Supes urge governor's veto on AB 2456, AB 602

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 06:22

Supes urge governor's veto on AB 2456, AB 602

Amador County - The Amador County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to send a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger requesting he veto two proposed assembly bills they say will have a negative impact on rural counties. Assembly Bill 2456 and Assembly Bill 602 will both go to the Governor for his final consideration should they pass the Assembly. According to a newsletter included in the board’s agenda packet from the Regional Council or Rural Counties (RCRC), AB 2456 “would provide the Director of the state Emergency medical Services Authority (EMSA) with virtually unlimited power to disallow and overturn years of local EMS Agency policies and procedures.” RCRC said “AB 2456 would remove the flexibility critical to appropriate emergency care in rural areas and replace it with a lengthy and cumbersome process that does not improve the delivery of emergency services.” Assemblymember Alberto Torrico of Fremont authored the bill. The bill has already secured passage on the Senate floor. Supervisor Richard Forster, Amador County’s representative on the Regional Council of Rural Counties, said the idea behind the bill is to streamline services on all levels, but ultimately burdens local agencies with the cost “of new rules and regulations being shoved right down our throats.” The other bill, AB 602, would establish a five-year statute of limitations for any party to sue a city or county for claims arising out of housing statutes. In a letter to RCRC, Kathy Mannion, a legislative advocate, said “AB 602 would place the 21 rural counties that are still on a five-year housing element under constant threat of lawsuits.” These include Amador, Alpine and Calaveras counties. AB 602 was proposed by Assemblyman Mike Feuer of Los Angeles. Forster said AB 602 “really opens the door for lawsuits.” He said “it is unfortunate because there are some big associations out there supporting it.” These include the California Association of Realtors. Forster questioned why they would support it “because it seems like it would make their job a lot harder.” Chairman Brian Oneto said both of these bills are another example of “unwanted regulations that are sometimes unneeded.” Forster said that perhaps worst of all, the state is taking these positions without consulting with rural counties. The Supervisors unanimously passed a motion by Forster to request a veto from the governor for both bills. Governor Schwarzenegger will have 30 days from the time the bills pass the Assembly to act on the motion to veto. Supervisor John Plasse was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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