BILL NUMBER: AB 2618ENROLLED BILL TEXT PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 7, 2014 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 11, 2014 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 4, 2014 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 24, 2014 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 11, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 5, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 21, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member John A. Prez (Coauthors: Assembly Members Dickinson and Ting) FEBRUARY 21, 2014 An act to amend Sections 36601, 36602, 36603.5, 36621, 36622, 36624, 36625, 36628.5, 36650, and 36651 of, to amend and renumber Sections 36606, 36611, 36612, 36613, 36614, and 36614.5 of, and to add Sections 33609.4, 36609.5, 36614.6, 36614.7, and 36615.5 to, the Streets and Highways Code, relating to benefit assessments. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2618, John A. Prez. Property and business improvement areas: benefit assessments. The California Constitution generally requires that assessments, fees, and charges be submitted to property owners for approval or rejection after the provision of written notice and the holding of a public hearing. The Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 authorizes cities to form property and business improvement districts that may levy assessments within a district for the purpose of making improvements and promoting activities of benefit to the properties and businesses within the district, and defines various terms for purposes of the law. The law requires a management district plan to include, among other things, the name of the proposed district, a description of the boundaries of the district, and the total annual amount proposed to be expended for improvements, maintenance and operations, and debt service in each year of operation of the district. This bill would require a management district plan to additionally include, for districts that are property-based, the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel, to be determined as prescribed, the total amount of all special benefits to be conferred on the properties located within the property-based district, the total amount of any general benefit, and a detailed engineer's report, as specified. This bill would define the term "special benefit" for purposes of that law to mean a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits, as defined, conferred on real property located in a district or to the public at large, and would specify that special benefit includes incidental or collateral effects that arise even if those effects benefit property or persons not assessed. The law additionally requires the city council to adopt a resolution of formation containing, among other things, a statement that the improvements and activities to be provided in the district will be funded by the levy of the assessments and a finding that the property or businesses within the area of the district will be benefited by the improvements and activities funded by the assessments proposed to be levied. This bill would require a finding that the property within the district will receive a special benefit and the total amount of all special benefits to be conferred on the properties within the property-based district. The bill would make various conforming changes to specify that the provisions described above apply to maintenance as well as improvements and activities. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 36601 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36601. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Businesses located and operating within business districts in some of this state's communities are economically disadvantaged, are underutilized, and are unable to attract customers due to inadequate facilities, services, and activities in the business districts. (b) It is in the public interest to promote the economic revitalization and physical maintenance of business districts in order to create jobs, attract new businesses, and prevent the erosion of the business districts. (c) It is of particular local benefit to allow business districts to fund business related improvements, maintenance, and activities through the levy of assessments upon the businesses or real property that receive benefits from those improvements. (d) Assessments levied for the purpose of conferring special benefit upon the real property or businesses in a business district are not taxes for the general benefit of a city, even if property or persons not assessed receive incidental or collateral effects that benefit them. (e) Property and business improvement districts formed throughout this state have conferred special benefits upon properties and businesses within their districts and have made those properties and businesses more useful by providing the following benefits: (1) Crime reduction. A study by the Rand Corporation has confirmed a 12-percent reduction in the incidence of robbery and an 8-percent reduction in the total incidence of violent crimes within the 30 districts studied. (2) Job creation. (3) Business attraction. (4) Business retention. (5) Economic growth. (6) New investments. (f) With the dissolution of redevelopment agencies throughout the state, property and business improvement districts have become even more important tools with which communities can combat blight, promote economic opportunities, and create a clean and safe environment. (g) Since the enactment of this act, the people of California have adopted Proposition 218, which added Article XIII D to the Constitution in order to place certain requirements and restrictions on the formation of, and activities, expenditures, and assessments by property-based districts. Article XIII D of the Constitution provides that property-based districts may only levy assessments for special benefits. (h) The act amending this section is intended to provide the Legislature's guidance with regard to this act, its interaction with the provisions of Article XIII D of the Constitution, and the determination of special benefits in property-based districts. (1) The lack of legislative guidance has resulted in uncertainty and inconsistent application of this act, which discourages the use of assessments to fund needed improvements, maintenance, and activities in property-based districts, contributing to blight and other underutilization of property. (2) Activities undertaken for the purpose of conferring special benefits upon property to be assessed inherently produce incidental or collateral effects that benefit property or persons not assessed. Therefore, for special benefits to exist as a separate and distinct category from general benefits, the incidental or collateral effects of those special benefits are inherently part of those special benefits. The mere fact that