Furthermore, the bill alters the dissemination of these reports. Previously, the Controller was required to distribute a compilation of the reports to various government officials and legislative committees. AB636 replaces this requirement with a mandate for the Controller to publish these reports on their website, allowing for public access without the need for direct distribution to state officials. This change aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of expenditure data related to local street and road funding.
Summary
Assembly Bill No. 636, authored by Irwin, amends Sections 2151 and 2154 of the Streets and Highways Code to impact how local streets and roads expenditure reports are submitted and made available. Under the current law, cities and counties are required to submit reports detailing their expenditures for street and road purposes by October 1 each year. AB636 extends this deadline to December 1, providing local governments additional time to prepare these reports based on expenditures for the preceding fiscal year ending June 30.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding AB636 appears largely supportive among legislators who view it as a practical adjustment to administrative timelines, offering local governments a more manageable deadline for reporting. The move towards public availability of reports is also seen positively, aligning with transparency initiatives and promoting accountability in the use of transportation funds.
Contention
However, there are concerns regarding the efficacy of simply publishing reports online instead of distributing them directly. Opponents may argue that this could hinder proactive oversight and engagement from state officials, potentially allowing for issues in funding allocations or expenditures to go unnoticed until the public raises concerns. Overall, the bill aims to streamline local reporting while balancing the need for public accountability.