Los Angeles City Council backs AB 2000 to create statewide Human Relations Commission; approves several measures

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously May 17 to endorse Assembly Bill 2000, a proposal to create a statewide Human Relations Commission, following a public hearing that drew civil-rights leaders, victims’ family members and elected officials.

Assembly Speaker Emeritus Antonio Villaraigosa urged the council to back the bill, saying AB 2000 "is the embodiment of the collective wisdom of some of the people who are working in the trenches" to promote "hope, harmony, and tolerance." The council approved the resolution supporting the bill and transmitted it forthwith to the mayor for signature.

Why it matters: supporters said a statewide commission could coordinate local human-relations efforts, spread best practices and provide centralized resources after recent violent incidents, including the shootings at the North Valley Jewish Community Center and the slaying of Joseph Lehi. Family members and community organizations said the commission could offer education, training and a unified response to hate crimes.

During public comment, Ismael Lehi, brother of Joseph Lehi, described the toll of his brother’s killing and urged passage so "different communities [can] work together." Michael Hirschfeld, executive director of the Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Committee, and Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope each voiced organizational support. Joe Hicks of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission characterized the bill as "more than anti-hate legislation," saying it would help build an infrastructure and consistent message about human relations across California.

Council members who spoke framed their support as both local and statewide. Councilman Mike Feuer said Los Angeles has strengthened its own Human Relations Commission and that the state-level body would "build on the best practices" developed in cities. Council members noted an amendment requiring the state commission not to preempt local commissions and to coordinate with local officials.

The council also debated and approved other items during the meeting. On municipal operations, the council approved adjustments related to city fuel purchasing and monitoring after hearing from General Services staff. Bill Griggs of General Services said the city’s use of Voyager commercial fuel cards peaked at about $50,000 a month during pump closures, has declined to about $30,000 a month and had previously averaged about $20,000 a month. Griggs said an automated fuel system is expected to be installed this fall, after which the city plans to recall Voyager cards and tighten reissuance.

Other debated measures included an ordinance to establish a special fund for targeted destination ambulance fees (first reading approved), and a measure linked to AB 2053 aimed at restricting sale of toy gun look-alikes. Council members described past incidents in which toy look-alike firearms contributed to dangerous encounters; the council supported state action to strengthen penalties and urged federal attention to imports of noncompliant replicas.

The council also approved procedural and personnel-related items, including a training program for employees representing the city in hearings (with planned involvement of the City Attorney’s Office), the assertion of jurisdiction and committee referral on one personnel matter, and a settlement in a litigation case. The council declared May 20 as National Tenants Day and adopted several routine ordinances and motions in a series of roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance (items and recorded tallies in the public transcript): - Item 30 — Resolution supporting AB 2000 (statewide Human Relations Commission): approved, 14 ayes; transmitted forthwith to mayor for signature. - Item 3 — General Services petroleum/fuel account adjustments and related measures: approved, 13 ayes. - Item 36 — Ordinance (first reading) establishing special fund for deposit/expenditure of targeted destination ambulance fees: approved (first reading), 14 ayes; ordinance sent forthwith to mayor for signature. - Item 34 — Support for AB 2053 and related action on toy gun look-alikes: approved, 14 ayes. - Item 5 — Training program for employee representatives in hearings (amended to include City Attorney assistance): approved, 14 ayes. - Item 27 — (unspecified on the transcript excerpt) approved, 12 ayes, 1 no. - Item 29 — Housing-related item (caller: Councilwoman Chik): approved, 14 ayes; sent forthwith at requester’s request. - Item 32 — Assert jurisdiction and refer to Personnel Committee: approved, 14 ayes. - Item 35(b) — Settlement in Fiaz et al. v. City of Los Angeles: approved, 11 ayes (public session roll call recorded in transcript). - Suspension and declaration — Declared May 20 National Tenants Day: approved, 13 ayes.

What the council did not do: supporters and council members repeatedly emphasized that the state commission should coordinate with and not supplant local human relations bodies. Several council members pressed for local input and for the state commission to work with city Human Relations staff and local communities.

The council's unanimous vote on AB 2000 concludes the city's formal backing and sends the resolution to the mayor. No enactment of state law occurs as a result of this action; the measure still requires consideration and passage by the California Legislature and signature by the governor.

Prognosis and next steps: supporters urged the mayor’s office and Los Angeles’ intergovernmental relations committee to press Sacramento lawmakers to advance AB 2000. The city will also implement follow-up on fuel-system automation and monitor training implementation for employee hearing advocates.

(Quotes in this report are from the meeting transcript and are attributed to speakers who spoke on the record.)