CA SB803

Establishes the California Youth Leadership Project to support youth civic engagement by awarding scholarships to youth ages 14-18 from disconnected and disadvantaged backgrounds, including homeless youth, foster care youth, juvenile justice system youth, and low-income youth.

Creates the California Youth Leadership Project Committee chaired by the Superintendent of Public Instruction with up to six members, including representatives from nonprofit organizations, school districts, and a youth participant, to oversee the program and distribute scholarship funds.

Authorizes participating organizations to provide scholarship recipients with tools to examine policy issues, opportunities to advise the Legislature and Governor on youth-related matters, and when available, trips to the State Capitol to testify at legislative hearings.

Establishes the California Youth Leadership Fund in the State Treasury to receive voluntary tax return contributions from California taxpayers, with funds allocated to reimburse administrative costs and support the youth leadership project.

Requires the California Youth Leadership Fund to automatically sunset on January 1 of the fifth taxable year after first appearing on tax returns unless contributions meet or exceed $250,000 annually (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years).