California Assembly Bill AB404 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 404AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 8, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Gatto FEBRUARY 14, 2011 An act to add Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 66360) to Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 404, as amended, Gatto. Public postsecondary education: Native American Linguistic Institute. Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, establishes the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. These segments include the University of California, which is administered by the Regents of the University of California, and the California State University, which is administered by the Trustees of the California State University. Provisions of the Donahoe Higher Education Act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the regents, by resolution, make these provisions applicable. This bill would provide that by January 1, 2013, the Trustees of the California State University  of California  shall, and the Regents of the University of California may, establish a Native American Linguistic Institute, to preserve Native American tribal languages.  The institute would include 2 faculty members.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 66360) is added to Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code, to read: CHAPTER 5.6. NATIVE AMERICAN LINGUISTIC INSTITUTE 66360. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California is the home to 109 federally recognized American Indian tribes, the largest number of tribal nations in the United States. (b) There were over 80 distinct indigenous languages spoken prior to contact with European culture. (c) These languages represent 23 distinct language families in California. (d) Chapter 324 of the Statutes of 2009 (A.B. 544) for the issuance of a California state credential authorizing fluent speakers of American Indian languages to teach the languages in California's public schools. (e) The State of California recognizes that tribal nations and indigenous Californians are actively engaged in these revitalization efforts. (f) Language defines culture and is essential to the social fabric of a diverse California. (g) The state supports native languages preservation and restoration programs on California State University and University of California campuses. (h) Revitalization of indigenous California languages is of the utmost importance to all people of the State of California. SEC. 2. Section 66360.1 is added to the Education Code, to read: 66360.1. By January 1, 2013, the Trustees of the  California State  University  of California  shall, and the Regents of the University of California may, establish a Native American Linguistic Institute, to preserve Native American tribal languages.  The institute shall include two faculty members.