District-based elections.

Existing law provides for political subdivisions that encompass areas of representation within the state. With respect to these areas, public officials are generally elected by all of the voters of the political subdivision (at-large) or by districts formed within the political subdivision (district-based) . Existing law requires a political subdivision that changes from an at-large method of election to a district-based election, or that establishes district-based elections, to perform various actions before a public hearing at which it votes upon an ordinance establishing district-based elections. Among these actions, the political subdivision must hold at least 2 public hearings before drawing a draft map of the proposed boundaries and at least 2 public hearings after all maps are drawn, and invite the public's input at these hearings. This bill would require a public hearing concerning district-based elections, as described above, that is consolidated with a meeting of the governing body of the political subdivision that includes other substantive agenda items, to begin at a fixed time regardless of its order on the agenda. The bill would require the governing body to provide notice of the hearing to the public. Because the bill would impose additional duties on local agencies, this bill would impose 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 the statutory provisions noted above.