February 5, 2016

CSAC wants to know how many special districts in your county rely on county auditing services to meet their annual audit requirements. A potential change to county audit authority for small special districts (defined as having annual revenues totaling $150,000 or less) may be the subject of legislation this year. Your feedback can greatly influence this measure as it develops and comments are requested.

January 29, 2016

The State Controller’s Office has prepared a report of current state mandate debt where counties sought reimbursement for services rendered. The report breaks down each mandate claim by county, as of December 31, 2015. The report is available here. Note: This report does not include interest payment calculations, which total an estimated $200 million statewide for all local agencies.

January 29, 2016

The CSAC Mandate Service Committee identified three potential new mandate opportunities at their meeting this month in preparation for the 2016 Commission on State Mandates (CSM) hearings. This Committee meets regularly to determine potential reimbursements and navigate the CSM process and includes county, city, and special district representatives.

Last year Assembly Bill 238 (Stone) sought to protect and enhance funding opportunities for broadband, or high speed internet, infrastructure and services but regrettably overlooked the needs of most underserved and unserved communities. The bill was held and will be taken up again in January with new language that promotes adequate service statewide before enhancing service to areas that already have broadband access.

Statewide Reform on the Horizon

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.

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.

Tax Abatement Disclosure Required by GASB 77

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.

Revenue and Taxation

Assembly Bill 88 (Gomez) – Sales Tax Exemption for Energy Efficient Appliances 

Oppose Unless Amended – Senate Appropriations Committee

AB 88 could mean millions in lost sales tax revenues for counties and cities and cut into constitutionally designated state funding for realignment, social services and other safety net programs.

Proposition 13 Overhaul for Commercial Property Assessments

Two state senators are helping lead renewed efforts to place a Proposition 13 reform measure on the ballot for the November 2016 general election, targeting the current assessment practices on commercial properties. Senate Constitutional Amendment 5, authored by Senators Loni Hancock and Holly Mitchell, and sponsored by union-led Make It Fair, is anticipated to bring nearly

Legislative Deadlines Loom

Today, May 22, marks the last day for policy committees to meet until the house of origin deadline. The following list highlights active bills that have advanced to one of two crucial junctures in the legislative process, the Appropriations Committees or the Floor.

Bills awaiting action in Appropriations may be placed on the Suspense File if they would impose significant costs on state General Fund. The Suspense file is often the final resting place for numerous measures. Bills must pass out of Appropriations by May 29.

 Head Start on Ballot Collection 

Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee – May 13
Assembly Bill 363 (Steinorth) – Support

AB 363 would allow counties to get a head start on collecting ballots from polling locations by permitting their collection prior to the closing of the polls. This will expedite vote tabulation and save county resources by reducing the need for overtime staffing. 

How Do Californian’s Spend Their Money?

A new analysis by the State Board of Equalization  (BOE) of personal consumption spending across the United States turned out results that are by turns surprising and not surprising at all.