BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1138| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SB 1138 Author: Hueso (D) Amended: 4/18/16 Vote: 21 SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/12/16 AYES: Hall, Berryhill, Block, Gaines, Galgiani, Glazer, Hernandez, Hueso, Lara, McGuire, Vidak NO VOTE RECORDED: Hill, Runner SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8 SUBJECT: Space Day SOURCE: San Diego Air & Space Museum DIGEST: This bill requires the Governor to proclaim the first Friday in May of each year to be Space Day. ANALYSIS: Existing law requires the Governor to Proclaim the following days each year as follows: 1) September 28 as "Cabrillo Day." 2) January 15 as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day." 3) March 7 as "Arbor Day." 4) February 19 as "A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation." 5) Fourth Friday in September as "Native American Day." 6) First Sunday in October as "Stepparents Day." 7) April 21 as "John Muir Day." 8) March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." SB 1138 Page 2 9) December 7 as "Pearl Harbor Day." 10) March 31 as "Cesar Chavez Day." 11) Month of February as "Black History Month." 12) Third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance." 13) April 24 as "California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide." 14) May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day." 15) January 30 as "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution." 16) February 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day." 17) January 23 as "Ed Roberts Day." 18) October 25 as "Larry Itliong Day." This bill: 1)Requires the Governor to proclaim the first Friday in May of each year to be Space Day. 2)Requires the Governor to encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date. 3)Requires Space Day promote space observation and appreciation, promote California's aerospace industry, and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 4)Requires the Governor to encourage every resident, business, and public entity to dim or turn off their lights between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Space Day. Background Purpose of the bill. According to the author, "today in urban regions of California light pollution, a term which is used to describe the adverse effects of artificial light, has greatly inhibited observation of the night sky. Researchers have noted that increased urban sky glow is responsible for making the Milky Way nearly impossible to view for many of California's urban regions. Unfortunately, many Californians must now travel far from their home, away from the glow of artificial light SB 1138 Page 3 sources, to view the majestic night sky." Light Pollution. Light pollution is a term that refers to the brightening of the night sky caused by streetlights and other man-mad sources, which inhibits the observation of stars and planets and has been argued to have a disruptive effect on natural cycles. Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. The biggest contributor to light pollution includes roadway lightings, especially in major cities and highways. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:YesLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified5/10/16) San Diego Air & Space Museum (source) International Dark-Sky Association OPPOSITION: (Verified5/10/16) None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, "space day is designed to promote space observations and appreciation among California's citizens, promote California's global aerospace industry, and to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math." Prepared by:Felipe Lopez / G.O. / (916) 651-1530 5/11/16 15:12:39 SB 1138 Page 4 **** END ****