The Barbed Wire - April 19, 2024

April 19, 2024
Request for Information on SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Implementation Efforts
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2404 (Lee) - State and Local Public Employees: Labor Relations: Strikes
Board of Forestry Announces Third Workshop on Utility and Public Agency Vegetation Management in Rights-of-Way
DWR to Hold Webinar Regarding Final CA Water Plan Update 2023
RCRC Member Counties and Local Communities Receive Homelessness Funding
Grant Funding Available for Clean Energy Land Use Planning
USDA Forest Service Invests More Than $232M to Support Schools, Roads, Other Services
Congress Members Introduce Legislation to Tackle Drought, Support Local Water Infrastructure
BULLETIN BOARD
WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Request for Information on SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Implementation Efforts

The Rural Counties' Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) is seeking information on efforts by RCRC solid waste jurisdictions to comply with the edible food recovery requirements under the state’s organic waste recycling regulations under Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016).  

As part of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, SB 1383 requires statewide recovery of 20 percent of edible food that is unserved and uneaten to be directed to feed people in need and divert from landfills. Jurisdictions are required to implement edible food recovery programs to help increase food recovery throughout the state by working with food recovery programs to strength existing networks and work with commercial food donors to recover the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed.  All food donations are required to meet food safety requirements.  CalRecycle has also provided grants to jurisdictions to implement this program.  Jurisdictions are required to document these food recovery efforts and take enforcement action against noncomplying commercial food generators and food recovery organizations.   

ESJPA is compiling information on this program and is requesting feedback from member counties on their efforts, successes, and impediments to implementing and monitoring these food recovery programs in rural counties. Understanding how these efforts are faring may give insight into the need for any policy changes needed to improve program success.

Please send comments to Staci Heaton at sheaton@rcrcnet.org or John Kennedy at jkennedy@rcrcnet.org. More information on this program and requirements is available here

 

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2404 (Lee) - State and Local Public Employees: Labor Relations: Strikes

RCRC, in coalition with local government and agency partners, has expressed opposition to Assembly Bill 2404, authored by Assembly Member Alex Lee (D-San Jose). This measure is a re-introduction of last year’s AB 504 (Reyes), which would declare the acts of sympathy striking and honoring a strike line a human right and, thereby, disallow provisions in public employer policies or collective bargaining agreements going forward that would limit or prevent an employee’s right to sympathy strike. 

Specifically, this bill would allow those who have not gone through the negotiation process to refuse to work simply because another bargaining unit is engaging in striking. In rural communities, it is common to see co-location of government services to ensure remote areas are served. Public employers that bargain in good faith and have approved MOU agreements would be penalized for sharing a business space with another government employer when a non-striking worker chooses to honor a strike line of a striking, separate employer.  

Our concerns with AB 2404 are consistent with the issues raised in response to last year’s AB 504 (Reyes), and are reflected in the veto message of Governor Newsom, which states, “Unfortunately, this bill is overly broad in scope and impact. The bill has the potential to seriously disrupt or even halt the delivery of critical public services, particularly in places where public services are co-located. This could have significant, negative impacts on a variety of government functions including… provision of services in rural communities where co-location of government agencies is common, and accessibility of a variety of safety net programs for millions of Californians.” 

RCRC’s letter of opposition is available here. RCRC strongly suggests that counties send individual letters of opposition. 

This measure passed out of the Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement on Monday, Thursday, April 17th and has been re-referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. For additional information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett

Board of Forestry Announces Third Workshop on Utility and Public Agency Vegetation Management in Rights-of-Way

On Wednesday, May 1st, the Board of Forestry will host a third and final workshop to consider amendments to the Forest Practice Rules to address how electric utilities conduct vegetation management work within public rights of way, as well as how public agencies conduct similar work. The focus of the discussion is expected to be on more controversial aspects of amendments requested by PG&E. These amendments would more than double the size of the right-of-way for electric distribution lines under 33KV and significantly increasing those distances for higher voltage lines and telephone cables/open wires. These changes are expected to significantly impact property owners who have distribution and transmission lines running across their land. Regarding the changes that would impact public agencies, Board of Forestry has characterized its intent to largely maintain the status quo and remove controversial changes to “timber operations” and “timberlands”  that would have brought such right-of-way maintenance activities within the definition of “timber operations,” requiring a Notice of Exemption to be prepared by a Registered Professional Forester. 

