Government Code 61115
The passage of Senate Bill 1405 codified section K in Government Code 61115 giving LACSD new powers and the ability to take over AWAC. Upon community uproar against the amendment, AWAC made the official request that Senator Bogh amend the law in it's current form removing section K and thus eliminating the new powers that LACSD obtained.
As of October 16, 2023, section K is still in effect. Senator Ochoa Bogh has vowed to rescind section K by sponsoring new legislation in January when the 2024 legislative session begins.
AWAC's letter to Senator Ochoa Bogh requesting amendment of GC 61115 removing section K.
(July 28, 2023)
AWAC's letter to Woods Homeowners.
(July 28, 2023)
Senator Bogh's response letter vowing to address AWAC's request to amend.
(September 12, 2023)
SB-1405 passes the Senate Local Government Committee with a vote of 6-0! (5-1-2024)
On May 1, 2024, the Senate Local Government Committee approved amending former SB-1405 to remove LACSD's merger/take over of AWAC, Inc. This is an immediate and significant victory for all of us, but we still have a long way to go to have this amended SB-1405 bill become law. Our thanks go out to everyone who supported this effort with petitions, and otherwise, in order to make this happen. We have a long way to go, but we are off to an excellent start. Together, we can move mountains.
Here is a description of today's event along with an explanation of the future process. This explanation was emailed to us by the Senator's office staff today:
SB 1405 passed the Senate Local Government Committee with a vote of 6-0 this morning!
SB 1405 was on the Consent Calendar, as was previously mentioned could be the case. The Consent Calendar is made up of the non-controversial bills on the agenda. Before each hearing, the committee chair asks each committee member if he/she supports the bills being proposed for consent. If so, the bills are placed on the Consent Calendar, and one vote is taken on all the bills on the list. The Consent Calendar is taken up for a vote once a quorum has been established. If all members aren't present during the vote, it is put "on call" so absent members can vote on the consent calendar once they are present. At the beginning of this morning's Local Government Committee hearing, each bill included in the Consent Calendar was announced.
SB 1405 will now move to the Senate Floor, where it will remain on the consent calendar. Once I know what day it will be taken up, I’ll let you know. After it passes the Senate, it will move to the Assembly, and the process will begin again. Hopefully, the members of the Assembly Local Government Committee will agree to place the bill on their consent calendar. After a bill passes both houses, it is sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature.