The Barbed Wire - August 16, 2024

August 15, 2024
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2104 (Soria) - Community Colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program
Legislative Appropriations Committees Address Bills and Send Over 500 Measures Forward
State Invites Public Input on Final Phase of New Wildfire Modeling Regulation 
$600 Million to Bolster California's Electric Grid
Grants to Modernize Airports
BULLETIN BOARD
WEEKLY NEWSCLIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2104 (Soria) - Community Colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program

RCRC is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2104 by Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno). This measure would direct the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to establish a pilot program to allow up to 10 community college districts to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

The shortage of health professionals in California, particularly in rural areas of the state, has been a persistent concern for many years and has become more acute in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the aging of the health care workforce. Rural areas with smaller populations that are farther from urban centers often have the lowest supply of health professionals per capita. Further, rural California does not have a high concentration of the four-year universities needed for graduate degree health professionals; however, often these communities have access to community college programs. However, problems are not isolated to rural areas. The Inland Empire and the Central Valley are two of the fastest growing regions in California, and they are the two areas that have the lowest per capita health workforce. It’s also a challenge to recruit and retain people in the Central Valley and Inland Empire that reflect the diversity and language capabilities of these regions.  

California’s current healthcare workforce development apparatus is not equipped to handle the growing nursing needs of the state, especially in disadvantaged communities and in rural parts of the state. While California’s Community College system does offer associate degrees in nursing, the needs of the healthcare workforce more frequently demand a bachelor’s degree. This level of degree is exclusive in California to private institutions that are prohibitively expensive or to the University of California and the California State University systems, which have limited capacity and difficulty serving areas of the state with the highest need.  

In order to meet our nursing workforce needs and extend these career opportunities to Californians throughout the state, we must expand the role of our community college system. AB 2104 will take the first step in this process by allowing a limited number of community college districts to expand their nursing programs to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This will expand the access and affordability of these degrees and will demonstrate how these offerings might be further expanded to additional community college districts.  

RCRC’s letter of support is available here. AB 2104 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 15 and will be heading to the Assembly floor later this month. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett. 

Legislative Appropriations Committees Address Bills and Send Over 500 Measures Forward

Another legislative “milestone” was passed this week when the two Appropriations committees took up what is referred to as the “Suspense file”. The Assembly held about 32% of the Senate measures it reviewed, above the average of 25% . The Senate completed its review of the Assembly Bills in their possession and held about 34% of the measures, well above the normal hold rate. With that, over 500 measures are headed to the legislative floors for consideration over the next two weeks for dispensation by August 31 before those approved head to Governor Newsom’s desk. 

Among these bills, those of particular interest to RCRC are the following: 

  • AB 2330 (Holden) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This measure streamlines the process for fuels treatment projects for local governments that require an incidental take of a candidate species. 

 

  • AB 2421 (Low) – Held. RCRC opposed. This bill would restrict an employer’s ability to conduct internal investigations to the detriment of employees and the public’s safety and well-being, adding new costs and liability for public employers. AB 2421 creates an employee-union representative privilege in the context of California public employment which could compromise the ability of employers to conduct investigations into workplace safety, harassment and other allegations.  

 

  • AB 2469 (Emergency Management Committee) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This measure extends the sunset of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2030.  

 

  • AB 2557 (Ortega) - Held. RCRC opposed. This measure mandated new contracting and posting requirements for local agencies that are overly burdensome, exceptionally costly, and inappropriately inflexible, likely resulting in worse outcomes for vulnerable communities and diminished local services for our residents and students. With the proposed requirements of AB 2557 for local agencies with represented workforces and for their contractors, we anticipate (1) fewer non-profit providers, community-based organizations, and other private service providers willing to engage with local agencies, (2) exacerbated already-demanding caseloads and workloads for our existing staff, and (3) increased costs for local agencies.  

 

  • AB 2882 (McCarty) – Held. RCRC opposed. This measure reprioritized an existing Proposition 30-protected community corrections revenue stream to address the behavioral health treatment needs of those in county jail settings. The measure expands local requirements – by amending Penal Code section 1230.1 – the elements of the local community corrections plan by requiring new comprehensive and in-depth analyses and recommendations about how criminal justice funds might be used as matching funds for other sources; quantifiable goals for improving the community corrections systems; and specific targets for each goal. These new duties represent a higher level of service in the context of a realigned program and are duplicative of reporting mandates recently enacted by Proposition 1.  

 

  • AB 2902 (Wood) - Approved. Sponsored by RCRC, this bill would require CalRecycle to evaluate ways for the organic waste regulations to incentivize carbon farming; develop training and technical assistance materials to assist local governments in expanding community composting operations; create a model ordinance and franchise provisions that exempt small-scale community composting operations from specific regulatory and exclusivity provisions; and evaluate ways to maximize the local benefits of edible food recovery programs and explore circumstances in which recovered food may be more suitable for use in local animal feed operations. 

 

  • SB 504 (Dodd) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This measure specifies that existing structures won’t have to comply with the 5-foot ember resistant zone (Zone Zero) regulations for three years after they are finalized. 

 

  • SB 542 (Dahle) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This bill provides income tax exclusions for settlements related to the Dixie Fire and the Mill Fire.  

 

  • SB 610 (Wiener) – Held. This measure would have revised the current state fire responsibility process and obligations, including many provisions related to housing, land use and building permitting, shifting these from the Board of Forestry (BOF) to the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM). This bill was introduced as a gut and amend on June 11, 2024. RCRC, along with our local government partners, CSAC and Cal Cities, had a “concerns” position on the bill. 

 

  • SB 945 (Alvarado-Gil) - Held. Supported by RCRC. This measure would have created an integrated, statewide database for wildfire and health data.  

 

  • SB 946 (McGuire) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This measure would exempt recipients of home retrofit grants from the California Wildfire Mitigation Program.  

 

  • SB 1057 (Menjivar) – Held. RCRC opposed. This measure would dramatically recast the composition of multiagency juvenile justice coordinating councils (JJCC), which are designed to develop and implement a continuum of county-based responses to addressing the needs of justice system-involved youth.  

 

  • SB 1064 (Laird) – Approved. Sponsored by RCRC. This bill seeks to reduce unnecessary complexity and duplication within the cannabis regulatory environment which is impeding government’s ability to license businesses in a reasonable timeframe and complicating efforts to enforce the law.  

 

  • SB 1101 (Limon) - Approved. Supported by RCRC. This bill streamlines the process for CAL FIRE to enter into contracts to perform prescribed fire operations. 

 

  • SB 1402 (Min) - Held. Concerns expressed by RCRC. This measure would have required all state departments and agencies to consider the state’s 30x30 goal when adopting, revising, or establishing plans, policies, or regulations that directly affect the use of coastal waters or land, management of natural resources, or biodiversity conservation. 

 

Bills that got the ax included a handful of high-profile crime measures: 

  • Sexual violence: A bill by Senate GOP leader Brian Jones of San Diego would have ensured that public safety is a priority for the State Department of State Hospitals when considering the conditional release of sexually violent predators. After it was nixed, Jones said that Assembly Democratic leaders are “now complicit in helping the Newsom Administration protect these predators over families.” 

 

 

Among the proposals that did survive are two items of note: 

  • Octopus farming: Bans commercial octopus farming and the sale of the farmed creature. Animal rights activists say the practice is inhumane, even though it hasn’t started yet in California. 

 

  • Youth treatment: Expands reporting requirements for state-run facilities that treat young adults over the use of restraints and “seclusion rooms.” In response to its passage out of the appropriations committee, media personality Paris Hilton, a proponent of the bill, says it is critical “to hold these facilities accountable and increase transparency.” 

State Invites Public Input on Final Phase of New Wildfire Modeling Regulation 

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is inviting public input as he begins the final phase of approving a “first of its kind” catastrophe modeling and ratemaking regulation aimed to help restore insurance options for Californians and prepare for climate change. On August 16th, the Office of Administrative Law published the regulation online, marking the beginning of a public comment period that will conclude with a hearing convened by Commissioner Lara on September 17.  

This announcement marks the latest step to enacting Commissioner Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy which seeks to safeguard the integrity of the state’s insurance market -- keeping California on track for a December 2024 goal of enacting the state’s largest insurance reform in over 30 years.  

