BILL NUMBER: AB 404	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2011

   An act to add Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 66360) to Part
40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to
postsecondary education.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 404, as introduced, Gatto. Public postsecondary education:
Native American Linguistic Institute.
   Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, establishes the
segments of public postsecondary education in this state. These
segments include the University of California, which is administered
by the Regents of the University of California, and the California
State University, which is administered by the Trustees of the
California State University. Provisions of the Donahoe Higher
Education Act apply to the University of California only to the
extent that the regents, by resolution, make these provisions
applicable.
   This bill would provide that by January 1, 2013, the Trustees of
the California State University of California shall, and the Regents
of the University of California may, establish a Native American
Linguistic Institute, to preserve Native American tribal languages.
   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.  Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 66360) is added to
Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 5.6.  NATIVE AMERICAN LINGUISTIC INSTITUTE


   66360.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (a) California is the home to 109 federally recognized American
Indian tribes, the largest number of tribal nations in the United
States.
   (b) There were over 80 distinct indigenous languages spoken prior
to contact with European culture.
   (c) These languages represent 23 distinct language families in
California.
   (d) Chapter 324 of the Statutes of 2009 (A.B. 544) for the
issuance of a California state credential authorizing fluent speakers
of American Indian languages to teach the languages in California's
public schools.
   (e) The State of California recognizes that tribal nations and
indigenous Californians are actively engaged in these revitalization
efforts.
   (f) Language defines culture and is essential to the social fabric
of a diverse California.
   (g) The state supports native languages preservation and
restoration programs on California State University and University of
California campuses.
   (h) Revitalization of indigenous California languages is of the
utmost importance to all people of the State of California.
  SEC. 2.  Section 66360.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   66360.1.  By January 1, 2013, the Trustees of the University of
California shall, and the Regents of the University of California
may, establish a Native American Linguistic Institute, to preserve
Native American tribal languages.