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School District Bid Threshold Raised for 2018

School districts' bid threshold for purchases of equipment, materials, supplies and services (except construction services) has been adjusted to $90,200, effective January 1, 2018.

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New Law Squeezes Local Ballot Measures for Bonds

A significant new law will require local public agencies to include additional information in summary statements for local ballot measures that raise taxes, including school district general obligation bond measures.

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New Laws Enhance Role of Student School Board Members

On September 25, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed two bills aimed at giving a stronger voice to student board members of school district governing boards.

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New Laws Update Nutrition Program Purchasing Rules

Governor Jerry Brown has signed four bills that update purchasing rules related to school food and nutrition programs and improve access to healthy food. Each of these bills will take effect January 1, 2018.

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Lead-Safe Schools Protection Act: The Continuing Duty to Address Lead

Schools, colleges and other local and state agencies have a continuing obligation to address lead in the course of new construction, modernization and maintenance projects.

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Environmental Review Not Necessarily Required Prior to Approval of a Real Property Purchase Agreement

The Fourth District Court of Appeal has ruled that the execution of a purchase and sale agreement for real property that is contingent upon compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not trigger a public agency's duty to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) under CEQA.

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Lawmakers Extend Deadline for Proposition 39 Energy Efficiency Funding and Create New Program

State lawmakers have extended the deadlines to apply for and encumber money dedicated to energy efficiency projects at schools and community colleges - the program known as Proposition 39 - and have created a new program to fund such projects indefinitely.

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California Travel Ban Does Not Apply to Local Agencies

A California law that bars state agencies from funding travel, and from requiring employees to travel, to states that permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression - and Attorney General Xavier Becerra's recent expansion of the list of states covered by the ban - have raised questions regarding whether the law applies to cities, counties, school dis

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State's Top Court Rules that Contractors Can be Prosecuted for Conflict of Interest

The California Supreme Court has ruled that an independent contractor can be criminally liable for a conflict of interest under California Government Code section 1090, expanding the universe of penalties a contractor can face for violating the statute and reversing a prior appellate court ruling that exempted contractors from criminal liability for such conflicts.

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