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�.A-C� Legislative Bill Action ............................................................... The following are summaries of just a few of the legisiative bills that are currently being acted upon by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, pfease 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 and resolve this thorny problem. Staff: Yvonne AB 2690 (Hancock). Volunteers. Prevailing Hunter; Status: Gov; Position: Support. Wage. On of the most important measures of the year is now pending on the Governor's desk await- pUBLIC SAFETY ing his action. AB 2690 responds to an unfortunate situation resulting from an interpretation of existing law that requires volunteers on public works projects AB 1814 (Oropeia). Grand Theft. AB 1814 to be paid based upon the prevailing wage, even provides that every person who steals, takes, or though they are providing volunteer labor, accepting carries away cargo of another is guilty of grand no salary, and working on community projects. �� AB 1814 also defines "cargo" as "any goods, wares, products, or manufactured mer- AB 2690 specifically provides that California's chandise that has been loaded into a trailer, rail prevailing wage laws will not apply to any work car, or cargo container, awaiting or in transit, performed by a volunteer. Volunteer is defined as valued at more than $400." AB 1814 will help an individual who performs work for civic, charitable, affected law enforcement agencies accurately or humanitarian reasons for a public agency or a track this type of grand theft, and will assist in not-for-profit corporation. It would also exempt from providing the necessary resources to the law prevailing wages staff of the California Conservation enforcement agencies that protect our ports. Corps. It would apply retroactively to cover work Staff: Liisa Lawson; Status: Asm; Position: concluded on or after January 1, 2002. Support. The League believes that this measure will AB 2406 (Bermudez). Fire Safety. AB 2406 address the severe difficulties caused by the De- would require local governments to report statisti- partment of Industrial Relations' interpretation of the cal information to the State Fire Marshal that is prevailing wage law. For example, many communities compatible with the National Fire Incident Report- use volunteer labor to construct civic projects such ing System (NFIRS) established by the Federal as new parks, recreation facilities, theatres, trails, or Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). AB other projects to better the city. Most, if not all, of 2406 atso requires the State Fire Marshal to these efforts could not be sustained if they were compare local fire department NFIRS reports required to pay the "volunteers" prevailing wages. (which would include specific response time and staffing objectives) to the highly controversial AB 2690 is on the Governor's desk. As an Standard 1710 adopted in 2001 by the National urgency measure, it would go into effect immediately Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1710). In upon his signature. All cities are encouraged to difficult budget times for the State of California, AB send letters to the Governor requesting that he sign 2406 would have significant financial impacts on AB 2690. Cities should also write to thank the cities, counties, and special districts, many that author, former Berkeley Mayor and now Assembly are already struggling to provide public safety Member, Loni Hancock for agreeing to carry AB 2690 services despite tight budgets. Staff: Liisa Lawson; Status: SenFlr; Position: Oppose. PAGE 6/PRIORITY FOCUS August 20, 2004 -- www.cacities.org