May 5, 2006
Issue #18-2006
WANT MORE DETAILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
website at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
NOW AVAILABLE! THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE! THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE! THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE! THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE! THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK
STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING
GRANTS GRANTS GRANTS GRANTS GRANTS
CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING COMMUNITY DOLLARS” WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING COMMUNITY DOLLARS” WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING COMMUNITY DOLLARS” WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING COMMUNITY DOLLARS” WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING COMMUNITY DOLLARS” WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT
WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER OVERFLOW WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER OVERFLOW WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER OVERFLOW WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER OVERFLOW WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER OVERFLOW
SYSTEMS SYSTEMS SYSTEMS SYSTEMS SYSTEMS
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18, SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18, SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18, SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18, SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18, SHERATON GRAND HOTEL,
SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO SACRAMENTO
GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS
DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218
INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS
WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND
LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES
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The strong push for a national franchise to accelerate telephone compa-
nies’ “speed to market” continued this week with the introduction of a telecom-
munications reform measure by Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (R), chairman of
the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
For more, see Page 6.
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FEDERAL TELECOM REFORM MEASURE FEDERAL TELECOM REFORM MEASURE FEDERAL TELECOM REFORM MEASURE FEDERAL TELECOM REFORM MEASURE FEDERAL TELECOM REFORM MEASURE
INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE INTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE
Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5
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GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AGREE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S LEVEES AGREE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S LEVEES AGREE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S LEVEES AGREE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S LEVEES AGREE TO EXPEDITE PERMITTING TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S LEVEES
Earlier this week the Governor and the Bush Administration finalized a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide an expedited permitting
process in order to fix California’s critical levee sites by the end of the
year. For more, see Page 4.
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES APPLAUDS LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES APPLAUDS LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES APPLAUDS LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES APPLAUDS LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES APPLAUDS
PASSAGE PASSAGE PASSAGE PASSAGE PASSAGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS
LEAGUE THANKS LEGISLATORS AND GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER
The League of California Cities today applauded the Legislature’s passage
of a $37.3 billion package of bond measures to provide funding for housing,
transportation, levee repairs and flood control projects and educational facili-
ties. The measures will be presented for voter approval on the November
2006 statewide ballot. (See also “Infrastructure Bond Details”, p. 7).
For more, see Page 11.
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Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
The California Municipal Law Handbook
editorial board and volunteer municipal attorneys
have completed the 2006 update of the handbook.
The handbook provides municipal law practitio-
ners a “source of first resort” in researching
California municipal law. The handbook is avail-
able in three formats:
• Bound Edition. For those ordering
handbook for the first time, the traditional bound
version is available with a reusable binder and
chapter tabs. For those who bought a handbook
or new binder in 2004 or 2005, a 2006 handbook
insert without a binder and tabs is available. Just
put it in your current binder. Those with older
binders should order the complete version with the
new expanded binder. To order, contact
CityBooks at (916) 658-8257, or visit
www.cacities.org/store.
• CD-ROM Edition. The 2006 CD-ROM
edition of the handbook features the award-
winning Folio VIEWS® search-and-retrieval
software to locate information throughout the
entire handbook. Users can search for words,
phrases, section numbers, statutory cites, or case
law, and personalize their handbook with elec-
tronic notes, bookmarks and highlighters. The
CD-ROM edition is available from American Legal
Publishing at (800) 445-5588.
• Online Edition. Users can also access
the CD-ROM edition free of charge from the
League’s website. Visit www.cacities.org\mlh.
The annual update of the California Municipal
Law Handbook represents the work of many
volunteer municipal law practitioners throughout
the state. The League thanks them for their
dedication to ensuring that the handbook contin-
ues to be a valuable resource for California cities.
NOW AVAILABLE! NOW AVAILABLE! NOW AVAILABLE! NOW AVAILABLE! NOW AVAILABLE!
THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL THE 2006 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
LAW HANDBOOK LAW HANDBOOK LAW HANDBOOK LAW HANDBOOK LAW HANDBOOK
The state Department of Conservation has
published their solicitation notice and application
for 2006-07 Beverage Container Recycling Market
Development and Expansion Grants. The depart-
ment is authorized to issue up to $10 million
annually in grants aimed at increasing recycling
rates.
The department is interested in new and
innovative, but realistic, projects that have the
potential to help achieve the State’s overall 80
percent recycling rate goal, while creating jobs
and increasing energy efficiency. Applications
must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, June 5,
2006.
To view the solicitation, application, and addi-
tional information, visit the department’s website
at: www.consrv.ca.gov/dor/grants/rmdeg.htm. For
questions about the grant program, please con-
tact Zenny Yagen at:
Zenny.Yagen@conservation.ca.gov.
STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT STATE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER ANNOUNCES BEVERAGE CONTAINER
RECYCLING GRANTS RECYCLING GRANTS RECYCLING GRANTS RECYCLING GRANTS RECYCLING GRANTS
The City-County-Schools Partnership (CCS
Partnership) reminds city officials that there is
only one opportunity remaining this spring to
attend the organization’s highly regarded work-
shop on cross-jurisdictional collaboration. It is
Friday May 19, 2006, at the Alexander Hughes
Community Center in Claremont, California.
Participants will hear a case study of a successful
collaborative effort, and successful joint use
projects. They will have the opportunity to work
together in teams on ideas for their communities.
A participant at the CCS workshop in the city
of Davis said, “I usually hate these things and
planned to stay only one hour, but I loved this.”
Registration is online at www.ccspartnership.org.
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CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING CCS PARTNERSHIP “STRETCHING
COMMUNITY DOLLARS” COMMUNITY DOLLARS” COMMUNITY DOLLARS” COMMUNITY DOLLARS” COMMUNITY DOLLARS”
WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONT WORKSHOP IN CLAREMONTPRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Help support the League’s package of
incentive-based housing bills! Sign up NOW to
attend the League’s annual Legislative Action
Days in Sacramento.
Join hundreds of local officials and state
officials to meet one-on-one with legislators to
urge them to work with us on telecommunica-
tions reform that protects local communities;
funding for infrastructure; protecting redevel-
opment agencies’ authority to work for our
cities; housing legislation; and other important
issues for cities. Confirmed speakers include:
Assemblymember John Laird, Chair, Assem-
bly Budget Committee; Sen. Bob Dutton, Vice
Chair, Senate Revenue and Taxation Commit-
tee; Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, Chair,
Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee;
California Housing and Community Develop-
ment Director Lynn Jacobs; and Terry Abbott,
Division Chief of Local Assistance, California
Department of Transportation.
Registration is free – but we do need a
count for our May 17 Legislative Reception
and other events. Visit www.cacities.org to
view the initial program agenda. Register
online at www.cacities.org/events.
Issue Papers: Download background
materials that will aid in your legislative lobby-
ing on the Legislative Action Days webpage on
the League website – www.cacities.org/lad.
