BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 442 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 442 (Irwin) - As Amended March 16, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Veterans Affairs |Vote:|9 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill codifies the Governor's Military Council, under the direction of the California Military Department, and provides for appointment to the council by the Governor. Specifically, this bill: AB 442 Page 2 1) Codifies the existence of the Governor's Military Council, but sunsets the provisions of the bill on January 1, 2021. 2)Requires that the appointments shall include, but not be limited to, bipartisan representatives from both houses of the Legislature. FISCAL EFFECT: Minor absorbable costs to the Military Department. COMMENTS: 1)Background. According to the Governor's Military Council Website: "In an effort to protect and expand the military's vital role in national security and California's economy, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today [3-28-2013] established the Governor's Military Council and appointed former Congresswoman and Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher as chair. 'California plays a crucial role in our nation's defense, and military bases and activities are vital to our state's economy,' said Governor Brown. As federal priorities shift to cyber security and new military technology, this Council will work to expand defense-industry jobs and investment in California." AB 442 Page 3 California is home to 29 federal military installations and the Department of Defense directly employs more than 236,000 people in California. The Governor's Military Council will work to protect California's military installations and operations amid ongoing Department of Defense budget cuts, and leverage changes in federal military strategy to position the state to continue innovation and leadership in its military mission. 'California's military infrastructure is critically important to national security,' Tauscher said. 'The Council will send a unified message to Washington, D.C., that highlights the value of our military bases.'" 2)Purpose. According to the author, "Though the Governor has shown leadership and created the Council, it lacks any foundation in statute or executive order to give it permanence." AB 442 codifies the Governor's Military Council, under the direction of the California Military Department, and provides for appointment to the Council by the Governor. This bill requires that the appointments include bipartisan representatives from both houses of the Legislature. Analysis Prepared by:Pedro R. Reyes / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 AB 442 Page 4