Amended  IN  Assembly  April 18, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1600

Introduced by Assembly Member Nguyen

January 03, 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, and making an appropriation therefor.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1600, as amended, Nguyen. California Commission on the United States Semiquincentennial.
Existing law provides for the establishment of various commissions within state government.
This bill would, until January 1, 2028, 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 and would continuously appropriate those funds for that purpose. The bill, not later than January 1, 2029, 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, and require the State Archives to receive those materials.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: YES   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares:
(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 8 members of Congress, 16 private citizens, and 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 nine 11 members as follows:
(1) The State Librarian, who shall serve as Chairperson.
(2) The Deputy State Librarian.
(3) The State Archivist.

(3)

(4) One member shall be nominated by the California Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

(4)

(5) One member shall be nominated by the California State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.

(5)

(6) One member of the California State Assembly shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(6)

(7) One member of the California State Senate shall be appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(7)

(8) Three members of the general public shall be appointed by the Governor.
(9) One member appointed by the California Historical Society.
(c) The commission shall be solely supported by private funds or funds made available by the federal government for the purpose of supporting the commission.
(1) These funds shall be deposited in the Semiquincentennial Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury.
(2) Notwithstanding Section 13340, all funds in the Semiquincentennial Fund are continuously appropriated for the purposes set forth in this section.
(d) Not later than 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, 2028, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.