The Barbed Wire - July 7, 2023

July 7, 2023
USDA Forest Service Invests $188M to Keep Forests Working and Conserve Private Forestland
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 662 (Boerner) – Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Funds: Administration
Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority’s Tedd Ward Appointed to CalRecycle’s New SB 54 Single-Use Packaging Advisory Board
Biden Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid
Biden Administration Announces New, Streamlined Funding Application Process for Infrastructure Projects that Reconnect Communities
BULLETIN BOARD
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

USDA Forest Service Invests $188M to Keep Forests Working and Conserve Private Forestland

On June 29th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $188 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda which focuses on the conservation of the most economically and ecologically significant forestlands across the nation. The funding will support 34 projects to conserve more than 245,000 acres of working forests that are critical to rural economies in 22 states and one island territory, as part of the agency’s Forest Legacy program. Of this funding, $100 million comes from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which provides an additional $250 million for similar projects next year, and $88 million comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Two projects in California were selected. The Trinity Timberlands Project received $3 million to protect over 12,000 acres of private working forestland in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The Bushy Mountain, Eel River peninsula Project received $10 million and will conserve three miles of the Eel River located in Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Trinity counties.  

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 662 (Boerner) – Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program Funds: Administration

RCRC, as part of the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE), has taken an Oppose Unless Amended position on Assembly Bill 662, which would create requirements for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in implementing the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Authored by Assembly Member and Chair of the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee, Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), this measure creates a framework for the BEAD program that would have direct impact on local jurisdictions utilizing BEAD funding for broadband deployment, including limiting the ability of BEAD awardees to utilize state funding to meet the 25% funding match requirement for projects.  

The BEAD program directs the state to first prioritize projects to connect unserved locations determined by the Federal Communications Commission National Broadband maps. The second priority is to connect underserved locations; and the third priority is for projects connecting eligible community anchor institutions that lack access to gigabit-level broadband service, such as schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities. On June 26, 2023, the White House held an event to announce the state distribution amounts of the $42.45 billion available nationwide. California will receive $1.8 billion in BEAD funding, estimated to be available for award in mid-2024. The CPUC is currently in the process of developing state program rules for the BEAD program and a Scoping Memo is expected soon as the CPUC must submit a plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for implementing the BEAD program by the end of the year.  

AB 662 is set to be heard in the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee on Monday, July 10th. RCRC’s coalition letter can be found here. For more information, contact Tracy Rhine, Senior Policy Advocate, at trhine@rcrcnet.org

Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority’s Tedd Ward Appointed to CalRecycle’s New SB 54 Single-Use Packaging Advisory Board

On June 30th, CalRecycle announced its appointees to the SB 54 Single-Use Packaging Advisory Board, including Tedd Ward, Director of the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority.  RCRC nominated Ward for the position earlier this year.   

SB 54 (Allen) of 2022 requires manufacturers of single-use packaging and food service ware to take responsibility for the management and recycling of the products they introduce into commerce.  The Advisory Board is comprised of various solid waste, environmental, and local government stakeholders and will help inform the state about infrastructure needs and barriers to support reuse and recycling and provide advice to CalRecycle on developing and implementing SB 54 regulations. 

Tedd Ward has over 30 years of experience in local government solid waste management and recycling; has chaired the Rural Counties’ Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) Technical Advisory Group since 2020; and served for two years on California’s Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets & Curbside Recycling.   

Other appointees to the Advisory Board include Timothy Burroughs, Director of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, and Doug Kobold, Executive Director of the California Product Stewardship Council. 

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

Biden Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid

On July 6th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced nine states, including California, and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability.  

Since May 2023, DOE has distributed $324 million in Grid Resilience Formula Grants through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. According to a release from the DOE, California’s allocation and plans for the funding are as follows: 

  • California will reduce the frequency and duration of power outages for communities while ensuring the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities with critical energy resilience needs. Selected projects will be used to advance California’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy through resilience solutions that deploy zero-carbon energy resources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. (Amount: $67.5 million) 

Additional Grid Resilience Formula Grant recipients will be announced on a rolling basis in the coming months as applications are received. Learn more about the Grid Deployment Office.  