• Housing & Infrastructure
• Telecommunications Reform
• Transportation & Infrastructure
• Eminent Domain
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS,
MAY 17-18 MAY 17-18 MAY 17-18 MAY 17-18 MAY 17-18
SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO
On May 3, the State Water Resources Control
Board adopted General Waste Discharge Re-
quirements (WDRs) for all publicly owned sani-
tary sewer collection systems. The non-NPDES
WRDs prohibit all sanitary sewer overflows
(SSOs) that: (1) reach the waters of the U.S., or
(2) create a nuisance.
The WDRs were revised at the hearing to
address several major issues raised by local
government representatives, including the
League. These include the timing and phasing of
on-line reporting requirements of SSOs and
changes to the proposed implementation sched-
ule for the monitoring and reporting program.
Despite repeated requests by the local govern-
ment representatives, the State Board did not
address the need to resolve interface issues
between this new requirement of the WDR and
those agencies with existing NPDES permits that
cover the same systems.
The League was among the numerous public
agency representatives that testified at the hear-
ing. The League stressed the impact of these
new requirements on numerous cities, the cost
to implement, the need for a phase-in order to
provide training and the need to resolve the WDR-
NPDES overlap issue.
These new SSO requirements have been
under development for more than a year, involving
stakeholder meetings and input from local govern-
ments. Sanitary sewer overflows do present a
serious environmental and water quality problem
that need to be addressed and the new WDR is
significantly improved from the version originally
proposed by Water Board staff. The League will
work closely with the California Association of
Sanitation Agencies (CASA) and others as training
and information resources are provided.
CASA’s memo regarding the Water Board’s
actions, as well as a coalition comment letter, is
posted on the Environmental Quality page on the
WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE WATER BOARD ADOPTS WASTE
DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWER
OVERFLOW SYSTEMS OVERFLOW SYSTEMS OVERFLOW SYSTEMS OVERFLOW SYSTEMS OVERFLOW SYSTEMS
League’s website at: www.cacities.org/eq.
When the final WDR is available, it also will be
posted.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week
announced the appointment of Brenda Quintana,
43, of El Dorado, as director of local government
and community relations for the Office of the
Governor.
She most recently served as division deputy
for the United Homecare Workers Union in North-
ern California. Prior to that, Quintana was re-
gional director for the United Domestic Workers of
America in 2005 and served as chief of staff for
Assemblyman Bob Pacheco from 1998 to 2005
and Assemblyman Jim Morrissey from 1994 to
1998. This position does not require Senate
confirmation.
Quintana wasted no time reaching out to her
constituency, meeting with League Executive
Director Chris McKenzie on May 3 – the same
day her appointment was announced.
“We had a very productive introductory dis-
cussion,” said McKenzie. “Gov. Schwarzenegger
has been very receptive to local government
concerns ever since he was elected. Brenda’s
appointment is one more indication of the high
value he places on the partnership we have built
on several issues over the past year. We look
forward to working with her.”
GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER APPOINTS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY
RELATIONS DIRECTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR
The federal agencies have agreed to com-
plete all federal permitting by June 21, 2006, so
that critical repairs can be completed by Novem-
ber of this year, before the next flood season. If
a federal agency can not meet the expedited
timeline in the MOU, the agency is authorized to
invoke emergency procedures to issue the
permits. Visit www.governor.ca.gov/govsite to
read the details of the MOU.
Since February, the state Department of
Water Resources has evaluated approximately
50 levee erosion sites, primarily along the Sac-
ramento River flood system, and has begun to
design repairs for 29 critical erosion sites for
construction this year.
In addition to the MOU expediting the permit-
ting process, Sen. Feinstein is working to in-
clude $23.3 million in the Senate supplemental
appropriations bill for the federal government’s
share of the cost of fixing critical levee sites.
The governor is in strong support of Sen.
Feinstein’s efforts, and has pledged that, “I will
be working very closely with Sen. Feinstein and
our congressional delegation to ensure the
federal government meets its responsibility
through direct funding and crediting for future
work.”
Water officials with the Schwarzenegger
administration held a conference call the
evening of May 2 for the League and other
interested stakeholders to brief them on the
agreement. The call was an opportunity for
administration officials to describe the agree-
ment in detail and answer questions regarding
its implementation.
The League appreciates the governor’s
leadership and efforts to forge the agreement
and work with the federal government to
steamline the federal permitting process. In
addition, the League thanks Sen. Feinstein for
her efforts to secure the additional federal
funding.
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LEVEES LEVEES LEVEES LEVEES LEVEES from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1
Only Western City magazine brings you practical
ideas and information you need to know about
local government in California. Western City
magazine presents big-picture policy issues and
trends in a format suited for busy professionals,
with concise feature articles and in-depth series
that explore statewide issues. Stay informed
about city issues across California. Subscribe
today. Visit: www.westerncity.com/pf.
You Could Have Your Own
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Western City magazine.
Subscribe Today!PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 5 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Assemblymember John Laird introduced ACA
30 this week, a new approach to raising revenue
at the local level for levee improvements and
maintenance.
ACA 30 would provide that, for purpose of
imposing an assessment or increasing an existing
assessment to maintain, operate, repair, relocate,
or upgrade a flood control levee which was in
existence before November 6, 1996 (the date of
the enactment of Proposition 218), the so called
“majority protest” requirements for adoption would
be used. That is, laws governing adoption of such
assessments that were in effect prior to Proposi-
tion 218 would apply for levees that existed at that
time. It would only go into effect if the Legislature
agrees to place it on the ballot. Which general
election ballot will depend upon when the Legisla-
ture approves the measure.
ACA 30, which will be strongly supported by
the League, represents a new approach to giving
local governments more flexibility in raising rev-
enue to upgrade, operate and maintain levees.
ACA 13 (Harman), which would exempt flood
control and storm water fees from the voter
approval requirements of Proposition 218, has
been languishing in committee, given the reluc-
tance of many Republican members to vote for it
– remember, a bill to change to Proposition 218
requires a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to move to it
the ballot.
ACA 30 is more narrowly drafted than ACA 13
– it does not include storm water and takes a
different approach to the voter approval exemption
in ACA 13. Nevertheless, it still will be an uphill
battle to pass ACA 30 – even in light of the state’s
ongoing flood threat and the recognition that our
levee system is in great need of repair.
According to the author’s office, most of
California’s levees were constructed, operated, or
maintained under the “majority protest” rule for
raising funds that existed prior to the enactment of
Proposition 218. Proposition 218 was enacted in
1996. This measure established stricter proce-
dural requirements on assessments and changed
the rule from “majority protest” to a standard
election, where the assessment procedure would
end if the “no” votes outnumbered the “yes” votes.
Some levee districts have been successful in
gaining approval for levee assessments, but not
many. Some districts have said that Proposition
218 made it virtually impossible for them to raise
funds for the operation, maintenance, or improve-
ment of their levees.
