BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1138 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 8, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Adam Gray, Chair SB 1138 (Hueso) - As Amended April 18, 2016 SENATE VOTE: 38-0 SUBJECT: Space Day SUMMARY: Requires the Governor to proclaim the first Friday in May of each year to be Space Day, and designate that date as having special significance in public schools and educational institutions. Specifically, this bill: 1)Requires the Governor to encourage public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on the specified date. 2)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. EXISTING LAW: SB 1138 Page 2 1) Requires the Governor to Proclaim the following days each year as follows: a) September 28 as "Cabrillo Day." b) January 15 as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day." c) March 7 as "Arbor Day." d) February 19 as "A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation." e) Fourth Friday in September as "Native American Day." f) First Sunday in October as "Stepparents Day." g) April 21 as "John Muir Day." h) March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." i) December 7 as "Pearl Harbor Day." j) March 31 as "Cesar Chavez Day." SB 1138 Page 3 k) Month of February as "Black History Month." l) Third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance." m) April 24 as "California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide." n) May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day." o) January 30 as "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution." p) February 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day." q) January 23 as "Ed Roberts Day." r) October 25 as "Larry Itliong Day." FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown COMMENTS: Purpose of the bill : According to the author, for centuries humankind has gazed into the dark night skies to view the magnificent display of stars, constellations, galaxies and planets. These images arrayed across the night sky inspired SB 1138 Page 4 questions about our universe, the origins of humanity, and spurred humankind's fascination with exploration of space. Today, however, light pollution, light emitted at night that extends beyond the horizontal plane, shining up instead of down, in many urban regions of California has greatly inhibited observation of the night sky. Researchers have noted that increased light pollution is responsible for making the Milky Way nearly impossible to view from many of California's urban regions. Unfortunately, many Californians must now travel far from their homes, away from the glow of artificial light sources, to view the majestic night sky. Light pollution has not only had an adverse impact on armature astronomers but also on world class observatories located in California. One observatory that has faced such problems is San Diego County's Palomar Observatory. SB 1138 is a modest attempt to draw attention to the growing problem light pollution is having on night sky observation. By designating the first Friday in May of each year as "Space Day" in California I hope to promote space observation and appreciation among Californians. By requiring the Governor to encourage every resident, business, and public entity to dim or turn off their lights between 9 p.m. and 10p.m. on Space Day in a concerted effort to reduce light pollution and urban sky glow it is my hope that all Californians can enjoy viewing the magnificent night sky." Background : While California does not officially recognize Space Day, National Space Day is observed annually on the first Friday in May. This day is dedicated to the extraordinary achievements, benefits and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. The goal of National Space Day is to promote math, science, technology and engineering education in young people to inspire them to pursue a career in science, especially a career in space-related jobs. SB 1138 Page 5 National Space Day was created in 1997 by the Lockheed Martin Corporation as a one-day event. In 2001, due to its extreme popularity, former astronaut and Senator John Glenn expanded Space Day to International Space Day. 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. Most experts state that light emitted from roadways, is approximated to constitute about 35% to 50% of all light pollution. Should SB 1138 become law, it would require 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 the first Friday in May, which could decrease light pollution and increase observation capabilities for those participating in Space Day. Prior/Related Legislation : AB 2598 (Ting) of 2015/2016 Session. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim the date corresponding with the start of the lunar calendar as Lunar New Year's Day. (Pending in Assembly Education Committee) SB 1138 Page 6 AB 7 (Bonta), Chapter 29, Statutes of 2015. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim October 25 as Larry Itliong Day. AB 1775 (Furutani), Chapter 241, Statutes of 2010. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. SB 944 (Runner), Chapter 114, Statutes of 2010. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day. SB 1256 (Hancock), Chapter 115, 2010. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim January 23 as Ed Roberts Day. SB 572 (Leno), Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. SB 1138 Page 7 AB 717 (Cook), Chapter 158, Statutes of 2009. Requires the governor to annually proclaim March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support San Diego Air & Space Museum (Sponsor) International Dark-Sky Association Space X Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by:Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531