Biden Administration Announces New, Streamlined Funding Application Process for Infrastructure Projects that Reconnect Communities

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on July 5th that the Department of Transportation is now taking applications for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program. 

Available funding announced includes: 

  • $198 million for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, of which: 

  • $148 million is for Capital Construction Grant funds; and 

  • $50 million is for Community Planning Grants, including funding for technical assistance. 

  • $3.155 billion for the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, of which the Department expects to award up to:  

  • $135 million to Community Planning Grants;  

  • $2.57 billion to Capital Construction Grants; and  

  • $450 million to Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants, designed to incentivize regions to come together to leverage both federal, state, and regional funding and policies to tackle problems. 

In addition to the funding announcement, the Department of Transportation has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to coordinate technical assistance efforts to plan and build infrastructure that reconnects and improves access, especially for marginalized communities. The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm EDT on September 28th, 2023, Applicants may find the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources here.  

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Registration Open for RCRC Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for RCRC’s 2023 Annual Meeting! The conference will be held September 20 –22, 2023 at the Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay in Monterey County. This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics from politics today to the plight of rural hospitals. Join us for an examination of critical issues shaping California’s future. Don’t wait - Register today to receive the “Early Bird” rate!
 

EPA Announces Over $50 Million to Assist Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities in Accessing Clean and Safe Drinking Water 

On June 26th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $50.4 million in annual funding to support projects and activities in underserved, small and disadvantaged communities to access and invest in water infrastructure and comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). California received an 11.8% increase in funding over 2022.  

  •  For FY 2022 and FY 2023, the EPA is also applying a waiver of the statutory 10 percent cost share to all grant applicants due to continued supply chain issues, increased costs, and addressing compliance with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and will be provided at the discretion of EPA. Applications are accepted through https://www.grants.gov. This is an ongoing process.

  • The regions will approve the final grant application package prior to submittal of the final application into grants.gov.  

  • Participating states should consult with their EPA regional SUDC point of contact for questions. The Region 9 contact is Daria Evans-Walker, who can be reached at evans-walker.daria@epa.gov
     

Career Opportunities

  • Mendocino County is seeking applicants for the position of Nutritionist in Ukiah, California (Annual salary $62,254.40 - $75,670.40). For details about the position or to apply, see here. Posting closes on July 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
     
  • Shasta County is seeking applicants for the open positions of:
    • Health Officer (Annual salary $201,588.00 - $257,304.00). For details about the position or to apply, see here. The position is open until filled. Download the job bulletin here.
    • County Counsel (Approximate monthly salary $14,943 - $19,073). For details about the position or to apply, see here. The position closes August 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Download the job bulletin here.
    • Deputy District Attorney I/II/III (Annual salary $82,512.00 - $139,080.00). For details about the position or to apply, see here. The position is open until filled. Download the job bulletin here
       
  • Joint Water Districts is seeking candidates for the position of Watermaster (Annual Salary range: $75,000 - $105,000 depending on experience and qualifications). View the job description and read the position announcement at www.JointWaterDistricts.com. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 15, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

 

NACo Offers Workplace Mental Health Training

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is proud to offer an exclusive mental health training to the NACo membership in partnership with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW). This training focuses on identifying, evaluating and responding to signs and symptoms of a mental wellbeing crisis or substance use scenario in the workplace. Equip your workforce with the skills and tools necessary to foster a supportive, high performing environment. If you are interested in learning more about the training program to see how the NACo Mental Health Workplace training may support your county, please sign up for an introduction here.

 

PPIC Hosting Virtual Broadband Policy Conference

The Public Policy Institute of California is hosting a three-day virtual broadband policy conference on July 18, 19, and 20th. The topic is “Bridging California’s Digital Divide”, with daily 1-hour sessions on the state’s investment in broadband, local innovations, and ensuring equity. 