This workshop will be conducted in-person at the California Natural Resources Agency (715 P Street, Room 305, Sacramento, CA) on May 1, 2024, from noon to 5pm with an option to participate remotely, see here. For questions, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.

DWR to Hold Webinar Regarding Final CA Water Plan Update 2023

Last December, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the final version of its California Water Plan Update 2023. This plan was developed as a planning tool for state and local agencies, and by tribal governments and communities, to inform and guide the use and development of water resources in the state. 

In order to better inform local and tribal partners about how to utilize the update in their local planning, DWR is hosting a two-hour webinar on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to highlight the key points of California Water Plan Update 2023. The webinar will also highlight upcoming projects and funding that put California Water Plan Update 2023 into action. To attend this webinar please register via Zoom

To receive updates on California Water Plan related news, subscribe to California Water Plan eNews. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sidd Nag

RCRC Member Counties and Local Communities Receive Homelessness Funding

On April 18th, RCRC Chair, Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, attended a virtual press conference held by Governor Gavin Newsom, announcing the award of approximately $192 million in new state funds to help transition people from experiencing homelessness to housing. The funds are part of the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund grants and will support 20 projects in 17 California communities.

Among the jurisdictions receiving funds are: 

  • The city of Chico (in Butte County) will receive $2.7 million 

  • The city of Los Banos (in Merced County) will receive $11.8 million   

  • The Humboldt County Continuum of Care will receive $3.4 million  

  • Monterey County will receive an award of $11.1 million  

  • Nevada County will receive $2.5 million  

  • Santa Barbara County will receive $7.9 million   

  • The Tehama County Continuum of Care will receive $14.1 million 

The full list of recipients is available here

Grant Funding Available for Clean Energy Land Use Planning

On April 11th, the California Energy Commission posted a grant opportunity allocating up to $500,000 total to local governments to develop new or updated clean energy land use planning documents to support the development of clean energy projects. The California Clean Energy Planning Program will provide up to $100,000 per city or county applicant and will be awarded on a first come, first-served basis. Costs eligible for reimbursement include: direct labor costs; subject matter experts used in preparing documents (e.g. new or updates to general plan elements, potential studies); and for outreach and community engagement. A pre-application virtual workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd from 1:30pm to 3:30pm (see here) and applications will be accepted May 7th through June 3rd.

Last August, RCRC co-hosted a Local Government Renewable Energy Permitting Webinar to discuss the SB 100 renewable energy infrastructure needs and included a panel with county permitting departments and energy developers to share best practices and opportunities to improve permitting processes.

More information can be found here. For funding assistance, please contact RCRC Policy and Local Assistance Manager Eric Will.

 

USDA Forest Service Invests More Than $232M to Support Schools, Roads, Other Services

On April 12th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced it is issuing more than $232 million to support public schools, roads and other municipal services through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. In addition to SRS payments, the Forest Service is using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to improve forest conditions; support local economies; and create jobs by investing in forest restoration projects, road and trail maintenance, recreation opportunities and wood innovation development. This year California will receive $33,720,305 in SRS payments.  For this Fiscal Year 2023 payment information by county, see here.

Congress Members Introduce Legislation to Tackle Drought, Support Local Water Infrastructure

On April 16th, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Representative Scott Peters (D-San Diego) introduced the Drought Relief Obtained Using Government Help Today (DROUGHT) Act, legislation to help alleviate the Western water crisis caused by the long-term drought conditions affecting the Colorado River and its reservoirs. The bill would allow federal government loans to take on a greater share of the rising cost of water infrastructure projects. 

The DROUGHT Act would allow drought-impacted and underserved communities to both draw down additional federal funds and remain eligible for long-term, low-interest WIFIA loans. It does not affect the obligation of borrowers to repay their loans, the timeline for repayment, or interest rates of applicable loans. 

The bill is being co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Long Beach) and Raul Ruiz (D-El Centro) in the House of Representatives.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Upcoming CPUC Webinar on Federal Broadband Maps and Funding

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will host a webinar to provide an overview of, and answer questions regarding, the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Challenge Process. This is an opportunity to update the FCC Broadband Map that directs broadband infrastructure funding. The CPUC will explain who may challenge the existing maps, what types of challenges are allowed as well as the evidence needed, and the timeline and stages of the challenge process.

Date:   April 24, 2024
Time:  10:00 AM  - 11:30 AM
Register Here

For questions or more information, please contact BEAD@cpuc.ca.gov.

 

Webinar Opportunity for Public Defenders

Is your jurisdiction seeking to strengthen Sixth Amendment protections? Join the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Center for Justice Innovation, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on April 23, 2024, at 2:00 pm Eastern for a 45-minute webinar to discuss exciting opportunities for no-cost training and technical assistance through BJA’s Justice for All program

Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

 

Opportunity for Rural Counties through NACo's Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) Initiative

RLEM is a new peer-learning opportunity for rural local government leaders to advance upward economic mobility to help individuals and families move out of poverty. Applications are due on Monday, April 22 at 11:59pm ET, submit to economicmobility@naco.org.

  • Who should apply? RLEM members will consist of two-person teams from 10 counties, parishes or boroughs with populations of under 50,000. Teams will include one elected leader and one government employee or community member tasked with implementing data-driven programs and policies.
  • Why participate? RLEM will connect you with other local government leaders and help members learn how to use tools for developing policies, programs and funding for place-based approaches to economic mobility. Each RLEM member will receive travel funding to participate in all in-person activities and a $50,000 grant to the participants’ local government to help with capacity building needs.
  • For more information: Visit naco.org/program/RLEM/apply or register to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, April 3 at 3pm ET.

 

2024 Public Meetings of the Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners (DRIP) Collaborative

Mark your calendars for the 2024 meetings of the Department of Water Resources DRIP (Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners) meetings. Members of the public may observe each meeting and provide public comments in-person (Sacramento) or remotely. Click the links below for information about each meeting.

April 26, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

October 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

Employment Opportunities

Colusa County

Colusa County is seeking an Assistant County Administrative Officer. Salary: $132,300.00 - $216,780.00. This recruitment is open until filled. To learn more or to apply, see here. Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package.

Mendocino County

  • Facility Project Specialist I. Saraly range: $67,870.40 - $82,492.80 annually. The position closes April 21, 2024, 11:59 PM. For more information or to apply, see here.
  • Facility Project Specialist II. Saraly range: $74,796.80 - $90, 896.00 annually. The position closes April 21, 2024, 11:59 PM. For more information or to apply, see here.
  • County Counsel. Salary range: $200,000 Annually. This position is open until filled. For more information or to apply, see here.
  • Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. - $40,000 hiring bonus! Salary range: $125,112.00 - $152,068.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.
  • Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. - $20,000 hiring bonus! Salary range: $88,899.20 - $108,076.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.

San Benito County

San Benito County Council of Governments is seeking a Transportation Planner II/III. Salary: $64,916-$100,692 Annually. This recruitment will remain open until filled. To learn more or to apply, click here. San Benito County offers an excellent benefit package.

CCDEH and CAEHA Seeking Shared Executive Director and Advocate (Sacramento - Remote)

The California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) and California Association of Environmental Health Administrators (CAEHA) are seeking to fill a shared executive director and advocate position in Sacramento. This is a full-time position shared between these two public health organizations. This position is open through June 1, 2024, 5:00 PM, or until filled. Compensation and benefits are negotiable. Submit resumes by email to justin@ccdeh.com. To learn more, see the job announcement here.

