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Appellate Court Refuses To Enforce An Indemnity Provision Included In Consultant Agreement It Considers To Be Unfair To Consultant Plaintiffs

On December 9, 2019, the Appellate Court filed its decisions inLong Beach Unified School District v. Margaret Williams LLC, holding that an indemnity provision included in a consultant agreement between the parties was unfair and therefore inapplicable to claims brought by the consultant, Margaret Williams, or her consultant company, Margaret Williams LLC, against the District.

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Public Agencies Can Be Liable For Attorney's Fees In Reverse-CPRA Actions

The risks involved in asking a court to halt the disclosure of documents sought under a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request were just expanded to public agencies. About a year ago, we reported that a pair of court decisions held that private parties who lose in a lawsuit, to prevent government agencies from disclosing personal information, may be required to pay the reques

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New Law Continues Availability Of Design-Build Construction Delivery Method To Community College District But Also Imposes Additional Labor Requirements

While a new law ensures that community college districts may continue to utilize the design-build construction delivery method for another ten years, it also imposes additional labor requirements on all design-build projects.

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Bill Intended To Establish E-Mail Retention Requirement For Public Agencies Vetoed By Governor Newsom

California lawmakers recently proposed Assembly Bill (AB) 1184, which would have required public agencies to retain business related e-mails for at least two years. While the Governor did not sign the bill, this legislative effort again shows the significant interest in preserving e-mails as part of a public agency's public record.

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Bid Thresholds Raised For 2020

According to the California Department of Education Office of Financial Accountability and Information Services, pursuant to Public Contract Code section 20111(a), the bid threshold for K-12 school districts' purchases of equipment, materials, supplies and services (except construction services) has been adjusted to $95,200, effective January 1, 2020.

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Appellate Court Finds That Solar Energy Project Was Not Exempt From City's Zoning Ordinance

A recent California appellate court ruling has clarified the requirements for a local agency's compliance with city or county zoning ordinances.

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New Laws Will Impact Public Work Projects

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two laws that will impact public works contracts in California. Assembly Bill (AB) 456 extends the operative date for the current contractor claims resolution process to January 1, 2027.

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New Law Requiring Later Start Times For Middle Schools And High Schools Creates Uncertainty For Educational Agencies

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 328, which establishes new mandatory school day start times for most middle schools and high schools.

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AB 48 Increases Bonding Capacity, Provides Facilities Funding At Multiple Levels, Prioritizes Small School Districts, And Reduces Available Developer Fees For School Districts ... But Only Applies If

The California Legislature recently passed, and on October 7 Governor Newsom signed, Assembly Bill (AB) 48, known as the "Public Preschool, K-12, and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020."

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