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Legislative Bill Action ment and SB 1179 as a step forward in recogniz- ing the need to lower the age threshold, thus providing cities with better protection. The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being Cities with skateboard parks should send acted upon by the League of California letters of support to the author and their Senators. Cities. For more information about these and Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: Pending on SenFlr; other bills, please visit the League Position: Support. website's new "Issues and Advocacy" page (www.cacities.ora/ ......................... issuesandadvocacv) - a one-stop location SB 1330 from page 7 to access information about legislation, policy issues and related developments. "This measure would not alleviate this prob- You can track information on bills lem, but rather, could lead to increased litigation (www.cacities.org/legtracking), locate legisla- against our cities and counties. " tors and legislative committees, send letters The League agrees with the Governor that to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center, research League policy offering taxpayer funds to attorneys to challenge positions, access useful related links, and changes in local residential zoning may have much more. unintended effects. Clearly, the message being sent to local government is the following: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES . Do not zone land for residential develop- ment, because if you ever want to change the S8 1179 (Morrow). Skateboard Parks. zoning you can be sued. Liability. Hey, city dudes and dudettes, we have . Do not zone land for higher density, be- good news! SB 1179 was amended and passed cause you can be sued for down zoning to lower the Senate Judiciary committee. As introduced, it densities. would have added skateboarding to the list of . Do not change residential zoning, even hazardous recreational activities (HRA), thus when the property owner requests it, because the giving cities expanded liability protection for inju- local government can be sued. ries at skateboard parks and elsewhere. What Cities Can Do But, the bill was thrashed a bit in the commit- tee and amended before it passed with a unani- Cities are encouraged to write an opposition mous vote. Faced with a clear defeat with straight letter to SB 1330 to Sen. Joe Dunn and copy their HRA status, the author accepted the chair's Senator and Member of the Legislature. A sample suggestion to instead amend existing law to letter is available by looking up SB 1330 on the reduce the age threshold at which cities enjoy League's bill search, located at www.cacities.ora/ limited liability protection for injuries at skateboard billsearch. parks from 14 to 12 and to extend the sunset date four years (from January 2008 to January 2012). Some in the skateboard community are not happy with this result, since they want straight HRA in order to avoid having to wear helmets and pads. However, the League supports the amend- PAGE 8 - PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org May 12, 2006 - Issue #19 ....'- -",,'. --.--,....-,..--.