BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 167 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 167 (Cook) As Amended June 2, 2011 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |62-0 |(April 14, |SENATE: |31-0 |(June 20, | | | |2011) | | |2011) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: PUB. S. SUMMARY : Expands existing provisions related to forfeiture of elected office. Additionally requires that an elected officer, as specified, forfeit office upon conviction of a crime involving: a false claim with intent to defraud, that he or she is a veteran or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States (U.S.); a misrepresentation that he or she is a veteran or ex-serviceman of a war in which the U.S. was engaged, in connection with solicitation of aid or sale or attempted sale of property; or a false representation, with intent to defraud, as to receipt of a military decoration. Characterizes these and related provisions, as specified, as the "California Stolen Valor Act." The Senate amendments make technical non-substantive changes. EXISTING LAW : 1)Mandates that an officer forfeit office upon conviction of designated crimes as specified in the Constitution and laws of California. 2)Requires that an elected officer, as specified, forfeit his or her office upon conviction of a crime pursuant to the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2005, as specified, that involves a false claim of receipt of a military decoration or medal described in that act. 3)Provides that a person who falsely represents himself or herself as a veteran or ex-serviceman of any war in which the U.S. was engaged, in connection with the soliciting of aid or sale or attempted sale of property, is guilty of a misdemeanor. AB 167 Page 2 4)States that a person who falsely claims, or presents himself or herself, to be a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces, with the intent to defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor. 5)Mandates that a person who, orally, in writing, or by wearing a military decoration, falsely represents himself or herself to have been awarded a military decoration, with the intent to defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the person committing the offense is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, this offense is an infraction or a misdemeanor. 6)Deems a person who falsely represents himself or herself in a manner as specified to be guilty of a misdemeanor or infraction. 7)Mandates that a person who, without authority, wears the uniform or distinctive part thereof, or similar apparel, of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Public Health Service, shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months. 8)Penalizes a person who, with intent to deceive, wears any military or official decoration of a nation with which the U.S. is at peace, with a fine or imprisonment for up to six months. 9)Demands that a person who knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells a decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the U.S. Armed Forces; a service medal or badge awarded to members of such forces; the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal; or, a colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both. If the decoration or medal is a Congressional Medal of Honor, the offender can be imprisoned not more than one year, fined, or both. 10)Declares that a person who knowingly manufactures, reproduces, sells or purchases for resale, either separately or on or appended to, any article of merchandise manufactured or sold; any badge, medal, emblem; other insignia or any colorable imitation thereof of any veterans' organization incorporated by enactment of Congress or of any organization formally recognized by any such veterans' organization as an auxiliary of such veterans' organization; knowingly prints, AB 167 Page 3 lithographs, engraves or otherwise reproduces on any poster, circular, periodical, magazine, newspaper, or other publication; or, circulates or distributes any such printed matter bearing a reproduction of such badge, medal, emblem, or other insignia or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under rules and regulations prescribed by any such organization, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both. AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar to the version passed by the Senate. FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel. COMMENTS : According to the author, "This bill would recognize the California Stolen Valor Act as equal to the federal Stolen Valor Act and making sure that those that make false claims on military service or awards not earned to be removed from an elected position." According to the author this bill is intended, "to give the state another tool beside the federal Stolen Valor Act by establishing the California Stolen Valor Act which would prosecute those using false claim of military service to get elected in office. "Current Federal Law - Stolen Valor Act of 2005: President Bush signed S. 1998 (Conrad-ND) (PL 109-437) on December 20, 2006 to broaden the provisions of federal law that prohibited the unauthorized wearing, manufacturing or selling of Medal of Honor medals. Under the new law, these prohibitions also apply to false claims about receiving medals and expanding the scope beyond only the Medal of Honor." Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion of this bill. Analysis Prepared by : Stefani Salt / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN: 0001305 AB 167 Page 4