RCRC, in coalition with our local agency partners, strongly opposes Assembly Bill 339, authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-Hayward). This measure would undermine local agencies’ efforts to provide programs and services to the public by requiring new, time-consuming, and costly administrative requirements.
Specifically, AB 339 would require the governing body of a local public agency to provide written notice to an applicable employee organization no less than 45 days prior to issuing any request for proposals, request for quotes, or renewing or extending an existing contract to perform services that are within the scope of work of the job classifications represented by the recognized employee organization.
While amendments added to this bill as it left the Senate Appropriations Committee removed additional burdensome provisions that would extend “meet and confer” requirements far more broadly than existing law, this bill remains a solution in search of a problem that will significantly delay public works projects and could grind building permit processing, design, and construction of needed housing or infrastructure projects to a halt. The bill also deters local agencies from working in partnership with local community organizations, who are at the front lines of providing critical local services.
An administrative remedy is already available to recognized employee organizations when they believe that a local agency has neglected to meet existing notification and meet and confer requirements regarding contracting. Failure to adhere to existing requirements under existing state law and related case law subjects a local agency to a potential unfair labor practice charge at the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). AB 339’s redundant and impractical approach will expose local agencies to additional costs that result from a new and potentially significant workload increase.
As our counties grapple with a substantial and growing decline in support from the state and federal government for a variety of programs and services, RCRC has joined with our local agency partners to share the message that now is not the time to undermine local agencies’ efforts to continue to provide safety net and quality of life services to their communities.
AB 339 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and awaits a possible vote on the Senate Floor. RCRC’s most recent letter of opposition can be found here.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.