South Coast Air Quality Management District: election of board members.

The Lewis-Presley Air Quality Management Act establishes the South Coast Air Quality Management District in those portions of the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino included within the South Coast Air Basin as the local agency with the responsibility for comprehensive air pollution control within the basin. The act requires the south coast district to be governed by a district board consisting of 13 appointed members. This bill would require the members of the south coast district governing board to be elected by divisions commencing with the 2012 general election. By imposing new duties on local officials in establishing new electoral divisions and conducting elections, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. 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 these statutory provisions.