The California Emergency Services Act, among other things, establishes the Office of Emergency Services for the purpose of mitigating the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies and makes findings and declarations relating to ensuring that preparation within the state will be adequate to deal with those emergencies. Existing law authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to acquire new or used firefighting apparatus and equipment for resale to local agencies, and to provide other assistance to agencies for the acquisition of firefighting apparatus and equipment.

This bill bill, until January 1, 2024, would require the office to administer the Home Security Grant Protect Our Homes Pilot Program to provide funds to California residents individuals who own or rent a residence in the County of Kern, Kings, Merced, or San Bernardino for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment, as specified. The bill would authorize individuals who are eligible for the California earned income tax credit to participate in the grant pilot program and to be awarded a grant of up to $500 to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns in a county designated by the office. those counties. The bill would create the Home Security Grant Protect Our Homes Pilot Program Fund and specify that moneys in the fund would be available upon appropriation by the Legislature for expenditure by the office for the purpose of providing these grants. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Counties of Kern, Kings, Merced, and San Bernardino.

The California Emergency Services Act, among other things, establishes the Office of Emergency Services for the purpose of mitigating the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies and makes findings and declarations relating to ensuring that preparation within the state will be adequate to deal with those emergencies. Existing law authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to acquire new or used firefighting apparatus and equipment for resale to local agencies, and to provide other assistance to agencies for the acquisition of firefighting apparatus and equipment.

This bill would require the office to administer the Home Security Grant Pilot Program to provide funds to California residents for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment, as specified. The bill would authorize individuals who are eligible for the California earned income tax credit to participate in the grant pilot program and to be awarded a grant of up to $500 to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns in a county designated by the office. The bill would create the Home Security Grant Pilot Program Fund and specify that moneys in the fund would be available upon appropriation by the Legislature for expenditure by the office for the purpose of providing these grants.

Date of Hearing: April 25, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2454

Author:(Steinorth) – As Amended Ver:April 12, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill creates the Protect Our Homes Pilot Program (Program) to provide grants worth up to $500 to individuals for the purposes of purchasing specified home security equipment. An individual is eligible if he or she lives in Kern, Kings, Merced, or San Bernardino County and if he or she is eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potential ongoing General Fund (GF) costs of up to $10.5 million to provide grants to qualified households. (See Comment #3.)
2. Significant annual administrative costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to administer the Program.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, AB 2454 will help alleviate the hardship of struggling Californians who must choose between basic needs and home security. The author argues that California’s low-income households are vulnerable to burglary without a home security system, and this new Program would help families purchase such equipment.
2. CalEITC. The CalEITC is a refundable income tax credit modeled after the federal EITC. The size of the tax credit depends on the size of a family and overall income. In 2017, a family with annual income of up to $22,302 may have qualified for a credit of up to $2,775.
3. Program scope and cost estimates. AB 2454 restricts eligibility for the Program to CalEITC-eligible households in Kern, Kings, Merced, and San Bernardino counties. In 2016, a little more than 21,000 households received the CalEITC. While this bill allows those who are merely eligible for the CalEITC to apply for a grant, in practice it is not reasonable to require CalOES to determine a household’s eligibility for a tax credit if the household itself did not claim it. Therefore, AB 2454’s cost estimate assumes that only those who received a CalEITC may apply for a grant, and that that maximum grant is provided.
4. Household or individual? AB 2454 defines an eligible participant as someone who qualifies for a CalEITC and who lives in one of the specified counties. However, it is typically households who receive a CalEITC. Moreover, as drafted, multiple individuals in the same household could receive a grant. If the bill moves forward, it should be amended to make the household, rather than the individual, eligible for a Program grant.

Analysis Prepared by: Luke Reidenbach / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 4, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Adam Gray, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2454 (

Author:Steinorth) – As Introduced Ver:February 14, 2018

SUBJECT: Office of Emergency Services: home security equipment: pilot program

SUMMARY: Creates the Home Security Grant Pilot Program (Program) to be administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Specifically, this bill:

1. States the intent of the Program is to provide funds to California residents for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.
2. Requires the Program to meet all of the following criteria:
3. Participants shall apply for a grant, to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns, in a county designated by Cal OES.
4. Participants shall qualify for the California earned income tax credit, as defined in Section 17052 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
5. Participants shall be awarded up to $500 to purchase qualifying home security equipment and shall reapply for the grant on an annual basis.
6. Defines “qualified home security equipment” includes security fences, alarm systems, surveillance systems, motion detectors, locks, postings and lighting.
7. Clarifies participation by an individual who rents his or her residence shall not be exempt from the Program as long as obtain the permission of the homeowner to modify the property or to install security equipment on the premises.
8. Establishes in the State Treasury, the Home Security Grant Pilot Program Fund (Fund).

