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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04242012 - C.52RECOMMENDATION(S): ADOPT positions on various state bills as specified in the report, as recommended by the Legislation Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: No direct fiscal impact to the County from taking positions on state legislation. BACKGROUND: At its April 5, 2012 meeting, the Legislation Committee reviewed a report on State legislation of interest to the County and recommended positions to the Board of Supervisors on the following bills: (See Attachment for bill text.) 1. AB 890 (Olsen) Environment : CEQA Exemption: Roadway Improvement. This bill would exempt city roadway improvement projects from California Environmental Quality Act requirements if the project is within the existing right-of-way. AB 890 will result in lower project costs and faster project delivery for roadway improvement projects. CSAC has sent a letter of support on this bill to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. DISPOSITION: Pending LOCATION: Senate Environmental Quality Committee APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 04/24/2012 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor ABSENT:Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: April 24, 2012 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C. 52 To:Board of Supervisors From:Legislation Committee Date:April 24, 2012 Contra Costa County Subject:Recommended Positions on Bills Considered by the Legislation Committee BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 2. SB 1387 (Emmerson) Metal Theft. This bill would prohibit any junk dealer or recycler from possessing a public fire hydrant, fire department connection, a public manhole cover or lid, or related pieces without written certification on the letterhead of the public agency or utility that owns or previously owned the material. Makes other related changes to the penalties and liability for possession of the materials without required certification. According to the Author, metal theft is on the rise as the price of metal continues to climb. The theft of metals has devastated both public and private property and has harmed critical public infrastructure, making it difficult to deliver essential utilities to customers. Moreover, the theft of certain metal devices can seriously threaten public health and safety. For instance, individuals have been severely injured falling down uncovered manholes and vehicles have incurred damage driving over manholes where the covers have been stolen. In addition, stolen backflow devices leave potable water sources vulnerable to cross-contamination while stolen fire hydrants render properties defenseless to fire. While several laws have been enacted to curb metal theft, it is still prevalent throughout California. According to the Sponsor, this measure seeks to address this epidemic and strengthen current law by eliminating the attractiveness of manhole covers, backflow devices, and fire hydrants to metal thieves as there would no longer be a buyer for these stolen items. DISPOSITION: Pending LOCATION: Senate Rules Committee Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 3. AB 1640 (Mitchell) CalWORKs and CalFresh Benefits: Pregnant Mothers. This bill would change the state’s CalWORKs statute to allow for pregnant women (with no other children in the household) to become eligible for CalWORKs basic needs grants and full-scope 1931(b) Medi-Cal benefits upon verification of a pregnancy. CSAC supports the bill, which was passed by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 20. The measure will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. DISPOSITION: Pending LOCATION: Assembly Appropriations Committee Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 4. AB 1691 (Lowenthal, B.) CalWORKs: Welfare-to-Work Activities. This bill would allow non-English speaking CalWORKs recipients, which include refugees and other legal immigrants, to participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction for eight months. Time spent in ESL instruction would count as a core activity and counties would have the option of extending ESL participation for up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. CSAC supports AB 1691, which was passed by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 20. The measure will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. DISPOSITION: Pending LOCATION: SENATE Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 5. AB 1709 (Mitchell) Juveniles: Jury Trial. This bill would add Section 679.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code to entitle a juvenile who is 16 years old at the commission of an alleged offense – that would qualify as a future felony conviction under the Three Strikes law – to a jury trial. Moreover, statute would specify that the jury trial would mirror jury trials in adult criminal courts. Further, AB 1709 would amend Section 704 of the Welfare & Institutions Code to state that if a juvenile youth undergoing a jury trial for a crime that falls under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 602 and is found eligible for placement in the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the youth shall first be temporarily committed to a DJJ diagnostic and treatment center through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. CSAC is examining this measure to assess the impacts to the county system that would result in providing specified juvenile offenders access to a jury trial. Staff requests that counties review this measure and provide feedback as soon as possible. DISPOSITION: Pending COMMITTEE: Assembly Appropriations Committee HEARING: 04/18/2012 9:00 am, Room 4202 Legislation Committee recommendation: OPPOSE 6. SB 1363 (Yee) Juveniles: Solitary Confinement – This bill would establish compulsory guidelines for the use of solitary confinement within state and local juvenile detention centers. The objective of the measure is to ensure that solitary confinement for juveniles is a last-resort option after all other less-restrictive options have been exhausted. Specifically, the measure would add Section 208.3 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, which would outline new definitions and restricted uses for solitary confinement – defined as holding a person in isolation for 16 or more hours per day. Among other provisions, SB 1363 would require that, when solitary confinement is used, that clinical staff check minors daily to determine whether the detention option should continue. SB 1363 will be amended to also address the composition of county juvenile justice commissions established pursuant to WIC section 226. The bill will specify that membership of the commission must include parents or guardians of previously or currently incarcerated youth, as well as a licensed social worker with experience in adolescent development. CSAC is concerned about the mandatory nature of many of the provisions, especially given that current Title 15 and 24 regulations offer guidelines for use of solitary confinement. SB 1363 was heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee on April 17 and failed passage. Reconsideration was granted by the Committee. Legislation Committee recommendation: OPPOSE 7. AB 1436 (Feuer) Voter Registration. This bill would create a process for potential voters to register to vote and vote in the final two weeks before an election, and is very similar to last year’s SB 641, which failed to pass the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Currently, citizens must register at least fifteen days before an election to vote in that election. The most populous counties in the state already struggle to certify their votes by the end of the 28-day canvass period. AB 1436 would add significantly to that struggle by requiring counties to process large numbers of voter registration forms and provisional ballots. Verifying and counting provisional ballots are by far the most time-consuming processes that county registrars must undertake during the canvass; AB 1436 would increase the number of provisional ballots by multiples. The new law would increase election departments’ workloads by, firstly, all the provisional ballots from voters that would not otherwise have registered, but, more importantly, by the provisional ballots from all of the voters that, absent this law, would have met the 14-day deadline but with it see no need to do so. If this policy is an issue of statewide concern, as passing this mandate would indicate, then the state should be willing to use statewide revenues to pay the cost. Alternatively, the state could authorize counties to implement this program where it is a local priority. DISPOSITION: Pending COMMITTEE: Assembly Appropriations Committee HEARING: 04/18/2012 9:00 am, Room 4202 Legislation Committee recommendation: OPPOSE 8. AB 2304 (Garrick) Pets: Cosmetic Teeth Cleaning . This bill would provide that "dental operation" for these purposes (practicing veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry when engaged in various actions and procedures with respect to animals, including the performance of a surgical or dental operation) does not include a service whereby a person utilizes nonmotorized instruments to remove calculus, soft deposits, plaque, or stains from an exposed area of a household pet's tooth above the gum line, provided that the service is performed exclusively for cosmetic purposes and the person performing the service first obtains written permission from the person requesting the service. STATUS: 02/24/2012 INTRODUCED. 04/17/2012 In ASSEMBLY Committee on BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS & CONSUMER PROTECTION: Failed passage. Legislation Committee recommendation: OPPOSE (Note: Since the bill failed passage, the bill text is not attached.) 9. AB 1901 (Jones) Counties: Construction Projects: Design-Build. Existing law, until July 1, 2014, authorizes counties to use alternative procedures, known as design-build, for bidding on construction projects in the county in excess of $2,500,000, in accordance with specified procedures. These procedures include a requirement for contracts awarded after a certain date that a county board of supervisors pay a fee into the State Public Works Enforcement Fund, which funds are continuously appropriated for the Department of Industrial Relations' enforcement of prevailing wage requirements on public works projects. These procedures also require specified information to be verified under oath. This bill would extend these provisions until July 1, 2016, and would remove the dollar limitation on this authorization that applies it only to projects in excess of $2,500,000. DISPOSITION: Pending COMMITTEE: Assembly Local Government Committee HEARING: 04/25/2012 1:30 pm, Room 447 Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 10. AB 1592 (Olsen) Veterans: Benefits: Fee Waiver. This bill would authorize the governing board of any county or city to grant financial assistance, relief, and support to disabled veterans by waiving service-related fees, including building and inspection fees, charged by the county or city. It is CSAC’s understanding that the author’s intention for the bill is to allow governing boards of counties and cities to waive building and inspection permit fees for Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) modifications to homes that are owned by veterans with service-related disabilities. AB 1592 was passed out of the Assembly on 4/16/12. DISPOSITION: Pending LOCATION: SENATE Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT 11. AB 1827 (Bonilla) Infrastructure Financing Districts. Existing law authorizes a city, county, or city and county to establish infrastructure financing districts for the sole purpose of financing public facilities utilizing incremental property tax revenues, subject to adoption of a resolution by the legislative body and affected taxing entities proposed to be subject to division of taxes and 2/3 voter approval. Existing law authorizes the legislative body to, by majority vote, initiate proceedings to issue bonds for the financing of district projects by adopting a resolution, subject to specified procedures and 2/3 voter approval . A district may not include a redevelopment project area and a redevelopment project area may not include any portion of a district. This bill would authorize a military base reuse authority to form an infrastru cture financing district for purposes of financing public facilities and issuing bonds. The bill would further authorize infrastructure financing districts to finance homeless accommodations, as specified . DISPOSITION: Pending COMMITTEE: Assembly Local Government Committee HEARING: 04/25/2012 1:30 pm, Room 447 Legislation Committee recommendation: SUPPORT CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If the Board of Supervisors does not take a position on these bills, the County will be unable to advocate for or against them. ATTACHMENTS Text of Bills Included in Report AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 13, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 4, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 29, 2011 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 890 1 2 3 4 Introduced by Assembly Members Olsen and Perea (Coauthors: Assembly Members Garrick, Gorell, Grove, Harkey, and Silva) (Coauthors: Senators Berryhill, Harman, Rubio, and Runner) February 17, 2011 1  2  An act to add and repeal Section 21080.37 to of the Public Resources Code, relating to the environment. legislative counsel’s digest AB 890, as amended, Olsen.Environment: CEQA exemption: roadway improvement. (1)  The The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report (EIR) on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment. 96 CEQA exempts from its requirements specified projects or activities. This bill would additionally, until January 1, 2026, exempt a project or an activity that is undertaken, carried out, or approved by a city or county, including a city and county, to improve public safety within an existing road right-of-way. This bill would provide that this exemption would not apply to a project or activity undertaken, carried out, or approved for the purpose of increasing traffic capacity. Because a lead agency would be required to determine whether a project falls within the above exemption, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program to repair, maintain, or make minor alterations to an existing roadway if the project or activity is initiated by a city or county to improve public safety, does not cross a waterway, and involves negligible or no expansion of existing use. (2)  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes no. State-mandated local program: yes no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 SECTION 1.Section 21080.37 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 21080.37.(a)  Except as provided in subdivision (b), this division does not apply to a project or activity undertaken, carried out, or approved by a city or county to improve public safety within an existing road right-of-way. (b)  This section does not apply to a project or an activity undertaken, carried out, or approved by a city or county for the purpose of increasing traffic capacity. 21080.37.(a)  This division does not apply to a project or an activity to repair, maintain, or make minor alterations to an existing roadway if all of the following conditions are met: (1)  The project is initiated by a city or county to improve public safety. (2)  The project does not cross a waterway. (3)  The project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. 96 — 2 —AB 890 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (b)  This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code. O 96 AB 890— 3 — AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 16, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 11, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 27, 2012 SENATE BILL No. 1387 1 2 3 Introduced by Senator Emmerson (Coauthor: Senator Berryhill) (Coauthor: Assembly Member Bill Berryhill) February 24, 2012 1  2  3  An act to amend Sections 21604 and 21608.5 of, and to add Section 21609.1 to, the Business and Professions Code, and to amend Sections 496a and 496e of the Penal Code, relating to metal theft. legislative counsel’s digest SB 1387, as amended, Emmerson.Metal theft. (1)  Existing law governs the business of buying, selling, and dealing in secondhand and used machinery and all ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals and alloys, also known as “junk.” Existing law requires junk dealers and recyclers to keep a written record of all sales and purchases made in the course of their business, including the name and address of each person to whom junk is sold or disposed of, and to preserve the written record for at least 2 years after making the final entry of any purchase or sale of junk. Existing law provides that the failure to keep a written record as required is punishable as a misdemeanor. Existing law prohibits a junk dealer or recycler in this state from providing payment for nonferrous metals unless, in addition to the requirement to create and maintain a written record, specified requirements are met, including that the payment for the material be made by cash or check and that, at the time of sale, the junk dealer or 96 recycler obtains a clear photograph or video of the seller. Existing law requires the junk dealer or recycler to preserve this information for 2 years after the date of sale. This bill would prohibit any junk dealer or recycler from possessing a fire hydrant, fire department connection, including, but not limited to, bronze or brass fittings or parts, a manhole cover or lid, or any part of that cover or lid, or a backflow device and connections to that device without a written certification on the letterhead of the agency or utility that owns or previously owned the material and that the entity has sold or is offering the material for sale, and that the person possessing the certificate and identified in the certificate is authorized to negotiate the sale of the material. The bill would make junk dealers and recyclers civilly liable and would also provide that if a junk dealer or recycler lacks the certification described above, the lack of that certification would give rise to the presumption that the property was stolen for purposes of the provisions proscribing receiving stolen property. (2)  Existing law makes it a crime to receive stolen property. Existing law specifically provides that a person who is a dealer in or collector of junk, metals, or secondhand materials, or the agent, employee, or representative of the dealer or collector, and who buys or receives any wire, cable, copper, lead, solder, mercury, iron, or brass that he or she knows or reasonably should know is ordinarily used by or ordinarily belongs to a railroad or other transportation, telephone, telegraph, gas, water, or electric light company, or county, city, city and county, or other political subdivision of the state engaged in furnishing public utility service, without using due diligence to ascertain that the person selling or delivering the property has the legal right to do so, is guilty of criminally receiving that property. Existing law provides that this crime is a misdemeanor. Existing law also provides that any person who buys or receives, for purposes of salvage, any part of a fire hydrant or fire department connection, as specified, is subject to a criminal fine of not more than $3,000. This bill would also prohibit any person, including a junk dealer or recycler, engaged in the salvage, recycling, or purchase or sale of scrap metal from possessing those items. The bill would expand the prohibition described above proscribing the purchase or receipt of items that a dealer or collector knows or reasonably should know is ordinarily used by or ordinarily belongs