The Barbed Wire - March 8, 2019

CAL FIRE Releases Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigaton Report

On Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection released its Community Wildfire Prevention & Mitigation Report in response to Governor’s Executive Order N-05-19.  The Executive Order, which was issued in early January, required CAL FIRE to explore and recommend immediate, medium, and long-term actions that the Administration can undertake in order to mitigate and prevent catastrophic wildfires such as the Camp Fire in the future, as well as additional community protection measures the state can implement in the short term.

The report contains nine immediate recommendations, including priority fuel reduction projects and suspension of certain regulatory requirements as necessary to facilitate those projects.  The report prioritizes the fuel reduction projects, and lists a fuel break project on Highway 44 in Shasta County as its top priority, while also including projects in Butte, Placer, and Humboldt Counties, among others.

The report can be accessed here.

Disaster Aid Package Introduced

Last week, a group of bipartisan senators introduced a $13.6 billion disaster relief package, S. 572, which would provide $480 million for emergency forest restoration, and $720 million for wildfire management.  According to Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), the proposal has support from President Donald Trump. 

Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) told reporters on Tuesday that the he hopes to move a disaster relief package through the Senate before a weeklong recess the week of March 18, 2019.  Chairman Shelby is working with leaders in the House to reconcile the differences between S. 572 and a House-passed proposal that would provide almost $14.2 billion.

Lawmakers from affected states had hoped to include a disaster aid package in the final omnibus appropriations bill for the Fiscal 2019 budget.  However, the spending package was devoid of extraneous provisions, including disaster aid, in order to pass the measure in a short timeframe to avoid another government shutdown.  Members of both parties in the House and Senate appear ready to deliver a substantial disaster relief package that would help relieve communities in rural California still recovering from wildfires.

Former RCRC County Supervisor Named Forest Task Force Leader

On Tuesday, Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery was appointed as the new leader of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force (FMTF), taking over for Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board Chair Terrence O’Brien.  Montgomery, who served as District 5 Supervisor in Placer County for more than ten years, stepped down as Supervisor upon acceptance of her new position and will assume leadership of the FMTF immediately.

The Forest Management Task Force, of which RCRC is a member, was converted in June 2018 from the Governor’s Tree Mortality Task Force (TMTF), a statewide group formed in 2015 to confront the massive bark beetle epidemic killing more than 140 million trees in the Central and Southern Sierras.  While the focused efforts of the TMTF resulted in targeted tree removal projects in the most impacted counties, conversion of the group to a larger statewide, forest health emphasis left many counties feeling that the new FMTF lacked a clear set of goals and targets, particularly for local government involvement.  Montgomery’s experience as a local elected official in a rural, heavily forested district will help bring focus to the group’s efforts as we continue to seek solutions to California’s forest health and wildfire problems.

California National Parks to Expand

Historic legislation passed by Congress this week seeks to provide new protections to National Parks.  These protections would prohibit mining, roads and off-highway vehicles, and enlarge two California national parks, Death Valley and Joshua Tree.  Read More…

RCRC Welcomes New Business Operations Staff

Earlier this week, the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) announced the hiring of Michael Likosky as Director of Infrastructure, and Milena De Melo, CPA, as Controller.  Likosky’s role will include developing projects and securing investments that lead to rural infrastructure development/upgrades and finance along with economic growth in RCRC’s member counties.  De Melo will join the organization’s financial reporting team where her role will include oversight of the accounting and compliance functions, providing greater depth as the organization continues to grow.  Read More…  

RCRC, CSAC, and Mariposa County Partner on 2020 WIR Conference

RCRC, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and Mariposa County have joined forces to bring the National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference to California in 2020.  WIR is dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo, including public land issues (use and conservation), community stability and economic development, and the promotion of the traditional Western way of life.  The WIR Board of Directors voted to support the joint proposal at their meeting in Washington, D.C. on Sunday.  Read More…

Bill of the Week: Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019

RCRC strongly supports the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019 (Safe Banking Act), authored by Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado) and Representative Denny Heck (D-Washington).  The Safe Banking Act would liberalize federal banking laws to allow cannabis-related businesses access to financial services.  106 members have signed on to co-sponsor the bill.  Eight Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill which is a sign of growing support among conservatives.

Cannabis remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act, despite decriminalization and legalization in some form in at least 47 states.  It has become apparent there is a need to align federal and state laws when it comes to cannabis operations accessing the banking system.  Unfortunately, due to federal statutes, financial institutions turn away legitimate marijuana businesses to avoid the risk of federal prosecution and the loss of assets within a financial institution.   

Access to banking remains one of the most significant hurdles facing the cannabis industry and state and local regulatory authorities.  In essence, all cannabis-related financial activities are conducted in cash which translates into counties receiving property tax payments in cash, as well as any local regulatory fees and taxes.  The current all-cash business also makes it extremely difficult to audit cannabis operators, as well as ensure compliance with various rules and regulations.  Most importantly, the all-cash status presents enormous security challenges to all parties involved in the cannabis industry.  The Safe Banking Act would lift the federal prohibition on cannabis-related businesses for the financial services industry.  

Last month, Congress held its first ever hearing on the cannabis banking issue in the House Financial Services Committee.  The issue is a legislative priority for rural California, and was one of the topics that RCRC’s senior leadership addressed during their recent visit to the nation’s Capital.  RCRC’s support letter can be accessed here.  For more information, Paul A. Smith, RCRC Governmental Affairs Vice President, can be reached at (916) 447-4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.

THE RURAL RUNDOWN PODCAST

The Rural Rundown discusses the legislative and regulatory issues impacting California’s rural counties, featuring commentary and interviews from individuals committed to improving the quality of life in rural California. 

The Rural Rundown can be accessed here. 

KEEPING UP

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.

Mark Ghaly appointed secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS).  Ghaly, 44, of South Pasadena, has served as director of health and social impact for Los Angeles County since 2018. He was deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services overseeing community health and integrated programs from 2011 to 2018 and medical director for the Southeast Health Center, a San Francisco Department of Public Health clinic, from 2006 to 2011. Ghaly earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Public Health degree in health policy from the Harvard School of Public Health. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $209,943. Ghaly is a Democrat.

Eraina Ortega, 45, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the California Department of Human Resources. Ortega has served as inspector general in the Office of Audits and Investigations at the California Department of Transportation since 2018. She was chief deputy director of policy at the California Department of Finance from 2013 to 2017. Ortega was a senior legislative representative at the California State Association of Counties from 2008 to 2013. She served as legislative advocate and manager at the Judicial Council from 2001 to 2008 and as a policy analyst at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office from 1999 to 2001. Ortega earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $198,024. Ortega is registered without party preference.

Former RCRC County Supervisor Named Forest Task Force Leader

On Tuesday, Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery was appointed as the new leader of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force (FMTF), taking over for Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board Chair Terrence O’Brien.  Montgomery, who served as District 5 Supervisor in Placer County for more than ten years, stepped down as Supervisor upon acceptance of her new position and will assume leadership of the FMTF immediately.

The Forest Management Task Force, of which RCRC is a member, was converted in June 2018 from the Governor’s Tree Mortality Task Force (TMTF), a statewide group formed in 2015 to confront the massive bark beetle epidemic killing more than 140 million trees in the Central and Southern Sierras.  While the focused efforts of the TMTF resulted in targeted tree removal projects in the most impacted counties, conversion of the group to a larger statewide, forest health emphasis left many counties feeling that the new FMTF lacked a clear set of goals and targets, particularly for local government involvement. Montgomery’s experience as a local elected official in a rural, heavily forested district will help bring focus to the group’s efforts as we continue to seek solutions to California’s forest health and wildfire problems.

BULLETIN BOARD

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

Rural Counties ESJPA Hosts Solid Waste Webinar

The Rural Counties ESJPA is holding its first free Solid Waste 101 webinar on March 20, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.  This free webinar is open to anyone interested in learning more about how to manage solid waste, including county staff, consultants, etc. 

