BILL NUMBER:  AB 2706
  VETOED	DATE: 09/29/2010




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2706 without my signature.

This bill would expand the characteristics protected by the Ralph
Civil Rights Act's prohibition against hate violence to also include
homelessness or the perception that one is homeless.

While this bill is well-intentioned, it is unclear whether the
homeless are targeted for violence because they are homeless, or
because they possess a characteristic already protected by the
California's hate crime statute, such as mental or physical
disability. Furthermore, poverty, unlike race, gender, national
origin and disability, is not a suspect classification. Because of
the incongruence between the recognized classifications listed in
Civil Code section 51.7 and homelessness, this bill could result in
legal challenges and increased court costs.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger