The Barbed Wire - April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022
California to Receive $29.9 Million in SRS Payments
Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1404 (Stern) – California Environmental Quality Act and Oak Woodlands
RCRC-Sponsored AB 2878 (Aguiar-Curry) on Biomass Utilization Advances in the Legislature
White House Rural Partners Network
U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla to Secretary Vilsack: Support California Prop 12
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

California to Receive $29.9 Million in SRS Payments

Last week, on April 15th, the USDA Forest Service announced $238 million in funds would be distributed across 742 eligible counties through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program for Fiscal Year 2021. California is expected to receive $29.9 million to support public schools, roads, and other municipal services. SRS was reauthorized for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023 by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1404 (Stern) – California Environmental Quality Act and Oak Woodlands

RCRC has voiced opposition to Senate Bill 1404, authored by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles), which establishes a statewide threshold of significance for the removal of oak trees under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  The bill also eliminates an important safe harbor provision which insulates projects that include specified mitigation measures from legal challenges relating to the project’s impact on oak woodlands.   

SB 1404’s prescriptive mandate and increased litigation exposure is unworkable given the extent and diversity of California’s oak woodlands. 

Under existing law, counties are required to determine whether a project will have a significant effect on oak woodlands. Despite the fact that California has over 800 million oak trees, SB 1404 declares that removal of just three oak trees over 5” in diameter at breast height constitutes a significant effect on the environment under CEQA. The same threshold applies for projects involving 1/10 of an acre and for projects involving hundreds of acres. Unfortunately, SB 1404 ignores the fact that oak trees and woodlands are common and diverse in many areas of the state; usurps local control; and inhibits the ability for local agencies to balance the biological, sociological, and economic interests of private landowners, public agencies, and the environment. 

In establishing an arbitrary statewide threshold, SB 1404 also subjects many additional projects to CEQA where the local agency would have legitimately determined there was not a significant impact on the environment.   

Perhaps even more troubling, SB 1404 also increases CEQA litigation risk by eliminating a safe harbor that currently applies for projects that incorporate specified mitigation measures.  This provision opens the door to CEQA litigation challenging local determinations about the project’s impacts and adequacy of mitigation measures. It also opens the door even wider for “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) groups to oppose projects that impact as few as three oak trees. 

SB 1404 passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 20 despite vigorous discussions about the overly-broad and arbitrary nature of the bill.  The bill will be heard in the author’s Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on April 27. RCRC’s letter is available here.   

For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy

RCRC-Sponsored AB 2878 (Aguiar-Curry) on Biomass Utilization Advances in the Legislature

On April 18, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed RCRC-sponsored Assembly Bill 2878 (Aguiar-Curry), which helps achieve the state’s forest health and wildfire risk reduction goals by increasing the productive use of forest waste through energy generation and wood products manufacturing.  RCRC is co-sponsoring the measure with the Placer County Air Pollution Control District.  AB 2878 helps achieve the state’s forest health and wildfire-risk reduction goals while also helping to improve local energy resiliency and workforce development. 

AB 2878 next goes to the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, chaired by Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia. RCRC’s letter of support is available here.  RCRC strongly encourages individual counties to send letters in support, a template for which can be downloaded here

For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy

White House Rural Partners Network

On April 11th, the White House announced its “Rural Infrastructure Tour” initiative, dispatching members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet across rural America to promote infrastructure funding and other support for rural and underserved communities. As part of the tour, Vice President Kamala Harris, has been traveling to rural towns across the country for weeks to build political support for President Biden’s agenda ahead of the November midterms. On Wednesday, April 20th, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice announced the USDA-led Rural Partners Network (RPN). The RPN is “a new whole-of-government effort led by USDA to transform the way federal agencies partner with rural places to create economic opportunity in rural America. The program will help rural communities access government resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic stability.” The Network will launch in selected communities in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico as well as certain Tribes within Arizona. Community networks within these states will receive individualized support with the expertise to navigate federal programs, build relationships and identify additional resources to promote community-driven solutions. 

