CA SCR163

Reaffirms the sole authority of local agency formation commissions (LAFCOs) over the initiation, conduct, and completion of changes in organization, reorganizations, and extraterritorial services for cities and districts under the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000

Recognizes that each California county has a LAFCO composed of elected city and county members, at least one public member, and in 32 counties, special district members

Affirms LAFCOs' responsibility to develop spheres of influence for cities and special districts, establish county service areas for essential services like water and sanitation, and promote logical and orderly development

Reaffirms the Legislature's continued support for LAFCOs' authority to encourage orderly growth while preserving prime farmland and open space, a role LAFCOs have maintained for over 50 years