AgdaPkt 2004-05-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

.. I' . . II . .. iAq Legislative Bill Action -- ............................................................... AB 1924 (Bogh). Fire Prevention.- Penal- it is important for local governments to develop ties. AB'-1924'increases the fine~ for pueic Re- pèrformance,.W!jectives Bud evall/átions, a one'; sources Code violations relating to fire and the size-fits-all policy does not-represent the diversity of danger assoèiated with the spread of fire. AB 1924 California's cities. In additiøn, AB 2406 has the " will increase the fines for illegal burning, rnaking potential to have tremendous fiscal impacts on the state law tougher to deter the illegal burning that state and local governments due to mandated occurs across California. Though trash burning is reporting requirements, and also creates a percep- currently illegal, the fines are low and do not serve tion that would increase liability for cities and as a deterrent. AB 1924 gives cities and counties counties, more authority to enforce laws prohibiting illegal burning. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: In difficult budget times for the State of Califor- AsApps; Position: Support. nia, AB 2406 would have severe financial impacts to cities; many that are already struggling to provide AB 2293 (Wolk). Emergency Medical Ser- public safety services despite tight budgets. The vices. AB 2293 is a result of collaborative work by League is currently working with the author's office the League of California Cities, the California State on amendments to reduce the amount of reporting Association of Counties and other stakeholders to required under the bill and to alleviate some of the resolve much of the conflict between local govern- financial implications. However, the underlying ments on emergency medical service (EMS) issues. issue in the legislation that references NFPA 'stan- To resolve conflicts associated with current law, AB dards' (with regards to 'response time' and 'staff 2293 puts a local advisory committee and appeals deployment") will soon be amended to be consid- process for EMS issues into law, ered as 'goals' Instead of 'standards.' Unfortu- nately, regardless of these amendments - these - The League is working with all affected stake- 'goals" will still provide undue liability for local holder groups to amend this bill to address specific governments, as they are still required to measured concerns, and hopes to reach a resolution soon so by these 'goals.' Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: that we may move forward to provide the framework AsApps, Hrg. 4/28; Position: Oppose, for. a solution to long-standing perceived conflicts between cities and counties, the fire service and AB 3065 (Kehoe). General Plan. Fire LEMSAs. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: AsHlth; Element. AB 3065, as amended on April 16, 2004, Position: Sponsor. would require that if a safety element of a city or county general plan addresses fire protection in a AB 2406 (Bermudez). Fire Safety. AB 2406 state responsibility area, the provisions of the would require that every fire department within a element relative to fire protection shall be updated city with a population greater than 10,000 establish bi-annually, and shall include a report card that specified firefighter and emergency medical re- provides a self-assessment of the city's or county's sponse time objectives. AB 2406 would also fire protection efforts since the last update. The require these departments to prepare and provide bill's author took amendments in committee on April a report every two years to the local governing 21, 2004 to remove the section of the bill dealing with body in which the fire department is located, as well reporting requirement that was originally objected by as to the State Fire Marshall, which details whether the League. The League has removed opposition or not the department is meeting these standards, based on the recent amendments, However, we will continue to work with the author on the rest of the bill. AB 2406 contains specific response time and Staff: Natasha Foaman; Status: AsmLG; Position: staffing objectives that are drawn from a highly Oppose. corilroversial standard adopted in 2001 by the National Fire Protection Association known as NFPA ~ (Torlakson). Emergency Response 1710, which was opposed by many local officials' Liability. SB 1698 defines "emergency response" to across the country, While the League agrees that help public entities recover costs associated with - PAGE 9/PRIORITV FOCUS Visit the league's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org