Priority Legislative Bills Update

Cal Cities has provided a brief two-page “Summer Recess Briefing on Priority Bills” that is available on their website summarizing the author, bill number, title, and Cal Cities position. The briefing is categorized by subject areas such as Community Services, Environmental Quality, Governance Transparency & Labor Relations, Housing, Community & Economic Development, Public Safety, Revenue & Taxation, and finally Transportation, Communications & Public Works.

While some agencies may have a large enough staff to follow legislative matters and take an active role with their elected officials supporting or opposing matters at the state level, sometimes just keeping up with the day-to-day business in finance can be a job and a half. There are two key subject areas likely to interest CSMFO members starting with the Labor Relations bills since finance professionals deal with HR matters or get called on for labor negotiations for costing. To navigate the summary, click on a link for further details on a bill (“Reyes: COVID-19. Exposure. Notification.”), and a brief summary will appear. In this case, a League Position Letter or Sample letter opposing the bill is also attached.

Next, the Revenue and Taxation section highlights four bills, including one regarding sales and use tax reporting, and another on public investment authorities. However, I will highlight a different bill by Senator Glazer. For those agencies with short-term rentals in their communities, SB60 Residential short-term rental ordinances: health or safety infractions: maximum fines would impose a fine of up to $5,000 for public health & safety violations, whereas the current law has the fine maximum at $1,300. Again, a sample letter from the League has been included in a link for those interested in supporting this legislative effort.
Topics that may also be of interest to finance professionals that handle multiple duties include bills related to those dealing with General Plan updates – Housing Element (AB215), Development Fees (AB602), Business Pandemic Relief (AB61), Dangerous Fireworks Seizure/Management (SB277), and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Permit Application (AB970).

Finally, did you know that CSMFO has League Policy Committee Appointees that attend the meetings quarterly on behalf of our organization? The President makes these appointments annually to the committees and reports are given at Board meetings for key issues to follow. Current appointees are listed in the Member Directory.