to a transportation or utility company, or a political subdivision of the state engaged in furnishing public utility service, to also apply to recyclers, and to apply to the fire hydrants and 96 — 2 —SB 1387 other items described above. The bill would also expand the provision providing that any person who buys or receives, for purposes of salvage, any part of a fire hydrant or fire department connection is subject to a criminal fine of not more than $3,000 by making that fine applicable to any person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal and who, knowing that the item has been stolen or obtained in any manner constituting theft or extortion, possesses a fire hydrant, or any part thereof, a fire department connection, including brass fittings and parts, a manhole cover or lid, or any part of that cover or lid, or a backflow device and connections to that device, or any part of that device. By creating new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 SECTION 1.The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (a)  Theft of fire hydrants, manhole covers, and backflow devices has significantly increased in recent years and represents a significant health and safety issue. (b)  Local jurisdictions and public agencies have gone to great lengths to preserve and protect residents and their property from the damages that can result from such theft. (c)  Additional laws and regulations need to be enacted that would provide local governments with the tools to further protect both local government property and the health and safety of the residents they serve. (d)  Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to strictly prohibit fire hydrants, manhole covers, and backflow devices from being accepted, in whole or in part, by a recycler or junk dealer for the purpose of salvage, unless presented with written certification by 96 SB 1387— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 a representative of the agency or utility owning or previously owning the material. (e)  By strictly prohibiting these items from being recycled, the burden is taken off of the recyclers as they will no longer be saddled with the responsibility of having to decipher whether the items were stolen or obtained illegally. (f)  Furthermore, the Legislature thinks it is important to enable an agency to recoup, repair, and replace costs, attorney’s fees, and lawsuit costs and will establish penalties for theft of such items. SEC. 2.Section 21604 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 21604.Except as otherwise provided in this article, this article does not apply to: (a)  Any person who buys or sells junk acquired in the conduct of any business other than that of a junk dealer or recycler. (b)  Except as provided in Section 21609.1, those purchases of scrap metal by a junk dealer or recycler when the payment for the scrap metal is by check issued to the company represented as being the owner of the scrap. (c)  Scrap metal purchased or received from another junk dealer or recycler who has recorded, reported, and held the material as required. The purchase or receipt shall also be exempt from further holding or reporting provided that the selling party gives the buyer written assurance of this fact. The seller shall be held responsible for any failure to report or hold. SEC. 3.Section 21608.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 21608.5.(a)  A junk dealer or recycler in this state shall not provide payment for nonferrous material unless, in addition to meeting the written record requirements of Sections 21605 and 21606, all of the following requirements are met: (1)  The payment for the material is made by cash or check. The check may be mailed to the seller at the address provided pursuant to paragraph (3) or the cash or check may be collected by the seller from the junk dealer or recycler on or after the third business day after the date of sale. (2)  At the time of sale, the junk dealer or recycler obtains a clear photograph or video of the seller. (3)  (A)  Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the junk dealer or recycler obtains a copy of the valid driver’s license of the seller 96 — 4 —SB 1387 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 containing a photograph and an address of the seller or a copy of a state or federal government-issued identification card containing a photograph and an address of the seller. (B)  If the seller prefers to have the check for the material mailed to an alternative address, other than a post office box, the junk dealer or recycler shall obtain a copy of a driver’s license or identification card described in subparagraph (A), and a gas or electric utility bill addressed to the seller at that alternative address with a payment due date no more than two months prior to the date of sale. For purposes of this paragraph, “alternative address” means an address that is different from the address appearing on the seller’s driver’s license or identification card. (4)  The junk dealer or recycler obtains a clear photograph or video of the nonferrous material being purchased. (5)  The junk dealer or recycler shall preserve the information obtained pursuant to this subdivision for a period of two years after the date of sale. (6)  (A)  The junk dealer or recycler obtains a thumbprint of the seller, as prescribed by the Department of Justice. The junk dealer or recycler shall keep this thumbprint with the information obtained under this subdivision and shall preserve the thumbprint in either hardcopy or electronic format for a period of two years after the date of sale. (B)  Inspection or seizure of the thumbprint shall only be performed by a peace officer acting within the scope of his or her authority in response to a criminal search warrant signed by a magistrate and served on the junk dealer or recycler by the peace officer. Probable cause for the issuance of that warrant must be based upon a theft specifically involving the transaction for which the thumbprint was given. (b)  Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall not apply if, during any three-month period commencing on or after the effective date of this section, the junk dealer or recycler completes five or more separate transactions per month, on five or more separate days per month, with the seller and, in order for paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) to continue to be inapplicable, the seller must continue to complete five or more separate transactions per month with the junk dealer or recycler. 96 SB 1387— 5 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (c)  This section shall not apply if, on the date of sale, the junk dealer or recycler has on file or receives all of the following information: (1)  The name, physical business address, and business telephone number of the seller’s business. (2)  The business license number or tax identification number of the seller’s business. (3)  A copy of the valid driver’s license of the person delivering the nonferrous material on behalf of the seller to the junk dealer or the recycler. (d)  This section shall not apply to the redemption of nonferrous material having a value of not more than twenty dollars ($20) in a single transaction, when the primary purpose of the transaction is the redemption of beverage containers under the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, as set forth in Division 12.1 (commencing with Section 14500) of the Public Resources Code. (e)  This section shall not apply to coin dealers or to automobile dismantlers, as defined in Section 220 of the Vehicle Code. (f)  For the purposes of this section, “nonferrous material” means copper, copper alloys, stainless steel, or aluminum, but does not include beverage containers, as defined in Section 14505 of the Public Resources Code, that are subject to a redemption payment pursuant to Section 14560 of the Public Resources Code. (g)  This section is intended to occupy the entire field of law related to junk dealer or recycler transactions involving nonferrous material. However, a city or county ordinance, or a city and county ordinance, relating to the subject matter of this section is not in conflict with this section if the ordinance is passed by a two-thirds vote and it can be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that the ordinance is both necessary and addresses a unique problem within and specific to the jurisdiction of the ordinance that cannot effectively be addressed under this section. (h)  This section shall become operative on December 1, 2008. SEC. 4.Section 21609.1 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read: 21609.1.No junk dealer or recycler shall possess any fire hydrant, or fire department connection, including, but not limited to, brass fittings and parts, or manhole cover or lid or part of that cover or lid, or backflow device or connection to that device or 96 — 6 —SB 1387 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 part of that device in the absence of a written certification on the letterhead of the agency or utility owning or previously owning the material described in the certification that the agency has either sold the material described or is offering the material for sale, salvage, or recycling, and that the person possessing the certification and identified in the certification is authorized to negotiate the sale of that material. The lack of a certification shall give rise to a presumption, in the case of property that was stolen, that the junk dealer or recycler knew or should have known that the property was stolen for purposes of prosecution pursuant to Sections 496, 496a, and 496e of the Penal Code.A junk dealer or recycler violating this section shall also be liable to the owner of the prohibited material for the value of the material and for damages, including the cost of replacement and repair of damage incurred by the agency when the materials were removed, court costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees in a civil suit by the owner. SEC. 5.Section 496a of the Penal Code is amended to read: 496a.(a)  Every person who, being a dealer in or collector or recycler of junk, metals, or secondhand materials, or the agent, employee, or representative of that dealer or collector or recycler, buys or receives any wire, cable, copper, lead, solder, mercury, iron or brass, fire hydrants and connections to those hydrants, including, but not limited to, bronze or brass fittings and parts, or manhole covers or lids, or backflow devices and connections to that device, which he or she knows or reasonably should know is ordinarily used by or ordinarily belongs to a railroad or other transportation, telephone, telegraph, gas, water, or electric light company or fire department, or county, city, city and county, or other political subdivision of this state engaged in furnishing public utility service, including water and sanitation services, or fire protection without using due diligence to ascertain that the person selling or delivering the same has a legal right to do so, is guilty of criminally receiving that property, and is punishable, by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b)  (1)  Any person buying or receiving material pursuant to subdivision (a) shall, in addition to complying with the requirements of Sections 21607 and 21608.5 of the Business and 96 SB 1387— 7 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Professions Code, obtain evidence of the seller’s identity, including, but not limited to, that seller’s full name, signature, address, driver’s license number, vehicle license number, and the license number of the vehicle delivering the material. (2)  The record of the transaction shall include an appropriate description of the material purchased and such record shall be maintained pursuant to Section 21607 of the Business and Professions Code. SEC. 6.Section 496e of the Penal Code is amended to read: 496e.(a)  Any person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal and who possesses any of the following items that have been stolen or obtained in any manner constituting theft or extortion, knowing the property to be so stolen or obtained, is guilty of a crime: (1)  A fire hydrant or any part of that hydrant. (2)  Any fire department connection, including, but not limited to, bronze or brass fittings and parts. (3)  Manhole covers or lids, or any part of those covers and lids. (4)  Backflow devices and connections to that device, or any part of that device. (b)  A person who violates subdivision (a) shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, be subject to a criminal fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000). SEC. 7.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution. O 96 — 8 —SB 1387 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1640 1 Introduced by Assembly Member Mitchell February 13, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Section 11450 of, and to add Section 18927 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1640, as introduced, Mitchell.CalWORKs and CalFresh benefits: pregnant mothers. Existing federal law provides for allocation of federal funds through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program to eligible states. Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program under which, through a combination of state and county funds and federal funds received through the TANF program, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families. Under existing law, for a family that does not include a needy child qualified for CalWORKs benefits, a pregnant mother is eligible for aid for the month in which the birth is anticipated, and the 3 months immediately prior to that month. However, CalWORKs aid is required to be paid to a pregnant woman who is also eligible for the Cal-Learn Program, as specified, at any time after verification of pregnancy. Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county. Existing federal law requires all SNAP recipients, unless otherwise exempt, between 15 and 60 years of age, inclusive, who are physically 99 and mentally fit, to register for employment and participate in the Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) program. In accordance with these federal provisions, existing law establishes the CalFresh Employment and Training program (CalFresh E & T), for counties that elect to participate. This bill would require CalWORKs aid to be paid to a pregnant mother at any time after verification of pregnancy, regardless of whether she is eligible for the Cal-Learn Program. The bill also would prohibit, to the extent permitted by federal law, a pregnant woman or pregnant teenager from being denied or made ineligible for CalFresh benefits, or from being required to participate in CalFresh E & T, at any time after verification of pregnancy. Because the bill would expand eligibility for CalWORKs aid under some circumstances, the bill would increase the duties of counties in administering the program, thus imposing a state-mandated local program. Existing law continuously appropriates moneys from the General Fund to defray a portion of county costs under the CalWORKs program. This bill would, instead, provide that the continuous appropriation would not be made for purposes of implementing the bill. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SECTION 1.(a)  This act shall be known and may be cited as the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act of 2012. (b)  The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1)  By not ensuring uninterrupted supportive services to the mothers who are experiencing multiple stressful situations during their pregnancies, very poor women are more likely to experience premature and low birth-weight babies, and children are more likely to experience short- and long-term health and behavioral challenges that can interfere with their parents’ long-term economic 99 — 2 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 sufficiency. The average first-year medical costs, including both inpatient and outpatient care, were approximately 10 times greater for preterm infants ($32,325) than for full-term infants ($3,325). Additionally, preterm births are associated with lost household income and decreased labor market productivity. (2)  Prenatal care during pregnancy can reduce risk factors and diminish the effects of stress. Receiving earlier care provides benefits for both the mother and the fetus. The current third trimester CalWORKs eligibility test not only impacts these beneficiaries basic needs grants, but also impacts health care and prenatal services. Because CalWORKs eligibility triggers eligibility for full-scope eligibility under Section 1931(b) of the federal Social Security Act, pregnant women are not only required to change cash-assistance caseworkers and rules, they also transition into a new type of Medi-Cal coverage, which may require a change in provider and doctor. (3)  With limited economic resources, pregnant women are less able to afford healthy diets. As a result, many are not getting the nutrients they need for better fetal development, which puts them at risk for low infant birth rate and other abnormalities. SEC. 2.Section 11450 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as amended by Section 13 of Chapter 501 of the Statutes of 2011, is amended to read: 11450.(a)  (1)  Aid shall be paid for each needy family, which shall include all eligible brothers and sisters of each eligible applicant or recipient child and the parents of the children, but shall not include unborn children, or recipients of aid under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000), qualified for aid under this chapter. In determining the amount of aid paid, and notwithstanding the minimum basic standards of adequate care specified in Section 11452, the family’s income, exclusive of any amounts considered exempt as income or paid pursuant to subdivision (e) or Section 11453.1, averaged for the prospective quarter pursuant to Sections 11265.2 and 11265.3, and then calculated pursuant to Section 11451.5, shall be deducted from the sum specified in the following table, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 and paragraph (2). In no case shall the amount of aid paid for each month exceed the sum specified in the following table, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 99 AB 1640— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 and paragraph (2), plus any special needs, as specified in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f): Maximum aid    Number of eligible needy    persons in the same home $  326          1..................................................................................     535          2..................................................................................     663          3..................................................................................     788          4..................................................................................     899          5..................................................................................   1,010          6..................................................................................   1,109          7..................................................................................   1,209          8..................................................................................   1,306          9..................................................................................   