The Assembly Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the Tiered Registry Bill (SB 421) on Friday, September 1. The Committee will review dozens of that bills that day and determine which bills to release from the Suspense File. Bills not released from the Suspense File will no longer be viable. Bills released from the Suspense File will sent to the Assembly floor for consideration during the period September 5 through September 15.
“The Tiered Registry Bill faces an important hurdle on September 1,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “It is time to make our voices heard again by calling the offices of Assembly members and asking them to release Senate Bill 421 from the Suspense File.”
Here is a link to the members and their phone numbers:
http://apro.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff
During the Appropriations Committee meeting on September 1, no testimony will be taken from members of the legislature or the public. Instead, Committee Chairman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher will announce which bills are to be released from the Suspense File. She is not required to state any reason for the committee’s decisions and there is no appeals process for bills that are not released.
So; it’s a 50/50 chance this bill will move forward. No appeals process! I wasn’t aware of this. I know these people make things complicated, but has Janice ever stated as reason she has been standing back on this?
The way the bill is currently written I would rather see it suspended and try again next year. There have been so many changes to it, especially the one that states it wouldn’t become law until 2021, that I think we would be better trying to get the original bill passed next year.
Senator Wiener and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher co-sponsored a bill together to protect immigrants, SB 785 earlier this year. Gonzalez-Fletcher voted to pass this bill in July so I would say this bill has a good chance of passing.
There are amendments to this bill that we don’t like. Subjecting people to internet disclosure after decades of privacy is just one of many. I’m not so sure the legislature can impose an extensive range of civil disabilities by increasing the gravity of the crime after its commission.
On the other hand they are offering a statute of limitation for most registrants that previously had no expiration. We will take that part . So let them pass this bill as it is and then we ( collectively) file injunctions against any part of it that will cause harm to peoples livelihood, reputation and families, when it becomes law. We have time. I think we all agree that it is most likely with the courts where we will prevail, not with the politicians anyways, who are just stewards of the control structure.
PC 290 is bad law. SB 421 amends a bad law to make it worse. This bill needs to stay right where it belongs; in the round file. It’s a bait and switch scam by law enforcement, the very people who claim to be its biggest backers, and it will result in total chaos. And apparently, as a group, we are collectively falling for this scam. Guts feathers, and all.
50/50 chance do you guys think it will pass ????????????
At this point I feel like we should draw as little attention to it as possible. The more RSO’s or family or advocates push, the more public pressure will be applied by fear groups to counter, and the more likely the chairman of appropriations committee gets nervous and leaves in suspense. I know this bill will “cost” money in the beginning but hopefully the analysis shows it becoming budget neutral over a period of time so the Appr. Committee can move it out with a clear conscience to let the full assembly debate. If the bill was scored wildly by the Finance Dept and is showing massive cost without a way to fund it, it is screwed. If passed out of committee, then we can start the aggressive lobbying again for removing or striking amendments before full passage and also lobby senators to stand their ground on the original bill if it goes to conference. We still have a voice but we need it to get out of committee before we start shouting from the rooftop to pass this bill.
I cannot continue to support this bill with the new amendments literally snuck in. It literally raises the bar and includes MORE (if not most) people to Tier 2 flatly with ZERO recourse.
This is UNACCEPTABLE and a blatant disregard for those that will get caught up in this. The fact that this isn’t even remotely addressed in the slightest is very frightening.
I’ve read countless times here that we will inform the people. The “facts” will come out and prevail……..are these amendments based on facts??
Simple CP possession, no contact, no priors, least likely to reoffend…….is suddenly Tier 2?
Explain to me how THIS is based on facts? Explain to me how THIS is acceptable when many, MANY instances of people on the registry in California are on it for this?
I will not stand by this.
I CANNOT stand for this.
This bill has been tainted and should not be approved.
To allow this basically means that they will now BE JUSTIFIED in blanket labeling and placement on this “Tiering”….and we will let them.
I would like to comment, but am so consumed by distain for the whole system that I have nothing constructive to say. To be on this list is essentially a death sentence for me. So to have a teir system means nothing. I hope that all involved in the execution of this horrible law have tragedy in their lives. I wish I could bestow that pain upon them, and watch them as they suffer. I am not a violent man, having seen first hand what violence does to people. But this goes beyond my beliefs, and cuts right down to a core sense of revenge. I do not feel hate for these people, I just want them to feel unending pain.