Click here

Fire Summit Being Held In North State

The University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources in partnership with the California Science Consortium is hosting a Fire Summit – Vision 20/20: A Fire Resilient California.

The Summit will provide:

• Provide an opportunity for shared learning from diverse attendees;
• Enhance community wildfire planning;
• Daylight best practices on community and state levels; and,
• And develop actionable items in policy, communications, management, planning, economic development, public- private partnerships, etc. to help build fire resiliency.

The cost of the Summit is $50 and will take place on April 16-17, 2019 in Redding, California at the Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge.  Details on the event can be accessed here.  RSVPs must be submitted by March 15, 2019 and can be submitted here. 

RCRC Sponsors United Policyholders Camp Fire Roadmap to Recovery Workshop

Click here

OPR Announces Update to the California Solar Permitting Guidebook

Click here

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  

Assembly Bill 41 (Gallagher): Disaster Relief: Camp Fire. Assembly Bill 41 provides that the State share for disaster relief is born by the State as it relates to the Camp Fire that started in November 2018 in Butte County. Status: AB 41 awaits consideration in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. RCRC Status: Support

Assembly Bill 72 (Assembly Budget Committee): Budget Act of 2018. Assembly Bill 72 amends the Budget Act of 2018 by amending and adding items of appropriation and making other changes. Status: AB 72 has been signed into law by the Governor. RCRC Status: Support

Assembly Bill 1111 (Friedman): Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation. Assembly Bill 1111 would stablish the Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation in state government. Requires the office to undertake certain activities, including supporting the outdoor recreation economy of the state by engaging in specified activities. Requires the office to create an advisory committee to provide advice, expertise, support, and service to the office. Authorizes the office to receive the assistance and funds from public and private sources. Status: AB 1111 awaits consideration in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. RCRC Position: Support

Assembly Bill 217 (Garcia, E.): Safe and Affordable Drinking Water. Assembly Bill 217 establishes the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund in the State Treasury and provides that moneys in the fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the State Water Resources Control Board to provide a stable source of funding to secure access to safe drinking water for all Californians, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of drinking water service and infrastructure. Status:  AB 217 awaits consideration in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.  RCRC Position: Pending

Assembly Bill 343 (Patterson) Forestry: Biomass Energy. Assembly Bill 343 would require the California Natural Resources Agency to create and implement a program to offset the costs of transporting fuels to a biomass energy facility. Status: AB 343 awaits consideration in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. RCRC Status: Support

Senate Bill 19 (Dodd): Water Resources: Stream Gages. Senate Bill 19 requires the California Department of Water Resources to develop a plan to deploy a network of stream gages that includes a determination of new needs as well as opportunities for reactivating existing gages. Status:  SB 19 awaits consideration in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. RCRC Position: Support

Senate Bill 62 (Dodd): Endangered Species: Accidental Take. Senate Bill 62 would make permanent an “accidental take” of candidate, threatened, or endangered species resulting from acts that occur on a farm or a ranch in the course of otherwise lawful routine. Status: SB 62 awaits consideration in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. RCRC Status: Support

Senate Bill 67 (McGuire): Cannabis: Temporary and Provisional Licenses. Senate Bill  67 would extend the time-period for which a temporary license is valid when issued by state cannabis licensing entities, and would ease the process for cannabis operators to obtain a provisional cannabis license as a step toward full licensure. Status: SB 67 awaits consideration in the Senate Appropriations Committee. RCRC Position: Support

Senate Bill 200 (Monning): Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. Senate Bill 200 establishes the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund in the State Treasury and provides that moneys in the fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the State Water Resources Control Board to provide a stable source of funding to secure access to safe drinking water for all Californians, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of drinking water service and infrastructure. Status: SB 200 awaits consideration in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. RCRC Status: Pending

Senate Bill 414 (Caballero): Small Systems Water Authority Act of 2019. Senate Bill 414 creates the Small System Water Authority Act of 2019 and states legislative findings and declarations relating to authorizing the creation of small system water authorities that will have powers to absorb, improve, and competently operate noncompliant public water systems. Status: SB 414 awaits consideration in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee. RCRC Status: Pending