The Barbed Wire - February 25, 2022

February 25, 2022
Senator Feinstein Urges Swift Selection of Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission
Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1326 (Caballero) – Cannabis Interstate Agreement
Western Senators Call for Megadrought Emergency Relief
Update on Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations
ICYMI! RCRC Digital Governance Series: If Phone and Internet Services Fail in an Emergency: 9 Preparation Strategies for Rural Counties
RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES
BULLETIN BOARD
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Senator Feinstein Urges Swift Selection of Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission

In a letter to the Biden Administration on February 24th, Senator Feinstein urged Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, to establish a process for the selection or nomination of members of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission (Commission). The Commission, which was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is to include non-federal members who are to be preferentially selected from areas at high risk of wildfire. Senator Feinstein reminded the Secretaries of California’s qualifications as a high-risk state and noted that several Californians have reached out to her, eager to serve on the Commission. Read the press release here

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1326 (Caballero) – Cannabis Interstate Agreement

RCRC's legislative proposal related to interstate cannabis commerce has been introduced in the Legislature. Senate Bill 1326, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), seeks to allow the cross-jurisdictional import and export of cannabis and cannabis products, by authorizing the Governor to enter into agreements with other states with legalized cannabis in order to provide for lawful interstate commerce. SB 1326 requires agreements to include public health, safety, and labeling standards; a system to regulate and track cannabis items; and collection of applicable taxes. The measure also requires that out-of-state cannabis items delivered to California are tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with California state law. 

California legalized cannabis for both medicinal and adult use through the passage of Proposition 64 (2016). However, state law currently limits commercial cannabis activities within California's borders and prohibits California's cannabis licensees from engaging in interstate commerce. This prohibition has consequently left many California cannabis growers with no viable pathway into the legal, regulated market. Historically, most of the cannabis grown in California was exported, up to 80% by some estimates. 

Five years after the passage of Proposition 64, the cannabis industry is experiencing overproduction and a steep drop in prices, oversaturation of products, and cannabis businesses struggling to survive. Without considerable market expansion as part of the solution to stabilize the legal industry and to incentivize participation in the regulated market, California risks the collapse of portions of the legal industry, particularly impacting rural producing regions, which could lead to considerable expansion of the illicit market.  

SB 1326 provides a relief valve for the oversupply of cannabis, supports rural economies in producing regions, provides a tool to stabilize the cannabis industry, and gives the state a competitive advantage as federal policy develops. In addition, coordinated action by states that have legalized cannabis, and the development of a sensible and secure multi-state legal cannabis market, provides support for a policy shift and help guide the federal conversation in future years. 

For more details, read the SB 1326 fact sheet here. For additional information or questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.  

 

Western Senators Call for Megadrought Emergency Relief

Last week, Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein called on Senate leadership to include $616 million in emergency drought funding and agricultural assistance in the upcoming FY 2022 omnibus appropriations bill “as Western states continue to suffer from the worst megadrought in more than 1,200 years.”  In the letter, the Senators highlighted the struggles of farmers, the importance of preserving water for agriculture, and the need to ensure drinking water is available for disadvantaged and tribal communities. They also urged the provision of direct relief for farmers hit hardest by slowdowns and disruptions in the supply chain.

Update on Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations

Before recessing last week, Congress sent President Biden legislation that extends government funding at Fiscal Year 2021 levels for another three weeks, through March 11th. By that date, appropriators need to settle on programmatic funding levels that can pass in Congress—with 60 votes needed in the Senate—in order to fund the government for the remaining 6 ½ months of Fiscal Year 2022. While the leaders of the Appropriations Committees have not said publicly what the Fiscal Year 2022 spending total is, or how it is split between defense and non-defense funding, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) noted that the agreement “will provide the biggest increase in non-defense programs in four years.” 

ICYMI! RCRC Digital Governance Series: If Phone and Internet Services Fail in an Emergency: 9 Preparation Strategies for Rural Counties

“Digital Governance” is a limited series, featured in RCRC’s Barbed Wire newsletter, to provide county leadership with essential guidance on information technology topics of key importance to local governments. Each month, Nevada County Chief Information Officer, Steve Monaghan, presents actionable direction on issues such as online service provision, cyber-risk reduction, rural broadband development, and more. In the third installment in this series, entitled “If Phone and Internet Services Fail in an Emergency: 9 Preparation Strategies for Rural Counties”, Monaghan details how emergencies can impact the core public communications channels relied upon and how counties can prepare for such occurrences. Read the article here.