1,403        10 or more.................................................................... If, when, and during those times that the United States government increases or decreases its contributions in assistance of needy children in this state above or below the amount paid on July 1, 1972, the amounts specified in the above table shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that increase or decrease by the United States government, provided that no increase or decrease shall be subject to subsequent adjustment pursuant to Section 11453. (2)  The sums specified in paragraph (1) shall not be adjusted for cost of living for the 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1997–98 fiscal years, and through October 31, 1998, nor shall that amount be included in the base for calculating any cost-of-living increases for any fiscal year thereafter. Elimination of the cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the requirements of Section 11453.05, and no further reduction shall be made pursuant to that section. (b)  When the family does not include a needy child qualified for aid under this chapter, aid shall be paid to a pregnant mother for the month in which the birth is anticipated and for the three-month period immediately prior to the month in which the birth is anticipated at any time after verification of pregnancy, in the amount that would otherwise be paid to one person, as specified 99 — 4 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 in subdivision (a), if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. Verification of pregnancy shall be required as a condition of eligibility for aid under this subdivision. (1)  Aid shall also be paid to a pregnant woman with no other children in the amount which would otherwise be paid to one person under subdivision (a) at any time after verification of pregnancy if the pregnant woman is also eligible for the Cal-Learn Program described in Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11331) and if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. (2)  Paragraph (1) shall apply only when the Cal-Learn Program is operative. (c)  The amount of forty-seven dollars ($47) per month shall be paid to pregnant mothers qualified for aid under subdivision (a) or (b) to meet special needs resulting from pregnancy if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. County welfare departments shall refer all recipients of aid under this subdivision to a local provider of the Women, Infants and Children program. If that payment to pregnant mothers qualified for aid under subdivision (a) is considered income under federal law in the first five months of pregnancy, payments under this subdivision shall not apply to persons eligible under subdivision (a), except for the month in which birth is anticipated and for the three-month period immediately prior to the month in which delivery is anticipated, if the mother, and the child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. (d)  For children receiving AFDC-FC under this chapter, there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month which, when added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Section 11460, 11461, 11462, 11462.1, or 11463. In addition, the child shall be eligible for special needs, as specified in departmental regulations. (e)  In addition to the amounts payable under subdivision (a) and Section 11453.1, a family shall be entitled to receive an allowance for recurring special needs not common to a majority of recipients. These recurring special needs shall include, but not be limited to, special diets upon the recommendation of a physician for circumstances other than pregnancy, and unusual costs of transportation, laundry, housekeeping services, telephone, and 99 AB 1640— 5 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 utilities. The recurring special needs allowance for each family per month shall not exceed that amount resulting from multiplying the sum of ten dollars ($10) by the number of recipients in the family who are eligible for assistance. (f)  After a family has used all available liquid resources, both exempt and nonexempt, in excess of one hundred dollars ($100), with the exception of funds deposited in a restricted account described in subdivision (a) of Section 11155.2, the family shall also be entitled to receive an allowance for nonrecurring special needs. (1)  An allowance for nonrecurring special needs shall be granted for replacement of clothing and household equipment and for emergency housing needs other than those needs addressed by paragraph (2). These needs shall be caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the needy family. The department shall establish the allowance for each of the nonrecurring special need items. The sum of all nonrecurring special needs provided by this subdivision shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600) per event. (2)  Homeless assistance is available to a homeless family seeking shelter when the family is eligible for aid under this chapter. Homeless assistance for temporary shelter is also available to homeless families which are apparently eligible for aid under this chapter. Apparent eligibility exists when evidence presented by the applicant, or which is otherwise available to the county welfare department, and the information provided on the application documents indicate that there would be eligibility for aid under this chapter if the evidence and information were verified. However, an alien applicant who does not provide verification of his or her eligible alien status, or a woman with no eligible children who does not provide medical verification of pregnancy, is not apparently eligible for purposes of this section. A family is considered homeless, for the purpose of this section, when the family lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence; or the family has a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; or the family is residing in a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A family is also considered homeless for the purpose of this section if the family 99 — 6 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 has received a notice to pay rent or quit. The family shall demonstrate that the eviction is the result of a verified financial hardship as a result of extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, and not other lease or rental violations, and that the family is experiencing a financial crisis that could result in homelessness if preventative assistance is not provided. (A)  (i)  A nonrecurring special need of sixty-five dollars ($65) a day shall be available to families of up to four members for the costs of temporary shelter, subject to the requirements of this paragraph. The fifth and additional members of the family shall each receive fifteen dollars ($15) per day, up to a daily maximum of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125). County welfare departments may increase the daily amount available for temporary shelter as necessary to secure the additional bedspace needed by the family. (ii)  This special need shall be granted or denied immediately upon the family’s application for homeless assistance, and benefits shall be available for up to three working days. The county welfare department shall verify the family’s homelessness within the first three working days and if the family meets the criteria of questionable homelessness established by the department, the county welfare department shall refer the family to its early fraud prevention and detection unit, if the county has such a unit, for assistance in the verification of homelessness within this period. (iii)  After homelessness has been verified, the three-day limit shall be extended for a period of time which, when added to the initial benefits provided, does not exceed a total of 16 calendar days. This extension of benefits shall be done in increments of one week and shall be based upon searching for permanent housing which shall be documented on a housing search form; good cause; or other circumstances defined by the department. Documentation of a housing search shall be required for the initial extension of benefits beyond the three-day limit and on a weekly basis thereafter as long as the family is receiving temporary shelter benefits. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to, situations in which the county welfare department has determined that the family, to the extent it is capable, has made a good faith but unsuccessful effort to secure permanent housing while receiving temporary shelter benefits. 99 AB 1640— 7 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (B)  A nonrecurring special need for permanent housing assistance is available to pay for last month’s rent and security deposits when these payments are reasonable conditions of securing a residence, or to pay for up to two months of rent arrearages, when these payments are a reasonable condition of preventing eviction. The last month’s rent or monthly arrearage portion of the payment (i) shall not exceed 80 percent of the family’s total monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs for a family of that size and (ii) shall only be made to families that have found permanent housing costing no more than 80 percent of the family’s total monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs for a family of that size. However, if the county welfare department determines that a family intends to reside with individuals who will be sharing housing costs, the county welfare department shall, in appropriate circumstances, set aside the condition specified in clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph. (C)  The nonrecurring special need for permanent housing assistance is also available to cover the standard costs of deposits for utilities which are necessary for the health and safety of the family. (D)  A payment for or denial of permanent housing assistance shall be issued no later than one working day from the time that a family presents evidence of the availability of permanent housing. If an applicant family provides evidence of the availability of permanent housing before the county welfare department has established eligibility for aid under this chapter, the county welfare department shall complete the eligibility determination so that the denial of or payment for permanent housing assistance is issued within one working day from the submission of evidence of the availability of permanent housing, unless the family has failed to provide all of the verification necessary to establish eligibility for aid under this chapter. (E)  (i)  Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), eligibility for the temporary shelter assistance and the permanent housing assistance pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to one period of up to 16 consecutive calendar days of temporary assistance and one payment of permanent assistance. Any family that includes a parent or nonparent caretaker relative living in the home who has 99 — 8 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 previously received temporary or permanent homeless assistance at any time on behalf of an eligible child shall not be eligible for further homeless assistance. Any person who applies for homeless assistance benefits shall be informed that the temporary shelter benefit of up to 16 consecutive days is available only once in a lifetime, with certain exceptions, and that a break in the consecutive use of the benefit constitutes permanent exhaustion of the temporary benefit. (ii)  A family that becomes homeless as a direct and primary result of a state or federally declared natural disaster shall be eligible for temporary and permanent homeless assistance. (iii)  A family shall be eligible for temporary and permanent homeless assistance when homelessness is a direct result of domestic violence by a spouse, partner, or roommate; physical or mental illness that is medically verified that shall not include a diagnosis of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychological stress; or the uninhabitability of the former residence caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the family including natural catastrophe, fire, or condemnation. These circumstances shall be verified by a third-party governmental or private health and human services agency, except that domestic violence may also be verified by a sworn statement by the victim, as provided under Section 11495.25. Homeless assistance payments based on these specific circumstances may not be received more often than once in any 12-month period. In addition, if the domestic violence is verified by a sworn statement by the victim, the homeless assistance payments shall be limited to two periods of not more than 16 consecutive calendar days of temporary assistance and two payments of permanent assistance. A county may require that a recipient of homeless assistance benefits who qualifies under this paragraph for a second time in a 24-month period participate in a homelessness avoidance case plan as a condition of eligibility for homeless assistance benefits. The county welfare department shall immediately inform recipients who verify domestic violence by a sworn statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the availability of domestic violence counseling and services, and refer those recipients to services upon request. (iv)  If a county requires a recipient who verifies domestic violence by a sworn statement to participate in a homelessness 99 AB 1640— 9 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 avoidance case plan pursuant to clause (iii), the plan shall include the provision of domestic violence services, if appropriate. (v)  If a recipient seeking homeless assistance based on domestic violence pursuant to clause (iii) has previously received homeless avoidance services based on domestic violence, the county shall review whether services were offered to the recipient and consider what additional services would assist the recipient in leaving the domestic violence situation. (vi)  The county welfare department shall report to the department through a statewide homeless assistance payment indicator system, necessary data, as requested by the department, regarding all recipients of aid under this paragraph. (F)  The county welfare departments, and all other entities participating in the costs of the AFDC program, have the right in their share to any refunds resulting from payment of the permanent housing. However, if an emergency requires the family to move within the 12-month period specified in subparagraph (E), the family shall be allowed to use any refunds received from its deposits to meet the costs of moving to another residence. (G)  Payments to providers for temporary shelter and permanent housing and utilities shall be made on behalf of families requesting these payments. (H)  The daily amount for the temporary shelter special need for homeless assistance may be increased if authorized by the current year’s Budget Act by specifying a different daily allowance and appropriating the funds therefor. (I)  No payment shall be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the provider of housing is a commercial establishment, shelter, or person in the business of renting properties who has a history of renting properties. (g)  The department shall establish rules and regulations ensuring the uniform application statewide of this subdivision. (h)  The department shall notify all applicants and recipients of aid through the standardized application form that these benefits are available and shall provide an opportunity for recipients to apply for the funds quickly and efficiently. (i)  Except for the purposes of Section 15200, the amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute part of the payment schedule set forth in subdivision (a). 99 — 10 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 The amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute income to recipients of aid under this section. (j)  For children receiving Kin-GAP pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month, which, when added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Sections 11364 and 11387. (k)  (1)  A county shall comply with the quarterly reporting provisions of this section until the county certifies to the director that semiannual reporting has been implemented in the county. (2)  This section shall become inoperative on October 1, 2013, and, as of January 1, 2014, is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends the dates on which it becomes inoperative and is repealed. SEC. 3.Section 11450 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 501 of the Statutes of 2011, is amended to read: 11450.(a)  (1)  Aid shall be paid for each needy family, which shall include all eligible brothers and sisters of each eligible applicant or recipient child and the parents of the children, but shall not include unborn children, or recipients of aid under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000), qualified for aid under this chapter. In determining the amount of aid paid, and notwithstanding the minimum basic standards of adequate care specified in Section 11452, the family’s income, exclusive of any amounts considered exempt as income or paid pursuant to subdivision (e) or Section 11453.1, determined for the prospective semiannual period pursuant to Sections 11265.2 and 11265.3, and then calculated pursuant to Section 11451.5, shall be deducted from the sum specified in the following table, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 and paragraph (2). In no case shall the amount of aid paid for each month exceed the sum specified in the following table, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases pursuant to Section 11453 and paragraph (2), plus any special needs, as specified in subdivisions (c), (e), and (f): Maximum aid    Number of eligible needy    persons in 99 AB 1640— 11 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 the same home $  326          1..................................................................................     535          2..................................................................................     663          3..................................................................................     788          4..................................................................................     899          5..................................................................................   1,010          6..................................................................................   1,109          7..................................................................................   1,209          8..................................................................................   1,306          9..................................................................................   