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FLOOD BILLS from page 6........... TELECOM from page 1.............. about the ambiguities in the bill regarding the In Congress, the House of Representatives Reclamation Board's land use authority. took up and passed H.R. 5252, the "Communica- tions Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement At the bill's hearing in the Senate Natural Act of 2006" ("COPE"), on a vote of 321-101. Resources and Water Committee several months (See "House Rejects Cities' Amendments, ago, the Sen. Florez committed to work with Passes Federal Telecom Reform H.R. 5252", p. interested parties, including the League, to clarify 1.) any ambiguity to make sure that the Reclamation Board does not step into land use authority. An AB 2987 Lobbying Continues agreement has been reached on language neces- sary to address the League's concerns, and we In California, League lobbying staff joined with anticipate amendments will be in print shortly. SB the California State Association of Counties 1796 has passed the Senate and is pending in the (CSAC), and other groups in a meeting to discuss Assembly. amendments to AB 2987 (Nunez/Levine) with key legislative policy staff. Liability Still a Concern for Local Govern- ment This bill has now advanced to the Senate, and is likely to be heard in the Senate Committee on AlthoughAB 3050 (Jones), which would have Energy, Utilities and Communications (Sen. E, U required cities and counties to share in the state's & C) on June 20. Sen. Martha Escutia (D- liability for flood damages, failed in the Assembly, Whittier) chairs the committee. Other committee the issue is far from dead. Besides being included members are: Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sun in AB 1665, we anticipate that this issue will appear Valley), Sen. Jim Battin (R-La Quinta), Sen. in several other bills. Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), Sen. Dave Cox, vice chair (R-Fair Oaks), Sen. Joseph Dunn (0- The League's position is that we oppose efforts Santa Ana), Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho to shift all or part of the state's flood liability on to Cucamonga), Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San cities and counties simply because they approve Diego), Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), and development in areas behind levees. In addition, Sen. Joe Simitian (D-PaloAlto). the League believes that if the local government approves the development consistent with existing We understand that there is a possibility that state or federal law related to development in following its hearing in Sen. E, U & C, the bill could floodplains or behind levees, then cities and coun- be referred to the Senate Local Government ties should not be liable. Committee, chaired by Sen. Kehoe. This is not a certainty; Sen. Kehoe is also a member of the Sen. E, U & C Committee, and could satisfy her questions and concerns during that committee's FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG hearing of the bill. COMMIITEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF Redlinin9 Remains a Key Concern Visit (and bookmark!) the League's Legislative Resources page The League is continuing to work on several (www.cacities.orallearesources). You'll find fronts to educate legislators about the need to a roster and contact information for the amend AB 2987 to address the very serious League's legislative staff; the online Bill issues that the bill presents for communities: Search program, background materials on redlining of services; lack of customer service lobbying your legislators, and more. Continued on Page 8 Visit the league's Official Website--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 7 June 2, 2006 - Issue #22 -" ~~~"._._..._.. -_..,,"~.._,,~-~,--~,. -" ..---.-.-.......-.-- ...-..""............