The regulation posted today details the commitments that insurance companies must make in future rate filings to write more policies in wildfire distressed areas as a condition for using wildfire catastrophe modeling to more accurately assess wildfire risks they will write. The regulation also provides for the public review of models used in ratemaking, as required under California law. This marks two “firsts” for the state’s regulation of insurance rates: The first time insurance companies will commit to cover higher risk homes in wildfire distressed areas, and the first use of forward-looking wildfire catastrophe modeling.  

The strategy is intended to address limitations of Proposition 103, passed by voters in 1988. Under that law, insurance companies are free to propose rates at any level needed to cover future losses but, unlike public utilities, are not required to cover all residents. With the combination of increasing climate risks, rising costs of repair and rebuilding, and global economic forces, major companies have increased rates while pulling back from higher-risk properties, resulting in areas where the FAIR Plan is now the only option for consumers. In June, the Department released a first-ever map showing where FAIR Plan policies have grown and the traditional insurance market has retreated. The proposed regulations released today focus on reversing FAIR Plan growth as a result of insurance companies committing to write more in high risk areas through the use of wildfire catastrophe models in ratemaking. 

The Department of Insurance will hold a virtual public hearing (details here) to take input on the proposed regulation on September 17, 2024, at 10AM/PT. Written comments can be submitted to CDIRegulations@insurance.ca.gov

$600 Million to Bolster California's Electric Grid

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) announced an investment of $600 million in federal funding for California to upgrade 100 miles of transmission lines to improve the state’s grid reliability and deliver clean, affordable electricity faster. The funding comes through the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) program, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

The GRIP grant was awarded to the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Independent System Operator, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Edison. The agencies and utilities will partner on the California Harnessing Advanced Reliable Grid Enhancing Technologies or Transmission (CHARGE 2T) program, which will expand transmission capacity and provide interconnection improvements to increase and accelerate equitable access to clean energy across the state. 

Specifically, the CHARGE 2T project will: 

  • Support more than 300 direct jobs. 

  • Enhance more than 100 miles of transmission lines with advanced conductor technologies that will help connect more clean energy resources than the existing grid can accommodate at this time. 

  • Deliver an estimated $200 million in energy savings from improved grid efficiency. 

  • Invest in workforce training programs for the next generation of energy and utility workers. 

  • Create economic and community benefits for disadvantaged communities. 

  • Develop a portal to improve transparency and efficiency in the interconnection process. 

Grants to Modernize Airports

On August 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the ninth round of funding to enhance safety and efficiency at airports across America. This round of funding included 296 grants across 47 states. Seven projects in RCRC counties were selected for over $5 million in funding in total. The full list of projects selected in this round can be found here. The funding was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

HCD Reminder - Annual Reporting Required for Cities and Counties (AB 362 - Homeless Shelters)

This is a reminder of the annual homeless shelter reporting requirement due by April 1 of each year. California cities and counties are required to investigate complaints related to substandard homeless shelters and report specified information to HCD.

Information Bulletin 2022-02: Assembly Bill 362 (AB 362) Homeless Shelters Reporting Guidelines provided the details of annual reporting obligations. Cities and counties can submit annual homeless shelter reports, as required by AB 362 (Chapter 395, Statutes of 2021), electronically through the Local Ordinances, Amendments, and Reports Portal (Portal). The Portal can be accessed through HCD’s Local Ordinances, Amendments, & Reports webpage. 

Questions? Please call the Division of Codes and Standards at 1.800.952.8356 or email HCDBuildingStandards@hcd.ca.gov.

 

Critical Funding Opportunity Available to Expand Behavioral Health Services

On July 16, DHCS released the Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible organizations can apply for funding to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate properties for behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members. DHCS will award up to $3.3 billion in grants to projects that expand community-based behavioral health facilities and services.

This funding aims to address significant treatment gaps by improving access to behavioral health care. Interested parties can find application instructions on the BHCIP website and submit applications by December 13, 2024. This initiative, part of Proposition 1, seeks to transform California’s mental health and substance use disorder systems, providing more comprehensive care for the state’s most vulnerable populations. For more information, contact DHCS at BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov. To speak to RCRC about this opportunity, contact RCRC's Policy and Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will.