I made my calls and I feel good for doing my part..
Regarding the calls to these appropriations members…A few questions:
–Do members of this committee accept calls from people outside their district?
–What information do you have to provide when you call? (privacy concerns)
Thank you for any insights.
I just made my calls in support.
I think the diverse reactions to the amended bill make sense. Particularly those that have been amended from Tier 1 to Tier 3. But it is my opinion that it’s possible that the bill was amended this way such as to help it pass with less public opposition with the intention of making those changes less stringent once the public lens has shifted to some other legislation.
It’s always controversial for any politician to suggest registy reform and thus are often hesitant and slow to change simply due to the mudslinging tactics of american politics. It’s important to keep that in perspective.
DON’T GO FOR IT!!! THE RECENT CHANGES MAKE THIS A BAD BILL THAT IS LIKELY NEVER TO BE IMPLIMENTED!
Can someone summarize the main changes in the amendments in simple words please? Until when we have time to call? Thank you
How the amendments effect on someone who has 288 (a) with charge of “attempted lewd act upon a child “ & low risk score? Which tier would be?
I’m reading the amended Bill and all the and/or/but/otherwise clauses seem endless and labyrinthine. (“You’ll be a Tier One unless your mother ate toast with apricot jam on the day of your birth, or you were born on a Tuesday before 5:00 a.m. or in the month of January, or you attended an elementary school named after a politician who was not a President.” And it’s frustrating that there is never an “or else” clause for the government itself. For example, “The DOJ shall determine an individual’s tier designation WITHIN 24 months ….. OR ELSE that individual will be automatically designated a Tier One.” They’ll make rules for everyone else but no rules apply to them, huh? 😡 But whatever – if it gets a few people off the Registry, I suppose it’s better than nothing. And at least it paves the way for a more reasoned discussion of the Registry.
Hi all –
I’ve been reading everyone’s comments regarding the Appropriations Committee, the new amendments to SB 421, and whether, in light of these amendments, continued support of the tiered registry bill makes sense.
Some of us are convinced SB 421 will make things worse. There are also people arguing a tiered registry, no matter how flawed, is still better than the lifetime registry California has been operating since 1947. Plus a few people are sure the bill was always a scam and that we have all been duped. Perhaps the only thing we can all agree on right now is that tempers are running high on all sides.
Last week I posted 2 comments in a different comment stream about the Appropriation Committee, the political process, what happened last Wednesday and what is going to happen next. I am going to cut, paste and repost those comments here with a few new comments/observations. My goal is to get everyone on the same page in terms of what has happened, what is happening and why. That way everyone can decide for themselves if SB 421 deserves support.
Hi All –
Right now our bill is neither late nor running out of time. It’s actually right on time. These are the next steps:
1. The Assembly Appropriations Committee will have one more meeting on August 30th. This meeting will be much like today’s meeting as there are still outstanding bills that need to be either moved to the assembly suspense file (fiscal bills) or get a pass/no pass vote (non-fiscal bills).
2. On September 1st, all the fiscal bills will be considered by the Appropriations Committee. This meeting is not open to the public. At this meeting all the fiscal bills will get a pass or no pass vote.
3. If SB 421 is not voted out of the suspense file our bill will be dead. As next year is an election year there will not be a tiered registry bill introduced in 2018.
4. If SB 421 is passed out of appropriations the bill will then move to the Assembly Floor for what is called a “Third Reading.” Senator Weiner will explain the bill and the Assembly Members will then discuss the bill. A vote will be taken.
5. Because the Assembly has amended the bill, if the floor vote by the Assembly is “yes” SB 421 will have to go back to the Senate. The Senate might agree with the Assembly’s amendments, this is called concurrence.
6. HOWEVER, the Senate might not agree with the Assembly version. If this happens the bill is referred to a conference committee made up of 3 members from the senate and 3 members from the assembly. If the conference committee can reach a compromise, the bill will go back to both houses for a final vote.
