BILL ANALYSIS Ó
Bill No: AB
2328
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Lou Correa, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
AB 2328 Author: John A. Perez
As Amended: June 9, 2014
Hearing Date: June 24, 2014
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
California AmeriCorps
DESCRIPTION
AB 2328 establishes "California AmeriCorps" (Cal
AmeriCorps) to be administered by California Volunteers,
within the Governor's Office, and operated under existing
federal AmeriCorps program guidelines. Specifically, this
measure:
1)Establishes Cal AmeriCorps to be administered by
California Volunteers, as established by Executive Order
S-24-06, and operated under the existing federal
AmeriCorps program guidelines.
2)Specifies that members of Cal AmeriCorps shall be
determined through an application process based on
existing qualifications for AmeriCorps members as well as
all of the following requirements: (a) minimum age of 21;
(b) proof of California residency; (c) completion of an
associate or a baccalaureate degree; and, (d) proof of
incurred student loan debt.
3)Allows local agencies to apply individually, in
partnership with a nonprofit entity, or with a local
agency partner, through a competitive request for
proposal process, to host one or more Cal AmeriCorps
members to implement various programs.
AB 2328 (John A. Perez) continued
Page 2
4)Authorizes California Volunteers to solicit and accept
private funding, as specified, to help supplement the
costs of Cal AmeriCorps.
EXISTING LAW
Under existing law, by Executive Order S-24-06, California
Volunteers is established in the Governor's Office with the
specific mission to recruit and mobilize citizens for
volunteer service by identifying service opportunities
throughout the state and by recognizing citizen
contributions as volunteers and participants in public
service.
BACKGROUND
California Volunteers: Is established in the Governor's
Office and its duties and responsibilities include, but are
not limited to, the following:
Recruiting and mobilizing citizens for volunteer
service by identifying service opportunities
throughout the state and by recognizing citizens for
the contributions they make as volunteers and
participants in public service programs;
Serving as the state's lead agency for community
service and volunteerism, informing the public of the
value of and need for greater community service and
volunteerism in California, calling upon all
Californians to become involved, and challenging
public and private institutions to create and support
community service and volunteer opportunities; and,
Partnering with other public agencies at the state,
county, and local levels, and the private and
nonprofit sectors to leverage greater resources and
create more opportunities for service and
volunteerism.
AmeriCorps: Is a national network of hundreds of programs
throughout the United States that engage Americans in
intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public
agencies, and community and faith-based groups. AmeriCorps
consists of three main programs: AmeriCorps State and
AB 2328 (John A. Perez) continued
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National, whose members serve with national and local
nonprofit and community groups; AmeriCorps Volunteers in
Service to America, through which members serve full time
fighting poverty; and AmeriCorps National Civilian
Community Corps, a team-based residential program for young
adults ages 18-24 who carry out projects in public safety,
the environment, youth development, and disaster relief and
preparedness.
AmeriCorps service assignments may be part time or full
time and generally range from ten to 12 months. Members
receive a $7400 stipend and are eligible for an education
award (up to $4725) that can be used to pay for college or
pay back student loans. To be eligible for a position with
AmeriCorps, qualification guidelines focus on several
factors, including citizenship, age, work experience, and
education. Additional qualifications may vary depending on
the particular program.
AmeriCorps operates under the Corporation for National and
Community Service, which received about $1 billion in
funding from Congress in 2013, supplemented by $480 million
in outside funding and donations. Individual states can
receive financial support for their own AmeriCorps
programs, which California does through California
Volunteers.
Purpose of AB 2328: This measure would establish Cal
AmeriCorps to be administered by California Volunteers and
operated under the existing federal AmeriCorps program
guidelines. Cal AmeriCorps members would be determined
through an application process and would have certain
eligibility requirements (e.g., state residency, proof of
incurred student loan debt and completion of a degree).
Local entities would compete to host service members
through a request for proposal (RFP) process. The purpose
of Cal AmeriCorps would be to assist local governments in
implementing priorities detailed in the RFP.
Arguments in Support: Proponents state that the current
AmeriCorps operation in California is very successful, but
funding limits capacity and there is significant
competition in the application process. Proponents point
out that in 2013, California Volunteers administered 4000
federally funded members that came from an applicant pool
of over 17,000. An additional 7000 national members were
AB 2328 (John A. Perez) continued
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placed in California due to proportional allocation.
Proponents emphasize that the future prosperity of our
state depends upon the economic viability of younger
generations and Cal AmeriCorps would address this
challenge, while also providing a strong public service
experience.
SUPPORT: As of June 20, 2014:
Bay Area Community Resources
Beaumont, City of
California Special Districts Association
California State Association of Counties
City Year
Corporation for National and Community Service
League of California Cities
Los Angeles, County of
Oakland, City of
Rural County Representatives of California
Sacramento, City of
Santa Clara, County of
The Honorable Edwin Lee, Mayor of San Francisco
OPPOSE: None on file as of June 20, 2014.
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
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