 

ILG Webinar August 19th: Complying with CARB's Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently implemented the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which may require local governments and local government contractors that own, lease, or operate more than one truck/bus to phase in zero-emission vehicles. Is your agency ready to comply? This webinar provides an opportunity to learn about the requirements, strategies local governments are implementing to comply with ACF, and if there are exemptions and time extensions that may apply for your agency. 

Speakers include:

  • Alene Taber, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett LLP
  • David Fernandez, Chief, Departmental Operations, Fleet Services Division, County of San Diego 

Moderated by Melissa Kuehne, Senior Program Manager, Institute for Local Government.

Date: Monday, August 19th
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Register Today!

 

CPUC to Hold Virtual Public Forums on Video Franchisees

On September 19, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold two forums to gather input on potential changes to how the CPUC oversees licensing of video franchisees under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA) of 2006 and explore ways to modernize DIVCA implementation. To provide public comment, call 1-800-857-1917, passcode 6032788#. A webcast can be viewed here. For more information, see here.  

 

Employment Opportunities

Calaveras County

  • Director of Public Works and Transportation, #2024-00037 ($83.74 - $102.94)
    Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Public Works Divisions including Roads and Bridges, Engineering, Fleet, Administration and the office of the County Surveyor.  Coordinates work related to the design, construction, maintenance and repair of County highways, roads, and bridges.  Application review to take place the week of August 5th.  For detailed job flyer and application requirements please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/calaverascounty. Apply now. Open until filled. EOE

Shasta County

  • HHSA Chief Fiscal Officer - Salary Range: $97,464.00 - $124,392.00 Annually. Position closes 9/9/2024 at 5;00 PM Pacific. For more information or to apply, see here
    Under general direction, plans, organizes, directs and performs highly complex and technical auditing, accounting, financial, administrative, budgetary, claiming, business management, and fiscal management functions of the Health and Human Services Agency; assists in policy and procedure development and implementation; manages and oversees all fiscal and accounting services; ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations; maintains budget, fiscal control, accounting, audit, and related administrative and reporting systems for the Health and Human Services Agency; may supervise, manage, and train staff; and performs related work as required.
     
  • Director of Mental Health Services - Salary Range: $159,528.00 - $203,616.00 Annually. Position closes 9/9/2024 9:00 AM Pacific. For more information or to apply, see here.
    Under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director and within federal and state laws and rules, plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the administrative and support operations as well as program activity for Behavioral Health Services in Shasta County; assists in policy and procedure development and implementation; serves on the agency management team; and performs related work as assigned.

 

NCWA Call for Nominations

The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Board of Directors is calling for nominations in preparation for the next NorCal Water Leaders Program coming in 2025, Please nominate a future water leader from your area by November 15, 2024.

Cultivating strong and knowledgeable leadership in the Sacramento Valley is critical to safeguard Norther California water rights and supplies, and to sustainably manage water supplies for future generations. The program is dependent upon the nomination of individuals who care about the Sacramento Valley and are interested in learning more about our precious water resources. The program aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of water leaders in the Sacramento Valley with a deeper understanding of the region. the NorCal Water Leaders Program of 2025 will be a seven-month program with half-day seminars at various locations throughout the Valley. each seminar will focus on important water issues affecting Northern California water supplies and water quality.

Details

  • Nominations due no later than November 15, 2024
  • First seminar held in January 2025
  • Meets monthly through July 2025
  • Program will include tours

For additional details and the full call for nominations, see here. Send nominations by email to Danyella Ochoa. Include the nominee's name, address, phone number, email address, and any background information about why you have nominated the individual.

 

3rd Annual Chamber Summit - Bridging the Gap Between Rural and Urban Chambers

The 3rd Annual Chamber Summit is coming to Copperopolis, California on October 3rd & 4th. This dynamic event brings together chambers of commerce from both rural and urban areas for 2 days of collaboration, resource sharing, and inspiration. Attendees will benefit from engaging workshops, access to invaluable resources, and hear from visionary keynote speakers. Together, we'll explore new strategies to enhance our chambers, uplift our communities, and empower the businesses we serve. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Make your Chamber's Annual Corporate Retreat meaningful! Find more information here.

