that the Governor and/or Legislature should require each state agency to devise strategic plans that include the use and implementation of AI technology and applications to improve and enhance operations and services.
    Final Action: Vetoed by Governor Newsom.
    Support Letter

    AB 976 (Chau) - Artificial Intelligence in State Government Services Commission.
    Summary    : Creates an Artificial Intelligence in State Government Services Commission. The Commission would be charged with proposing a plan for soliciting artificial intelligence and data science related demonstration projects for critical state services and incorporating successful artificial intelligence and data science related demonstration projects into existing state government services.
    Background: This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California, which recommended that the Governor and Legislature should create an AI commission.  
    Final Action: From Senate committee without further action.
    Support Letter

    SB 348 (Chang) – Department of Technology: artificial intelligence: strategic plans.
    Background:     The Commission’s 2018 report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California recommended that: (1) the Governor should appoint an AI special advisor within the Governor’s cabinet; (2) the Governor and Legislature encourage the designation of a chief AI officer within independent offices to partner on developing a statewide AI strategy; and (3) require each state agency to devise strategic plans that include the use and implementation of AI technology and applications to improve and enhance operations and services.
    Summary:  The bill requires the Director of Technology to devise a strategic plan to help state entities with the incorporation of AI into state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards and enterprise architecture to improve state services. SB 348 also encourages the Governor to appoint a special adviser on AI to create a statewide strategic plan to utilize AI to improve state services and encourages certain offices to designate a chief artificial intelligence officer.
    Final Action: From Assembly without further action.
    Support Letter

    Forest Management

    AB 616 (Patterson) - California Forest Carbon Plan: reports.
    Summary:     Requires CalFIRE, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Agency and the EPA, to prepare and submit to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2021, and by January 1 of each year until January 1, 2024, a report on the progress made implementing the Forest Carbon Plan and policies and resources needed to meet the objectives of the Plan.
    Background: This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada. The report recommended, “The California Natural Resources Agency, its relevant departments and the California Environmental Protection Agency should regularly report to the Legislature and post online progress on the metrics listed in the Forest Carbon Plan, as well as the steps it is taking to begin implementing the plan.”
    Final Action: The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
    Support Letter

    Geographic Information Systems 

    Summary: This bill would establish, until January 1, 2031,  the California Geographic Information Office within the Department of Technology for the purpose of coordinating the state's GIS projects, promulgating standards for data collection and sharing, and managing shared data resources. Would authorize the Geographic Information Officer, appointed by the Governor, to direct the office and work closely with the Director of Technology. The officer's duties would include, among others, developing a state GIS strategic plan in consultation with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the Geographic Information Advisory Council, which would be established by this bill. The bill would require the council to advise the officer on issues of policy and implementation. 
    Background: In its 2018 report, Mapping a Strategy for GIS, the Commission recommended the state designate and empower a State Geographic Information Officer to serve as California’s GIS leader; formalize a GIS Advisory Council comprised of state GIS users, government leaders, and stakeholders to advise the State GIS Officer on issues of policy and implementation; and use GIS to evaluate regional disparities in funding and the delivery of government services.

    Final Action: From committee without further action.
    Support Letter

    Occupational Licensing

    AB 476 (Rubio) - Department of Consumer Affairs: task force: foreign-trained professionals.
    Summary:     This bill requires the Department of Consumer Affairs to create a task force to study and write a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the licensing of foreign-trained professionals with the goal of integrating them into the Add contentstate’s workforce. Authorizes the task force to gather information through hearings and invite testimony from the public and experts—including the Little Hoover Commission. The bill would require the task force to submit the report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2021, as specified.
    Background: The Commission’s 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, found that, “foreign-trained workers often have difficulty translating their education and experience into state licensing requirements and often take lower-skilled jobs instead. With worker shortages looming in mid- and high-skilled professions, the state should embrace these workers instead of erecting barriers to keep them out of jobs.”
    Final Action: Vetoed by Governor Newsom. 
    Support Letter

    Salton Sea Funding in Climate Bond Proposals

    Summary: Three bond proposals aimed at improving California’s near- and long-term climate resiliency included funding for mitigating the detrimental environmental effects presented by the shrinking Salton Sea. The January budget proposed $220 million to support the habitat and air quality improvement projects included in the 2018 Salton Sea Management Plan, while two legislative proposals – AB 352  and SB 45 – proposed $165 and $175 million respectively for Salton Sea habitat and air quality restoration projects. These legislative proposals included additional funding to improve the conditions of the New River, a tributary of the Salton Sea. 
    Background: In its 2015 report Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea and in its 2016 letter report on the same topic, the Commission called for greater action to address the environmental effects of the Salton Sea through the creation of the Salton Sea Task Force and provision of additional resources for Salton Sea policy leaders.
    Final Action: Proposals stalled in the Legislature. 
  • 2017-2018 Legislative Session

    The Commission supported 12 bills that would implement its recommendations during the 2017-18 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission supported during the 2017-18 Legislative Session are in the areas of forest management, Salton Sea, veterans homes, special districts, Denti-Cal, occupational licensing, and the underground economy. Of those 12 bills, six were signed into law, two were vetoed and four failed to pass.

    Denti-Cal

    SB 707 (Cannella) Medi-Cal: Denti-Cal Advisory Group.
    Summary: Establishes the Denti-Cal Advisory Group to study the policies and priorities of Denti-Cal with the goal of raising the utilization rate among eligible child beneficiaries to 60% or greater, providing assistance and advice to the department, the Legislature, and the Governor to ensure that proposed decisions relating to the Denti-Cal program are based on the best available evidence. The working group would study and evaluate how Denti-Cal program policies align with and support the implementation of the state oral health plan. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Final Action: Vetoed.

    Support Letter

     

    AB 15 (Maienschein) Denti-Cal program: reimbursement rates.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to double Denti-Cal provider reimbursement rates for the 15 most common prevention, treatment, and oral evaluation services for fiscal year 2017-18.  Appropriations would be based on the average rates per service established in the 2015-16 fiscal year. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Final Action: Died.
    Support Letter


    Forest Management

    SB 1260 (Jackson) Fire prevention and protection: prescribed burns.
    Summary: This bill would augment opportunities to educate the public on prescribed burns and enhancing air quality and smoke monitoring. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    AB 1956 (Limón) Fire prevention activities.
    Summary:     This bill creates a local grant program dedicated to fire prevention activities. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    Occupational Licensing

    SB 1371 (Morrell) Occupational licensing: list.
    Summary:     Requires the State of California to provide and maintain a list of the occupations it requires to be licensed. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers.
    Final Action: Died.
    Support Letter

    AB 827 (Rubio) Department of Consumer Affairs: task force: foreign-trained professionals.
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Consumer Affairs to create a task force to study and write a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the licensing of foreign-trained professionals with the goal of integrating foreign-trained professionals into the state’s workforce. Authorizes the task force to hold hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public to gather information. Also requires the task force to submit the report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2019. Includes rules for the frequency of task force meetings and member reimbursement, including stipulation that the task force solicit input from the Little Hoover Commission and others. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers.
    Final Action: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations.
    Support Letter

    Salton Sea

    AB 798 (E. Garcia) Local government: counties: consolidation of offices.
    Summary:     Authorizes the board of supervisors of Imperial county to provide, by ordinance, that the public administrator be appointed by the board and authorize the board to, at any time, separate the consolidated offices of district attorney and public administrator. Includes provisions for changes to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on the Salton Sea.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    Special Districts

    AB 979 (Lackey) Local agency formation commissions: district representation.
    Summary:     Modified statutes related to independent special districts selection committees and representation of special districts on local agency formation commissions (LAFCOs). This bill relates to the Commission’s 2017 report, Special Districts: Improving Oversight & Transparency.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    SB 448 (Wieckowski) Local government: organization: districts.
    Summary:     Gives authority to Local Agency Formation Commissions to dissolve inactive special districts and requires State Controller, by 2019, to annually publish a list of all special districts in California. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2017 report, Special Districts: Improving Oversight & Transparency.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    Underground Economy

    SB 1272 (Galgiani) Tax Recovery and Criminal Enforcement (TRaCE) Task Force.
    Summary:     Requires the State of California to expand the Tax Recovery and Criminal Enforcement (TRaCE) task force. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, Level the Playing Field: Put the Underground Economy Out of Business.
    Final Action: Vetoed.
    Support Letter

    Veterans Homes

    AB 1365 (Reyes) Veterans homes: planning strategy.
    Summary:     Requires CalVet, beginning January 1, 2019, to submit to the Legislature and online financial reports of the veterans homes, including specific information about the budget, revenue and cost of care by level at each home. Also requires CalVet to regularly review the use of each veterans home to determine its best continued use.  The reviews would begin 15 years after opening, and continue every 5 years. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2017 report, A New Approach to California's Veterans Homes.
    Final Action: Signed by the Governor.
    Support Letter

    AB 1275 (Irwin) Department of Veterans Affairs: monitoring outcomes for veterans: Director of Employment Development: disclosure of information.
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to develop outcome indicators for veterans for the purpose of assessing the status of veterans in California, monitoring the quality of programs intended to serve those veterans and guide decision-making on improving services to veterans. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2017 report, A New Approach to California's Veterans Homes.
    Final Action: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations.
    Support Letter

  • 2015-2016 Legislative Session

     

    The Commission supported 20 bills that would implement its recommendations during the 2015-16 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2015-16 Legislative Session are in the areas of bond oversight, California’s Open Meetings Act, climate change adaptation, Denti-Cal, government interactions, higher education, long-term care, the Mental Health Services Act, sentencing and underground economy. Of those 20 bills, 10 were signed into law, three were vetoed and seven failed to pass.

     

    Bond Oversight


    SB 1029 (Hertzberg) California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission: accountability reports.
    Summary:     Requires the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission to track and report on all state and local outstanding debt until fully repaid or redeemed. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2009 report, Bond Spending: Expanding and Enhancing Oversight.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    California’s Open Meetings Act


    SB 215 (Leno) Public Utilities Commission.
    Summary:     Continues to allow members of the Public Utilities Commission to conduct private closed-door ex parte communications with people with interests before the commission, but would require PUC commissioners to publicly disclose their private conversations with those interests and provide details on what was said in each meeting. Also provides that the PUC commissioners may meet in a closed session to discuss administrative matters so long as no collective consensus is reached or vote taken on any matter requiring a vote of the commissioners. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, Conversations For Workable Government.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    Climate Change Adaptation


    AB 1482 (Gordon) Climate adaptation.
    Summary:     Requires the Natural Resource Agency, in coordination with the Strategic Growth Council, to assess and coordinate across all state departments and agencies to ensure that funding programs maximize prescribed objectives related to climate change adaptation. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2014 report, Governing California Through Climate Change.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    SB 246 (Wieckowski) Climate change adaptation.
    Summary:     Designates the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research as the lead entity on climate change adaptation. Also establishes an information clearinghouse and an advisory council that would provide scientific support. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2014 report, Governing California Through Climate Change.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    SB 379 (Jackson) Land use: general plan: safety element.
    Summary:     Requires the safety element of local general plans address climate change adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the city or county. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2014 report, Governing California Through Climate Change.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    Denti-Cal


    AB 648 (Low) Health care access demonstration project grants: Virtual Dental Home Grant Program.
    Summary:     Establishes the Virtual Dental Home Grant Program, to allocate funds, under the direction of the state dental director, for the virtual dental home (VDH) model of community-based dental care in geographic areas of highest need, as prescribed. Requires the program to allocate the grants to organizations to, among other things, develop training modules and establish community-based learning collaboratives, as prescribed. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Held on Senate Appropriations Suspense File.


    AB 1051 (Maienschein) Denti-Cal program: reimbursement rates.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to increase Denti-Cal provider reimbursement rates for the 15 most common prevention, treatment, and oral evaluation services to the regional average commercial rates, effective January 1, 2017. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Held on Senate Appropriations Suspense File.