1,403        10 or more.................................................................... If, when, and during those times that the United States government increases or decreases its contributions in assistance of needy children in this state above or below the amount paid on July 1, 1972, the amounts specified in the above table shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that increase or decrease by the United States government, provided that no increase or decrease shall be subject to subsequent adjustment pursuant to Section 11453. (2)  The sums specified in paragraph (1) shall not be adjusted for cost of living for the 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1997–98 fiscal years, and through October 31, 1998, nor shall that amount be included in the base for calculating any cost-of-living increases for any fiscal year thereafter. Elimination of the cost-of-living adjustment pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the requirements of Section 11453.05, and no further reduction shall be made pursuant to that section. (b)  When the family does not include a needy child qualified for aid under this chapter, aid shall be paid to a pregnant mother for the month in which the birth is anticipated and for the three-month period immediately prior to the month in which the birth is anticipated at any time after verification of pregnancy, in the amount that would otherwise be paid to one person, as specified in subdivision (a), if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. Verification of pregnancy shall be required as a condition of eligibility for aid under this subdivision. (1)  Aid shall also be paid to a pregnant woman with no other children in the amount which would otherwise be paid to one 99 — 12 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 person under subdivision (a) at any time after verification of pregnancy if the pregnant woman is also eligible for the Cal-Learn Program described in Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11331) and if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. (2)  Paragraph (1) shall apply only when the Cal-Learn Program is operative. (c)  The amount of forty-seven dollars ($47) per month shall be paid to pregnant mothers qualified for aid under subdivision (a) or (b) to meet special needs resulting from pregnancy if the mother, and child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. County welfare departments shall refer all recipients of aid under this subdivision to a local provider of the Women, Infants and Children program. If that payment to pregnant mothers qualified for aid under subdivision (a) is considered income under federal law in the first five months of pregnancy, payments under this subdivision shall not apply to persons eligible under subdivision (a), except for the month in which birth is anticipated and for the three-month period immediately prior to the month in which delivery is anticipated, if the mother, and the child, if born, would have qualified for aid under this chapter. (d)  For children receiving AFDC-FC under this chapter, there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month which, when added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Section 11460, 11461, 11462, 11462.1, or 11463. In addition, the child shall be eligible for special needs, as specified in departmental regulations. (e)  In addition to the amounts payable under subdivision (a) and Section 11453.1, a family shall be entitled to receive an allowance for recurring special needs not common to a majority of recipients. These recurring special needs shall include, but not be limited to, special diets upon the recommendation of a physician for circumstances other than pregnancy, and unusual costs of transportation, laundry, housekeeping services, telephone, and utilities. The recurring special needs allowance for each family per month shall not exceed that amount resulting from multiplying the sum of ten dollars ($10) by the number of recipients in the family who are eligible for assistance. (f)  After a family has used all available liquid resources, both exempt and nonexempt, in excess of one hundred dollars ($100), 99 AB 1640— 13 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 with the exception of funds deposited in a restricted account described in subdivision (a) of Section 11155.2, the family shall also be entitled to receive an allowance for nonrecurring special needs. (1)  An allowance for nonrecurring special needs shall be granted for replacement of clothing and household equipment and for emergency housing needs other than those needs addressed by paragraph (2). These needs shall be caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the needy family. The department shall establish the allowance for each of the nonrecurring special need items. The sum of all nonrecurring special needs provided by this subdivision shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600) per event. (2)  Homeless assistance is available to a homeless family seeking shelter when the family is eligible for aid under this chapter. Homeless assistance for temporary shelter is also available to homeless families which are apparently eligible for aid under this chapter. Apparent eligibility exists when evidence presented by the applicant, or which is otherwise available to the county welfare department, and the information provided on the application documents indicate that there would be eligibility for aid under this chapter if the evidence and information were verified. However, an alien applicant who does not provide verification of his or her eligible alien status, or a woman with no eligible children who does not provide medical verification of pregnancy, is not apparently eligible for purposes of this section. A family is considered homeless, for the purpose of this section, when the family lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence; or the family has a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; or the family is residing in a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. A family is also considered homeless for the purpose of this section if the family has received a notice to pay rent or quit. The family shall demonstrate that the eviction is the result of a verified financial hardship as a result of extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, and not other lease or rental violations, and that the family is experiencing a financial crisis that could result in homelessness if preventative assistance is not provided. 99 — 14 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (A)  (i)  A nonrecurring special need of sixty-five dollars ($65) a day shall be available to families of up to four members for the costs of temporary shelter, subject to the requirements of this paragraph. The fifth and additional members of the family shall each receive fifteen dollars ($15) per day, up to a daily maximum of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125). County welfare departments may increase the daily amount available for temporary shelter as necessary to secure the additional bedspace needed by the family. (ii)  This special need shall be granted or denied immediately upon the family’s application for homeless assistance, and benefits shall be available for up to three working days. The county welfare department shall verify the family’s homelessness within the first three working days and if the family meets the criteria of questionable homelessness established by the department, the county welfare department shall refer the family to its early fraud prevention and detection unit, if the county has such a unit, for assistance in the verification of homelessness within this period. (iii)  After homelessness has been verified, the three-day limit shall be extended for a period of time which, when added to the initial benefits provided, does not exceed a total of 16 calendar days. This extension of benefits shall be done in increments of one week and shall be based upon searching for permanent housing which shall be documented on a housing search form; good cause; or other circumstances defined by the department. Documentation of a housing search shall be required for the initial extension of benefits beyond the three-day limit and on a weekly basis thereafter as long as the family is receiving temporary shelter benefits. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to, situations in which the county welfare department has determined that the family, to the extent it is capable, has made a good faith but unsuccessful effort to secure permanent housing while receiving temporary shelter benefits. (B)  A nonrecurring special need for permanent housing assistance is available to pay for last month’s rent and security deposits when these payments are reasonable conditions of securing a residence, or to pay for up to two months of rent arrearages, when these payments are a reasonable condition of preventing eviction. The last month’s rent or monthly arrearage portion of the payment (i) shall not exceed 80 percent of the family’s total 99 AB 1640— 15 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs for a family of that size and (ii) shall only be made to families that have found permanent housing costing no more than 80 percent of the family’s total monthly household income without the value of CalFresh benefits or special needs for a family of that size. However, if the county welfare department determines that a family intends to reside with individuals who will be sharing housing costs, the county welfare department shall, in appropriate circumstances, set aside the condition specified in clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph. (C)  The nonrecurring special need for permanent housing assistance is also available to cover the standard costs of deposits for utilities which are necessary for the health and safety of the family. (D)  A payment for or denial of permanent housing assistance shall be issued no later than one working day from the time that a family presents evidence of the availability of permanent housing. If an applicant family provides evidence of the availability of permanent housing before the county welfare department has established eligibility for aid under this chapter, the county welfare department shall complete the eligibility determination so that the denial of or payment for permanent housing assistance is issued within one working day from the submission of evidence of the availability of permanent housing, unless the family has failed to provide all of the verification necessary to establish eligibility for aid under this chapter. (E)  (i)  Except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), eligibility for the temporary shelter assistance and the permanent housing assistance pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to one period of up to 16 consecutive calendar days of temporary assistance and one payment of permanent assistance. Any family that includes a parent or nonparent caretaker relative living in the home who has previously received temporary or permanent homeless assistance at any time on behalf of an eligible child shall not be eligible for further homeless assistance. Any person who applies for homeless assistance benefits shall be informed that the temporary shelter benefit of up to 16 consecutive days is available only once in a lifetime, with certain exceptions, and that a break in the consecutive 99 — 16 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 use of the benefit constitutes permanent exhaustion of the temporary benefit. (ii)  A family that becomes homeless as a direct and primary result of a state or federally declared natural disaster shall be eligible for temporary and permanent homeless assistance. (iii)  A family shall be eligible for temporary and permanent homeless assistance when homelessness is a direct result of domestic violence by a spouse, partner, or roommate; physical or mental illness that is medically verified that shall not include a diagnosis of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychological stress; or, the uninhabitability of the former residence caused by sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the control of the family including natural catastrophe, fire, or condemnation. These circumstances shall be verified by a third-party governmental or private health and human services agency, except that domestic violence may also be verified by a sworn statement by the victim, as provided under Section 11495.25. Homeless assistance payments based on these specific circumstances may not be received more often than once in any 12-month period. In addition, if the domestic violence is verified by a sworn statement by the victim, the homeless assistance payments shall be limited to two periods of not more than 16 consecutive calendar days of temporary assistance and two payments of permanent assistance. A county may require that a recipient of homeless assistance benefits who qualifies under this paragraph for a second time in a 24-month period participate in a homelessness avoidance case plan as a condition of eligibility for homeless assistance benefits. The county welfare department shall immediately inform recipients who verify domestic violence by a sworn statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the availability of domestic violence counseling and services, and refer those recipients to services upon request. (iv)  If a county requires a recipient who verifies domestic violence by a sworn statement to participate in a homelessness avoidance case plan pursuant to clause (iii), the plan shall include the provision of domestic violence services, if appropriate. (v)  If a recipient seeking homeless assistance based on domestic violence pursuant to clause (iii) has previously received homeless avoidance services based on domestic violence, the county shall review whether services were offered to the recipient and consider 99 AB 1640— 17 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 what additional services would assist the recipient in leaving the domestic violence situation. (vi)  The county welfare department shall report to the department through a statewide homeless assistance payment indicator system, necessary data, as requested by the department, regarding all recipients of aid under this paragraph. (F)  The county welfare departments, and all other entities participating in the costs of the AFDC program, have the right in their share to any refunds resulting from payment of the permanent housing. However, if an emergency requires the family to move within the 12-month period specified in subparagraph (E), the family shall be allowed to use any refunds received from its deposits to meet the costs of moving to another residence. (G)  Payments to providers for temporary shelter and permanent housing and utilities shall be made on behalf of families requesting these payments. (H)  The daily amount for the temporary shelter special need for homeless assistance may be increased if authorized by the current year’s Budget Act by specifying a different daily allowance and appropriating the funds therefor. (I)  No payment shall be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the provider of housing is a commercial establishment, shelter, or person in the business of renting properties who has a history of renting properties. (g)  The department shall establish rules and regulations ensuring the uniform application statewide of this subdivision. (h)  The department shall notify all applicants and recipients of aid through the standardized application form that these benefits are available and shall provide an opportunity for recipients to apply for the funds quickly and efficiently. (i)  Except for the purposes of Section 15200, the amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute part of the payment schedule set forth in subdivision (a). The amounts payable to recipients pursuant to Section 11453.1 shall not constitute income to recipients of aid under this section. (j)  For children receiving Kin-GAP pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 11360) or Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 11385) there shall be paid, exclusive of any amount considered exempt as income, an amount of aid each month, which, 99 — 18 —AB 1640 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 when added to the child’s income, is equal to the rate specified in Sections 11364 and 11387. (k)  (1)  This section shall become operative on April 1, 2013. A county shall implement the semiannual reporting requirements in accordance with the act that added this section no later than October 1, 2013. (2)  Upon implementation described in paragraph (1), each county shall provide a certificate to the director certifying that semiannual reporting has been implemented in the county. (3)  Upon filing the certificate described in paragraph (2), a county shall comply with the semiannual reporting provisions of this section. SEC. 4.Section 18927 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 18927.To the extent permitted by federal law, a pregnant woman or pregnant teenager shall not be denied or made ineligible for CalFresh benefits, or be required to participate in the CalFresh Employment and Training program described in Section 18926 at any time after verification of pregnancy. SEC. 5.No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for purposes of implementing this act. SEC. 6.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. O 99 AB 1640— 19 — california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1691 1 Introduced by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal February 15, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Section 11322.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalWORKs. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1691, as introduced, Bonnie Lowenthal.CalWORKs: welfare-to-work activities. Existing law requires each county to provide cash assistance and other social services to needy families through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program using federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant program, state, and county funds. Under existing law, with certain exceptions, every individual, as a condition of eligibility for aid under the CalWORKs program, is required to participate in welfare-to-work activities. Under existing law, the activities in which a recipient may engage include various education and vocational training activities, as described, including English as a second language education. Certain of these activities are defined as core welfare-to-work activities, in which an adult recipient is required to participate for at least 20 hours each week. This bill would include as a core welfare-to-work activity English as a second language education, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. 99 The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 SECTION 1.Section 11322.8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 11322.8.(a)  Unless otherwise exempt, an adult recipient in a one-parent assistance unit shall participate in welfare-to-work activities for 32 hours each week. (b)  Unless otherwise exempt, an adult recipient who is an unemployed parent, as defined in Section 11201, shall participate in at least 35 hours of welfare-to-work activities each week. However, both parents in a two-parent assistance unit may contribute to the 35 hours if at least one parent meets the federal one-parent work requirement applicable on January 1, 1998. (c)  An adult recipient required to participate under subdivision (a) or (b) shall participate for at least 20 hours each week in core welfare-to-work activities. The welfare-to-work activities listed in subdivisions (a) to (j), inclusive, English as a second language education as listed in subdivision (k), and (m) and (n), of Section 11322.6, are core activities for the purposes of this section. Participation in English as a second language education under subdivision (k) of Section 11322.6 as a core activity shall be limited to a total of eight months. On a case-by-case basis, a county may extend this period of time to 12 months. Following the receipt of these services as a core activity, an adult recipient may continue to participate in this activity as a noncore activity. Participation in core activities under subdivision (m) of Section 11322.6 shall be limited to a total of 12 months. Additional hours that the applicant or recipient is required to participate under subdivisions (a) or (b) of this section may be satisfied by any of the welfare-to-work activities described in Section 11322.6 that are consistent with the assessment performed in accordance with Section 11325.4, and included in the individual’s welfare-to-work plan, described in Section 11325.21. (d)  Hours spent in activities listed under subdivision (q) of Section 11322.6 shall count toward the core activity requirement in subdivision (c) to the extent that these activities are necessary to enable the individual to participate in core activities and to the extent these activities cannot be accomplished within the additional noncore hours of participation required by subdivision (c). 