The Barbed Wire - February 14, 2014

California Provided Two More Years to Meet Prison Reduction Targets

On Monday, a three-member panel of federal judges responded favorably toward California’s ongoing request for additional time to implement the court’s prison population reduction targets. 

Under the new ruling, California will have until February 28, 2016 to meet the court mandated reductions, and will be required to appoint a “compliance officer” to oversee implementation of the State’s prison population reduction strategy to achieve 137.5 percent of design capacity. The three-member panel also placed a cap on the number of inmates that State may transfer out of state.

Governor Jerry Brown submitted a court-ordered prison population reduction plan nearly a year ago, which detailed strategies the State could take to meet the reduction mandates. RCRC expects the State will continue to evaluate the opportunity to expand good time credits, fire camp eligibility, work furlough and alternative custody programs for low-risk inmate populations, and to expand parole for those who are considered medically incapacitated and for older adults who have served minimum sentencing levels. Governor Brown’s court-ordered prison population reduction plan can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.

On Monday, a three-member panel of federal judges responded favorably toward California’s ongoing request for additional time to implement the court’s prison population reduction targets. 

Under the new ruling, California will have until February 28, 2016 to meet the court mandated reductions, and will be required to appoint a “compliance officer” to oversee implementation of the State’s prison population reduction strategy to achieve 137.5 percent of design capacity. The three-member panel also placed a cap on the number of inmates that State may transfer out of state.

Governor Jerry Brown submitted a court-ordered prison population reduction plan nearly a year ago, which detailed strategies the State could take to meet the reduction mandates. RCRC expects the State will continue to evaluate the opportunity to expand good time credits, fire camp eligibility, work furlough and alternative custody programs for low-risk inmate populations, and to expand parole for those who are considered medically incapacitated and for older adults who have served minimum sentencing levels. Governor Brown’s court-ordered prison population reduction plan can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.

Groundwater Management Reform Group Convened

Earlier this week, the Governor’s office convened a diverse group of stakeholders to open the discussion on groundwater management reform. The Administration is seeking policy recommendations for reforms that will result in sustainable groundwater management that prepares for future droughts, avoids and reverses overdraft, protects water quality, reduces conflict among water users, and enhances groundwater storage. 

To aid in this outreach effort, the Administration intends to hold public workshops in March and April at locations yet to be determined.

Administration officials stressed that their intent is to first make necessary changes to provide local agencies with the tools needed to sustainably manage groundwater at the local and regional level, and second, to determine when and how the State should step in if local and regional efforts are found inadequate.

Legislative hearings on the topic of groundwater management reform are anticipated. The Administration also requested stakeholder feedback no later than mid-April as they propose that groundwater management reforms be contained in a Budget trailer bill. RCRC will keep members updated throughout this process.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.

Senate Bill 848 Approved by Senate Committee

Senate Bill 848 (Wolk), a proposed $6.5 billion water bond, passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee this week after more than two hours of testimony. SB 848 is one of several bond measures that have been introduced to replace the $11.4 billion 2014 Water Bond currently slated for the November 2014 ballot. SB 848 will be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee next week. 

RCRC submitted a comment letter and provided verbal testimony on SB 848. As this is early in the process, and there are multiple water bonds proposed, RCRC’s comments and testimony on each is focused on those specific programs that RCRC recommends be included in any water bond that is eventually sent to the ballot, as well as suggested changes where appropriate.

RCRC’s SB 848 comment letter can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.

Boxer and Feinstein Introduce Drought Relief Bill

Responding to the sustained drought in California and neighboring western states, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced a bill to provide more flexibility within existing law to deliver water, transfer water, and provide additional emergency funding for water supply projects. 

This legislation follows another bill passed in the House last week to provide more irrigation deliveries in the Central Valley, and waive certain environmental mandates. Although Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) voted for the House bill, he is introducing companion legislation to the Boxer and Feinstein bill.

Federal Transportation Update

Last week, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued its ten-year budget outlook and confirmed that the highway and transit accounts of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will likely fall short of fulfilling financial obligations before the end of fiscal year 2014. The CBO estimates that to sustain current highway and transit funding, the HTF will need $15 billion each year in additional revenue. 

This week, Senator Barbara Boxer chaired a hearing before the Environment and Public Works Committee regarding reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation program, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), and the impacts on jobs and the economy by maintaining federal investments in transportation infrastructure. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and organized labor provided testimony regarding the importance of continuing robust federal investment in the nation’s transportation infrastructure, including HTF solvency. Senator Boxer announced she intends to have the Committee vote on a new transportation bill by the end of April. In the House, Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has previously stated that he hopes to have a bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by late spring to early summer. MAP-21 is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014.

For additional information on federal matters, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.

Events/Notices

Department of Water Resources Announces $152.9 Million in Water Grants

Earlier this week, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced $152.9 million in grants to 138 separate integrated regional water management projects around the state – many of which will expand water conservation and water recycling. 

The grants included $131.1 million in Proposition 84 funds that have already been appropriated. DWR also tentatively awarded an additional $21.8 million, subject to future appropriation in the State Budget process by the Legislature.

The list of grant recipients can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.

Key Congressman in Federal Forestry Reform Discussion to Retire

In a surprise move on Thursday, Representative Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) announced that he will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.  Rep. Hastings has served as Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee over the last four years, and is one of the principle architects in the House-approved federal forestry reform package. 

Representing central Washington State, Rep. Hastings is very aware of the need for federal forestry reform as well as the accompanying Secure Rural Schools program.  "Last Friday, I celebrated my 73rd birthday, and while I have the ability and seniority to continue serving Central Washington, it is time for the voters to choose a new person with new energy to represent them in the people’s House," Rep. Hastings said.

It is expected that Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) will replace Rep. Hastings as Chair next January, assuming Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives.  RCRC’s federal lobbying team will be working to get to know Congressman Gohmert (or whichever member assumes the gavel) to bring awareness of California’s unique circumstances surrounding federal forestry reform.