California extends citizen legislation contest deadline

Bay City News Service

November 12, 2006

A contest encouraging Californians to become more involved in the state Legislature, with the prize being the possibility of seeing their own ideas enacted into law, is having its deadline extended until Dec. 1, state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, announced.

Simitian's "There Oughta Be A Law'' contest, originally scheduled to end on Friday but extended to give more people a chance to participate, asks citizens to come up with problems that might be resolved legislatively and to draft a bill that addresses the issue.

In addition, participants are asked to consider the possible financial impacts of the bill and its potential supporters and opponents in the Legislature, governor's office and local government agencies.

Since the contest's inception in 2002, "an eclectic mix of proposals'' has been received, Simitian said, including 10 ideas that have been signed into law.

According to Simitian, recent success stories include a law protecting seniors against predatory lending practices and a law requiring motorists to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the side of the road.

Contest winners have their bill ideas introduced as legislation and get the chance to testify at a hearing on the bill at the state Capitol.

"Too often the public gets disenchanted with government,'' Simitian said. "It's important that people know, through an effort like this, that they can be heard and they can make a difference.''

To receive a contest entry form, call (650) 688-6384 or (831) 425-0401 or visit http://www.senate.ca.gov/simitian.

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