It is generally recognized that California’s levee
system is in dismal shape and in need of upgrade
and ongoing maintenance — not only for those
communities already behind the levees, but for
those areas that cannot urbanize without levee
upgrades. For example, “underseepage” has
been identified as a threat to “old” levees and it is
inappropriate for levees originally built for agricul-
tural to be used to “protect” urbanizing areas
without upgrades.
It is also important to recognize that levee
failures in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River
delta have water quality, water supply and eco-
nomic impacts that may have statewide effects
beyond the local or regional levee break situation.
The delta provides over 23 million people with
drinking water and the levees throughout the valley
and delta ensure that fresh water from the Sierra
Nevada flows through the delta to pumps and then
into millions of homes in Southern California.
While the League will strongly support ACA 30
in its current form, we will explore with the
author’s office whether storm water fees can also
be included. ACA 30 will be heard in the Assembly
Local Government Committee Wednesday May
10. All cities, whether in northern or Southern
California, should write letters to their
Assemblymembers to support ACA 30. Position:
Support; Status: Assembly Local Gov’t May 9;
Staff: Yvonne Hunter.
NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218 NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS LEVEE FUNDING AND PROPOSITION 218Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 6 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Called the “Communications, Consumer’s
Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006,”
this measure, like the House bill, would among
other things establish a national franchise for
video service providers that want to offer telecom-
munications video and Internet services in com-
munities throughout the nation.
The League and other organizations are still
analyzing the 135-page measure, and will publish
an analysis soon. A copy of the measure is
available on the League’s Telecom webpage at
www.cacities.org/telecom.
House Bill and AB 2987 Both Likely to
Move Soon
Meanwhile the House bill – now numbered as
H.R. 5252 – is still headed for a vote on the
House floor, probably sometime in the next two to
three weeks.
The California reform measure, AB 2987
(Núñez/Levine) is in the California Assembly
Appropriations Committee, but has not yet been
set for hearing.
The lack of a scheduled hearing, however,
does not mean any lessening of the intense
lobbying around these measures. In California,
telephone companies are making the rounds of
local chambers of commerce and other groups,
urging that they adopt positions of support for AB
2987. There have been several instances of
chambers of commerce backing off a quick
“support” decision when they have been con-
tacted by League regional staff and city officials
and informed of the serious concerns local
businesses will face if AB 2987 passes in its
current form, and telephone companies are not
held to higher standards to ensure that service
build out will occur without regard to income
levels.
TELECOM TELECOM TELECOM TELECOM TELECOM from page from page from page from page from page 1 1 1 1 1
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Please Help Oppose These Measures
The League opposes both of these measures
for a number of reasons, including the fact that we
view the lack of build-out protections as anti-
competitive. We urge city officials to use this time
before the bills come up for hearing, to talk to your
federal and state representatives about how your
residents and businesses would be impacted by
these measures. To access updated talking
points, a sample letter and a copy of the League’s
opposition letter, please visit the League’s online
telecom page at www.cacities.org/telecom. You
may also write a letter online by using the League’s
Advocacy Center (www.cacities.org/
advocacycenter).
Remember: phone calls and personalized
written letters are more likely to get your
representative’s attention than an email.
Talk to Your Businesses and Community
Groups
City officials are also urged to be alert to industry
grassroots lobbying efforts going on in their own
backyards. Businesses and community groups
are being told that the market competition that AB
2987 hopes to achieve will mean they will receive
better telecommunications service at lower cost.
But the bill’s lack of build-out standards could
mean just the opposite, producing more options for
large, well-off businesses and residents, and
bypassing smaller businesses and lower income
areas of your city.
For assistance with these efforts, please contact
your League regional representative.
For more information on this and For more information on this and For more information on this and For more information on this and For more information on this and
other League issues, visit other League issues, visit other League issues, visit other League issues, visit other League issues, visit
www.cacities.org. www.cacities.org. www.cacities.org. www.cacities.org. www.cacities.org.PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 7 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Continued on Page 8
INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS
In the early morning hours of May 5, the Legislature passed bond measures that will fund hous-
ing, transportation, levee repairs, flood control projects and school construction. It also passed
trailer bills dealing with permit streamlining, and a constitutional amendment that will “fix” Proposition
42 by “locking down” the sales tax on gasoline for transportation purposes.
The following summarizes the key bills comprising this package.
Housing Bond: (AB 136 - Núñez and Perata). This measure contains $2.85 billion in funding for
affordable housing construction, infill incentives. The funds are divided into the following funding
categories:
Housing Construction:
• $1.5 billion for first-time homebuyer programs and affordable housing construction, of which:
• $345 million for the construction of affordable multifamily housing.
• $300 million for loans/grants for local homeownership programs.
• $200 million for down payment assistance.
• $195 million for supportive transitional housing.
• $135 million for farmworker housing.
• $125 for grants to local governments for down payment assistance programs, where local
regulatory barriers have been reduced.
• $100 million for a newly created affordable housing innovation fund.
• $50 million for housing for homeless foster youth.
• $50 million for emergency shelters.
Planning and Infill Incentives:
• $850 million for regional planning, housing, and infill incentives which will be further defined
by future legislation, of which no more than $200 million may be used for park development in
conjunction with infill.
• $300 million in grants to local governments to develop infrastructure associated with high
density transit-oriented development.
• $200 million for development of parks in urban, suburban and rural areas, subject to condi-
tions which will be further defined by future legislation.
Transportation Bond: SB 1266 (Núñez/Perata). Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Qual-
ity, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006.
This measure authorizes $19.925 billion of state general obligation bonds for high-priority trans-
portation corridor improvements, including $1 billion for cities and $1 billion for counties to spend on
local transportation projects. Unlike Prop. 42 funding, which is dedicated to local street and road
maintenance and repair projects, local agencies may determine their own priorities for use of these
transportation funds.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 8 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Continued on Page 9
????????????????????? ? ? INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS from page from page from page from page from page 7 7 7 7 7
Specific allocations include the following:
• $2 billion for the Local Street and Road Improvement, Congestion Relief, and Traffic Safety
Account, allocated directly to cities and counties for traffic congestion relief, traffic safety, transit,
storm damage, maintenance, construction and other projects to improve the local street and road
system. $1 billion will go directly to cities (minimum $400,000 allocation), and $1 billion will go
directly to counties.
• $4.5 billion to Corridor Mobility Improvement Account to fund performance improvements on
highly congested travel corridors. This includes major access routes to the state highway system
on the local road systems that relieve congestion.
• $1 billion for improvements to State Route 99 traversing approximately 400 miles of the
Central Valley.
• $3.1 billion for the California Ports Infrastructure, Security, and Air Quality Improvement Act.
Of the $3.1 billion, $2 billion is to fund improvements to trade corridors, $1 billion to State Air Re-
sources Board for emission reductions related to goods movement, and $100 million for the Office
of Emergency Services for publicly –owned port, harbor and ferry terminal improvements.