For more information and to register, see here.

 

California Water Commission Drought Strategies Workshops 

In support of Action 26.3 in California’s Water Resilience Portfolio, the California Water Commission is developing proposed strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife during drought. At these workshops, the Commission will gather information regarding the impacts of drought on communities and species and will discuss drought strategies. The public is encouraged to share their ideas and opinions. 

  • Workshop 1: Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Noon to 3 p.m. (Register here)

  • Workshop 2: Tuesday, July 25, 2023. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Register here)

  • Workshop 3: Thursday, July 27, 2023. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Register here)

 

Department of Conservation Monthly Discussions on Williamson Act Key Topics

Join Department of Conservation staff for a monthly discussion on key topics under the Williamson Act. County staff and members of the public are invited to these hour-long, virtual sessions where staff from DOC’s Division of Land Resource Protection (DLRP) discuss select topics, provide technical assistance, and invite questions on Williamson Act implementation.

Upcoming sessions in 2023 include:

  • August 17th – Public Acquisitions
  • September 21st – Solar Use & WA Contracts
  • October 19th – WA Enrollment Finder
  • November 16th – Open Question Hour

For questions, contact LCA@conservation.ca.gov. For more information, please visit www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/wa.

 

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.

 

California governments spend millions lobbying Sacramento – Capitol Weekly

Governments face unique pressures requiring nuanced solutions and policies. To address some of these challenges, cities, counties, and special districts often engage in lobbying efforts to help support residents, preserve resources, and advance key projects. In this article, RCRC's Senior Vice Present of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam, discusses how RCRC's lobbying efforts help to increase visibility into rural counties' unique challenges by providing a greater voice for rural residents.

 

Stanislaus-Merced agency using grant to build groundwater – The Modesto Bee

A water agency that serves part of Stanislaus and Merced counties is using a grant of nearly $9 million to work on sustainable groundwater management. Its efforts include evaluating alternative cropping practices and opportunities for floodplain reconnection.

 

Looking for the next California tech boom? You’ll find it in our farmlands – Los Angeles Times

The world may see California largely as home to Silicon Valley and Hollywood, but it’s agriculture technology where we can most clearly outshine our competitors. In a new study, “Nurturing California Industries,” we identified it as among the six industries most critical to the state’s economic future. In many ways, advances in agricultural technology will have as much to do for California’s future as AI, streaming movies and electric vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.   Amends 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. Requires MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence. Additionally, the bill requires any project nominated by local or regional transportation agencies for Solutions for Congested Corridors funding to demonstrate how the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state targets.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 6/14/2023-Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and E.Q.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: planning: project selection processes.   Requires 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. Also requires State Transportation Agency to submit a report to the legislature on how all funded projects conform to the requirements of this legislation.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 6/28/2023-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Public utilities: timely service: customer energization.   Seeks to establish clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers. Invests the CPUC with authority to determine what constitutes the timely provision of electrical service and fulfillment of requests to provide additional capacity. Requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand for a given planning cycle more closely matches the actual demand for service. Requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 7/3/2023-VOTE: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] (PASS)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 54   (Aguiar-Curry)   Department of Food and Agriculture: research funding: winegrapes: smoke exposure.   Funds research and creates an advisory committee to mitigate the damage to winegrapes and wine that can occur from exposure to wildfire smoke.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1), Staci (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Establishes 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.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Requires CA Natural Resources 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 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 3/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 78   (Ward)   Grand juries.   AB 78 makes changes in Section 890 of the Penal Code, which would increase the per diem rate paid to civil and criminal grand juries from the current statutorily required $15 per day to an amount “equal to seventy percent of the county median daily income.” SB 78 lacks a mechanism to cover the additional cost this bill imposes on counties.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 3/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 297   (Fong, Vince)   Wildfires: local assistance grant program: advance payments.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/27/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 27). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   This measure would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.   Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 6/14/2023-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Extends the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision specifying that a lead agency is not required to evaluate the aesthetic effects of a project and aesthetic effects are not considered significant effects on the environment if the project involves the refurbishment, conversion, repurposing, or replacement of an existing building that meets certain requirements.   Location: Senate Consent Calendar   Status: 7/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 400   (Rubio, Blanca)   Local agency design-build projects: authorization.   Would allow local governments to continue the utilization of existing state law, which allows them to use the Design-Build (DB) procurement process for qualifying public works projects. This bill achieves this by extending the existing January 1, 2025 sunset date to January 1, 2031 on the statutory DB authority.   Location: Senate Consent Calendar   Status: 7/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was W.,P. & W. on 2/9/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill 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 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was W.,P. & W. on 3/2/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   Authorizes 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 Natural Resources and Water   Status: 6/27/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 504   (Reyes)   State and local public employees: labor relations: disputes.   AB 504 would declare the acts of sympathy striking and honoring a picket line a human right. AB 504 would also void provisions in public employer policies or collective bargaining agreements limiting or preventing an employee's right to sympathy strike. AB 504 would grant sympathy strikers greater rights than the employees engaged in a primary strike and override safeguards for essential employees during a sympathy strike to ensure public health and safety services continue.   Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 6/28/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 28). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 531   (Irwin)   The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023.   Would enact the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023 which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $4,680,000,000 to finance grants for the acquisition of capital assets for, and the construction and rehabilitation of, unlocked, voluntary, and community-based treatment settings and residential care settings and also for housing for veterans and others who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and are living with a behavioral health challenge. The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.   Location: Senate Housing   Status: 6/21/2023-Re-referred to Coms. on HOUSING and GOV. & F.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 557   (Hart)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   Absent any legislative intervention, the processes established by AB 361 to provide remote meeting flexibility to local agencies in emergency circumstances will expire at the end of this year. To remain best-equipped to address future emergencies and allow local agencies to effectively react and respond, AB 557 would eliminate the sunset on the emergency remote meeting procedures added to California Government Code section 54953. Additionally, AB 557 would adjust the timeframe for the resolutions passed to renew an agency’s temporary transition to emergency remote meetings to 45 days, up from the previous number of 30 days.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 6/29/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 606   (Mathis)   California Endangered Species Act: accidental take: farms or ranches.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/26/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 625   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest biomass: management: emissions: energy.   Establishes the Forest Waste Biomass Utilization Program to be administered by the state board’s Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation to develop an implementation plan to meet the goals and recommendations of the state’s wood utilization policies and priorities, and to develop a workforce training program to complement the workforce needs associated with the implementation plan. Requires annual reports on implementing the plan. Requires the Energy Commission to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature evaluating innovative bioenergy technologies that use forest biomass waste. Requires the Energy Commission to include in its integrated policy report an assessment of the potential for forest biomass waste energy to provide firm renewable power. Requires ARB to develop a methodology to quantify the greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions from wildfire, pile burning, and forest management activities.