The proponents of a proposed pension reform ballot measure have
abandoned the original proposal and have instead split it into
two separate initiatives.
Counties will recall that The Voter Empowerment Act of
2016 received a less than favorable Title and Summary from
the California Attorney General back in August. The advocates of
the measure have now proposed a pair of measures.
The Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals has denied a request by
home health associations for a stay of its ruling that entitles
home health workers to overtime pay and minimum wage.
The Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals has denied a request by
home health associations for a stay of its ruling that entitles
home health workers to overtime pay and minimum wage.
CSAC convened the Mandate Service Committee this week to as part
of their charge to determine reimbursement opportunities and
navigate the Commission on State Mandates process.
Some bills appear to have a minor cost impact but they can set a
dangerous precedent for future policy changes. Other bills have
worthy intentions but the actual language will make them
extremely harmful if implemented. AB 88 (Gomez) is both.
Governor Signs CSAC Supported Broadband and Auditor Authority
Bills
The Governor has until October 11 to take action on bills this
session, but he has already begun weighing in on some measures.
Since September 1, Governor Brown has signed the following CSAC
supported bills under Government Finance and Operations.
Governor Vetoes FEHA Protections for Reserve Peace Officers
Governor Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 272, by Assembly Member Tom
Lackey, on September 8. This bill, which was opposed by CSAC and
CSAC-EIA, would have added volunteer reserve peace officers as
“employees” under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act
(FEHA). CSAC was opposed to this bill because of the potential
implications for treating volunteers as employees. Reserve
officers are unpaid volunteers who work on an as-needed basis.
State and Local Government Work to Innovate Elections
September is National Voter Registration Month and California is
seeing transformative changes and innovation in our election
systems, both through county leadership and state policy shifts.
The end of session approaches, several bills with significant
impact to counties are still active and moving quickly. Follow
@csac_employment for
up-to-date information about high priority bills.
High-speed internet has become so ubiquitous that many of us
don’t even think about it. Is the air quality today safe for an
outdoor activity? Let me check. How do I cook chicken without
giving my guests food poisoning? I’ll look it up on the FDA’s
website. How do I pay my bills, renew a library book, or file my
taxes? Log on to that secure website and get it done quickly,
easily, and from the comfort of your own home.
Counties and
other government agencies must begin reporting how much revenue
they lose to tax abatements for economic development and other
purposes, according to a new requirement issued by the
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) earlier this
month. The rule goes into effect for the periods beginning after
December 15, 2015.
Appropriations Committees Determine Fate of Legislation Impacting
Counties
The Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees yesterday voted
on hundreds of bills that had been awaiting action due to costs
they posed to the State. The following bills of major importance
to counties passed out of their respective committees and will
next be awaiting a vote on their respective Floors.
Current law provides seniors and individuals with permanent
disabilities with an option to move dwellings and transfer their
base year value to a new home of equal or lesser value. Senate
Bill 378 (Beall) would enhance this benefit at the detrimental
loss to county revenues by allowing the base transfer to apply to
properties of greater value as well.
Bill Requiring Counties to Provide Costly Credit Monitoring
Services in Cases of Data Breach Sent to Suspense File
AB 259, by Assembly Member Matt Dababneh, would
require agencies that are the source of a data breach to provide
identity theft prevention and mitigation services to affected
individuals for one year. Current law requires that an agency
disclose news of a breach to any California resident whose
unencrypted personal information may have been accessed.
