SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 2762 by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), which would improve the local planning process by allowing 17 Southern California tribes to voluntarily join the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), was approved today by the State Assembly by an overwhelming margin of 60 to 2.

“Comprehensive regional planning requires that all affected parties be involved in the decision-making process,” Assemblymember Levine said. “My legislation would allow more collaboration between governments involved in planning for the future of Southern California.”

As SCAG continues to address the needs of its six county region, particularly as it relates to transportation planning and projects, it is necessary to give tribes in the area the ability to participate in the decision-making process. AB 2762 gives tribes the choice to join SCAG, ensuring their sovereignty is preserved.

“As Tribal Government’s economic opportunities increase, their economic prosperity often impacts the surrounding regions,” Levine added. “It is only appropriate that tribes have a seat at the table to engage in discussions on how to best address those impacts, as well as the impacts from the surrounding community on tribal lands.”

SCAG’s ability to plan for the future is being inhibited because tribes are not permitted to formally join in the discussions or decisions that this Joint Power Authority is authorized to make.

Joint Power Authorities are entities created to sanction governments to work cooperatively in addressing regional issues. The Southern California Association of Governments is the largest regional planning agency in the nation, functioning as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. 

AB 2762 now goes to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.