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