The Barbed Wire - April 15, 2022

April 15, 2022
RCRC Comments on PG&E and Southern California Edison 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plans
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1608 (Gipson) – County Officers: Consolidation of Offices
USDA Announces $81 Million Investment in Wildfire Prevention in California
Latest Round of Homekey Awards Provides Millions to Projects in RCRC-Member Counties
White House Releases Rural Playbook
Resolution to Recognize Importance of California Ricelands in Wildlife Conservation
BULLETIN BOARD
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC Comments on PG&E and Southern California Edison 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plans

This week, RCRC submitted comments to the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety on the 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan updates of large investor-owned utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison. All electrical utilities are required to construct, maintain, and operate their lines and equipment to minimize the risk of a utility-caused wildfire and undertake comprehensive mitigation measures through a Wildfire Mitigation Plan.

In particular, PG&E promised more details on their 10,000-mile undergrounding initiative, but it is still in its preliminary stages and meaningful details remain to be seen. Given the new emphasis on undergrounding and lack of corresponding implementation details, RCRC is concerned that high fire threat communities in PG&E’s service territory will continue to experience wide ranging power outages as a primary utility risk avoidance measure and result of slow system hardening upgrades on its highest risk circuits. Southern California Edison is expanding their grid hardening strategies, which previously relied on the installation of covered conductor (insulated wires) to reduce ignitions.

RCRC provided several recommendations for the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to consider, such as providing an acceptable scope of undergrounding work along with performance criteria to ensure PG&E can keep up with the unprecedented pace and scale of promised grid hardening measures; requiring utilities to develop plans to co-trench multiple utilities (such as broadband) when undertaking undergrounding work; and developing consistent best practices for circuit settings programmed to cause a power outage (like PG&E’s Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings—or EPSS—program) including disclosing those outages in detail similar to the disclosure of proactive de-energization events, known as Public Safety Power Shut-offs (PSPS).

RCRC’s comments can be viewed in full here. Energy Safety will publish draft decisions on large utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans beginning in mid-May 2022. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Leigh Kammerich

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1608 (Gipson) – County Officers: Consolidation of Offices

RCRC has expressed its opposition to Assembly Bill 1608, authored by Assembly Member Mike Gipson (D-Carson), which would remove county authority to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner. 

Currently, a County Board of Supervisors can enact an ordinance to consolidate the Sheriff and Coroner into a single elected office. Whether combined or separate offices, the Sheriff and Coroner must both be elected unless voters in that county say otherwise. AB 1608 would require counties with a combined Sheriff-Coroner function to either (1) combine the Coroner with another authorized elected office, (2) transition to a standalone elected Coroner, or (3) replace the Coroner model with a Medical Examiner office. To decouple the duties of the Sheriff-Coroner and transition the Coroner to an appointed office, would require approval by the voters, and is an additional expense on top of the costs of transitioning the duties of the Coroner to a new model. Regardless of whether a county has a Medical Examiner, separate Coroner, or Sheriff-Coroner, a medical professional always performs the forensic autopsy.  

Thirty-eight of the thirty-nine RCRC member counties have consolidated the Sheriff-Coroner into a single elected office. In rural counties, the consolidation occurs for many reasons, including:   

  • The maintenance and function of two separate offices is more expensive, especially for our smaller counties. 

  • The consolidation of small, elected offices results in administrative and fiscal management efficiencies. 

  • Many of the deaths that a Coroner investigates have criminal or other law enforcement components, which is best achieved through an office or entity that has relevant investigatory expertise. 

  • The number of deaths that require the Coroner's involvement in rural counties is significantly lower than in urban counties. Rural counties do not have the economy of scale that necessitates a standalone office.

 

This bill would have a significant fiscal impact in rural counties, and RCRC maintains that the duly elected Board of Supervisors remains the most appropriate body to evaluate fiscal and operational impacts associated with organizing the county’s many vital functions and to make related decisions about the county’s structure. Therefore, RCRC has submitted proposed amendments that would allow smaller counties with a population of less than 500,000 to continue a consolidated model, along with amendments that would allow the County Board of Supervisors to determine, by ordinance, whether the Coroner should be elected or appointed, with an effective date of July 1, 2024, to provide sufficient time for counties to transition services.

On April 6th, AB 1608 passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee with absolutely no discussion about the impacts to county government or the concerns raised by RCRC and the California State Association of Counties.  AB 1608 is set for hearing in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 19, 2022.

RCRC urges our member counties to write a letter of opposition, expressing the local impacts of this bill. In addition, RCRC encourages members to review the fiscal impacts of this bill and share the information with RCRC staff. RCRC’s letter of opposition is available here. For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.

