CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 394Introduced by Assembly Member ObernolteFebruary 06, 2019 An act to add Section 21080.50 to the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 394, as introduced, Obernolte. California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: fire safety.The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.This bill would exempt from CEQA projects or activities recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection that improve the fire safety of an existing subdivision if certain conditions are met. The bill would require the lead agency to hold a noticed public meeting to hear and respond to public comments before determining that a project or activity is exempt. The bill would require the lead agency to file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and with the clerk of the county in which the project or activity will be located. Because the bill would impose additional duties on a lead agency, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21080.50 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152. SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 394Introduced by Assembly Member ObernolteFebruary 06, 2019 An act to add Section 21080.50 to the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 394, as introduced, Obernolte. California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: fire safety.The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.This bill would exempt from CEQA projects or activities recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection that improve the fire safety of an existing subdivision if certain conditions are met. The bill would require the lead agency to hold a noticed public meeting to hear and respond to public comments before determining that a project or activity is exempt. The bill would require the lead agency to file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and with the clerk of the county in which the project or activity will be located. Because the bill would impose additional duties on a lead agency, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 394
Introduced by Assembly Member ObernolteFebruary 06, 2019
Introduced by Assembly Member Obernolte
February 06, 2019
An act to add Section 21080.50 to the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 394, as introduced, Obernolte. California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: fire safety.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.This bill would exempt from CEQA projects or activities recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection that improve the fire safety of an existing subdivision if certain conditions are met. The bill would require the lead agency to hold a noticed public meeting to hear and respond to public comments before determining that a project or activity is exempt. The bill would require the lead agency to file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and with the clerk of the county in which the project or activity will be located. Because the bill would impose additional duties on a lead agency, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.
This bill would exempt from CEQA projects or activities recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection that improve the fire safety of an existing subdivision if certain conditions are met. The bill would require the lead agency to hold a noticed public meeting to hear and respond to public comments before determining that a project or activity is exempt. The bill would require the lead agency to file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and with the clerk of the county in which the project or activity will be located. Because the bill would impose additional duties on a lead agency, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21080.50 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152. SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 21080.50 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152.
SECTION 1. Section 21080.50 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152.
21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152.
21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993). (b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:(i) A state responsibility area.(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code). (E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152.
21080.50. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Riparian area means an area that is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, that is distinguished by gradients in biophysical conditions, ecological processes, and biota, and that meets all of the following criteria:
(A) Is an area through which surface and subsurface hydrology connect bodies of water with their adjacent uplands.
(B) Is adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes, or estuarine or marine shorelines.
(C) Includes those portions of terrestrial ecosystems that significantly influence exchanges of energy and matter with aquatic ecosystems.
(2) Subdivision means a residential development of more than 30 dwelling units.
(3) Wetlands has the same meaning as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW 2 (June 21, 1993).
(b) (1) This division does not apply to a project or activity recommended by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4290.5 that improves fire safety of an existing subdivision if all of the following conditions are met:
(A) The subdivision has insufficient egress routes, as determined by the lead agency.
(B) The subdivision is located in either of the following:
(i) A state responsibility area.
(ii) A very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code.
(C) The location of the project or activity does not contain wetlands or riparian areas.
(D) The project or activity does not harm any species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the Native Plant Protection Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code), or the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code).
(E) The project or activity does not cause the destruction or removal of any species protected by an applicable local ordinance.
(2) Projects eligible pursuant to this section include the creation of additional access to the subdivision, improvement of the existing access road, and other fire safety recommendations made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
(c) Before determining that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall hold a noticed public meeting on the project or activity to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the project or activity.
(d) If the lead agency determines that a project or activity is not subject to this division pursuant to this section, and the lead agency determines to approve or carry out that project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clerk in the county in which the project or activity is located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 2.