BILL NUMBER: AB 2177 VETOED DATE: 08/26/2016 To the Members of the California State Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 2177 without my signature. This bill establishes a new 17 member committee to assist the Office of Emergency Services in distributing federal Victims of Crime Act funds. The federal Victims of Crime Act is a critical source of funding for important programs in California, and transparency when awarding these funds is crucial. I believe this bill, however, is duplicative of existing efforts. The Budget Act made it easier to track these funds by separating them from other programmatic spending. Furthermore, the Office of Emergency Services has already established a Victims of Crime Act Steering Committee with the responsibility of receiving comments and testimony from the public and to provide advice on the distribution of grants. Together, these actions serve the same purpose as envisioned by this bill, therefore, it is unnecessary. Sincerely, Edmund G. Brown Jr.