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Legislative Bill Action ................................ ............................... SB 966 could result in monetary exposure to local public entities for decisions and determinations that are not within their control. Under current law, cities are not liable to contractors who bid on a project based on the mistaken, good faith belief that it does not qualify as a "public works project" for purposes of the prevailing wage laws, unless a city may be liable if it has intentionally misled the contractor to believe that the project is exempt. SB 966 makes public agencies solely responsible for any mistake made in the evaluation of whether or not a project is subject to the prevailing wage requirement. This determination is increasingly complex, and we understand changes in wage rates that, particularly in redevelopment deals, some developers prefer to take the risk of the uncertain application of prevailing wages. Under these circumstances, the owner should not be responsible for any cost increase the contractors incur - they have no control over. Please let us know if you city has any concerns with this bill. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status:AsLab &Emp; Hrg -7/9, Position: Oppose. AS 872 (Strickland). Speed Limits. AS 872 amends Sec. 627 of the CVC by adding "persons at work" to roadway users whose safety can be considered by the local authority in setting speed limits, and also clarifies that the local authority is the entity that can consider the safety of roadway users in applying the 85th percentile methodology. AB 872 passed the Assembly by a vote of 77 -0. The bill does not implement a new prima facie speed limit or change the use of the 85th percen- tile methodology in setting speed limits. Support letters have been received from public agencies and private utilities whose employees are required to work in and adjacent to roadways, and whose safety is endangered by high speed drivers. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: SenTrans; Hrg -7/8, Position: Support. AS 299 (Lowenthal). Vehicles. Taxicabs and Passenger Vehicles for Hire. Violations. Impoundment. Charter -Party Carriers of Passengers. Advertisement as Taxicabs. AS 299 Requires a magistrate, when presented with an affidavit from a peace officer ^.stablishing rea- sonable cause to believe that a vehicle is being operated as a "for hire" taxicab or passenger vehicle in violation of local licensing requirements, to issue a warrant or authorize the peace officer to seize the vehicle in question. It also requires that the vehicle be impounded for a period up to 30 days, with the impounding agency notifying, within two working days, the legal owner of the vehicle. Additionally, AS 299 was amended to prohibit a charter -party carrier of passengers from advertis- ing or otherwise representing their services to the public, as a taxicab or taxi service. The City of Los Angeles is the sponsor of the bill. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: SenTrans; Hrg -7/8, Position: Support. AS 327 (Runner). Vehicles: Parking. Persons with Disabilities. Violations. AS 327 increases the penalty for violating statues related to disabled persons' parking privileges AS 327 raises from $250 to $500 the minimum fine for the improper use of disabled persons' distinguished license plates or placards. It also raises from $250 to $500 the minimum fine for illegally parking in a stall or space designated for disabled persons and dis- abled veterans. The author points out that current punishment for abusing disabled placards were established in 1992 and are increasingly failing to serve as an effective deterrent. Assembly Member Runner believes that the low minimum fines en- courage people to take their chances when faced with otherwise limited parking opportunities. There- fore raising the minimum fine will serve as a deter- rent as well as raise local revenues. Staff: Natasha Fooman; Status: SenTrans; Hrg -7/8, Position: Support. AS 792 (Yee). Vehicles. Removal Storage. AS 792 expresses the legislative intent regarding the removal, tow, and storage of a vehicle. When the Legislature required all vehicles storage facilities to accept valid bank credit cards, it was Legislature's intent to assist vehicle owners or their agents to make such payments for towing and storage services and expedite the recovery of towed ve- hicles to promote the safety and welfare of the PAGE 14 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org