Bill to Speed Cityhood Passed by Assembly 65-0

In a boost for Malibu cityhood, the state Assembly on Monday approved by a 65-0 vote legislation intended to speed up the community’s incorporation. The bill was sent to the Senate for consideration.

Even though voters in June overwhelmingly approved cityhood for the coastal community, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors delayed until March the effective date of incorporation so work on a controversial sewer project could begin. The board’s maneuver would prevent a new Malibu city council from blocking the project.

In the Legislature, cityhood supporters have been pushing a measure sponsored by Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita) that, if passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. George Deukmejian, would short-circuit the county’s plans by allowing the incorporation to take effect immediately.