U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla to Secretary Vilsack: Support California Prop 12

Last week, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, calling on him to support California’s Proposition 12 before the Supreme Court. In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12, which “set humane standards for farm animal products sold in California.” Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to hear National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, a lawsuit challenging Proposition 12. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Upcoming Broadband for All Roundtables

The California Department of Technology, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, California Emerging Technology Fund, and the California Public Utilities Commission hosting three Broadband for All Roundtables, each focused on a different audience. Information and updates on the implementation of the State’s Broadband for All Action Plan, Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, the CPUC’s Last Mile and Adoption Programs, and other digital equity initiatives will be presented.

Cities, Counties, Consortia, MPO

Date: Thursday, April 28, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Register here

Schools & Libraries

To Be Scheduled

Tribes

To Be Scheduled

 

Career Opportunity – California Farm Bureau

The California Farm Bureau is seeking a Political Coordinator to provide support to the Department of Political Affairs by assisting with campaign reporting, fundraising, grassroots activities, political donations, and coordinating special events to further the California Farm Bureau’s political objectives and grow its political presence at the state and federal level. The job description is available here. Resumes may be submitted directly to the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Director of Political Affairs, Steven Fenaroli.

 

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. 

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.

 

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.

KEEPING UP

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

 

Elia Gallardo, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Gallardo has been Director of Government Affairs at the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California since 2019. She was Director of Policy Research at Insure the Uninsured Project from 2017 to 2019. Gallardo was Executive Director of Government Relations and Program Oversight at the Alameda Alliance for Health from 2011 to 2017. She was Director of Government Affairs at California Primary Care Association from 1998 to 2011. She is a member of the California Bar Association. Gallardo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,084. Gallardo is a Democrat.

Julia Jackson, of Healdsburg, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Jackson has been Founder of Grounded since 2018 and has been a second-generation Proprietor at Jackson Family Wines since 1988. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jackson is a Democrat.

Teal Kozel, of Yuba City, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Kozel has been Senior Psychologist Supervisor in the Forensic Assessment Division at the Board of Parole Hearings since 2009. She was Psychologist Specialist at the California Medical Facility in 2009 and was Staff Psychologist and Suicide Prevention Coordinator at San Quentin State Prison from 2007 to 2009. She was Staff Psychologist at Napa State Hospital from 2004 to 2007. Kozel earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology from Baylor University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $166,306. Kozel is a Democrat.

William Muniz, of Marina, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Muniz served as Chief Deputy Administrator of the Prison to Employment Initiative at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2019 to 2020. He held several positions at Salinas Valley State Prison from 1998 to 2019, including Correctional Sergeant, Correctional Lieutenant, Captain, Associate Warden, Chief Deputy Warden and Warden. Muniz was a Correctional Officer at the Correctional Training Facility from 1994 to 1998. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $166,306. Muniz is a Republican.

Mayra Vega, of Woodland, has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications and Planning at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Vega has been Regional Business Development Executive at Labcorp since 2021. She has been Mayor of the City of Woodland since 2022 and has served on the Woodland City Council since 2020. Vega was Director of Strategy and Business Development at Sutter Health from 2019 to 2021. She was Director of Business Development at Dignity Health from 2017 to 2019. Vega was Administrative Director at Adventist Health from 2011 to 2017. She was Specialist of Marketing and Sales at Diageo Plc. from 2003 to 2011. She is a member of the Woodland Community College Foundation Committee and Luna Vista Rotary Club. Vega earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Sonoma State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,716. Vega is a Democrat.

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.

 

From sawmills to seedlings, California's victims of wildfires fight to rebuild -ABC News

The town of Greenville in Plumas County is featured in this video report on how Californians are rebuilding and working to restore nature after the devastating impact of catastrophic wildfire on their community, and the challenges they still face. 

 

Sonoma County unveils first-ever proposed well water fees under pioneering California groundwater law -Press Democrat

In a dramatic shift from California’s history of allowing landowners to freely pump and consume water from their own wells, Sonoma County’s rural residents and many others will soon begin paying for the water drawn from beneath their feet.

