BILL ANALYSIS
SB 369
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Date of Hearing: June 16, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Mary Salas, Chair
SB 369 (Maldonado) - As Amended: April 28, 2009
SENATE VOTE : 36-0
SUBJECT : Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Flag: state-owned
buildings and facilities.
SUMMARY : Requires the flag shall be flown during business
hours, at all state-owned buildings or facilities where the
United States flag and the California state flag fly, if the
flag can be attached to existing flagpoles or other existing
structures on which the United States flag or California flag
fly. The state may accept donations of
Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action (POW/MIA) flags and related
materials.
EXISTING LAW states so that the people of California will not
forget the sacrifices of those members of the United States
Armed Forces who, after the termination of hostilities, remain
prisoners of war or are missing in action, as well as the
sacrifices of missing United States nonmilitary personnel and
civilians, the Governor shall annually proclaim the third Friday
of September to be known as POW/MIA Recognition Day.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : There are approximately 1,500 state-owned buildings
that have purchased the POW/MIA flag with costs ranging from $45
to $70 per flag. Approximately 314 of those buildings are
under General Fund departments, consequently, the maximum
General Fund cost will be about $22,000 with the remainder of
the above costs resulting from various Special Funds. Since the
bill provides that the flag is required only to the extent there
is an existing structure on which to fly the flag, not all state
buildings will be required to purchase the flag, and, therefore,
actual costs will likely be much lower.
The flag of the National League of POW/MIA Families is a black
and white banner symbolizing those members of the United States
Armed Forces who are listed as POW or MIA. Currently the
POW/MIA flag is to be flown at certain state buildings,
SB 369
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including:
1)National Guard armories;
2)Department of Veterans Affairs;
3)Military Department;
4)State Capitol;
5)Business, Transportation and Housing Agency;
6)Environmental Protection Agency;
7)Health and Human Services Agency;
8)Office of Child Development and Education;
9)Resources Agency;
10)State and Consumer Services Agency;
11)Youth and Adult Correctional Agency.
This flag is currently flown only on specific dates, including:
1)Armed Forces Day;
2)Memorial Day;
3)Flag Day;
4)Independence Day;
5)National POW/MIA Day;
6)Veterans Day.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550