Rubio Bill Allowing City of Rosemead Access to Local Infrastructure Funds Passes CA Assembly

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Legislature today passed a bill by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that will allow the City of Rosemead to have access to funds for local infrastructure projects that have been unavailable. It now heads to the governor's desk. 

Senate Bill 1307 would allow the City of Rosemead to utilize funding established through the 1919 Lighting District funds for public benefits allowed under 1972 Landscape and Lighting Act.

“One of my priorities has always been to work with my local cities to find local solutions,” Senator Rubio said. “This legislation came out of one of the many roundtables I’ve had with officials from Senate District 22 to see how we can work together to best serve our residents. I look forward to continuing that collaboration with all my communities. ”

The Street Lighting Act of 1919 allows a city to use its Ad Valorem allocation from its existing property tax dedicated to funding street lighting.  Funds from the 1919 Act can only be used for lighting maintenance and cannot be used for landscape maintenance, which is allowed under the 1972 Act. 

The City of Rosemead has accumulated excess funds due to the limited permissible uses from that revenue and at the same time has accumulated a deficit from its funding source in the direct assessment under the 1972 Act. 

This has created an imbalance in the district, with unusable funds currently projected at over $2 million. If the city’s district were to receive authorization from the state, these funds could be used provide improved maintenance and capital improvements on city streets, street trees, and medians. 

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