CCDEH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was established in 1956 to promote public environmental health in California – especially at the local government level. CCDEH has three staff and a budget of approximately $.5million. CAEHA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit established in 1968 with 3 staff and a budget of approximately $2.0million. CAEHA serves CCDEH and local environmental health programs through state-wide advocacy and staffing support. Both organizations work closely with the hazardous materials and 
safety regulators in the California Unified Program. The incumbent will be expected to advocate on behalf of the local Unified Program agencies as well as CCDEH. For additional information on these organizations see: www.ccdeh.org, www.caeha.net, and www.calcupa.org.

 

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 your inbox

WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS

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.

 

California insurance crisis: 2 more insurers withdraw from state – San Francisco Chronicle

In filings with the California Department of Insurance, Tokio Marine America Insurance Co. and Trans Pacific Insurance Co. said they would both withdraw from the homeowners and personal umbrella insurance markets in California.

 

CA about to crack down on farmers who depleted groundwater – CAL MATTERS

Kings County agencies and growers may face probation and millions of dollars in fines — which could be the first step toward the state wresting control of groundwater.

 

California granted federal disaster declaration for February storms – Los Angeles Times

President Biden has approved California’s request for a major disaster declaration to support recovery efforts from a string of February storms that drenched much of the state with historic rainfall and mountain snow and resulted in numerous deaths, officials announced Sunday. ​​​​​
 

Drones begin mapping unincorporated South County for broadband – New Times San Luis Obispo