 

Stanislaus National Forest gets $55.2 million to reduce fuel - Modesto Bee

The Stanislaus National Forest is getting $55.2 million for an unprecedented effort to reduce wildfire fuel. The money will go to selective logging, prescribed burning and other work over three years on sites totaling about 41,000 acres.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

 

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 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 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.   AB 1608 would remove county authority to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner. The bill appears to require counties with a combined Sheriff-Coroner function to either combine the Coroner with another authorized elected office, transition to a standalone elected Coroner, or replace the Coroner model with a Medical Examiner office.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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 Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1696   (Lee)   Elections: nonpartisan candidates’ party preference.   Current constitutional and statutory law prohibits including the party preference of a candidate for nonpartisan office, defined as any judicial, school, county, or municipal office, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for that office. This bill would require the ballot for the above offices, except for judicial offices, to contain the candidate’s party preference or, if applicable, lack of party preference.   Location: Assembly Elections   Status: 3/14/2022-Re-referred to Com. on ELECTIONS.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (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: unfounded or frivolous complaints.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 4/21/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S. & T.M. Read second time and amended.    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: 4/21/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S. & T.M. Read second time and amended.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.   AB 1944 would authorize members of local legislative bodies to teleconference from a remote location without making the address of that location public. Additionally, the bill requires that – for those local agencies that elect to use teleconferencing for its legislative body meetings – a video stream is made available to members of the public, including an opportunity to provide public comment via telephone or videoconference option.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/19/2022-Re-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: 4/20/2022-Re-referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Local government: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Banking and Finance   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time and amended.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Assembly B.&p.   Status: 4/18/2022-Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.   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: 4/20/2022-Re-referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unlicensed cannabis cultivation.   AB 2421 would amend the California State Water Code to provide authority to county counsels and city attorneys to civilly prosecute and enjoin water theft. It would also amend the California Fish and Game Code to authorize county counsels to civilly prosecute and enjoin water pollution. By removing existing limitations on prosecutorial authority, the bill provides more tools for local governments to use against the harmful community impacts of illicit cannabis cultivation as well as the degradation of our water and other natural resources.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2022-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   AB 2449 would authorize remote participation in local public meetings if at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a location clearly identified on the agenda that is also open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the local agencies. In order to do so, the local agency must appropriately post agendas, members of the legislative body attending the meeting by teleconference must participate in both audio and video formats, and members of the public must have call-in and internet-based access for attending and participating in the meetings.   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)

AB 2830   (Bloom)   The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.   AB 2830 reflects Governor Newsom’s vison for creating a new civil court process to reach and treat individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum and psychiatric disorders. These new Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts would work with public defenders, county behavioral health, and a new class of trained “supporters” to assist individuals with treatment, medication, and housing. CARE Courts require significant engagement and resources from counties.   Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 4/18/2022-Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (pending re-refer to Com. on HEALTH)   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (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 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.   SB 915, which would prohibit the sale of firearms on any state- or county-owned property, including fairgrounds from holding gun shows and, as a result, erode the revenue stream that would be derived from legal gun shows on these premises.   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: 4/18/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   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 1013   (Atkins)   Beverage container recycling: reports: electronic submittal: wine and distilled spirits.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.   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.   SB 1186 undermines the intent of MAUCRSA by (1) eliminating a local jurisdiction's ability to prohibit medical cannabis retail activities, regardless of the needs or conditions in the jurisdiction, and (2) restricting the ability for the large number of jurisdictions that permit and regulate cannabis retailers to set appropriate local regulations which are developed in a public process.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (April 20).   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   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: 4/21/2022-April 27 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.   SB 1326 would allow the cross jurisdictional import and export to other states, of cannabis and cannabis products by authorizing the Governor to enter into an agreement to provide lawful interstate commerce. SB 1326 requires the agreement to include public health, safety, and labeling standards, a system to regulate and track cannabis items, collection of applicable taxes, and that out of state cannabis items delivered to California be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with California state law.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1338   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.   SB 1338 reflects Governor Newsom’s vison for creating a new civil court process to reach and treat individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum and psychiatric disorders. These new Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts would work with public defenders, county behavioral health, and a new class of trained “supporters” to assist individuals with treatment, medication, and housing. CARE Courts require significant engagement and resources from counties.   Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/21/2022-Referral to Com. on HUMAN S. rescinded because of the limitations placed on committee hearings due to ongoing health and safety risks of the COVID-19 virus. Set for hearing April 26.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1426   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water pollution crimes.   Would make it a misdemeanor or felony to plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process more than 50 living cannabis plants, or any part thereof, and where that activity involves theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, digging an unpermitted, illegal well, or the pollution of groundwater, as specified. This bill would also clarify that causing substantial environmental harm to public resources includes groundwater.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/8/2022-Set for hearing April 26.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)