 

Ventura County Invitation to the First Annual Government and Disability Summit

The County of Ventura is honored to be holding a first-of-its-kind statewide Government and Disability Summit this September 24-27, 2024.

The goal of the event is to build bridges connecting government representatives, disability organizations, and corporate supporters to amplify the importance of increased empowerment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities throughout California.

At this conference, learn from federal and state leaders, changemakers from all over the state, and people with lived experience with disabilities. There will be various learning modes such as full group plenary panels, a lunch and learn, and 18 breakout sessions on various topics including transportation, accessibility, disability history and culture, systems change, and an emphasis on emergency preparedness.

For the conference schedule and more information, check out the conference website.

 

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 NEWSCLIPS

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.

 

 

Several housing bills are still in play in the California Legislature – Capital Public Radio

Housing and homelessness are top of mind as California lawmakers wrap up their 2024 legislative session. There are many housing bills still on the table including bills that create more shelter options for people experiencing homelessness and encourage more building of affordable housing — like making changes to construction fees, addressing high rental application fees, and providing guaranteed income to unhoused students. 

 

One Tulare County groundwater agency charges full tilt into recharge – San Joaquin Valley Water

Farmers and water managers in the Kaweah subbasin are charging headlong into recharge as a key strategy to both keep the state’s hands off its pumping and position growers to better withstand drought years.

 

California commissioner faces criticism as he tries to solve crisis in home insurance coverage – CalMatters

Insurance to indemnify us for liabilities and damages to our homes, cars and businesses is a modern necessity, but consciously or subconsciously we often resent paying for coverage that is seldom invoked.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

 

