BILL NUMBER: AB 596 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Evans FEBRUARY 25, 2009 An act to add Section 65040.13 to the Government Code, relating to land use. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 596, as introduced, Evans. Land use: model-home, form-based ordinances. Existing law provides that the Office of Planning and Research within the Governor's office serves as the state's comprehensive planning agency in the formulation, evaluation, and updating of, among other things, long-range goals and policies for land use, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, development, open space, resource preservation and utilization, air and water quality, and other factors that shape statewide development patterns and significantly influence the quality of the state's environment. This bill would require the Office of Planning and Research to develop an urban model-home, form-based ordinance and a rural model-home, form-based ordinance that a local agency can use as a planning tool to revitalize and preserve communities in compliance with smart-growth principles. The ordinances would be required to include minimum requirements or parameters that are clear and easy-to-follow. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 65040.13 is added to the Government Code, to read: 65040.13. The office shall develop an urban model-home, form-based ordinance and a rural model-home, form-based ordinance that a local agency can use as a planning tool to revitalize and preserve communities in compliance with smart-growth principles. The ordinances shall include minimum requirements or parameters that are clear and easy-to-follow.