Bill Text: CA ACR129 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Civic engagement.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 47-20-1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-09-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 212, Statutes of 2017. [ACR129 Detail]

Download: California-2017-ACR129-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  September 08, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution

No. 129

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Introduced by Assembly Members Cristina Garcia and Eggman

August 28, 2017

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Relative to civic engagement.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 129, as amended, Cristina Garcia. Civic engagement.

This measure would recognize the importance of civic engagement across the State of California.

Digest Key

Fiscal Committee: NO  

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Bill Text

WHEREAS, Civic engagement, including voting in elections, volunteering in the community and for nonprofit services, and participating in the legislative process, to hold representatives accountable, is a critical component of our democratic government; and

WHEREAS, Civic engagement requires the broad involvement of not only representative stakeholders, but people and communities from all walks of life. Civic engagement combines values of inclusion, participation, and transparency, local knowledge, and processes and practices that foster dialogue, mutual understanding, creativity, and collective problem solving, while respecting individual autonomy and difference; and

WHEREAS, Less engaged communities are often more critical of the public engagement process, so it is important to attend and speak at city council meetings or other public forums, join neighborhood associations, grassroots groups, or community organizations; and

WHEREAS, The aspect of civic engagement that gets the most attention is voting, because by voting the people select who will represent them in government. In addition, California voters have the ability to engage in direct democracy through ballot initiatives and propositions; and

WHEREAS, Participation in elections has been in a steady decline over the past 15 years due to many factors including lack of time, interest, or information, or general skepticism of the process; and

WHEREAS, According to data from the United States Elections Project, voter turnout in California has trailed national turnout in seven of the last eight federal general elections; and

WHEREAS, We have a responsibility to increase Increasing voter participation in order is necessary to create a more inclusive democracy. California recently enacted legislation creating an automatic voter registration for eligible citizens who visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, allowing counties to adopt a new election model in which all registered voters will automatically receive their ballot 28 days prior to election day, and giving Californians the opportunity to register or reregister to vote all the way up to election day at county elections offices and other satellite locations; and

WHEREAS, Civic engagement includes many other ways that residents participate with their government, in addition to voting; and

WHEREAS, Legislators legislate based on their experiences, and which bills they introduce, and how they vote, is influenced by their lives and the lives of their families and peers; and

WHEREAS, In order for legislators to become more informed, they rely upon their constituents to share their personal knowledge and experiences; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature encourages individuals to continue to be engaged after election day, to contribute to, and be a part of, the legislative process. This includes meeting with their elected officials, tracking legislation on http://www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billSearchClient.xhtml, watching legislative committee hearings on http://www.calchannel.com, testifying before legislative committees, and voicing support and opposition on specific bills through telephone calls or letters; and bills, and participating in a “There Ought to be a Law” contest, which allows constituents to submit bill ideas with the winner of the contest having his or her bill introduced; and

WHEREAS, The public is encouraged to get involved in their communities as well, and the Legislature offers various programs to opportunities for the public including “Walk n’ Talks” where legislative updates are given and state and community services are brought to peoples’ doors with community volunteers; Community Coffees where residents can meet with their elected officials over a cup of coffee to receive legislative updates, meet with their elected officials to discuss their ideas, questions, and concerns about legislation and state issues; “#Pride58” which honors deserving individuals, organizations, and businesses that serve their communities with distinction and encourages residents to ensure that those who do good work are recognized; Open Houses where the community is invited to the Downey District Office to meet elected officials and their staff to learn about constituent services; and “There Ought to be a Law” which allows constituents to submit bill ideas and the winner of the contest has their bill introduced; issues, and to learn about local organizations and ways to get involved; and

WHEREAS, Getting youth to become more civically engaged is critical given that less than one-half of eligible young people 18 to 24 years of age, inclusive, voted in the 2012 elections. In California, less than 50 percent of high school seniors surveyed viewed being actively involved in state and local issues as their responsibility; at 7.5 percent, the youth share of the state’s 2016 primary vote was much smaller than the youth share of the eligible voter population, which is 14.2 percent; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature is encouraging youth to get more engaged by revitalizing civic learning and participation in California through the State Seal of Civil Civic Engagement, which allows students who develop a deeper understanding of civics through active engagement in their communities to receive an insignia on their diplomas; and

WHEREAS, People who are 16 and 17 years of age can now preregister with their county elections offices to vote as soon as they turn 18 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Youth involvement in the legislative process is especially important. The Legislature has taken critical steps to further increase youth participation through programs like the Young Legislature Program, which provides high school students with the opportunity by providing youth with opportunities to become acquainted with the legislative process and to integrate themselves into their local communities through service; and the Fellows in Government program, which is a month-long interactive program designed to expose 8th graders to how legislation impacts their daily lives and empower them to find their own voice in government; and

WHEREAS, Because civic engagement has steadily declined both in California and nationally over the last two decades, it is important that we take time to explore what engagement tools and processes will best meet the needs and conditions of specific populations; and

WHEREAS, More programs are needed to encourage civic engagement and involvement in the legislative process from all populations and communities in California, especially minority populations, underrepresented communities, and students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the importance of civic engagement across the State of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.