BILL NUMBER: AB 127 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Jeffries
JANUARY 16, 2009
An act to add Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 3116) to, and
to repeal and add Article 2 (commencing with Section 3113) of,
Chapter 8.5 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, relating
to volunteer service.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 127, as introduced, Jeffries. Volunteer service: Office of
California Volunteers and California Volunteers Commission.
Existing law establishes the Office for Citizen Initiative and
Voluntary Action within the office of the Governor.
This bill would repeal the statutes establishing the Office for
Citizen Initiative and Voluntary Action within the office of the
Governor, and instead enact provisions establishing the Office of
California Volunteers within the office of the Governor, specifying
the duties and responsibilities of the office, and setting out the
appointment scheme for the office.
The bill also would establish the California Volunteers
Commission, which would serve as California's "State Commission" for
purposes of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and
its implementing rules and regulations. The bill would provide for
the composition of the commission, that the members would serve
without compensation, and that the First Lady of California or First
Gentleman of California would serve as the Honorary Chairperson of
the commission. The bill also would provide that no more than 50% of
the commission, plus one member, shall be from the same political
party.
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. Article 2 (commencing with Section 3113) of Chapter 8.5
of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code is repealed.
SEC. 2. Article 2 (commencing with Section 3113) is added to
Chapter 8.5 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, to read:
Article 2. Office of California Volunteers
3113. (a) There is in the office of the Governor an Office of
California Volunteers to recruit and mobilize California residents
for volunteer service.
(b) "Office" as used in this article means the Office of
California Volunteers.
3114. Consistent with federal and state law, the duties and
responsibilities of the office shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
(a) Recruiting and mobilizing California residents for volunteer
service by identifying service opportunities throughout the state and
by recognizing residents for the contributions they make as
volunteers and participants in public service programs.
(b) Serving as the state's lead agency for community service and
volunteerism, informing the public of the value of and need for
greater community service and volunteerism in California, calling
upon all Californians to become involved, and challenging public and
private institutions to create and support community service and
volunteer opportunities.
(c) Partnering with other public agencies at the state, county,
and local levels, and the private and nonprofit sectors to leverage
greater resources and create more opportunities for service and
volunteerism.
3115. The executive director, deputy director, and other staff of
the office shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the
pleasure of the Governor.
SEC. 3. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 3116) is added to
Chapter 8.5 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, to read:
Article 2.5. California Volunteers Commission
3116. (a) There is established in state government the California
Volunteers Commission that shall serve as California's "State
Commission" for purposes of the National and Community Service Trust
Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12501 et seq.) and its implementing rules
and regulations.
(b) "Commission" as used in this article means the California
Volunteers Commission.
3117. (a) In keeping with the requirements of the National
Community Service Trust Act of 1993, the commission shall include the
following individuals as voting members:
(1) An individual with expertise in the educational, training, and
development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.
(2) An individual with expertise in promoting the involvement of
older adults in service and volunteerism.
(3) A representative of community-based agencies or organizations
within the state.
(4) The Superintendent of Public Instruction.
(5) A representative of local government.
(6) A representative of local labor organizations.
(7) A representative of business.
(8) An individual between 16 and 25 years of age who is a
participant or supervisor of a service program for school-aged youth,
or of a campus-based or national service program.
(9) A representative of a qualifying national service program.
(b) Voting members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure
of the Governor for terms of three years and are eligible for
reappointment.
(c) The Governor may appoint to the commission other voting or ex
officio, nonvoting members, subject to the limitation that the total
membership of the commission shall not exceed 25 members.
(d) The spouse of the Governor, also known as the First Lady of
California or the First Gentleman of California, shall serve as
Honorary Chairperson of the commission. In this capacity, the First
Lady or First Gentleman, with the assistance of her or his office,
shall lead a broad range of service and citizen initiatives that
develop and strengthen the human, cultural, and natural resources of
the state.
(e) The First Lady or First Gentleman and commission members shall
serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses
and receive a per diem as appropriate.
(f) No more than 50 percent of the commission, plus one member,
shall be from the same political party, as required by federal law.