A bill that would have restricted, and in some cases outright
prohibited, local government associations from performing many of
the services provided on behalf of counties has been pulled from
consideration. CSAC was planning to oppose the bill,
AB 315 by Christina Garcia, in the Assembly Local Government
Committee next week, but got news today that the bill is dead.
The restrictions would have prevented counties from spending
money on matters important to them by limiting the work of local
government advocacy associations to only certain lobbying and
education activities. The bill specifically targeted local
government associations, and would not have applied to trade,
public interest, for-profit, or any other type of association or
advocacy organization.
The bill ignored the fact that the long-term objective of
associations like CSAC is to maintain and improve the well-being
of all California counties so they can adequately meet the demand
for vital public programs and services. Instead, it would have
reduced the level of advocacy, education, and input from counties
on important policy proposals.
CSAC and a number of affiliates sent a
letter to the Assembly Local Governance Committee expressing
these concerns and opposing the bill. The Committee was scheduled
to hold a hearing on the bill next Wednesday, January
15th, at 1:30 p.m.
The author has indicated that she will author a new bill on the
same general subject, which would need to be introduced before
the deadline of February 21, so stay tuned for further
developments.