• $200 million for school bus retrofitting and replacement to reduce air pollution.
• $2 billion for projects in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
· $4 billion for the Public Transportation Modernization Improvement and Service Enhance-
ment Account for improvements to intercity rail and other transit-related projects and improve-
ments. Of the $4 billion, $400 million is dedicated to rail improvements and purchase of railcars
and locomotives.
• $1 billion for the State-Local Partnership Program Account for transportation projects
nominated by a regional transportation agency. This program requires a dollar for dollar match of
local funds.
• $1 billion for the Transit System Safety, Security and Disaster Response Account for
projects that increase protection again security and safety and develop disaster response for
public transit systems.
• $125 million for the Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account for seismic work on local
bridges, ramps, and overpasses.
• $750 million for the Highway Safety, Rehabilitation and Preservation Account (SHOPP) for
safety, rehabilitation and preservation projects on state highway systems. $250 million of the funds
in this account are for technology-based improvements to improve safety, operations and effective
capacity of local streets and roads.
• $250 million for the Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account for completion of high-
priority grade separation and railroad crossing safety improvements.
SCA 7 (Torlakson). The Legislature also passed a state constitutional amendment to “fix”
Proposition 42, by permanently dedicating the sales tax on gasoline to transportation purposes – a
key goal for the League. This measure will appear on the ballot as Proposition 1A – the same
name as the historic League-sponsored measure passed overwhelmingly by the voters in 2004
that ended the state’s ability to raid local funds. Like the Prop. 1A of 2004, the measure would
allow the Legislature to borrow the Prop. 42 funds, but only by meeting the following criteria:PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 9 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Continued on Page 10
????????????????????? ? ? INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS from page from page from page from page from page 8 8 8 8 8
• The governor must declare that the state faces a severe fiscal hardship.
• The Legislature must enact statute authorizing the borrowing by 2/3 vote. At the same time,
the Legislature must pass a bill specifying that they will repay the loan with interest within three
years.
• The state can borrow the funds no more than twice in 10 years, and must repay a prior loan
before borrowing.
• Any Prop. 42 transportation funds that were borrowed by the state but not repaid as of July
1, 2007, must be repaid within a 10 year period (no later than June 30, 2016) at payment of no less
than one-tenth per year of the total amount owed.
• Authorizes the Legislature to provide for the issuance of bonds by state or local agencies in
accordance with the established Prop. 42 allocation methodology.
AB 140 (Núñez and Perata) Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006
This bond would provide a total of $4.09 billion to prevent flooding by repairing levees and other
flood control infrastructure in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and elsewhere. The funds
will be allocated as follows:
• $3 billion to evaluate, repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct or replace levees, weirs, bypasses and
facilities contained in the state flood control plan; improve or add facilities to increase levels of flood
prevention; and reduce the risk of levee failure.
• $ 500 million to cover the past and future obligations under the flood control subvention
payments to local governments for qualifying projects.
• $ 290 million for the protection, creation, and enhancement of flood protection corridors and
bypasses, including fund for floodplain mapping.
• $ 300 million for grants (with local match) to manage storm water runoff to reduce flood
damage and provide benefits such as ground water recharge, water quality improvement and
ecosystem.
AB 142 (Nunez and Perata) Flood Control: Levee Repair and Flood Control Systems
This measure is an urgency appropriation of $500 million dedicated to levee repairs for those
critical levee erosion sites identified under Governor’s Executive Order S-01-06 in order to reduce
the threat of potential flood damage.
AB 127 (Núñez/Perata). Education Facilities: Kindergarten-University Public Education
Facilities Bond Act of 2006.
This measure would provide $10.4 billion in bonds to be deposited into the 2006 State School
Facilities fund, which will be used to meet capital outlay needs of higher educational facilities, and
finance grants for construction and renovation of schools, including charter schools and facilities for
career technical education programs, and to relieve overcrowded schools. This also includes $29
million to fund joint-use projects for construction of K-12 school facilities.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 10 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
????????????????????? ? ? INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS INFRASTRUCTURE BOND DETAILS from page from page from page from page from page 9 9 9 9 9
Many city officials may remember that there
is still a $10 billion rail bond that was passed by
the Legislature more than a year ago, and is
also set for the November 2006 ballot. Con-
cerns have been raised about whether the
state’s bonding capacity would be unduly
stressed by retaining this measure on the
ballot. There are pending bills that would
remove it from the ballot. It’s not clear at this
time what will happen.
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s
Legislative Resources page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find
a roster and contact information for the
League’s legislative staff; the online Bill
Search program, background materials on
lobbying your legislators, and more.
FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG
COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF
WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND? WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND? WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND? WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND? WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL BOND?
• $1.9 billion for new construction of school facilities.
• $500 million for providing school facilities to charter schools.
• $3.3 billion for modernization of school facilities.
• $500 million for facilities for career technical education programs.
• $1 billion for new construction to fund severely overcrowded school sites.
• $1.5 billion for CA Community Colleges.
• $890 million for UC and Hastings College of Law.
• $690 million for CSU.
Permit Streamlining - AB 1039 (Núñez/Perata)
This is a “trailer bill”, that would provide exemptions from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) to streamline various transportation, levee repair and flood control projects funded by
two bond measures that will appear on the November 7, 2006 statewide general election.
Exempts the following projects from CEQA contained within the Highway Safety, Traffic
Reduction, Air Quality and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 (SB 1266) and places requirements
on specific projects relating to permit streamlining:
• Structural modification of specific existing and replacement highway structure projects in
Alameda, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties
• Specific seismic retrofit projects on existing local bridges.
Exempts the following projects from CEQA contained within the Disaster Preparedness
and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006 (AB 140):
• Exempts the repair of critical levees of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project that are
within an existing levee footprint. Requires the lead agency performing the repairs to conduct
community outreach, sufficiently comply with standard construction practices, and to use emulsi-
fied diesel fuel to the best extent possible with a sunset date of July 1, 2016.PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 11 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Final votes on the largest bond package in
California history came in the early morning hours
of May 5, following hours of last minute negotia-
tions and debate.
The package includes a state constitutional
amendment to “fix” Proposition 42, by permanently
dedicating the sales tax on gasoline to transporta-
tion purposes – a key goal for the League. This
measure will appear on the ballot as Proposition
1A – the same name as the historic League-
sponsored measure passed overwhelmingly by
the voters in 2004 that ended the state’s ability to
raid local funds.
“This package represents leadership at its
best,” said League President Alex Padilla,
councilmember in the city of Los Angeles. “We
understand that it was not an easy thing to reach
agreement on a bond package of this magnitude.”
He added: “Everyone involved deserves kudos
for their hard work and dedication: Gov.
Schwarzenegger for raising the visibility of the
infrastructure debate with his January proposal,
and for keeping a focus on levees and other
infrastructure needs; Senate Pro tem Perata and
Assembly Speaker Núñez for their early proposals
and determination to bring a deal together; and the
two minority leaders, Sen. Dick Ackerman and
Assemblymember George Plescia, for negotiating
a package that could win the minority votes
needed to put this over the top.”
