To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: June 24, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Darcie Antle |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Kelly Hansen |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Ratification of Letter of Opposition for Assembly Bill 1337 (Ward) - Information Practices Act of 1977
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Ratify letter of opposition for Assembly Bill Assembly Bill 1337 (Ward) - Information Practices Act of 1977.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
The Board of Supervisors regularly issues support letters that align with the 2025 Legislative Platform. These letters advocate for adequate and ongoing federal and state funding, timely distribution of resources, increased local authority, and flexibility in administering and providing services.
Summary of Request:
AB 1337 mandates that all local government entities-including all 58 counties, 483 cities, more than 1,000 school districts and county offices of education, approximately 2,200 independent special districts, and numerous joint powers authorities (JPAs), regional bodies, and other public agencies-must comply with the Information Practices Act (IPA). This act currently applies only to state agencies. The bill expands the definition of "personal information" to more closely align with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and places restrictions on how local agencies can collect, use, and share such information. Additionally, it imposes civil and criminal penalties for negligent or intentional misuse of data.
Key Provisions:
• Applies IPA privacy standards to all local agencies.
• Expands "personal information" protections to include geolocation, biometric data, and more.
• Requires prior written consent before using data for purposes other than originally collected.
• Eliminates longstanding exemptions that previously allowed information sharing with law enforcement or for regulatory purposes.
• Makes negligent violations by agency staff subject to discipline, including termination, and classifies unauthorized medical disclosures as misdemeanors.
AB 1337 would impose extensive, unfunded mandates that could cost local agencies tens of millions of dollars statewide. Compliance would require new IT infrastructure, staff training, policy development, and legal oversight. With a proposed implementation date of January 1, 2026, counties and other agencies might have less than three months to comply if the bill is signed into law. These changes could disrupt essential services and undermine core functions, particularly in public health, education, and emergency response.
Supported by privacy advocacy organizations such as Oakland Privacy and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, AB 1337 faces opposition from a broad coalition of local government groups, including California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), and Urban Counties of California (UCC). These groups argue that the bill is excessively burdensome, lacks clarity, and imposes unrealistic timelines and technical requirements on local jurisdictions.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not ratify letter of opposition and provide alternative direction.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1337>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Approved |
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Date: June 24, 2025 |
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