Sen. Norma Torres

This measure would request that the Department of Transportation erect informational signs on State Highway Route 210 in the County of Los Angeles directing motorists to the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, consistent with the signing requirements for the state highway system and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs.

Existing law generally provides that the legislative body of any city and any charter city may make and enforce all ordinances and regulations with respect to municipal affairs, as provided, including, but not limited to, a utility user tax on the consumption of gas and electricity. Existing law provides that the board of supervisors of any county may levy a utility user tax on the consumption of, among other things, gas and electricity, in the unincorporated area of the county. This bill would provide that a local jurisdiction, as defined, may not impose a utility user tax, as specified, upon either the consumption of compressed natural gas dispensed by a gas compressor, within a local jurisdiction, that is separately metered and is dedicated to providing compressed natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel for use by the local agency or public transit operator or the consumption of electricity used to charge electric bus propulsion batteries, within a local jurisdiction, that is separately metered and is dedicated to providing electricity as fuel for an electric public transit bus.

Existing law authorizes the Director of General Services to convey to the City of Pomona certain property for use as a fire station. Existing law requires that if the city ceases to use the property transferred as a fire station, the property shall revert to the state. This bill would authorize the City of Pomona to convey to the Consolidated Fire Protection District of the County of Los Angeles a portion of that property. The bill would authorize the director to take any action necessary to ensure that the transfer of that portion of the property not result in the reversion of the property to the state. The bill would require that if the city ceases to use that portion of the property that is not conveyed for a fire station, that the portion of the property shall revert to the state.

Existing law creates the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, governed by a board of 5 voting members and 3 nonvoting members, appointed as specified, for purposes relating to the development of a light rail project extending from the City of Los Angeles to the Cities of Pasadena and Claremont, and authorizes the authority to accept grants, fees, and allocations from the state, local agencies, and private entities. This bill would provide for the extension of the project to the City of Montclair, instead of the City of Claremont. The bill would authorize the authority to also accept grants, fees, and allocations from federal agencies, and to accept transfers of funds from federal, state, and local agencies. Existing law creates the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and specifies that the LACMTA shall assume responsibility for operating the project upon dissolution of the authority. Existing law creates the San Bernardino County Transportation Commission and requires the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) to function in that capacity. This bill would require the LACMTA to assume responsibility for operating all completed phases of the project. The bill would require the authority to enter into a construction agreement with SANBAG prior to commencing construction of the portion of the project in the County of San Bernardino. The bill would grant LACMTA authority to operate the portion of the project located in the County of San Bernardino, subject to approval by SANBAG through approval of an operations and maintenance agreement, as specified, with respect to the portion of the project on the right-of-way owned by SANBAG. The bill would expand the board of the authority by one nonvoting member to be appointed by the president of the board of directors of SANBAG. Existing law authorizes the governing board of the authority to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties of the authority, including awarding and approving contracts. This bill would require that contracts awarded by the executive director comply with laws generally applicable to local agency procurements, as specified. Because this bill would require a local authority to assume additional responsibilities, it 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

This measure would recognize June 12, 2012, as the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and would call upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

This measure would proclaim February 29, 2012, as Rare Disease Day in California.

This measure would designate the month of February 2012 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and would encourage all Californians to observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with appropriate programs and activities that raise awareness about teen dating violence and promote healthy teen relationships in their communities.