BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair


          SB 1413 (Negrete McLeod) - Adjutant General: support programs.
          
          Amended: As Introduced          Policy Vote: VA 5-0
          Urgency: No                     Mandate: No
          Hearing Date: May 14, 2012      Consultant: Maureen Ortiz
          
          This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
          
          
          Bill Summary: SB 1413 authorizes the Adjutant General to seek 
          donations that will fund the establishment of Morale, Welfare, 
          and Recreation programs for members of the military and their 
          families; and creates a special fund for receipt of the money.

          Fiscal Impact:
           Unknown, potentially significant costs for program, but 
            dependent upon the level of donations received (Private 
            Funds).
           Minor costs for department rules/regulations, annual report, 
            and outreach (General Fund).
          
          Background:  Existing federal law provides for a Morale, 
          Welfare, and Recreation program for members of the military and 
          their families.  However, the federal regulations are designed 
          for large military installations and do not fit the environment 
          of the California National Guard with its more than 100 small 
          armories located across the state.

          The existing Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation 
          Program serves the needs, interests and responsibilities of each 
          individual in the Army community for as long as they are 
          associated with the Army.  Some of the recreational activities 
          provided include entertainment such as dining, post clubs, 
          bowling alleys, outdoor recreational facilities, and outdoor 
          recreational equipment rental.  Also provided within the program 
          are Child and Youth Services that include childcare centers on 
          post, off-post certified in-home childcare services, youth 
          services on post, after school and summer programs, as well as 
          partnerships with organizations such as 4-H and community youth 
          centers off post.  Family programs include counseling and 
          support services, Family Readiness Groups, and mutual support 
          systems.








          SB 1413 (Negrete McLeod)
          Page 1




          Proposed Law: SB 1413 will provide a funding mechanism to allow 
          the California Military Department to offer Morale, Welfare, and 
          Recreation programs to members of the National Guard.  The 
          programs will be entirely funded by private donations solicited 
          by the Adjutant General and the Military Department.  The money 
          will be deposited into the Military Department Morale and 
          Welfare Fund, which is created in the bill, and will be 
          available upon appropriation by the Legislature.

          The department will be required to adopt rules and regulations 
          for the establishment of the program, and for the solicitation 
          and acceptance of funds.  The Adjutant General will be required 
          to report annually beginning on March 1, 2014 to the Department 
          of Finance after conducting an internal audit of the fund.

          The purpose of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program is to 
          support operational effectiveness, recruitment and retention, 
          qualify of life, promote mental and physical fitness, foster 
          community pride, morale, family wellness, and to possibly 
          enhance and support the unique youth programs administered by 
          the California Military Department. 
          The intent of SB 1413 is to provide the department with 
          flexibility to offer different support programs in different 
          parts of the state depending on need. These programs could 
          include recreational activities, daycare, and job placement 
          training.
          
          Staff Comments: The Military Department intends to perform 
          various outreach efforts to seek donations including a 
          newsletter to all members or hosting charity events.