TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report on travel to Sacramento on March 14, 2018 to advocate on behalf of legislation and state issues of importance to Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
On March 14, 2018, I traveled to Sacramento for what was scheduled to a meeting of the State Legislative Committee with members of Long Beach's legislative delegation and other legislators. However, due to a last-minute cancellation, there was not a quorum of the committee present for the noticed meeting to take place.
However, with the City's Manager of Government Affairs, and our state lobbyist, I kept our meetings to discuss issues affecting Long Beach in the current legislative session. We met with Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblymembers Patrick O'Donnell and AI Muratsuchi, and Senators Steve Bradford, Janet Nguyen and Scott Wiener.
Among the issues discussed were the City's legislative priorities, including AB 2591 regarding Community Hospital, AB 2404 regarding the State Oil Abandonment Trust Fund Increase, AB 427 regarding the California Aerospace Commission, SERRF, and concerns about state legislation regarding housing and local land use.
AB 2591 (O'Donnell) - Community Hospital Seismic Compliance
AB 2591 (O'Donnell) seeks to extend the compliance deadline of January 1, 2020 for Community Hospital, inclusive of the eight basic services and psychiatric care. The purpose is to enable acute and psychiatric care services at Community Hospital to continue while a long-term solution for seismic compliance is developed and implemented. The City is in active conversations with new operators that could potentially continue all current services after the current operator MemorialCare vacates the facility, effective July 3, 2018.
Housing and Local Land Use
The City is concerned with numerous legislative proposals that would limit local land use authority related to accessory dwelling units, density bonuses, RHNA and linking SB 1 money to housing developments. Collectively, the 400+ general plans in California foster a diversity of land uses across the State, which have contributed to California's unique and prosperous landscape. This could not have been accomplished, nor can it be sustained without ensuring local land use authority remains vested in municipal governments.
AB 2404 (O'Donnell)- State Oil Abandonment Trust Fund Increase
The City of Long Beach supports a removal of the State's $300 million cap on the State Oil Abandonment Trust Fund. The State's potential unfunded liability is approximately $536 million. Once operations cease and revenue is no longer generated, the Oil Trust Fund becomes the primary source to fund the substantial abandonment and decommissioning work that will be required to remove oil and gas facilities related to the oil operations.
AB 2191 (O'Donnell) - Great White Shark Research and Beach Safety Program
Long Beach benefits from research and funding relating to Great White Sharks. 10 Great White Sharks were spotted in September 2017. Long Beach is home to the Shark Lab at CSU Long Beach. The Shark Lab would be eligible to apply for grant funding. The City's Fire Department would be eligible for grants to support public safety at beaches.
AB 427 (Muratsuchil) - California Aerospace Commission
Long Beach has a long history of successful aviation and aerospace entrepreneurship. This bill would establish a 17 member California Aerospace and Aviation Commission. Members of the Long Beach aviation and aerospace community have been invited to participate in the development of this legislation.
Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF)
The City of Long Beach operates a waste-to-energy facility as part of the City's waste management strategy. The facility handles 1,200 tons of waste per day and generates 35 MWh, diverting 100% of the municipal solid waste away from landfills. This facility will experience a significant shift in economics at the end of 2018, which could lead to an increase in landfilling by 1,200 tons per day.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMAN AI AUSTIN, CHAIR,
STATE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE