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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - STATE LEGISLATION AB 3248 (2)City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: June 25, 1996 SUBJECT: STATE LEGISLATION: AB 3248 DEPARTMENT: City Manager The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has requested that the City Council review Assembly Bill 3248 (Napolitano) relative to restructuring managerial and financial operations of SCAQMD. Although SCAQMD has adopted an opposed position to the bill, the measure is the subject of intense, ongoing negotiations between Assembly Member Grace Napolitano and SCAQMD in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable compromise. The bill abolishes the office of Public Advisor and creates the Office of Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance to be administered by the Deputy Executive Officer of Public Affairs. The DEO of Public Affairs would be granted substantial authority via the legislation which in some instances, conflicts with existing SCAQMD Executive Officer authority. There is concern that this legislative; restructuring will create potential authority and responsibility conflicts between the DEO of Public Affairs and the SCAQMD Executive Officer. The bill specifically delineates public affairs responsibilities in an effort to improve communications with local governments and regulated businesses within the air quality district. There is a strong emphasis in the proposed structure for small business interaction. AB 3248 places 100% of the district's share of vehicle registration fees directly under the control of the new Office of Public Affairs and Local Government Assistance. This represents approximately $12 million that would be budgeted outside of SCAQMD's traditional budget adoption program. The bill also transfers 100% of Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee Funds (MSRC) to implement a statewide auto scrappage program. This loss is estimated at $12 million. AB 8248 prohibits SCAQMD from establishing any new fee or increasing any existing fee to off set the financial losses. Many of the goals of the legislation are laudable in an effort to make SCAQMD more responsive to local governments and regulated businesses. The City of Santa Clarita has traditionally enjoyed an excellent working relationship with SCAQMD. However, many businesses in the WYFfYImPUs� South Coast Air Basin have been frustrated in their attempts to understand and deal with SCAQMD. These constituents complaints are the source of Assembly Member Napolitano's AB 3248. The potential loss of local control is of concern of SCAQMD. This legislation sets out in statute specific managerial and financial functions exclusive of the 12 member local SCAQMD governing board. This will likely cause conflicts in the day -to day management of agency responsibilities, including the ability to be responsive to local governments, such as the City of Santa Clarita. Oppose AB 3248 unless amended to retain local control of managerial and financial decisions with the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board of Directors and Executive Officer. Transmit statements of position to members of Santa Clarita's legislative delegation, Assembly Member Napolitano, appropriate legislative committees, the League of California Cities, Contract Cities Association and Independent Cities Association and SCAQMD. Assembly Bill 3248 MPM.ab3248¢.625 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 24, 1996 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY f6,1996. AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL i7,1996 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 27, 1996 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE -199596 REGULAR SESSION, ASSEMBLY BILL No. 3248 Introduced by Assembly Member Napolitano February 23, 1996 An act to amend Sections 40440, 40448, and 44243 of, and to add Sections 40458 and 40481.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to air pollution. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DICEST AB 3248, as amended, Napolitano_ Air poilution:,south coast district: public a4vis&F affairs and local government assistance: appeals board. (1) Existing law, the Lewis -Presley Air Quality. Management Act, requires the.. South Coast Air Quality Management District to maintain an office of public advisor and'small business assistance, and requires the public advisor to be appointed by.the executive officer of the south coast district. . This bill would instead establish the south coast district office of public affairs and local government assistance, with specified powers'and duties. The bill would make related changes, including provisions- relating- to employment l —2— 2 — •I ABI` 3248, AB 3248 1 which there are high-level, localized concentrations of contracts of the district executive officer and other specified 2 pollutants or with respect to any new source that will employees,_ and requiring the office to use motor vehicle ( 3 ave a significant ificant effect on a_ir quality in the South Coast m registration fee revenues subvened to the south coast district 4_ Air Basin n for specified purposes relatieg to then of me 5- (4) provideelilfor transportation control measures, as p1 souree ercrissien9. 