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

 

GSNR Team Attends Loggers Conferences to Further Forest Resiliency Aims

Over the past month, members of the Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) team had the opportunity to attend the Associated California Loggers Conference in Reno, Nevada, as well as the Shasta Cascade Loggers Conference in Shasta County to further development of GSNR’s forest resiliency program. Both events allowed the GSNR team to meet with key potential contractors, suppliers, industry participants, elected and public officials, workforce development professionals, academia, and other critical partners. In addition, these events provided opportunities to gather additional insights into forest-management topics provided by a number of speakers including: industry leaders; state elected representatives; officials with the USDA Forest Service; CalFIRE; and California Natural Resources Agency.  

Lastly, during the conferences GSNR staff met with the broader GSNR project team to advance several priority development objectives. 

For additional information on GSNR visit www.goldenstatenaturalresources.com.

 

GSCA Launches New Branding

Following the formation of the Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) in August 2021, staff began working with consultants to develop branding that best speaks to the mission of the new organization to establish quality internet for rural California. Following scoping meetings with staff, and evaluation of similar brands in the field, the branding materials developed include a logo, key messaging, and an updated website. These items will serve as important tools in communication regarding the purpose and work of GSCA moving forward. An updated website incorporating the new branding will launch next week under the same URL as the current website at www.goldenstateconnect.org. Look to the website for additional updates and information as efforts continue to advance.   

 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Funding Available for Counties and Regions to Respond to Drought and Contaminated Water

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has opened funding solicitations for counties and eligible entities to receive funding to address county-wide or regional programs to address drought-related and/or contamination issues for state small water systems and domestic wells serving disadvantaged communities and low-income households. Eligible projects types include interim and long-term solutions ranging from bottled or hauled water to well repairs and replacements. 

Two webinars for county staff and non-governmental organizations will be held regarding this funding to provide insight into programs currently being implemented, as well as how to apply for funding and assistance:
 

Date: March 2, 2022 
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Online Workshop 
Register here 

 
Date: March 4, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Online Workshop
Register here

For more information, see here.

 

California Energy Storage Alliance 13th Annual Market Development Forum, March 1-2, 2022

The 13th Annual Market Development Forum of the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA) is taking place March 1-2, 2022 in Berkeley, California. The two-day event is a gathering of the energy storage ecosystem, including regulators, utilities, and CESA members, focused on how energy storage will support California's 2030 decarbonization and grid reliability goals. For more information, visit the CESA website here

 

CalRecycle to Host Webinar Providing Details on SB 1383 Changes to RDRS 

On Tuesday, March 1st, CalRecycle will host a second statewide webinar to provide additional details on changes to RDRS reporting requirements pursuant SB 1383. The webinar will highlight the entities and data required to be reported via RDRS to comply with SB 1383 regulations regarding organic material recovery, and provide screen-shots of the “Organic Measurement” section in RDRS where the data will be entered. This reporting will commence with the first RDRS reporting period for Transfer/Processors starting May 1, 2022, and every reporting period thereafter. 

Webinar Details
Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Register here 

To watch the webinar only, you may use the customary webcast available on the CalRecycle website here. To submit questions prior to the webinar, send email to the SLCP inbox and indicate that the questions are for this webinar. 

Webinars are recorded and will be posted to the website as an implementation resource as soon as the materials are made ADA compliant. 

 

Grant Funding Available for Behavioral Health Projects

On January 31, 2022, the California Departments of Health Care Services and Social Services released Requests for Applications (RFA’s) for funding for behavioral health “launch-ready” projects AND capital expansion projects, as follows: 

  • $518.5M from Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) for expanding or developing infrastructure for behavioral health services; and 

  • $570M from Community Care Expansion (CCE) program for capital expansion of adult and senior care facilities that serve Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) applicants and recipients, and other adults who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness. 

