Legal Updates & Publications

This week the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit decided three cases involving city ordinances relating to billboards. Such ordinances are commonly challenged under the First Amendment as infringements of free speech rights. The major issues discussed in these cases include: Cities.

California’s 2006-2007 Legislative Session ended recently, and saw the enactment of a number of bills which may have a significant impact on local government administration, public safety, and housing. The following link will direct you to AGC’s The Capitol Report, a list of notable bills.

The Governor has signed a recent bill that underscores the complex legal issues surrounding preemption – the legal condition which exists when local legislation conflicts with state or federal law – and issues surrounding the current immigration debate. On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger.

The California Court of Appeal recently held that provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act [1] impose upon local agencies a mandatory duty to review and respond to water quality monitoring. This decision clarifies the mandatory obligations of cities and counties, and may impact claims.

The California Court of Appeal recently ruled in Katsura v. City of San Buenaventura [1] that a city was not liable for extra work performed that was not specified in the parties’ contract but was purportedly orally authorized by a city employee. In Katsura, plaintiff.