special benefits produce incidental or collateral effects that benefit property or persons not assessed does not convert any portion of those special benefits or their incidental or collateral effects into general benefits. (3) It is of the utmost importance that property-based districts created under this act have clarity regarding restrictions on assessments they may levy and the proper determination of special benefits. Legislative clarity with regard to this act will provide districts with clear instructions and courts with legislative intent regarding restrictions on property-based assessments, and the manner in which special benefits should be determined. SEC. 2. Section 36602 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36602. The purpose of this part is to supplement previously enacted provisions of law that authorize cities to levy assessments within property and business improvement districts, to ensure that those assessments conform to all constitutional requirements and are determined and assessed in accordance with the guidance set forth in this act. This part does not affect or limit any other provisions of law authorizing or providing for the furnishing of improvements or activities or the raising of revenue for these purposes. SEC. 3. Section 36603.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36603.5. Any provision of this part that conflicts with any other provision of law shall prevail over the other provision of law, as to districts created under this part. SEC. 4. Section 36606 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36606.5. "Assessment" means a levy for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing, or maintaining improvements and providing activities that will provide certain benefits to properties or businesses located within a property and business improvement district. SEC. 5. Section 36609.4 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 36609.4. "Clerk" means the clerk of the legislative body. SEC. 6. Section 36609.5 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 36609.5. "General benefit" means, for purposes of a property-based district, any benefit that is not a "special benefit" as defined in Section 36615.5. SEC. 7. Section 36611 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36614.5. "Property and business improvement district," or "district," means a property and business improvement district established pursuant to this part. SEC. 8. Section 36612 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36614. "Property" means real property situated within a district. SEC. 9. Section 36613 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36606. "Activities" means, but is not limited to, all of the following that benefit businesses or real property in the district: (a) Promotion of public events. (b) Furnishing of music in any public place. (c) Promotion of tourism within the district. (d) Marketing and economic development, including retail retention and recruitment. (e) Providing security, sanitation, graffiti removal, street and sidewalk cleaning, and other municipal services supplemental to those normally provided by the municipality. (f) Other services provided for the purpose of conferring special benefit upon assessed businesses and real property located in the district. SEC. 10. Section 36614 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36611. "Management district plan" or "plan" means a proposal as defined in Section 36622. SEC. 11. Section 36614.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended and renumbered to read: 36612. "Owners' association" means a private nonprofit entity that is under contract with a city to administer or implement improvements, maintenance, and activities specified in the management district plan. An owners' association may be an existing nonprofit entity or a newly formed nonprofit entity. An owners' association is a private entity and may not be considered a public entity for any purpose, nor may its board members or staff be considered to be public officials for any purpose. Notwithstanding this section, an owners' association shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), at all times when matters within the subject matter of the district are heard, discussed, or deliberated, and with the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), for all records relating to activities of the district. SEC. 12. Section 36614.6 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 36614.6. "Property-based assessment" means any assessment made pursuant to this part upon real property. SEC. 13. Section 36614.7 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 36614.7. "Property-based district" means any district in which a city levies a property-based assessment. SEC. 14. Section 36615.5 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 36615.5. "Special benefit" means, for purposes of a property-based district, a particular and distinct benefit over and above general benefits conferred on real property located in a district or to the public at large. Special benefit includes incidental or collateral effects that arise from the improvements, maintenance, or activities of property-based districts even if those incidental or collateral effects benefit property or persons not assessed. Special benefit excludes general enhancement of property value. SEC. 15. Section 36621 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36621. (a) Upon the submission of a written petition, signed by the property or business owners in the proposed district who will pay more than 50 percent of the assessments proposed to be levied, the city council may initiate proceedings to form a district by the adoption of a resolution expressing its intention to form a district. The amount of assessment attributable to property or a business owned by the same property or business owner that is in excess of 40 percent of the amount of all assessments proposed to be levied, shall not be included in determining whether the petition is signed by property or business owners who will pay more than 50 percent of the total amount of assessments proposed to be levied. (b) The petition of property or business owners required under subdivision (a) shall include a summary of the management district plan. That summary shall include all of the following: (1) A map showing the boundaries of the district. (2) Information specifying where the complete management district plan can be obtained. (3) Information specifying that the complete management district plan shall be furnished upon request. (c) The resolution of intention described in subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following: (1) A brief description of the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, the amount of the proposed assessment, a statement as to whether the assessment will be levied on property or businesses within the district, a