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to A 1 • Legislative Bill Action ................................ ............................... an their environmental documents to the Native .�merican Heritage Commission for lengthy reviews, for potential impacts on vaguely- defined "Traditional Tribal Cultural Sites." The bill also limits lead agency ability to make the finding of "overriding considerations." without traveling to a voting poll, which can be especially burdensome for those who do not have easy access to transportation. Staff: Amy Brcwn, Status: SenFlr, Position: Support. PUBLIC SAFETY Although cities are interested in ensuring that land use planning and decision- making processes respect and preserve, to the extent possible, Native American sacred sites, the approach taken by SB 18 will adversely affect local land use authority. As reported in the August 1 issue of Priority Focus, the League presented a compre- hensive set of amendments to the authors of SB 18, designed to address various technical and process issues with this bill. While respecting confidentiality concerns, these amendments sought to ensure public participation of local governments and affected property owners, impose reasonable parameters around the defini- tion of sites, reduce unreasonable delays in the project approval process, and retain the local lead agency's land use authority. Unfortunately, the author rejected the vast majority of changes proposed by the League. As amended, SB 18 is a flawed and unbalanced proposal, with vague language, which inappropri- ately removes local authority, and will lead to many unnecessary delays to housing and other development projects. Cities are encouraged to send opposition letters to the author and their legislators. A copy of the League's letter outlining the major issues with the bill as well as a sample letter for cities is available at the League's Web site. www.cacdies.oro /hced. Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: AsApps, Position: Oppose. ADMINSTRATIVE AB 1544 (Simitian). Elections. AB 1544 would allow a special election to fill a vacancy to be conducted wholly by mail if the city has a population of 100,000 or less. AB 1544 reduces the otherwise costly procedures for conducting municipal elections, and allows citizens to vote AB 28 (Pavley). Firefighting. Hazardous Materials Equipment. AB 28 establishes a Firefighting Hazardous Materials Response Team Equipment Program to provide funding, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purchase of hazardous materials response apparatus and equipment to state and local agencies that provide fire protection services. This bill requires the director of the Office of Emergency Services to establish criteria for the assignment of this appara- tus and equipment, including, among other criteria, the number of hazardous materials response teams in an area or region in relation to the popula- tion, the number of commercial or industrial facilities that receive, handle, or generate hazard- ous materials, and the presence of potential targets for terrorism. AB 28 is intended to prioritize appropriations for hazardous materials equipment to potential targets of terrorism. Firefighters are often the first units on the scene of a terrorist attack, aptly called first responders, and it is necessary for them to have the proper equipment and supplies needed to protect the public, as well as themselves. Staff: Natasha Fooman, Status: SenSuspense File, Position: Support. AB 278 (Bermudez). Gambling Control Act. AB 278 increases the membership of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC), from 10 to 16 members. Appointed by the Gambling Control Commission (CGCC), under provisions of this act, eight members must be from the general public, and eight must represent controlled gambling licensees. This bill is important to cities because many casinos are located on the periphery of, or within, city limits, and AB 278 seeks to give a voice on the GPAC to cities and counties that have gambling establishments in their jurisdictions. There are currently no specific provisions for representation of these local agencies on the PAGE 10 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org