Text of CA AB 3031 (2024)

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 3031 Introduced by Assembly Members Lee and Low February 16, 2024 An act to add Chapter 1.2 (commencing with Section 8015) to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 3031, as introduced, Lee. LGBTQ+ Commission. Existing law establishes within the state government various commissions, including, but not limited to, the Commission on the State of Hate, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Commission on Disability Access. This bill would establish the LGBTQ+ Commission in the state government. The bill would provide for the appointment of 9 members, appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Rules. The bill would establish the goals of the commission, which would include, among other things, acting in an advisory capacity to the Legislature and the Governor on policy matters affecting the state’s LGBTQ+ community and its members. The bill would, commencing July 1, 2025, require the commission to convene quarterly meetings to identify the statewide needs of the LGBTQ+ community and to assist in implementing supportive policies and initiatives to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. The bill would require the commission to submit a report summarizing certain information and making specified policy recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor by January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 1.2 (commencing with Section 8015) is added to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.2. LGBTQ+ Commission 8015. (a) There is hereby established in state government the LGBTQ+ Commission. The commission shall be composed of nine members, as follows: (1) Five members appointed by the Governor. (2) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. (3) Two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. (b) Appointments to the commission shall be considered among individuals who represent the geographical, racial, gender, diverse identities, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, age, and educational diversity of California’s LGBTQ+ community. (c) The commission shall have the following goals: (1) Act in an advisory capacity to the Legislature and the Governor on policy matters affecting the state’s LGBTQ+ community and its members. (2) Engage in fact finding, data collection, and information gathering on matters impacting the state’s LGBTQ+ community, including LGBTQ+ experiences and needs. (3) Review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting the state’s LGBTQ+ community. (4) Provide the Legislature and the Governor with information and recommendations for actions to be taken by the Governor and the Legislature, including, but not limited to, policy solutions and legislation that will help the state respond to the needs of the state’s LGBTQ+ community. (d) Commencing July 1, 2025, the commission shall convene quarterly meetings to identify the statewide needs of the LGBTQ+ community and to assist in implementing supportive policies and initiatives to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Identifying systemic inequalities and barriers that affect the LGBTQ+ community. (2) Identifying methods to improve and protect the health, safety, and well-being of the state’s LGBTQ+ community and its members across all levels of state and local government. (3) Monitoring state legislation affecting the LGBTQ+ community. (4) Working with state agencies to assess programs and policies that affect the LGBTQ+ community. (5) Coordinating with other related commissions to address issues of mutual concern. (6) Working as a liaison between the public and private sector to eliminate barriers to economic and health equity for the LGBTQ+ community. (7) Holding public hearings and gathering input on issues related to the unique problems and needs of the LGBTQ+ community. (e) (1) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5, the commission shall submit a report to the Legislature and the Governor by January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, summarizing the information gathered under subdivision (d) and making policy recommendations to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. (2) A report to be submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.