statement as to whether bonds will be issued, and a description of the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The descriptions and statements do not need to be detailed and shall be sufficient if they enable an owner to generally identify the nature and extent of the improvements, maintenance, and activities, and the location and extent of the proposed district. (2) A time and place for a public hearing on the establishment of the property and business improvement district and the levy of assessments, which shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 36623. SEC. 16. Section 36622 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36622. The management district plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following: (a) If the assessment will be levied on property, a map of the district in sufficient detail to locate each parcel of property and, if businesses are to be assessed, each business within the district. If the assessment will be levied on businesses, a map that identifies the district boundaries in sufficient detail to allow a business owner to reasonably determine whether a business is located within the district boundaries. If the assessment will be levied on property and businesses, a map of the district in sufficient detail to locate each parcel of property and to allow a business owner to reasonably determine whether a business is located within the district boundaries. (b) The name of the proposed district. (c) A description of the boundaries of the district, including the boundaries of benefit zones, proposed for establishment or extension in a manner sufficient to identify the affected property and businesses included, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The boundaries of a proposed property assessment district shall not overlap with the boundaries of another existing property assessment district created pursuant to this part. This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a district created pursuant to this part to overlap with other assessment districts established pursuant to other provisions of law, including, but not limited to, the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 (Part 6 (commencing with Section 36500)). This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a business assessment district created pursuant to this part to overlap with another business assessment district created pursuant to this part. This part does not prohibit the boundaries of a business assessment district created pursuant to this part to overlap with a property assessment district created pursuant to this part. (d) The improvements, maintenance, and activities proposed for each year of operation of the district and the maximum cost thereof. If the improvements, maintenance, and activities proposed for each year of operation are the same, a description of the first year's proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities and a statement that the same improvements, maintenance, and activities are proposed for subsequent years shall satisfy the requirements of this subdivision. (e) The total annual amount proposed to be expended for improvements, maintenance, or activities, and debt service in each year of operation of the district. If the assessment is levied on businesses, this amount may be estimated based upon the assessment rate. If the total annual amount proposed to be expended in each year of operation of the district is not significantly different, the amount proposed to be expended in the initial year and a statement that a similar amount applies to subsequent years shall satisfy the requirements of this subdivision. (f) The proposed source or sources of financing, including the proposed method and basis of levying the assessment in sufficient detail to allow each property or business owner to calculate the amount of the assessment to be levied against his or her property or business. The plan also shall state whether bonds will be issued to finance improvements. (g) The time and manner of collecting the assessments. (h) The specific number of years in which assessments will be levied. In a new district, the maximum number of years shall be five. Upon renewal, a district shall have a term not to exceed 10 years. Notwithstanding these limitations, a district created pursuant to this part to finance capital improvements with bonds may levy assessments until the maximum maturity of the bonds. The management district plan may set forth specific increases in assessments for each year of operation of the district. (i) The proposed time for implementation and completion of the management district plan. (j) Any proposed rules and regulations to be applicable to the district. (k) (1) A list of the properties or businesses to be assessed, including the assessor's parcel numbers for properties to be assessed, and a statement of the method or methods by which the expenses of a district will be imposed upon benefited real property or businesses, in proportion to the benefit received by the property or business, to defray the cost thereof. (2) In a property-based district, the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel shall be determined exclusively in relationship to the entirety of the capital cost of a public improvement, the maintenance and operation expenses of a public improvement, or the cost of the activities. An assessment shall not be imposed on any parcel that exceeds the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on that parcel. Only special benefits are assessable, and a property-based district shall separate the general benefits, if any, from the special benefits conferred on a parcel. Parcels within a property-based district that are owned or used by any city, public agency, the State of California, or the United States shall not be exempt from assessment unless the governmental entity can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that those publicly owned parcels in fact receive no special benefit. The value of any incidental, secondary, or collateral effects that arise from the improvements, maintenance, or activities of a property-based district and that benefit property or persons not assessed shall not be deducted from the entirety of the cost of any special benefit or affect the proportionate special benefit derived by each identified parcel. (l) In a property-based district, the total amount of all special benefits to be conferred upon the properties located within the property-based district. (m) In a property-based district, the total amount of general benefits, if any. (n) In a property-based district, a detailed engineer's report prepared by a registered professional engineer certified by the State of California supporting all assessments contemplated by the management district plan. (o) Any other item or matter required to be incorporated therein by the city council. SEC. 17. Section 36624 