BILL ANALYSIS �
Bill No: AB
342
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair
2011-2012 Regular Session
Bill Analysis
AB 342 Author: Atkins
As Introduced: February 10, 2011
Hearing Date: June 14, 2011
Consultant: Paul Donahue
SUBJECT : Office of Planning and Research
SUMMARY : Designates the Governor's Office of Planning and
Research (OPR) to serve as the state liaison with the
United States Department of Defense (DOD) and requires OPR
to perform specified duties in this capacity, including
coordinating issues of significant interest to the DOD and
the state.
Existing law :
1) Establishes OPR as the comprehensive state planning
agency, and provides that it shall serve the Governor and
Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research.
2) Directs OPR to engage in the formulation, evaluation and
updating of long-range goals and policies for land use,
population growth and distribution, urban expansion,
development, open space, resource preservation and
utilization, air and water quality, and other factors which
shape statewide development patterns and significantly
influence the quality of the state's environment.
3) Directs OPR to encourage the formation and proper
functioning of, and provide planning assistance to, city,
county, district, and regional planning agencies, and
assist local government in land use planning. (Gov. Code �
65040)
4) Requires OPR to develop guidelines for the preparation
and content of mandatory elements required in city and
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county general plans, which shall contain advice for
addressing the effects of civilian development on military
readiness activities carried out on all of the following:
a) Military installations.
b) Military operating areas.
c) Military training areas.
d) Military training routes.
e) Military airspace.
f) Territory adjacent to those installations and
areas. (Gov. Code � 65040.2)
This bill :
1)Requires OPR to serve as the state's liaison to DOD in
order to facilitate coordination regarding issues that
are of significant interest to the state and DOD.
2)Requires OPR, in its liaison role, to do all of the
following:
a) Coordinate with the department and other state
agencies, state departments, local governments, and
other private and public entities to ensure the
sustainability of defense activities within the state;
b) Develop legislation that supports the relationship
between the state and the DOD; and
c) Work with federal defense agencies to address
regulatory activities by state agencies that affect
the sustainability of defense operations within the
state.
COMMENTS :
1) Purpose of the bill : According to the author's office,
OPR has been very effective in serving as the liaison
between state government and DOD. OPR has a proven record
of accomplishment serving as the gateway to other areas of
the executive branch. The relationship is invaluable to
the DOD and the military mission in California.
AB 342 codifies the relationship and establishes the
ability for a long-term connection between the Military and
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state government. Making this liaison a permanent position
will result in significant efficiencies between the DOD and
the state.
2) Executive Order S-16-06 . Issued by Governor
Schwarzenegger in 2006, it established the Governor's
Advisor for Military Affairs within OPR. Under this
executive order, OPR coordinates state policies that affect
the military, including land use planning, regulatory
activities by state agencies, state legislation. This bill
essentially codifies the executive order.
3) OPR has worked jointly with the DOD on a number of
projects including:
a) Joint Land Use Studies: The overall goal of each
study is to reduce potential conflicts while
accommodating growth, sustaining the economic health
of the respective region, and protecting public health
and safety. Active military installations,
surrounding counties and cities, and other affected
agencies collaborated to produce the studies;
b) The California Advisory Handbook for Community and
Military Compatibility Planning: Provides guidance to
local governments, the military and developers on how
to address land use activities near military
installations and activities;
c) Development Permit Notification to the Military:
OPR created a mapping tool that local governments and
developers can use to identify whether proposed
planning projects are located in the vicinity of
military bases and military airspace. This mapping
tool will help local governments and developers comply
with the statutory requirement that the military be
notified of certain development applications and
general plan; and
d) Community and Military Compatibility Planning,
Supplement to the General Plan Guidelines: The
purpose of this publication is to assist cities and
counties in addressing military compatibility issues
when developing, updating or significantly amending
their general plans.
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4) Related legislation :
SB 1698 (Ashburn, Stats. 2006, ch. 681) extended the Office
of Military Base Retention and Reuse as the Office of
Military and Aerospace Support within the State Business,
Transportation and Housing Agency until January 1, 2009.
SB 1462 (Kuehl, Stats. 2004, ch. 906) requires cities and
counties to forward to branches of the United States Armed
Forces copies of significant proposed amendments to their
general plans in instances where the proposed action lies
within military special use airspace or low-level flight
paths.
SB 926 (Knight, Stats. 2004, ch. 907) created the Office of
Military and Aerospace Support within the State Business,
Transportation and Housing Agency.
SB 1468 (Knight, Stats. 2002, ch. 971) requires cities and
counties to include military installations, aviation
routes, airspace, and readiness activities in their
state-mandated general plans, and requires OPR to provide
guidance to local officials as part of its advisory General
Plan Guidelines.
SUPPORT:
AMVETS - Department of California
United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
OPPOSE:
None on file.
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
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