The bill explicitly maintains the structure of how armories are sold or leased, ensuring that the proceeds go into the Armory Fund. This fund is used for the maintenance of current armories and for the construction of new ones, thus reinforcing the state’s commitment to supporting its military infrastructure. Furthermore, it stipulates that all transactions must be based on fair market value as determined by a state-approved appraisal, promoting fiscal responsibility in property management.
Assembly Bill 3220, introduced by Assembly Member Irwin, amends Section 435 of the Military and Veterans Code concerning the leasing and sale of armory properties in California. The existing law authorizes the Director of General Services, with the approval of the Adjutant General, to lease or sell real property held for armory purposes, provided that the sale or lease has legislative approval. The bill emphasizes that any armory must be offered first to local agencies before private entities, thus ensuring that local interests are considered in the disposal of these properties.
Notably, the bill does not introduce substantial changes or new regulations but rather clarifies current processes and divisions relating to armory sales and leases. This could be seen as a point of contention among those advocating for broader reforms in property management practices or those wishing to prioritize different considerations in how public assets are handled. However, the amendments are presented as technical and nonsubstantive, which could limit the scope of public debate.