TranslateStaff Report 6.1
| Meeting Date: | May 1, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Agenda No.: | Item 6.1 |
| Agenda Item Title: | Legislative Report |
| Environmental Determination: | Not a project under CEQA |
| Staff Contacts: | Carole Cooper |
Analysis
At its April 3, 2019, meeting, staff provided summary information about several bills affecting LAFCOs that are presently proceeding through the State Legislature. After discussion and consideration, the Commission directed staff to provide letters of Support to the Legislature for two bills. The Commission further directed staff to develop a letter of Opposition for a third bill, with review by the Chair and Vice Chair, pursuant to Commission policy.
Current Status
The Commission took Support positions on two bills:
Assembly Bill 1822 is the annual Omnibus Bill which makes technical, non-controversial changes to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act. The letter of Support sent to Assembly Member Cecelia Aguiar-Curry, Chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee, and copied to Committee members is included in Attachment 1.
The Assembly Local Government Committee is scheduled to hear this bill on May 1, 2019.
Assembly Bill 1253 (Rivas) establishes a five-year pilot program to provide grants to LAFCOs to address known service and governance issues in disadvantaged communities. The letter of Support sent to Assembly Member Rivas is included in Attachment 1.
The Assembly Local Government Committee passed this bill at the end of March. Because it involves funding, it has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The Commission took an Oppose position on one bill:
Assembly Bill 600 would require each county, city, and qualifying special district to develop an accessibility plan to secure safe drinking water, wastewater services, storm water protection, and structural fire protection in unincorporated island, fringe, and legacy communities; require LAFCOs to conduct public hearings on the status of the plans; limit annexations to cities and districts, based on the status of the accessibility plans; and affect any proposed changes to an agency’s sphere of influence, among other directives.
Concerns include internal inconsistency among sections of the bill as well as lack of clarity, removal of LAFCO discretion; and absence of resources to complete the work necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.
CALAFCO staff and legal counsel thoroughly analyzed the bill, as proposed, and drafted language that formed the basis of staff’s recommended position for the Commission. Both the Chair and Vice Chair reviewed, and subsequently approved, the letter. It is included in Attachment 1.
The Assembly Local Government Committee will have heard this bill at its meeting on April 24. Staff will provide an update at the Commission’s meeting.
Recommendation
None. This report is for information only.
Attachments
Attachment 1 [Unsigned due to County policy on signature redaction]
- Letter of Support for AB 1822
- Letter of Support for AB 1253
- Letter of Opposition to AB 600