BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                       



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                   SB 309|
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SB 309
          Author:   Ducheny (D)
          Amended:  4/14/09
          Vote:     21

           
           SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE  :  7-3, 4/28/09
          AYES:  Pavley, Kehoe, Leno, Padilla, Simitian, Wiggins,  
            Wolk
          NOES:  Cogdill, Benoit, Huff
          NO VOTE RECORDED:  Hollingsworth

           SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE  :  Senate Rule 28.8


           SUBJECT  :    Public resources:  conservation corps

           SOURCE :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This bill contains findings about the work of  
          the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and it establishes  
          a preference for emancipated foster youth and at-risk youth  
          for membership in the CCC. 

           ANALYSIS  :    Existing law requires the CCC to select young  
          men and women for participation in the corps program on the  
          basis of motivation for hard work, personal development,  
          and public service, and without regard to their prior  
          employment or educational background.

          The CCC is a work, service, and training program for young  
          adults, using environmental conservation and public service  
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                                                                SB 309
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          work as a means for personal growth.  It is modeled after  
          the original Civilian Conservation Corps established by  
          President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933.  The CCC annually  
          completes hundreds of projects that have a direct impact on  
          Californians.  It is engaged in fire-fighting, flood  
          control, oil spills, and expanding recreational  
          opportunities in wilderness. 

          As part of the 2006-07 Budget, the CCC was directed to  
          develop a strategic plan for enhancing the educational and  
          training opportunities for its members.  The CCC has faced  
          severe budgetary restraints in recent years, but it could  
          be in a unique position to help California with an  
          ambitious effort to create new jobs that can serve the  
          renewable energy and other new industries that many refer  
          to as "green jobs." 

          This bill contains findings about the work of the CCC and  
          it establishes a preference for emancipated foster youth  
          and at-risk youth for membership in the CCC.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  Yes    
          Local:  No

           ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT  :    While CCC membership has  
          historically included at-risk youth, the author's office  
          believes that the statute should be explicit in this  
          regard, and that emancipated foster youth should enjoy the  
          same preference. 


          CTW:mw  5/11/09   Senate Floor Analyses 

                       SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

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