    AB 2207 (Wood) Medi-Cal: dental program.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to undertake specified activities for the purpose of improving the Medi-Cal Dental Program, such as expediting provider enrollment and monitoring dental service access and utilization. Also requires a Medi-Cal managed care health plan to provide dental health screenings for eligible beneficiaries and refer them to appropriate Medi-Cal dental providers. This bill provides that those provisions shall only be implemented to the extent that the department obtains any necessary federal approvals and federal matching funds. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    SB 1098 (Cannella) Medi-Cal: dental services: utilization rate: report.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to report to the Legislature, by October 1, 2017, on progress towards the goal of raising the Denti-Cal utilization rate among eligible child beneficiaries to 60% or greater and identify a date by which the department projects this utilization goal will be met. Also authorizes the department to include in the report recommendations for legislative consideration that would assist the department to meet the goal by the specified date, as prescribed. The bill's provisions would be repealed on January 1, 2021, pursuant to specified law. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    Government Interactions


    AB 1238 (Linder) Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates: electronic application.
    Summary:     Authorizes the State Registrar, local registrar or county recorder to accept electronic requests for certified copies of vital records without an accompanying notarized statement regarding the requester’s identity and allow Californians to complete requests for these records online. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Placed on Assembly Appropriations Suspense File.


    AB 2203 (Eggman) Department of Customer Service: establishment.
    Summary:     Establishes, within the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Customer Service to be headed by a Director of Customer Service, who would be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. Also requires the director to engage the agency to promote an understanding of customer service and ensure the agency is making administrative decisions that serve customer needs. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Referred to Assembly Accountability & Administrative Review Committee.


    AB 2204 (Eggman) Office of Digital Services: establishment.
    Summary:     Establishes the Office of Digital Services, within a proposed Department of Customer Service, to be headed by a Director of Customer Service.  The bill requires the office to, among other things, provide teams, on an as-needed basis, of technologists, engineers, designers, and other qualified individuals with technology skills to state agencies and departments to solve technology issues and create technology tools and platforms. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Referred to Assembly Accountability & Administrative Review Committee.


    AB 2636 (Linder) Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates: electronic application.
    Summary:     If the request for a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record is made electronically, authorizes the official to accept electronic acknowledgment verifying the identity of the applicant using a multilayered remote identity proofing process that includes guidelines for security and privacy, and satisfying other specified requirements, ensuring that the applicant is an authorized person. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    Higher Education


    AB 1741 (Rodriguez) Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates: electronic application.
    Summary:     Establishes the California College Promise Innovation Grant Program, under the administration of the chancellor, which requires the chancellor to distribute multiyear grants, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the governing boards of community college districts, who meet certain requirements, to support the establishment of regional programs with the goals of increasing college preparation, college access, and college success. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2013 report, A New Plan for a New Economy: Reimagining Higher Education.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    SB 42 (Liu) Postsecondary education: Office of Higher Education Performance and Accountability.
    Summary:     Changes the composition of the California Postsecondary Education Commission and rename it as the California Commission on Higher Education Performance and Accountability. Also revises functions and duties. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2013 report, A New Plan for a New Economy: Reimagining Higher Education.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.


    Long-term Care


    SB 547 (Liu) Aging and long-term care services, supports, and program coordination.
    Summary:     Creates the Statewide Aging and Long-Term Care Services Coordinating Council, chaired by the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, and would consist of the heads, or their designated representative, of specified departments and offices. The secretary would have specified responsibilities, including, but not limited to, leading the council in the development of a state aging and long-term care services strategic plan to address how the state will meet the needs of the aging population in the years 2020, 2025, and 2030. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2011 report, A Long-Term Strategy for Long-Term Care.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.


    Mental Health Services Act


    AB 2279 (Cooley) Mental Health Services Act: county-by-county spending reports.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to compile information on an annual basis that includes the total amount of MHSA revenue, a county-by-county comparison of fund expenditure plans and annual updates, and a county-by-county comparison of the purposes for which MHSA funds were expended and to send that information to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. Also requires the commission to make the information available to the public on the commission's Internet website and to update the Internet website annually. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, Promises Still to Keep: A Decade of the Mental Health Services Act.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.


    AB 253 (Hernandez) Mental health.
    Summary:     Adds two members to the Mental Health Oversight and Accountability Commission to include a representative knowledgeable in reducing mental health disparities and a veteran. Also requires the Department of Health Care Services to post counties’ cultural competence plans within 30 days of receiving them. Also includes amendments to the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014. This bill relates to the Commission's 2015 report, Promises Still to Keep: A Decade of the Mental Health Services Act. 
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     In Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. Hearing canceled at the request of the author.


    Sentencing


    AB 2590 (Weber) Sentencing: restorative justice.
    Summary:     Makes legislative findings and declarations that the purpose of sentencing is public safety achieved through punishment, rehabilitation, and restorative justice. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2014 report, Sensible Sentencing for a Safer California.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor.


    Underground Economy


    AB 1508 (Hernandez) Workforce investment boards: funding.
    Summary:     Requires the Governor to appoint an underground economy policy advisor. Requires the advisor to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2017 on administrative and legislative changes needed to combat the underground economy. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2015 report, Level the Playing Field: Put California's Underground Economy Out of Business.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     In Senate. Ordered to inactive file.

  • 2013-2014 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported six bills that would implement its recommendations during the 2013-14 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2013-14 Legislative Session are in the areas of education, energy governance, information technology and public safety. Of those six bills, one was signed into law and five failed to pass.


    Education


    AB 1348 (Pérez) Postsecondary education: California Higher Education Authority.
    Summary:     Establishes the California Higher Education Authority responsible for, among other duties, measuring and reporting about the efficiency and effectiveness of the higher education segments in serving the state’s needs, making recommendations about how to improve the performance of the segments and acting as a clearinghouse for postsecondary education information.  This bill relates to the Commission’s 2013 report, A New Plan for a New Economy:  Reimagining Higher Education.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Senate committee without further action.


    Energy Governance


    AB 1763 (Perea) State energy plan for 2030 and 2050.
    Summary: Requires the California Energy Commission, in consultation with the California Independent System Operator and other relevant state and local agencies, and interested stakeholders, to develop and submit to the Governor and Legislature, a report containing a state energy plan for 2030 and 2050 that promotes economic growth, ensures reliable, sustainable and affordable energy resources, and complements the state’s environmental stewardship goals.  This bill relates to the Commission’s 2012 report, Rewiring California:  Integrating Agendas for Energy Reform.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Senate committee without further action.


    AB 1779 (Gaines) Energy resources: report.
    Summary: Requires the California Energy Commission to prepare a report that assesses the effect in the aggregate of specified state policies on electricity reliability and rates and whether these policies are achieving the stated environmental and economic goals.  The bill also requires the commission to consult with the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Air Resources Board, the State Water Resources Control Board and other appropriate executive branch organizations.  This bill relates to the Commission’s 2012 report, Rewiring California: Integrating Agendas for Energy Reform.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From committee without further action.


    Information Technology


    AB 2523 (Cooley) Department of Technology.
    Summary: This bill takes steps toward installing a permanent team of senior consulting information technology (IT) experts within the Department of Technology to serve as advisors for other state agencies that are developing and deploying large technology projects.  This bill relates to the Commission’s 2008 report, A New Legacy System: Using Technology to Drive Performance.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 391, Statutes of 2014.


    Public Safety


    SB 210 (Hancock) Criminal procedure: pretrial release.
    Summary: Revises the criteria setting bail and pre-trial release which clarifies that in considering the history, characteristics and previous criminal record of a defendant, a judge may consider the results of an evidence-based pre-trial risk assessment instrument that is predictive of the defendant’s risk to public safety and the probability of him or her failing to appear at court hearings.  The bill also authorizes a local government agency to conduct a pre-trial investigation report.  This bill relates to the Commission’s May 2013 Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Bail and Pre-Trial Services.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Assembly without further action.


    SB 466 (DeSaulnier) California Institute for Criminal Justice Policy.
    Summary: Establishes the California Institute for Criminal Justice Policy to facilitate a comprehensive and coordinated approach to identify effective public safety and justice systems and evidence-based practices; to develop cost-benefit analyses of criminal justice legislation; to produce a statewide plan for public safety; and, to develop strategies based on data and science that reduce recidivism and hold offenders accountable.  The bill requests the institute be housed at the University of California to facilitate independent and nonpartisan research on criminal justice policy. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2014 report, Sensible Sentencing for a Safer California.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Assembly without further action.

  • 2011-2012 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 15 bills that would implement its recommendations and evaluated two reorganization plans during the 2011-12 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2011-12 Legislative Session are in the areas of community colleges, economic development, bond oversight, emergency preparedness, career techinical education, educational governance, water governance, juvenile justice, alcohol and drug treatment, health and human services, long-term care and government operations. Of those 15 bills, seven were signed into law, two were vetoed and six failed to pass.


    Economic Development


    AB 29 (Pérez) Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
    Summary: Codifies the creation of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, which the Little Hoover Commission recommended during the previous legislative session and which was created through executive order in 2010. This bill relates to the Commission's 2010 report, Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 475, Statutes of 2011.


    California Community Colleges


    SB 1062 (Liu) California Community Colleges: board of governors.
    Summary: Expands the existing authority of the Board of Directors (BOG) of the California Community Colleges to appoint persons without permanent civil service status to vice chancellor and assistant vice chancellor positions, if the individuals meet specified criteria. The bill relates to recommendations from the Commission's 2012 report, Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Assembly without further action.


    SB 1456 (Lowenthal) Community colleges: Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012.
    Summary: Establishes new requirements for students to receive a Board of Governor's fee waiver at the California Community Colleges. Requires a student to meet academic and progress standards as defined by the Board of Governors and demonstrate financial need. This bill relates to the Commission's 2012 report, Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 624, Statutes of 2012.


    Bond Oversight


    AB 732 (Buchanan) Bond measures: ballot pamphlet: Legislative Analyst: table.
    Summary: Adds an explanatory table to a statewide election ballot pamphlet that includes a bond measure. This bill relates to the Commission's 2009 report, Bond Spending: Expanding and Enhancing Oversight.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 453, Statutes of 2011.


    Emergency Preparedness


    AB 1116 (Fong) Emergency services: populations with limited English proficiency.
    Summary: Improves emergency preparedness, response and recovery for populations who have limited proficiency in the English language. This bill relates to the Commission's 2006 report, Safeguarding the Golden State: Preparing for Catastrophic Events.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Vetoed by Governor.


    Education


    SB 500 (Hancock) Partnership academies.
    Summary:     Requires that, if funds are appropriated for the support of certain partnership academies in the annual budget act or any other measure, the superintendent allocate funds to these partnership academies, and that this funding be awarded on a competitive basis in accordance with the provisions of law that govern partnership academies. This bill relates to the Commission's 2007 report, Career Technical Education: Creating Options for High School Success.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From Assembly without further action.


    SB 611 (Steinberg) Public postsecondary education: University of California.
    Summary: Requests the Regents of the University of California, subject to availability of funds, to establish and maintain the University of California Curriculum Integration Institute to collaboratively develop and promote career-oriented integrated academic and technical education courses that meet course requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 631, Statutes of 2011.


    SB 885 (Simitian) Public education accountability: longitudinal education data system.
    Summary: Authorizes key preschool through higher education entities, the California Postsecondary Education Commission and the State Board of Education to enter into a joint powers agreement to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive longitudinal student database. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Educational Governance & Accountability: Taking the Next Step, and its 2007 report, Career Technical Education: Creating Options for High School Success.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Consideration of Governors veto died on file.


    Water Governance


    SB 571 (Wolk) California Water Commission: California Water Plan: water resources investment.
    Summary: Provides for the organization of the California Water Commission as a separate agency in state government, instead of as an agency within the Department of Water Resources, and recasts and revises provisions relating to the commission’s selection of a chairperson and executive officer, employment of staff, and delegation of its functions.  Enacts the Water Resources Investment Planning Act, and declares legislative intent relating to the establishment of regional water planning agencies and the development of the California Water Investment Plan. Requires the commission to administer the development and implementation of the California Water Investment Plan.  Requires the commission to update the plan regularly, and requires it to include reports developed by the department and regional water planning agencies. This bill relates to the Commission's 2010 report, Managing for Change: Modernizing California's Water Governance, and its 2009 report, Bond Spending: Expanding and Enhancing Oversight.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.


