State mandates: procedure.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse a local government whenever the Legislature or a state agency mandates a new program or higher level of service on the local government, with specified exceptions. Existing law establishes a procedure for local governments to file claims for reimbursement of these costs with the Commission on State Mandates. Existing law requires these procedures to include, among other things, a statewide cost estimate that is adopted within 12 months after receipt of a test claim, as specified. Existing law permits a claimant or the commission to request an extension of the deadline for the statewide cost estimate for up to 6 months. This bill would instead allow a statewide cost estimate to be extended for up to 4 months.