California Municipal Law Blog
category:
Legislative Updates

New Laws Take Effect in 2020: General Municipal Update

by on January 21, 2020

posted in Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Water,

Introduction The majority of the bills from 2019 addressed wildfires, affordable housing and emergency/homeless shelters.  The housing bills from last year will be addressed in a separate post.  A separate post on new bills affecting law enforcement will also be added.  ... Continue Reading

tags: data collection, gender diversity, Independent Contractors, New laws, planning, public works, Sexual Harassment Training, surplus property, urban water retailers, wages, zoning,

Campaign Finance Reform is Coming to City Council Campaigns

by on December 22, 2019

posted in Elections, Legislative Updates,

AB 571 provides statewide campaign contribution limits applicable to City Council campaigns (beginning in 2021) unless superseded by a local campaign limit ordinance or resolution. The City  does not have campaign contribution or funding limits at this time.    Therefore, absent a local resolution or ordinance, the provisions of AB 571 that amend the Political Reform Act will impose a basic limit of $3000  per election per contributor as of January 1, 2021, and impose other restrictions. This limit is adjusted annual by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) according to the consumer ... Continue Reading

tags: Campaign Contributions, Campaign Finance Reform, Campaign Loans, Contribution Limits,

New Legislation Holds Charter Schools to Same Standards as Public Schools

by on March 6, 2019

posted in Legislative Updates,

SB 126 was one of the fastest pieces of legislation to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom – going through both houses in seven weeks. The new Education Code Section 47604.1 will require charter schools to follow the same state guidelines on public records (California Public Records Act), open meetings (Brown Act), conflicts of interest (Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code 1090) that apply to public schools. Charter board members are also prohibited from voting on contracts where they have a financial stake.  ... Continue Reading

tags: Brown Act, California Public Records Act, Charter Schools, Government Code 1090, Political Reform Act,