    Juvenile Justice


    SB 695 (Hancock) Medi-Cal: county juvenile detention facilities.
    Summary:     Provides, subject to federal financial assistance, that Medi-Cal benefits may be offered to individuals awaiting adjudication in county juvenile detention facilities if they are eligible to receive Medi-Cal benefits at the time they are admitted to detention facilities. The bill also calls for the continuation of Medi-Cal benefits until the date of adjudication. The Commission supported this bill, which was under a different title, during the 2009-2010 legislative session. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 647, Statutes of 2011.

    AB 526 (Dickinson) Delinquency and gang intervention and prevention grants: evidence-based principles and practices.
    Summary:     Requires the Board of State and Community Corrections to move toward consolidating youth delinquency and prevention grants and to develop incentives for local governments to establish regional partnerships for youth crime and violence prevention and intervention programs. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 850, Statutes of 2012.


    Alcohol and Drug Treatment


    AB 540 (Beall) Medi-Cal: alcohol and drug screening and brief intervention services.
    Summary:     Establishes the Medi-Cal Alcohol and Drug Screening and Brief Intervention Services Program, which will provide reimbursement to beneficiaries who are pregnant or of childbearing age. Requires the nonfederal share of cost to be paid for by counties or other governmental entities designated by the Department of Health Care Services. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Addressing Addiction: Improving & Integrating California's Substance Abuse Treatment System, and its 2003 report, For Our Health & Safety: Joining Forces to Defeat Addiction.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Vetoed by Governor.


    Health and Human Services


    SB 893 (Wolk) Health and Human Services System Improvement and Accountability Act of 2011.
    Summary: Requires the California Health and Human Services agency to establish a system to periodically review specified health and human services programs administered by state and local agencies. The agency would be required to design and implement the system based on input from an advisory workgroup. The agency also would be required to submit specified information to the Legislature and to enhance information sharing between relevant state and local agencies. 
    Final Action: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.


    State Government Operations


    SB 14 (Wolk) State Budget.
    Summary:     Introduces performance-based budgeting to the state’s budget process, including a role for the Little Hoover Commission. Requires the department to include specified performance-based budgeting information in the Governor’s budget proposal and to post that information on the department’s Web site. Authorizes a committee designated by the Legislature, utilizing the recommendations of specified entities, to propose legislative changes to those programs.
    Final Action: Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.


    SB 15 (DeSaulnier) State budget.
    Summary:     Requires the Governor’s budget to contain performance measurement standards and other specific provisions. The legislation also requires the budget to contain an estimate of total resources available for recommended state expenditures for the current and future years. The Governor would be required to identify possible reductions in spending when expenditures exceed revenues. The bill also states the intent of the Legislature to formulate a process for assessing and enhancing the performance of all state programs.
    Final Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 737, Statutes of 2011.

  • 2009-2010 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported nine bills that would implement its recommendations and has evaluated one reorganization plan during the 2009-10 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations and is currently monitoring additional measures. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2009-10 Legislative Session were in the areas of corrections, sentencing and parole, emergency preparedness and general government. Of those nine bills, three were signed into law, four were vetoed and two failed to pass.


    Emergency Preparedness


    AB 611 (Fong) Emergency services: populations with limited English proficiency.
    Summary:     Requires the California Emergency Management Agency to take measures to help people with limited English proficiency prepare for emergencies and understand information conveyed during emergencies, such as utilizing bilingual persons in public contact positions and coordinating with organizations that represent the needs of people with limited English proficiency in order to disseminate guidance to local and regional governmental entities.
    Final Action: Vetoed by the Governor.


    Corrections, Sentencing and Parole


    SB 292 (Hancock) Prisoners: alternative incarceration.
    Summary:     Authorizes the secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with Alternative Incarceration Facilities for housing certain nonviolent inmates. This bill relates to the Commission's 2003 report, Back to the Community: Safe & Sound Parole Policies.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Failed Passage in Senate Appropriations Committee.


    SB 678 (Leno) Criminal recidivism.
    Summary:     Creates the California Community Corrections Performance Incentives Act of 2009 which would establish a system of performance-based funding to support evidence-based practices relating to the supervision of adult felony probationers. This bill relates to the Commission's 2007 report, Solving California's Corrections Crisis: Time is Running Out.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 608, Statutes of 2009.


    SB 738 (Hancock) Prison inmate education.
    Summary:     Enacts the Prison Education Reform Act; requires a newly constituted committee to develop and implement a plan for providing transitional educational services for inmates, including, but not limited to, counseling and placement services. This bill relates to the Commission's 2007 report, Solving California's Corrections Crisis: Time is Running Out, its 2003 report, Back to the Community: Safe & Sound Parole Policies, and its 1994 report, Putting Violence Behind Bars: Redefining the Role of California's Prisons.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Failed Passage in Senate Appropriations Committee.


    SB 1067 (Oropeza) Juvenile justice: recidivism.
    Summary:     Requires the Division of Juvenile Justice within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collect recidivism rates of youthful offenders under state jurisdiction and to create an annual report that includes recidivism outcomes and rate data to post on the department’s Web site. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.


    SB 1091 (Hancock) Medi-Cal: individuals in county juvenile detention facilities.
    Summary:     Enables counties to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for medical and mental health services they provide to eligible individuals less than 21 years of age entering county juvenile detention facilities for up to 30 days or until adjudication. This bill relates to the Commission's 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.


    SB 1266 (Liu) Inmates: alternative custody.
    Summary:     Authorizes an alternative custody program for female inmates and inmates who, immediately prior to incarceration, were primary caregivers of dependent children.  Defines alternative custody programs and authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with county agencies, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations to promote alternative custody placements. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor, Chapter 644, Statutes of 2010. 


    General Government


    SB 1064 (Alquist) California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act.
    Summary:     Introduces various operational changes to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee. This bill relates to the Commission's 2009 report, Stem Cell Research: Strengthening Governance to Further the Voter's Mandate.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Signed by the Governor, Chapter 637, Statutes of 2010.


    AB 2734 (Perez) Office of Economic Development.
    Summary:     Creates the Office of Economic Development, directed by a secretary appointed by the governor, to serve as the lead entity for economic strategy and marketing of California on issues related to business development, private sector investment and economic growth.  The office would make recommendations to the governor and Legislature regarding economic development policies, programs and actions. This bill relates to the Commission's 2010 report, Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by the Governor.

  • 2007-2008 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 10 bills that would implement its recommendations and evaluated five reorganization plans during the 2005-06 Legislative Session. The measures were in the areas of corrections, sentencing and parole; the State Allocation Board; disaster preparedness and public health; and alcohol and drug abuse. Of those 10 bills, three were signed into law, one was vetoed and six failed to pass.


    Corrections, Sentencing and Parole


    AB 76 (Lieber) Corrections: female inmates.
    Summary:     Requires CDCR to undertake various tasks related to female offenders, including creating a Female Offender Reform Master Plan and creating policies and practices designed to ensure a safe and productive institutional environment for female offenders.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 706, Statutes of 2007.


    AB 77 (Lieber) Parole reform.
    Summary:     Requires the Secretary of CDCR to appoint a working group to develop an action plan for reforming the parole system.
    Final Action: Failed passage in Assembly Appropriations Committee.


    AB 1049 (Solorio) Parole: reentry programs.
    Summary:     Requires CDCR to establish a re-entry program for parolees between 16 and 23 years of age in various cities to assist in community reintegration upon discharge from detention, as specified; re-entry programs would include construction training, academic services, counseling and tracking of graduates after completion of the program.
    Final Action: Vetoed on 10/14/08.


    SB 110 (Romero) Sentencing commission.
    Summary:     Creates the California Sentencing Commission to develop and implement a new sentencing system; provides for the appointment of an executive director and hiring of necessary staff.
    Final Action: Held on Assembly Floor.


    State Allocation Board


    SB 1552 (Margett) State Allocation Board: Office of Public School Construction.
    Summary:     Revises and recasts numerous provisions relating to the State Allocation Board, including among others, the gubernatorial appointee to the board would be required to have expertise in construction issues, preferably relating to the construction of public elementary or secondary schools.
    Final Action: Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee.


    Disaster Preparedness and Public Health


    AB 38 (Nava) State agencies: California Emergency Management Agency.
    Summary:     Merges the Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Homeland Security to create the California Emergency Management Agency, in the Office of the Governor, responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2008.


    AB 1930 (Torrico) Emergency services: populations with limited English proficiency.
    Summary:     Improves plans for emergency preparedness, response and recovery for populations who have limited proficiency in the English language.
    Final Action: Held in Senate Appropriations Committee.


    SB 1058 (Alquist) Health facilities: bacterial infections.
    Summary:     Establishes the Medical Facility Infection Control and Prevention Act, which requires general acute care hospitals to implement certain procedures for screening, prevention and reporting of specified health care associated infections.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 296, Statutes of 2008.


    Alcohol and Drug Abuse


    AB 2124 (Beall) Medi-Cal: alcohol and drug screening and brief intervention services.
    Summary:     Establishes the Medi-Cal Alcohol and Drug Screening and Brief Intervention Services Program, to be administered by the Department of Health Services and the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Progams.
    Final Action: Held in Senate Appropriations Committee.


    AB 2129 (Beall) Maternal health: alcohol and substance abuse screening and treatment.
    Summary:     Requires the State Department of Public Health to develop, coordinate and oversee the implementation of a universal screening program for pregnant women and women of childbearing age who are suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.
    Final Action: Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee.

  • 2005-2006 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 13 bills that would implement its recommendations and evaluated three reorganization plans during the 2005-06 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2005-06 Legislative Session are in the areas of CALFED, children's services, mental health, parole and prisons, public health and Governor's Reorganization plans. Of those 13 bills, four were signed into law , four were vetoed by the Governor and five failed to pass.


    CALFED


    AB 1244 (Wolk) California Water Commission: CALFED Bay-Delta Program.
    Summary:     Reforms CALFED governance.  Specifically, repeals the state act and enacts the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Reform Act to revise and recast the management of the existing program on behalf of the bay-delta; establishes a CALFED Bay-Delta Executive Management Team; and, establishes a Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee. This bill relates to the Commission's 2005 report, Still Imperiled, Still Important: The Little Hoover Commission's Review of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.
    Support Letter
    Final Action: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.


    Children's Services

    AB 392 (Chan)
    Summary:     Expands authority to all California counties for the development and implementation of a program for integrated health and human services. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Real Lives, Real Reforms: Improving Health and Human Services. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Real Lives, Real Reforms: Improving Health and Human Services.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Withdrawn from committee. Ordered placed on third reading file. Re-refer to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10. Re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10. In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage in Committee. Reconsideration granted.


    AB 2216 (Bass) Child Welfare Leadership and Performance Accountability Act of 2006.
    Summary:     Creates a Child Welfare and Foster Care Undersecretary and the Child Welfare Council to improve outcomes for foster youth. This bill relates to the Commission's 2003 report, Still In Our Hands: A Review of Efforts to Reform Foster Care in California.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 384, Statutes of 2006.


    Mental Health


    SB 1356 (Lowenthal) Suicide prevention.
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Mental Health to implement a statewide suicide prevention plan. This bill relates to the Commission's 2000 report, Being There: Making a Commitment to Mental Health.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by Governor.


    Parole and Prisons


    AB 658 (Liu) Women inmates.
    Summary:     Develops a pilot program that creates expanded incarceration options for non-violent women offenders; requires CDC to appoint a deputy director of women's programs. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.


    AB 855 (Bass)  CalWORKs.
    Summary:     Establishes eligibility for CalWORKs cash assistance and services for persons convicted of non-violent drug-related felonies. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by Governor.


    AB 2066 (Lieber) Corrections: female inmates.
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop a master plan that includes policies and procedures to address the unique gender-based issues that exist for female offenders. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.


    AB 2192 (Bass) CalWORKs.
    Summary:     Establishes eligibility for CalWORKs cash assistance and services for persons convicted of non-violent drug-related felonies. (Same language as AB 855). This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by Governor.


    SB 366 (Kuehl) Department of Corrections: offenders’ families: female offenders.
    Summary:     States legislative intent to develop a correctional strategy to address the unique gender-based issues that exist for female offenders. This bill relates to the Commission's 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.


    Public Health


    AB 1956 (S. Horton) Communicable diseases: reporting.
    Summary:     Establishes a pilot program using a real-time surveillance system for reporting to the Department of Health Services the emergence of communicable diseases. This bill relates to the Commission's 2003 report, To Protect & Prevent: Rebuilding California's Public Health System, and its 2005 follow-up report, Recommendations for Emergency Preparedness and Public Health.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed by Governor.


    SB 162 (Ortiz) State Department of Public Health.
    Summary:     Establishes a Department of Public Health, directed by a physician health officer, and advised by a public health board. This bill relates to the Commission's 2002 report, Be Prepared: Getting Ready for New and Uncertain Dangers, and its 2003 report, To Protect & Prevent: Rebuilding California's Public Health System.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 241, Statutes of 2006.


    Governor's Reorganization Plan


    Reconstructing Government:  A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan Reforming California's Youth & Adult Correctional Agency
    (Report #179, February 2005)
    GRP No. 1 Proposed by:  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    Objective:  Transform the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (YACA) and its related departments, board and one commission, into a new cabinet level agency, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
    Commission recommendation:  Allow plan to take effect, included 6 recommendations to further improve the correctional system.
    Legislative action:  Plan went into effect. 


    SB 737 (Romero) Corrections.
    Summary:     Codifies GRP 1 to reorganize the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 10, Statutes of 2005.


    Reconstructing Government: A Review of the Governor’s Reorganzation Plan to Create a Department of Technology Services
    (Report #180, May 2005)
    GRP No. 2 Proposed by:  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    Objective:  Consolidate the state’s two general purpose data centers and its telecommunications unit into a new Department of Technology Services.
    Commission recommendation:  Allow plan to take effect.
    Legislative action:  Plan went into effect.


    AB 53 (McLeod) 
    Summary:     Codifies GRP 2 to consolidate the Stephen P. Teale and Health and Human Services Agency data centers and create a Department of Technology Services. 
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Measure substantially amended 1/4/06 and addresses another issue.


    A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Create a Department of Energy
    (Report #182, June 2005)
    GRP No. 3 Proposed by:  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    Objective:  Establish a Department of Energy through the consolidation of the functions of several departments, commissions and offices that implement state energy programs.
    Commission recommendation:  Reject.
    Legislative action:  Rejected.

  • 2003-2004 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 17 bills during the 2003-04 Legislative Session that would implement its recommendations.  The measures were in the areas of affordable housing, children's services, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, parole, prisons and public health.  Of those 17 bills, two were signed into law, six were vetoed, one failed passage in policy committee, seven failed passage in fiscal commitee, and one was amended into language unrelated to Commission recommendations.


    Affordable Housing


    AB 389 (Montañez) Hazardous materials: brownfields.
    Summary:     Requires a database and inventory be maintained to capture information on brownfields. Combines provisions of SB 493 (Cedillo) enacting the California Land Reuse & Revitalization Act of 2004.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 705, Satutes of 2004.


    AB 1426 (Steinberg) Affordable housing: greater Sacramento region.
    Summary:     Dedicates housing bond funds for designated communities that meet the voluntary affordable housing production standards.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed.


    SB 493 (Cedillo) Hazardous substances: cleanup loans.
    Summary:     Reestablishes funding to the Cleanup Loans and Environmental Assistance to Neighborhoods Account (CLEAN) to make loans available for encouraging the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 744 (Dunn) Planning: housing.
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to hear appeals on applications for the construction of affordable housing developments.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Failed to pass in Assembly Local Government.


    Children's Services


    AB 380 (Steinberg) California Children and Families Commission: funding review.
    Summary:     Enables counties in the Children's System of Care program to systematically collect and maintain data that demonstrates specific outcomes of CSOC.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Failed to pass in Senate.


    SB 693 (Murray) Undersecretary of Foster Care Coordination.
    Summary:     Establishes an undersecretary of foster care coordination within the Health and Human Services Agency.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 1343 (Escutia) Child care: Infant and Toddler Care Master Plan.
    Summary:     Requires Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a task force to develop recommendations for an Infant and Toddler Care Master Plan.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment


    AB 2483 (Chan) Adolescent alcohol and substance abuse care.
    Summary:     Increases the coordination and availability of substance abuse treatment for adolescents by establishing pilot programs in four counties.
    Final Action: Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 519 (Vasconcellos) Nonviolent drug possession: parole.
    Summary:     Provides drug treatment rather than confinement, for parolees of the California Youth Authority who have been charged with non-violent drug possession.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed.


    Parole


    AB 854 (Koretz) Crime.
    Summary:     Expands purpose of imprisonment to include education and job training strategies proven to increase public safety and reduce recidivism.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 747, Statutes of 2004.


    AB 2815 (Hancock) Prisoners.
    Summary:     Establishes pilot programs to provide pre-release planning information to local agencies so they may target resources and enhance the work of PACT in reintegrating inmates back into the community.
    Final Action: Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 1660 (Poochigian) Prisons: worktime credit.
    Summary:     Requires Department of Corrections and others to determine how to best encourage inmates to complete educational, vocational, and substance abuse programs.
    Final Action: Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 1715 (Poochigian) Corrections: recidivism risk assessment.
    Summary:     Requires Department of Corrections to begin the recidivism risk assessment process at the time of incarceration, rather than waiting until the time of an inmate's parole.
    Final Action: Failed to pass in Senate Appropriations.


    Prisons


    AB 1219 (Montañez) Prison education reform.
    Summary:     Creates an educational board within the Department of Corrections, which will appoint a superintendent of correctional education and establish standards for inmate education.
    Support Letter
    Final Action:     Vetoed.


    AB 1914 (Montañez) Education in state prisons.
    Summary:     Enacts the Prison Education Act; requires a newly constituted committee to develop and implement a plan for providing transitional educational services for inmates, including, but not limited to, counseling and placement services.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    Public Health


    SB 858 (Ortiz) State Department of Public Health.
    Summary:     Creates the Department of Public Health within the Health and Human Services Agency; transfers specified programs and responsibilities from the Department of Health Services to DPH; establishes a 13-member Public Health Board to provide involvement of the programs administered by DPH.
    Final Action: Failed to pass in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 1487 (Speier) Health facilities: hospital-acquired infection.
    Summary:     Requires hospitals to collect and provide data concerning hospital-acquired infections to the Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development and the Department of Health Services.
    Final Action: Vetoed.

  • 2001-2002 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 14 bills in the 2001-2002 session that would implement its recommendations.  The measures were in the areas of children’s services, long-term care, adult mental health, prisons, special districts and teacher workforce.  Of those 14 measures, 7 were signed into law, 4 were vetoed, 2 were amended into other bills unrelated to Commission recommendations, and 1 failed passage.


    Children's Services


    ACR 12 (Cardoza) Child abuse and neglect.
    Summary:     Declares 2001 a year of heightened concern for special children, the victims of abuse and neglect. 
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 27, Statutes of 2001.


    AB 1257 (Cardenas) Income and bank and corporation taxes: credit: child care facilities.
    Summary:     Expands the tax credit for child care facilities serving low-income families.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 120 (Murray) Human services.
    Summary:     Creates an undersecretary of foster care within the Health and Human Services Agency.
    Final Action: Amended to become Senator Ortiz's bill regarding Medi-Cal.


    SB 308 (Escutia) 
    Summary:     States the intent of the Legislature to provide financial assistance for all families eligible for subsidized child care within five years.
    Final Action: Amended to become Assemblymember Soto's bill regarding employee assistance programs.


    SB 390 (Escutia) Child care and development programs: state master plan.
    Summary:     Seeks to develop a state master plan for child care and development services.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/22/02


    SB 841 (Alpert) Foster care: Early Start to Emancipation programs.
    Summary:     Increases state services targeted at older foster youth, specifically foster youth transitioning from middle to high school.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 694, Statutes of 2001.


    SB 1911 (Ortiz) Children’s mental health.
    Sponsor:  LHC
    Summary: Directs Department of Mental Health to explore opportunities to seek greater flexibility in the use of federal funds to improve mental health care to children.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor Chapter 887, Statutes of 2002.


    Long-term Care


    AB 1075 (Shelley) Skilled nursing facilities: staffing ratios.
    Summary:     Seeks to improve patient care in nursing homes by establishing staffing ratios.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor Chapter 684, Statutes of 2001.


    Adult Mental Health


    AB 1422 (Thomson) Mental health advocacy.
    Summary:     Creates a Mental Health Advocacy Commission.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/30/02


    SB 30 (Chesbro) Mental health: Realignment Review Task Force.
    Summary:     Establishes a Mental Health Realignment Review Task Force.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/28/01


    SB 1059 (Perata) Mentally ill offenders: Council on Mentally Ill Offenders.
    Summary:     Creates a Council on Mentally Ill Offenders.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 860, Statutes of 2001.


    Prisons


    SB 404 (Polanco) Prisons: inmate education.
    Summary:     Establishes a Correctional Board of Education within the California Department of Corrections.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/12/01


    Special Districts


    SB 282 (Dunn) Controller: reports of special districts.
    Summary:     Requires the Controller to report specific financial information on special districts with the highest revenues.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 288, Statutes of 2001.


    Teacher Workforce


    SB 57 (Scott) Teacher credentialing.
    Summary:     Allows teachers to earn their preliminary teaching credentials more quickly.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 269, Statutes of 2001.

  • 1999-2000 Legislative Session


    Based on the recommendations from its reports, the Little Hoover Commission supported 50 pieces of legislation in six different policy areas during the 1999-2000 legislative session.  In some cases, the bills were outgrowths of recent studies conducted by the Commission. In other cases, the Commission supported measures based on recommendations it made as many as 10 years ago, but remain relevant today.

    The Commission withdrew support from 3 bills when amendments made them no longer compatible with Commission recommendations.  Of the remaining 47 bills, 20 failed passage and 15 were signed into law. Twelve Commission-supported bills were vetoed.

    The Commission's legislative activities during the 1999-2000 legislative session were largely focused on the areas of children's services, long-term care and prisons.  To a lesser degree, there was legislative activity in the topics of education, school facilities and youth.


    Children's Services


    AB 105 (Alquist) Child Care and Development Services: State Master Plan.
    Sponsor: LHC
    Summary: Requires the development of a state master plan for child care and development services.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Health & Human Services.


    AB 153 (Cunneen) Child care and development: reimbursement rates.
    Summary:     Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to reimburse certain providers of child care and extended day care services at a rate higher than the standard reimbursement rate; would make an appropriation for this purpose.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 212 (Aroner) Child care and development.
    Summary:     Establishes the California CARES (Compensation and Retention to Encourage Stability) program to support local programs in their efforts to build a skilled and stable child care workforce.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor Chapter 547 Statutes of 2000.


    AB 434 (Aroner) Student aid: emancipated foster youth.
    Summary:     Requires Dept. of Social Services to annually report to Legislature on foster youth, former foster youth and others who apply and receive Cal Grant awards to attend college.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    AB 443 (Mazzoni) Child care: family support.
    Summary:     Establishes the Parent Services Project: Family Support in Child Care and Development Programs to provide services for early detection of and referral for child abuse.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    AB 607 (Aroner) Foster Children’s Health Care Services Act.
    Summary:     Establishes a statewide health care system for children in foster care and requires coordination of health services for foster children.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/10/99


    AB 658 (Washington) School safety.
    Summary:     Extends foster care eligibility to age 20 to youth that are making progress towards completion of an educational program.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 645, Statutes of 1999.


    AB 1225 (Ashburn) Adoptions.
    Summary:     Requires greater effort to inform adoptive families of the availability of adoption assistance and access to that funding later in the maturity of the adoption.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 905, Statutes of 1999.


    AB 1923 (Cardenas) Income and bank and corporation taxes: credit: child care facilities.
    Summary:     Increases the percentage of costs for which a tax credit can be claimed for child care facilities serving low-income children. Provides a similar credit in connection with loans financing the purchase, construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of qualified child care and development facilities.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Appropriations.


    AB 2210 (Ashburn) Foster care.
    Summary:     Permits counties to disclose all available information about a foster child to prospective foster care providers, who are also prospective adoptive parents, prior to the child’s placement.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/28/00


    AB 2278 (Aroner) Mental health: community treatment facilities.
    Summary:     Requires priority be given to foster children and their families for substance abuse treatment. (Amendments deleted this provision and instead restored funding to Community Treatment Facilities to serve severely emotionally disturbed foster children).
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 2307 (Davis) Children: foster care.
    Summary:     Authorizes county child welfare agencies to create training programs for relative foster caregivers.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 745, Statutes of 2000.