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/17/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 692   (Patterson, Jim)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) egress route projects undertaken by a public agency to improve emergency access to and evacuation from a subdivision without a secondary egress route if the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has recommended the creation of a secondary access to the subdivision.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/26/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 704   (Patterson, Jim)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts homes meeting certain requirements and rebuilt after being destroyed by a wildfire from state laws requiring installation of solar panels, until January 1, 2027.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 764   (Bryan)   Local redistricting.   Would make changes to California’s FAIR MAPS Act, as proposed the bill will be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to implement with existing county resources.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 7/6/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on GOV. & F. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (July 5). Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   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: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/5/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(3). (Last location was L. GOV. on 3/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 909   (Hoover)   Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program.   Makes illegally disposed hazardous wastes eligible for funding under the CalRecycle’s illegal dumping grant program.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 944   (Irwin)   Fire stations: alternative power generation.   Requires fire stations to have an alternative method to provide power generation for at least 96 hours during power outages.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 998   (Connolly)   Biomass energy facilities: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: report.   Requires the Energy Commission to issue a report on the utility-scale biomass combustion facilities still in operation as of January 1, 2024. The report must include an assessment of operational factors of each facility, a comparison of direct combustion compared to other biomass energy technologies, and a recommended strategy, if appropriate, to repower biomass combustion facilities to noncombustion conversion technologies. The report must include recommendations and strategies related to areas where combustion biomass facilities may be shut down or repowered, including strategies related to baseload power generation, processing waste, and job training.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/26/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1000   (Reyes)   Qualifying logistics use projects.   Prohibits local governments from approving warehouse development projects located within 1,000 feet of a large variety of sensitive receptors. Imposes new conditions on local approval of warehouse projects between 750-1000 feet of those sensitive receptors, in addition to mitigation measures required under CEQA.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was L. GOV. on 4/17/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (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 Gov. & F.   Status: 7/5/2023-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1248   (Bryan)   Local redistricting: independent redistricting commissions.   Would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 7/6/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on GOV. & F. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (July 5). Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   Requires 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 require 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. Authorizes State Board to issue a cease and desist order when a diversion or use violates or threatens to violate an applicable limitation or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage. The bill would authorize a person who violates a principle, guideline, or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage to be held liable in an amount not to exceed the sum of $500 for each day that the violation occurs.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/26/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   Authorizes 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. The bill would require the board to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing an order. The bill would provide that a person or entity may be civilly liable for a violation pursuant to these provisions in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day in which the violation has occurred and $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted or used in violation of the applicable requirement.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 6/21/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1448   (Wallis)   Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions.   AB 1448 would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process, allow local jurisdictions to utilize statutory penalties and create more collection options.   Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 6/21/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1484   (Zbur)   Temporary public employees.   While AB 1484 is ostensibly intended to benefit temporary employees of local public agencies, in reality, it will directly harm these employees by severely limiting their future opportunities for temporary employment. This bill would: inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees; and that the wages, hours, plus terms and conditions of employment for both temporary and permanent employees must be bargained together in a single memorandum of understanding. This result is already possible under current law, but only if the temporary and permanent employees have a "community of interest" making such combined treatment appropriate – an important component of fair representation and bargaining that this bill eschews.   Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 6/14/2023-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.   Expands CalRecycle’s existing solid and organic waste recycling grant program to help local governments get recycled material into the marketplace, find new homes for useful consumer goods, and expand local edible food recovery programs.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 7/5/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 5). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   Requires 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 Gov. & F.   Status: 6/29/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1597   (Alvarez)   Water quality: California-Mexico cross-border rivers.   Provides that funds may be made available, upon appropriation, to the North American Development Bank for loans, grants, and direct expenditures to address water quality problems arising in the California-Mexico cross-border rivers. Requires funding to be available for water quality projects for the Tijuana River and for projects consistent with the New River Water Quality, Public Health, and River Parkway Development Plan.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 6/29/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 1637   (Irwin)   Local government: internet websites and email addresses.   