BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1008
Page 1
Date of Hearing: August 3, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
SB 1008
(Lara) - As Amended August 1, 2016
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Policy |Natural Resources |Vote:|8 - 1 |
|Committee: | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
| |Local Government | |8 - 0 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill extends the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) exemption for the design, site acquisition, construction,
operation or maintenance of certain structures and equipment of
the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System
(LA-RICS) for three years. Specifically, this bill:
SB 1008
Page 2
1)Extends the CEQA exemption from January 1, 2017, to January 1,
2020.
2)Excludes from the exemption projects at fire stations, school
sites, and cultural or sacred sites.
3)Imposes new public meeting and notice requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT:
No additional state costs.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, the required Federal
environmental review process, under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), which is still required for the CEQA-exempt
LA-RICS project sites, has taken longer than previously
anticipated.
The author further states, the extension of the current CEQA
exemption is needed to continue to build out the LA-RICS
long-term evolution (LTE) broadband system and land mobile
radio (LMR) system, and to facilitate a timely environmental
review and the subsequent construction at those sites.
2)Background. According to the LA-RICS Joint Powers Authority
(Authority), LA-RICS will provide improved radio and broadband
communication for the public safety providers of the greater
SB 1008
Page 3
Los Angeles region. LA-RICS is comprised of two distinct, but
compatible projects: a land mobile radio (LMR) communications
and a long-term evolution (LTE) broadband communications
system. Covering 88 cities and the unincorporated area of Los
Angeles County, LA-RICS will provide integrated communications
for over 50 law enforcement agencies, 31 fire departments, as
well as emergency medical services, transportation, and
education agencies.
3)CEQA. CEQA provides a process for evaluating the
environmental effects of applicable projects undertaken or
approved by public agencies. If a project is not exempt from
CEQA, an initial study is prepared to determine whether the
project may have a significant effect on the environment.
If the initial study shows that there would not be a
significant effect on the environment, the lead agency must
prepare a negative declaration. If the initial study shows
that the project may have a significant effect on the
environment, the lead agency must prepare an environmental
impact report (EIR).
4)Prior Legislation. AB 1486 (Lara), Chapter 690, Statutes of
2012, exempted the design, site acquisition, construction,
operation or maintenance of certain LA-RICS structures and
equipment from CEQA until January 1, 2017.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
SB 1008
Page 4