Golden State Connect Authority is working with SLO County to bring broadband services to unserved communities in Oceano and Arroyo Grande. The first phase of the project will be a drone survey to determine the best route for bringing in broadband fiber.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.   This bill would have amended reporting and transportation project review requirements, under SB 375 (2008), for the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), for project information pertaining to climate and greenhouse gas emissions impacts. The bill would have required MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was TRANS. on 6/14/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: planning: project selection processes.   This bill would have required all transportation projects funded, at least in part, through major state or federal funding programs to incorporate several, specified principles that include improving road safety, conformity with federal streamlined project principles, ADA compliance, water and air quality impacts, climate impacts, and access to disadvantaged communities, among others.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Would have established a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3,700,000 acre-feet by the year 2030 and a total of 4,000,000 acre-feet by the year 2040. The bill would have required the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with the state board, to take reasonable actions to promote or assist efforts to achieve the statewide goal, as provided. The bill would require the department, beginning July 1, 2027, and on or before July 1 every 2 years thereafter until January 1, 2043, in consultation with the state board, to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the progress made to achieve the statewide goal.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, or the relevant state agency, to approve the necessary permits for specified storage projects within 180 days from receiving a permit application, and would deem those permits approved if approval does not occur within this time period.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, on or before June 1, 2024, to post on its publicly available internet website information tracking the progress to increase statewide water storage, and to keep that information updated.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells were to go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill would prohibit a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to the act and classified as a critically overdrafted basin unless the city county or well permitting agency obtains written verification from a groundwater sustainability agency that the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program AND the proposed well would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by the plan.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   This bill would authorize CA State Water Board to issue, on its own motion or upon the petition of an interested party, an interim relief order in appropriate circumstances to implement or enforce these and related provisions of law. The bill would provide that a person or entity that violates any interim relief order issued by the board would be liable to the board for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the sum of $10,000 for each day in which a violation occurs and $5,000 for each acre-foot of water diverted in violation of the interim relief order.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 491   (Wallis)   Local government: fines and penalties.   would provide effectual tools for addressing illicit land use activities, including unlicensed cannabis operations by (1) streamlined judicial reviewed for minor administrative penalties (under $25,000) imposed for unpermitted cannabis activities; (2) efficient collection of final penalty order (i.e. after administrative/judicial review is complete), in the same manner presently used for pesticide enforcement fines; (3) clarifies that priority of real property liens used to collect administrative penalties for these violations, by providing that such liens have the same priority as a judgement lien.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 9/25/2023-Measure version as amended on September 13 corrected.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 817   (Pacheco)   Open meetings: teleconferencing: subsidiary body.   AB 817 would provide a narrow exemption under the Ralph M.Brown Act for non-decision-making legislative bodies currently governed by Act, such as advisory bodies and commissions, to participate in two-way virtual teleconferencing without posting physical location of members. In addition, AB 817 would remove barriers to entry for appointed and elected office by allowing non-decision-making legislative bodies to participate virtually as long as they do not have the ability to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or other entitlements.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/25/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 8.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1168   (Bennett)   Emergency medical services (EMS): prehospital EMS.   Would overturn an extensive statutory and case law record that has repeatedly affirmed county responsibility for the administration of emergency medical services and with that, the flexibility to design systems to equitably serve residents throughout their jurisdiction.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   This bill would have required State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would have required that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things.   Location: Senate Desk   Status: 9/14/2023-Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Held at Desk.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   This bill would have expanded the instances when the diversion or use of water is considered a trespass, and would have directed State Water Board to adopt regulations for various water conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, to prevent the waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion of water, and to implement these regulations through orders curtailing the diversion or use of water under any claim of right.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   This bill would have required a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency to obtain a written verification from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located determining that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was GOV. & F. on 6/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1616   (Lackey)   California Cannabis Tax Fund: Board of State and Community Corrections grants.   AB 1616 would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to prioritize local governments whose programs seek to address the unlawful cultivation and sale of cannabis when disbursing grants from California Cannabis Tax Fund. The bill would also authorize the board to make grants to local governments that ban both indoor and outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation or ban retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products.   Location: Senate Public Safety   Status: 6/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB S. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 26). Re-referred to Com. on PUB S.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1785   (Pacheco)   California Public Records Act.   Would prohibit local agencies from posting an assessor’s parcel number associated with an elected or appointed official on the internet without their written permission.   Location: Assembly Consent Calendar   Status: 4/18/2024-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1951   (Fong, Vince)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.   would statutorily exempt from CEQA fuels reduction projects, including removal of trees and brush within 50’ of either side of a roadway. AB 1951 would fill gaps where such work would not qualify for existing statutory or categorical CEQA exemptions and is not covered by CalFire’s Vegetation Treatment Program (VTP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR).   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 4/1/2024-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1957   (Wilson)   Public contracts: best value construction contracting for counties.   would authorize any county in the state to utilize the best-value contracting model and eliminates the statutory sunset on such authority.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2037   (Papan)   Weights and measures: electric vehicle chargers.   Current law regulates advertising that indicates the price of motor vehicle fuel, including electricity sold as a motor vehicle fuel. Current law requires a county sealer to enforce the advertising requirements. Current law defines “correct,” for purposes of testing and verifying the accuracy of a weighing or measuring device, as a weight or measure or a weighing, measuring, or counting instrument that meets certain tolerance and specification requirements. This bill would authorize a county sealer to test and verify as correct any electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as defined, that is located in the county in which the sealer has jurisdiction. The bill would require a county sealer to condemn and seize, or cause to be marked with a tag or other device with the words “out of order,” an incorrect, as defined, electronic vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified. The bill would authorize a county board of supervisors to charge an annual registration fee for the cost of inspecting and testing an electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 4/11/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2079   (Bennett)   Groundwater extraction: large-diameter, high-capacity water wells: permits.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin and imposes specified duties upon that agency or combination of agencies, as provided. Current law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a model water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance implementing certain standards for water well construction, maintenance, and abandonment and requires each county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, not later than January 15, 1990, to adopt a water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance that meets or exceeds certain standards. Under current law, if a county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, fails to adopt an ordinance establishing water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment standards, the model ordinance adopted by the state board is required to take effect on February 15, 1990, and is required to be enforced by the county or city and have the same force and effect as if adopted as a county or city ordinance. This bill would require a local enforcement agency, as defined, to perform specified activities at least 30 days before determining whether to approve a permit for a new large-diameter, high-capacity well, as defined. By imposing additional requirements on a local enforcement agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.   Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/17/2024-Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/17/2024-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2266   (Petrie-Norris)   California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project: vehicle eligibility.   Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to authorize a voucher for a public or private fleet issued under the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project program to be used for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle with a gross vehicle weight greater than 8,500 pounds.   Location: Assembly Transportation   Status: 4/4/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Leigh (1)

