City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: APRIL 23, 2024 FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, REAFFIRM 2023-24 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM, OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE BILLS AB 1772, AB 2042, AB 3037, AND AB 3038.
ISSUE:
Overview of legislative process, reaffirm 2023-24 Legislative Platform, overview of legislative bills AB 1772, AB 2042, AB 3037, and AB 3038.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Receive an overview of the legislative process;
Reaffirm the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform; and
Direct staff on a position of watch, support or oppose bills AB 1772, AB 2042, AB 3037, and AB 3038.
BACKGROUND:
On February 27, 2024, during the City Council meeting, Councilmember Perry made a request for staff to bring legislative bills before the full City Council to discuss and a decision to be made on whether and which position to take on the bills.
On March 8, 2024, an email was sent to the full City Council soliciting bills of interest that they would like presented with a deadline to respond by March 22, 2024. Four bills were received to be brought before the full City Council.
On March 15, 2024, City Manager – Mike Futrell, directed staff to prepare a presentation to the full City Council which includes an overview of the legislative process including the legislative timeline; the legislative platform for reaffirmation by the City Council; and bills submitted by Councilmembers for discussion and vote on those bill positions.
DISCUSSION:
Legislative Process
The California State Legislature is made up of two houses: the Senate and the Assembly. There are 40 Senators and 80 Assembly Members representing the people of the State of California. The Legislature has a legislative calendar containing important dates of activities during its two-year session.
When a Senator or Assembly Member decides to author a bill, a bill is introduced, and the descriptive title of the bill is read on the floor of the house. The bill then goes to the Rules Committee of the house of origin where it is assigned to the appropriate policy committee for its first hearing. Bills passed by committees are read a second time on the floor in the house of origin and then assigned to third reading. When a bill is read the third time it is explained by the author, discussed by the Members and voted on by a roll call vote. Once the bill has been approved by the house of origin it proceeds to the other house where the procedure is repeated.
If both houses approve a bill, it then goes to the Governor. The Governor has three choices. The Governor can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without his or her signature, or veto it.
Most bills go into effect on the first day of January of the next year. Urgency measures take effect immediately after they are signed or allowed to become law without signature.
Legislative Platform
Every two years, the City Council considers an update to the City’s Legislative Platform (Platform) to coincide with a new legislative session. The City Council adopted the City of Riverside 2023-24 Legislative Platform on March 7, 2023.
The Platform highlights Riverside’s legislative priorities and codifies the City’s positions on legislation, regulatory proposals, and funding opportunities. The Platform outlines policy statements regarding legislative and regulatory issues that are of interest to the City and are likely to come forward during the California Legislature’s 2023-24 Session. The Platform also informs organizations with an advocacy presence, such as the League of California Cities, of the City’s legislative interests.
The Platform provides policy direction on State and Federal issues and provides for a streamlined process that enables City officials, staff and legislative advocates to act in a timely manner to take positions on policy issues that affect City operations. The City may support legislation that is consistent with the Platform and may oppose legislation that is inconsistent with the Platform.
Legislative matters will be reviewed and considered by the City Manager’s Office and position letters will be coordinated with the Mayor’s Office for signature as appropriate.
Bills for City Council Consideration
AB 1772 (Ramos): Theft - This bill would require the government to keep track of how many people are convicted of theft from retail stores during the COVID-19 pandemic and report it to the Legislature by 2026.
A support position is consistent with the approved platform as it is related to community well-being, reducing crime and promoting safe communities.
Cal Cities supports this bill.
AB 2042 (Jackson): Police canines: standards and training - This bill would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), on or before January 1, 2026, to develop standards and training guidelines for the use of canines by law enforcement.
An oppose position is consistent with the approved platform as this bill may reduce law enforcement’s ability to combat and reduce crime.
The California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) opposes this bill because it sets vague requirements for the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) to develop guidelines on police K9 programs.
AB 3037 (Essayli): Sentencing: dismissal of enhancements - This bill would make the provision relating to the dismissal of enhancements inapplicable to firearms-related enhancements but would allow the court to dismiss these firearm-related enhancements pursuant to the court’s general authority to dismiss an action. This bill failed to pass out of the public safety committee.
Since the bill failed passage, a watch position would be consistent with the approved legislative platform.
A number of law enforcement groups support this bill including the Riverside Police Officers Association.
AB 3038 (Essayli): School safety: armed school resource officers – This bill would require school districts to hire or contract with at least one armed school resource officer (defined as someone authorized to carry a loaded firearm) to be present during regular school hours and when students are on campus. This requirement would be phased in by grade spans.
Since the bill failed passage, a watch position would be consistent with the approved legislative platform.
Several civil rights organizations oppose this bill.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goals:
5.3. Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Prepared by: Chekesha Gilliam, Intergovernmental Relations Officer Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: City Manager or Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: City Attorney
Attachments: 2023-24 Legislative Platform
AB 1772 bill text
AB 2042 bill text
AB 3037 bill text
AB 3038 bill text
Presentation