BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1547
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 9, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                 AB 1547 (Gomez) - As Introduced:  January 23, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              Public  
          SafetyVote:  7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill eliminates the January 1, 2015 sunset date for the  
          Domestic Violence Advisory Council, allowing the council to  
          remain in effect indefinitely.

           FISCAL EFFECT

           Ongoing costs for the council are minor and absorbable - likely  
          less than $10,000 for minor travel reimbursement. 
           
           Funding for the Domestic Violence Program is a combination of GF  
          and federal funds. Total funding for the program, including  
          federal grants from prior years, is about $35 million, including  
          about $20 million GF.
           
          COMMENTS

          1)Rationale.  The author and proponents (a lengthy list of  
            domestic violence-related providers and organizations) contend  
            the council has provided a reliable and effective voice for  
            domestic violence victims and programs and should be extended  
            indefinitely. 

          2)Current law  establishes the Comprehensive Statewide Domestic  
            Violence Program, administered by the Office of Emergency  
            Services (OES), to provide financial and technical assistance  
            to local domestic violence service providers, and requires OES  
            to consult with an advisory council in implementing the  
            program. The Domestic Violence Advisory Council comprises  
            specified experts in the field of providing services to  
            victims of domestic violence. The council has 13 members; (7)  








                                                                  AB 1547
                                                                  Page  2

            appointed by the governor, (3) by the Assembly Speaker, and  
            (3) by the Senate pro Tem.

            The OES website states, "The mission of the Domestic Violence  
            Advisory Council (DVAC) is to collaborate with the California  
            Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to ensure  
            the safety and security of all Domestic Violence victims  
            through the development of policies, procedures and priorities  
            which promote effective and accessible services for victims."

           3)There is no known opposition to this measure  . 

            Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081