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SB-6 California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 03/14/2023 09:00 PM
SB6:v97#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  March 14, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  March 07, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 6

Introduced by Senator Nguyen
(Coauthors: Senators Niello and Umberg)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Dixon, Essayli, Lackey, and Joe Patterson)

December 05, 2022

An act to add and repeal Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 6750) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, relating to the California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 6, as amended, Nguyen. California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.
Existing law establishes various commissions within state government.
This bill would, until January 1, 2029, establish the California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial in state government to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America. The bill would require the commission to plan and coordinate commemorations and observances of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. The bill would require the commission to be solely supported by private or federal funds made available for the purpose of supporting the commission. The bill would require that these funds be deposited in the Semiquincentennial Fund, and would create that fund in the State Treasury. The bill would require funds in the Semiquincentennial Fund to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as specified. The bill would require the records, files, and other memoranda of the commission, other than any private possessions, to be deposited and filed with the State Archives before January 1, 2029, and would require the State Archives to receive those materials.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America.
(b) The founding of the United States is one of the most significant and providential events in human history and should be celebrated accordingly.
(c) The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress to inspire each and every American to participate in our greatest milestone ever, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
(d) The United States Semiquincentennial Commission will coordinate the commemoration and observance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution, and is charged with orchestrating the largest and most inclusive anniversary observance in our nation’s history.
(e) The United States Semiquincentennial Commission consists of eight 8 members of Congress, 16 private citizens, and nine 9 federal officials, including the Secretary of State, Librarian of Congress, and Archivist of the United States.
(f) The United States Semiquincentennial Commission has encouraged states to establish state-level commissions to help plan and coordinate activities within each state celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
(g) California has a unique history through its relationship with Spain, an ally of the Americans during the American Revolution.
(h) California is home to hundreds of thousands of descendants of the men and women who actively participated in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.

SEC. 2.

 Chapter 7.5 (commencing with Section 6750) is added to Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, to read:
CHAPTER  7.5. California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial

6750.
 (a) The California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial is hereby established in state government to plan and coordinate commemorations and observances of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.
(b) The commission shall be composed of 9 members as follows:
(1) The State Archivist, who shall serve as chairperson.
(2) One member of the California State Assembly shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(3) One member of the California State Senate shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(4) One member of the general public shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(5) One member of the general public shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(6) Three members of the general public shall be appointed by the Governor.
(7) One member shall be appointed by the State Archivist from a list of individuals with relevant historical experience proposed by the California Historical Society.
(c) Members appointed to the commission pursuant to subdivision (b) shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(d) (1) The commission shall be solely supported by private funds or funds made available by the federal government for the purpose of supporting the commission.
(2) The funds specified in paragraph (1) shall be deposited in the Semiquincentennial Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Funds in the Semiquincentennial Fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the express purpose of this chapter.
(e) Before January 1, 2029, the records, files, and other memoranda of the commission, other than any private possessions, shall be deposited and filed with the State Archives, which shall receive those materials.

6751.
 This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.