Existing law authorizes the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, in consultation with the California State University and the University of California, to authorize the establishment of community college district baccalaureate degree programs, as provided. Existing law requires a community college district to continue to offer an associate degree program in the same academic subject for which a baccalaureate degree program has been approved, unless that community college district has received approval from the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to eliminate the associate degree program. When conducting a review to approve the elimination of an associate degree program, existing law requires the chancellor to evaluate changes to the labor market viability of the associate degree and changes to the minimum education required to maintain program accreditation. This bill would require the chancellor to additionally evaluate whether baccalaureate degree holders are paid more than associate degree holders in the same field when conducting a review to approve the elimination of an associate degree program.
This Senate Resolution designates September 29, 2024, as Gold Star Mothers' and Families' Day in California to honor families who have lost loved ones to military service. The measure recognizes the historical tradition of displaying gold stars for fallen service members and acknowledges the sacrifices made by these families since the start of the War on Terror. By officially proclaiming this date, the resolution aims to publicly acknowledge the dedication and patriotism of Gold Star families within the state. The text does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal declaration of appreciation and remembrance.
Under existing law, specified election materials, including voted ballots, vote by mail voter identification envelopes, and spoiled ballots, must be kept by county elections officials for 22 months for elections involving a federal office or for 6 months for all other elections. Existing law requires the packages containing these materials to remain unopened for the 22-month or 6-month period, as applicable. Under existing law, if a contest or criminal prosecution involving fraudulent use, marking or falsification of ballots, or forgery of vote by mail voters' signatures is not commenced within the 22-month period for federal elections or within the 6-month period for all other elections, the county elections official must destroy or recycle those specified election materials. This bill would add, among other things, paper cast vote records, completed forms issued to the precinct board and machine reports used to account for ballots delivered to the polling place, and completed forms issued to the counting board and machine reports used for the One Percent Manual Tally to the list of materials that county elections officials are required to keep. The bill would also provide that if the materials that a county elections official is required to keep are destroyed or damaged due to natural disaster or other unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances before the applicable retention period, the county elections official must take all reasonable steps to prevent further damage to those materials. The bill would provide that if a county elections official cannot prevent further damage to the election materials without inspecting the inside of damaged packages, the official must seek a writ of mandate authorizing the official to inspect the inside of the packages and notify the Secretary of State of their intent to do so. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. By imposing additional duties on county elections officials, this bill would create 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
This Senate resolution designates October 2024 as Intellectual Property Awareness Month in California to highlight the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The measure aims to encourage public education and outreach efforts that help citizens, students, and businesses understand how intellectual property rights foster innovation and economic growth. By promoting awareness of these concepts, the resolution seeks to support the state's diverse creative industries and reinforce the value of protecting original works.
This Senate Resolution designates October 2024 as California Intermediate Crop Month to highlight the importance of growing specific non-food plants on idle land. The measure recognizes that these crops can help farmers earn extra income while supporting the production of renewable fuels like sustainable aviation fuel. By celebrating this agricultural practice, the resolution aims to encourage wider adoption of these plants for energy purposes without affecting food supplies.
This Senate resolution establishes October 1 as Korean American Senior Day to honor the contributions of elderly individuals within the Korean community in California. The bill recognizes the significant role these seniors have played in the state's social, economic, and political development and encourages government organizations to promote the commemoration of their history and culture. By officially designating this date, the Senate aims to foster appreciation for the values of filial piety and respect for elders that are central to Korean culture.
This legislative resolution designates September 1, 2024, as Salvadoran American Day to honor the history and contributions of Salvadorans in California. The measure recognizes the community's significant cultural impact and acknowledges the nation's independence from Spain, which occurred 203 years prior to the declaration. Passed by the California Senate, the bill serves as a formal commemoration rather than establishing new laws or funding.
Senate Resolution 108 officially designates August 8 as California Pickleball Day to honor the sport's history and growing popularity in the state. This resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but instead serves as a commemorative measure to recognize pickleball as a fun, social activity suitable for people of all ages. The text highlights the game's origins in 1965 and its rapid expansion across the United States, noting its inclusion in senior games and its status as one of the fastest-growing sports. By adopting this resolution, the Senate acknowledges the sport's cultural significance without imposing any new regulations or obligations on residents.
This Senate Resolution designates October 2024 and every subsequent October as Italian American Heritage Month in California to honor the state's significant Italian American population and their historical contributions. The measure encourages public schools to highlight Italian American achievements in social science textbooks and ethnic studies courses, aiming to increase awareness of their roles in industries like banking, agriculture, and wine. While the resolution does not mandate specific curriculum changes, it formally recognizes the group's impact on California's culture and economy and directs the Secretary of the Senate to share the text with relevant educational boards and school districts.
This Senate Resolution acknowledges the 40th anniversary of the sister state relationship between California and Taiwan and highlights the economic benefits of their partnership, noting that Taiwan is a major trading partner for the state. The measure recognizes the significant contributions of Taiwanese communities to California's growth and supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations through appropriate channels. It also expresses the Senate's view that Taiwan's democracy is important for regional peace and prosperity. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or change policies but serves to formally recognize these relationships and encourage future cooperation.
This Senate Resolution formally acknowledges the 15th anniversary of California-Mexico Advocacy Day, a recurring event that brings together leaders from both countries to discuss bilateral issues. The document highlights the strong economic and cultural ties between the two regions, noting that the border is a major entry point for goods and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. By adopting this resolution, the California Senate recognizes the importance of ongoing dialogue on topics such as public health and cross-border pollution to foster continued cooperation and prosperity.
This Senate Resolution designates August 2024 as California Life Sciences Month to honor the state's significant contributions to public health, economic growth, and environmental innovation. The measure highlights the sector's role in developing life-saving medical technologies, generating billions in economic activity, and employing hundreds of thousands of Californians. By proclaiming this specific timeframe, the resolution aims to raise awareness about the industry's impact rather than enacting new laws or regulations.
