54970-54974
GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54970-54974
54970. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that a vast and largely untapped reservoir of talent exists among the citizenry of the State of California, and that rich and varied segments of this great human resource are, all too frequently, not aware of the many opportunities which exist to participate in and serve on local regulatory and advisory boards, commissions, and committees. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the general public of this state has traditionally been denied access to information regarding vacancies which occur on such boards, commissions, and committees, thereby denying most citizens and interest groups the opportunity to nominate for consideration by the respective appointive powers persons whose particular strengths, backgrounds, experience, perspective, and talents might contribute significantly to efficient and representative policy development and administration in local government. (c) The Legislature further finds and declares that the respective local appointive powers have been denied access to a talent resource hitherto untapped. (d) The Legislature further finds and declares that all citizens of the state, regardless of their place of residence should have equal access to specific and current information about the many local regulating and advisory boards, commissions, and committees and equal opportunity to be informed of vacancies which shall occur thereon, so that they may pursue the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the operations of local government by serving on such boards, commissions, and committees. (e) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that this chapter shall apply to all cities and all counties throughout California, including charter cities and charter counties. 54971. As used in this chapter: (a) "Legislative body" means the board of supervisors or its chairman in the case of the county, or the city council or the mayor in the case of a city. (b) "Local agency" means a county or city, whether chartered or general law. 54972. On or before December 31 of each year, each legislative body shall prepare an appointments list of all regular and ongoing boards, commissions, and committees which are appointed by the legislative body of the local agency. This list shall be known as the Local Appointments List. The list shall contain the following information: (a) A list of all appointive terms which will expire during the next calendar year, with the name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment, the date the term expires, and the necessary qualifications for the position. (b) A list of all boards, commissions, and committees whose members serve at the pleasure of the legislative body, and the necessary qualifications for each position. 54973. The Local Appointments List shall be made available to members of the public for a reasonable fee which shall not exceed actual cost. The legislative body shall designate the public library with the largest service population within its jurisdiction to receive a copy of the list. 54974. (a) Whenever an unscheduled vacancy occurs in any board, commission, or committee for which the legislative body has the appointing power, whether due to resignation, death, termination, or other causes, a special vacancy notice shall be posted in the office of the clerk of the local agency, the library designated pursuant to Section 54973, and in other places as directed by the legislative body, not earlier than 20 days before or not later than 20 days after the vacancy occurs. Final appointment to the board, commission, or committee shall not be made by the legislative body for at least 10 working days after the posting of the notice in the clerk's office. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may, if it finds that an emergency exists, fill the unscheduled vacancy immediately. A person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only on an acting basis until the final appointment is made pursuant to this section.