BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 466
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 466 (DeSaulnier) - As Amended: June 17, 2014
Policy Committee: Public
SafetyVote:7-0
Higher Education 13-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the California Institute for Criminal
Justice Policy (Institute), and requests the Institute be housed
within the University of California (UC), to consult with the
UC, one or more university-based programs with expertise in
evaluating rehabilitation programs, and any other appropriate
person or entity to conduct a cost-benefit analysis and develop
a ranking on the effectiveness of crime prevention,
rehabilitation, and recidivism reduction programs in California,
or additional research as requested by the Legislature.
The enabling chapter sunsets January 1, 2018.
FISCAL EFFECT
Annual costs in the range of $2 million, based upon the $2
million allocated to UC for the California Health Benefits
Review Program (CHBRP), for staff, faculty time, and
administration.
The bill specifies the Institute is established only after the
Department of Finance determines a sufficient amount of private
funds are available to fully support the startup and one year of
operational activities and an appropriation is provided.
The bill further specifies the law remains operative only upon
annual appropriations in the budget bill. Subsequent
appropriations, however, need not be private funds, which
creates GF pressure going forward.
SB 466
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COMMENTS
1)Rationale. According to the author, California needs an
"independent institute that carries out nonpartisan practical
research to address the continuing issues in the criminal
justice system and delineate models for effective public
safety and justice systems. California needs an independent
data-driven institution to promulgate best practices in
criminal justice and guide the state in a transition from a
problem-plagued justice system to evidence-based practices."
The author cites the Washington State Institute of Public
Policy as his inspiration.
2)Independent Criminal Justice Research Does Exist in
California , including the Public Policy Institute of
California, The California Research Bureau, the Legislative
Analyst's Office, the Law Revision Commission, the Little
Hoover Commission, the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, the
Robert Presley Center for Criminal Justice Research at UC
Riverside, and the Board of State and Community Corrections,
whose mission includes promoting a justice investment strategy
with the integrated statewide goal of improving public safety
through cost-effective and evidence-based strategies.
In addition, California has a full-time professional staff,
including committee and research staff. Washington State is a
part-time Legislature that meets for 105 days in odd-numbered
years, and for 60 days in even-numbered years.
Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081