An Interview with State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva
What additional role do you see the State taking in preserving Coyote Hills? Does the State plan to buy more property there?
At this time the State does not intend to purchase more of the Coyote Hills land. I understand that north Orange County deserves its fair share of parks, and my Assembly Bill 510 helped save [portions of] the largest remaining open space in a highly urbanized area of Orange County and Los Angeles County to be enjoyed by over 1 million people as a natural preserve. Along with securing over $15 million in the State Budget, these funds will ensure that we are able to purchase and use many acres as open land.
What is your priority for this legislative session as a member of the Housing and Community Development committee? Are you introducing any bills to promote affordable housing?
My top priority has remained the same, to develop affordable housing and to address the growing concerns of homelessness in California. This legislative session I am introducing a number of Housing Bills such as, AB 345: Accessory dwelling units: separate conveyance. This bill authorizes Additional Dwelling Units to be sold or conveyed separately from the primary residence to a qualified buyer. I am also introducing AB 362 that would improve conditions of shelters by requiring certain safety and health standards to be adopted by shelter operators. I also have AB 978, my Mobile Home Rent Stabilization bill that would prohibit management of a mobile home park from increasing the rental rate for a tenancy more than 5% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is lower. Certainly, housing remains a concern in my district and throughout California and I am working hard on addressing these issues.
Can you give us an update on the progress of the bill you cosponsored that would reopen Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland at the same time as other, smaller theme parks?
Assembly Bill 420, Safe Theme Park Reopening, which I authored and introduced on the Assembly floor in early February, is currently being reviewed in committee. Upon approval by the committees it will likely be voted on by September. I, along with my co-author, am optimistic that this bill will also help the many small businesses surrounding the theme parks by offering a safe pathway to recovery.