BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 324
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 22, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
AB 324 (Buchanan) - As Amended: March 15, 2011
SUBJECT : State buildings: building locations: considerations.
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to
consider specified factors in selecting a location for the
lease, lease with the option to purchase, construction, or
purchase of a state building in excess of 10,000 square feet.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires consideration of the location of the community or
population served by the state building.
2)Requires consideration of the residential location of the
workforce to be housed in the building, and priority may be
given to the locations that demonstrate the highest reduction
of miles traveled by its workforce.
3)Requires consideration of the availability and proximity of
high quality and frequent transit service, including regularly
operated bus lines that are operational at the time a state
agency occupies the building.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires DGS to prepare plans and specifications for any
public building constructed pursuant to the State Building
Construction Act of 1955, which generally sets forth
procedures for the acquisition and construction of state
buildings.
2)States that the "Capitol Area Plan" (Plan) is the official
state master plan for development in the central city area of
the City of Sacramento for the location of state buildings and
other improvements. The Plan serves as a guide for future
state policy in the locating of state buildings and other
facilities in the metropolitan area.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
AB 324
Page 2
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . According to the author's office, "The
DGS currently does not consider the residential locations of the
majority of their workforce when planning for the construction
or acquisition of new state buildings. As a result, communities
with the highest concentration of state workers often have to
travel further distances to get to work. California's shortage
of public transportation systems amplified this problem,
particularly in the rural areas of our state. This bill would
allow the DGS to consider where the workforce lives when
planning the lease, purchase or construction of a state
building."
Background . Currently, DGS has numerous statutes and mandates
to comply with when selecting state buildings. Executive Order
D-46-01 ordered that sound and smart growth patterns shall
receive maximum support consistent with the foregoing state
priorities, including the following considerations:
a) Preferred siting or leasing in a central city or area of
similar character immediately adjacent thereto;
b) Construction or renovation of state-owned office
buildings with site plans and architectural designs of the
highest quality;
c) Sensitivity to building design and scale and
environmental concerns;
d) Proximity to public transit and other needed
infrastructure;
e) Proximity to affordable and available housing;
f) Pedestrian access to retail and commercial facilities,
and exploiting opportunities for mixed use;
g) Indications of the need for neighborhood economic
revitalization;
h) Opportunities to utilize structures of historic,
cultural or architectural significance;
i) Communication with residents, property owners and
AB 324
Page 3
businesses regarding local concerns; and,
j) Advice and recommendations of local elected officials
and their staff with consideration to any incentives
offered by local government.
According to the City of Elk Grove, it is the second largest
city in Sacramento County with a population of 140,000
residents. There are 12,625 Elk Grove residents that are state
government workers, and 76.9% of those workers, which equals
nearly 10,000 cars, drive to work alone. The remaining 12.7% of
state workers residing in Elk Grove carpool. The resulting
impact of these motorists is an average annual commute of 7,195
miles per vehicle, totaling 90,836,875 miles for the entire
population.
Support . According to the sponsor, the City of Elk Grove, "The
single largest source of greenhouse gases in California is
emissions from passenger vehicles, and in order to reduce those
emissions, we must work to reduce Californians' vehicle-miles
traveled? AB 324 will empower the State of California to lead
by example by locating State office buildings close to where the
State workforce lives. One out of every ten Elk Grove residents
is a State government employee that travels 30.4 minutes to work
or more, depending on traffic congestion. This travel creates
90,836,875 annual commute vehicle miles traveled which
contributes to poor air quality in the region."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
City of Elk Grove (sponsor)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce
Elk Grove Economic Development Corporation
Professional Engineers in California Government
State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
State Employees International Union Local 1000
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
AB 324
Page 4
319-3301