BILL ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
SB 323 (Hayden)
Hearing Date:5/17/99 Amended:4/22/99
Consultant: Lisa Matocq Policy Vote:Pub Saf 5-0
____________________________________________________________
BILL SUMMARY: SB 323, until January 1, 2002, (1) creates
the Peace Process Task Force, the position of Peace Process
Coordinator within the Attorney General's (AG) office, and
the Commission on Prison Peace (CPP), as specified, and (2)
makes all three contingent upon an appropriation in the
Budget Act of 1999.
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
Fund
Task Force $ 100* $ 50 $ 50
General
Coordinator/CPP $ 250* Unknown
General
*The Senate version of the Budget Bill contains $350,000 for the purposes of
this bill.
STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria to be placed
on the Suspense File. OCJP currently administers the Gang
Violence Suppression Program which awards grants. This
bill creates the 26-member Peace Process Task Force to
reduce gang violence, as specified. The task force is
required to meet at least 4 times before April 15, 2000,
and to report to the Legislature and the Governor. The
bill provides that the AG and SOR may make staff available
to the task force for technical and research assistance.
It also specifies that not more than $200,000 shall be
spent over the 2-year period for purposes of the task
force.
In addition, the bill creates the position of Peace Process
Coordinator, within the AG's office, for the purpose of
evaluating and encouraging violence prevention efforts
among gangs and residents of inner-city communities, as
specified. In addition, it establishes the 18-member
Commission on Prison Peace to "identify the causes of
prison violence and recommend innovative approaches to
prevent them", and report to the Legislature. The
provisions of the bill sunset January 1, 2002.
The bill specifies that the task force, coordinator
position, and CPP are contingent upon an appropriation in
the Budget Act of 1999. The Senate version of the Budget
Bill contains an appropriation for $350,000 for the
purposes of this bill. STAFF RECOMMENDS that a technical
amendment be taken on page 8, line 26, after and, strike
"by".
SB 547 (Watson) of 1997 would have created the position of
California Gang Prevention Director within the AG's office,
and was vetoed by the Governor. SB 980 (Hayden) of 1998
would have created the Peace Process Task Force and was
vetoed by the Governor. SB 1731 (Hayden) of 1998, which
failed passage in Assembly Appropriations Committee, would
have created the office of the Peace Process Coordinator
within OCJP.