Local Government Committee advances four bills, approves consent item

The California Assembly Local Government Committee met March 26 and advanced four bills on its agenda, including one consent calendar item.

The chair opened the hearing noting four bills were on the agenda and that the committee would accept two primary witnesses in support and two in opposition for each bill. Committee members proceeded as a subcommittee until a quorum was reached.

The committee advanced AB 59 (author: Assemblymember Agiarcuri), which would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects; the chair reported the bill was “out” of committee and left open for members to add on.

The committee also passed AB 417, which amends rules for Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts and Community Revitalization and Investment Authorities to streamline formation and participation; the clerk recorded six ayes in the roll-call excerpt provided and the chair said the bill was passed as amended and left open for members to add on. Supporters included the California Association for Local Economic Development and the American Planning Association; an opposition representative urged removing CREA’s eminent-domain authority.

AB 533 (author: Assemblymember Flora) was approved on a roll call vote, 7‑0. The measure would reauthorize design–build contracting authority for healthcare districts that operate hospitals and clinics; supporters said restoring the authority is necessary to secure financing for major capital projects. The motion to move the bill was made by Mr. Ramos and seconded by Assemblymember Pacheco.

On the consent calendar, AB 1030 (Assemblymember Poppin) was approved on a 7‑0 recorded vote and the committee left the roll open for members to add on.

The committee closed the hearing after processing the agenda and said it would leave some measures open for members to add on before final transmittal.