BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 706
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB
706 (Bonilla)
As Amended August 31, 2015
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |80-0 |(June 1, 2015) |SENATE: |40-0 |(September 3, |
| | | | | |2015) |
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Original Committee Reference: A. & A.R.
SUMMARY: Establishes the California AmeriCorps Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (Cal AmeriCorps STEM) program
in state government.
The Senate amendments:
1)Authorize the Cal AmeriCorps STEM program administrator,
CaliforniaVolunteers (Cal Volunteers), to form a tax-exempt
public benefit nonprofit foundation, or other qualified
tax-exempt entity, to raise revenues and receive financial
support from public or private sources, for the purpose of
undertaking or funding authorized activities.
2)Require financial support for the nonprofit foundation to be
used solely for governmental purposes approved by Cal
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Volunteers for activities within its authority.
3)Delete the requirement that an applicant provide proof of
incurred student debt as a condition of eligibility for
participating in Cal AmeriCorps STEM.
4)Provide that the mission of the Cal Volunteers nonprofit
foundation authorized in this bill is to support the funding
of Cal AmeriCorps STEM programming and administrative costs,
and to support any other priorities set by the Governor or Cal
Volunteers.
5)Limit participation in the Cal AmeriCorps STEM program to a
maximum of 40 members for the first three years, and specify
that program size would be determined by available funding in
future years.
6)Cap nonprofit foundation administrative costs at $100,000
annually.
7)Prohibit General Fund (GF) moneys from being used for Cal
AmeriCorps STEM.
8)Make other technical and clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW establishes Cal Volunteers in the Governor's Office
to manage programs and initiatives for service and volunteerism.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee:
1)Initial costs to Cal Volunteers would be in the range of
$80,000 for one personnel year (PY) of staff to administer the
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California AmeriCorps STEM program, based upon an initial cap
of 40 members for the first three years. Cal Volunteers
estimates the need for 2.2 PY, at a cost of approximately
$180,000, to implement and administer the program if the
program grows to 150 members in future years. (General Fund
(GF) and/or private funds)
2)Cal Volunteers estimates a need for $200,000 and one PY to
staff the nonprofit foundation, but the bill limits
administrative expenditures of the foundation to $100,000 per
year. (GF and/or private funds)
3)Program costs would depend on the number of members
participating in the program and the demand for STEM programs.
For the first three years, the program is limited to 40
members, which would require approximately $1 million in
non-GF program funds. If there is sufficient funding
available, Cal Volunteers estimates a need for approximately
$3.6 million in program funds if there are 150 members and 10
grantees. (Private funds, federal funds, local matching funds)
COMMENTS: Senate amendments specify the mission of the
nonprofit foundation that Cal Volunteers is authorized to
establish under this bill; impose an initial three-year cap of
40 participants in the Cal AmeriCorps STEM program; and, aim to
reduce program costs.
Analysis Prepared by:
Cassie Royce / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600 FN:
0001900
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