    SB 147 (Alpert) Medi-Cal eligibility.
    Summary:     Extends Medi-Cal eligibility to transitioning foster youth until their 21stbirthday. (Amendments deleted this provision and instead require no income or asset test be applied for establishing eligibility for Medi-Cal to independent foster care adolescents).
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/28/00


    SB 305 (Vasconcellos) Parenting education.
    Summary:     Requires Department of Health Services to convene a summit to develop a master plan for including parenting education in the curriculum of certain schools and youth correctional centers. (See SB 1348).
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/9/99


    SB 487 (Wright) Children’s Mental Health Services Act.
    Summary:     Provides funding for the expansion of children’s mental health services.
    Final Action: Dropped by Author.


    SB 543 (Bowen) Children: psychotropic medication: foster care.
    Summary:     Requires the case plan for each foster child to include an updated health, mental health and education summary each time that child is placed in a new foster home.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 552, Statutes of 1999.


    SB 549 (Ortiz & Rainey) Personal income and bank and corporation taxes: credits: child care.
    Summary:     Increases the percentage of costs for which a tax credit can be claimed for child care facilities serving low-income children. Provides a similar credit in connection with loans financing the purchase, construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of qualified child care and development facilities.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    SB 643 (Alpert) County children and families first commissions: matching grant program.
    Summary:     Provides matching funds for counties that use Prop. 10 funds to support cost-effective early childhood programs.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    SB 887 (Ortiz) Foster care.
    Summary:     Creates a council to oversee foster care programs.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/10/99


    SB 903 (McPherson) Kinship support services.
    Summary:     Provides unique service needs to relative caregivers through expansion of the Kinship Support Services Program beyond the current eight pilot counties.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/10/99


    SB 924 (Vasconcellos) Child abuse prevention and intervention: family conferencing.
    Summary:     Authorizes a pilot program to implement family conferencing plans for child abuse intervention.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    SB 925 (Vasconcellos) Child Care and Development Services: State Master Plan.
    Summary:     Requires the development of a state master plan for child care and development services.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 1238 (Hughes) Foster care: grandparents.
    Summary:     Makes more relative-placed children eligible for higher foster care rates by exempting children placed with grandparents from needing to qualify for federal AFDC-FC.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    SB 1270 (Escutia) Interstate adoption assistance agreements: social service regulations.
    Summary:     Extends Medi-Cal coverage for interstate adoptions when the adoptive parents move to other states or are residents of another state.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 887, Statutes of 1999.


    SB 1348 (Vasconcellos) Parenting education.
    Summary:     Requires Supt. of Public Instruction to submit a proposal to convene a summit regarding developing a master plan for parenting education.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/28/00


    SB 1579 (Alpert) Foster care: Early Start to Emancipation programs.
    Summary:     Establishes a pilot program for foster care children to help maximize their chances of graduating from high school and entering college.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    SB 1703 (Escutia) Child care.
    Summary:     Commits the Legislature to fully funding child care assistance to all eligible Californians within five years. Changes eligibility criteria for those already receiving assistance from a maximum of 75% of state median income to 100%. (Amendments deleted these provisions and instead appropriate $42,000,000 on a one-time basis to Dept. of Education for specified child care purposes).
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 704, Statutes of 2000.


    SB 1946 (McPherson) Kinship support services.
    Summary:     Expands the availability of support programs for kinship care foster families.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 866, Statutes of 2000.


    SB 1980 (Ortiz) Foster care.
    Summary:     Creates a Foster Care Policy Council to review policies and assess methods for improving the quality of foster care services.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 2091 (Ortiz) Children: foster care.
    Summary:     Establishes pilot programs in certain counties to aid foster youth transitioning into adulthood.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/28/00


    Long-term Care


    AB 16 (Honda) In-home supportive services.
    Summary:     Provides funding to encourage counties to form public authorities to improve delivery of services under the In-Home Supportive Services program.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Appropriations.


    AB 452 (Mazzoni) School libraries: Classroom Library Purchase Act.
    Summary:     Implements the recommendations from the LHC report on long-term care generated by AB 1215 (Chapter 322, Statutes of 1997) to integrate and/or consolidate the licensing and certification of state-administered long-term care programs.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 895, Statutes of 1999.


    AB 499 (Aroner) Medi-Cal: assisted living demonstration project.
    Summary:     Creates a demonstration project to test the efficacy of providing an assisted living benefit to low-income beneficiaries under the Medi-Cal program.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 557, Statutes of 2000.


    AB 1160 (Shelley) Long-term health care facilities: skilled nursing facilities.
    Summary:     Declares the intent of the Legislature to establish an effective enforcement system and a provisional licensing system for long-term care facilities. Sets specific standards and penalties.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/10/99


    AB 1731 (Shelley) Long-term health care facilities.
    Summary:     Declares the intent of the Legislature that all senior citizens live with dignity and autonomy, includes improvements to facilities and an increase in wages for nursing home workers.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 451, Statutes of 2000.


    SB 97 (Burton) Health facilities.
    Summary:     Prohibits a health facility from discriminating or retaliating against a patient or employee because the patient or employee presents a grievance or complaint, or participates in an investigation or proceeding by a governmental entity, relating to the care, services, or conditions at the facility.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 155, Statutes of 1999.


    SB 288 (Peace) IHSS program: administration.
    Summary:     Requires each county to appoint an advisory committee and revises the county plan for the provision of In-Home Supportive Services benefits.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 445, Statutes of 2000.


    SB 353 (Johannessen) Medi-Cal: residential care facility services.
    Summary:     Requires Dept. of Health Services to submit waiver request to federal government to obtain coverage under Medi-Cal of services provided in residential care facilities. (Amendments deleted this provision and instead require DHS to test efficacy of providing an assisted living benefit to Medi-Cal recipients).
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Appropriations.


    SB 1862 (Vasconcellos) Health facilities.
    Summary:     Declares the intent of the Legislature to establish an effective enforcement system and a provisional licensing system for long-term care facilities. Sets specific standards and penalties. (Some language from this measure was incorporated into AB 1731).
    Final Action: Died in Conference Committee.


    Prisons


    AB 34 (Steinberg) Mental health funding: local grants.
    Summary:     Provides grants to encourage counties to expand services to the mentally ill, including those who would otherwise be placed in jail or prisons.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 617, Statutes of 1999.


    AB 1255 (Wright) CalWORKs: drug offenses.
    Summary    : Provides grants to encourage counties to establish intensive supervision programs for convicted domestic violence offenders as an alternative to imprisonment in state prison. (Amendments deleted this provision and instead make changes to the CalWORKS program).
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    SB 126 (Polanco) 
    Summary:     Adds additional language pertaining to vocational and drug treatment and reducing the rate of recidivism to the existing purpose of incarceration provisions of law. Makes specified changes to the Prison Industry Authority guidelines relative to their annual budget. (Subsequent amendments changed purpose of bill).
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 175 (Rainey)
    Summary:     Makes changes to encourage the use of community-based punishments; declares the intent of the Legislature to appropriate money in the annual Budget Act for associated contract costs. (Subsequent amendments changed purpose of bill).
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 297 (Polanco & Vasconcellos)  Corrections: master plan.
    Summary:     Declares the intent of the Legislature to develop a master plan for prison operations.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 10/10/99


    SB 1845 (Polanco) Prisons: inmate education.
    Summary:     Establishes the Correctional Education Board within the California Department of Corrections (CDC), and requires every inmate be provided educational benefits.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/24/00


    Education


    AB 46 (Olberg) 
    Summary:     Repeals the cap on the number of charter schools operating in the state. (Subsequent amendments changed purpose of bill).
    Final Action: Support withdrawn.


    SB 267 (Lewis) Charter schools: funding.
    Summary:     Makes the Charter School Revolving Loan Fund more accessible, and improves its ability to assist new charter schools.
    Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 736, Statutes of 1999.


    School Facilities


    AB 2411 (Firebaugh) 
    Summary:     Requires the establishment of a School Construction Authority in school districts with a pupil population of more than 500,000.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    Youth


    AB 235 (Kuehl) California Youth Violence Prevention Authority.
    Summary:     Creates an authority within the office of the Attorney General; gives this authority duties and responsibilities related to youth violence prevention.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 788 (Maldonado) Juvenile court law: purpose.
    Summary:     Revises the purpose of juvenile court law to include dispositions intended to accomplish public safety objectives and establishes set principles based on the "Balanced Approach to Restorative Justice" model.
    Final Action: Vetoed. 9/24/00

  • 1997-1998 Legislative Session


    Based on the recommendations from its reports, the Little Hoover Commission supported 81 pieces of legislation in nine different policy areas during the 1997-1998 legislative session.  In some cases, the bills were outgrowths of recent studies conducted by the Commission. In other cases, the Commission supported measures based on recommendations it made as many as 10 years ago, but remain relevant today.

    The Commission withdrew support from 15 bills when amendments made them no longer compatible with Commission recommendations.  Of the remaining 66 bills, 37 measures passed both houses of the Legislature, and the Governor signed 25 of those measures. Twelve Commission-supported bills were vetoed.

    The Commission's legislative activities during the 1997-1998 legislative session were largely focused on the areas of crime and prisons, education and long-term care.  To a lesser degree, there was legislative activity in the topics of child support and general state management.  Other subject matters, such as foster care, procurement, and utilities, also received the Commission's legislative attention.


    Child Support


    AB 123 (Wildman)
    Summary:     Originally would have modified the criminal penalty provisions for failing to provide child support.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 1334 (Caldera)
    Summary:     Originally would have established a pilot project to allow alternative methods of service of process in child support actions.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 1961 (Aroner) 
    Summary:     Creates a dispute resolution process for child support collection disputes.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 936 (Burton)
    Summary:     Requires counties to collect and compile specified information on child support enforcement programs.
    Fina Action: Chaptered, Ch. 926, Stats. 1997.


    Crime


    AB 70 (Woods)
    Summary:     Prohibits a juvenile court from committinga person to the Youth Authority for the commission of specified criminaloffenses in a county that has adopted a plan involving community-basedpunishment.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    AB 320 (Goldsmith)
    Summary:     Establishes a pilot program for certain non-violentjuvenile offenders to attend a victim-offender reconciliation program, perform community service, and pay victim restitution.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 486 (Margett)
    Summary:     Establishes an education and transitional supportprogram for graduates of juvenile boot camps.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    AB 640 (Aguiar) 
    Summary:     Authorizes a pilot program in San Bernardino County designed to demonstrate the effects of a collaborative and integrated approach to the apprehension, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and punishment of juvenile offenders in a community-based program.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 753, Stats. 1997.


    AB 963 (Keeley)
    Summary:     Establishes a crime prevention program in specified counties for the purposes of reducing gang and criminal activity and youth violence.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 885, Stats. 1997.


    AB 986 (Migden) 
    Summary:     Originally would have revised the goals of the juvenile justice laws.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn


    SB 483 (Schiff) 
    Summary:     Declares the intent of the Legislature to create a Department of Juvenile Justice in state government for the purpose of coordinating juvenile justice services.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 668 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Revised the goals of the juvenile justice laws.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 670 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Establishes the California Sentencing Commission, creates a Judicial Advisory Committee to assist the commission in developing sentencing guidelines, and authorizes counties to create local sentencing commissions for the purpose of establishing sentencing guidelines for misdemeanors.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 711 (Mountjoy) 
    Summary:     Modifies the sealed records law and the confidentiality of certain proceedings relating to juvenile offenders.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 817 (Polanco) 
    Summary:     Creates regulations for private sector boot camps.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    SB 822  (Lockyer) 
    Summary:     Creates the California Youth Violence Prevention Authority.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 1136 (Kopp) 
    Summary:     Originally would have established a deferred entry of judgment procedure in juvenile court for a minor who has committed a felony offense if specified circumstances apply.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1195 (Schiff) 
    Summary:     Enhances the ability of victims or families of victims of juvenile offenders to participate in the justice process.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 910, Stats. 1997.


