Anti-Piracy Rules - California

Enacted in 1999, this law (1999 Assembly Bill 178) prohibits a redevelopment agency, city, or county from providing any form of financial assistance to an automobile dealership or big box retailer, or a business entity that sells or leases land to an automobile dealership or big box retailer, that is relocating from one community to another community within the same market area until January 1, 2005. A big box retailer is defined as a store that exceeds 75,000 square feet. A market area is defined as a distance of up to 40 miles (by road) for an auto dealer or 25 miles for a big box store. A community is exempted from the law if it reaches an agreement with the affected jurisdiction to share the sales tax generated by the relocating business.This bill would require the California Research Bureau to report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2004, regarding the implementation of its provisions.