Surplus property: disposal.
The impact of AB 2943 is significant as it maintains local agencies' authority to decide on the disposal of surplus land. Existing law required a formal declaration and subsequent management protocols for surplus land, which sometimes pressured local agencies to divest properties regardless of their potential future utility. By granting local agencies the ability to choose whether to dispose of surplus land, the bill facilitates more tailored approaches to land use and planning, which can be essential for community needs and local development strategies.
Assembly Bill 2943, introduced by Assembly Member Ting on February 21, 2020, seeks to amend Section 54221 of the Government Code concerning the disposal of surplus land by local agencies in California. The bill clarifies that while regulations exist for declaring land as surplus and facilitating its disposal, local agencies are not required to dispose of land deemed surplus. This key provision emphasizes the discretion agencies have concerning surplus property management, allowing them to retain ownership if it's determined that such land is not necessary for public use.
The bill also addresses concerns surrounding the housing crisis and urban development within California. Some opponents may argue that enabling local agencies to withhold surplus land could deter necessary housing development and worsen the state’s housing shortages. Conversely, advocates might contend that this flexibility allows local agencies to better manage land for future public needs instead of succumbing to pressure to sell surplus properties prematurely. Overall, AB 2943 encapsulates the ongoing tension between local control over land use and the broader needs for housing development in California.