6 listed in the plan. - >" ". m The bill would prohibit the imposition of any fine or penalty 7 (c) The south coast district board shall adopt rules and fora first violation of a south coast district rule or regulation 8 regulations that will assure that all its administrative unless the violation is flagrant and intentional, or causes 9 practices and the carrying out of its programs are efficient 3 significant harm to the pubh'c health or, to the environment, I as determined by the district hearing board. 1 10 and cost-effective, consistent with the goals of achieving m. The bill would create a state -mandated local program by 11 and maintaining federal and state ambient air quality n imposing new duties on the south coast district. 12 • standards and achieving the purposes of this chapter:' �- 13 d The south coast .district board shall determine (2) The California Constitution requires the state to 14 what is the best available retrofit control technology for H reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs 15 - existing electric ,plants, and shall adopt rules and 0 mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish 16 regulations requiring the use of the best available retrofit e procedures for`making that reimbursement. 17 control technology in existing electric plants, if the board This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required • 18 fords and determines that to do so is necessary to carry out by this act for a specified reason. 19 the plan., Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee; yes. 20, (e) In adopting any regulation, the south coast district State -mandated local program: yes. 21 board shall comply with Section 40703. The people of the State of California do enact as follows 22 (f) The south coast district board shall not adopt any 23 new rule or regulation unless it provides the office, as 1 SECTION 1. Section 40440 of the Health and Safety 24 defined in -paragraph (2)' of subdivision (af' of Section 2 Code is amended to read: 25 40448, with a copy of the proposed rule or regulation at the holding of any public hearing or 3 40440. (a) The south coast. district board shall adopt 26 least 90 days prior to . 4 rules and regulations that carry -out the plan and are not : 27 .workshop held -pursuant to Section 40440.5, Section 5 in conflict with state law and federal laws and rules and 28 40.440.7, or any other applicable provision of law. 6 regulations. Upon adoption and approval of subsequent 29 SEC. 2. Section 40448 of the Health and Safety Code 7 revisions of the plan30 is amended to read: , these rules and regulations shall be' . 31 40448. (a). As used in this section, the following terms 8 amended, if necessary, to conform to the plan. 32 shall have the following meaning'. 9 (b) The rules and regulations adopted pursuant to 33'.; (1) "Deputy executive officer of public affairs" means 10 - subdivision (a) shall do -all of.the following: 34 the south coast district deputyexecutive officer of public 11 (1) Require the use of best available control 35 affairs. -_ 12 technology for new and modified sources and the use of 36 !.(2) "Office" means the south coast district office of 13 best available retrofit control technology for existing 37 public affairs and local government assistance established 14 sources.38 pursuant to subdivision ,(b). 15 (2) Promote cleaner. burning alternative fuels. 39 (3) "Public" has the same meaning as "person," as 16 (3) Consistent with Section 40414, provide for it 40 defined in Section 39047. 17 source controls in those areas of the south coast district in AB •3248 ^ 4 1 (4) "proceedings" _ means any hearing, workshop, 2 conference; or meeting that is held or conducted by the. 3 south coast district` board, the hearing board, any 4 committee of either of those boards, or south coast district 5 staff, at which attendance by the public is allowed or 6 required. 7 (5) "General assembly" means the south coast district 8 general assembly established pursuant to subdivision (i). 9 (6) -" Local government and small business 10 participation committee" means the committee 11' established pursuant to subdivision (f). 12 (7) "Contract review committee" means ` the 13 committee established pursuant to subdivision (g). 14 (b) There. is in "the'south coast district the south coast 15. district office of public affairs and local government 16 assistance, which shall be .administered by the deputy 17 executive •officer 'of -public. affairs, who shall report 18 directly to the south coast district board. The south coast 19 district board, in 'consultation with 'the' regulated 20 community, shall develop annual performance standards 21 for the deputy executive officer of public -affairs, for the 22 'purpose of ensuring quantifiable improvements in 23 meeting the needs and advocating' on behalf of the 24 business community." " 25 (c) (1)'.The south' coast -district shall maintain the 26 office to provide financiali. technical, and administrativem 27 `services and` information to local governments, small 28 businesses, and '`the .-public. The office shall be 29; administered by the deputy executive officer of public 30 affairs. All district functions pertaining: to'customer 31- service,' outreach, communications," advocacy; and local 32 government assistance; shall be carried out by the'office: 33 (2) Thesouth coast` district -board shall require the 34 deputy executive -officer of public affairs, and all other 35 staff of the office to -=participate iri annual training 36 programs, to improve, the effectiveness of the south coast: 37 district's outreach and advocacy efforts. 'The:.training 38 programs shall be specified by the local government add 39 small business participation committee. A$ 3248 ' 1 (3) All office staff shall be appointed by the deputy `2 executive officer of public affairs. - 3 (d) The office shall do. all of the following: 4 (1) Coordinate the -south -coast district's activities_ to. .5 retain businesses in the south coast district. 6 (2) Act as....advocate or ombudsman fora local 7 governments, small businesses, and other persons 8 regulated by the south coast district. 9. (3), Periodically, at least on an annual basis; review all .10 south coast district procedures and programs and: their 11- impacts on local governrn' cnts and small businesses, and 12 report on the office's planned outreach activities.for the 13 _next fiscal year. Copies of the reviews and reports shall be 14 submitted to the south coast district board and be made 15 -available to the public. ;. :. _ _.. _. 16 (4) (A) Facilitate and encourage compliance by local 17', "governments. and small -businesses with the, rules and 18 ,regulations of.'the south coast- district, assist:.local 19'. governments and small businesses in.applying forpermits 20 Wand variances, and ensure and facilitate the participation 21` of .local .governments and -::small businesses . in, the 22., development of rules and regulations and the planning 23 and_thedischarge of other responsibilities, of the south 24-. coast district by ensuring that, consistent with the express 25' ;requirements of, this chapter, Chapter 6.5 (commencing 26, ;with*.Section' 40725), Chapter 8 ,- (commencing. with 27: Section 40800):; and Chapter, 10 • (commencing-. with 28 -Section, 40910),. timely and complete notice,,,of- all- 29 ll• 29...proceedings of, the south coast district board -and the 30 . hearing board is disseminated to all interested groups and 31 the -public.. 32'. (B), Upon request, the office shall advise interested 33.; groups and the public as to effective ways of -participating 34 in` these . ,'proceedings, .provide -more extensive 35`' information on any item on an agenda, and make referrals 36' 6'sour6es of. expert, advise and assistance on the district 37' .staff and elsewhere. 38 ` (C) Upon request, the office shall obtain and make 39 available the public record of any aspect of, or particular 40 action taken at, these proceedings. AB 3248 —6— I 6— I (D) :The office shall recommend to the south coast 2 district board and the hearing board additional measures 3 to ensure open consideration and public participation in 4 all proceedings. - 5 ` (5) Provide periodic reports, not less than biannually, 6 to the south coast district board and its policy committees 7 on the economic impact of the rules and regulations of the 8 south coast district on small -businesses and local 9 governments. 10 (6) Provide to local governments information and 11 technical assistance regarding alternative processes, 12 cleaner fuels, solvents, and low-cost financing for air 13 pollution control equipment. 14 (7) Ensure effective- communication with all 15 interested groups, including, but not limited to, 16 environmentalgroUPS , small businesses, local 17 governments, and the public. 18 (8) Assist, in coordination with the local government 19 and small business participation committee, and within 20 60 days from the date on which a copy of any proposed 21 new -rule or regulation of the south coast district is 22 received pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 40440, in 23 the preparation of a written reporton the projected 24 impact of the proposed rule or' regulation on local 25 governments and small business, and -on the local 26 economy and local communities, and submit the report 27 to the south coast district board for its consideration. 28 (e) The deputy executive officer of public affairs shall 29 do all of the following: 30 (1) Act as an, advocate or- ombudsman. for - local 31 governments, ;-small businesses, and other persons 32 regulated by the south coast district. 33 (2) Participate as a voting member on the south coast 34 district's budget committee, as provided by statute or. the - 35 " rules -and regulations of the south coast district. 36 " (3) Participate as a voting member and as chairperson " 37 of the south coast district's fee review committee, .as 38 provided by statute or the rules and regulations of the 39, south coast district. —7— ' AB 3248. c 1 (4) Participate as a voting member and as chairperson:z 2• of the local government and small business participation m 3 committee - 4 (5) Participate' as a voting member of the contract'do) 5 review committee. m 6 -, (f) .(1) The local government and small businessT 7 committee shall consist of 'six local elected' officialsv 8 appointed annually by the south coast,district board, six: 9 owner -operators of local small businesses appointedX 10 annually by the south coast district board, and the deputy 11' executive officer of public affairs, who shall serve aso 12 chairperson. 13' (2) Upon receipt of a. copy of proposed rules "orrr) 14 regulations as described in paragraph (8)of supdivision D 15 '(d), the office shall convene the local government ands 16 small business- participation committee.- The ' local 17_ . government and small business participation committee 18 shall prepare and submit the report, with the assistance 19 of office staff, as provided by paragraph (8) of subdivision'. 20 (d). 21 (3) In addition, the deputy executive officer of public 22 affairs may convene the local government and small 23 business participation committee at any. time to review 24 the rules and regulations of the south coast district and to .25 submit proposed revisions to the south coast district board 26 'for consideration. 27 (g) (1) The contract review committee shall consist 28 of the south coast district executive officer, the deputy 29 executive officer of public affairs, and the chairperson of 30the south coast --district board, or a member of the board 31. designated by,the chairperson, -who shall serve -as the .32 chairperson of the contract review committee. - 33 (2) Not less frequently than monthly, the chairperson 34 of the south coast district board, ora member of the board 35 designated by the chairperson, shall convene the contracC' 36 review committees. A 37 (3) ..The contract review committee shall review they 38 contracting process for all' -.contracts proposed to be 39 awarded by the south coast district, and shall, with respect 40 to any contract reviewed and upon majority vote, either AB 3248 —8— —9— AB 3248 I approve the contract and transmit it to the south coast 2 district board for execution, or disapprove the contract, 3 in which case it shall not be awarded. 4 (h) Upon receiving' findings and recommendations 5 from the office, the south coast district board shall 6 coordinate compliance schedules with the availability to 7 small businesses and local governments of funding for 8 pollution control equipment and other measures to 9 reduce emissions. 10 (i) The south coast district shall hold, annually, a 11 general assembly to convene elected officials 12 representing all local_ governments and state legislative 13 and congressional districts .within the South Coast Air 14 Basin to review progress in reducing emissions as 15 required by the California Clean Air Act of 1988 and the 16 South Coast District Air Quality Management Plan and its 17 impact on the local economy and local communities. The 18 office shall provide staff support to the general assembly. 19 Participation in the general assembly shall be open to 20 representatives from the state board, the Regional 21 Council of the Southern California Association of 22 Governments, county transportation commissions, 23 subregional groups or councils of governments, chambers 24 of commerce, environmental groups, small businesses, 25 and any other member of the regulated community 26 affected by the south coast district. 27 SEC. 3. Section 40458 is added to the Health and 28 Safety Code, to read: 29 40458. (a) As used in this subdivision, "small 30 business" has the same meaning as defined by the federal 31 Small Business Administration, except that no stationary 32 source that is a major source, as defined by applicable 33 provisions of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.A. Sec. 34 7661 (2) ) , is a small business. 35 (b) No fine or other penalty shall be imposed on any 36 small business for any first violation of a south coast. 37 district rule or regulation unless the offense is both 38 flagrant and intentional, or the violation causes 39 significant harm to the public health or to the 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 i 12 i I 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 environment, as determined by the district hearing board. (c) Prior to commencing, or requesting the commencement by any other public agency of, any civil or criminal action or administrative proceeding to punish a violation, the air pollution control officer or south coast district board shall refer the matter to the district hearing board for a determination pursuani to subdivision- (b). SEC. 4. Section 40481.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read.