“Funding for infrastructure is a top priority for
the League of California Cities,” said League First
Vice President Maria Alegria, councilmember in
the city of Pinole. “This package of bonds re-
sponds directly to the funding concerns of Califor-
nia cities.
“We very much appreciate the governor’s and
the Legislature’s leadership for the Prop. 42
transportation ‘fix’” she added. “The League has
been part of the coalition that gathered the signa-
tures to put this kind of measure on the ballot.
The coalition’s polling has consistently told us that
voters support this fix. Now, with the leadership
and support of the governor and the Legislature,
this constitutional amendment stands an even
stronger likelihood of winning voter support in
November.”
“We particularly appreciate the efforts of Sen.
Bob Dutton,” said League Second Vice President
Jim Madaffer, councilmember in the city of San
Diego. “He worked long and hard on the trans-
portation package, and played a very important
role in ensuring that cities and counties will each
receive $1 billion for work on city streets and
county roads. We thank him for his tireless
efforts to ensure that local infrastructure needs
are included in this package.”
The bond package includes $2.8 billion for
housing, $10.4 billion for schools, $20 billion for
transportation projects, including $1 billion each
for cities and counties to conduct maintenance
and repairs on local streets and roads. Funding
for levees and floods includes a $4.09 billion bond
measure, and a separate $500 million urgency
appropriation.
????????????????? ????????????????????????????? BONDS BONDS BONDS BONDS BONDS from page from page from page from page from page 1 1 1 1 1
Don’t miss this opportunity to get the League’s most useful reference tool. This comprehensive
California directory provides important contact information for mayors, council members and city
department heads. The directory also features the League’s staff directory, League partners,
affiliate organizations and a wide variety of advertisers.
INFORMATION YOU NEED, RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!
Purchase this publication online at www.cacities.org/store or call (916) 658-8257 for an order
form. City officials price $30, non-city officials price $65, plus shipping & handling.
THE 2006 CITY HALL DIRECTORY IS NOW AVAILABLE!Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 12 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 5, 2006 - Issue #18
Le Le Le Le Legisla gisla gisla gisla gislati ti ti ti tiv v v v ve Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill Action Action Action Action Action
The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon
by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, please visit
the League website to access information about legislation, policy issues and related develop-
ments. You can track information on bills (www.cacities.org/billsearch), locate legislators and
legislative committees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center
(www.cacities.org/advocacycenter), research League policy positions, access useful related
links, and much more.
TRANSPORTATION
AB 2465 (De La Torre). Pedestrian-bicyclist
safety: vehicles: school zone fines. AB 2465
would allow the county of Los Angeles and cities
within the county to establish a school pedestrian-
bicyclist safety program and receive funds from a
special account in the county treasury. Addition-
ally, this bill would double or increase the fines for
a number of violations of the vehicle code occur-
ring in a specially posted school zone and provide
that these fines shall be deposited into the special
county account. In order to double or increase the
fines as outlined in AB 2465, a city or county must
enact an ordinance. The League supports a local
government’s ability to double the fine for traffic
violations in school zones in an attempt to reduce
the speed of drivers and protect our youth. AB
2465 utilizes a financial incentive to minimize a
risky behavior and also provides the opportunity
for a local government to supplement safety
programs aimed at students traveling to and from
school on foot or by bicycle. Staff: Liisa Lawson
Stark, Status: AsmAppr; Position: Support.
PUBLIC SAFETY
AB 2836 (Karnette). Fire Protection. Residen-
tial Care Facility for the Elderly. AB 2836 would
require a residential care facility for the elderly with
four or more residents to install and maintain an
operable automatic fire sprinkler system approved
by the State Fire Marshall no later January 1, 2014.
If a facility is licensed on or after January 1, 2010,
a facility is automatically required to install and
maintain an automatic fire sprinkler. Residential
care facilities strive to provide a supportive and
safe environment for the elderly, the cognitively
frail, and the non-ambulatory individual. Yet, most
of these facilities are not equipped with automatic
fire sprinklers. Automatic fire sprinklers will
provide residents of care facilities the precious
time needed to safely evacuate a building. In
addition, fire sprinklers will eliminate hostile and
dangerous fire conditions emergency service
personnel face in fire and rescue operations.
Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr, 5/3;
Position: Support.
WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN
SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION? SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION? SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION? SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION? SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION?
HERE’S WHO TO CALL: HERE’S WHO TO CALL: HERE’S WHO TO CALL: HERE’S WHO TO CALL: HERE’S WHO TO CALL:
ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS (18)—
Chu (Chair), Runner (Vice Chair), Bass,
Berg, Calderon, De La Torre, Emmerson,
Haynes, Karnette, Klehs, Leno, Nakanishi,
Nation, Oropeza, Ridley–Thomas, Saldaña,
Walters, and Yee. Chief Consultant: Geoff
Long. Principal Consultants: Julie Sallie–
Gray, Steve Archibald, Scott Bain, Chuck
Nicol, Kimberly Rodriguez, Stephen Shea.
Secretary: Laura Lynn Gondek. Room 2114.
Phone: 319–2081.
May 12, 2006
Issue #19-2006
WANT MORE DETAILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
website at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS
MAY BUDGET REVISE EXPECTED TODAY MAY BUDGET REVISE EXPECTED TODAY MAY BUDGET REVISE EXPECTED TODAY MAY BUDGET REVISE EXPECTED TODAY MAY BUDGET REVISE EXPECTED TODAY
HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN?
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND
ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY
AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH
LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM
LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431
FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF
LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES
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Telecommunications reform, housing bills, eminent domain and the state
budget: the Legislature is making decisions on these and other issues criti-
cally important to cities now in the State Capitol.
For more, see Page 6.
???????????????????????? ??????????????
LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18 LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18 LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18 LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18 LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS, MAY 17-18
ACA 30 may be one of the most important public safety bills the state
Legislature considers this year.
If passed by the Legislature and approved by the voters, ACA 30 will make
it easier to raise fees for the purpose of operating, maintaining, or upgrading a
levee that was constructed before Proposition 218 was enacted in November
1996. The other procedural requirements of Proposition 218 would continue
to apply. For more, see Page 7.
??????????????????????? ???????????????
LEVEE IMPROVEMENT FEE BILL ADVANCES - ACA 30 (LAIRD) LEVEE IMPROVEMENT FEE BILL ADVANCES - ACA 30 (LAIRD) LEVEE IMPROVEMENT FEE BILL ADVANCES - ACA 30 (LAIRD) LEVEE IMPROVEMENT FEE BILL ADVANCES - ACA 30 (LAIRD) LEVEE IMPROVEMENT FEE BILL ADVANCES - ACA 30 (LAIRD)
The League is encouraging cities to oppose SB 1330 (Dunn) which
passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, May 9, with a vote
of 3 to 2. The bill will now move to the Senate floor. For more, see Page 7.
