BILL ANALYSIS AB 49 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 2, 2003 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Darrell Steinberg, Chair AB 49 (Simitian) - As Introduced: December 2, 2003 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote: 7-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill: 1)Creates the California Cyber Crimes Task Force, comprised of the five regional task forces participating in the existing High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution Program (HiTTAPP). 2)Expands the goals of HiTTAPP to include apprehension and prosecution of persons engaged in the unlawful access, disruption, or destruction of public utilities and state infrastructure. FISCAL EFFECT Minor administrative costs to HiTTAPP Trust Fund - a $14.3 million fund supported by the General Fund and administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) as proposed by the 2003-04 budget. Funding is disbursed to local law enforcement and district attorneys by OCJP in consultation with the High Technology Crime Advisory Committee. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . According to the author's office, this bill is intended to improve HiTTAPP's standing for federal Homeland Security funding, should such funding become available, by expanding, clarifying and centralizing HiTTAPP's mission. It is not clear whether or how the creation of another task force will accomplish the objective of receiving federal funding. The author's office acknowledges this measure is a work in AB 49 Page 2 progress. According to the author, "high technology crime is the fastest growing crime in America, and high technology detective work is used in the investigations of crimes ranging from the most violent murders to the most common fraud." 2)HiTTAPP was created in 1998 as a program of financial and technical assistance for local law enforcement and district attorneys. There are five regional HiTTAPP task forces: Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, L.A., San Diego, and the Sacramento Valley. High-tech crimes addressed by the program include Internet sexual exploitation of children, cyberterrorism of banking and financial infrastructures, counterfeiting, and identity theft. Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081