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes CalOES by the Governor's Reorganization Plan No.2, operative July 1, 2013.
2. Requires CalOES to perform a variety of duties with respect to specified emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities in the state, including emergency medical services.
3. Specifies that the State Emergency Plan (SEP) shall be in effect in each political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of each political subdivision shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions thereof.
4. Requires the Governor to coordinate SEP and those programs necessary to mitigate the effects of an emergency.
5. Requires the Governor to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency by the political subdivisions of the State of California, such plans and programs to be integrated into and coordinated with the State Emergency Plan and the plans and programs of the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible extent.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill: According to the author: “The Protect Our Homes Pilot Program would provide Californians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit counties selected by Cal OES to receive grants of up to $500 in order to purchase qualifying home security equipment. Eligible renters and homeowners who purchase qualifying home security equipment, including security fencing, alarm systems, surveillance systems, motion detectors, locks, lighting, and more, may apply for a grant.

Violent crime in California increased from 151,425 incidents in 2014 to 174,701 in 2016. The rise in crime is not limited to violent crime, as over 1,000,000 property crimes were committed in 2016, up by over 50,000 incidents since 2014. These alarming rates of crimes committed are simultaneously met by limited law enforcement funding in our local neighborhoods.

California’s most vulnerable communities are those with low incomes and high rates of unemployment. Residents in low-income communities often struggle with limited financial resources to pay for food, health care, education, and basic necessities, often competing with the need for safety and home protection. Residents living near the poverty line may be forced to choose between security and basic needs. Households in low-income communities lacking any type of security system are particularly vulnerable to burglary, as one study found that 83% of convicted burglars would attempt to determine if a security system was present prior to attempting a burglary.

AB 2454 works to alleviate the hardship on struggling Californians who must choose between basic needs and home security by creating a grant program for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.”

Background: In 2009, the California Legislature merged the powers, purposes, and responsibilities of the former Cal OES with those of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) into the newly-created California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA). On July 1, 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s Reorganization Plan #2 eliminated Cal EMA and restored it to the Governor’s Office, renaming it the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and merging it with the Office of Public Safety Communications. Today, Cal OES is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities within the state. In addition, Cal OES administers 82 victim services and public safety programs.

OCJP and CalOES: The former Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) was established in 1968 to provide funding for criminal justice and victim assistance programs. OCJP was abolished in the 2003-2004 State Budget on December 31, 2003. All of the programs, with the exception of those in the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Branch (which transferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation), were incorporated into CalOES. Many of these programs include criminal justice and victim service grant programs administered by CalOES. Programs include:

• Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program (VV Program) - The VV Program is designed to improve the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women through a coordinated multidisciplinary response. This is achieved through the creation or enhancement of a specialized unit, which focuses on the vertical prosecution of the defendant and services for the victim(s).
• Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program (UV Program) - The primary purpose of the UV Program is to focus on service delivery to victims of violent crime within unserved/underserved and socially isolated populations. In addition, it is designed to promote awareness and to improve knowledge about accessing local services available to crime victims.
• Human Trafficking Advocate Program (HA Program) – The HA Program provides funding to 10 Victim/Witness Assistance Centers to provide additional support, such as, hiring additional staff, identifying additional human trafficking victims, and providing comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking.

Author’s Amendments: The author has proposed several amendments to be taken in Committee:

1. Change the Program name to “Protect Our Homes Pilot Program”:

Sec. 8587.71. (a) The office shall administer the Home Security Grant Protect Our Homes Pilot Program to provide funds to California residents for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.

1. Limit the scope of the Program to San Bernardino and Merced counties:

Sec. 85871.(b)(1) Participants shall apply for a grant, to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns, in a county designated by the office. the County of Merced or the County of San Bernardino.

1. Place a five-year sunset on the Program:

Sec. 8587.71.(f) This section shall remain in effect only until December 31, 2023, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before December 31, 2023, deletes or extends that date.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531

Date of Hearing: April 4, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Adam Gray, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2454 (

Author:Steinorth) – As Introduced Ver:February 14, 2018

SUBJECT: Office of Emergency Services: home security equipment: pilot program

SUMMARY: Creates the Home Security Grant Pilot Program (Program) to be administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Specifically, this bill:

1. States the intent of the Program is to provide funds to California residents for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.
2. Requires the Program to meet all of the following criteria:
3. Participants shall apply for a grant, to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns, in a county designated by Cal OES.
4. Participants shall qualify for the California earned income tax credit, as defined in Section 17052 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
5. Participants shall be awarded up to $500 to purchase qualifying home security equipment and shall reapply for the grant on an annual basis.
6. Defines “qualified home security equipment” includes security fences, alarm systems, surveillance systems, motion detectors, locks, postings and lighting.
7. Clarifies participation by an individual who rents his or her residence shall not be exempt from the Program as long as obtain the permission of the homeowner to modify the property or to install security equipment on the premises.
8. Establishes in the State Treasury, the Home Security Grant Pilot Program Fund (Fund).

