REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst
Subject:
title
Consider positions on legislation pending before the State Legislature, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC)
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Statement of Issue:
On May 15, 2024, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC), comprised of Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Burns, and Council Member Strickland, discussed legislative items with relevance to Huntington Beach. Following discussion, the IRC chose to take a position on a State bill, which is presented to the City Council for consideration.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the legislative position taken by IRC on May 15, 2024:
A) OPPOSE Senate Bill 1174 (Min) Elections: Voter identification
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
SB 1174 (Min) Elections: Voter identification
California's Constitution allows cities and counties that adopt charters to control their own municipal affairs and makes those laws supreme over any other inconsistent law. This municipal affairs doctrine grants charter cities broad authority to enact laws governing local matters.
In March 2024, the residents of Huntington Beach voted to update Section 702 of the Huntington Beach City Charter to provide for voter identification, thereby protecting the City's elections. The updated Charter section provides that in the event of an inconsistency between the Election Code and the Charter, then the Huntington Beach City Charter should prevail.
SB 1174 was introduced to directly undermine the City's ability to regulate its own local elections and inserts the State into the City's municipal, local affairs.
Recommended legislative position: OPPOSE
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