CITIES URGED TO OPPOSE SB 1330 (DUNN) CITIES URGED TO OPPOSE SB 1330 (DUNN) CITIES URGED TO OPPOSE SB 1330 (DUNN) CITIES URGED TO OPPOSE SB 1330 (DUNN) CITIES URGED TO OPPOSE SB 1330 (DUNN)
Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5 Page 5
HOT BILLS
SUPPORT ACA 30
(Laird). Local govern-
ment: flood control
assessments.
OPPOSE SB 1330
(Dann). Housing
developments:
attorney’s fees.
SUPPORT SB 1431
(Cox). Public con-
tracts: design-build
contracting: cities,
counties and special
districts.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
AT&T Concern for Lightspeed Deployment in
Rural Developments Not Sincere?
An editorial written by Karl Bode of
www.broadbandreports.com asserts that AT&T is
faking their recent concern for rural development’s
access to Project Lightspeed, the telco’s new
broadband service.
Bode questions whether AT&T’s recent an-
nouncements that they are making an effort to
reach rural areas is simply a “song and dance for
representatives of these regions to gain political
favors.”
To read the editorial, visit
www.broadbandreports.com and search for
“AT&T Faking Concern for Rural Develop-
ment.”
VoIP Not Part of First Wave of Project
Lightspeed
Lightreading (www.lightreading.com) reports
that while AT&T’s pending launch of Project
Lightspeed in San Antonio, Texas, next month is
on schedule, it will not include a Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.
For more details, visit www.lightreading.com
and search for “AT&T Waits on Lightspeed
VOIP.”
CBO Releases Cost Estimate of COPE Act
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
recently released a cost estimate of H.R. 5252,
the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and
Enhancement Act (COPE Act) sponsored by
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe
Barton.
To read the analysis, visit www.cacities.org/
telecom.
House Floor Schedule Doesn’t Include COPE
Act this Week
The House of Representatives Floor schedule
did not include the COPE Act this past week.
On May 1, Judiciary Committee Chairman
James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) requested to
review the bill, claiming the committee had juris-
diction over it and deserved a sequential referral.
To read the article, visit
www.multichannel.com and search for “House
Schedule Excludes Barton Bill.”
Coalition Push against Federal Involvement in
Net Neutrality
The Internet Freedom Coalition is rallying
against the federal government getting involved in
net neutrality, arguing that regulation will turn into a
“tax” on the Internet.
To read the article, visit
www.broadcastingcable.com and search for “Tax
Foes Attack Net Neutrality.”
TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS TELECOM IN THE NEWS
The Governor’s May budget revise is
expected to be out today, May 12. The
League will be analyzing the budget and
reporting its first reactions on how it will
affect cities’ interests shortly on the
League’s website, www.cacities.org.
To view a copy of the entire budget
once it is released, visit www.dof.ca.gov.
Further League analysis on the budget will
be available next week.
MAY BUDGET REVISE MAY BUDGET REVISE MAY BUDGET REVISE MAY BUDGET REVISE MAY BUDGET REVISE
EXPECTED TODAY EXPECTED TODAY EXPECTED TODAY EXPECTED TODAY EXPECTED TODAYPRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
We all cheered last week when we learned that
the bipartisan infrastructure investment package
passed by the Legislature included SB 1266
(Nunez/Perata), an $19.925 billion bond measure
for transportation investments, including $1 billion
for cities and $1 billion for counties to allocate for
local transportation priorities.*
The bill will appear on the November statewide
ballot as Proposition 1B. As city officials review the
measure, many are wondering: assuming Prop.
1B wins voter support, when will the funding be
available and will all of it be available in a single
year?
At this time, we cannot provide a certain date.
The State Treasurer will make the final decision on
when to issue the bonds following passage of
Prop. 1B or any other bond measure. The League
will advocate, however, for the funds to be dis-
persed as soon as possible, as we are well aware
that cities can put the money to use immediately.
Although we believe a lump sum allocation
would be more beneficial to cities than a series of
payments, no confirmation is available in regard to
how the funds will be distributed. We do know that
the $1 billion for cities will be given directly to the
individual cities for expenditure, with a minimum of
$400,000 to be allocated to each city, regardless of
size.
As information becomes available, the League
will continue to update cities regarding the potential
funding.
* SB1266 specifies that the funds allocated to
cities and counties from the bond “shall be used
for improvements to transportation facilities that will
assist in reducing local traffic congestion and
further deterioration, improving traffic flows, or
increasing traffic safety that may include, but not
be limited to, street and highway pavement mainte-
nance, rehabilitation, installation, construction and
reconstruction of necessary associated facilities
such as drainage and traffic control devices, or the
maintenance, rehabilitation, installation, construc-
????? ???????????????????
HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN? HOW WOULD TRANSPORTATION BOND FUNDS REACH CITIES? AND WHEN?
tion and reconstruction of facilities that expand
ridership on transit systems, safety projects to
reduce fatalities, or as a local match to obtain
state or federal transportation funds for similar
purposes.”
The League of California Cities is seeking
nominations from elected officials interested in
serving in five at-large positions (two-year term),
or as second vice president (one-year term) on
its board of directors.
If you are interested in submitting your name
(or another elected official’s name) for nomination
to the League board of directors, please provide
the information requested on the nomination
form, along with a bio and letter requesting
consideration, to the League’s Sacramento
headquarters on or before end of business on
Friday, May 19. Nomination materials can be
found on the League’s website at
www.cacities.org or can be obtained by contact-
ing Mimi Sharpe at (916) 658-8232 or via e-mail
at sharpem@cacities.org.
Please note that all nominees for second vice
president must have previously served on the
League’s board of directors.
Send all nomination applications to:
Mimi Sharpe
League of California Cities
1400 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Applications can also be sent to Mimi via fax
at (916) 658-8240 or by e-mail to
msharpe@cacities.org.
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE
LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? LEAGUE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS?Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
On June 8-9, America’s Promise - The Alli-
ance for Youth (AP) is hosting its first regional
forum in Long Beach, which AP named as one of
its ”100 Best Communities for Young People,” to
generate momentum around its goal of meeting
the needs of 15 million underserved young people
through its Five Promises initiative (for informa-
tion, visit www.americaspromise.org/100Best).
The National League of Cities (NLC) has been
working with AP to make the City Platform for
Strengthening Families (www.nlc.org/iyef/
7915.cfm) a key component of the forum to
highlight the role of city leaders in creating oppor-
tunities for young people.
For more information on this exciting opportu-
nity for local officials who are interested in working
on a very broad range of youth issues, please
contact Michael Karpman at karpman@nlc.org.
AMERICA’S PROMISE – AMERICA’S PROMISE – AMERICA’S PROMISE – AMERICA’S PROMISE – AMERICA’S PROMISE –
THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH
The League of California Cities’ Mayors and
Council Members Academy Executive Forum and
Advanced Leadership Workshops will be held at
the Monterey Conference Center on July 26-29, in
Monterey.
