ELK GROVE, Calif. — California State Senator Angelique Ashby was a Sacramento City Councilmember in Natomas when the city's zoo began planning its move to Elk Grove.

Ashby said she was very involved in the initial process, then she was elected to represent both Sacramento and Elk Grove in the California State Senate in 2022.

That's when she said she drafted Senate Bill 739 with hopes to help Elk Grove city officials speed up and streamline the construction of their new zoo.

"Before, you had to have all the designs complete then put out a bid for contracts. A project like this could be more difficult to phase," Ashby said. "Had (city officials) gone that route, it would take six years to build on that project. If we use the legislative process for a 'manager at risk contract' — it will shorten the project time substantially."

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