BILL NUMBER: AB 56	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alarcon

                        DECEMBER 4, 2006

   An act to add Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 25100) to the
Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 56, as introduced, Alarcon. Secretary for Poverty.
   Existing law establishes various state programs designed to
provide social services and health care coverage to low-income
individuals in California.
   This bill would create a cabinet-level position of Secretary for
Poverty in California, and would provide that the secretary shall be
appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The
bill would require the secretary to review the work of the state
agencies, departments, and offices that implement and administer
antipoverty programs in the state to determine whether those
agencies, departments, and offices are operating in the most
efficient and effective manner possible. The bill would require the
secretary to submit his or her findings with respect to that review
to the Legislature and the Governor. The bill would also require the
secretary to report to the Legislature, on a regular basis, regarding
any pending bills that may impact programs for the working poor in
the state.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 25100) is added
to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

      DIVISION 25.5.  SECRETARY FOR POVERTY


   25100.  There is hereby created in state government the
cabinet-level position of Secretary for Poverty. The secretary shall
be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate
and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
   25101.  (a) The secretary shall be responsible for reviewing the
work of the state agencies, departments, and offices that implement
and administer antipoverty programs in the state to determine if
those agencies, departments, and offices are operating in the most
efficient and effective manner possible.
   (b) The secretary shall submit his or her findings with respect to
the review conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature
and the Governor. The secretary shall also report to the Legislature,
on a regular basis, regarding any pending bills that may impact
programs for the working poor in the state.