Assembly Panel OKs Bill to Speed Malibu Cityhood

Opening a new front in the fight over Malibu cityhood, an Assembly committee on Wednesday approved a bill to speed up the community’s incorporation.

In June, voters overwhelmingly approved cityhood, but Los Angeles County officials have delayed the effective date of incorporation until next March. The county wants to start work on a $43-million sewer system and fears that the Malibu City Council, once it takes office, will seek to block the project.

On Wednesday, a bill being considered by the Assembly Local Government Committee was amended by Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita) to strip the county of its authority to set the incorporation date. The committee then approved the bill and sent it to the full Assembly, where backers plan to insert a provision to have it take effect immediately if it is signed by Gov. George Deukmejian.