BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  SB 272
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 14, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                    SB 272 (Corbett) - As Amended:  July 1, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                             Business and  
          Professions  Vote:                            13 - 0 

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill restricts the use of military or government terms,  
          symbols and content that could be construed as implying a  
          connection, approval, or endorsement of any product or services  
          unless the nongovernmental entity has received the approval of  
          the specific governmental organization. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          There are no significant costs associated with this legislation.  


           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose  . This bill expands and clarifies existing law  
            restricting the use of government and military symbols in  
            advertising and solicitation. The sponsors of this bill, the  
            California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform,  
            AMVETS-Department of California, Veterans of Foreign Wars  
            (VFW)-Department of California, and Vietnam Veterans of  
            America-California State Council hope to reduce misleading  
            communications to consumers.  

            The author argues that this bill is needed because some  
            businesses and nongovernmental entities are targeting veterans  
            and increasingly trying to sell their products or services or  
            promote events by appearing to be connected to the military.   
            They establish the connection by featuring military emblems or  
            military department insignias, or both, on their promotional  
            materials and Internet Web sites without receiving permission  
            from the proper governmental organization. 








                                                                  SB 272
                                                                  Page  2



           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081