99 — 2 —AB 1691 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (e)  Hours spent in classroom, laboratory, or internship activities pursuant to subdivisions (k), (l), (o), and (p) of Section 11322.6 shall count toward the core activity requirement in subdivision (c) to the extent these activities cannot be accomplished within the additional noncore hours of participation, the county determines the program is likely to lead to self-supporting employment, and the recipient makes satisfactory progress. The provisions in paragraph (2), and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3), of subdivision (a) of Section 11325.23 shall apply to participants in these activities. (f)  Spending hours in any or all of the activities specified in subdivision (r) of Section 11322.6 shall not make a recipient ineligible to count activities set forth in subdivisions (d) and (e) toward the core activities requirements, as appropriate. O 99 AB 1691— 3 — AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 14, 2012 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1709 1 2 Introduced by Assembly Member Mitchell (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alejo, Ammiano, and Wieckowski) February 15, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Sections 701, 702, 704, and 706 of, and to add Section 679.5 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1709, as amended, Mitchell.Juveniles: jury trial. Existing (1)  Existing law provides that any person under 18 years of age who commits a crime is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, except as specified. The juvenile court must adjudicate a petition to declare a detained minor a ward of the court within 15 days after the petition is filed. Existing law, contained in 2 initiative statutes, commonly known as the Three Strikes law, requires increased penalties for certain recidivist offenders in addition to any other enhancement or penalty provisions that may apply. Existing law requires that if a defendant has 2 or more prior violent or serious felony convictions, the term for the current felony conviction shall be an indeterminate term of imprisonment in the state prison for life with a minimum term to be served, as specified. Under certain circumstances, a juvenile adjudication constitutes a violent or serious felony conviction under those provisions. This bill would provide require that a youth who is 16 years of age or older at the time of the commission of an offense that could be used as a future felony conviction under the Three Strikes law is be entitled to a jury trial in the juvenile court. Under this bill,The bill also would 98 require that the jury trial would proceed in the same manner as a jury trial in criminal court. This bill would provide that the right to a jury trial does not affect the right of a detained minor to adjudication of the petition to declare him or her a ward of the court within 15 days of the filing of the petition. This bill would also make conforming changes. (2)  Existing law authorizes a juvenile court to temporarily commit a ward of the court to a diagnostic and treatment center of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, for up to 90 days if the ward is otherwise eligible for commitment and the court concludes that the commitment would be in the ward’s best interest, including in cases in which the minor has been adjudged a ward of the court due to habitual disobedience or truancy or due to the violation of any state or federal law or local ordinance defining crime, as specified. Existing law requires the Chief of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, to forward the minor’s diagnosis and treatment recommendations to the court within that 90-day period. This bill would limit these provisions to minors who have been adjudicated as wards of the court for violating any state or federal law or local ordinance defining a crime, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 SECTION 1.Section 679.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 679.5.(a)  A youth who is 16 years of age or older at the time of the commission of an offense, which, upon admission or adjudication, could be used as a future felony conviction under paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 667 of the Penal Code or under paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1170.12 of the Penal Code, shall be entitled to a jury trial. (b)  A jury trial under this section shall proceed as provided in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1041) and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1046) of Title 6 of, and Title 7 (commencing with Section 1065) of, Part 2 of the Penal Code. (c)  This section does not affect the right of a detained youth under Section 657 to a trial within 15 days of the filing of the petition to declare the youth a ward of the court. 98 — 2 —AB 1709 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 SEC. 2.Section 701 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 701.At the hearing, the court or jury as provided by Section 679.5 shall consider only the question of whether the minor is a person described by Section 300, 601, or 602. The admission and exclusion of evidence shall be pursuant to the rules of evidence established by the Evidence Code and by judicial decision. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt supported by evidence, legally admissible in the trial of criminal cases, must be adduced to support a finding that the minor is a person described by Section 602, and a preponderance of evidence, legally admissible in the trial of civil cases, must be adduced to support a finding that the minor is a person described by Section 300 or 601. When it appears that the minor has made an extrajudicial admission or confession and denies the same at the hearing, the court may continue the hearing for not to exceed seven days to enable the prosecuting attorney to subpoena witnesses to attend the hearing to prove the allegations of the petition. If the minor is not represented by counsel at the hearing, it shall be deemed that objections that could have been made to the evidence were made. SEC. 3.Section 702 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 702.After hearing the evidence, the court or jury as provided by Section 679.5 shall make a finding, noted in the minutes of the court, whether or not the minor is a person described by Section 300, 601, or 602. If the court or jury finds that the minor is not such a person, the court shall order that the petition be dismissed and the minor be discharged from any detention or restriction theretofore ordered. If the court or jury finds that the minor is such a person, the court shall make and enter those findings and order accordingly, and shall then proceed to hear evidence on the question of the proper disposition to be made of the minor. Prior to doing so, the court may continue the hearing, if necessary, to receive the social study of the probation officer, to refer the minor to a juvenile justice community resource program as defined in Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 1784) of Chapter 1 of Division 2.5, or to receive other evidence on its own motion or the motion of a parent or guardian for not to exceed 10 judicial days if the minor is detained during the continuance. If the minor is not detained, it may continue the hearing to a date not later than 30 98 AB 1709— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 days after the date of filing of the petition. The court may, for good cause shown, continue the hearing for an additional 15 days, if the minor is not detained. The court may make an order for detention of the minor or his or her release from detention, during the period of the continuance, as is appropriate. If the minor is found to have committed an offense which would in the case of an adult be punishable alternatively as a felony or a misdemeanor, the court shall declare the offense to be a misdemeanor or felony. SEC. 4.Section 704 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 704.(a)  If the court or jury as provided by Section 679.5 has determined that a minor is a person described by Section 602, or if the court has determined that a minor is a person described by Section 601 and a supplemental petition for commitment of the minor to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities has been filed pursuant to Section 777, and the minor is otherwise eligible for commitment to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, the court, if it concludes that a disposition of the case in the best interest of the minor requires that observation and diagnosis be made at a diagnostic and treatment center of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, may continue the hearing and order that the minor be placed temporarily in a center for a period not to exceed 90 days, with the further provision in the order that the Director Chief of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities report to the court its the diagnosis and his or her recommendations concerning the minor within the 90-day period. (b)  The Chief of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities shall, within the 90 days, cause the minor to be observed and examined and shall forward to the court his diagnosis and recommendation concerning that minor’s future care, supervision, and treatment. (c)  The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities shall accept the person if there is in effect a contract made pursuant to Section 1752.1 and if it believes that the person can be materially benefited by such diagnostic and treatment services, and if the Chief of the Department of 98 — 4 —AB 1709 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities certifies that staff and institutions are available. No such person shall be transported to any facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities until the chief has notified the referring court of the place to which that person is to be transported and the time at which he can be received. (d)  The probation officer of the county in which an order is made placing a minor in a diagnostic and treatment center pursuant to this section, or any other peace officer designated by the court, shall execute the order placing the minor in the center or returning him therefrom to the court. The expense of the probation officer or other peace officer incurred in executing that order is a charge upon the county in which the court is situated. SEC. 5.Section 706 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 706.After a finding that a minor is a person described in Section 601 or 602, the court shall hear evidence on the question of the proper disposition to be made of the minor. The court shall receive in evidence the social study of the minor made by the probation officer and any other relevant and material evidence that may be offered, including any written or oral statement offered by the victim, the parent or guardian of the victim if the victim is a minor, or if the victim has died or is incapacitated, the victim’s next of kin, as authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 656.2. In addition, if the probation officer has recommended that the minor be transferred to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities pursuant to an adjudication for an offense requiring him or her to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290.008 of the Penal Code, the SARATSO selected pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 290.04 of the Penal Code shall be used to assess the minor, and the court shall receive that risk assessment score into evidence. In any judgment and order of disposition, the court shall state that the social study made by the probation officer has been read and that the social study and any statement has been considered by the court. O 98 AB 1709— 5 — AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 9, 2012 SENATE BILL No. 1363 1 2 3 Introduced by Senator Yee (Coauthor: Senator Vargas) (Coauthor: Assembly Member Ammiano) February 24, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Sections 225, 226, 229, and 230 of, and to add Section 208.3 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. legislative counsel’s digest SB 1363, as amended, Yee.Juveniles: solitary confinement. Existing (1)  Existing law permits minors who are detained in juvenile hall for habitual disobedience, truancy, or curfew violation to be held in the same facility as minors who are detained for violating any law or ordinance defining a crime, if they do not come or remain in contact with each other. Existing law also permits the detention of minors in jails and other secure facilities for the confinement of adults if the minors do not come, or remain, in contact with confined adults and other specified conditions are met. This bill would provide that a minor or ward who is detained in, or sentenced to, any juvenile facility, jail, or other secure state or local facility shall not be subject to solitary confinement, as defined, unless the minor or ward poses an immediate and substantial risk of harm to others or to the security of the facility, and all other less-restrictive options have been exhausted. The bill would permit the minor or ward to be held in solitary confinement only in accordance with specified guidelines, including that the minor or ward be held in solitary confinement only for the minimum time required to address the safety 98 risk, but only if and that does not compromise the mental and physical health of the minor or ward is not compromised. The bill would require clinical staff to evaluate a minor or ward, and to issue a written directive that the minor or ward shall not be placed in solitary confinement if specified determinations are made. The bill would require these evaluations to be incorporated into the initial intake assessment made by clinical staff before a minor or ward is detained or committed to placement, and to be reviewed during regularly scheduled mental health appointments, assessments, or evaluations with clinical staff. The bill would require clinical staff to evaluate a minor or ward in solitary confinement daily to determine whether the minor or ward shall remain in solitary confinement face to face within one hour after placement, and every 4 hours thereafter, as specified. The bill would require treatment staff to implement an individualized suicide crisis intervention plan, as specified, before subjecting a minor or ward who has exhibited suicidal behavior or committed acts of self-harm to solitary confinement. By increasing the duties of local juvenile facilities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2)  Existing law establishes a juvenile justice commission in each county, but authorizes the boards of supervisors of 2 or more adjacent counties to agree to establish a regional juvenile justice commission in lieu of a county juvenile justice commission. Existing law specifies the membership of these commissions, including that 2 or more members shall be persons who are between 14 and 21 years of age, inclusive, and that a regional juvenile justice commission shall consist of not less than 8 citizens. Existing law requires a juvenile justice commission to annually inspect any jail or lockup that, in the preceding calendar year, was used for confinement for more than 24 hours of any minor, and to report the results of the inspection, together with its recommendations based thereon, in writing, to the juvenile court and the Board of State and Community Corrections. Existing law authorizes a commission to recommend to any person charged with the administration of the Juvenile Court Law those changes as it has concluded, after investigation, will be beneficial, and to publicize its recommendations. This bill would provide that 2 or more members of these commissions shall be parents or guardians of previously or currently incarcerated youth, and one member shall be a licensed social worker with expertise in adolescent development. The bill also would increase from 8 to 10 the minimum number of members of a regional juvenile justice commission. The bill would require a juvenile justice commission, as 98 — 2 —SB 1363 part of its annual inspection of facilities, to review the records of the jail, lockup, or facility as to the use of solitary confinement, and to report the results of the inspection, together with its recommendations based thereon, in writing, to the juvenile court, the county board of supervisors, and the Board of State and Community Corrections. The bill would require the commission to present its report at an annual hearing on the condition of juvenile justice corrections as part of a regularly scheduled public meeting of the county board of supervisors, and to publish the report on the county government Internet Web site. The bill also would require a commission to publicize its recommendations made to any person charged with administration of the Juvenile Court Law on the county government Internet Web site. The (3)  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 SECTION 1.Section 208.3 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 208.3.(a)  For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1)  “Clinician” means a licensed health or mental health care professional. (2)  “Minor” means a person who is under 18 years of age or a person under the maximum age of juvenile court jurisdiction who is confined in a juvenile facility. (1) (3)  “Solitary confinement” means the involuntary holding of a person in isolation from persons, other than guards, custodial and clinical staff, and an attorney, for 16 or more hours per day a room, cell, or area from which the person is prevented from leaving. (2) 98 SB 1363— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 (4)  “Ward” means a person who has been declared a ward of the court pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 602. (b)  (1)  A minor or ward who is detained in, or sentenced to, any juvenile facility, jail, or other secure state or local facility shall not be subject to solitary confinement, unless the minor or ward poses an immediate and substantial risk of harm to others or to the security of the facility, and all other less-restrictive options have been exhausted. A minor or ward may be held in solitary confinement only for the minimum time required to address the safety risk, but only if the mental and physical health of the minor or ward is not compromised. in accordance with all of the following guidelines: (1)  The minor or ward shall be held in solitary confinement only for the minimum time required to address the safety risk, and that does not compromise the mental and physical health of the minor or ward. (2)  The minor or ward shall be evaluated face to face by a clinician within one hour after placement in solitary confinement, and every four hours thereafter to determine if the minor or ward shall remain in solitary confinement. Each evaluation shall be documented and shall include the reason for continued placement in solitary confinement. (3)  The minor or ward shall not be placed in solitary confinement for more than 24 consecutive hours in a one-week period without the written approval of the Chief of the Division of Juvenile Facilities or his or her designee. (2)  A minor or ward shall be evaluated by clinical staff to determine whether either of the following apply to the minor or ward. If either of the following apply, clinical staff shall issue a written directive that the minor or ward shall not be placed in solitary confinement: (A)  Placement in solitary confinement would exacerbate his or her mental health condition or illness. (B)  Placement in solitary confinement would contribute to suicidal acts or other self-harming behavior. (3)  Evaluations pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be incorporated into the initial intake assessment made by clinical staff before a minor or ward is detained or committed to placement, either preadjudication or postadjudication, and shall be reviewed during 98 — 4 —SB 1363 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 regularly scheduled mental health appointments, assessments, or evaluations with clinical staff. (4)  If the clinical staff approves placing the minor or ward