    SB 1218 (Schiff) 
    Summary:     Authorizes certain juvenile offenders convicted of a felony to be released under supervision for a maximum period of two years after the offender reaches the age of 25.
    Final Action: Died in Senate


    SB 1259 (Vasconcellos) 
    Summary:     Establishes a crime prevention program in specified counties for the purposes of reducing gang, criminal activity, and youth violence.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 1485 (Rosenthal)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Corrections to award mentally ill offender grants to provide a continuum of sanctions for mentally ill offenders.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 501, Stats. 1998.


    SB 1913 (Ayala) 
    Summary:     Makes the Office of the Inspector General an entity wholly independent of any other state agency.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 969, Stats. 1998.


    Education


    AB 36 (Firestone) 
    Summary:     Establishes the Alpert-Firestone BilingualEducation Reform Act of 1997 in order to provide a new program of instructional services for English learners.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 55 (Mazzoni)
    Summary:     Originally would have changed the vote requirement for the approval of bond measures related to school facility construction.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 458 (Caldera)
    Summary:     Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instructionto make apportionments for additional educational programs offered by charterschools provided the schools meet specified requirements.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 544 (Lempert)
    Summary:     Increases the maximum number of charter schools allowedto operate in the State from 100 to 250.
    Final Action: Chaptered,  Ch. 34, Stats.1998.


    AB 844 (Caldera)
    Summary:     Repeals the limitation on the number of charter schools operating in the State and in any school district.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 865 (Pringle)
    Summary:     Authorizes school districts to utilize commercial buildings that do not meet the requirements of the Field Act as schoolbuildings under specified circumstances.
    Final Action: Chaptered,  Ch. 629, Stats.1997.


    AB 867 (Pringle)
    Summary:     Requires the State Board of Education to annually identify low-achieving elementary and high schools and permits the parentsof the pupils at such schools to submit to the governing board of the school district a petition to establish a charter school.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 1254 (Baldwin)
    Summary:     Makes inoperative the limitation on the number of charter schools operating in the state provided that the Senate and Assembly Education Committees make specified findings regarding charter schools and pupil performance.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    ACA 7 (Escutia)
    Summary:     Originally would have provided an exemption from the property tax limitation for property taxes to pay the interest charges on bonded indebtedness incurred by school districts for school facility construction and changes the vote requirement for the approval of bond measures related to school facility construction from two-thirds to a majority.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 6 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Establishes theAlpert-Firestone Bilingual Education Reform Act of 1997 in order to provide a new program of instructional services for English learners.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 222 (Lewis)
    Summary:     Repeals the limitation on the number ofcharter schools operating in the state and in any school district.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 223 (Lewis)
    Summary:     Permits a petition for the establishment of a charter school to be submitted by the parents, guardians, or caregivers of pupils under specified circumstances.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 224 (Lewis)
    Summary:     Originally would have deemed the Regentsof the University of California, the Chancellor of the California StateUniversity, and the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges as a governing board for the purpose of establishing charter schools.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 804 (Rosenthal)
    Summary:     Revises the procedure utilized by the Superintendentof Public Instruction for calculating the days of school attendance in a manner that takes into account a school district's average rate of apportionable absences.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 298, Stats. 1997.


    SB 843 (Hayden)
    Summary:     Originally would have increased the number of charter schools allowed to operate in the State.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1538 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Provides for a comprehensive reform of the State's education finance system.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    Foster Care


    AB 2598 (Aroner)
    Summary:     Creates an Interagency Coordinating Council for Foster Care.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 916 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Enhances preplacement and annual training of foster care parents.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 542, Stats. 1997.


    General Government


    AB 697 (Davis)
    Summary:     Requires the Trade & Commerce Agencyto meet program-specific benchmarks, goals, and objectives set by the Legislatureand imposes a monetary sanction for failing to meet the established goals.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    Long-Term Care


    AB 190 (Napolitano)
    Summary:     Originally would have declared the intent of theLegislature to increase the penalties for fraud against adults over theage of 65 to a level commensurate with the pain or suffering inflictedon the victim.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 560 (Perata)
    Summary:     Establishes a registered dental hygienist in alternativepractice as a new category of dental auxiliary and provides that such servicesmay be rendered as a covered benefit to Medi-Cal recipients under specified conditions.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 753, Stats. 1997.


    AB 668 (Aroner)
    Summary:     Requires the Director of Health Services to seek amendmentsto existing waivers of federal Medicaid requirements in order to expandthe class of persons who would be eligible to receive personal care services.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 896, Stats. 1998.


    AB 779 (Woods)
    Summary:     Reorganizes the provisions of law creating theOffice of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in the CaliforniaDepartment of Aging and revises the powers and duties of the office.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 789 (Cardenas)
    Summary:     Prohibits a person from providing direct patient care in a long-term care facility if the person has been convicted of certain crimes.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 846 (Knox)
    Summary:     Prohibits the eviction of a residentof a residential care facility for the elderly unless certain circumstances exist.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 1032 (Frusetta)
    Summary:     Prohibits a person from providing direct patientcare in a long-term care facility if the person has been convicted of certain crimes.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 1087 (Aguiar)
    Summary:     Requires the Director of Health Services to conduct a pilot project to examine and contrast the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organization accreditation review process with the current Medicare and Medicaid certification surveys and enforcement process for long-term health care facilities, and requires the department to seek all necessary waivers from the federal government.
    Final Action: Died in Senate


    AB 1133 (Gallegos)
    Summary:     Increases the civil penalties against long-termhealth care facilities that are in violation of laws and regulations relatingto patient care and eliminates the authority of the Director of Health Services to waive the penalty for a Class B violation.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 650, Stats. 1998.


    AB 1147 (Shelley)
    Summary:     Provides that any civil cause of action arising from the abuse of elderly or dependent adults shall be governed by the laws applicable to professional negligence actions as well as by those relating to the abuse of elderly or dependent adults.
    Final Action: Died in Senate


    AB 1178 (Davis)
    Summary:     Originally would have established standards for informed consent for medical treatments in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 1215 (Mazzoni)
    Summary:     Requires the Health and Welfare Agency to prepare a report regarding the licensing responsibilities for  long-term health care facilities and to develop a plan to consolidate these responsibilities under a single administrative branch.
    Final Action: Chaptered,  Ch. 269, Stats. 1997.


    AB 1249 (Davis)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Aging to establish a statewiderespite care program and registry to provide services to individuals providing care to the elderly and the disabled.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    AB 1380 (Ashburn)
    Summary:     Extends the sunset date for the California Partnershipfor Long-Term Care Pilot Program from June 30, 1998 to June 30, 2000.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 37, Stats. 1997.


    AB 1440 (Woods)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Social Services to conduct fingerprint checks of in-home care providers at the expense of the provider.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    AB 1483 (Gallegos)
    Summary:     Requires every policy of long-term care insurance to be identified as either federally tax qualified or federally non-taxqualified and requires insurers offering federally tax qualified insurance to also offer federally non-tax qualified coverage.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch.700, Stats. 1997


    SB 140 (McPherson)
    Summary:     Originally would have suspended the application of the inflation factor to the senior citizen exemption credit and transfered any resulting revenues to the California Senior Special Fund.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 253 (Burton)
    Summary:     Prohibits a health facility from discriminating or retaliating against a patient or employee of that facility because the patient or employee presents a grievance or complaint, or participates in an investigation or proceeding by a governmental entity, relating to the careservices, or conditions at the facility.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 381 (Watson)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Social Services, in conjunction with other specified agencies, to develop or approve the curriculum content for certain training programs for licensees and staffs of adult residential facilities.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 555, Stats. 1997.


    SB 527 (Rosenthal)
    Summary:     Requires the provisions of tax-favorable long-termcare insurance policies to be as permissive as allowed under federal lawand regulations and requires specified disclosures to be made on applications for long-term care insurance.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 701, Stats. 1997.


    SB 588 (Hughes)
    Summary:     States the intent of the Legislature to implement an omnibus elder abuse reform effort, in coordination with the Commission on Aging, for the prevention of elder abuse.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    SB 791 (Costa)
    Summary:     Requires adult day health care centers to provide coordination of transportation services and revises the procedures such centers must follow in emergency situations.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 830 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Social Servicesto ensure that direct payments made by a state or county to an in-home supportive services provider shall cover wages for all authorized IHSS services provided during the appropriate pay period.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 942 (Solis)
    Summary:     Increases the amount of payments made under the State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled program for recipients in nonmedical out-of-home care facilities.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 1052 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Requires every policy of long-term care insuranceto be identified as either federally tax qualified or federally non-tax qualified and requires insurers offering federally tax qualified insurance to also offer federally non-tax qualified coverage.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch.699, Stats. 1997.


    SB 1061 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Repeals requirement that long-term health care contracts of admission be submitted to the Department of Health Services for review and instead requires such facilities to utilize a standard admission agreement adopted by the department.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 631, Stats. 1997.


    SB 1231 (Watson)
    Summary:     Authorizes a residential care facility for the elderlyto obtain a waiver from the Department of Social Services for the purposeof providing incidental medical care through a home health agency under specified conditions.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 494, Stats. 1997.


    SB 1238 (Johannessen)
    Summary:     Increases the criminal penalties for willfully causing any elder or dependent adult to suffer physical or mental pain.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 698, Stats. 1997.


    SB 1674 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Social Services to ensurethat direct payments made by a state or county to an in-home supportiveservices provider shall cover wages for all authorized IHSS services provided during the appropriate pay period.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 1724 (Johannessen)
    Summary:     Originally would have required the Departmentof Health Services to apply for a waiver in order for residents of RCFE's to receive federal services and benefits.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    Prisons


    AB 1913 (Ashburn)
    Summary:     Declares legislative intent to require the Departmentof Corrections to provide inmates with assessments, treatment, aftercare, expanded drug treatment and parolee assistance programs, to create reintegration centers, and to establish a zero-tolerance policy of drugs in prisons.
    Final Action: Died in Senate committee.


    AB 2321 (Knox)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Correctionsto expand the Preventing Parolee Failure Program and authorizes conditionally released or paroled prisoners to be placed in the program in lieu of the suspension or revocation of parole.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 526, Stats. 1998.


    SB 295 (Rainey)
    Summary:     Authorizes nonviolent felons to be placed in local correctional facilities for treatment, incarceration, and supervision under specified circumstances, and authorizes the Department of Corrections to establish a Medical Detention Program for treatment of severely ill and disabled inmates.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 526, Stats. 1998.


    SB 1089 (Lockyer)
    Summary:     Originally would have required the Department of Corrections to expand the number of beds in state institutions and community correctional facilities by 4,000 to provide intensive substance abuse treatment.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1497 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Corrections to establish inmate reintegration centers that provide programs that prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society upon release.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly.


    SB 2108 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Corrections to evaluate potential parolees for amenability for treatment and to develop an individualized treatment plan for inmates.
    Final Action: Chaptered, Ch. 502, Stats. 1998.


    Procurement


    SB 1132 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Revises the mission of the Prison Industry Authority, requires the state to purchase PIA products unless the state elicits bidsfrom outside vendors and receives a bid lower than the PIA quote, and creates a panel to advise the PIA and the Legislature concerning recommendations to improve the competitiveness of prison industries.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 1338 (Johannessen)
    Summary:     Originally would have enacted the CaliforniaElectronic Commerce Act of 1997 which, among other things, centralizes the management and responsibility for all procurement functions with the Departmentof General Services and requires the department to employ best value purchasing techniques.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    Utilities


    AB 1096 (Martinez)
    Summary:     Transfers the consumer advocacy functions of thePublic Utilities Commission to the Office of the Attorney General.
    Final Action: Died in Senate.


    SB 653 (Calderon)
    Summary:     Provides for intermediate appellate review of certain types of decisions issued by the Public Utilities Commission.
    Final Action: Vetoed.

  • 1995-1996 Legislative Session


    The Little Hoover Commission supported 97 pieces of legislation in 13 different topic areas during the latest two-year (1995-1996) legislative session. Thirty-seven of these measures concerned the criminal justice system, 18 measures dealt with education in California, and 15 measures concerned the State's civil service system. Forty-seven measures were carried by Democratic legislators, 44 by Republican legislators, four by Independent legislators and two by the Reform Party legislator.

    Nineteen measures passed both legislative houses this session. Fifteen measures have been signed into law and four were vetoed by the Governor. The Commission's support of 17 bills had to be withdrawn when amendments made them no longer compatible with Commission recommendations. Thus, of the 80 bills the Commission supported in their final versions, 24 percent successfully passed the Legislature and 19 percent were signed into law by the Governor.


