Existing federal law provides for allocation of federal funds through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program to eligible states. Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program for the allocation of federal funds received through the TANF program, under which each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Existing law establishes criminal penalties, including the imposition of specified fines, for violation of certain provisions relating to, among other offenses, willfully and knowingly making a false statement or failing to disclose a material fact in order to obtain designated public social services, including the CalWORKs program benefits. This bill, when an applicant or recipient commits specified offenses in connection with applying for or receiving CalWORKs benefits, would require that the fine applicable under existing law be doubled, and would require the additional amount collected as required by the bill be paid to the county treasurer in the county in which the judgment is entered. The bill would require the county treasurer to deposit half of the amount received pursuant to the bill into the county general fund and the other half into the appropriate account for the benefit of the county district attorney's office or the county's Special Investigative Unit (SIU) established for the purpose of investigating welfare fraud. By changing the penalty for certain crimes, and by increasing duties of county treasurers, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Sponsored bills
This measure would designate April 2011 as California Autism Awareness Month, would affirm the Legislature's commitment to the important issues related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) , would emphasize that each and every individual with an ASD is a valued and important member of our society, would recognize and commend the parents and relatives of individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with ASDs, would recognize and commend the work of all nonprofit organizations that are contributing to the well-being of individuals with autism and their families, would stress the need to identify children with ASD and begin early intervention services immediately after a childhood diagnosis, and would stress the need for these intervention services, as well as supports, for individuals with ASDs and their families in an integrated, seamless, comprehensive, and competent manner that is delivered across the child's lifespan.
This measure would proclaim the month of May 2011 as Celiac Disease Awareness Month to promote statewide awareness of celiac disease.
Existing law requires the Governor to fill a vacancy on any county board of supervisors. This bill would require the Governor to fill the vacancy or authorize the board of supervisors to fill the vacancy within 180 days, and if the Governor fails to act within 180 days, the bill would authorize the board of supervisors, within the next 90 days, to appoint an individual to fill the vacancy, call a special election to fill the vacancy, or leave the vacancy open until the next regularly scheduled general election, as provided. The bill would provide that if the Governor and board of supervisors both fail to act, then the vacancy shall remain open until the next regular election at which time a successor may be elected.
This measure would declare March 2011 to be California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and urge that the issue of bullying, and methods of preventing it, be discussed with appropriate activities in California schools during this time.
This measure would designate Monday, May 2, 2011, as California Peace Officers' Memorial Day and would urge all Californians to use that day to honor California peace officers.
Existing provisions of the California Constitution provide that the Legislature meets in a biennial regular session, commencing with the first Monday in December in each even-numbered year, when each house is required to immediately organize, and concluding at midnight on November 30 of the next even-numbered year. This measure would provide that the meeting on the first Monday in December in an even-numbered year shall be for the sole purpose of organizing each house, and that the Legislature shall otherwise convene in regular session each year only between the first business day in March and June 30. This measure would permit the Legislature to meet in regular session after June 30 of any calendar year only for a period of up to 15 days to reconsider bills vetoed by the Governor. Existing provisions of the California Constitution prevent a Member of the Legislature from receiving travel and living expenses during the times that the Legislature is in recess for more than 3 calendar days, but exempts from that prohibition travel to or from, and attendance at, any meeting of a committee of which he or she is a member, or a meeting, conference, or other legislative function or responsibility as authorized by the rules of the house of which he or she is a member, that is held at a location at least 20 miles from his or her place of residence. This measure would eliminate these exemptions and, except for members of the committees on rules of each house or a joint committee on rules when meeting in Sacramento on issues relating to the operations of the Legislature, would permit a Member of the Legislature to receive these expenses only for limited periods of legislative sessions. It would prohibit the payment of living expenses, or related travel expenses, for a Member attending a legislative session or committee meeting held less than 20 miles from the Member's place of residence. Existing provisions of the California Constitution provide that any bill passed by the Legislature before September 1 of the 2nd calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session and in the possession of the Governor on or after September 1 that is not returned on or before September 30 of that year becomes a statute. This measure would instead provide that any bill passed by the Legislature before July 1 of the 2nd calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session and in the possession of the Governor on or after July 1 that is not returned on or before July 30 of that year becomes a statute. Existing constitutional provisions provide that a bill introduced during the first year of the biennium of the legislative session that has not been passed by the house of origin by January 31 of the 2nd calendar year of the biennium may no longer be acted on by the house. This measure would change the date by which a bill introduced in the first year of the biennium would have to be passed by the house of origin in the 2nd calendar year of the biennium to March 31. Existing constitutional provisions authorize the selection of legislative committees, as specified. This measure would permit a committee of either house of the Legislature, except a rules committee, to hold a hearing only on a day on which the Legislature is not in recess. This measure provides that it would become effective as of the first day of the biennial session of the Legislature next commencing following the date on which this measure is approved by the voters.
This measure would proclaim May 1 through May 8, 2011, as California Holocaust Memorial Week and would urge Californians to observe these days of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust in an appropriate manner.
This measure would acknowledge the month of April 2011 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and encourage the people of the State of California to work together to support youth-serving child abuse prevention activities in their communities and schools.