BILL ANALYSIS
AB 567
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 567 (Villines)
As Amended September 2, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |73-0 |(May 14, 2009) |SENATE: |40-0 |(September 4, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: B. & P.
SUMMARY : Revises the California Whistleblower Protection Act
(CWPA) to broaden the class of employees covered by the CWPA,
expands the definition of "improper governmental activity" that
could be reported by a whistleblower, and permits the State
Auditor to publicly report on recommendations made to heads of
state agencies that have not been fully implemented after one
year, among others.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete the provisions of the bill relating to the
establishment of the Clearinghouse for Government Innovation
and Improvement Program.
2)Revise the definition of the following terms:
a) "Employee" includes any individual appointed by the
Legislature to a state board or commission and who is not a
member, or a former employee of the Legislature who met the
criteria of this bill during his or her employment;
b) "Improper governmental activity" includes the employee's
duties, undertaken inside a state office, or, if undertaken
outside a state office by the employee, directly relates to
state government, whether or not that activity is within
the scope of his or her employment; and,
c) "Protected disclosure" includes any communication based
on, or when carrying out, job duties, and specifically
includes any good faith communication to the bureau
alleging an improper governmental activity and any evidence
delivered to the bureau in support of the allegation.
AB 567
Page 2
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, costs associated with this legislation are minor and
absorbable within existing Bureau of State Audit resources.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Huchel / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
FN: 0002907