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Home My WebLink AboutD-5 Staff Report - AB 734 OppositionSCHEDULED ITEM D-5 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER DATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2024 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF CITY RESOLUTION AND POSITION LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO ASSEMBLY BILL 734 (MCCARTY) BACKGROUND: On February 13, 2023, State Assemblymember McCarty introduced Assembly Bill 734 (AB 734), to ban youth tackle football in the state of California. This bill proposes to ban the participation of children 12 years and younger in youth tackle football by January 1, 2029 through organizations or leagues. On February 23, 2023, the proposed measure was referred to the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, where it stayed until January 10, 2024. The Committee has now ordered the proposed measure to a third reading. The Bill will proceed to a State Assembly vote, and if passed, advances to the State Senate for a vote before reaching the Governor's Office for final consideration. The Governor's Office has expressed their intent to veto the bill, as of January 16, 2024. At their regular meeting on January 16, 2024, the City Council of the City of Azusa expressed some initial concerns with AB 734, on the grounds that it would significantly impact youth programs and opportunities in the community. City Council requested city staff to return with a city resolution and legislative position letter in opposition to the Bill – for consideration by the full governing body. The subject action seeks adoption of Resolution No. 2024-C06 and approval of a city position letter to be provided to the offices of the Governor, the Bill’s author, and Azusa’s respective state legislators. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1)Consider a position of opposition for AB 734; and 2)Approve Resolution No. 2024-C06 and accompanying city letter opposing AB 734 to be submitted to the City’s respective legislators and the State Governor’s Office. Approved City Council February 5, 2024 City Opposition to AB 734 February 5, 2024 Page 2 ANALYSIS: Proposed in February 2023, the “Youth Tackle Football” Assembly Bill, or AB 734, was introduced to ban youth tackle football in California. AB 734 proposes to ban the full participation of individuals younger than 12-years-old to play tackle football by January 1, 2029 through any organization or league. The Bill incorporates existing law and its requirements of upholding safety standards through compulsory safety protocols and data tracking in youth tackle football. The Bill was proposed to address and mitigate risks of head injuries and support healthy brain development in children during their formative years. At their prior regular meeting on January 16, 2024 the City Council of the City of Azusa expressed initial opposition to this bill due to various reasons, alongside a number of cities across California. A major point of opposition is the opinion that the Bill infringes upon the autonomy of parents/guardians in deciding their child/children's involvement in youth sports. Additionally, the existing California Youth Football Act (CYFA), recently amended in 2021, has made substantial advancements in upholding safety standards for young tackle football participants to mitigate injury risks for young tackle football participants. Since the 1960s, the Azusa Jr. Raiders, a youth tackle football league, have been a cherished presence in Azusa, attracting an annual participation of 150-200 youth and countless volunteers and supporters. If passed, this legislation could significantly impact the future loss of academic and athletic opportunities for young athletes across California and our local communities. The City has drafted a letter of opposition along with a formal resolution, which are attached for consideration by the Azusa City Council. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions. Authored By: Taleen Nazarian Management Intern Reviewed by: Reviewed and Approved: Nico De Anda-Scaia Sergio Gonzalez Deputy City Manager City Manager Attachments: 1)Resolution No. 2024-C06 – City Opposition to Assembly Bill 734 2)Letter of Opposition to Assembly Bill 734 3)Bill Text of California Assembly Bill 734 (Amended as of January 11, 2024) RESOLUTION NO. 2024-C06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA OPPOSING ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 734 WHICH SEEKS TO BAN YOUTH TACKLE FOOTBALL IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHEREAS, AB 734 seeks to prohibit the full participation for children 12 years and younger in Youth Tackle Football by January 1, 2029; and WHEREAS, AB 734 infringes upon the autonomy of parents/guardians in deciding their child/children's involvement in youth sports; and WHEREAS, existing laws presently require youth sports organizations to comply with specified concussion and cardiac arrest prevention protocols to mitigate injury risks; and WHEREAS, existing the California Youth Football Act (CYFA) upholds safety standards and best practices for Youth Tackle Football participants through obligatory coaching certifications, mandatory annual information dissemination on head injury risks to parents/guardians, limitations on pre- and game-season practices, and compulsory presence of medical professionals during games; and WHEREAS, Youth Tackle Football is a popular sport that provides a fun and vital source of exercise and cognitive stimulation; and WHEREAS, Youth Tackle Football attracts a considerable number of young participants annually when compared to its less-popular counterpart, flag football; and WHEREAS, the City of Azusa is renowned for its diverse recreational programs and longstanding support of youth sports programming specifically; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Azusa does hereby: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Azusa opposes Assembly Bill 734 for the various reasons mentioned above, and respectfully urges the Governor of the State of California to veto the bill. SECTION 2. The City of Azusa has prepared a formal Letter of Opposition to AB 734, which shall be forwarded to Assemblymember McCarty and Azusa’s respective Legislators urging the same. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 5th day of February, 2024. Attachment 1 Robert Gonzales Mayor ATTEST: Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF AZUSA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024-C06 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 5th day of February 2024, by the following vote of the Council. AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Best Best & Krieger, LLP City Attorney The Canyon City – Gateway to the American Dream February 5, 2024 Governor Gavin Newsom 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 9581 SUBJECT: Opposition to Assembly Bill 734 Dear Governor, I am writing on behalf of the City of Azusa to express our opposition to Assembly Bill (AB) 734 (McCarty), as amended on January 11, 2024. The legislation poses concerns as it infringes upon the autonomy of parents/guardians in deciding their children's involvement in youth sports. The existing California Youth Football Act (CYFA), recently amended in 2021, has made substantial advancements in upholding safety standards for young tackle football participants. These measures include numerous mandatory coaching certifications, mandatory annual information dissemination on head injuries and health risks to parents/guardians, and the requirement for medical professionals to be present during any tackle football games. The CYFA has also implemented a ban on tackle football practices during the offseason, along with significant limitations during pre- and game-seasons to mitigate injury risks. Youth tackle football is a popular sport that simultaneously provides a vital source of exercise and cognitive stimulation. As a prominent after-school activity in our community, it attracts a considerable number of young participants annually when compared to its less-popular counterpart, flag football. The City of Azusa, renowned for its longstanding youth sports programming, is concerned about the potential consequences of this bill. The proposed legislation, seeking to prohibit youth tackle football participation by January 2029 for children 12 years old and younger, could significantly impact the future loss of academic and athletic opportunities for scholar athletes across California. We understand you have expressed intent to veto this bill. We thank you for taking this position and humbly request your commitment to stand firm in your decision. Your decision holds the potential to shape the future of young aspiring football players for generations. Sincerely, Robert Gonzales Mayor – City of Azusa 213 E. Foothill Blvd. Azusa, CA. 91702 Robert.Gonzales@azusaca.gov Attachment 2 cc.Senator Susan Rubio, 22nd District Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio, District 48 Jennifer Quan, Regional Public Affairs Manager, League of California Cities Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, District 20 1/29/24, 4:59 PM Bill Text: CA AB734 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended | LegiScan https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB734/2023 1/1 ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 734 Bill Text: CA AB734 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended California Assembly Bill 734 Bill Title: Youth tackle football. Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0) Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-12 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading. [AB734 Detail] Download: California-2023-AB734-Amended.html AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 11, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION Introduced by Assembly Member McCarty February 13, 2023 An act to add Section 124242.5 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to youth athletics. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 734, as amended, McCarty. Youth tackle football. Existing law requires a youth sports organization that elects to offer an athletic program to comply with specified concussion and sudden cardiac arrest prevention protocols. Existing law, the California Youth Football Act, requires a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program to comply with specified protocols, including a coach receiving certain health-related certification and a parent or guardian of a youth tackle football participant receiving concussion and head injury information and an opioid-related factsheet. The act also requires a youth tackle football league, as defined, to retain information for the tracking of youth sports injuries, as specified. This bill would, on and after January 1, 2026, 2025, prohibit a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, from allowing a person younger than 12 6 years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league. On and after January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2029, the bill would not allow a person younger than 10 and 12 years of age, respectively, to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league. Digest Key Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal Committee: no Local Program: no Bill Text THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 124242.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 124242.5. (a) On and after January 1, 2026, 2025, a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, shall not allow a person younger than 12 six years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league. (b)On and after January 1, 2027, a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, shall not allow a person younger than 10 years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league. (c)On and after January 1, 2029, a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, shall not allow a person younger than 12 years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league. Attachment 3