The RFA’s are due by March 31, 2022. These funds are open to counties, cities, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and private organizations whose projects reflect the state’s priorities. Additional information about the funding is available at the following locations by clicking on the respective links: 

 

Public Participation Invited To Review PG&E’s Next Rate Increase

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced six upcoming public participation hearings to review and solicit input on PG&E’s 2023 General Rate Case application. Written public comments can also be made at any time here. These hearings will cover PG&E’s entire service territory, however, the March 10th hearing will focus on customers located in the San Joaquin Valley.

 WHEN:     Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm
                  Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm (San Joaquin Valley customer focus)
                  Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm

HOW:        1-800-857-1917. 
                  Passcode: 6032788# (English); 3799627# (Spanish). 
                  Press *1 to alert the operator you’d like to speak. 
                  To view live but not participate, please visit https://adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/ at the times indicated.

 

Career Opportunities

County of Del Norte Seeks Deputy County Council

The County of Del Norte is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy County Council. The position closes March 4, 2022 at 5:00 PM. For additional information, see the job bulletin here.
 

Sierra Business Council

The Sierra Business Council is seeking to fill two positions in Government and Communications. See the links below for information about the open positions.

 

USDOT Announces $1.5 Billion in Discretionary Grants Available for Local and Regional Infrastructure

The United States Department of Transportation released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program—originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants. RAISE grants can be used for a wide variety of projects and under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, RAISE expands the number of communities eligible for 100 percent federal share of funding, specifically those in rural communities, Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities. To determine if a project location is considered as a Historically Disadvantaged Community, please use the tool available here. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. EST on April 14, 2022, and selections, which are vigorously reviewed and selected based on merit, will be announced no later than August 12, 2022. 

 

USDA Offers Rural Communities Financial Assistance for Renewable Energy Projects 

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

 

California Air Resources Board Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is offering a variety of training webinars for regulatory compliance on issues affecting public fleets such as Off-Road Regulations, Truck and Bus Rules, and Diesel Truck Rules. 

The New Programs and Regulations course covers the requirements of existing regulations and then CARB's new regulatory programs that will eventually be in effect. The goals for this class are to cover the proposed program elements and elicit participation in the regulatory process.

Date:               March 31, 2022
Time:               1:00 p.m.
Webinar:         Register

The Compliance Overview: Truck & Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment course include the following topics:

Truck and Bus Regulation:

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Engine Model Year Schedule
  • Exemptions & Extensions
  • How to Report for Regulation Flexibilities
  • Broker and Dispatcher Requirements
  • DMV Registration

Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Program Updates

Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)

  • Manufacturers ZEV Sales Requirements
  • One-Time Reporting
  • Future ZEV Rules

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:

  • Regulation Applicability
  • Requirements Currently in Effect
  • Future Compliance Deadlines

Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) & Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM):

  • PERP Eligibility
  • Program Requirements
  • ATCM Program & Updates
  • Enforcement & Inspections

Date:        March 17, 2022
Time:        1:00 p.m.
Webinar:   Register

 

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

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

 

PG&E Safety Net Program – How to File a Claim 

If you are a residential customer who has gone without power for at least 48 hours because of severe storm conditions, you may qualify for an automatic payment under our Safety Net program. This program provides a payment of $25 - $100, which we pay automatically about 60 days following the storm outage.  However, you may submit a claim if you believe that PG&E caused a loss for which you should be compensated. You can make this type of claim using various methods, but online is the fastest way for it to be processed.  

View this message from PG&E for details

 

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. 

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.

 

‘This impending state regulation could have huge implications for fire safety and development’ -The Press Democrat

RCRC’s Tracy Rhine is featured discussing state fire regulations and highlighting the need for a balanced approach that incorporates the need for housing and economic development alongside the need for fire safety.  

 

‘Biden and Newsom want to secure a domestic supply chain for critical minerals’ -Los Angeles Times 

Speaking Tuesday at a virtual roundtable with Government Gavin Newsom, President Biden touted a series of investments around the country, highlighting several in California, including in Imperial County. 

