Bill > AB2385

This bill aims to enhance local disaster preparedness and recovery by allowing cities and counties to establish "local reconstruction agencies" to manage post-disaster rebuilding efforts. It revises existing laws to ensure that a city or county's general plan is consistent with its disaster recovery plan, which will now include intermediate recovery phases alongside short-term and long-term efforts. The bill also mandates that state offices assess recovery needs and develop model ordinance language and guidance for these disaster recovery plans. Crucially, it authorizes local governments to adopt ordinances before a disaster that would establish a local reconstruction agency with broad powers, similar to those previously held by community redevelopment agencies, including the ability to sue and be sued, enter contracts, issue bonds, and accept financial assistance. These agencies can also receive certain tax revenues generated within the designated "local reconstruction area" (an area significantly impacted by disaster damage) to fund recovery activities. The bill specifies that the board overseeing these agencies will be composed of members from local government legislative bodies and the public, and will be subject to open meeting and public records laws. Finally, it requires that a date for the agency's dissolution be set, not exceeding 45 years from the issuance of a bond or approval of a loan.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2385