BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 782 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 782 (DeSaulnier) - As Amended: July 2, 2014 Policy Committee: Revenue & Taxation Vote: 9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill reauthorizes the California Sexual Violence Victim Services Fund (Fund) and allows a taxpayer to make a voluntary contribution to the Fund on the state personal income tax return, beginning once another current checkoff for charitable fund contribution has been removed. Funds raised would be awarded by the Office of Emergency Services (OES) as grants to nonprofit rape crisis centers for victims of rape and sexual assault. FISCAL EFFECT 1)Minor and absorbable costs to the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to administer grant program; insignificant costs to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). 2)Estimated GF revenue decreases of $10,000 in each year the voluntary contribution fund remains on the personal income tax return. COMMENTS 1) Purpose. According to the author, including the California Sexual Violence Victim Services Fund as a voluntary contribution fund on the personal income tax return will increase awareness of the significance of rape and sexual assault programs and increase charitable giving for these programs. 2) Worthy Cause, Modest Support. With few exceptions, voluntary contribution funds remain on the personal income tax return SB 782 Page 2 until they are either repealed or fail to meet their minimum contribution amount, typically $250,000. If the FTB estimates a contribution fund is likely to fail to meet the minimum contribution amount, that fund is repealed effective January 1 of that calendar year. A voluntary contribution fund with the same name as proposed in this bill appeared on the 2005 tax return and remained only until the 2006 return, having failed to attract sufficient donations. That fund generated $199,900 in 2006 and $184,980 in 2007. Analysis Prepared by : Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916) 319-2081