    Children's Services


    AB 159 (W. Murray)
    Summary:     Originally allowed foster child's relative's income to determine AFDC for Foster Care.
    Final Action: Died in Committee. Reintroduced as AB 2078.


    AB 2078 (K. Murray)
    Summary:     Allows foster child's relative's income to determine AFDC for Foster Care.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 3062 (Friedman)
    Summary:     Requires every person serving as a foster parent to complete training annually.
    Final Action: Chapter 1016, 1996.


    Civil Service


    AB 1553 (Kaloogian)
    Summary:     Creates the Quality Demonstration Project Act to allow DPA to test alternative ideas and concepts in the State's classification and compensation programs.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2503 (Ackerman)
    Summary:     Opens the examination process for Career Executive Assignment (CEA) positions to non-civil service applicants.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    AB 2519 (Kaloogian)
    Summary:     Allows the State Personnel Board to redefine "class" to encompass a "broadband" classification concept.
    Final Action: Assembly Floor Failed Passage.


    AB 2570 (Margett)
    Summary:     Limits the Administrative Procedure Act as it applies to internal civil service personnel rules.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2709 (Brulte)
    Summary:     Eliminates automatic salary increases. Revises salary statutes so that all salary increases will be based on job performance.
    Final Action: Assembly Inactive File.


    AB 2747 (Ackerman)
    Summary:     Shortens and modifies the State's layoff process to eliminate overlapping jurisdiction and responsibility between the Department of Personnel Administration and the State Personnel Board.
    Final Action: Assembly Inactive File.


    AB 2772 (Cortese)
    Summary:     Limits the application of the Administrative Procedure Act as it applies to State Personnel Board internal personnel rules.
    Final Action: Chapter 935, 1996.


    AB 2775 (Miller)
    Summary:     Reforms the civil service examination process.
    Final Action: Chapter 772, 1996.


    AB 3282 (Cunneen)
    Summary:     Streamlines the civil service discipline process.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 3427 (Baugh)
    Summary:     Reforms the civil service selection and certification process.
    Final Action: Assembly Floor Failed Passage


    ACA 11 (Morrow)
    Summary:     Eliminates the constitutional provision against contracting out.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    ACA 22 (Speier)
    Summary:     Abolishes the State Personnel Board.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    ACA 35 (Kaloogian)
    Summary:     Eliminates the Constitutional prohibition against contracting out. Allows the State to contract with private entities to perform state functions and services.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    ACA 42 (Poochigian)
    Summary:     Eliminates the Constitutional prohibition against contracting out. Allows the State to contract with private entities to perform state functions and services.
    Final Action: Assembly Floor Faild Passage.


    SCA 20 (Monteith)
    Summary:     Eliminates the Constitutional prohibition against contracting out. Allows the State to contract with private entities to perform state functions and services.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    Crime


    AB 12 (Katz)
    Summary:     Reduces worktime credit for serious offenders.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 69 (W. Murray)
    Summary:     Prison Education: creates Superintendent of Correctional Education and bars prisoners from working until they are literate.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 126 (Rainey)
    Summary:     Restructures sentencing system.
    Final Action: Died in Conference Committee.


    AB 300 (Rainy)
    Summary:     Eliminates worktime credit for violent offenders.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 344 (Ducheny)
    Summary:     Requires work programs be established and administered by Department of Corrections.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 488 (Baca)
    Summary:     Requires collection of data pertaining to the juvenile justice system.
    Final Action: Chapter 803, 1995.


    AB 589 (Rainey)
    Summary:     Lengthens maximum parole violation sentence.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 716 (Lee)
    Summary:     Places priority on the rehabilitation of nonviolent, first-time offenders.
    Final Action: Chapter 49, 1995.


    AB 889 (Rogan)
    Summary:     Allows victim testimony in the juvenile court process.
    Final Action: Chapter 234, 1995.


    AB 1036 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Creates the California Sentencing Commission.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 1185 (Morrissey)
    Summary:     Decreases barriers to interagency sharing of information regarding at-risk juveniles.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 1300 (K. Murray)
    Summary:     Creates pilot project for treatment of at-risk juvenile offenders.
    Final Action: Assembly Floor Failed Passage.


    AB 1408 (Villaraigosa)
    Summary:     Originally set up a parole system for inmates who are medically incapacitated.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Vetoed.


    AB 1592 (Boland)
    Summary:     Prohibits the sealing and destruction of juvenile records in specific circumstances.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committe.


    AB 1678 (Granlund)
    Summary:     Reforms sealed records laws.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 1809 (Knox)
    Summary:     Lengthens the maximum parole violation sentence.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2128 (W. Murray)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Authority to complete a study on the effectiveness of the education programs offered in correctional facilities.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 2139 (Cortese)
    Summary:     Creates a task force on the role of parks and recreation programs in providing at-risk youth recreational programs.
    Final Action: Senate Inactive File.


    AB 2447 (K. Murray)
    Summary:     Expands the Repeat Offender Prevention Project to more counties.
    Final Action: Chapter 1049, 1996.


    AB 2617 (Baca)
    Summary:     Authorizes school districts to participate in interagency data information systems to facilitate identification of and services to at-risk juveniles.
    Final Action: Chapter 343, 1996.


    AB 3112 (Golsmith)
    Summary:     Originally established a licensing and inspection system for private-sector structured programs for juveniles.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 3224 (Poochigian)
    Summary:     Originally revised the confidentiality and sealed record laws regarding juvenile offenders.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Chapter 422, 1996.


    AB 3288 (Miller)
    Summary:     Requires mandatory HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis testing and hepatitis B vaccination of all inmates in state correctional institutions.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 3349 (Knox)
    Summary:     Moves some violent criminals into indeterminate sentencing system.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 90 (Haynes)
    Summary:     Removes limitations on consecutive sentences.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 138 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Establishes minimum standards for the development of boot camp/work-intensive programs.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    SB 165 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Establishes various pilot projects to test boot camps as an alternative sentencing option.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    SB 166 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Creates the California Sentencing Commission.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    SB 213 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Reforms sealed records laws.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 214 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Eliminates worktime credit for violent offenders.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 239 (Hurtt)
    Summary:     Removes limitations on consecutive sentences.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    SB 254 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Lengthens the maximum parole violation sentence.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 346 (Campbell)
    Summary:     Allows electronic monitoring as an alternative sentencing option for specified non-violent offenders.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 575 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Creates boot camp private-sector regulations.
    Final Action: Senate Unfinished Business.


    SB 604 (Rosenthall)
    Summary:     Allows additional alternatives for treatment of non-violent, first-time juvenile offenders.
    Final Action: Chapter 72, 1995.


    SB 1231 (Lewis)
    Summary:     Makes prisoners convicted of a murder ineligible to earn worktime credits.
    Final Action: Chapter 598, 1996.


    SB 2126 (Marks)
    Summary:     Revises the goals of juvenile justice law and increases options available to juvenile courts for sentencing.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    Education


    AB 198 (Caldera)
    Summary:     Authorizes a total of 300 charter schools to operate in this state.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 1041 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Originally pertained to English learners education.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Chapter 507, 1996.


    AB 2106 (Baldwin)
    Summary:     Originally expanded opportunities to create charter schools.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 2107 (Baldwin)
    Summary:     Creates alternative petitioning methods to create charter schools.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2135 (Mazzoni)
    Summary:     Requires an assessment of charter schools by LAO using a number of criteria.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 2137 (Mazzoni)
    Summary:     Provides alternative petitioning methods to create charter schools.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    AB 2310 (Firestone and Alpert)
    Summary:     English learners education.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2463 (Caldera)
    Summary:     Originally allowed alternative sponsors for charter schools.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Chapter 1129, 1996.


    AB 2506 (Ackerman)
    Summary:     Allows schools to use commercial buildings built after January 1, 1990 that meet standard building codes.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 2708 (Brulte)
    Summary:     Sets new parameters for financing school facility construction.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 3176 (Brulte)
    Summary:     Recognizes that the school construction funding process is lengthy and complex and requires a process to identify mechanisms to streamline the system.
    Final Action: Chapter 478, 1996.


    AB 3384 (Knox)
    Summary:      Allows charter schools to access a revolving loan fund.
    Final Action: Chapter 786, 1996.


    ACA 40 (Mazzoni)
    Summary:     Changes 2/3 vote requirement to 58% for approval of bond measures for school facilities construction.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 98 (Greene)
    Summary:     Originally required the Department of General Services to develop a centralized tracking system for school facility projects.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 569 (Maddy)
    Summary:     Originally changed 2/3 vote requirement to 58% for approval of bond measures for school facilities construction.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1452 (Rosenthal)
    Summary:     Requires school districts to provide each individual school in their jurisdiction at least 50% of any additional revenue that results from increased attendance.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    SCA 14 (Maddy)
    Summary:     Former companion measure to SB 569.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    Elder Care


    AB 769 (Conroy)
    Summary:     Requires minimum standards for services to IHSS recipients regardless of the mode of delivery.
    Final Action: Died in Senate Committee.


    AB 2976 (Gallegos)
    Summary:     Increases fines for improper care in nursing homes and requires the State to be more responsive to complaints.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 278 (Killea)
    Summary:     Continues the process of encouraging counties to use managed care services for appropriate IHSS recipients.
    Final Action: Died in Assembly Committee.


    Environment


    SB 220 (Haynes)
    Summary:     Provides that regulations adopted pursuant to the forest practice act shall become effective at a specific time of year.
    Final Action: Chapter 425, 1995.


    SB 1104 (Hayden)
    Summary:     Extends the public comment period for Timber Harvest Plan reviews.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    Health


    SB 104 (Russell)
    Summary:     Expands the definition of "gravely disabled" for treatment of the mentally ill.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SB 260 (Wright)
    Summary:     Expands the definition of "gravely disabled" for treatment of the mentally ill.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    Land Use


    AB 1930 (Sweeney)
    Summary:     Reduces the time limits for the approval of development projects under the Permit Streamlining Act and the California Environmental Qualilty Act (CEQA).
    Final Action: Chapter 808, 1996.


    Procurement


    AB 3324 (Richter)
    Summary:     Originally permitted the development of the principles of "best value" and would have employed "best value" techniques for all purchases made by the State.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 286 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Reforms information technology procurement process to allow performance based procurement.
    Final Action:  Vetoed.


    SB 617 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Originally allowed state departments to purchase goods from the Prison Industry Authority based on best value.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 910 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Originally allowed protesting bidders to use independent arbitration for bid protest resolution.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Chapter 932, 1995.


    Property Management


    AB 1459 (Rogan)
    Summary:     Gives the Department of General Services the authority to enter into long-term leases and dispose of surplus property.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    AB 2308 (Firestone)
    Summary:     Allows departments to redirect 25% of the revenue from certain property-related activities or savings from space-related decisions to enhance existing programs.
    Final Action: Dropped by author.


    AB 2428 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Reforms the rental rates charged by the Department of General Services for the buildings it controls and leases to other state agencies.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 2962 (Firestone)
    Summary:     Originally authorized a state agency to employ a licensed real estate broker to sell surplus state-owned property.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn. Chapter 1152, 1996.


    Recycling


    SB 174 (Killea)
    Summary:     Originally consolidated Division of Recycling and the Integrated Waste Management Board and reduced membership of Board from six to five.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1163 (Hughes)
    Summary:     Originally consolidated Division of Recycling and the Integrated Waste Management Board and reduced membership of Board from six to five.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    Revenue and Tax Collection
     

    AB 255 (Speier)
    Summary:     Originally gave the State more effective tools to collect delinquent accounts.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    AB 2794 (Bowen)
    Summary:     Abolishes the Franchises Tax Board and the State Board of Equalization and transfers functions to the Department of Revenue.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    AB 3118 (Kuykendall)
    Summary:     Originally gave the State more effective tools to collect delinquent accounts.
    Final Action: Support Withdrawn.


    SB 1727 (Kopp)
    Summary:     Abolishes the Franchise Tax Board and the State Board of Equalization and transfers functions to the California State Tax Authority.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    SCA 29 (Kopp)
    Summary:     Companion measure to SB 1727. Abolishes the State Board of Equalization.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    Workers' Compensation


    AB 2695 (Bordonaro)
    Summary:     Prohibits compensation for psychiatric injuries except as specified.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.