7. If the bill is subsequently passed by both houses it will go to the Governor for signature. Governor Brown has three choices (1) sign the bill into law, (2) allow it to become law without his signature, or (3) veto it.
Sometimes amendments really are just political which means even the person demanding the amendment doesn’t actually think the end bill will include the proposed changes (“Constituents I did my best and tried very hard to amend the bill so everyone on the registry would have to live at the police station for the rest of their life but gosh darn it the Senate just would not accept my amendment!”).
Sometimes the author of a bill will agree to amendments in order to get the bill through the assembly knowing the compromise committee will throw it out.
Bottom line is we don’t know what the final bill will actually look like yet and we won’t know until it is either accepted by the Senate with Assembly amendments or returned by the compromise committee with changes. At this point we can agree as amended by the Assembly, SB 421 is very different than the original bill.
Please keep in mind the reason the DA in Southern CA agreed to sponsor the bill is not because it is the right thing to do but because the registry is eating up her budget. If everyone on the registry ends up in tier three it will defeat the whole purpose of the bill.
I have seen bills amended by the Assembly accepted in total by the Senate but I have also seen all the Assembly Amendments removed from a bill and then the bill returned to both houses by the compromise committee exactly as it was first proposed by the Senate. This really does happen. Will it happen to SB 421? No one knows, yet. This is how it works in California and if SB 421 dies it will be the exact same process if and when we get another chance to introduce a tiered registry bill.
I made my calls to the Appropriations Committee today.
For those of us who are registrants, need I remind you that it is best to keep a united front; Not only has there been momentum with the fact that we are close to having a bill, but there is movement on behalf of registrants around the county. It would unrealistic that this bill or any other will satisfy all of our collective concerns, but something is better than nothing.
Periodically I have submitted post regarding my case, and although I never pursued anyone, I am responsible due to my complicity in the matter. It has been almost 20 years, and that is far too long as well as unfair; at the same time, I have fought to have my case amended to a misdemeanor status, which should be Tier 1. qualification.
Now, all of the good that has been accomplished regarding my case is credited to my Lord Jesus Christ. I have prayed and acted on faith will success. In no way am I going to respond any differently. My prayers will be made, and heard by the Lord, and regardless of what happens Friday, I expect to be removed from this list very soon. Also, I expect for this bill to be removed from the suspense file and passed with some amending to be made.
I am still not an attorney so I will not attempt to interpret all the legalese in the amended bill, and, I haven’t read every comment posted here but, I did read one from Janice who was justifiably offended by unfair criticism, and I would rather have the bill pulled from the suspense file and passed [as is] than to have no change to my life sentence at all. Twenty four years on the registry with no hope of relief is quite enough suffering for me thank you very much. A bird in the hand is worth…
Well, it’s disappointing to hear all of the negativity! Why don’t we all just give up, shut this website down and disregard all of the success we have had? You can’t always win! The race isn’t over! The race isn’t always won by the swiftest or fastest, but by those who keep running! Matt, your comments and thoughts are narrow minded! You can respond, but it’s a fact! Stay focused and donate! Miracles do and have happened!!
This bill in it’s current form won’t be effective until 2021 at the earliest, leaves too much open to interpretation, and makes getting relief from the registry almost impossible. I would likely be Tier 1 (but again, they leave it too open to interpretation to know for sure) under the current bill and I am adamantly against it as it’s currently written. That should be very telling for the rest of you when as it currently is, a vast majority of you would be Tier 2 or 3.
Its possible that this bill is a preparation to receive federal benefits by implementing SORNA after the bill passes. That will cut the cost alright. And LE would increase in numbers and force methinks. A very few rc’s would benefit. A very many would find NO WAY OUT. We shall see how it goes though. It won’t be up to us. But its not really up to ‘them’,either(.an angel could decide. Prayers up.
I was reading the SB421 amended bill and trying to understand. So basically a misdemeanor of 647.6 is no longer granted an internet exclusion? So basically everyone is going to have their info at Megan’s website?
so to all those who were against the bill due to that 2021 update why would you petition for relief (if passed) just because you couldn’t get your way, kind of dumb to say change it back or have no tiered system at all, the way i see it whats another 4 years, atleast it’s the point of the sentence, the end of the tunnel.