USDA Announces $81 Million Investment in Wildfire Prevention in California

On Tuesday, April 12th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will invest $80.7 million in wildfire prevention projects in California over the next three years. This includes $28.6 million for California this fiscal year—the highest amount provided to any state in the announcement. Initial projects to reduce hazardous fuels will be conducted in the Tahoe and Stanislaus National Forests. This announcement follows efforts from the California Congressional delegation to ensure the federal government prioritizes wildfire mitigation projects in California as the Forest Service allocates funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement its new 10-year strategy to combat wildfires.

Latest Round of Homekey Awards Provides Millions to Projects in RCRC-Member Counties

On Wednesday, April 13th, Governor Newsom announced the latest round of awards granted in Project Homekey, a program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This program provides grant funding to cities, counties, or other local public entities within California to purchase and rehabilitate housing, hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing. Among the award recipients is the Housing Authority of the RCRC-member county of Santa Barbara, which will receive nearly $19 million to acquire and rehabilitate a 61-unit motel in central Goleta as permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. The City of Arcata, located in the RCRC-member county of Humboldt, is also among the latest recipients for a permanent supportive housing project. 

Additional Homekey awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Completed applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or May 2, 2022, whichever comes first. Detailed information is available on the HCD Homekey website here.   

White House Releases Rural Playbook

On Monday, April 11th, the White House released a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook to “help state, local, Tribal and territorial governments in rural areas unlock the benefits from the historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure and launched a rural infrastructure tour led by the President and other senior administration officials to engage rural communities across the country.” The Rural Playbook, builds on the release of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook and provides rural communities with information on the “what, when, where, and how to apply” for funding under the law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides up to $300 million in the 2022 fiscal year to establish electric vehicle charging, primarily in rural areas, through a new grant program.

Resolution to Recognize Importance of California Ricelands in Wildlife Conservation

Last week, Representatives Mike Thompson (D- St. Helena) and Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the significant role that California ricelands play in wildlife conservation. Cosponsors of the resolution include John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey), and David Valadao (R-Hanford). The resolution is endorsed by the California Rice Commission, California Trout, California Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, the National Audubon Society, the Northern California Water Association, the University of California, Davis, and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Save the Date: Annual CASF Workshop

The California Public Utilities Commission will host its annual California Advanced Service Fund (CASF) public workshop to facilitate collaboration among regional consortia, local governments, and other stakeholders regarding strategies to promote broadband in underserved areas. Save the date for Tuesday, April 19th from 10 am to 2pm. For more information, see here.

 

Registration Open for 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping

The 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping is happening April 19-21, 2022 The Conference will begin at 9:00 AM daily. This virtual conference is free to attend and designed for elected officials, city and county staff, public works agency employees, community based organizations, faith groups, community members and anyone interested in illegal dumping, community beautification or blight removal. Registration is now open! See here to register or for more information.

 

Caltrans Announces Virtual Public Meeting and Public Comment/Review Period Extension for Carson Transportation Management Systems Project

The public comment and review period for the Caltrans Carson Transportation Management Systems project (10-1G020) has been extended from March 28, 2022 to May 2, 2022 for the 10-1G020 Initial Study Negative Declaration Draft Environmental Document

Caltrans will hold a virtual public meeting on April 21, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, which will include a presentation on 10-1G020 with an opportunity for attendees to speak with the project team.  The Notification Letter and Public Notice may be viewed here. The link to the virtual public meeting will be posted on the Caltrans Carson Transportation Management Systems project webpage prior to the meeting, during the week of April 18th. The link currently provides project information and the Draft Environmental Document for review.

 

USDA Offers Rural Communities Financial Assistance for Renewable Energy Projects 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the application window is now open for (competitive) Rural Energy Pilot Program grants. State, Local, Tribal and non-profit entities are eligible for up to $2 million over three years to support community-scale renewable energy projects in rural communities, with priority given to distressed and high-energy burden communities that spend a greater proportion on energy costs than the average U.S. household. Funds may be for planning, installing, equipping, and maintaining community scale distributed renewable energy technologies, systems and resources. For more information, see here. Letters of Intent are due on or before April 19, 2022, and completed applications are due no later than July 18, 2022.

 

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Launches New Grant Programs to Conserve Lands and Boost Local Economies

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has launched its 2022 Strategic Land Conservation and Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Directed Grant programs. The Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Directed Grant Program supports efforts to enhance and develop sustainable recreation and tourism opportunities, as well as increase access to public lands in the Sierra Nevada region. The Strategic Land Conservation Directed Grant Program conserves lands through the planning and implementation of fee-title and conservation-easement acquisitions that provide access for public use or to public lands, safeguard lands threatened by conversion, and protect lands that provide critical resilience to climate change. 

