AB 1950: Task force: former Chavez Ravine property: eminent domain: compensation.

The California Constitution authorizes private property to be taken or damaged for public use only if just compensation is paid. Existing law, the Eminent Domain Law, prescribes how that constitutionally authorized power may be exercised for an eminent domain proceeding commenced on or after January 1, 1976, as specified. Under the Eminent Domain Law, an owner of property acquired by eminent domain is entitled to compensation, as provided.

Existing law provides that, whenever a program or project to be undertaken by a public entity will result in the displacement of a person, the displaced person, as defined, is entitled to payment for actual moving and related expenses as the public entity determines to be reasonable and necessary.

This bill would create in state government a task force known as the Chavez Ravine Displaced Residents Task Force, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to evaluate the history of the residents, business owners, and landowners displaced from the Chavez Ravine area for the purpose of providing compensation to the persons displaced from the Chavez Ravine area between 1950 to 1961, inclusive, or their descendants in order to develop recommendations for the City and County of Los Angeles and the Legislature regarding how to provide just compensation to the persons wrongfully displaced from Chavez Ravine from 1950 to 1961, inclusive, or their descendants. The bill would set forth the composition of the task force, consisting of 9 members, as specified.

This bill would require the task force to make recommendations regarding compensation for individuals displaced from Chavez Ravine and strategies for educating the public about the history and impact of the Chavez Ravine displacement. The bill would additionally require the City of Los Angeles to construct a permanent memorial in recognition of the displaced residents and landowners of the Chavez Ravine community. The bill would also require the task force to provide recommendations regarding consideration of development of a searchable database to access information related to Chavez Ravine, as specified.

By imposing new duties on the City of Los Angeles and city officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City of Los Angeles.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.