BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Carole Migden, Chair
3 (Lowenthal)
Hearing Date: 8/15/05 Amended: 7/5/05
Consultant: Maureen Ortiz Policy Vote: E. R. & C.A. 4-1
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BILL SUMMARY: SCA 3, if approved by the voters, creates the
Citizen's Commission on Boundaries and Accountability to
establish and adopt the boundaries of the Senate, Assembly,
Congressional and Board of Equalization districts following each
federal decennial census beginning 2010.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Fund
Ballot printing/mailing $220
General
Commission ---unknown,
significant costs to be paid
from Senate and Assembly operating funds----
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STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria to be placed on
the Suspense file.
In addition to establishing the new boundaries, the Commission
will be required to review and make recommendations regarding
legislative procedures, fiscal transparency, and enhancing
public access to legislative records. SCA 3 provides that all
expenses of the Commission will be paid out of the operating
funds of the Senate and Assembly. Expenses allowed include the
costs of member travel, per diem, staff, counsel, office space,
and any activities necessary to perform the work of the
commission.
SCA 3 also requires each member of the Legislature to hold two
"town hall" meetings in his or her district each calendar year,
and requires each house of the Legislature to pass the budget
bill prior to commencing a summer recess.
The Commission would consist of seven members, one each
appointed by the following: The Governor, the President Pro
Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Senate
Minority Leader, the Assembly Minority Leader, the California
Judicial Council, and the President of the University of
California. SCA 3 provides that the appointments will not
result in the commission having more than three members
affiliated with the same political party. Each member will be
appointed between January 9, 2010, and July 1, 2010 and will
serve for three years. A member may be removed by the Governor,
upon 2/3 rd concurrence of the Senate for substantial neglect of
duty, gross misconduct in office, or the inability to discharge
the duties of office.
SCA 3 (Lowenthal)
Page 2
Proposition 77, an initiative that was scheduled to appear on
the November 8, 2005 statewide special election ballot would
have required a three-member panel of retired judges to adopt a
new redistricting plan for California's Senate, Assembly,
Congressional and Board of Equalization districts. However, a
state appellate court has ruled that the initiative was flawed
and, consequently, Prop. 77 will not appear on the ballot this
fall.