Sacramento – Assembly Member Karnette has gained key support for her efforts to speed up allocation of precious, existing antiterrorism funds collected from drivers who have purchased the 9/11 memorial license plate.  Karnette’s measure, Assembly Bill 587, was approved unanimously by the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.

“California drivers have tried to put the brakes on terrorism by investing over seven million hard-earned dollars,” said Karnette.  “We need to reward their investment by demanding annual accountability for how that money is used.”

Assembly Member Betty Karnette (D – Long Beach) had originally authored legislation that called for annual reports to keep security officials accountable.  But Karnette believes that the delay has gone on long enough and has amended her bill, Assembly Bill 587, to provide a four million dollar appropriation to train law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel in antiterrorism prevention and response techniques.

“We get the best bang for our buck by using these funds to help train first responders, our first line of defense against domestic terrorism,” Karnette said.  “Terrorist threats and tactics change rapidly, and the success of first responders depends on quality training.”

The California Memorial License Plate fund was created by AB 1759 (2002).  This program allows California drivers to purchase a patriotic automobile license plate and directs the proceeds of those plate purchases to antiterrorism programs while making a modest amount of the plate funds available for the educational expenses of surviving dependents of 9/11 attack victims. 

Law enforcement, fire fighters and other emergency services personnel are in unified support of AB 587 as amended. 

The state’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training supports the bill.  The Office of Homeland Security has not taken an official position, but helped draft the amended bill to ensure its positive, statewide impact against terrorism.