in solitary confinement, the supervisor of the clinical staff may review the report and shall have the authority to overrule the recommendation for placement in solitary confinement. (c)  Solitary confinement shall not be used for the purposes of discipline or, punishment, coercion, convenience, or retaliation by staff. (d)  (1)  A minor or ward who has exhibited suicidal behavior or committed acts of self-harm shall not be subject to solitary confinement., except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b), and if both of the following conditions are met: (A)  The condition of the minor or ward is monitored closely by a clinician in order to reduce and eliminate the risk of self-harm. (B)  Treatment staff implement an individualized suicide crisis intervention plan approved by a clinician within four hours of placing the minor or ward in solitary confinement. (2)  The minor or ward shall be moved to an off-site hospital or mental health hospital if the suicide risk is not resolved within 24 hours. (e)  Each local and state juvenile facility shall document the usage of solitary confinement, including the dates and duration of each occurrence and the reason for placement in solitary confinement. These records shall be available for public inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code). (e)  A minor or ward placed in solitary confinement shall not be deprived of any of the following: (1)  Bed and bedding. (2)  Daily shower, access to a drinking fountain, a toilet, personal hygiene items, and clean clothing. (3)  Full nutrition. (4)  Contact with attorneys. (5)  Exercise. (6)  Medical services and mental health counseling. (7)  Religious services. (8)  Clean and sanitary living conditions. (9)  The right to send and receive mail. 98 SB 1363— 5 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (10)  Education. (11)  Telephone calls and visitation during regular visiting hours. (f)  A minor whose disposition is in a county juvenile facility, group home, or other probation-contracted facility shall not be placed in solitary confinement within 60 days of his or her program completion date. A ward confined to the custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, shall not be placed in solitary confinement within 150 days of his or her discharge consideration. (g)  A minor or ward may request placement in solitary confinement. The request may be granted only under exceptional circumstances with the approval of the facility superintendent, county probation chief, or facility principal, or the designee of any of those persons, and if relevant, only after paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) have been satisfied. The facility superintendent, county probation chief, or facility principal, or the designee of any of those persons, shall explain in writing the reason for granting or denying the request. A minor or ward in solitary confinement based solely on his or her request may request, and shall be granted, release from solitary confinement at any time. (h)  Clinical staff shall evaluate a minor or ward in solitary confinement daily to determine whether the minor or ward shall remain in solitary confinement. (i) (f)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with any law providing greater or additional protections to minors or wards. SEC. 2.Section 225 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 225.(a)   In each county there shall be a juvenile justice commission consisting of not less than 7 seven and no more than 15 citizens. Two or more of the members shall be persons who are between 14 and 21 years of age, provided inclusive, if there are available persons between 14 and 21 years of age who are able to carry out the duties of a commission member in a manner satisfactory to the appointing authority.Two or more members shall be parents or guardians of previously or currently incarcerated youth. One member shall be a licensed social worker with expertise in adolescent development. Each person serving as a member of a probation committee immediately prior to 98 — 6 —SB 1363 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 September 15, 1961, shall be a member of the juvenile justice commission and shall continue to serve as such until such time as his or her term of appointment as a member of the probation committee would have expired under any prior provision of law. Upon a vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission, and upon the expiration of the term of office of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the presiding judge of the superior court with the concurrence of the judge of the juvenile court or, in a county having more than one judge of the juvenile court, with the concurrence of the presiding judge of the juvenile court for a term of four years.When If a vacancy occurs for any reason other than the expiration of a term of office, the appointee to fill such the vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor. Appointments (b)  Appointments may be made by the presiding judge of the superior court, in the same manner designated in this section for the filling of vacancies, to increase the membership of a commission to the maximum of 15 in any county which that has a commission with a membership of less than 15 members. In (c)  In any county in which the membership of the commission, on the effective date of amendments to this section enacted at the 1971 Regular Session of the Legislature, exceeds the maximum number permitted by this section, no additional appointments shall be made until the number of commissioners is less than the maximum number permitted by this section. In any case, such that county’s commission membership shall, on or after January 1, 1974, be no greater than the maximum permitted by this section. SEC. 3.Section 226 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 226.In lieu of county juvenile justice commissions, the boards of supervisors of two or more adjacent counties may agree to establish a regional juvenile justice commission consisting of not less than eight ten citizens, and having a sufficient number of members so that their appointment may be equally apportioned between the participating counties. Two or more of the members shall be persons who are between 14 and 21 years of age, provided inclusive, if there are available persons between 14 and 21 years of age who are able to carry out the duties of a commission member 98 SB 1363— 7 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 in a manner satisfactory to the appointing authority.Two or more members shall be parents or guardians of previously or currently incarcerated youth. One member shall be a licensed social worker with expertise in adolescent development.The presiding judge of the superior court with the concurrence of the judge of the juvenile court or, in a county having more than one judge of the juvenile court, with the concurrence of the presiding judge of the juvenile court of each of the participating counties shall appoint an equal number of members to the regional justice commission and they the members shall hold office for a term of four years. Of those first appointed, however, if the number appointed be is an even number, half shall serve for a term of two years and half shall serve for a term of four years and if. If the number of members first appointed be is an odd number, the greater number nearest half shall serve for a term of two years and the remainder shall serve for a term of four years. The respective terms of the members first appointed shall be determined by lot as soon as possible after their appointment. Upon a vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission, and upon the expiration of the term of office of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the presiding judge of the superior court with the concurrence of the judge of the juvenile court or, in a county having more than one judge of the juvenile court, with the concurrence of the presiding judge of the juvenile court of the county which that originally appointed such the vacating or retiring member.When If a vacancy occurs for any reason other than the expiration of a term of office, the appointee shall hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor. SEC. 4.Section 229 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 229.(a)   It shall be the duty of a juvenile justice commission to inquire into the administration of the juvenile court law in the county or region in which the commission serves. For this purpose the commission shall have access to all publicly administered institutions authorized or whose use is authorized by this chapter situated in the county or region, shall inspect such those institutions no less frequently than at least once a year, and may hold public hearings. A judge of the juvenile court shall have the power to may issue subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of papers at hearings of the commission. A 98 — 8 —SB 1363 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 (b)  A juvenile justice commission shall annually inspect any jail or, lockup, or facility within the county which that, in the preceding calendar year, was used for confinement for more than 24 hours of any minor. It As part of the annual inspection, the commission shall review the records of the jail, lockup, or facility as to the use of solitary confinement, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 208.3. The commission shall report the results of such the inspection, together with its recommendations based thereon, in writing, to the juvenile court, the county board of supervisors, and to the Board of Corrections the Board of State and Community Corrections. The commission shall present its report at an annual hearing on the condition of juvenile justice corrections as part of a regularly scheduled public meeting of the county board of supervisors, and shall publish the report on the county government Internet Web site. SEC. 5.Section 230 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 230.A juvenile justice commission may recommend to any person charged with the administration of any of the provisions of this chapter such those changes as it has concluded, after investigation, will be beneficial. A commission may shall publicize its recommendations on the county government Internet Web site. SEC. 2. SEC. 6.If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. O 98 SB 1363— 9 — AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 16, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 20, 2012 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1436 1 2 3 4 Introduced by Assembly Member Feuer (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alejo, Fong, Ma, Portantino, Solorio, and Williams) (Coauthors: Senators Padilla and Yee) January 4, 2012 1  2  3  An act to amend Sections 2107, 14310, and 18001 of, and to add Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170) to Chapter 2 of Division 2 of, the Elections Code, relating to elections. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1436, as amended, Feuer.Voter registration. Existing law establishes procedures regarding the registration of voters. Under existing law, a person may not be registered to vote except by affidavit of registration, and a voter may not vote in an election unless his or her affidavit of registration is executed and received by the county elections official on or before the 15th day prior to the election. Existing law permits any registered voter to vote by a vote by mail ballot, and further permits any voter using a vote by mail ballot to vote the ballot at the office of the elections official beginning 29 days before the election. Existing law requires that the affidavit of registration show facts necessary to establish the affiant as an elector, as specified, and provides that if the affiant has not been issued a current and valid driver’s license or social security number, he or she shall be provided a unique identification number for voter registration purposes. 97 This bill would establish conditional voter registration, using an affidavit of registration, whereby a person would be permitted to register to vote after the 15th day prior to an election or on election day, and cast a provisional ballot to be counted if the conditional voter registration is deemed effective. This bill would provide that a conditional voter registration shall be deemed effective only if the county elections official is able to determine before or during the canvass period for the election that the registrant is eligible to register to vote and that the registrant has provided information that matches specified state or federal databases.The bill would provide that if the information provided by the registrant cannot be verified by matching the information to those specified state or federal databases and the registrant is otherwise eligible to vote the registrant shall be issued a unique identification number pursuant to the above-referenced provisions and the conditional voter registration shall be deemed effective. If a conditional voter registration is not deemed effective pursuant to these new provisions, the elections official would be required to process the affidavit of registration as specified and, if the registrant meets all other eligibility requirements to vote, the registration would be deemed effective in forthcoming elections. The bill would require the county elections official to offer conditional voter registration and provisional voting at its permanent offices, and would permit the official to offer this registration and voting at satellite offices on election day, in accordance with specified procedures. The bill would also require the county elections official to cancel, as specified, duplicate voter registrations that may arise due to conditional voter registration. Existing law provides that upon conviction for a crime pertaining to an election for which no fine is prescribed, the court may impose, in addition to any prescribed imprisonment, a fine on the offender not more than $1,000 for a misdemeanor or $10,000 for a felony. This bill would increase the amount of that fine for a felony to $25,000. By creating new duties for local elections officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, 97 — 2 —AB 1436 reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 SECTION 1.Section 2107 of the Elections Code is amended to read: 2107.(a)  Except as provided in subdivision (b) and Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170), the county elections official shall accept affidavits of registration at all times except during the 14 days immediately preceding any election, when registration shall cease for that election as to electors residing in the territory within which the election is held. Transfers of registration for an election may be made from one precinct to another precinct in the same county at any time registration is in progress in the precinct to which the elector seeks to transfer. (b)  The county elections official shall accept an affidavit of registration executed as part of a voter registration card in the forthcoming election if the affidavit is executed on or before the 15th day prior to the election, and if any of the following apply: (1)  A mailed affidavit is postmarked on or before the 15th day prior to the election and received by mail by the county elections official before the close of the polls on election day. (2)  The affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles or accepted by any other public agency designated as a voter registration agency pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973gg) on or before the 15th day prior to the election. (3)  The affidavit is delivered to the county elections official by means other than those described in paragraphs (1) and (2) on or before the 15th day prior to the election. SEC. 2.Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170) is added to Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Elections Code, to read: Article 4.5. Conditional Voter Registration 2170.(a)  “Conditional voter registration” means a properly executed affidavit of registration, which is delivered by the 97 AB 1436— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 registrant to a county elections official during the 14 days immediately preceding an election or on election day and which may be deemed effective pursuant to this article after the elections official processes the affidavit, determines the registrant’s eligibility to register, and validates the registrant’s information, as specified in subdivision (c). (b)  In addition to other methods of voter registration provided by this code, an elector who is otherwise qualified to register to vote under this code and Section 2 of Article II of the California Constitution may complete a conditional voter registration and cast a provisional ballot during the 14 days immediately preceding an election or on election day pursuant to this article. (c)  (1)  A conditional voter registration shall be deemed effective only if the county elections official is able to determine before or during the canvass period for the election that the registrant is eligible to register to vote and that the information provided by the registrant on the registration affidavit matches information contained in a database maintained by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or other state government agency, or the federal Social Security Administration. (2)  If the information provided by the registrant on the registration affidavit cannot be verified pursuant to paragraph (1) but the registrant is otherwise eligible to vote, the registrant shall be issued a unique identification number pursuant to Section 2150 and the conditional voter registration shall be deemed effective. (d)  The county elections official shall offer conditional voter registration and provisional voting pursuant to this article, in accordance with the following procedures: (1)  The elections official shall provide conditional voter registration and provisional voting pursuant to this article at all permanent offices of the county elections official in the county. (2)  The elections official shall advise registrants that a conditional voter registration will be effective only if the registrant is determined to be eligible to register to vote for the election pursuant to subdivision (c). (3)  The elections official shall conduct the receipt and handling of each conditional voter registration and offer and receive a corresponding provisional ballot in a manner that protects the secrecy of the ballot and allows the elections official to process the registration, to determine the registrant’s eligibility to register, 97 — 4 —AB 1436 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 and to validate the registrant’s information before counting or rejecting the corresponding provisional ballot. (4)  After receiving a conditional voter registration, the elections official shall process the registration, determine the registrant’s eligibility to register, and attempt to validate the information. (5)  If a conditional registration is deemed effective, the elections official shall include the corresponding provisional ballot in the official canvass. (6)  If a conditional voter registration is not deemed effective pursuant to this article, the elections official shall process the affidavit of registration pursuant to Sections 2102 and 2107 and, provided that the registrant meets all other eligibility requirements to register to vote, the registration shall be deemed effective in forthcoming elections. (e)  The county elections official may offer conditional voter registration and provisional voting pursuant to this article on election day at satellite offices of the county elections office, in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraphs (2) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (d). 2171.