BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 96
Author: Yee (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : Sunshine Week
SOURCE : California Forward
DIGEST : This resolution designates March 16, 2014, through
March 22, 2014, as Sunshine Week and encourages all Californians
to participate in appropriate activities relating to open
government and access to public information.
ANALYSIS : This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1. California has a long tradition in support of open
government and access to government records.
2. In 1968, California enacted the California Public Records
Act that expressly declared that "access to information
concerning the conduct of the people's business is a
fundamental and necessary right of every person in this
state."
3. In 1953, California enacted the Ralph M. Brown Open Meetings
Act guaranteeing the public's right to attend and participate
in local governing bodies.
4. In 1968, the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act was adopted by
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the State to mandate open meetings of state agencies, boards,
and commissions.
5. California voters approved Proposition 59, a state
constitutional amendment, also known as the "Sunshine
Amendment," in 2004 that furthers open government protections
and the rights of voters.
6. Open government reforms continue to spread across the
country, including the adoption of open data policies to urge
innovation and economic development through the use of
high-value government data.
7. California entrepreneurs created the information technology
revolution and are creating opportunities for government to
use technology to improve performance, transparency, and
trust.
8. Many local governments have been leaders in open records and
public meetings and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland,
West Sacramento, and Los Angeles and the County of San Mateo
have adopted open data policies.
9. With an inaugural grant from the Knight Foundation, American
Society of News Editors launched Sunshine Week in March 2005,
and it continues to be celebrated each year in mid-March to
coincide with National Freedom of Information Day and
President James Madison's birthday on March 16; and although
originally created by journalists, Sunshine Week is about the
public's right to know what its government is doing and why.
10.Sunshine Week is now a national initiative to promote a
dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom
of information. Participants include news media, civic
groups, libraries, nonprofit entities, schools, and others
interested in the public's right to know.
11.Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play
an active role in all levels of government, and to give
people access to information that makes their lives better
and their communities stronger.
12.Sunshine Week is increasing public awareness and people are
playing more of a role in the actions that affect their
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communities. People are learning what kinds of information
they have a right to see, how and where to obtain that
information, and what to do if someone tries to prevent them
from accessing it.
This resolution declares that Sunshine Week is a celebration of
the public's commitment to openness and an exploration of what
open government means in a technology-enhanced future;
designates March 16, 2014, through March 22, 2014,
as Sunshine Week; and encourages all Californians to participate
in appropriate activities relating to open government and access
to public information.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 3/12/14)
California Forward (source)
AB:d 3/13/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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