BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Senator Carol Liu, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Bill No: AB 158 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Author: |O'Donnell | |-----------+-----------------------------------------------------| |Version: |March 5, 2015 Hearing | | |Date: April 15, 2015 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |No | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Consultant:|Kathleen Chavira | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: School finance: The John B. Mockler School Finance Act SUMMARY This bill requires that the provisions of law defining the terms and methods for calculating the minimum guaranteed level of funding for K-14 districts (pursuant to the constitutional provisions enacted by Proposition 98) be known and cited as, the "John B. Mockler School Finance Act." BACKGROUND Provisions of the California Constitution, implemented through the enactment of Proposition 98 by voters in 1988, establish a formula for setting a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges. Existing law defines the terms and methods for calculating the minimum guaranteed level of funding the state is required to provide for the support of school districts and community college districts. (Education Code § 41200 et. seq.) ANALYSIS This bill repeals Section 41200 of the Education Code and reestablishes this section of law as the "John B. Mockler School Finance Act." STAFF COMMENTS AB 158 (O'Donnell) Page 2 of ? Mr. John B. Mockler was an expert in California school finance and the principal author of Proposition 98. As such, he was often referred to as the "father of Proposition 98." This bill memorializes Mr. Mockler by citing the statutes adopted by the Legislature relative to Proposition 98 as the "John B. Mockler School Finance Act." Mr. Mockler 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 was a major influence in California school finance for 40 years. Mr. Mockler passed away on March 3, 2015, of pancreatic cancer. 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. SUPPORT American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO California Association of School Business Officials California School Employees Association California Teachers Association Los Angeles County Office of Education State Superintendent of Instruction, Tom Torlakson Strategic Education Services OPPOSITION None received. -- END --