BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 446 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 446 (Ridley-Thomas) As Introduced February 23, 2015 Majority vote ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes | | | | | | | | | | | |----------------+------+--------------------+----------------------| |Natural |9-0 |Williams, Dahle, | | |Resources | | | | | | | | | | | |Cristina Garcia, | | | | |Hadley, Harper, | | | | |McCarty, Rendon, | | | | |Mark Stone, Wood | | | | | | | |----------------+------+--------------------+----------------------| |Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, | | | | |Bonta, Calderon, | | | | |Chang, Daly, | | | | |Eggman, Gallagher, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Eduardo Garcia, | | | | |Gordon, Holden, | | | | |Jones, Quirk, | | | | |Rendon, Wagner, | | | | |Weber, Wood | | | | | | | AB 446 Page 2 | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Eliminates the 2018 sunset date for the Baldwin Hills Conservancy (BHC). FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriation Committee, increased annual administrative state costs of between $369,000 and $615,000 per year (special funds) beginning in fiscal year 2017-18. COMMENTS: 1)Conservancy. BHC jurisdiction covers approximately two square miles and is the smallest of the state's 10 conservancies. BHC is located approximately 6 miles from downtown Los Angeles. There is significant oil production activity in the BHC's jurisdiction. BHC plans to restore former oil production lands to open space and make them available to the public as oil production ceases. The goal of BHC is to eventually connect public land into one big park (two square miles) to serve the area. This will help the surrounding residents have access to the open space in a region that is lacking in park space. 2)Is sunset elimination appropriate at this time? BHC does not sunset until 2018; therefore, BHC will continue for several years even with its current sunset. BHC has shown progress toward achieving its mission and has worked well with local organizations and other state agencies. BHC provides open space and an educational component to communities that don't have many other opportunities to be in and learn about nature. BHC was subject to a Department of Finance (DOF) audit in 2008, which found deficiencies with BHC's pre-awarding processes, monitoring AB 446 Page 3 of project status, and oversight over bond funded projects. BHC responded to the audit and agreed to take several corrective actions to address the deficiencies found. BHC received an allocation of $40 million from Proposition 40 (2002), $10 million from Proposition 84 (2006), and $10 million from Proposition 1 (2014). The Proposition 1 funds are meant for multi-benefit water quality, water supply, and watershed protection and restoration projects. Another sunset review of BHC, could allow the Legislature to scrutinize the spending of the bond funds allocated to BHC, and the actions BHC has taken to respond to DOF's audit. Analysis Prepared by: Michael Jarred / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0000705