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: 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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was TRANS. on 5/30/2024)   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: civil penalties.   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 Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (August 15). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was JUD. on 5/29/2024)   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was L. GOV. on 5/1/2024)   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 Third Reading   Status: 8/13/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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: Assembly Vetoed   Status: 7/18/2024-Vetoed by the Governor   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was L. GOV. on 5/22/2024)   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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 6/27/2024-From Consent Calendar. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (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 Chaptered   Status: 7/2/2024-Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 58, Statutes of 2024   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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 8/6/2024-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: Senate Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 5/29/2024)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2149   (Connolly)   Gates: standards: inspection.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 2199   (Berman)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: residential or mixed-use housing projects.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 8/6/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was TRANS. on 2/26/2024)   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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 6/27/2024-From Consent Calendar. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 6/6/2024-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: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 15).   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 Dead   Status: 5/16/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/10/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.     Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 15). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2421   (Low)   Employer-employee relations: confidential communications.   This bill would restrict an employer’s ability to conduct internal investigations to the detriment of employees and the public’s safety and well-being, adding new costs and liability for public employers. AB 2421 creates an employee-union representative privilege in the context of California public employment which could compromise the ability of employers to conduct investigations into workplace safety, harassment and other allegations.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2469   (Committee on Emergency Management)   Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.   AB 2469 extends the sunset of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2030.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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 Dead   Status: 5/16/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2557   (Ortega)   Local agencies: contracts for special services and temporary help: performance reports.   AB 2557 places new contracting and posting requirements for local agencies that are overly burdensome, exceptionally costly, and inappropriately inflexible, likely resulting in worse outcomes for vulnerable communities and diminished local services for our residents and students. With the proposed requirements of AB 2557 for local agencies with represented workforces and for their contractors, we anticipate (1) fewer non-profit providers, community-based organizations, and other private service providers willing to engage with local agencies, (2) exacerbated already-demanding caseloads and workloads for our existing staff, and (3) increased costs for local agencies.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2561   (McKinnor)   Local public employees: vacant positions.   This measure requires local agencies with vacancy rates exceeding 15% for permanent full-time positions for more than 180 days (approximately 6 months) within a bargaining unit to, at the request of the bargaining unit, meet with the bargaining unit within 21 days and hold a public hearing within 90 days to discuss, among other specified items, the public agency’s strategy to fill the vacancies. If the true intent of AB 2561 is to provide a path for public agencies to reduce staff vacancies, diverting staff away from core service delivery and mandating they spend time preparing for additional meet and confer requirements and public hearings on their vacancy rates will not achieve that goal. Adding another unfunded mandate on public agencies will not solve the problem this bill has identified. It is just as likely to create even more burn-out from employees tasked with producing the very report the bill mandates.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 15). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 6/18/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2797   (McKinnor)   Telephone corporations: carriers of last resort: tariffs.   This bill would commence a process, with no oversight, to no longer require any telephone corporation to be a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) in a specified manner, and discontinue legacy voice service. A telecommunications service provider designated as a COLR has an obligation to provide basic telephone service, commonly landline plain old telephone service (POTS), to any customer in its service territory to ensure universal access to safe, reliable, and affordable telephone service. AB 2797 requires telephone corporations to identify, as part of the relief notice, (1) a census block of the telephone corporation’s service territory where there is no population or where the company has no basic exchange telephone service customers, or (2) a census block designated as urban where 2 or more different service providers offer alternative voice services, as defined, to customers, or both. Alternative technologies have no equivalent consumer protections, such as minimum service quality standards or reliable access to 9-1-1.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was E. U., & C. on 6/12/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 2882   (McCarty)   California Community Corrections Performance Incentives.   AB 2882 seeks reprioritization of an existing Proposition 30-protected community corrections revenue stream to address the behavioral health treatment needs of those in county jail settings. The measure expands local requirements – by amending Penal Code section 1230.1 – the elements of the local community corrections plan by requiring new comprehensive and in-depth analyses and recommendations about how criminal justice funds might be used as matching funds for other sources; quantifiable goals for improving the community corrections systems; and specific targets for each goal. These new duties represent a higher level of service in the context of a realigned program and duplicative of reporting mandates recently enacted by proposition 1.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions.     Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (August 15). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Sponsor   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: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 3238   (Garcia)   California Environmental Quality Act: electrical infrastructure projects.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 42   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program: notice to original petitioner.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.   SB 399 would prohibit an employer from subjecting, or threatening to subject, an employee to any adverse action because the employee declines to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or affirmatively declines to participate in, receive, or listen to any communications with the employer, the purpose of which is to communicate the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters. The uncertainty created because of the vague and overly broad provisions of this bill in the context of public employers would make it incredibly difficult to comply with and would certainly be litigated. SB 399 would also create a private right of action in court for damages caused by adverse actions on account of the employee’s refusal to attend an employer sponsored meeting.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (August 15).   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 707   (Newman)   Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024.   Creates a Responsible Textile Recovery Act to require producers to establish a stewardship program for collection and recycling of apparel and textiles that are unsuitable for reuse by a consumer.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   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: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   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: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: complete streets facilities: transit priority facilities.   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: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 15).   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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 972   (Min)   Methane emissions: organic waste: landfills.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was L. GOV. on 2/21/2024)   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: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1045   (Blakespear)   Composting facilities: zoning.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1057   (Menjivar)   Juvenile justice coordinating council.   This measure would dramatically recast the composition of multiagency juvenile justice coordinating councils (JJCC), which are designed to develop and implement a continuum of county-based responses to addressing the needs of justice system-involved youth.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1060   (Becker)   Property insurance underwriting: risk models.   SB 1060 would encourage 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: Assembly Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was INS. on 6/3/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.   This bill seeks to reduce unnecessary complexity and duplication within the cannabis regulatory environment which is impeding government’s ability to license businesses in a reasonable timeframe and complicating efforts to enforce the law. By doing so, it seeks to reduce challenges and barriers to basic compliance for businesses.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1101   (Limón)   Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: maps.   SB 1101 streamlines the process for CAL FIRE to enter into contracts for prescribed fire operations for the purpose of fuels treatment projects.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was INS. on 6/3/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1143   (Allen)   Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1156   (Hurtado)   Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest 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 Concurrence   Status: 8/15/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1159   (Dodd)   California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   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: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 8/15/2024-August 15 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1193   (Menjivar)   Airports: leaded aviation gasoline.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 8/8/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was HEALTH on 2/29/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1361   (Blakespear)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: local agencies: contract for providing services for people experiencing homelessness.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 8/13/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1420   (Caballero)   Hydrogen production facilities: certification and environmental review.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 8/15/2024-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (August 15).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)