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BACKGROUND Pending in the State Legislature are a number of bills that could affect cities. The League of California Cities has asked cities to send letters of support or opposition, as indicated, to the bills discussed below. DISCUSSION Plastic Bottle Recycling Bill (SB 1625) Senator Corbett has introduced legislation that would apply the California redemption value to all plastic bottles. The revenue would be used to reduce the amount of plastic entering the marine environment and could provide counties with a funding source to implement the waste reduction requirements adopted by regional water boards. A fact sheet concerning this legislation is attached. Given this community's and this Council's commitment to waste reduction, staff is recommending that Council support this bill and authorize the Mayor to communicate that support to the State Legislature/the Governor. Binding Arbitration for Contract Disputes Bill (SB 16422 Senator Yee has introduced legislation that would re uire binding arbitration for disputes over $50,000 between a contractor and a public entity. Moreover, the failure of a public entity to respond to claims would result in the claims being deemed approved and processed for payment within five days. There are times when it makes sense to have contract disputes arbitrated but there are other times when the city may want to file a civil action rather than proceed in arbitration. If this bill were to become law, the option to litigate the dispute in superior court is largely foreclosed. For those reasons, staff is recommending the Council authorize the Mayor to send communications to the Legislature/the Governor in opposition to this bill. Public Contracting Requirements (AB 983 Assembly member Ma has introduced a bill that represents a major shift in public contracting by absolving a contactor from any responsibility for reviewing the plans before submitting a bid on a public work project. Cities in general and Pleasanton in particular strive to provide to prospective bidders on public work projects complete and accurate plans. Contractors, however, currently have an obligation to review those plans and specifications and alert a public entity if there are ambiguities or irregularities with the plans. This bill would eliminate that obligation on behalf of contractors and would likely cause cities to pay more for thorough change orders for public work projects. Accordingly, staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to send communications in opposition to this legislation. Page 2 of 3