This current grant-program cycle includes a minimum of $3.1 million available for Vibrant Recreation and Tourism and a minimum of $6.7 million available for Strategic Land Conservation. The funding for both programs is part of the state’s historic $15 billion investment focused on protecting Californians from the effects of climate change, including wildfires, drought, and extreme heat. 

Applicants interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to discuss project ideas with an SNC Area Representative. Concept Proposals must be submitted by May 6, 2022. If invited, full proposals will be due July 22, 2022. Awards will be made starting in December 2022. 
 

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Releases Small-Scale Water Efficiency Grant Opportunity

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has announced the Small-Scale Water Efficiency grant opportunity.  The program provides 50/50 cost share funding entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts.  

Projects eligible for funding include: 

  • installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system,  
  • lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or 
  • other similar projects that are limited in scope.

The funding amount for this Small-Scale Water Efficiency grant award is capped at $100,000, and total project cost should not exceed $225,000.   

Applications are due on April 28th and can be found here.  If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria, click here and select Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Inquiries to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

 

Workshop - Water Shortage Contingency Plan Template Development for Small Water Suppliers

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in collaboration with the State Water Board, is hosting a series of stakeholder meetings to inform the development of an abridged Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) template as part of a comprehensive effort to assist small water systems in meeting new requirements outlined in Senate Bill 552. At the first meeting, on April 20, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., DWR and State Water Board staff will provide an overview of the legislation requirements, review a proposed abridged WSCP template outline, and solicit participants input on the template content and function. Register here.

 

USDOT Opens Application Window for Competitive Grants to Support Infrastructure Projects

On Wednesday, March 23rd, United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $2.9 billion in competitive grants is available for major infrastructure projects as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. While there are three major grant programs with funding up for grabs, including the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL), USDOT has combined the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)  into a single application to reduce the burdens on state, regional and local government applicants, as well as make it easier to apply for more than one program at a time. Up to $300 million is available this year for rural highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve access to an agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the rural economy. 

The application deadline is May 23, 2022 at 11:59pm EST. The NOFO can be found here. For more information, including frequently asked questions or how to apply, see here

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to you

IN THE NEWS

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.

 

North Yuba Forest Partnership gains national support for forest resilience work in North Yuba River watershed - YubaNet

The United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced the North Yuba River watershed as one of the 10 initial landscapes funded for the U.S. Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy implementation.

 

Neighbors Take the Fight Against Fire Threats to the Next Level - Wall Street Journal

In wildfire-prone areas, homeowners are taking steps to fortify their homes against the flames. A growing number are doing something more, working with their neighbors to reduce the shared risk of an entire community—a model that could gain traction in coming years as threats increase.

 

Golden State Connect Authority and UTOPIA Fiber Partner to Deploy High-Speed Internet in Rural California - Golden State Connect Authority and RCRC

Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) has entered a partnership with Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA) Fiber to assist in the development and operation of reliable, affordable high-speed internet infrastructure in rural California. This partnership will bolster the efforts of GSCA to bridge the divide in internet access across its 38 rural member counties through the deployment of an Open-Access, municipal broadband fiber network.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties.

AB 240   (Rodriguez)   Local health department workforce assessment   This bill would require the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to contract with an appropriate and qualified entity to conduct an evaluation of the adequacy of local health department infrastructure, including an assessment of future staffing, workforce, and resource needs.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 8/27/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(12). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 7/5/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 522   (Fong)   Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.   The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt specific forest management activities, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, and duration, intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. Assembly Bill 522 extends the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to January 1, 2026 to aid forest landowners with wildfire prevention activities.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 759   (McCarty)   Elections: county officers.   Assembly Bill 759 would require an election for all county-wide offices (sheriff, assessor, district attorney, etc.) be held at the presidential general election. Initially, this bill only applied to the county sheriff but recent amendments expand it to all county-wide offices. In addition, this bill would require that these officeholder elections occur at the 2024 General Election thereby requiring affected officeholders to hold a two-year term (assuming election in 2022).   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/8/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 870   (Santiago)   Hazardous materials: liens.    Provides that when the Department of Toxic Substances Control determines that a contaminated site must be remediated, and issues a cost estimate to the property owner for the estimated cost of remediation, the amount in the cost estimate shall constitute a lien on the property that takes priority over all other liens, including liens for local property taxes and special assessments.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  John (1)

