BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2017
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 23, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Jim Beall, Jr., Chair
AB 2017 (Hall) - As Introduced: February 17, 2010
SUBJECT : California YMCA Youth and Government Program
SUMMARY : Seeks to fund the California YMCA Youth and Government
Program through taxpayer donations via their state tax returns.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Establishes in the State Treasury the California YMCA Youth
and Government Program to receive contributions from tax
return designations to support the program.
2)Provides for the repeal of this contribution provision for
this fund on January 1 of the 5th taxable year following the
first appearance of the California YMCA Youth and Government
Fund on the tax return or on January 1 of an earlier calendar
year, if the Franchise Tax Board estimates that the annual
contribution amount will be less than $250,000, or an adjusted
amount, as specified, for subsequent taxable years.
3)Provides that the California YMCA Youth and Government Program
shall be funded by the California YMCA Youth and Government
Fund or private funds.
4)Specifies the composition of the California YMCA Youth and
Government Program, whose members are to be ages 14 to 18,
inclusive, and currently enrolled in school.
5)Provides that California YMCA Youth and Government Program
members are to be appointed by the Legislature, with each
Senator and each Assembly member appointing one member, who
shall take into consideration that the membership is to
represent the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural,
physical, and educational diversity of California.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Establishes the California Senior Legislature to provide model
legislation for older citizens and advocate for the needs of
seniors.
AB 2017
Page 2
2)Allows taxpayers to contribute money to one or more of 15
voluntary contribution funds by checking a box on their state
income tax return. California law requires contributions made
through check-offs to be made from taxpayers' own resources
(not from their tax liability, as is possible on federal tax
returns). Check-off amounts may be claimed as charitable
contributions on taxpayers' tax returns during the subsequent
year.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, in recent years, costs to
operate the California YMCA Youth and Government Program and
participant demand for financial assistance have greatly
increased while donations to this important program have
declined. SB 2017 will allow for taxpayers to help fund the
program through voluntarily contributions made through their
state tax return. As well, the bill establishes the California
YMCA Youth and Government Program within statute with the
purpose of teaching young people to lead a civically informed
life by instilling a spirit of advocacy through the empowerment
of learning the legislative process.
The author cites the following as policy reasons for this
measure: "Young people need five key developmental resources in
order to become productive citizens: caring adults, safe
places, a healthy start, an effective education, and
opportunities to help others. Furthermore, young people who
receive more of these developmental resources fare better than
young people who receive fewer, and that those young people are
more likely to avoid violence, contribute to their communities,
and achieve high grades in school." Moreover, according to the
author, 20 states have committed state resources for the
creation of statewide entities charged with improving the
developmental well-being of their children and youth.
This bill requires that the members of the California YMCA Youth
and Government Program represent the racial, ethnic,
socioeconomic, cultural, physical, and educational diversity of
California and that there be a particular emphasis placed on
reaching out to at-risk or disadvantaged youth to serve as
members. The author notes that their participation will provide
keen insight to many of the issues that youth face in their
day-to-day lives and recognize the significant number of
California's youth who live disadvantaged lives. The author
AB 2017
Page 3
further points out that youth who are homeless, in the juvenile
justice system, or in foster care have limited opportunities to
participate in the policies process that ultimately impacts
their well-being.
Related legislation
SB 516 (DeSaulnier) 2009-2010 would establish a state tax return
check off box for the funding of the California Youth
Legislature, a similar program to the YMCA Youth and Government
Program. The primary difference between the two bills is that
SB 516 contains an advocacy element where the youth would be
required to formally advise and make recommendations to the
Legislature and Governor on specified issues as well as consult
with community-based groups. The author of SB 516 states that
nine other states have both a Youth Legislature and a YMCA Youth
and Government Program. SB 516 is currently in the Assembly
Revenue and Taxation Committee.
AB 292 (Yamada), Chapter 232, Statutes of 2009 extends from
January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2015 the sunset date for the
California Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Research
Fund voluntary contribution on personal income tax returns.
AB 1049 (Torrico), 2009-2010 would have authorized the addition
of the Safely Surrendered Baby Fund check-off to the personal
income tax form upon the removal of another voluntary
contribution fund from the form. Vetoed by the Governor.
DOUBLE REFERRAL : This bill has been double-referred. Should
this bill pass out of this committee, it will be referred to the
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California State Alliance of YMCAs
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Frances Chacon / HUM. S. / (916)
319-2089
AB 2017
Page 4