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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 3Ch. 5Art. 2§ 56853 Local Agency Consolidation Approval

§ 56853 Local Agency Consolidation Approval

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 56853 Local Agency Consolidation Approval

Key Takeaways

  • •If most leaders from two or more local groups agree on joining together or changing how they work, a special group (the commission) can say yes to their plan.
  • •The commission can change the plan, but they have to tell everyone first and wait 30 days. If anyone complains in that time, they have to talk about it in a meeting.
  • •The commission can't add or remove groups from the plan unless everyone agrees in writing.

Example

Two small towns want to combine their fire departments to save money.

If most of the leaders from both towns agree, they can ask the commission to approve their plan. The commission can make changes, but they have to tell both towns and wait 30 days. If either town doesn't like the changes, they can ask for a meeting to talk about it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 56853 Local Agency Consolidation Approval

(a) If a majority of the members of each of the legislative bodies of two or more local agencies adopt substantially similar resolutions of application making proposals either for the consolidation of districts or for the reorganization of all or any part of the districts into a single local agency, the commission shall approve, or conditionally approve, the proposal. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), a commission may order any material change in the provisions or the terms and conditions of the consolidation or reorganization, as set forth in the proposals of the local agencies. The commission shall direct the executive officer to give each subject agency mailed notice of any change prior to ordering a change. The commission shall not, without the written consent of all subject agencies, take any further action on the consolidation or reorganization for 30 days following that mailing. Upon written demand by any subject agency, filed with the executive officer during that 30-day period, the commission shall make determinations upon the proposals only after notice and hearing on the proposals. If no written demand is filed, the commission may make those determinations without notice and hearing. The application of any provision of this subdivision may be waived by consent of all of the subject agencies. (c) The commission shall not order a material change in the provisions of a consolidation or reorganization, as set forth in the proposals of the local agencies pursuant to subdivision (a), that would add or delete districts without the written consent of the applicant local agencies. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 62, Sec. 8. (AB 2698) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

consolidationreorganizationcommissionschoolterminationhearingresolutionapplication

Related Statutes

  • § 56826.5 Special District Consolidation Rules
  • § 56831 Reorganization Proposal Hearing
  • § 66654 Existing Use Continuation Rules
  • § 56824.12 Special District Service Changes
  • § 56828 Reorganization Proposal Hearings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 56853.
View Official Source