BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 83
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 27, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUDGET
Bob Blumenfield, Chair
SB 83 (Budget and Fiscal Review Committee) - As Amended: March
26, 2012
SUBJECT : Citizens Redistricting Commission.
SUMMARY : This supplemental appropriations bill (deficiency
bill) appropriates $339,000 from the General Fund (GF) to the
Citizens Redistricting Commission and authorizes additional
budget authorizations for the Commission under conditions
specified by the bill relating to potential litigation and
personnel costs. Specifically, this bill :
1)Appropriates $339,000 GF to the Citizens Redistricting
Commission for operational costs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011-12.
The operational costs included in this bill are already
reflected in the Administration's revised current-year
expenditure projections; therefore, those costs do not add to
the current budget deficit.
2)Authorizes the Director of Finance, subject to review by the
Joint Legislative Budget Committee, to increase the
Commission's budget by up to $659,000 if the Commission
demonstrates that additional funding is necessary during the
2011-12 FY for litigation to defend any action regarding a
certified final map.
3)Authorizes the Director of Finance, subject to review by the
Joint Legislative Budget Committee, to increase the
Commission's budget by up to $163,000 if the Commission
demonstrates that additional funding is necessary during the
2011-12 FY for costs related to unemployment insurance, and
vacation leave balance payments for staff who terminate
employment with the State.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill has a General Fund cost of $339,000.
This bill also authorizes the Director of Finance, subject to
Joint Legislative Budget Committee review, to appropriate up to
$822,000 more from the GF, if necessary.
COMMENTS : Voters in November 2008 approved Proposition 11,
which established a Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw
SB 83
Page 2
new political district lines every ten years for California
legislative, congressional and Board of Equalization districts.
The initiative requires the Legislature to make necessary
appropriations to fund the Commission's operations, including
litigation support, during the three-year redistricting process
that began in 2009-10. The Budget Act of 2011 allocated
$400,000 GF for Commission operations, and up to $1.5 million,
GF for potential litigation costs. The Commission received
$1.07 million in November 2011 for litigation-related expenses.
On February 7, 2012, the Department of Finance notified the
Joint Legislative Budget Committee of a request for additional
funding from the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Four legal
challenges have been brought against the Commission-designed
maps, with all four cases decided in the Commission's favor.
After extensive discussions, the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee on March 15, 2012 indicated support for $339,000 in
additional operational costs. In addition, the Committee
indicated support for provisional language to allow the
Commission more funding if additional costs arise during the
2011-12 fiscal year. Included in this is up to $659,000 to
defend any appeals related to the four lawsuits resolved in the
Commission's favor, and up to $163,000 to cover possible costs
related to unemployment insurance and vacation leave balances as
the Commission concludes its duties and staff terminate
employment.
Combined with previous appropriations and budget augmentations,
this appropriation would bring the Commission's total authorized
funding for the current redistricting process to $6,184,000.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Mark Martin / BUDGET / (916) 319-2099
SB 83
Page 3