BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 158 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 25, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Patrick O'Donnell, Chair AB 158 (O'Donnell) - As Amended March 5, 2015 SUBJECT: School finance: The John B. Mockler School Finance Act SUMMARY: Provides that Chapter 2 of the Education Code shall be known as may be cited as, the John B. Mockler School Finance Act. FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed nonfiscal. COMMENTS: John B. Mockler was an expert in California school finance and was often referred to as the "father of Proposition 98." He held a number of positions in state government, including Secretary of Education and Executive Director of the State Board of Education. His public service also included several positions in the California State Senate and Assembly. He jokingly referred to his limited tenure as Governor Davis's Secretary of Education as the "Reign of John the Brief," but he was a major influence in California school finance for 40 years. The honor bestowed by this bill is in recognition of Mr. Mockler's significant contributions to the next generation of Californians though his work on behalf of public education. AB 158 Page 2 Mr. Mockler passed away on March 3, 2015 of pancreatic cancer. Chapter 2 of the Education Code contains the statutory provisions that implement Proposition 98. This bill names Chapter 2 the "John B. Mockler School Finance Act." REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support California Association of School Business Officials California School Employees Association Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Opposition None received Analysis Prepared by:Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087 AB 158 Page 3