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�^ �� Legislative Bill Action ............................................................... The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, please visit the League website's to access information about legislation, policy issues and related develop- ments. You can track information on bills (www.cacities.org/legtracking), locate legislators and legislative committees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center (www.cacities.org/advocacycenter), research League policy positions, access useful related links, and much more. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Arson continues to be a major problem in California, which severely impacts the safety of our ACA 10 (Harman). Storm Water Fees. communities, including law enforcement, Proposition 218. After a valiant fight to secure firefighters and other emergency responder per- enough votes to pass the Assembly floor, Assem- sonnel. AB 1907 ensures that arson suspects will bly MemberTom Harman has pulled the plug on be prosecuted, thus sending a clear message that ACA 10 for this year. ACA 10 would have placed engaging in arson will result in severe penalties on the November 2004 ballot a measure to include and restitution. Staff: Liisa Lawson; Status: storm water fees in the type of fees that are SenApps, Hrg. June 21; Position: Support. exempt from the voter approval requirements of AB 2406 (Bermudez). Fire Safety. The Proposition 218. Because the bill requires a two- League encourages cities to continue sending thirds vote, he needed four of his Republican opposition letters toA6 2406 as it moves through colleagues to join him in voting Aye — and unfortu- the Senate. The bill is currently set for hearing nately despite intense personal lobbying, was June 22 in the Senate Governmental Organization unable to secure enough commitments to vote Committee. Information on the committee mem- Aye. bers and schedule is available on the League's The author's staff observes that the Assembly Website-based Advocacy Center Member will reassess the potential for the bill in �`^�`N`^�.cacities.orq/advocacvicenterl. the future, with a possible eye to trying again for AB 2406 requires the State Fire Marshal to the 2006 ballot. In the meantime. the League compare local fire department NFIRS reports thanks Assembly Member Harman for his vigorous �Which would include specific response time and and continued efforts to pass ACA 10. All cities staffing objectives) to the highly controversial should convey their appreciation to him for under- Standard 1710 adopted in 2001 by the National Fire standing the importance of this issue for local Protection Association (NFPA 1710). Most local governments and for his hard work on their behalf. officials in California and across the country Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: AsmFlr; Position: Support. oppose this standard because it is a one-size-fits- all-policy that is unsuitable for many jurisdictions. In addition, AB 2406 has the potential to have PUBLIC SAFETY tremendous fiscal impacts on the state and local governments. AB 1907 (Pacheco). Arson. AB 1907 would Upgrading current systems and hiring staff to extend the repeal date for provisions relating to meet new reporting requirements under this bill are property damage as a result of aggravated arson estimated to result in significant costs to local fire until January 1, 2010. Visit the League's fficial Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 7