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36624. At the conclusion of the public hearing to establish the district, the city council may adopt, revise, change, reduce, or modify the proposed assessment or the type or types of improvements, maintenance, and activities to be funded with the revenues from the assessments. Proposed assessments may only be revised by reducing any or all of them. At the public hearing, the city council may only make changes in, to, or from the boundaries of the proposed property and business improvement district that will exclude territory that will not benefit from the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities. Any modifications, revisions, reductions, or changes to the proposed assessment district shall be reflected in the notice and map recorded pursuant to Section 36627. SEC. 18. Section 36625 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36625. (a) If the city council, following the public hearing, decides to establish a proposed property and business improvement district, the city council shall adopt a resolution of formation that shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) A brief description of the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, the amount of the proposed assessment, a statement as to whether the assessment will be levied on property, businesses, or both within the district, a statement on whether bonds will be issued, and a description of the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, which may be made by reference to any plan or map that is on file with the clerk. The descriptions and statements need not be detailed and shall be sufficient if they enable an owner to generally identify the nature and extent of the improvements, maintenance, and activities and the location and extent of the proposed district. (2) The number, date of adoption, and title of the resolution of intention. (3) The time and place where the public hearing was held concerning the establishment of the district. (4) A determination regarding any protests received. The city shall not establish the district or levy assessments if a majority protest was received. (5) A statement that the properties, businesses, or properties and businesses in the district established by the resolution shall be subject to any amendments to this part. (6) A statement that the improvements, maintenance, and activities to be conferred on businesses and properties in the district will be funded by the levy of the assessments. The revenue from the levy of assessments within a district shall not be used to provide improvements, maintenance, or activities outside the district or for any purpose other than the purposes specified in the resolution of intention, as modified by the city council at the hearing concerning establishment of the district. (7) A finding that the property or businesses within the area of the property and business improvement district will be benefited by the improvements, maintenance, and activities funded by the proposed assessments, and, for a property-based district, that property within the district will receive a special benefit. (8) In a property-based district, the total amount of all special benefits to be conferred on the properties within the property-based district. (b) The adoption of the resolution of formation and, if required, recordation of the notice and map pursuant to Section 36627 shall constitute the levy of an assessment in each of the fiscal years referred to in the management district plan. SEC. 19. Section 36628.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36628.5. The city council may levy assessments on businesses or on property owners, or a combination of the two, pursuant to this part. The city council shall structure the assessments in whatever manner it determines corresponds with the distribution of benefits from the proposed improvements, maintenance, and activities, provided that any property-based assessment conforms with the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (k) of Section 36622. SEC. 20. Section 36650 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36650. (a) The owners' association shall cause to be prepared a report for each fiscal year, except the first year, for which assessments are to be levied and collected to pay the costs of the improvements, maintenance, and activities described in the report. The owners' association's first report shall be due after the first year of operation of the district. The report may propose changes, including, but not limited to, the boundaries of the property and business improvement district or any benefit zones within the district, the basis and method of levying the assessments, and any changes in the classification of property, including any categories of business, if a classification is used. (b) The report shall be filed with the clerk and shall refer to the property and business improvement district by name, specify the fiscal year to which the report applies, and, with respect to that fiscal year, shall contain all of the following information: (1) Any proposed changes in the boundaries of the property and business improvement district or in any benefit zones or classification of property or businesses within the district. (2) The improvements, maintenance, and activities to be provided for that fiscal year. (3) An estimate of the cost of providing the improvements, maintenance, and activities for that fiscal year. (4) The method and basis of levying the assessment in sufficient detail to allow each real property or business owner, as appropriate, to estimate the amount of the assessment to be levied against his or her property or business for that fiscal year. (5) The estimated amount of any surplus or deficit revenues to be carried over from a previous fiscal year. (6) The estimated amount of any contributions to be made from sources other than assessments levied pursuant to this part. (c) The city council may approve the report as filed by the owners' association or may modify any particular contained in the report and approve it as modified. Any modification shall be made pursuant to Sections 36635 and 36636. The city council shall not approve a change in the basis and method of levying assessments that would impair an authorized or executed contract to be paid from the revenues derived from the levy of assessments, including any commitment to pay principal and interest on any bonds issued on behalf of the district. SEC. 21. Section 36651 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 36651. The management district plan may, but is not required to, state that an owners' association will provide the improvements, maintenance, and activities described in the management district plan. If the management district plan designates an owners' association, the city shall contract with the designated nonprofit corporation to provide services.