  • 1993-1994 Legislative Session


    The Commission supported 92 pieces of legislation in 15 different topic areas during the 1993-1994 legislative session. In some cases, the bills were outgrowths of recent studies conducted by the Commission. But in other cases, Commission backing for measures was based on recommendations from reports that are still relevant today despite being issued up to 10 years ago.

    Commission support had to be withdrawn from five bills when amendments made them no longer compatible with Commission recommendations. Of the remaining 87, 44 were signed into law for a success rate of 51 percent. The Commission was most successful with bills on the adult criminal justice system, state procurement functions and Workers' Compensation. The Commission had moderate success with bills on revenue collection, elder care, education and children's services. No progress was made on transportation, recycling and the State's property management.


    Auditor General
     

    AB 5 (Brown)
    Summary:     Creates the Bureau of State Audits under the direction of the Little Hoover Commission and headed by the State Auditor.
    Final Action: Merged into SB 37.


    AB 24 (Campbell)
    Summary:     Creates the Office of the Auditor General.
    Final Action: Merged into SB 37.


    SB 37 (Maddy-Roberti)
    Summary:     Creates the Bureau of State Audits under the direction of the Little Hoover Commission and headed by the State Auditor.
    Final Action: Chapter 12, 1993.


    Children's Services


    AB 403 (Campbell)
    Summary:     Foster child's relative's income to determine AFDC for Foster Care.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 464 (Moore)
    Summary:     Extends time period to search for racial/ethnic match before placing foster child.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 776 (Hannigan)
    Summary:     Seeks to increase funding for family preservation services and expands the class of eligible children.
    Final Action: Chapter 1006, 1993.


    AB 1576 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Requires every pupil receive two years of preschool as an investment now to save later costs for remedial education, welfare and crime.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 2129 (Bates)
    Summary:     Requires home interviews prior to licensing of foster homes or placement of child in license-pending home.
    Final Action: Chapter 1089, 1993.


    SB 270 (Russell)
    Summary:     Courts removing children from parental custody and not placing with relative must state reason.
    Final Action: Chapter 451, 1993.


    SB 1036 (Thompson)
    Summary:     Requires all applicants for a foster family home license to attend training classes prior to licensure and require continuing education for existing licensed foster families.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    Corrections


    AB 113 (Katz)
    Summary:     Originally, limited work-credits for persons sentenced to state prison who have previously served a prison term for specified violent felonies.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 2716.


    AB 2716 (Katz)
    Summary:     Limits work-time credits for repeat violent offenders.
    Final Action: Chapter 713, 1994.


    AB 2745 (Lee)
    Summary:     Originally, re-established rehabilitation as a purpose of imprisonment. Amendment removed rehabilitation concept.
    Final Action: Commission support withdrawn.


    AB 2912 (Murray)
    Summary:     Prison education package: Creates a deputy director of education, bars prisoners from working until they are literate, sets outcome-based goals for Prisoner Literacy Act.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 2944 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Creates Sentencing Commission.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 2945 (Vasconcellos)
    Summary:     Originally, limited work-credits for violent offenders. Amendment removed Commission's work-credit recommendation.
    Final Action: Commission support withdrawn.


    AB 3005 (Umberg)
    Summary:     Suspends worktime credits and re-imposes if parole is violated.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 6X (Katz)
    Summary:     Limits worktime credits for specified felony offenses.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 2716.


    AB 11X (Jones)
    Summary:     Removes limits from consecutive sentences. Also stipulates that probation shall not be granted or sentences suspenden if there are prior felony convictions.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 20X (Andal)
    Summary:     Modifies the Inmate Bill of Rights.
    Final Action: Concept included in SB 1260.


    AB 39X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Establishes an Inspector General Office outside of the Department of Corrections to conduct investigations.
    Final Action: Concept included in SB 1462.


    AB 41X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Boot Camp expansion (alternative sentencing).
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 42X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Eliminates work-credits for violent offenders.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 2716.


    AB 43X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Creates Sentencing Commission.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 44X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Suspends worktime credits and re-imposes if parole is violated.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 56X (Conroy)
    Summary:     Requires mandatory AIDS testing for prisoners.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 65X (Polanco)
    Summary:     Creates a deputy director of education in the Department of Corrections.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 69X (Rainey)
    Summary:     Originally lengthened the maximum parole violation sentence. Amendment removed Commission's parole violation recommendation.
    Final Action: Commission support withdrawn.


    AB 99X (Rainey)
    Summary:     Allows alternative sentencing for non-violent offfenders.
    Final Action: Chapter 41, Ex. Session, 1994.


    SB 58 (Lockyer)
    Summary:     Restructures sentencing system.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    SB 530 (Presley)
    Summary:     Limits worktime credits.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 2716.


    SB 1260 (Presley)
    Summary:     Modifies the Inmate Bill of Rights.
    Final Action: Chapter 555, 1994.


    SB 1462 (Maddy)
    Summary:     Establishes an Inspector General Office outside the Department of Corrections to conduct investigations.
    Final Action: Chapter 766, 1994.


    SB 3X (Lockyer)
    Summary:     Comprehensive Criminal Justice Act of 1994. Restructures sentencing system.
    Final Action: Died on Inactive File.


    SB 4X (Kopp)
    Summary:     Moves all violent criminals into indeterminate sentencing system.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    SB 20X (Leonard)
    Summary:     Reduces work-credit for violent offenders.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 2716.


    SB 32X (Kopp)
    Summary:     Transfer parole authority from California Department of Corrections to Board of Prison Terms.
    Final Action: Chapter 53, Ex. Session, 1994.


    SB 33X (Quackenbush)
    Summary:     Suspends worktime credit and re-imposes if parole violated. Amendments removed work credit recommendation and parole authority.
    Final Action: Commission support withdrawn.


    Education


    AB 19 (Quackenbush)
    Summary:     Permits school districts to admit pupils residing in other school districts.
    Final Action: Chapter 160, 1993.


    AB 222 (Richter)
    Summary:     Enables school districts to enter into lease and/or purchase of school facilities not subject to "Field Act" structural standards.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 499 (Goldsmith)
    Summary:     Eliminates land non-use penalty for districts that do not use state funding for school facilities.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 643 (Eastin)
    Summary:     Naylor Act modification -- a bill to modify restrictions school face when they sell surplus property.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 962 (Bronshvag)
    Summary:     Creates a Student Information System to keep track of highly transient student population.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 967 (Campbell)
    Summary:     Combines numerous categorical programs into five block grant programs.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 1114 (Alpert)
    Summary:     Allows parents to choose which schools their children will attend within their school district.
    Final Action: Chapter 161, 1993.


    AB 1244 (Eastin)
    Summary:     Expands work-skill training for high school students not going to college and enhances the partnership between schools and business.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 1250 (Eastin)
    Summary:     Establishes a "one-stop" plan checking process to expedite school construction.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 2254 (Areias)
    Summary:     Requires Building Code "interpretations" to be shared with public.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 2580 (Eastin)
    Summary:     Originally, established a "one-stop" plan checking process to expedite school construction for school construction projects. Amendments removed.
    Final Action: Commission support withdrawn.


    AB 2583 (Eastin)
    Summary:     Creates a California Career Curriculum Council.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 3633 (Knight)
    Summary:     English learners education.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    SB 311 (Morgan)
    Summary:     Allows schools to use non-Field Act buildings under certain conditions.
    Final Action: Chapter 833, 1993.


    SB 1331 (Greene)
    Summary:     Requires the Department of General Services to develop a proposed centralized tracking system.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    Elder Care


    AB 1110 (Bustamante)
    Summary:     Extends experimental project that places IHSS recipients in a managed care system.
    Final Action: Chapter 1124, 1994.


    AB 2970 (Conroy)
    Summary:     Requires minimum standards for services to IHSS recipients regardless of the mode of delivery.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 3477 (O'Connell)
    Summary:     Requires custodians of the elderly to register with the State, be fingerprinted and submit to a background check.
    Final Action: Chapter 1246, 1994.


    General Government


    SB 2036 (McCorquodale)
    Summary:     Subjects all boards of the Department of Consumer Affairs to periodic legislative review.
    Final Action: Chapter 908, 1994.


    Health Care


    AB 3571 (Margolin)
    Summary:     Creates a panel to determine which health care procedures are medically necessary and appropriate.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    Lottery


    AB 1203 (Tucker)
    Summary:     Requires the California State Lottery be subject to legislative budget review.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    Medi-Cal


    SB 166 (Rosenthal)
    Summary:     Shortens the application form for eligibility of certain benefits.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    Procurement


    AB 340 (Katz)
    Summary:     Requires contractors to document the use of MBE/WBE/DVBE subcontractors.
    Final Action: Chapter 1032, 1993.


    AB 649 (Archie/Hudson)
    Summary:     Does not require minority businesses to meet participating goals when submitting bids.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 679 (Moore)
    Summary:     Allows company "global plan" to meet MBE/WBE/DVBE requirements.
    Final Action: Chapter 772, 1994.


    AB 939 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Strengthens good-faith effort requirements.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 1726 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Sets up alternative bid protest arbitration process.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    AB 1727 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Establishes "best value" as the State's goal in procurements.
    Final Action: Chapter 1106, 1993.


    AB 2314 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Allows recertification of MBE/WBE/DVBEs every two years.
    Final Action: Chapter 192, 1993.


    ARC 33 (Polanco)
    Summary:     Gives the Public Procurement Advisory Committee the mission of reorganizing and streamlining procurement statutes.
    Final Action:  Resolution Chapter 84, 1993.


    Property Management


    SB 502 (Morgan)
    Summary:     Gives General Services authority to enter into long-term leases.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    SB 831 (Leonard)
    Summary:     Gives General Services authority to enter into lease-purchase agreements and long-term leasing of state land.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    AB 3421 (Areias)
    Summary:     Expands and revises the current Public Works Board to act as the central administrative organization for the State's pro-active management of real property.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    Recycling


    AB 3392 (Sher)
    Summary:     Improves the coordination of recycling programs administered by Department of Conservation and California Integrated Waste Management Board.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 1622 (McCorquodale)
    Summary:     Abolishes processing fee, handling fee and mandatory convenience zones in the 2020 beverage container program.
    Final Action: Died in Committee.


    Revenue Collection


    AB 15 (Klehs)
    Summary:     Abolishes the Franchise Tax Board and transfers the function to the State Board of Equalization.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    SB 87 (Kopp)
    Summary:     Abolishes the Franchise Tax Board and the State Board of Equalization and transfers functions to the Department of Revenue.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    SB 1838 (Campbell)
    Summary:     Allows State entities to use private collection agencies to pursue delinquent debt.
    Final Action: Chapter 1224, 1994.


    Trasnportation


    SB 1542 (Kopp)
    Summary:     Divides the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency into two agencies, thereby creating a separate Transportation Agency.
    Final Action: Vetoed.


    ACR 14 (Costa)
    Summary:     Requires preparation of high-speed, intercity ground transportation plan.
    Final Action: Died in committee.


    Worker's Compensation


    AB 9 (Mountjoy)
    Summary:     Prohibits physicians, attorneys or injured workers from accepting inducements for referred evaluations or consultations.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 1300.


    AB 27 (Hoge)
    Summary:     Requires clear and convincing evidence that a psychiatric injury was caused by employment.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 119.


    AB 110 (Peace)
    Summary:     Comprehensive bill; includes prohibiting compensation of a psychiatric injury unless employee has been employed at least 6 months.
    Final Action: Chapter 121, 1993.


    AB 119 (Brulte)
    Summary:     Prohibits stress claims for "good faith" personnel actions and increases proportion of stress that must be linked to the job.
    Final Action: Chapter 118, 1993.


    AB 458 (Speier)
    Summary:     Limits physician self-referrals for evaluation and treatment.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 110.


    AB 811 (Tucker)
    Summary:     Requires that events of employment as the cause of psychiatric injuries be increased from 10 to 50 percent.
    Final Action: Concept included in AB 119.


    AB 1300 (W. Brown)
    Summary:     Makes fraud more difficult to perpetrate and easier to prosecute.
    Final Action: Chapter 120, 1993.