BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 453
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Date of Hearing: April 17, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 453 (Mullin) - As Introduced: February 19, 2013
Policy Committee: Local
GovernmentVote: 8-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill adds local agency formation commissions (LAFCOs) to
the list of eligible applicants for Strategic Growth Council
financial assistance, including grants and loans for developing,
adopting and implementing a regional plan or other planning
instrument to support the planning and development of
sustainable communities.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Increased cost pressures resulting from expanding eligibility
for sustainable community loans and grants, (Prop 84 bond
funds and special funds).
2)Negligible costs for the administration of the grant program.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . LAFCOs play an important role in achieving the broad
goals of the Strategic Growth Council. Increased funding
would allow LAFCO to prepare more comprehensive studies in
collaboration with regional transportation agencies. This
bill allows LAFCOs to apply for planning grants.
2)Background . Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water
Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal
Protection Bond Act of 2006, included $90 million for planning
grants and incentives including revolving loan programs and
other methods to encourage the development of regional and
local land use plans.
AB 453
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Of the approximately $63 million allocated for the Sustainable
Communities Planning Grants program, 93 grants totaling more
than $50 million have been awarded to cities, counties, and
regional agencies. There is approximately $16 million
remaining to distribute in a third and final round.
3)Strategic Growth Council. SB 732 (Steinberg, 2008), created
the Strategic Growth Council and requires the council to
manage and award financial assistance to Councils of
Governments (COGs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs), Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs),
cities, counties, and Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) to
develop, adopt, or implement regional plans.
The Department of Conservation administers the Sustainable
Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program, on behalf of
the Strategic Growth Council. This program implements the
goals of SB 732 to foster the development of sustainable
communities throughout California. It is designed to help
local governments meet the challenges of adopting land use
plans and integrating strategies in order to transform
communities and create long-term prosperity.
4)Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) . LAFCOs are
required to complete a MSR prior to a sphere of influence
update. MSRs are comprehensive in nature and examine growth
and population projections, present and planned capacity of
public facilities, infrastructure needs or deficiencies
related to sewer, water and fire protection, and the financial
ability of agencies to provide services.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081