Plain English Breakdown
The official text contains some formatting errors (repeated words like 'to, among other things') but the meaning remains clear that partner funding is continuously appropriated while topic selection requires legislative appropriation.
Creating the Engaged California Program in the Office of Data and Innovation
This law creates a new program to build an online platform where Californians can discuss government topics, using funds from partners that cannot influence those discussions.
What This Bill Does
- Creates the Engaged California Program within the Office of Data and Innovation.
- Requires the office to design, set up, and keep running a digital platform for ongoing dialogue between residents and state government.
- Sets rules requiring best practices for using the platform.
- Allows the program to receive extra funding from partner organizations through the Data and Innovation Services Revolving Fund.
- Stops groups that give money to the program from choosing discussion topics or taking part in those discussions.
- Makes any unused funds from the 2026–27 budget year available for use during the 2027–28 budget year.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Office of Data and Innovation within the Government Operations Agency.
- State agencies identified by the office to help with outreach efforts.
- Partner organizations that provide funding for the program.
- Californians who use the new dialogue platform.
Terms To Know
- Office of Data and Innovation
- A state office inside the Government Operations Agency focused on using technology, data, and design to improve government services.
- Data and Innovation Services Revolving Fund
- A pool of money for the office that can include donations, endowments, or grants from public or private sources committed to ethical and secure use of data.
- Appropriation
- The act where the Legislature officially sets aside money to pay for a specific program or project.
Limits and Unknowns
- Selecting and activating topics on the platform only happens if the Legislature provides sufficient funding.
- State agencies that must coordinate outreach are not named in this text; they will be identified by the office later.
- The specific steps for how topics are chosen follow a 'specified procedure' but those details are not included here.