Idea: Remote state residency

As more people move out of (or are displaced from) California, maybe the state government should consider a type of state residency which can be exercised from other states.

Idea: a remote state residency.

• Would allow for the following to apply as remote residents of the state without physical, permanent domicile in the state:
  • Non-residents
  • former residents
  • prospective transplants from other states
  • those born in the state of California 
  • Non-residents who apply for any state volunteer program
  • Non-residents who apply to study remotely or in-person at any California public college or university
• Would allow for participation in in certain, but not all, activities and services accessible to active California residents
  • Would issue remote residency cards to successful applicants
  • Easier process for applying to CSU, UC and CCC colleges for remote study
  • Easier, discounted process for applying online to California-based public libraries for digital assets
  • Easier process for applying to California Virtual Academies (or state-operated online K-12 public school)
  • Invitations to voluntary programs
    • California State Guard (CSG)
      • Maritime Component
      • Army Component
      • Air Component
    • Programs of the Chief State Officer
      • College Corps
      • California Climate Action Corps
      • Youth Jobs Corps
      • AmeriCorps California
      • Disaster Volunteer Management
      • Alumni Network
  • Automatic application to remote residency for non-residents who volunteer for the above
  • Easier remote company formation, banking, payment processing, and taxation
  • Zoom marriages certified and officiated by California county clerks
• Must be renewed every five years
• Why:
  • Many people are driven out of California by the housing crisis
  • Many are hoping to leave other current states of residency due to policy
  • No state services are afforded to those who study online in CSU, UC or CCC systems
  • No state services are afforded to those who work remotely for California-based businesses and organizations
  • Remote work and service is an increasing reality, as is the growing interconnectedness of communications
  • The e-residency programs in Estonia and Lithuania offer a forward-looking attempt to extend the concept of citizenship to those who wish to do business in either country
  • This remote residency program would empower many more people to empower California, and would be an investment in our own future as a state