AB 2276   (Wood)   Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.   AB 2276 extends the sunset date to January 1, 2031 for three important exemptions from timber harvest plan requirements necessary for small land owners to perform fuels treatment and vegetation maintenance on their properties for the purpose of wildfire mitigation.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 4/18/2024-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 4/15/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2330   (Holden)   Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.   AB 2330 would streamline the process for fuels treatment projects for local governments that require an incidental take of a candidate species.   Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/2/2024-Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2344   (Petrie-Norris)   Fire prevention: grant programs: reporting.   AB 2344 would require the Governor's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to publicly post information regarding the allocation of funds from grant programs to provide better information regarding how the state's resources are being utilized for forest resilience projects.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/10/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/11/2024-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2514   (Aguiar-Curry)   Solid waste: organic waste: diversion: hydrogen: biomethane.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/11/2024-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2528   (Arambula)   Williamson Act contracts: cancellation: energy projects.   The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, otherwise known as the Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to enter into contracts with owners of agricultural land to preserve the land to agricultural use, as specified. Current law authorizes the cancellation of a contract under certain circumstances. Current law requires the city or county to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of contract if the city and county approves a cancellation of a contract. Current law authorizes the city or county to charge a cancellation fee in an amount equal to 12.5% of the cancellation valuation of the property. This bill would instead require that the cancellation fees be transmitted by the county treasurer to the Controller within 45 days of the execution of a certification of cancellation of contract.   Location: Assembly Agriculture   Status: 4/18/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on AGRI. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 17). Re-referred to Com. on AGRI.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2746   (Villapudua)   Streamlined housing approvals: multifamily housing developments: agricultural employee housing.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 4/15/2024-Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.    Staff:  John (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.     Location: Assembly Consent Calendar   Status: 4/18/2024-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/11/2024-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3011   (Bains)   Electricity: rates: unreasonable hardship.     Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/11/2024-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3150   (Quirk-Silva)   Fire safety: fire hazard severity zones: defensible space: State Fire Marshal.   AB 3150 would allow for members of the public to petition the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to review the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for potential reclassifications based on new data, and would shift certain responsibilities regarding the maps from the Board of Forestry to the OSFM.   Location: Assembly Emergency Management   Status: 4/11/2024-Re-referred to Com. on E.M.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   This bill would have authorized a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would have made findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. on 7/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 418   (Padilla)   California Prison Redevelopment Commission.   Would establish the California Prison Redevelopment Commission and articulate its responsibilities including its composition, with a focus on developing recommendations for repurposing closed state prison facilities.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 584   (Limón)   Laborforce housing: Short-Term Rental Tax Law.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 6/29/2023-June 28 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 624   (Alvarado-Gil)   Horse racing: state-designated fairs: allocation of revenues: gross receipts for sales and use tax.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation Suspense File   Status: 7/10/2023-July 10 set for first hearing. Placed on REV. & TAX. suspense file. July 10 hearing. Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   Adapts the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. In addition, SB 820 would invest enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity business.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/29/2024-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 945   (Alvarado-Gil)   The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act.   SB 945, the Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act, would require the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, and the State Air Resources Board to create, operate, and maintain a statewide integrated wildfire smoke and health data platform that, among other things, would integrate wildfire smoke and health data from multiple databases.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/17/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 946   (McGuire)   Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: exclusions: wildfire mitigation payments.   SB 946 would exclude payments from the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, the state's pilot grant program to aid low income homeowners with home hardening retrofits, from eligibility for state income taxes.   Location: Senate Revenue and Taxation   Status: 4/3/2024-Re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 952   (Dahle)   Personal income taxes: Fire Safe Home Tax Credits Act.   SB 952 would offer tax credits to lower income property owners for home retrofits and vegetation management activities in order to mitigate the risks from high severity wildfire events.   