Join your colleagues and explore the latest
issues of interest in cities throughout California.
The Executive Forum features keynote speaker
Joseph Grenny, president and author of
“VitalSmarts” and co-author of “Crucial Confronta-
tions” and “Crucial Conversations” – both New
York Times bestsellers.
Topics of interest in the Executive Forum are
scheduled to include:
• Negotiating with Public Employee Unions
• Effective Leadership
• Re-cap of the June Primary
• Telecommunications
• Mobile Home Parks
• Ethics for Elected Officials
• Water Supply
• Cities for Healthy Kids
The Friday/Saturday Advanced Leadership
Workshops are:
• Redevelopment: Building Better Commu-
nities – Given by the California Redevelopment
Association
• Fiduciary Responsibilities of Elected
Officials – Features Len Wood as presenter
• Effective Communications and Dealing
with the Media – Provided by the League’s com-
munication staff and members of the California
Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO)
The full conference registration fee is $445.
Those registering online by July 3
will receive a
$20 CityBooks coupon. Registration and addi-
tional information is located at www.cacities.org/
events.
???????????? ?????????????
MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND ACADEMY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND
ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS ADVANCED LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY TO BE HELD IN MONTEREY
The League of California Cities’ Latino Caucus
will host its 15th Annual Legislative Forum on
Wednesday, May 17, prior to the start of the
League’s Legislative Action Days.
To be held in the Carr Room of the Sheraton
Grand Hotel in Sacramento, the forum begins at 9
a.m. with Senate President pro Tem Don Perata,
providing insight into the infrastructure bond
package that was recently approved by the
Legislature. Other speakers include
Assemblymember Joe Coto, Rick Taylor of
Dakota Communications (speaking on the 2006
statewide elections) Sen. Kevin Murray, and
Assemblymembers John Laird and Rick Keene.
For more information, contact the League’s
Latino Caucus by phone at (916) 669-1343.
LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST LEAGUE LATINO CAUCUS TO HOST
15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUM 15TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE FORUMPRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 5 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
SB 1431 (Cox) is a bill that would allow all
cities, upon approval of the city council, to use
design-build contracting through January 1, 2017.
This method is currently available only to some
cities in California. The bill, currently held in the
Senate Appropriations Committee, also allows
design-build contracting for counties and special
districts.
If your city could benefit from using design-
build contracting, the League encourages you to
call or write Sen. Kevin Murray, chair, Senate
Appropriations Committee, to express your sup-
port for SB 1431. Sen. Murray can be reached by
phone at (916) 651-4101 and his office fax number
is (916) 445-8899. A sample letter can be found
by looking up SB 1431 on the League’s website at
www.cacities.org/billsearch.
If you elect to send a letter, please send copies
to the following people:
• Sen. Dave Cox: (916) 651-4001 (office),
(916) 324-2680 (fax)
• Members of the Senate Appropriations
Committee: (916) 445-8899 (fax)
• Sen. Don Perata: (916) 327-1997 (fax)
• Sen. Sam Aanestad: (916) 445-7750 (fax)
• Chair and Members, Assembly Local
Government Committee: (916) 319-3959 (fax)
• Crystal Chase, consultant, Senate Repub-
lican Caucus: (916) 445-3105 (fax)
• Craig Swaim, consultant, Governor’s
Office of Planning and Research: (916) 323-2675
(fax)
• Liisa Lawson Stark, legislative representa-
tive, League of California Cities: (916) 658-8240
(fax)
Why We Support This Bill
The option to use design-build contracting can
bring greater efficiency to public contracting. The
design-build method could be used on construc-
tion projects costing over $2.5 million. SB 1431
will give cities maximum flexibility for timely and
cost-effective completion of public works projects.
Design-build contracting has also shown it is
effective in reducing project cost and expediting
project completion.
Talking Points
Below are some talking points to use when
speaking with Sen. Murray:
• Allowing cities options to use design-build
contracting can bring greater efficiency to public
contracting.
• Design-build contracting has shown it is
effective in reducing project cost and expediting
project completion.
• This bill allows cities to use design-build if
desired, allowing cities the option of a more
efficient process.
• Design-build contracting combines the two
major phases of a construction project into one.
In this way the problems identified by a construc-
tion contractor while building a project designed by
a design contractor can be worked out before the
construction actually begins. Public agencies
save money by speeding the delivery of projects
and by reducing litigation claims caused by
change orders during the construction phase.
• The collaborative project management
envisioned by design-build completes work faster
with fewer problems, and one entity is responsible
for cost, schedule, and performance. In addition,
the design-build contractor assumes all the risk to
deliver the project on time.
LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431 LEAGUE URGES SUPPORT ON SB 1431
BILL WOULD SAVE CITIES TIME AND MONEY BY USING DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTING
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s
Legislative Resources page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find
a roster and contact information for the
League’s legislative staff; the online Bill
Search program, background materials on
lobbying your legislators, and more.
FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG
COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFFVisit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 6 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
LEG ACTION DAYS LEG ACTION DAYS LEG ACTION DAYS LEG ACTION DAYS LEG ACTION DAYS from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1
?????????????????? ?????????????????????
You have an opportunity to show your support
for the League and your city, by coming to Sacra-
mento next week on May 17 and 18, and partici-
pating in the League’s Legislative Action Days.
Visit www.cacities.org and sign up NOW to attend
the League’s annual Legislative Action Days in
Sacramento.
Speakers at the May 17 General Session
include:
• Senate President pro Tem Don Perata,
speaking on the infrastructure investment pack-
age.
• Sen. Bob Dutton, who played a major
role in securing $1 billion for transportation fund-
ing for cities in SB 1266 (Nunez/Perata), the bond
measure that will appear on the November ballot
as Proposition 1B.
• Sen. Lloyd Levine, chair, assembly
Utilities and Commerce Committee, and co-
sponsor of AB 2987, the telecommunications
reform measure.
• Assemblymember John Laird, chair,
Assembly Budget Committee, who will talk about
the state budget.
Attendees will also hear updates on telecom-
munications reform, housing, and Prop. 42
funding League Executive Director Chris
McKenzie. John Shirey, Executive Director
of the California Redevelopment Association,
will provide an update on legislation and ballot
measures affecting eminent domain and redevel-
opment authority.
Also attending and accepting our thanks for
their leadership in passing the infrastructure
investment package: Senate Majority Caucus
Chair Tom Torlakson, Senate Minority Leader
Dick Ackerman, Senate Transportation and
Housing Chair Alan Lowenthal, and Assembly
Minority Leader George Plescia.
An evening legislative reception on May 17 will
provide additional opportunities to mingle with
legislators, and thank those representatives who
supported the infrastructure package.
