BILL NUMBER: AB 735	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 19, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gomez

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2013

   An act  to add Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 5845) to
Division 5 of the Public Resources Code,   relating to the Los
Angeles River.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 735, as amended, Gomez. Los Angeles  River. 
 River Rehabilitation Project. 
   Existing law, the Los Angeles County Flood Control Act,
establishes the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and
authorizes the district to control and conserve the flood, storm, and
other wastewater of the district. Under existing law, the act
includes in the objects and purposes of the district to provide for
public use of navigable waterways under the district's control that
are suitable for recreational and educational purposes, when these
purposes are not inconsistent with the use thereof by the district
for flood control and water conservation.  Existing law also
establishes various plans and programs intended to preserve, protect,
and rehabilitate lands adjacent to rivers in the state. 
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation to implement the provisions contained within the
Los Angeles River Master Plan in order to maintain the river as a
resource that provides flood protection and opportunities for
recreational and environmental enhancement, improves the aesthetics
of the region, enriches the quality of life for residents, and helps
sustain the economy of the region   , until July 1,
2020, require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to
establish a Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project policy
committee, which would include members of appropriate public
agencies, nonprofits, stakeholders, developers, cities, and
environmental organizations to assist in the development and
rehabilitation of the Los Angeles River. The bill would require that
the secretary collaborate with and establish a cooperative working
relationship with public agencies that are affected b   y
the project and consider all existing Los Angeles River
rehabilitation plans in effect in implementing actions pursuant to
the provisions of the bill. The bill would require that the Natural
Resources Agency use existing state resources and available federal
funds to implement the provisions of the bill   and would
authorize the agency to apply for and accept grants, donations, and
other financial support from public or private sources for purposes
of those provisions  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    (a) The Legislature hereby finds and
declares all of the following:  
   (1) A Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project would foster job
creation by investing in parks and multiuse public trails.  

   (2) The Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project would improve the
conditions of daily life along the river in a safe environment that
promotes walking, jogging, biking, recreation, and living along the
Los Angeles River.  
   (3) The Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project would directly
improve the quality of life in Los Angeles by providing important
recreational, open-space, wildlife, flood-management, water-quality,
and urban waterfront revitalization benefits to communities. 

   (4) The Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project would foster
livable communities through placemaking that provides public
amenities, links communities, reduces residential segregation, and
facilitates healthy behaviors.  
   (5) The Los Angeles River Rehabilitation Project would support
linkages to community and economic development similar to other
transit oriented developments.  
   (b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting
Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 5845) of Division 5 of the
Public Resources Code to support rehabilitation and development along
the Los Angeles River. 
   SEC. 2.   Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 5845)
is added to Division 5 of the   Public Resources Code 
 , to read:  
      CHAPTER 10.5.  THE LOS ANGELES RIVER REHABILITATION PROJECT


   5845.  (a) For purposes of this chapter, "agency" means the
Natural Resources Agency.
   (b) For purposes of this chapter, "secretary" means the Secretary
of the Natural Resources Agency.
   5845.1.  (a) The secretary shall establish a Los Angeles River
Rehabilitation Project policy committee, which shall include
representatives from appropriate agencies, nonprofits, stakeholders,
developers, cities, and environmental organization, to assist in the
development and rehabilitation of the Los Angeles River.
   (b) The secretary shall collaborate with and establish a
cooperative working relationship with public agencies that are
affected by the project, and shall consider all existing Los Angeles
River rehabilitation plans in effect pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Section 5753 in implementing actions pursuant to this chapter.
   5845.2.  The agency shall use existing state resources and
available federal funds to implement this chapter. If state or
federal funds are not available or sufficient, the office may apply
for and accept grants and receive donations and other financial
support from public or private sources for purposes of these
sections.
   5845.3.  This chapter shall become inoperative on July 1, 2020.
 
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation to implement the provisions contained within the
Los Angeles River Master Plan in order to maintain the river as a
resource that provides flood protection and opportunities for
recreational and environmental enhancement, improves the aesthetics
of the region, enriches the quality of life for residents, and helps
sustain the economy of the region.