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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION FUND	Nonpartisan Pros & Cons of PROPOSITION 15 THE HERTZBERG-POLANCO CRIME LABORATORIES CONSTRUCTION BOND ACT OF 1999.
	Legislative Bond Act

THE QUESTION

Should the state borrow $220 million through the sale of general obligation bonds to finance the construction of new local crime laboratories and the renovation of existing ones?

THE SITUATION

A mandated assessment by the State Auditor's office identified 19 local and 11 state forensic laboratories that handle all law enforcement requests in the state. Many lacked accreditation. The Auditor concluded in January 1999 that the majority of these laboratories need significant improvement due to increasing caseloads and the "accelerated pace of technological advances, including...DNA identification." Proposition 15 was drafted largely in response to the forensic laboratory needs identified in the report.

THE PROPOSAL

Proposition 15 would:

• authorize the sale of $220 million in general obligation bonds for construction and improvement of local crime laboratories
• require local authorities to match 10% of the funding
• establish a seven-member Forensics Laboratories Authority (FLA) to oversee expenditures.

FISCAL EFFECT

The Legislative Analyst estimates the cost to the General Fund would be $377 million over 25 years, with payments of about $15 million per year. The one-time matching costs to local governments would be about $20 million, spread respectively to corresponding local projects. Additionally, local authorities would be responsible for the increase in annual operating costs of the new or expanded facilities.

SUPPORTERS SAY

• Improved crime laboratories would ultimately save money by shortening investigations and trials with more accurate forensic information.
• With better evidence, fewer criminals would be freed, and fewer innocent people convicted.

OPPONENTS SAY

• Using bond financing is too expensive, substantially increasing the cost of projects.
• Local governments should use private laboratories or rent private space instead of constructing new buildings.

For more information:
Supporters: (916) 448-4199, www.proposition15.org
Opponents: (626) 614-0630, www.ca.lp.org

(Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
for the March 7, 2000 Election.)

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Last updated: January 18, 2000
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