The May 18 General Session offers an opportu-
nity to learn more about the administration’s plans
affecting cities from Department of Housing and
Community Development Director Lynn
Jacobs, and Terry Abbott, Caltrans Division
Chief for Local Assistance.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join hundreds of
local officials and state officials to meet one-on-
one with legislators to urge them to work with us
on critical issues affecting cities. This is your
League, and your opportunity to show your support
for what the League is doing for cities.
Registration is free – but we do need a count
for our May 17 Legislative Reception and other
events. Visit www.cacities.org to view the initial
program agenda. Register online at
www.cacities.org/events.
Issue Papers: Download background materi-
als at www.cacities.org/lad that will aid in your
legislative lobbying, including “Housing & Infra-
structure,” “Telecommunications Reform” and
“Eminent Domain.”
The League wants to stay in touch!
Just because you are leaving your position
with the city doesn’t mean you stop caring
about or wanting to be involved in city
issues. Keep abreast of developments
affecting cities and the League by becom-
ing part of the League’s alumni group.
Members will receive periodic updates on
city issues and League activities. This is
the League’s way of saying “thank you” for
your public service—there is no fee for this
service.
To join, go to www.cacities.org/alumni
or send your contact information to
dharrison@cacities.org.
Leaving City Office? Retiring?PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 7 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
ACA 30 ACA 30 ACA 30 ACA 30 ACA 30 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1
It is no secret that California’s levee system is
in a dismal state. Existing levees need upgrades
and ongoing maintenance for the communities
that are already behind them. Agriculture levees
need upgrades before urbanization can proceed
behind them. In addition, once the upgrades are
completed, the levees require ongoing mainte-
nance and repairs.
Statewide Impacts from Levee Failures
It is important to recognize that levee failures in
the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta have
water quality, water supply and economic state-
wide impacts beyond the local or regional levee
break situation. For example, fresh water from the
Sierra Nevada flows through the delta to pumps
and then into millions of homes in Southern
California, providing water for over 23 million
people. Thus, cities throughout California should
request its passage.
ACA 30 passed the Assembly Local Govern-
ment Committee this week and will go straight to
the Assembly Floor. As a constitutional amend-
ment, ACA 30 will require a two-thirds vote to
move on to the Senate – meaning that it will
require Republican support to pass. With the
recent passage of the package of infrastructure
bonds – including one to address in part levee
problems – the Legislature and Administration took
a major step forward to address California’s
lagging infrastructure needs.
Passage of ACA 30 is another piece of the
infrastructure puzzle. The ability of local agencies,
not only in the delta area, but elsewhere in the
state, to raise revenue to improve levee operations
and maintenance will be facilitated with ACA 30.
Depending upon when ACA 30 passes the Legisla-
ture, it would be on the next general election ballot
– perhaps as early as this November, or in June
2008.
All cities should contact their Assembly Mem-
bers to indicate their support of ACA 30 and to
request an “aye” vote.
????????????? ? ? Sens. Dunn, Escutia and Kuehl voted “aye,”
while Sens. Morrow and Ackerman voted “nay.”
SB 1330 contains various attorney fee provi-
sions that collectively expand the range of plain-
tiffs that can collect attorney fees against local
agencies under three separate housing laws.
Under existing law, the code of civil procedure
Section 1021.5 already provides that low-income
housing advocates can recover attorney fees
against public agencies. This bill would further
expand these provisions to developers, which will
lead to efforts to intimidate local decision makers,
resulting in poor land use decisions and sprawl.
An effective case has not been made for exposing
local tax dollars to attorneys representing develop-
ers in much higher tax brackets, who may be
building up to 1,000 housing units nationwide.
Governor’s Veto Message from Last Year
The language is this measure is similar in
some respects, more expansive in others, to
language contained in bills that were vetoed last
year by the Governor: AB 712 (Canciamilla) and
AB 1227 (Torrico).
In his veto message on AB 712, the Governor
expressed his concerns that such efforts would
not assist housing affordability in our state:
“Our local government partners have an
important role and tremendous responsibilities in
the process. Providing incentives for third parties
to sue local governments over housing decisions,
as provided in this bill, is inappropriate and does
not build any additional housing. The threat of
lawsuits diminishes flexibility and creativity when
designing a community, and lawsuits divert
valuable tax dollars that could be used by local
governments.”
In his veto message on AB 1227, the Governor
stated his concerns with the attorney fee lan-
guage:
Continued on Page 8
SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 from page 1 ????????? ?????Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 8 - PRIORITY FOCUS
May 12, 2006 - Issue #19
“This measure would not alleviate this prob-
lem, but rather, could lead to increased litigation
against our cities and counties.”
The League agrees with the Governor that
offering taxpayer funds to attorneys to challenge
changes in local residential zoning may have
unintended effects. Clearly, the message being
sent to local government is the following:
• Do not zone land for residential develop-
ment, because if you ever want to change the
zoning you can be sued.
• Do not zone land for higher density, be-
cause you can be sued for down zoning to lower
densities.
• Do not change residential zoning, even
when the property owner requests it, because the
local government can be sued.
What Cities Can Do
Cities are encouraged to write an opposition
letter to SB 1330 to Sen. Joe Dunn and copy their
Senator and Member of the Legislature. A sample
letter is available by looking up SB 1330 on the
League’s bill search, located at www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
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SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 SB 1330 from page 7 from page 7 from page 7 from page 7 from page 7
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SB 1179 (Morrow). Skateboard Parks.
Liability. Hey, city dudes and dudettes, we have
good news! SB 1179 was amended and passed
the Senate Judiciary committee. As introduced, it
would have added skateboarding to the list of
hazardous recreational activities (HRA), thus
giving cities expanded liability protection for inju-
ries at skateboard parks and elsewhere.
But, the bill was thrashed a bit in the commit-
tee and amended before it passed with a unani-
mous vote. Faced with a clear defeat with straight
HRA status, the author accepted the chair’s
suggestion to instead amend existing law to
reduce the age threshold at which cities enjoy
limited liability protection for injuries at skateboard
parks from 14 to 12 and to extend the sunset date
four years (from January 2008 to January 2012).
Some in the skateboard community are not
happy with this result, since they want straight
HRA in order to avoid having to wear helmets and
pads. However, the League supports the amend-
ment and SB 1179 as a step forward in recogniz-
ing the need to lower the age threshold, thus
providing cities with better protection.
Cities with skateboard parks should send
letters of support to the author and their Senators.
Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: Pending on SenFlr;
Position: Support.
The following are summaries of just a few of
the legislative bills that are currently being
acted upon by the League of California
Cities. For more information about these and
other bills, please visit the League
website’s new “Issues and Advocacy”
page (www.cacities.org/
issuesandadvocacy) – a one-stop location
to access information about legislation,
policy issues and related developments.
You can track information on bills
(www.cacities.org/legtracking), locate legisla-
tors and legislative committees, send letters
to legislators or the media through the online
Advocacy Center, research League policy
positions, access useful related links, and
much more.
Le Le Le Le Legisla gisla gisla gisla gislati ti ti ti ti v v v v ve Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill Action Action Action Action Action