Location: Senate Revenue and Taxation   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: complete streets facilities: transit priority projects.   Would require all transportation projects funded or overseen by the Department of Transportation to provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities unless an exemption is documented and approved, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 4/16/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 961   (Wiener)   Vehicles: safety equipment.   The Department of the California Highway Patrol regulates the safe operation of specified vehicles, including motortrucks of 3 or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers, and buses. Current federal law regulates required safety equipment on vehicles, including rear impact guards on certain large trucks to prevent rear underrides in collisions with passenger vehicles. This bill would require certain trucks and trailers to also be equipped with side guards, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 4/16/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 973   (Grove)   Williamson Act: cancellation: solar energy projects.   The Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to contract with a landowner to limit the use of agricultural land located in an agricultural preserve designated by the city or county to preserve the land, subject to conditions of the contract, that may include an agreement to a specified valuation of the land for purposes of property taxation. The act authorizes a landowner to petition the city council or board of supervisors, as applicable, for cancellation of the contract under specified circumstances and imposes a cancellation fee equal to 12.5% of the fair market value of the land without the restriction of the contract. This bill would authorize a board or council to grant a petition for cancellation where the land subject to the contract is located in a basin under the jurisdiction of an adjudicated watermaster or the groundwater sustainability agency. The bill would require the landowner to commit to limiting the amount of water rights to a specific solar energy project, as defined, that uses less water than the agricultural use. The bill would also require the board or council to make specified findings, including that the solar energy project use is being permitted that will use less water than the agricultural use.   Location: Senate Local Government   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1004   (Wilk)   Income taxes: exclusions: wildfires.   SB 1004, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, would provide an exclusion from gross income for any qualified taxpayer, as defined, for amounts received for costs and losses associated with wildfires.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/8/2024-April 8 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1045   (Blakespear)   Composting facilities: zoning: air and water permits.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 4/17/2024-Set for hearing April 24 in E.Q. pending receipt. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (April 17). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/12/2024-Set for hearing April 22.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1060   (Becker)   Property insurance underwriting: risk models.   SB 1060 would require companies offering property insurance in California and utilizing risk assessment models in their underwriting to account for home hardening, defensible space, and community wildfire risk mitigation measures in their models.   Location: Senate Insurance   Status: 4/17/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on INS.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.     Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 4/16/2024-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 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 4/16/2024-Set for hearing April 24.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1143   (Allen)   Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1156   (Hurtado)   Groundwater sustainability agencies: financial disclosures.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Existing law requires a groundwater sustainability plan to be developed and implemented for each medium- or high-priority basin by a groundwater sustainability agency. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin, as provided. Current provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibit a public official from making, participating in making, or attempting to use their official position to influence a governmental decision in which they know or have reason to know that they have a financial interest, as defined. However, current law permits a public official to make or participate in the making of a governmental decision, even if the public official knows or has reason to know that the official has a financial interest, if the official’s participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. Current law makes a knowing or willful violation of the act a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties. This bill would require members of the executive team, board of directors, and other groundwater management decision makers of groundwater sustainability agencies to annually disclose any economic or financial interests pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974 that may reasonably be considered to affect their decision-making related to groundwater management, as provided.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/16/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1159   (Dodd)   California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/5/2024-Set for hearing April 23.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1175   (Ochoa Bogh)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: waivers.   Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider alternatives to census tracts, as provided, when deciding the boundaries of a low-population or elevation waiver and would require low-population waivers to be valid for a period of 10 years.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/12/2024-Set for hearing April 22.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Health   Status: 4/15/2024-April 24 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/12/2024-Set for hearing April 22.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)