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CSDA is the only voice in Sacramento that represents and provides legislative services for ALL independent special districts. CSDA delivers daily representation in the State Capitol and more.
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Legislative Highlight
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Friday, 24 May 2013 09:03 |
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 CSDA testified in support of SCA 11 (Hancock), which passed the Senate Governance and Finance Committee last week on a 5-1 vote. SCA 11 seeks to place a 55 percent local revenue threshold proposition on the 2014 statewide General Election ballot. This would allow California’s electorate to decide whether special districts and other local agencies may secure local special taxes with approval of 55 percent of their local voters. A special tax is dedicated to a specific, focused purpose that offers transparency and accountability to taxpayers. Under current law, special taxes require a two-thirds majority vote while general taxes, which can be used for any purpose, require a 50 percent vote.
The proposal will be heard next in the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee; however, no date is yet set. CSDA encourages SCA 11 support letters to continue to be sent. Download a template support letter here.
Watch CSDA’s testimony at the SCA 11 hearing here. |
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Legislative Highlight
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Monday, 13 May 2013 00:00 |
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 The Legislative Hot Sheet provides a summary of priority legislation for special districts’ ability to deliver core local services to communities throughout California. This page is revised frequently to reflect late-breaking activity in the Capitol, so be sure to visit often.
This week, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will hear AB 5 (Ammiano): Homelessness. This bill is a candidate for the Suspense File because of the potential significant costs to the state and local agencies. We need your help to ensure AB 5 does not move forward.
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Legislative Highlight
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 14:45 |
The Department of Finance (DOF) has been directed to file a request with the Commission on State Mandates to determine if the Ralph M. Brown Act open meeting mandates are repealed or still reimbursable. The directive to the DOF was given last Thursday by Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the mandate is not reimbursable, local governments will not be eligible for reimbursement for agenda posting beginning with year 2012. However, the State would still owe the $113 million reimbursements due prior to the passing of Proposition 30. For the last eight years, local agencies have awaited overdue reimbursement for the 72-hour advance agenda posting, noticing procedures and reporting closed sessions.
Although voters approved Proposition 30 in 2012, containing language intended to exempt all provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act from state reimbursement, current law requires the Commission on State Mandates to make a determination before the reimbursable status of a state mandate may officially change.
In addition to open meeting mandates, the Subcommittee reviewed but took no action on California Public Records Act and ethics training mandates. Both are slated for suspension by the governor’s budget with a recommendation from the Legislative Analyst’s Office that local agencies continue adhering to both as a “best practice” without the force of law. The Subcommittee was also provided with an informational briefing on the status of redevelopment agency dissolution and took action to maintain the current status for funded and suspended mandates related to public safety and county election procedures. |
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Legislative Highlight
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 14:37 |
The much-anticipated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform proposal, Senate Bill 731 (Steinberg), is now amended to include a number of provisions meant to continue the reform dialogue. Expected to be amended numerous times as it moves through the Legislative process, the proposal includes establishing a new Renewable Energy Ombudsman in the Office of the Governor.
Among other provisions, SB 731 also includes the creation of statewide thresholds of significance for noise and traffic for certain infill projects and suggests the appropriation of $30 million to the Strategic Growth Council to provide grants to local agencies for implementation of Sustainable Communities Strategies.
A hearing for this bill and other Senate CEQA-related legislation is set in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee for Wednesday, May 1.
CSDA is attending the hearing, along with the Public Works Coalition, to ensure the interests of special districts and other public agencies are well represented in the legislative process.
A Support in Concept letter for SB 731, submitted by the coalition, is available at CSDA’s Grassroots Action Center. |
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Legislative Highlight
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 00:00 |
 A new interactive Online Mapping Application, CalEnviroScreen 1.0, allows special districts to determine if they qualify for state resources targeted toward communities burdened by pollution. The mapping application identifies environmentally-disadvantaged communities based on geographic, socioeconomic, public health, and environmental hazard criteria.
Legislation signed into law last year requires no less than 25 percent of available cap-and-trade auction proceeds be dedicated to projects that will benefit these environmentally-disadvantaged communities. This new tool may help the state allocate cap-and-trade auction proceeds.
Created by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the new systems interactive map can zoom in and out to see different zip codes and their comparative pollution rankings.
This new tool is not intended to be used for CEQA, or for local land use, regulatory, and permitting decisions. Through the drafting and application of the Online Mapping Application, CSDA will continue to participate in discussions hosted by CalEPA and OEHHA, in collaboration with a coalition of other local government organizations. As the new system is put into practice, please share with CSDA how your district has been affected by the tool.
You can view the CalEnviroScreen 1.0 report, Online Mapping Application and Accompanying documents here. |
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Legislative Highlight
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Wednesday, 10 April 2013 00:00 |
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Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Government. The Assembly Member will be speaking at Special Districts Legislative Days, May 14-15, in Sacramento. Read his interview, featured in the upcoming California Special District to find his thoughts on leadership and what he sees coming for local government.
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