BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                    SB 1138


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          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:  











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          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."









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              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  








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          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. 









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          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)









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          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.












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          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