Sacramento, California -  Today, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) had his first bill of the year signed into law by Governor Newsom. AB-335 Imperial County Transportation Commission would expand the functions of the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) and enhance their ability to serve the needs of the Imperial Valley.

“AB 335 will expand the Imperial County Transportation Commission’s scope of duties to include non-transportation activities such as animal control, waste management, emergency response services, or multiagency communication services during countywide natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and floods,” stated Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “These changes aim to help consolidate costs, increase administrative efficiency and cooperation to better serve our region.”

“Without AB 335, ICTC would have to choose between a potential restructuring or forming an entirely different entity just to engage in the type of actions similar regional entities take for granted. AB 335 would allow ICTC to improve its service to the communities of Imperial County with greater certainty and confidence in the governance structure,” said Mark Baza, Executive Director of ICTC in a letter of support. “We support this ‘bottoms-up’ approach to regional governance that respects local authority and assures regional flexibility.”

This measure was sponsored by ICTC and received the support of the County of Imperial, Imperial Irrigation District, the California Association of Council of Governments, as well as the cities of Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland.