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9A Page 18 over the age of 60, and those who are permanently medically incapacitated, regardless of the length of their sentence. Changing Wobbler Crimes to Misdemeanors ($100 million savings and 4,300 prisoner reduction). Would have changed three offenses, petty theft with a prior, check kiting, and receiving stolen property, from wobblers to misdemeanors. Rather than being committed to state prison, these offenders would be committed to county jail. Last December's proposal changed dozens of wobblers to misdemeanors. Grand Theft and Grand Theft Auto Thresholds Updated. Would have changed the threshold of grand theft and grand theft auto to $2,500. California Public Safety Commission (Cost of $2 million). Would have created an independent commission to establish sentencing guidelines no later than July 1. 2012. The 13- member commission would be comprised of stakeholders including law enforcement officials, criminal justice academic experts, and representatives of the judiciary and defense counsel. The members of the commission would be appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation. Any gUidelines would go into effect Jan. 1, 2013 unless they are rejected by a majority of the Legislature and the Governor. Similar proposals have been introduced in the Legislature in prior years, but have faced opposition by the Governor and Republican legislators. Opposition Letters Needed on Bill to Limit Retention Proceeds S8 802 Expected to Go to Governor Next Week Local agencies must accept the lowest responsible bidder for construction projects, and often use retention proceeds on progress payments to ensure that projects are timely and complete. Local agencies commonly begin with a 10 percent retention rate. The reduction rate is typically reduced to 5 percent If adequate progress Is being made on the project and the contractor is acting in good faith. 58 802 however would require local agencies to limit retention to 5 percent over the life of a project which protects potential bad actors and placing public interests and public funds at risk. The League has had many discussions in recent years regarding similar proposals to limit retention proceeds to 5 percent (AB 1949: Conroy, 1996, vetoed; A8 940: Miller, 1997, vetoed; A8 806: Keeley, 1999, vetoed; 58619: Migden, 2008, held). The League continues to be concerned about these measures because there is no specific need to limit retention proceeds to 5 percent, but have instances where 5 percent retention is simply insufficient, particularly for smaller agencies. This year, the League attempted to work with the sponsors to find middle ground, but the sponsor ultimately rejected the draft amendments. Although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed concern with similar legislation in the past, cities cannot rely on a veto this year. Last year, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, 58 593 (Chapter 341, Statutes of 2008) which prohibited Caltrans from withholding retention proceeds. Caltrans has reported no negative effects resulting from this legislation. As such, the Governor's administration removed its opposition to legislation limiting retention proceeds. Take Action The Governor is expected to review 58 802 next week. City officials are urged to submit letters of opposition immediately. Sample opposition letters are available on the League Web site. Please go to www.cacities.ora/billsearch and type "58802" into the search box to access the letters. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Updates and Additional Funding Opportunities American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Registration Required for Federal Reporting. On Aug. 17, registration for funding recipients required to report under ARRA Section 5