LEGISLATIVE REPORT - October 2003 Considering the state of the State, there is no wonder we have little to report. At this point, we have not located any current legislation which might prove to detrimental to any historically important records, so important to researchers. The California State Genealogical Alliance [CSGA] has been unable to find a chairperson for the Legislative Watch Committee. Several people have shown an interest, but have decided not to take the job. There has not been anyone available to check this sessions legislative bills. There are a dozen or so people who are interested in helping but do not feel qualified to take on the leadership. I have agreed to stay on as an advisor only. [See Below] In January and again in July I did a cursory check and found nothing of concern. In listening to the news and reading the papers, I have found several bills that got my attention and were questionable. I did read the bills but found no worrisome language at that time. We can hope, with everything else going on, we will not be facing any problems. CSGA secretary sent a request to the Department of Health Services requesting a seat on Vital Records Protection Advisory Committee which the State Registrar is required to appoint as per Senator Speier's SB247 passed last fall. We have several qualified local genealogists who could and would represent the genealogical community on the committee. On the National level, the Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act S228/HR637 we have been following has had no action since earlier this year. I continue to follow these bills.---Legislative Advisor, Iris Carter Jones ------------------------------------------ CALIFRONIA STATE GENEALOGICAL ALLIANCE REPORT from Cath Trindel on the Legislative Committee: We would like to welcome new committee member Liz Stookesberry Myers, of Los Alamitos, CA a member of Questing Heirs. As we work at forming this committee we invite all those who think they might be interested in helping out to check out the California Government website where you would help monitor legislation <http://info.sen.ca.gov/>. Use the search feature to find bills relating to privacy, records access or any other buzz word you can think of. If you find something you have not seen reported, or activity on a bill that might be of interest, send a message to all of us on the CSGA-L or directly to a board member if you prefer. I think you'll find it is an easy search and the more members keeping an eye the better off we are. It would also be a great help if we could get a record access report from each county on the implementation of SB247 and it's impact on vital record access. Implementation has not been uniform and it would be helpful to the genealogical community to know the best way to approach each county record office. Again send a report to the list or to a board member. ALL POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS and other interested CSGA members are invited and URGED to attend the CSGA Board Meeting Oct 17 in the SMCGS Library (dinner $10 each lasagne [meat & vegetarian] /bread/salad/dessert/coffee /tea). Contact Cath at [email protected] or 56 Orchard Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061-3720 by Oct 10th if you plan to attend. --------------------------------------- SUBJECT: HISTORIC CEMETERY LEGISLATION - Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 Since 2000 I have been involved in trying to get California legislation enacted that will help the plight of our state's historic cemeteries. In 2000 a Bill was introduced and passed both houses of the legislature (only 5 NOE votes) that would have created the California Historic Cemetery Commission. That commission would have cost almost nothing but would have contributed greatly to the review and assessment of the status of our historic graveyards. In the Fall of 2000, GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS vetoed the Bill even though his office had been consulted as to the Governor's preferences on how the Bill should have been framed. Lately I have been working on portions of existing Bills to ensure that the needs of the historic cemeteries that could be addressed through such Bills are considered. I will be sending out information on a couple of items once they are signed by Governor Davis - if they are not also vetoed by him. If there are any of you who see a need that may need additional legislation in order to assist the historic cemeteries, please contact me direct at [email protected] I will try to advise you or otherwise determine if or how such legislation might be addressed. I'd like to thank those who in the past have sent me emails of support. Our California ancestors all repose in California cemeteries. The vast majority of the cemeteries in the state are historic and pre-date the 20th century. It is important that we provide protection and preservation of these places of rest. Together we can make a difference. Sue Silver, State Coordinator, California Saving Graves, www.usgennet.org/usa/ca/state/ -- Iris Carter Jones, President Join us - "A Golden Prospect" NGS Conference in the States In Sacramento, California 19-22 May 2004 www.sacvalleygenes.org -- Iris Carter Jones, President Join us - "A Golden Prospect" NGS Conference in the States In Sacramento, California 19-22 May 2004 www.sacvalleygenes.org