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Attachment 2 L1 O - i October 15,2021 RECEIVED Hon. Rob Bonta OCT ' 2021 Attorney General 1300 I Street, 17`h Floor MITIAT COORDINA'TOR Sacramento,California 95814 OFF1Ck Attention: Ms.Anabel Renteria Initiative Coordinator Dear Attorney General Bonta: Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005,we have reviewed the proposed initiative regarding local land use (A.G. File No.21-0016,Amendment#1). Background State-Local Responsibilities. The state, counties,and cities generally have different responsibilities,and fund and administer different services. Cities are responsible for local needs, such as planning,to accommodate needed housing,police and fire protection,and local roads. Counties provide similar services in areas outside of cities—unincorporated areas. Counties also administer countywide services on behalf of the state, such as health and human services programs, jails,and elections.Cities and counties provide these services using a combination of local,state,and federal funding. In some cases,such as for many human services programs operated by counties,the state provides certain revenue sources to local governments. In other cases,such as some housing programs,the state sets aside grant funding for cities and counties based on varying programmatic requirements. Local Initiatives. Local voters generally have the authority to enact initiatives that override laws passed by local legislative bodies—city councils or boards of supervisors.Laws enacted by voters through a local initiative can only be modified by subsequent voter approved local initiatives,except if the initiative allows otherwise.Although local initiatives can override laws passed by local legislative bodies,they do not override state laws. Authority of General Law and Charter Cities and Counties. Tlve State Constitution allows for city and county local affairs to be governed under either the general laws of the state or under a charter adopted by local voters. Charter cities for local matters generally, and charter counties only for certain local matters, have authority to adopt their own laws which generally supersede state law. Although the State Constitution does not define local affairs,case law suggests that they include local elections, and local government contracting and employees. Despite a charter,cities and counties are subject to the U.S. Constitution,federal laws,the California Constitution, and state laws regarding matters of statewide concern.In contrast,general law cities and counties have less Legislative Analyst's Office California Legislature Gabriel Petek,Legislative Analyst 925 L Street,Suite 1000,Sediamento,CA 95814 (916)445-4656