Joint powers agreements: County of Santa Barbara: nonprofit hospitals.

The Joint Exercise of Powers Act authorizes 2 or more public agencies to enter into an agreement to jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties. This bill, notwithstanding the law relating to the joint exercise of powers, would authorize a private, nonprofit hospital in the County of Santa Barbara to enter into a joint powers agreement with a public agency. The bill would prohibit nonprofit hospitals and public agencies participating in the agreement from reducing or eliminating any emergency services following the creation of the joint powers authority without a public hearing, as provided. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Santa Barbara.