Report 2021-802 All Recommendation Responses
Report 2021-802: City of Compton: Financial Mismanagement and a Lack of Leadership Have Threatened Compton's Ability to Serve the Public (Release Date: October 2022)
Recommendation for Legislative Action
Based on deficiencies with city council oversight that we discuss in this report as well as in several previous audits of other cities, to improve the governance of cities throughout California, the Legislature should consider requiring all individuals who serve on a city council to participate in recurring training related to municipal finance, budgeting, and the council's role in overseeing city operations.
Description of Legislative Action
SB 769 (Gonzalez, 2023) would require, if a local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to a member of a legislative body, or provides reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred by a member of a legislative body in the performance of official duties, all local agency officials, with some exceptions, to receive at least 2 hours of fiscal and financial training as described. This bill is pending in the Senate.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Legislation Introduced
Description of Legislative Action
SB 769 (Gonzalez, 2023) would require, if a local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to a member of a legislative body, or provides reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred by a member of a legislative body in the performance of official duties, all local agency officials, with some exceptions, to receive at least 2 hours of fiscal and financial training as described. This bill is pending in the Senate.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Legislation Introduced
Description of Legislative Action
As of 10/13/24, the Legislature has not taken any additional action in the 2023/24 Legislative Session to address this recommendation.
SB 769 (Gonzalez, 2023) would require, if a local agency provides any type of compensation, salary, or stipend to a member of a legislative body, or provides reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred by a member of a legislative body in the performance of official duties, all local agency officials, with some exceptions, to receive at least 2 hours of fiscal and financial training as described. This bill died in the Assembly.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Legislation Proposed But Not Enacted
Description of Legislative Action
SB 827 (Chapter 661, Statutes of 2025) requires all specified local agency officials to receive at least two hours of fiscal and financial training, which includes training on the role and responsibilities of financial administration, financial policies, municipal budges and budget processes, and laws relevant to the local official's public service and role in overseeing the local agency's operations.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Legislation Enacted
Description of Legislative Action
The Legislature did not take action during the 2021-2022 Legislative Session to address this specific recommendation.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: January 2023
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken
All Recommendations in 2021-802
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.