Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government

Just want to remind Assemblymember Bains, Garcia, and Wilson. I'm sorry, they need to get up here so we can get the local government hearing started. And waiting for Assemblymembers Bains, Garcia, and Wilson. Welcome to the Local Government Committee hearing. We're going to start the hearing.

I would like to remind the public that for this and future hearings, testimony will be in person as we're no longer using a moderated telephone service. We also written testimony through the position letter portal on the Committee's website. I would also like to go over some ground rules for appropriate conduct.

The Assembly has experienced a number of disruptions to Committee and floor proceedings in the last few years. Conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the hearing is prohibited.

Such conduct may include talking or making loud noises from the audience, uttering loud, threatening, or abusive language, speaking longer than the time allotted, extended discussion of matters not related to the subject of the hearing or bill, and any other disruptive acts. To address this disruptive conduct I will take the following steps.

If an individual disrupts a hearing process, I will direct them to stop and warn them that continued disruption may result in removal from the capital building. I will also document on the record individual involved and the nature of the disrupted conduct. I may temporarily recess the hearing.

If the conduct does not stop, I will request the assistance of the sergeants in escorting individuals from the capital building. We do have three items on the agenda today. ABA 92 by Dr. Baines, AB 2922. Also Garcia. AB 3259, by Assemblymember Wilson.

We will hear the bills in the order unless we get an author to show up. As Assemblymember Garcia is here, we will take up to two primary witnesses in board and up to two primary witnesses in opposition. These witnesses will have three minutes each to provide their testimony. All subsequent witnesses should say their name, their organization and their position on the bill. Looks like we do have a quorum. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

We do have a quorum. With that we're going to go on item number two on the agenda, AB 2922 by Assemblymember Garcia. Whenever you're ready, Assemblymember.

Mr. Chair and colleagues, this bill has come before you earlier in the legislative session. There were some Senate amendments made in collaboration with the governor's office. Make the bill stronger. It's an incentive program to attract investment to economically disadvantaged communities. There's some labor standards now that have been included. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. I see you have no witnesses in support. Are there any primary witnesses in opposition? Any other witnesses in opposition? Seeing none, I take it back to Committee Members. Two motions to move the bill and multiple seconds as well. Would you like to close?

Yes, sir. I think you refer to me as Dr. Garcia. I'm not a doctor, but I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you.

Just don't want the doctors in the house to then, you know, question.

Well, thank you for being here today. The motion is that the Senate amendments be concurred in. Secretary, please call the roll.

The motion that Senate amendments be concurred in. [Roll Call]

7-0, the bill's out. Congratulations. Thank you.

I guess I could call myself Doc. Doctor Dre calls himself doctor. He's not a doctor, so I can say doctor. Anyways, thank you very much.

Thank you. We're gonna leave the roll open for absent Members. We're gonna go back to item number one on the agenda. Dr. Bains, you're ready?

Awesome. Thank you, Chair and Members. AB 892 is a district bill which ensures that the Kern County Hospital Authority and the Kern Medical Center foundation follow best practices, publish an annual audit, and comply with the California Public Records Act. Safeguarding the long term financial health of Kern Medical is critical for my district.

The hospital has a Medi-Cal case load north of 70%, and it is the region's only level two trauma center. Losing Kern Medical would mean losing lives. And as the closure of Madera Community Hospital has shown us, the San Joaquin Valley cannot afford to lose a single hospital, clinic, or doctor.

I have worked with all the stakeholders, including the nonprofits, to ensure this bill is workable and does not set an unattainable statewide precedent for other hospitals or the nonprofit community. The situation that exists in Kern County is unique. So a unique approach was required.

I am happy to report that after nearly two years of negotiations, there is no opposition to the bill. And with me today in support, I have Beth Malinowski on behalf of SEIU 521.

Chair and Members, Beth Malinowski, the SEIU California and proud sponsors of AB 892. SEIU represents roughly 1,600 workers at Kern County Hospital Authority. A decade ago, this body created that authority, as noted by Dr. Bains, absolutely critical to the health of Kern County.

This bill, as introduced, and as many of you saw in hearings last summer, was a much bigger, bolder bail. And we've been able to do tremendous refining as a result of the incredible work we've done at the author's office that we are grateful for.

And because of discussions that happened here last summer, discussions that actually happened at the local level, some improvements were made in important areas, including as relates to MMBA.

And so as we reflect on this positive change, we've brought you much trimmer bill here today focused on financial transparency as the Member has spoken to, and as noted, really what we're focused on right now is financial transparency.

Applying CPRA both to the authority and to affiliate foundation, making sure federal records are being completed down there and being held to both GASB and FASB standards, accounting standards that are critical, and making sure that the annual audit is not only happening, but happening in a way that's consistent with GASB, as was noted. And I just want to acknowledge as well, this bill only modernizes enabling statute relating specifically to the Kern County Hospital Authority.

And while due the relationship of the authority and the nonprofit foundation argues for the application of CPRA to this foundation specifically, this bill in no way looks to or should be interpreted to make a general policy stand on the application of CPRA more broadly to nonprofits. And so with that, in closing, respectfully, I ask for your aye vote today. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anybody else in the room that wants to vet it on in support? Seeing none. Any primary witnesses in opposition? Seeing none. Any other witnesses in opposition? Committee Members, any comments, questions? We do have a motion and a second. Dr. Bains, would you like to close?

Thank you so much, Chair and Members. This is a bill that has zero opposition. It's very near, near and dear to my heart as this is a hospital that I did my medical student rotations at, I did my entire residency at. It made me be the doctor that I am before you. So saving this hospital is utmost importance to me.

Thank you, Dr. Bains. The motion is that Senate amendments be concurred in. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

The bill's out. Congratulations. Thank you.

Thank you.

Assemblymember Wilson. Item number three on the agenda. Whenever you're ready.

Thank you. Mister chair Members, I'm pleased to present AB 3259. It is primarily a district Bill providing needed clarity and flexibility for the voters in Solano county to raise local revenue. Now, since the last time. Thank you so much. Thank you again.

Since the last time I presented this Bill, the amendments simply add two other cities that are seeking the same flexibility. The City of Pinal and the City of Campbell. It also adds an urgency clause needed for initiatives appearing on the ballot in November and other technical clarifying changes. As a reminder, this doesn't raise any taxes, it gives it to the voters. So I thank you and respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Thank you. I think we got moved.

Seconds and an extra move. I'm happy. 3rd, 4th. Can I move my own Bill? Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody in support, please state your name.

Grateful for the author, including us. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mister chair Members. Karen Lang, on behalf of the Solano County Board of Supervisors in support of the Member's Bill. And thank you to you and the staff for getting us to this point. Thank you.

Thank you. Any primary witnesses in opposition? Seeing none. Committee Members? Questions, comments? We have a first and a second. Would you like to close?

Aye, please.

The motion is that Senator Mann is being concurred in. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Seven to one, the Bill is up. Congratulations. We're going to wait a couple of minutes for those Members that are not here that want to add on. Please come on in the next couple of minutes. And we do have one. Two. AB 892 Bains.

Oh, yes, you did. I'm sorry. AB 2922. Garcia.

[Roll Call]

Thank you. We're just gonna wait a couple of minutes for those that need to add on if they want to come up to room 444. We are going to adjourn local government hearing for today. Thank you.