The Barbed Wire - July 27, 2018

July 27, 2018
Register for RCRC’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Napa – Early Bird Pricing Ends today!!!
Laptops Donated to Lake County Foster Youth
Legislature Considers Governor’s Proposal to Ease Wildfire Liability Standards for Utilities
Rural Broadband Legislation Passed
Infrastructure Update
THE RURAL RUNDOWN PODCAST
KEEPING UP
BULLETIN BOARD

Register for RCRC’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Napa – Early Bird Pricing Ends today!!!

RCRC’s 2018 Annual Meeting will be held September 19-21 at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa in Napa County.  This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics of interest to rural counties, including school safety, the changing face of media, the current political landscape, and more.  Read More…

Laptops Donated to Lake County Foster Youth

Earlier this week, 27 gifted laptops were presented to local foster youth and former foster youth aged 16-21 in Lake County. 

These laptops are part of a statewide distribution funded by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and National Homebuyers Fund, Inc. (NHF), through a partnership with iFoster.  Through this contribution and partnership, more than 1,100 laptop computers will be distributed to all eligible foster youth within RCRC’s 35-member counties.  

Late last year, RCRC and NHF’s Boards of Directors each approved providing $200,000 to support the 1 Laptop Program for Foster Youth.  Through this one-time $400,000 contribution, eligible foster youth and former foster youth in care within RCRC’s 35 counties will be provided a laptop, complete with the iFoster Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Assistant, which includes a HIPAA compliant secure online digital locker, accessible anywhere, anytime.  The laptop is fully integrated into iFoster’s resource portal and programs, providing access to more than 500 needed resources, and improved youth support networks. 

Owning a computer addresses additional challenges for foster youth, including accessing needed resources and the loss or misplacement of important life documents as youth move from placement to placement.  A 2016 study of 730 youth across California who received iFoster computers found that only five percent of rural foster youth have consistent access to a computer in their homes, compared to 90 percent of all teens, and 79 percent of low-income teens (Pew Research Center, 2014).  When provided with a computer, 98 percent of youth reported using it on a daily or weekly basis, and statistically significant improvements were found in academic performance, social connectiveness, and life satisfaction.

Legislature Considers Governor’s Proposal to Ease Wildfire Liability Standards for Utilities

Earlier this week, the Wildfire Preparedness and Response Legislative Conference Committee (Committee) held an oversight hearing to begin laying out the issues the Committee will discuss before the end of August, when the legislative session comes to a close.  The Committee was formed earlier this month to tackle various issues surrounding the ever-growing wildfire problem in California, driven largely by the devastation of last year’s October and December fires in Northern and Southern California.  

Since formation of the Committee, the issues under discussion have largely surrounded the role of California’s investor owned utilities (IOUs) in preventing and preparing for wildfires.  Governor Brown released proposed legislative language on Tuesday that would pose stricter requirements on IOUs with respect to construction and maintenance of their utility lines, development and approval of wildfire safety plans, and double the modest fine of $50,000 to a still modest $100,000 for safety violations.

While RCRC supports many of the Governor’s proposals, his plan also includes a controversial provision to ease the way courts apply liability standards to IOUs when they are found in violation of state statute and legally negligent in causing a wildfire.  The Governor’s proposal has the potential to shift much of the costs to victims of fires, local governments, and insurers, potentially driving insurers who are already canceling and non-renewing policies in high fire risk areas out of those areas entirely.  Many stakeholders at Wednesday’s hearing even questioned the constitutionality of such a provision.

The Committee will resume its work once the Legislative session reconvenes on August 6, 2018.

Rural Broadband Legislation Passed

This week, the House passed two pieces of legislation that would promote rural broadband.  HR 3994, the Access Broadband Act, would create the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) within the Department of Commerce.  HR 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Meeting Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.  

The OICG would streamline the application process for broadband deployment projects seeking federal funds. The office will:

  • Connect with communities that need access to high-speed internet and improved digital inclusion efforts;
  • Hold regional workshops to share best practices and effective strategies for promoting broadband access and adoption;
  • Develop targeted broadband training and presentations for various demographic communities through media;
  • Develop and distribute publications providing guidance to communities for expanding broadband access and adoption; and
  • Track construction and use of any broadband infrastructure built using federal support.

HR 4881, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Task Force for Meeting Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.  The task force would be responsible for measuring internet coverage gaps of cropland and ranchland, particularly in rural areas.  Based on these findings, the task force would then recommend policies and legislation to expand broadband internet service for cropland and ranchland.  Precision agriculture practices utilize 21st century data and technology to increase productivity for farmers and growers.  HR 4881’s supporters argue precision agriculture will promote employment and economic prosperity for rural communities.

Infrastructure Update

On Monday, House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) introduced draft legislation that would implement sweeping infrastructure reform.  Chairman Shuster claim’s his proposal will reform the burdensome permitting process for new infrastructure projects and promote infrastructure spending.  

Chairman Shuster’s bill would authorize the National Infrastructure Investment Program (NIIP) to make new investments in surface transportation infrastructure and direct the Secretary of Transportation to award competitive grants for eligible infrastructure projects.  The bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to allocate 30 percent of annual grant awards for infrastructure projects in rural areas.

