Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has joined other U.S. mayors in condemning the federal government for approving laws that require local action but do not provide any funds for implementation.

Such unfunded federal mandates--ranging from civil rights laws to environmental regulations--will cost the city of Los Angeles more than $576 million this year, Riordan said.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors' committee met in Los Angeles this week to coordinate a strategy against unfunded federal mandates. It also endorsed legislation that would require Congress to provide funding whenever it requires local governments to take an action.