 

‘Feds’ Central Valley Project expects to send no water to most California farms this year, little to cities’ -San Francisco Chronicle

After an extraordinarily dry start to the year, the federal government announced Wednesday that most farms in California will likely receive no water from the state’s biggest reservoirs in 2022, the latest fallout from drought and a blow to an agricultural industry already crippled by tight supplies.
 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 14   (Aguiar-Curry)   Communications: California Advanced Services Fund: deaf and disabled telecommunications program: surcharges.   Assembly Bill 14 establishes the State Department of Education in state government and vests the department with specified powers and duties relating to the state’s public-school system. This bill would authorize local educational agencies to report to the department their pupils’ estimated needs for computing devices and internet connectivity adequate for at-home learning.   Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 658, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 32   (Aguiar-Curry)   Telehealth.   Assembly Bill 32 requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2021, to specify that coverage is provided for health care services appropriately delivered through telehealth on the same basis and to the same extent as in-person diagnosis, consultation, or treatment.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was HEALTH on 6/9/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:  Support  Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 215   (Chiu)   Planning and Zoning Law: housing element: violations.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/28/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 342, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Oppose  Staff:  Tracy (1)

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

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

AB 537   (Quirk)   Communications: wireless telecommunications and broadband facilities.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 10/4/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 467, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Removal of Opposition  Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 602   (Grayson)   Development fees: impact fee nexus study.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/28/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 347, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Oppose Unless Amended  Staff:  Tracy (1)

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

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

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

AB 989   (Gabriel)   Housing Accountability Act: appeals: Office of Housing Appeals.     Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/10/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:  Oppose Unless Amended  Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air and water 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: 2/1/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   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 Desk   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 0.)   Position:  Support  Staff:  John (1)

AB 1124   (Friedman)   Solar energy systems.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 235, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Oppose  Staff:  Tracy (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 1218   (McCarty)   Zero-emission new passenger vehicle and light-duty truck goals.   AB 1218 would codify Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order N-79-20, which requires the California Air Resources Board to adopt measures to increase the number of zero emission vehicles sold in the state to reach a goal of 100% by the year 2035.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-Died on third reading file.   Position:  Concerns  Staff:  Staci (1)

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

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

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

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 1/14/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and PUB. S.   Position:  Pending  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 Natural Resources   Status: 1/20/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:  Support  Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Burke)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021   The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 1/20/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. & E. and NAT. RES.   Position:  Support  Staff:  Staci (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 Labor and Employment   Status: 2/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. & E.   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 Natural Resources   Status: 2/10/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:  Oppose  Staff:  John (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: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:  Watch  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 Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (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 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 Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (1)

AB 2208   (Kalra)   Fluorescent lamps: sale and distribution: prohibition.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 2/24/2022-Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:  Watch  Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Property Assessed Clean Energy program: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Print   Status: 2/17/2022-From printer. May be heard in committee March 19.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Assembly Print   Status: 2/17/2022-From printer. May be heard in committee March 19.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (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)

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 4   (Gonzalez)   Communications: California Advanced Services Fund.   Senate Bill 4 would modernize and increase the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) by exploring ways to facilitate streamlining of local land use approvals and construction permit processes for projects related to broadband infrastructure deployment and connectivity.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 671, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Support  Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 11   (Rubio)   The California FAIR Plan Association: basic property insurance: exclusions.   Senate Bill 11, which would remove certain barriers to enable homes and structures used to conduct business on farmland to be covered through the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/23/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 128, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Support  Staff:  Staci (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 28   (Caballero)   Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006: deployment data.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 673, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Support  Staff:  Tracy (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SB 378   (Gonzalez)   Local government: broadband infrastructure development project permit processing: microtrenching permit processing ordinance.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 677, Statutes of 2021.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 477   (Wiener)   General plan: annual report.     Location: Senate Vetoed   Status: 1/27/2022-Stricken from file. Veto sustained.   Position:  Oppose Unless Amended  Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 1/19/2022-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   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 Energy, Utilities and Communications   Status: 1/19/2022-Referred to Com. on E., U. & C.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (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: 2/16/2022-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:  Watch  Staff:  John (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling and Fire Risk Reduction Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 2/18/2022-From printer.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 2/18/2022-From printer.   Position:  Pending  Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 2/18/2022-From printer.   Position:  Watch  Staff:  John (1)