Bill Text: CA AR54 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Resolution 54 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to #ABLEtoSave Month.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-19-1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-08-31 - Read. Adopted. (Page 2835.). [AR54 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AR54-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution

No. 54

Introduced by Assembly Member Irwin

August 21, 2017

Relative to #ABLEtoSave Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

HR 54, as introduced, Irwin.

WHEREAS, According to the United States census, approximately 56.7 million people, or 19 percent of the United States population, have a disability; and

WHEREAS, Many individuals with disabilities rely on federal benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, to foster their independence, maintain their health, support their employment, participate in their communities, and enhance their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Before the passage of the federal Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014, millions of individuals with disabilities were unable to save more than $2,000 in assets without jeopardizing their eligibility for critical federal benefits; and

WHEREAS, More than 20 states have established ABLE programs where millions of individuals with disabilities can save money in a tax-exempt ABLE account that does not count toward the $2,000 asset cap; and

WHEREAS, Many individuals with disabilities and their families are unaware of the life-changing potential of ABLE accounts or are misinformed about the rules regarding these accounts; and

WHEREAS, The ABLE National Resource Center, a collaborative of more than 25 national disability organizations whose goal is to provide consistent, reliable information about the benefits of an ABLE account, has developed a nationwide campaign, #ABLEtoSave, to educate individuals with disabilities and their families, the financial sector, and other stakeholders about the potential positive impact of ABLE accounts on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The goal of the #ABLEtoSave campaign is to enhance awareness of ABLE accounts as a financial savings tool and to increase the number of ABLE accounts opened throughout the country; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly declares August 2017 as #ABLEtoSave Month; and be it further

Resolved, The establishment of #ABLEtoSave Month will encourage public, consumer, community-based, and private sector organizations across California to provide information and resources about ABLE accounts to Californians; and be it further

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