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Legislative Bill Action ................................................................ thank her for responding to the concerns of local government and to indicate that they are now neutral on the bill. As amended May 16, SB 1059 would still authorize the California Energy Commission to engage in long term planning to identify and designate possible transmission corridors, in which, at some future date, transmission lines might be built. However, the bill no longer re- quires local govemments to amend their general plans to be consistent with the corridors. Instead, the bill provides for extensive property owner notification and local government consultation and requires local governments to "... consider the designated corridor when making a determination regarding a land use change within or adjacent to the corridor that could affect its continuing viability to accommodate a transmission line planned within the corridor." SB 1059 is now pending in the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee and Assembly Local Government Committee. The League thanks Senator Escutia, her staff and the Energy Commission for working with us to resolve our concerns. It was a long haul, but worth it. Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: AsmU&C; Position: Neutral. PUBLIC WORKS AB 573 (Wolk). Indemnification. Design Professionals. After working for many months to try to resolve our differences, the League is now officially opposed to AB 573 (Wolk). We had informed the author's staff that if our concerns were not resolved, we would strongly oppose the bill. This measure would restrict the types of indemnification clauses that may be included in a public agency contract with a design or engineer- ing professional or firm. Instead, it would specify an indemnification provision that does not allow a public agency to adequately manage its potential liability, thus limiting the options available to public agencies to protect their taxpayers. AB 573 purports, according to the sponsors, to grant to California public agencies the authority to include indemnity provisions in their contracts with architecture and engineering ("AlE") consultants. However, such authority already exists. AB 573 would actually limit the flexibility of public agencies to negotiate professional service agreements which reflect the particular risks of each project and the relative capacities and capabilities of different architects and engineers. Moreover, AB 573 addresses an issue that was already fairly and reasonably addressed through AB 994 (Sweeney) in 1997. In fact, AB 573 goes far beyond AB 994 (Sweeney), to the detriment of the public. In substance, AB 573 is identical to several prior bills that were rejected or vetoed. (See, for example, SB 1915 (Figueroa 2004); AB 1839 (Campbell 2002); AB 1070 (Campbell 997 - 1998. While the sponsors provided several examples of cities that include "fair" (from their perspective) indemnification provisions in their contacts, the League's sampling of some of the cities on the list indicates that those cities were either no longer using those provisions, had used them in a special situation only, or were reviewing their continued use of those provisions. Cities are encouraged to have their city attor- neys and public works directors carefully review AB 573 and then send letters of opposition to the author and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Please indicate how you believe such indemnification restrictions would impact your ability to find qualified design and engineering contractors, and whether, as the sponsors con- tend, the current system is actually limiting the ability of cities to find qualified design contractors. The League disputes this contention. Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: SenJud, Hearing June 16; Position: Oppose. TRANSPORTSA TION AB 2210 (Goldberg). Tow Trucks. Regulating. AB 2210 strengthens regulations on vehicle towing Continued on Page 15 PAGE 14 - PRIORITY FOCUS May 26, 2006 - Issue #21 Visit the League's Official Website--www.cacities.org