(a)  A conditional voter registration accepted under this article shall include the information required by Article 4 (commencing with Section 2150). (b)  A conditional voter registration accepted under this article shall be processed in accordance with general voter registration procedures provided in this chapter and established by regulations adopted by the Secretary of State. (c)  A provisional ballot cast under this article shall be subject to the requirements for provisional voting in Article 5 (commencing with Section 14310) of Chapter 3 of Division 14. 2172.(a)  The elections official shall cancel any duplicate voter registrations that may exist as a result of a conditional registration deemed effective and shall cancel the duplicate registrations in accordance with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 2200). (b)  If it appears that a registrant may have committed fraud within the meaning of Section 18560, the elections official shall immediately notify in writing both the district attorney and the Secretary of State. SEC. 3.Section 14310 of the Elections Code is amended to read: 97 AB 1436— 5 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 14310.(a)  At all elections, a voter claiming to be properly registered, but whose qualification or entitlement to vote cannot be immediately established upon examination of the index of registration for the precinct or upon examination of the records on file with the county elections official, shall be entitled to vote a provisional ballot as follows: (1)  An elections official shall advise the voter of the voter’s right to cast a provisional ballot. (2)  The voter shall be provided a provisional ballot, written instructions regarding the process and procedures for casting the ballot, and a written affirmation regarding the voter’s registration and eligibility to vote. The written instructions shall include the information set forth in subdivisions (c) and (d). (3)  The voter shall be required to execute, in the presence of an elections official, the written affirmation stating that the voter is eligible to vote and registered in the county where the voter desires to vote. (b)  Once voted, the voter’s ballot shall be sealed in a provisional ballot envelope, and the ballot in its envelope shall be deposited in the ballot box. All provisional ballots voted shall remain sealed in their envelopes for return to the elections official in accordance with the elections official’s instructions. The provisional ballot envelopes specified in this subdivision shall be of a color different than the color of, but printed substantially similar to, the envelopes used for vote by mail ballots, and shall be completed in the same manner as vote by mail envelopes. (c)  (1)  During the official canvass, the elections official shall examine the records with respect to all provisional ballots cast. Using the procedures that apply to the comparison of signatures on vote by mail ballots, the elections official shall compare the signature on each provisional ballot envelope with the signature on the voter’s affidavit of registration. If the signatures do not compare or the provisional ballot envelope is not signed, the ballot shall be rejected. A variation of the signature caused by the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, or both, shall not invalidate the ballot. (2)  (A)  Provisional ballots shall not be included in any semiofficial or official canvass, except under one or more of the following conditions: 97 — 6 —AB 1436 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (i)  The elections official establishes prior to the completion of the official canvass, from the records in his or her office, the claimant’s right to vote. (ii)  The provisional ballot has been cast and included in the canvass pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2170) of Chapter 2 of Division 2. (iii)  Upon the order of a superior court in the county of the voter’s residence. (B)  A voter may seek the court order specified in this paragraph regarding his or her own ballot at any time prior to completion of the official canvass. Any judicial action or appeal shall have priority over all other civil matters. No fee shall be charged to the claimant by the clerk of the court for services rendered in an action under this section. (3)  The provisional ballot of a voter who is otherwise entitled to vote shall not be rejected because the voter did not cast his or her ballot in the precinct to which he or she was assigned by the elections official. (A)  If the ballot cast by the voter contains the same candidates and measures on which the voter would have been entitled to vote in his or her assigned precinct, the elections official shall count the votes for the entire ballot. (B)  If the ballot cast by the voter contains candidates or measures on which the voter would not have been entitled to vote in his or her assigned precinct, the elections official shall count only the votes for the candidates and measures on which the voter was entitled to vote in his or her assigned precinct. (d)  The Secretary of State shall establish a free access system that any voter who casts a provisional ballot may access to discover whether the voter’s provisional ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why it was not counted. (e)  The Secretary of State may adopt appropriate regulations for purposes of ensuring the uniform application of this section. (f)  This section shall apply to any vote by mail voter described by Section 3015 who is unable to surrender his or her unvoted vote by mail voter’s ballot. (g)  Any existing supply of envelopes marked “special challenged ballot” may be used until the supply is exhausted. SEC. 4.Section 18001 of the Elections Code is amended to read: 97 AB 1436— 7 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 18001.Upon a conviction for any crime punishable by imprisonment in any jail or prison, in relation to which no fine is herein prescribed, the court may impose a fine on the offender not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) in cases of misdemeanors or up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in cases of felonies, in addition to the imprisonment prescribed. SEC. 5. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. O 97 — 8 —AB 1436 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 17, 2012 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1901 1 Introduced by Assembly Member Jones February 22, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Section 20133 of the Public Contract Code, relating to public contracts, and making an appropriation therefor. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1901, as amended, Jones.Counties: construction projects: design-build. Existing law, until July 1, 2014, authorizes counties to use alternative procedures, known as design-build, for bidding on specified types of construction projects in the county in excess of $2,500,000, in accordance with specified procedures. These procedures include a requirement for contracts awarded after a certain date that a county board of supervisors pay a fee into the State Public Works Enforcement Fund, which funds are continuously appropriated for the Department of Industrial Relations’ enforcement of prevailing wage requirements on public works projects. These procedures also require specified information to be verified under oath. This bill would extend these provisions until July 1, 2016, and would remove revise the dollar limitation on this authorization so that it instead applies it only to projects in excess of $2,500,000 $1,000,000. Because the additionally authorized projects would require payment of fees into the State Public Works Enforcement Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, it would make an appropriation. Also, because the bill would authorize additional contracts to be awarded under these provisions, which would be subject to the requirement that certain information be 98 verified under oath, it would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the scope of an existing crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 SECTION 1.Section 20133 of the Public Contract Code is amended to read: 20133.(a)  A county, with approval of the board of supervisors, may utilize an alternative procedure for bidding on construction projects in the county in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000) and may award the project using either the lowest responsible bidder or by best value. (b)  (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to enable counties to utilize design-build for buildings and county sanitation wastewater treatment facilities. It is not the intent of the Legislature to authorize this procedure for other infrastructure, including, but not limited to, streets and highways, public rail transit, or water resources facilities and infrastructures. (2)  The Legislature also finds and declares that utilizing a design-build contract requires a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each participant in the design-build process. (3)  (A)  For contracts for public works projects awarded prior to the effective date of regulations adopted by the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 1771.5 of the Labor Code, if the board of supervisors elects to proceed under this section, the board of supervisors shall establish and enforce a labor compliance program containing the requirements outlined in Section 1771.5 of the Labor Code, or it shall contract with a third party to operate a labor compliance program containing the requirements outlined in Section 1771.5 of the Labor Code. This requirement shall not apply to any projects where the county or the design-build entity has entered into a collective bargaining 98 — 2 —AB 1901 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 agreement that binds all of the contractors performing work on the projects. (B)  For contracts for public works projects awarded on or after the effective date of regulations adopted by the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 1771.5 of the Labor Code, the board of supervisors shall reimburse the department for its reasonable and directly related costs of performing prevailing wage monitoring and enforcement on public works projects pursuant to rates established by the department as set forth in subdivision (h) of Section 1771.5 of the Labor Code. All moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the State Public Works Enforcement Fund created by Section 1771.3 of the Labor Code, and shall be used only for enforcement of prevailing wage requirements on those projects. (C)  In lieu of reimbursing the Department of Industrial Relations for its reasonable and directly related costs of performing monitoring and enforcement on public works projects, the board of supervisors may elect to continue operating an existing previously approved labor compliance program to monitor and enforce prevailing wage requirements on the project if it has either not contracted with a third party to conduct its labor compliance program and requests and receives approval from the department to continue its existing program or it enters into a collective bargaining agreement that binds all of the contractors performing work on the project and that includes a mechanism for resolving disputes about the payment of wages. (c)  As used in this section: (1)  “Best value” means a value determined by objective criteria related to price, features, functions, and life-cycle costs. (2)  “Design-build” means a procurement process in which both the design and construction of a project are procured from a single entity. (3)  “Design-build entity” means a partnership, corporation, or other legal entity that is able to provide appropriately licensed contracting, architectural, and engineering services as needed pursuant to a design-build contract. (4)  “Project” means the construction of a building and improvements directly related to the construction of a building, and county sanitation wastewater treatment facilities, but does not include the construction of other infrastructure, including, but not 98 AB 1901— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 limited to, streets and highways, public rail transit, or water resources facilities and infrastructure. (d)  Design-build projects shall progress in a four-step process, as follows: (1)  (A)  The county shall prepare a set of documents setting forth the scope of the project. The documents may include, but are not limited to, the size, type, and desired design character of the public improvement, performance specifications covering the quality of materials, equipment, and workmanship, preliminary plans or building layouts, or any other information deemed necessary to describe adequately the county’s needs. The performance specifications and any plans shall be prepared by a design professional who is duly licensed and registered in California. (B)  Any architect or engineer retained by the county to assist in the development of the project specific documents shall not be eligible to participate in the preparation of a bid with any design-build entity for that project. (2)  (A)  Based on the documents prepared in paragraph (1), the county shall prepare a request for proposals that invites interested parties to submit competitive sealed proposals in the manner prescribed by the county. The request for proposals shall include, but is not limited to, the following elements: (i)  Identification of the basic scope and needs of the project or contract, the expected cost range, and other information deemed necessary by the county to inform interested parties of the contracting opportunity, to include the methodology that will be used by the county to evaluate proposals and specifically if the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. (ii)  Significant objective factors that the county reasonably expects to consider in evaluating proposals, including cost or price and all nonprice related factors. (iii)  The relative importance of weight assigned to each of the factors identified in the request for proposals. (B)  With respect to clause (iii) of subparagraph (A), if a nonweighted system is used, the agency shall specifically disclose whether all evaluation factors other than cost or price when combined are: (i)  Significantly more important than cost or price. (ii)  Approximately equal in importance to cost or price. 98 — 4 —AB 1901 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 (iii)  Significantly less important than cost or price. (C)  If the county chooses to reserve the right to hold discussions or negotiations with responsive bidders, it shall so specify in the request for proposal and shall publish separately or incorporate into the request for proposal applicable rules and procedures to be observed by the county to ensure that any discussions or negotiations are conducted in good faith. (3)  (A)   The county shall establish a procedure to prequalify design-build entities using a standard questionnaire developed by the county. In preparing the questionnaire, the county shall consult with the construction industry, including representatives of the building trades and surety industry. This questionnaire shall require information including, but not limited to, all of the following: (i)  If the design-build entity is a partnership, limited partnership, or other association, a listing of all of the partners, general partners, or association members known at the time of bid submission who will participate in the design-build contract, including, but not limited to, mechanical subcontractors. (ii)  Evidence that the members of the design-build entity have completed, or demonstrated the experience, competency, capability, and capacity to complete, projects of similar size, scope, or complexity, and that proposed key personnel have sufficient experience and training to competently manage and complete the design and construction of the project, as well as a financial statement that assures the county that the design-build entity has the capacity to complete the project. (iii)  The licenses, registration, and credentials required to design and construct the project, including information on the revocation or suspension of any license, credential, or registration. (iv)  Evidence that establishes that the design-build entity has the capacity to obtain all required payment and performance bonding, liability insurance, and errors and omissions insurance. (v)  Any prior serious or willful violation of the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, contained in Part 1 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 5 of the Labor Code, or the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596), settled against any member of the design-build entity, and information concerning workers’ compensation experience history and worker safety program. 98 AB 1901— 5 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 (vi)  Information concerning any debarment, disqualification, or removal from a federal, state, or local government public works project. Any instance in which an entity, its owners, officers, or managing employees submitted a bid on a public works project and were found to be nonresponsive, or were found by an awarding body not to be a responsible bidder. (vii)  Any instance in which the entity, or its owners, officers, or managing employees, defaulted on a construction contract. (viii)  Any violations of the Contractors’ State License Law (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code), excluding alleged violations of federal or state law including the payment of wages, benefits, apprenticeship requirements, or personal income tax withholding, or of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA; 26 U.S.C. Sec. 3101 et seq.) withholding requirements settled against any member of the design-build entity. (ix)  Information concerning the bankruptcy or receivership of any member of the design-build entity, including information concerning any work completed by a surety. (x)  Information concerning all settled adverse claims, disputes, or lawsuits between the owner of a public works project and any member of the design-build entity during the five years preceding submission of a bid pursuant to this section, in which the claim, settlement, or judgment exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Information shall also be provided concerning any work completed by a surety during this period. (xi)  In the case of a partnership or an association that is not a legal entity, a copy of the agreement creating the partnership or association and specifying that all partners or association members agree to be fully liable for the performance under the design-build contract. (xii)  (I)  Any instance in which the entity, or any of its members, owners, officers, or managing employees was, during the five years preceding submission of a bid pursuant to this section, determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have submitted, or legally admitted for purposes of a criminal plea to have submitted either of the following: (ia)  Any claim to any public agency or official in violation of the federal False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729 et seq.). 