BILL ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
SB 323 (Hayden)
Hearing Date:5/27/99 Amended:4/22/99
Consultant: Lisa Matocq Policy Vote:Pub Saf 5-0
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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: 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 NOTES the author has proposed
amendments to reduce costs to $200,000 over 2 years but
staff has been unable to confirm with DOJ if the provisions
of the bill can be complied with for that amount.
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.