AB 925   (Dahle, Megan)   Sexual assault forensic examinations: reimbursement.   Would authorize the appropriate local law enforcement agency to seek reimbursement from the Office of Emergency Services, using the specified federal funds, for the cost of conducting the medical evidentiary examination of a sexual assault victim.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 8/27/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(12). (Last location was APPR. on 6/29/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air quality impacts: environmental justice.   Modifies the California Environmental Quality Act by: 1) Requiring air and water quality impacts to a disadvantaged community to be mitigated in that community; 2) Requiring local agencies to give consideration to the principles of environmental justice by ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/22/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1078   (Patterson)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts residential buildings damaged or destroyed in a disaster during the 2020 calendar year from having to install solar energy systems under the California Energy Commission’s recently adopted building requirements.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 0. Page 3410.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1249   (Gallagher)   Income taxes: gross income exclusions: wildfires.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 3/30/2022-Referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1434   (Friedman)   Urban water use objectives: indoor residential water use.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1454   (Bloom)   The California Beverage Container and Litter Reduction Act.   Assembly Bill 1454 makes several changes to the Beverage Container Recycling Program, including creation of a new $25,000 startup loan for the creation of new recycling centers in unserved or underserved areas and increased payments to redemption centers with an even greater increase in rural areas.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was E.Q. on 6/16/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1547   (Reyes)   Air pollution: warehouse facilities.   AB 1547 allows the Air Resources Board to regulate indirect sources of air pollution and requires local governments to undertake many other actions to identify and address the potential environmental impacts of warehouse development projects.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.     Location: Assembly Public Safety   Status: 4/7/2022-Read second time and amended.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA, vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/28/2022-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Flora)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021.   The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 3/31/2022-Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1707   (Boerner Horvath)   Property tax postponement: Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Fund.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 3/30/2022-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/17/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1749   (Garcia, Cristina)   Community Air Protection Blueprint: community emissions reduction programs: toxic air contaminants and criteria air pollutants.   Prohibits approval or issuance of permits for projects that contribute to an increase in air pollutants or toxic air contaminants in a CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged community unless the agency finds that increased emissions caused by the project (combined with cumulative emissions from other sources) will not cause or contribute to additional negative public health impacts on individuals living and working in that community. Requires the state to identify measures to reduce criteria air pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions in CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged communities.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/22/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 3.) (March 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1757   (Ward)   Groundwater sustainability agency.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/14/2022-Re-referred to Com. on W.,P., & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1784   (Smith)   Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014: groundwater sustainability projects: grants and loans.      Location: Assembly Print   Status: 2/4/2022-From printer. May be heard in committee March 6.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1814   (Grayson)   Transportation electrification: community choice aggregators.   Allows community choice aggregators to file applications with the state for approval of programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/31/2022-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1832   (Rivas, Luz)   Tidelands and submerged lands: hard mineral extraction.   Prohibits the State Lands Commission and local trustees of granted public trust lands from granting leases or issuing permits for extraction or removal of hard minerals (not including rock, gravel, sand, silt, and coal) from tidelands and submerged lands.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/22/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (March 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1851   (Rivas, Robert )   Public works: prevailing wage: hauling.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/17/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (March 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1879   (Mathis)   California regional water quality control boards: investigations.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 4/6/2022-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1906   (Stone)   Voluntary stream restoration: property owner liability: indemnification: claims.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/29/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1931   (Rivas, Luz)   Community water systems: lead pipes.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 3/29/2022-Re-referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1952   (Gallagher)   Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.    Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act projects funded by the $500 million set aside for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.   Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1953   (Maienschein)   Drinking water: accessible water bottle refill stations.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/6/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 5). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1956   (Mathis)   Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.   Creates a new grant program administered by CalRecycle to fund woody biomass collection and disposal by rural counties with a population of 250,000 or less.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/24/2022-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2081   (Garcia, Eduardo)   Municipal water districts: water service: Indian lands.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/23/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2173   (Petrie-Norris)   Public contracts: payment.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 4/7/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2201   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/21/2022-Re-referred to Com. on W.,P., & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2208   (Kalra)   Fluorescent lamps: sale and distribution: prohibition.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 4/6/2022-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Property Assessed Clean Energy program: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/31/2022-Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Assembly B.&p.   Status: 4/7/2022-Read second time and amended.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2419   (Bryan)   Environmental justice: federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Justice40 Oversight Committee.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 4/7/2022-Read second time and amended.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unlicensed cannabis cultivation.     Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 4/5/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 5). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2451   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Com. on W.,P., & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2454   (Jones-Sawyer)   Public contracts: protests: joint labor-management committee.     Location: Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review   Status: 3/10/2022-Referred to Com. on A. & A.R.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2505   (Gray)   Water theft: irrigation districts.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/28/2022-Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

