BILL NUMBER: SB 2096	CHAPTERED  07/03/00

	CHAPTER   68
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 3, 2000
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   JULY 3, 2000
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JUNE 22, 2000
	PASSED THE SENATE   MAY 16, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 13, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Poochigian

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2000

   An act to amend Section 8961.7 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to cemetery districts, and declaring the urgency thereof, to
take effect immediately.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 2096, Poochigian.  Cemetery districts.
   Existing law authorizes a cemetery district formed prior to 1947
to acquire a mausoleum if the mausoleum was constructed at least 10
years prior to May 1, 1947.
   This bill would create an exception authorizing the Visalia Public
Cemetery District to acquire a mausoleum that was originally
constructed by the City of Visalia in 1965, if the cemetery district
complies with specified criteria.
   This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to
the necessity for a special statute.
  This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
urgency statute.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 8961.7 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
   8961.7.  (a) A district formed prior to the adoption of this
section may acquire, and maintain a mausoleum if construction thereof
was completed at least 10 years prior to May 1, 1947.  However, the
district may construct additions to the mausoleum for crypt
entombment.
   (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a), the Visalia
Public Cemetery District may acquire and manage the mausoleum
originally constructed by the City of Visalia in 1965.  However, the
Visalia Public Cemetery District shall comply with all other
applicable provisions with respect to the operation and maintenance
of the mausoleum.
  SEC. 2.  The Legislature finds and declares that a special law is
necessary and that a general law cannot be made applicable within the
meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution
because of the unique circumstances of the City of Visalia and the
Visalia Public Cemetery District.  The facts constituting the special
circumstances are:
   The City of Visalia desires to divest itself of the ownership of a
mausoleum and the Visalia Public Cemetery District is willing to
acquire and manage that mausoleum.  Current law prevents the district
from acquiring the mausoleum because it was originally built after
the statutory deadline.  There is no other private organization or
public agency available to manage the city's mausoleum.  Accordingly,
the Legislature finds that special circumstances exist that require
special legislation.
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect.  The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to ensure the  mausoleum's uninterrupted maintenance and
care by the Visalia Public Cemetery District, it is necessary that
this act take effect immediately.