BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2017
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2017 (Hall)
As Amended May 28, 2010
Majority vote
HUMAN SERVICES 4-0 REVENUE. & TAXATION 9-0
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|Ayes:|Beall, Ammiano, Hall, |Ayes:|Portantino, Conway, |
| |Portantino | |Beall, Charles Calderon, |
| | | |Coto, Fuentes, Harkey, |
| | | |Nestande, Saldana |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 16-1
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|Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, | | |
| |Bradford, | | |
| |Charles Calderon, Coto, | | |
| |Davis, Monning, Ruskin, | | |
| |Harkey, Miller, Nielsen, | | |
| |Norby, Skinner, Solorio, | | |
| |Torlakson, Torrico | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Ammiano | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Seeks to fund the California YMCA Youth and Government
Program through taxpayer donations via their state tax returns.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Establishes in the State Treasury the California YMCA Youth
and Government Program to receive contributions from tax
return designations to support the program.
2)Provides that the bill's provisions would remain operative
until January 1 of the 5th taxable year following the first
appearance of the California YMCA Youth and Government Fund,
or on January 1 of an earlier calendar year, if the Franchise
Tax Board estimates that the annual contribution amount will
AB 2017
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be less than the minimum amount, as defined.
3)Provides that the California YMCA Youth and Government Program
shall be funded by the California YMCA Youth and Government
Fund or private funds.
4)Specifies the composition of the California YMCA Youth and
Government Program, whose members are to be ages 14 to 18,
inclusive, and currently enrolled in school.
5)Provides that California YMCA Youth and Government Program
members are to be appointed by the Legislature, with each
Senator and each Assembly member appointing one member, who
shall take into consideration that the membership is to
represent the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural,
physical, and educational diversity of California.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
1)The contributions may be taken as an itemized deduction on
income tax returns. The Franchise Tax Board estimates that
the annual revenue losses from these deductions would about
$15,000 beginning in 2011-12.
2)Potentially significant litigation costs to the extent the
bill's provisions are challenged on the grounds that the state
would be supporting a religious-based organization.
COMMENTS : According to the author, in recent years, costs to
operate the California YMCA Youth and Government Program and
participant demand for financial assistance have greatly
increased while donations to this important program have
declined. This bill will allow for taxpayers to help fund the
program through voluntarily contributions made through their
state tax return. As well, the bill establishes the California
YMCA Youth and Government Program within statute with the
purpose of teaching young people to lead a civically informed
life by instilling a spirit of advocacy through the empowerment
of learning the legislative process.
The author cites the following as policy reasons for this
measure: "Young people need five key developmental resources in
order to become productive citizens: caring adults, safe
AB 2017
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places, a healthy start, an effective education, and
opportunities to help others. Furthermore, young people who
receive more of these developmental resources fare better than
young people who receive fewer, and that those young people are
more likely to avoid violence, contribute to their communities,
and achieve high grades in school." Moreover, according to the
author, 20 states have committed state resources for the
creation of statewide entities charged with improving the
developmental well-being of their children and youth.
This bill requires that the members of the California YMCA Youth
and Government Program represent the racial, ethnic,
socioeconomic, cultural, physical, and educational diversity of
California and that there be a particular emphasis placed on
reaching out to at-risk or disadvantaged youth to serve as
members. The author notes that their participation will provide
keen insight to many of the issues that youth face in their
day-to-day lives and recognize the significant number of
California's youth who live disadvantaged lives. The author
further points out that youth who are homeless, in the juvenile
justice system, or in foster care have limited opportunities to
participate in the policies process that ultimately impacts
their well-being.
Analysis Prepared by : Frances Chacon / HUM. S. / (916)
319-2089
FN: 0004689