ACA 1   (Aguiar-Curry)   Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval.    ACA 1 would lower the vote threshold to 55 percent for approval of local bonded-indebtedness and specially dedicated taxes imposed for specified uses.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/22/2021-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

ACA 13   (Mathis)   Water infrastructure projects: minimum funding requirement and general obligation bonds.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/7/2022-Referred to Coms. on W.,P., & W. and NAT. RES.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AJR 5   (Rivas, Luz)   Wild free-roaming horses and burros: protection: roundup moratorium.   AJR 5 would urge the federal government to declare a moratorium on all further wild horse and burro round-ups and would urge the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service to introduce and support populations in areas of California where wild horses and burros were historically present.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 8/25/2021-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 12   (McGuire)   Local government: planning and zoning: wildfires.   Senate Bill 12 requires that the Office of Planning and Research, among other things, coordinate with appropriate entities, including state, regional, or local agencies, to establish a clearinghouse for climate adaptation information for use by state, regional, and local entities, as provided. This bill would require the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element or the hazard mitigation plan, on or after July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 6/24/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 37   (Cortese)   Contaminated Site Cleanup and Safety Act.   Senate Bill 37 eliminates the ability to use a “common sense exemption” under the California Environmental Quality Act for any projects undertaken at over 40,000 sites throughout the state that appear on the Cortese List of currently or formerly contaminated properties. Instead allows specified types of projects to use either a statutory or categorical CEQA exemption is certain circumstances are met   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/8/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  John (1)

SB 38   (Wieckowski)   Beverage containers.   Replaces the existing Beverage Container Recycling Program (Bottle Bill) with a new recycling program administered by beverage container manufacturers and increases the CRV from $0.05 to $0.10 per container if the state fails to achieve specified recycling rates. Repeals the $10.5 million annually set aside for payments to cities and counties to address recycling and litter.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/14/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES. (Amended 2/14/2022)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  John (1)

SB 54   (Allen)   Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act.   SB 54 requires manufactures of single-use, disposable packaging and food service ware to ensure that those products sold, distributed, or imported into the state are either recyclable or compostable.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/24/2022-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 7.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  John (1)

SB 213   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: hospital employees.     Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 2/1/2022-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 284   (Stern)   Workers’ compensation: firefighters and peace officers: post-traumatic stress.   Establishes a workers’ compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the course of employment.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 8/30/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 286   (Min)   Elections: Orange County Board of Education.   Senate Bill 286 would require the top-two vote-getters seeking election to a county office to face-off in a General Election.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/26/2022-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 7.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.  

SB 316   (Eggman)   Medi-Cal: federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/9/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 335   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: liability.   Senate Bill 335 prohibits a claim for workers’ compensation from being maintained unless within 30 days after the occurrence of the injury, the injured person, or in case of the death, a dependent, or someone on the injured person’s or dependent’s behalf, serves notice of the injury upon the employer.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was INS. on 6/10/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 359   (Caballero)   Climate change: Resilient Merced County Incentive Pilot Program.   Senate Bill 359 requires the Department of Conservation to develop and implement the Resilient Merced County Incentive Pilot Program to assist the County of Merced to develop and adopt a climate action plan through the use of a scenario-planning tool developed by the department and provide financial assistance to private landowners in implementing activities resulting from the use of the scenario-planning tool set forth in the adopted climate action plan.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 463   (Dahle)   Water: landowner or water right holder right to modify, repair, or replace jointly used conduits.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/18/2022-March 22 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/14/2022-Set for hearing April 25.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 833   (Dodd)   Community Energy Resilience Act of 2022.   Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to develop and implement a grant program for local governments to develop community energy resilience plans.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/4/2022-April 4 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/4/2022-April 4 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 926   (Dodd)   Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program: Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/14/2022-Set for hearing April 25.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 938   (Hertzberg)   The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000: protest proceedings: procedural consolidation.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/4/2022-Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 953   (Min)   Oil and gas leases: state waters: State Lands Commission.   Requires the State Lands Commission to terminate all remaining oil and gas leases under its jurisdiction in tidelands and submerged lands within state waters.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/8/2022-Set for hearing April 26.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1012   (Glazer)   State parks: open fires.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/4/2022-April 4 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/7/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1127   (Atkins)   Workers’ compensation: liability presumptions.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/4/2022-April 4 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1186   (Wiener)   Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 4/14/2022-Set for hearing April 20.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/29/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1220   (Hurtado)   Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater sustainability plans.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/13/2022-April 19 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 4/14/2022-Set for hearing April 27.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 3/30/2022-Set for hearing April 19.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.     Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 4/7/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1338   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/14/2022-Set for hearing April 26.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)