98 — 6 —AB 1901 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 (ib)  Any claim to any public official in violation of the California False Claims Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 12650) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of the Government Code). (II)  Information provided pursuant to this subdivision shall include the name and number of any case filed, the court in which it was filed, and the date on which it was filed. The entity may also provide further information regarding any such instance, including any mitigating or extenuating circumstances that the entity wishes the county to consider. (B)  The information required pursuant to this subdivision shall be verified under oath by the entity and its members in the manner in which civil pleadings in civil actions are verified. Information that is not a public record pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) shall not be open to public inspection. (4)  The county shall establish a procedure for final selection of the design-build entity. Selection shall be based on either of the following criteria: (A)  A competitive bidding process resulting in lump-sum bids by the prequalified design-build entities. Awards shall be made to the lowest responsible bidder. (B)  A county may use a design-build competition based upon best value and other criteria set forth in paragraph (2). The design-build competition shall include the following elements: (i)  Competitive proposals shall be evaluated by using only the criteria and selection procedures specifically identified in the request for proposal. However, the following minimum factors shall each represent at least 10 percent of the total weight of consideration given to all criteria factors: price, technical design, and construction expertise, life cycle costs over 15 years or more, skilled labor force availability, and acceptable safety record. (ii)  Once the evaluation is complete, the top three responsive bidders shall be ranked sequentially from the most advantageous to the least. (iii)  The award of the contract shall be made to the responsible bidder whose proposal is determined, in writing, to be the most advantageous. 98 AB 1901— 7 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 (iv)  Notwithstanding any provision of this code, upon issuance of a contract award, the county shall publicly announce its award, identifying the contractor to whom the award is made, along with a written decision supporting its contract award and stating the basis of the award. The notice of award shall also include the county’s second and third ranked design-build entities. (v)  For purposes of this paragraph, “skilled labor force availability” shall be determined by the existence of an agreement with a registered apprenticeship program, approved by the California Apprenticeship Council, which has graduated apprentices in each of the preceding five years. This graduation requirement shall not apply to programs providing apprenticeship training for any craft that has been deemed by the Department of Labor and the Department of Industrial Relations to be an apprenticeable craft in the five years prior to enactment of this act. (vi)  For purposes of this paragraph, a bidder’s “safety record” shall be deemed “acceptable” if its experience modification rate for the most recent three-year period is an average of 1.00 or less, and its average total recordable injury/illness rate and average lost work rate for the most recent three-year period does not exceed the applicable statistical standards for its business category or if the bidder is a party to an alternative dispute resolution system as provided for in Section 3201.5 of the Labor Code. (e)  (1)  Any design-build entity that is selected to design and build a project pursuant to this section shall possess or obtain sufficient bonding to cover the contract amount for nondesign services, and errors and omission insurance coverage sufficient to cover all design and architectural services provided in the contract. This section does not prohibit a general or engineering contractor from being designated the lead entity on a design-build entity for the purposes of purchasing necessary bonding to cover the activities of the design-build entity. (2)  Any payment or performance bond written for the purposes of this section shall be written using a bond form developed by the county. (f)  All subcontractors that were not listed by the design-build entity in accordance with clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) shall be awarded by the design-build entity in accordance with the design-build process set forth by the county in the design-build package. All 98 — 8 —AB 1901 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 subcontractors bidding on contracts pursuant to this section shall be afforded the protections contained in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 4100) of Part 1. The design-build entity shall do both of the following: (1)  Provide public notice of the availability of work to be subcontracted in accordance with the publication requirements applicable to the competitive bidding process of the county. (2)  Provide a fixed date and time on which the subcontracted work will be awarded in accordance with the procedure established pursuant to this section. (g)  Lists of subcontractors, bidders, and bid awards relating to the project shall be submitted by the design-build entity to the awarding body within 14 days of the award. These documents are deemed to be public records and shall be available for public inspection pursuant to this chapter and Article 1 (commencing with Section 6250) of Chapter 3.5 of Division 7 of the Government Code. (h)  The minimum performance criteria and design standards established pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) shall be adhered to by the design-build entity. Any deviations from those standards may only be allowed by written consent of the county. (i)  The county may retain the services of a design professional or construction project manager, or both, throughout the course of the project in order to ensure compliance with this section. (j)  Contracts awarded pursuant to this section shall be valid until the project is completed. (k)  Nothing in this section is intended to affect, expand, alter, or limit any rights or remedies otherwise available at law. (l)  (1)  If the county elects to award a project pursuant to this section, retention proceeds withheld by the county from the design-build entity shall not exceed 5 percent if a performance and payment bond, issued by an admitted surety insurer, is required in the solicitation of bids. (2)  In a contract between the design-build entity and the subcontractor, and in a contract between a subcontractor and any subcontractor thereunder, the percentage of the retention proceeds withheld may not exceed the percentage specified in the contract between the county and the design-build entity. If the design-build entity provides written notice to any subcontractor who is not a member of the design-build entity, prior to or at the time the bid 98 AB 1901— 9 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 is requested, that a bond may be required and the subcontractor subsequently is unable or refuses to furnish a bond to the design-build entity, then the design-build entity may withhold retention proceeds in excess of the percentage specified in the contract between the county and the design-build entity from any payment made by the design-build entity to the subcontractor. (m)  Each county that elects to proceed under this section and uses the design-build method on a public works project shall submit to the Legislative Analyst’s Office before September 1, 2013, a report containing a description of each public works project procured through the design-build process and completed after November 1, 2009, and before August 1, 2013. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following information: (1)  The type of project. (2)  The gross square footage of the project. (3)  The design-build entity that was awarded the project. (4)  The estimated and actual length of time to complete the project. (5)  The estimated and actual project costs. (6)  Whether the project was met or altered. (7)  The number and amount of project change orders. (8)  A description of any written protests concerning any aspect of the solicitation, bid, proposal, or award of the design-build project, including the resolution of the protests. (9)  An assessment of the prequalification process and criteria. (10)  An assessment of the effect of retaining 5 percent retention on the project. (11)  A description of the Labor Force Compliance Program and an assessment of the project impact, where required. (12)  A description of the method used to award the contract. If best value was the method, the report shall describe the factors used to evaluate the bid, including the weighting of each factor and an assessment of the effectiveness of the methodology. (13)  An assessment of the project impact of “skilled labor force availability.” (14)  An assessment of the design-build dollar limits on county projects. This assessment shall include projects where the county wanted to use design-build and was precluded by the dollar limitations. This assessment shall also include projects where the best value method was not used due to dollar limitations. 98 — 10 —AB 1901 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 (14) (15)  An assessment of the most appropriate uses for the design-build approach. (n)  Any county that elects not to use the authority granted by this section may submit a report to the Legislative Analyst’s Office explaining why the county elected not to use the design-build method. (o)  On or before January 1, 2014, the Legislative Analyst shall report to the Legislature on the use of the design-build method by counties pursuant to this section, including the information listed in subdivision (m) and (p). The report may include recommendations for modifying or extending this section. (p)  The Legislative Analyst shall complete a fact-based analysis of the use of the design-build method by counties pursuant to this section, utilizing the information provided pursuant to subdivision (m) and any independent information provided by the public or interested parties. The Legislative Analyst shall select a representative sample of projects under this section and review available public records and reports, media reports, and related information in its analysis. The Legislative Analyst shall compile the information required to be analyzed pursuant to this subdivision into a report, which shall be provided to the Legislature. The report shall include conclusions describing the actual cost of projects procured pursuant to this section, whether the project schedule was met or altered, and whether projects needed or used project change orders. (q)  Except as provided in this section, this act shall not be construed to affect the application of any other law. (r)  This section shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2016 2014, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before July 1, 2016 2014, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within 98 AB 1901— 11 — 1 2 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution. O 98 — 12 —AB 1901 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 13, 2012 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1592 1 2 3 4 5 6 Introduced by Assembly Member Olsen (Coauthor: Coauthors: Assembly Member Members Cook, Donnelly, Fletcher, Hagman, Halderman, Harkey, Huffman, Jeffries, Miller, Portantino, Silva, and Wieckowski) (Coauthors: Senators Cannella, Dutton, Fuller, Harman, La Malfa, Runner, and Strickland) February 6, 2012 1  2  An act to add Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 935) to Chapter 5 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1592, as amended, Olsen.Veterans: benefits: fee waiver. Existing law provides certain protections and benefits for veterans. This bill would authorize the governing board of a county or city to grant financial assistance, relief, and support to disabled veterans, as defined, by waiving service-related fees charged by the county or city, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. 97 The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 SECTION 1.Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 935) is added to Chapter 5 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code, to read: Article 1.5. Disabled Veterans 935.(a)  The governing board of any city or county may grant financial assistance, relief, and support to disabled veterans by reducing or waiving building inspection or permit fees charged by the county or city city or county for the modification of a dwelling owned by a disabled veteran for the purpose of making the dwelling more accessible. (b)  The governing body shall use its general fund or other appropriate revenue source to compensate for the difference between a fee reduced or waived pursuant to this section and the fee that would otherwise be charged. (c)  For purposes of this section, “disabled veterans” has the same meaning as defined in Section 999. O 97 — 2 —AB 1592 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 16, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 29, 2012 california legislature—2011–12 regular session ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1827 1 Introduced by Assembly Member Bonilla February 22, 2012 1  2  An act to amend Section 53395.4 Sections 53395.1 and 53395.3 of the Government Code, relating to infrastructure financing districts. legislative counsel’s digest AB 1827, as amended, Bonilla.Notaries. Infrastructure financing districts. Existing law authorizes a city, county, or city and county to establish infrastructure financing districts, as defined, for the sole purpose of financing public facilities utilizing incremental property tax revenues, subject to adoption of a resolution by the legislative body and affected taxing entities proposed to be subject to division of taxes and 2⁄3 voter approval. Existing law authorizes the legislative body to, by majority vote, initiate proceedings to issue bonds for the financing of district projects by adopting a resolution, subject to specified procedures and 2⁄3 voter approval. A district may not include a redevelopment project area and a redevelopment project area may not include any portion of a district. This bill would authorize a district, notwithstanding the exclusion of a redevelopment project area, to include any portion of a redevelopment project area if that project area is located on a former military base military base reuse authority to form an infrastructure financing district for purposes of financing public facilities and issuing bonds. The bill 97 would further authorize infrastructure financing districts to finance homeless accommodations, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes no. State-mandated local program: no. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 SECTION 1.Section 53395.1 of the Government Code is amended to read: 53395.1.Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions contained in this article shall govern the construction of this chapter. (a)  “Affected taxing entity” means any governmental taxing agency which levied or had levied on its behalf a property tax on all or a portion of the property located in the proposed district in the fiscal year prior to the designation of the district, but not including any county office of education, school district, or community college district. (b)  “City” means a city, a county, or a city and county, or a military base reuse authority formed pursuant to Section 67660 or 67820. (c)  “Debt” means any binding obligation to repay a sum of money, including obligations in the form of bonds, certificates of participation, long-term leases, loans from government agencies, or loans from banks, other financial institutions, private businesses, or individuals. (d)  “Designated official” means the city engineer or other appropriate official designated pursuant to Section 53395.13. (e)  (1)  “District” means an infrastructure financing district. (2)  An infrastructure financing district is a “district” within the meaning of Section 1 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution. (f)  “Infrastructure financing district” means a legally constituted governmental entity established pursuant to this chapter for the sole purpose of financing public facilities. (g)  “Landowner” or “owner of land” means any person shown as the owner of land on the last equalized assessment roll or otherwise known to be the owner of the land by the legislative body. The legislative body has no obligation to obtain other information as to the ownership of land, and its determination of 97 — 2 —AB 1827 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 ownership shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of this chapter. A public agency is not a landowner or owner of land for purposes of this chapter, unless the public agency owns all of the land to be included within the proposed district. (h)  “Legislative body” means the city council or board of supervisors, or a military base reuse authority formed pursuant to Section 67660 or 67820. SEC. 2.Section 53395.3 of the Government Code is amended to read: 53395.3.(a)  A district may finance (1) the purchase, construction, expansion, improvement, seismic retrofit, or rehabilitation of any real or other tangible property with an estimated useful life of 15 years or longer which satisfies the requirements of subdivision (b), (2) may finance planning and design work which is directly related to the purchase, construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of that property and (3) the costs described in Sections 53395.5, and 53396.5. A district may only finance the purchase of facilities for which construction has been completed, as determined by the legislative body. The facilities need not be physically located within the boundaries of the district. A district may not finance routine maintenance, repair work, or the costs of ongoing operation or providing services of any kind. (b)  The district shall finance only public capital facilities of communitywide significance, which provide significant benefits to an area larger than the area of the district, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (1)  Highways, interchanges, ramps and bridges, arterial streets, parking facilities, and transit facilities. (2)  Sewage treatment and water reclamation plants and interceptor pipes. (3)  Facilities for the collection and treatment of water for urban uses. (4)  Flood control levees and dams, retention basins, and drainage channels. (5)  Child care facilities. (6)  Libraries. (7)  Parks, recreational facilities, and open space. (8)  Facilities for the transfer and disposal of solid waste, including transfer stations and vehicles. 97 AB 1827— 3 — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 (9)  Homeless accommodations pursuant to Section 2905(b) of the federal Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. Sec. 2687 et seq.), as amended. (c)  Any district which constructs dwelling units shall set aside not less than 20 percent of those units to increase and improve the community’s supply of low- and moderate-income housing available at an affordable housing cost, as defined by Section 50052.5 of the Health and Safety Code, to persons and families of low- and moderate-income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code. SECTION 1.Section 53395.4 of the Government Code is amended to read: 53395.4.(a)  (1)  A district may not include any portion of a redevelopment project area which is or has been previously created pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 33000) of Division 24 of the Health and Safety Code, whether the creation is or was proper or improper. A redevelopment project area may not include any portion of a district created pursuant to this chapter. (2)  Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a district may include any portion of a redevelopment project area if that project area is located on a former military base. (b)  A district may finance only the facilities or services authorized in this chapter to the extent that the facilities or services are in addition to those provided in the territory of the district before the district was created. The additional facilities or services may not supplant facilities or services already available within that territory when the district was created but may supplement those facilities and services as needed to serve new developments. (c)  A district may include areas which are not contiguous. O 97 — 4 —AB 1827