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes CalOES by the Governor's Reorganization Plan No.2, operative July 1, 2013.
2. Requires CalOES to perform a variety of duties with respect to specified emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities in the state, including emergency medical services.
3. Specifies that the State Emergency Plan (SEP) shall be in effect in each political subdivision of the state, and the governing body of each political subdivision shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the provisions thereof.
4. Requires the Governor to coordinate SEP and those programs necessary to mitigate the effects of an emergency.
5. Requires the Governor to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency by the political subdivisions of the State of California, such plans and programs to be integrated into and coordinated with the State Emergency Plan and the plans and programs of the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible extent.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill: According to the author: “The Protect Our Homes Pilot Program would provide Californians who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit counties selected by Cal OES to receive grants of up to $500 in order to purchase qualifying home security equipment. Eligible renters and homeowners who purchase qualifying home security equipment, including security fencing, alarm systems, surveillance systems, motion detectors, locks, lighting, and more, may apply for a grant.

Violent crime in California increased from 151,425 incidents in 2014 to 174,701 in 2016. The rise in crime is not limited to violent crime, as over 1,000,000 property crimes were committed in 2016, up by over 50,000 incidents since 2014. These alarming rates of crimes committed are simultaneously met by limited law enforcement funding in our local neighborhoods.

California’s most vulnerable communities are those with low incomes and high rates of unemployment. Residents in low-income communities often struggle with limited financial resources to pay for food, health care, education, and basic necessities, often competing with the need for safety and home protection. Residents living near the poverty line may be forced to choose between security and basic needs. Households in low-income communities lacking any type of security system are particularly vulnerable to burglary, as one study found that 83% of convicted burglars would attempt to determine if a security system was present prior to attempting a burglary.

AB 2454 works to alleviate the hardship on struggling Californians who must choose between basic needs and home security by creating a grant program for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.”

Background: In 2009, the California Legislature merged the powers, purposes, and responsibilities of the former Cal OES with those of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) into the newly-created California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA). On July 1, 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s Reorganization Plan #2 eliminated Cal EMA and restored it to the Governor’s Office, renaming it the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and merging it with the Office of Public Safety Communications. Today, Cal OES is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities within the state. In addition, Cal OES administers 82 victim services and public safety programs.

OCJP and CalOES: The former Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) was established in 1968 to provide funding for criminal justice and victim assistance programs. OCJP was abolished in the 2003-2004 State Budget on December 31, 2003. All of the programs, with the exception of those in the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Branch (which transferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation), were incorporated into CalOES. Many of these programs include criminal justice and victim service grant programs administered by CalOES. Programs include:

• Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program (VV Program) - The VV Program is designed to improve the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women through a coordinated multidisciplinary response. This is achieved through the creation or enhancement of a specialized unit, which focuses on the vertical prosecution of the defendant and services for the victim(s).
• Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program (UV Program) - The primary purpose of the UV Program is to focus on service delivery to victims of violent crime within unserved/underserved and socially isolated populations. In addition, it is designed to promote awareness and to improve knowledge about accessing local services available to crime victims.
• Human Trafficking Advocate Program (HA Program) – The HA Program provides funding to 10 Victim/Witness Assistance Centers to provide additional support, such as, hiring additional staff, identifying additional human trafficking victims, and providing comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking.

Author’s Amendments: The author has proposed several amendments to be taken in Committee:

1. Change the Program name to “Protect Our Homes Pilot Program”:

Sec. 8587.71. (a) The office shall administer the Home Security Grant Protect Our Homes Pilot Program to provide funds to California residents for the purchase of qualifying home security equipment.

1. Limit the scope of the Program to San Bernardino and Merced counties:

Sec. 85871.(b)(1) Participants shall apply for a grant, to install qualified home security equipment in a residence that he or she rents or owns, in a county designated by the office. the County of Merced or the County or the County of San Bernardino.

1. Place a five-year sunset on the Program:

Sec. 8587.71.(f) This section shall remain in effect only until December 31, 2023, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before December 31, 2023, deletes or extends that date.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531