Local government: economic development subsidies.

Existing law requires each local agency, as defined, to provide specified information to the public before approving an economic development subsidy within its jurisdiction, and to, among other things, hold hearings and report on those subsidies, as provided. Existing law defines "economic development subsidy" for these purposes to mean any expenditure of public funds or loss of revenue to a local agency in the amount of $100,000 or more, for the purpose of stimulating economic development within the jurisdiction of a local agency, as provided. This bill, on and after January 1, 2020, would similarly require each local agency to provide specified information to the public before approving an economic development subsidy for a warehouse distribution center, as defined, and to, among things, hold hearings and report on those subsidies, as provided. The bill would require local agencies to submit a report to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development providing specified information and would require the office to make those reports available to the public through its internet website. The bill would require a warehouse distribution center to provide a local agency any information necessary to comply with these provisions. The bill would prohibit a local agency from signing a nondisclosure agreement regarding a warehouse distribution center as part of negotiations or in the contract for any economic development subsidy. The bill would declare that its provisions address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.