Two state bills, inspired by LAist’s investigation into millions of taxpayer dollars in Orange County that are unaccounted for, were signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday.
The new laws will go into effect Jan. 1.
- AB-2946 will require a majority vote by the Orange County Board of Supervisors before discretionary funds are awarded to a nonprofit or community group. The supervisors will also be required to post details of how the money was spent online.
- AB-3130 will require county supervisors across the state to disclose any family ties they have to a nonprofit’s employees or officers before any board awards money to the group.
“[W]e are taking a crucial step towards restoring public trust in how district discretionary funds are managed in Orange County,” Assemblymember Avelino Valencia said in a statement Monday, responding to the signing of AB 2946. “This law will provide the necessary oversight and transparency to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.”