- 40481.5. ead:40481.5. Any extension, renewal, or modification of employment contracts of the executive officer and the deputy executive officer of public affairs shall require formal approval by the south coast district board. The executive officer may appoint a person to temporarily fill a management position for a period of not more than six months. All recruitment for management positions shall be conducted through a competitive process, and without discrimination as set forth in Section 12940 of the Covernment Code. The executive officer and the deputy executive officer of public affairs shall serve exclusively at the pleasure of the south coast district board. These responsibilities shall not be delegated to the executive officer. SEC_ 5. Section 44243 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 44243. Fee revenues generated under this chapter in the south coast district shall be subvened to the south coast district by the Department of Motor Vehicles, after deducting its administrative costs pursuant to Section 44229, for expenditure in the following manner: (a) (1) Thirty cents ($0.30) of every dollar subvened shall be used by the south coast district office of public affairs and local government assistance to provide technical and administrative assistance to ' small businesses and local governments, and to provide financial assistance to ride share agencies to reduce emissions from mobile sources and to carry out related intergovernmental agreements authorized by, or necessary to implement the California Clean Air Act of AB 3248 —10 — — 11— AB 3248 1 1988 or the South Coast District Air Quality Management 1 2 -motor vehicles pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments 1990, the California Clean Air Act of 1988, z 2 Plan. The south coast district office of public affairs and of m 3 local government assistance shall administer and provide 3 or the plan prepared pursuant to Article 5,(commencing 4 guidance and technical assistance for the effective and 4 5 with Section 40460) of Chapter 5.5 of Part 3. (C) Establishes an air quality improvement trust fund m 5 6 efficient use of all revenues subvened under this section. The south coast district shall not establish any new fee or 6 into which all fee revenues distributed to the city or 7 charge and shall. not increase any existing fee or charge 7 8 county shall be deposited, and out of which expenditures be to reduce air from motor vehicles U 8 to replace revenue reallocated pursuant to this 9 shall made pollution pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the m 9 - 10 subdivision. (2) Funds allocated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 10 California Clean Air Act of 1988, or the plan prepared r 11 .also be used to provide technical assistance to cities 11 pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 40960} O 12 receiving funds pursuant to subdivision (b). That shall include, but not be limited to, 12 13 of Chapter 5.5 of Part 3. (2) If a city or county fails to adopt an ordinance n 13 14 technical assistance workshops and direct assistance to individual cities on 14 pursuant to this subdivision, the fee revenues which be distributed to that city or county shall instead D 3 15 how to develop and implement programs to reduce air 15 16 would be distributed to the other cities and counties within the 0 16 17 pollution from motor vehicles. (b) (1) Forty cents ($0.40) of every dollar subvened 17 south coast district which have adopted an ordinance 18 shall be distributed by the district to cities and counties 18 pursuant to this subdivision, based upon their prorated 19 located in the south coast district, based upon their . 19 20 share of registered motor vehicles, (c) Thirty cents ($0.30) of every dollar subvened shall 20 prorated share of population, to be used to implement from 21 be deposited by the district in the High Polluter Repair 21 22 programs to reduce air pollution motor vehicles authorized by, or necessary to implement, the 22 or Removal Account in the VehicleInspeetion and Repair 23 which are Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the California Clean 23 24 Fund. All funds so deposited shall be used in accordance Section 44091 for the repair or replacement of high 24 25 Air Act of 1988, or the plan prepared pursuant to Article 5 with Section 40460) of Chapter 5.5 of Part 25 with emitting vehicles to achieve the emission reductions 26 (commencing 3. No city or county may receive funds pursuant to this 26 required by the M-1 strategy of the 1994 California State 27 subdivision unless, on or before April 1, 1992, or, for a 27 28 Implementation Plan. SEC. 6. No reimbursement is required by this act 28 newly incorporated city, within 90 days of the date of has adopted and 29 pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California 29 30 incorporation, the city or county to the south coast district an ordinance which 30 Constitution because a local agency or school district has 31 transmitted does all of,the following: 31 the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments level 32 (A) Expresses support for the adoption of motor 32 33 sufficient to pay for the program or of service mandated by this act, within the meaning ofSection 17556 33 vehicle registration fees to be used to reduce air pollution 34 of the Government Code. 34 35 from . motor vehicles pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the California Clean Air Act of 1988, 35 Notwithstanding Section 17580 of the Government Code, specified, the provisions of this act . 36 or the plan prepared pursuant to Article 5 (commencing 36 37 unless otherwise shall become operative on the same date that the actQ1 37 with Section 40460) of Chapter 5.5 of Part 3. Expressly requires all fee revenues distributed to 38 takes effect pursuant to the California Constitution. m 38 39 (B) the city or county pursuant to this subdivision or • O 40 subdivision (c) to be spent to reduce air pollution from