Redevelopment

SB 1129 (Steinberg) – Oppose
As Amended on April 22, 2014

SB 1129, by Senator Darrell Steinberg, seeks to make changes to three components of the redevelopment dissolution process: enforceable obligations, long range property management plans and compensation agreements, and use of bond proceeds for debt issued in 2011. Because each of these directly affects the allocation of property tax revenues and we know that the allocation of property tax revenues is a zero-sum game, SB 1129 will have fiscal consequences for affected taxing entities, including counties.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the bill with amendments on a party-line vote.

Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Postponement Program

AB 2231 (Gordon) – Support
As Amended on April 21, 2014

AB 2231, by Assembly Member Rich Gordon, would restore the Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Postponement Program. The Senior Citizen’s Property Tax Postponement Program offered income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities the opportunity to postpone their property tax payments in exchange for full repayment with interest when their home is sold.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee passed AB 2231.

SB 1214 (Anderson) – Support
As Amended on May 6, 2014

SB 1214, by Senator Joel Anderson, like AB 2231 above, would reestablish the property tax postponement program at the state level.

The Senate Appropriations Committee held this bill.

Utility User Taxes

AB 1717 (Perea) – Support
As Amended on April 2, 2014

AB 1717, by Assembly Member Henry Perea, would implement a retail-level system for collecting state and local charges on prepaid wireless services. For counties, this bill affects utility user taxes.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee passed AB 1717, Republicans not voting.

Elections

SB 942 (Vidak) – Support
As Introduced on February 4, 2014

SB 942, by Senator Andy Vidak, would require reimbursement for counties’ costs to administer special elections that occurred between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014.

The Senate Appropriations Committee held this bill.

SB 963 (Torres) – Support
As Introduced on February 6, 2014

SB 963, by Senator Norma Torres, would require reimbursement for counties’ costs to administer special elections taking place after January 1, 2013.

The Senate Appropriations Committee held this bill.

SB 1062 (Block) – Support
As Amended on May 15, 2014

SB 1062, by Senator Marty Block, would require the Secretary of State to pay the cost of returning vote-by-mail ballots. Previous versions of the bill required counties to pay this cost. We appreciate the Senator’s willingness to make this change so that all parties can avoid the costly, time-consuming process of establishing a mandate through the Commission on State Mandates.

The Senate Appropriations Committee held this bill.

AB 2273 (Ridley-Thomas) – Support
As Introduced on February 21, 2014

AB 2273, by Assembly Member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, would require reimbursement for counties’ costs to administer special elections taking place after January 1, 2013.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee held this bill.