The bill would overhaul the environmental regulatory and review process, particular with respect to water infrastructure.  Section 211 of the discussion draft would reauthorize the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and reorganize certain WIFIA programs and the Army Corps of Engineers.  This section includes language that would streamline the WIFIA loan application process for State Infrastructure Financing Authorities and promote state infrastructure investment.  In section 212, Chairman Shuster’s bill would amend the Clean Water Act (CWA) and authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants that finance wastewater infrastructure in rural, small, and tribal towns. In addition, the bill’s water title authorizes programs at the EPA that provide technical assistance and grants to small towns to carry out watershed pilot projects.

The discussion draft does not include dedicated funding for broadband deployment, or any language that facilitates rural broadband deployment.  Although there is no dedicated language for broadband, Chairman Shuster’s bill would accelerate infrastructure project completion through permitting and regulatory review reforms.  To this effect, Chairman Shuster’s proposal would:

  • Establish a pilot program to streamline the environmental review process;
  • Amend section 401 of the CWA to reduce state water quality requirements; and,
  • Designate the National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (Bureau) as the responsible entity within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to accelerate infrastructure project delivery.  The Bureau would be authorized to assist state governments throughout the federal environmental review process.

Chairman Shuster will retire at the end of his term in January and it is unlikely Congress will consider, let alone pass, his bill before the midterm elections or during the lame-duck session. The bill faces long-odds but Chairman Shuster’s proposal could serve as the blueprint for future infrastructure legislation.

THE RURAL RUNDOWN PODCAST

The Rural Rundown discusses the legislative and regulatory issues impacting California’s rural counties, featuring commentary and interviews from individuals committed to improving the quality of life in rural California. 

The Rural Rundown can be accessed here

KEEPING UP

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

Louise Bedsworth has been named Executive Director of the Strategic Growth Council, a state agency that brings together multiple agencies and departments to support sustainable communities emphasizing strong economies, social equity and environmental stewardship. Prior to joining SGC, Louise was the Deputy Director of the Office of Planning and Research in Governor Jerry Brown’s office. At OPR she led work on a number of collaborative research initiatives and climate change adaptation and resilience, including development of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program and implementation of the State’s $70 million grant awarded under the National Disaster Resilience Competition. Before joining OPR in 2011, Louise was a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, where her work focused on climate change adaptation, local government action on climate change, and transportation. She has also held positions at the Union of Concerned Scientists, Redefining Progress, and the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis.

Todd D. Irby, 60, of Rocklin, has been named to an interim appointment for a judgeship in the Placer County Superior Court. Irby has served as a commissioner at the Placer County Superior Court since 2017. He served as deputy secretary and chief counsel at the California Department of Veterans Affairs from 2012 to 2017 and as a deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2007 to 2012. Irby was a sole practitioner from 2006 to 2007 and of counsel at the Duffy Law Firm from 2004 to 2006. He was a partner at Hess-Verdon and Irby from 2000 to 2004 and an associate at Hess-Verdon and Associates from 1995 to 2000. Irby was an associate at Martin, Wilson, Fingal and MacDowell from 1994 to 1995 and at Garrett, Jensen and Sanders from 1991 to 1994. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University. Irby was elected in June, 2018 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Frances A. Kearney. The Governor’s appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January, 2019. Irby is a Democrat.

Rosanne Bonilla, 59, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2012. Bonilla has been a real estate broker and office manager at Nora and Associates Realty since 1994. She is a member of the Madera Association of Realtors, St. Joachim’s Parish Council, Madera Beautification Committee and the Madera District Fair Heritage Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bonilla is a Democrat.

Billie Jelks-Hood, 74, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2012. Jelks-Hood was a financial program control analyst at FMC Corporation from 1985 to 2008. She is a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Madera County Democratic Club, Fresno County Democratic Women’s Club and the University of California Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners of Fresno County. Jelks-Hood is a lifetime member of Black Women Organized for Political Action. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jelks-Hood is a Democrat.

Lois Leonard, 59, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2006. Leonard has been business assistance office manager at the Madera County Economic Development Commission since 2002. She was a bookkeeper at Vineyard Growers Supply from 1997 to 2007, worship leader at the Harvest Community Church from 2000 to 2008, office manager at Conifer Paper from 1987 to 1991 and a customer service representative at Inland Container from 1982 to 1986. Leonard is a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, Chapter VO. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Leonard is a Republican.

Patricia Manfredi, 67, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2005. Manfredi was executive director at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley Inc. from 1999 to 2010. She was a member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors from 1996 to 1998, an executive director for Central California Ministries Inc. from 1992 to 1996 and owner at the Confectionery from 1986 to 1991. Manfredi is a member of the Madera District Fair Heritage Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Manfredi is a Republican.

Stephanie Simonian, 63, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2016. Simonian has been vice president at 47th Place Carpet and Linoleum Inc. since 1984. She is a member of the Oakhurst Community Center, Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club and Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Simonian is a Democrat.

Claire Tauriainen, 46, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed general counsel at the California Housing Finance Agency, where she has been an assistant general counsel and single family team lead since 2007. She was an associate attorney in family and real property law at the Stockdale Law Firm from 2006 to 2007, an associate broker in residential sales at Realty World-Point Richmond from 2002 to 2005 and an attorney in civil litigation at McNamara, Dodge, Ney, Beatty, Slattery, Borges and Ambacher LLP from 2002 to 2003. Tauriainen earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $181,452. Tauriainen is a Democrat.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

Valley Vision Seeks Project Associate

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Inyo County Seeks Deputy Water Director

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SWRCB Accepting Public Comment on Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS)

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