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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter of opposition to California Assembly Bill 1608, which would remove the authority of the Board of Supervisors to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill 1608 (AB 1608) was introduced in January 2022 by Assemblymembers Mike Gipson (D-64) and Akilah Weber (D-79).
As explained by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Counsel: “Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county to consolidate the duties of various county offices in various combinations, including combining the duties of the sheriff and the coroner. This bill would remove the board of supervisors’ authority to combine the duties of the sheriff with the duties of the coroner. The bill would also remove the board of supervisors’ authority to combine the duties of the tax collector with the duties of the coroner.”
The bill passed in the Assembly in May 2022 by a vote of 44-20 and is currently making its way through various Senate committees.
Patrick Blacklock, President and CEO of Rural County Representatives of California, said, “Since Assembly Member Gipson has been unwilling to take any amendments, it's incredibly important for counties with a consolidated model that do not want a standalone coroner's office to engage on the bill by sending an opposition letter to Senate Public Safety and calling your respective representatives.”
At this time it is unclear whether the bill would apply to charter counties such as El Dorado County where the charter identifies the consolidation of the Sheriff and Coroner. In addition, at this time neither the bill nor the Legislature have identified any funding to offset the cost to counties which would be required to set up a standalone Sheriff's Office. Initial estimates from the Sheriff's Office identify a cost increase of at least $6 million/year.
While this bill may end up...
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