AB 1637 would require local agencies to secure and utilize their website through a new .gov or .ca.gov domain no later than January 1, 2026. It would also require all employee email addresses to reflect the updated domain within the same time frame. There are no financial resources connected to this bill resulting in an unfunded mandate to counties.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/29/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. (Amended 6/29/2023)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1713   (Gipson)   Local agencies: federal funds: reports.   AB 1713 would require state agencies that receive federal funds subject to an expiration date to submit a written report to the Legislature no later than one year before the funding expiration date with a summary of how funds have been expended, and to provide a plan for the remaining funds to be expended. The bill would also require local agencies to include a similar report on an agenda of a public meeting of their legislative body. Local governments rely on federal funding to provide numerous local services on behalf of the state, much of which is associated with our role as the provider of federal entitlement programs, like Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, etc. Accordingly, local governments seek to maximize federal funding opportunities to provide these necessary services to the residents we serve. Unfortunately, AB 1713 would require local governments to be in a state of perpetual reporting or – in most instances – require duplicative reporting.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 7/5/2023-VOTE: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] (PASS)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   Authorizes 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 make 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 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 35   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 6/15/2023-Re-referred to Com. on JUD. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 43   (Eggman)   Behavioral health.     Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 6/30/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 69   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: local agencies: filing of notices of determination or exemption.   Requires local agencies to file California Environmental Quality Act notices with the Office of Planning and Research, in addition to the county clerk, and requires those notices (including any subsequent or amended notice) to be posted both by the county clerk and on the State Clearinghouse website within 24 hours of receipt and for a period of 30 days.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 6/22/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES. June 26 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 75   (Roth)   Courts: judgeships.   SB 75 would authorize 26 new superior court judgeships, subject to appropriation. If funded in the budget, any new judgeships would be allocated to counties in the state in accordance with the Judicial Council's Judicial Needs Assessment.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 6/28/2023-June 28 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 91   (Umberg)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: supportive and transitional housing: motel conversion.   Repeals the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for conversion a motel, hotel, residential hotel, or hostel to supportive or transitional housing.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 6/29/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 326   (Eggman)   The Behavioral Health Services Act.   Would, if approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, would delete the provision that establishes vote requirements to amend the MHSA, requiring all amendments of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to be approved by the voters. The bill would recast the MHSA by, among other things, renaming it the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), expanding it to include treatment of substance use disorders, changing the county planning process, and expanding services for which counties and the state can use funds. The bill would revise the distribution of MHSA moneys, including allocating up to $36,000,000 to the State Department of Health Care Services for behavioral health workforce funding.   Location: Assembly Health   Status: 6/19/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 367   (Seyarto)   Farm, ranch, and public lands cleanup and abatement: grant program.   Creates a grant program to facilitate the proper disposal of illegally dumped waste on state and federal lands.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 6/28/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 389   (Allen)   State Water Resources Control Board: investigation of water right.   Authorize State Water Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Allows State Board to issue an information order to a water right claimant, diverter, or user to provide technical reports or other information related to a diversion and use of water, including, but not limited to, all of the following: the basis of the water right claimed, the patent date claimed for the place of use, the notice date of the appropriation, and information related to the diversions and use of transferred water.   Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 7/6/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 393   (Glazer)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: identification of contributors: housing development projects.   Allows a CEQA defendant to file a motion requesting the plaintiff or petitioner to disclose the identity of persons and entities that contribute more than $10,000 towards litigation costs for housing projects. Requires a plaintiff or petitioner to identify any pecuniary or economic interest related to any person who contributes more than $5,000 to the costs of the action.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 7/6/2023-Assembly Rule 56 suspended.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.     Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 6/29/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (June 28). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 406   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: financial assistance: residential housing.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act actions of a local agency to provide financial assistance or insurance for the development and construction of low- or moderate-income residential housing.   Location: Senate Concurrence   Status: 7/6/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 410   (Becker)   Powering Up Californians Act.   Seeks to improve electrical distribution planning, reduce interconnection delays, and ensure that California residents and businesses can timely access new and increased service for general economic growth, housing production, and meeting the state’s decarbonization goals. Charges the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with establishing reasonable average and maximum interconnection time periods.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 6/28/2023-June 28 hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy   Status: 6/15/2023-Referred to Com. on J., E.D., & E.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 525   (Durazo)   Minimum wage: health care workers.   SB 525 proposes to raise the health care minimum wage broadly across the health sector to $25 per hour, including for employees working in county agencies – specifically, county health departments, county mental health departments, county correctional health settings, county hospitals, and county owned and operated clinics. Additionally, SB 525 requires salaried employees to be paid twice the proposed $25/hour minimum wage – creating a new salary base of $104,000 per year.   Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 7/3/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 551   (Portantino)   Mental health boards.   SB 551 would divert 20% of the prevention and early intervention funds from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSA), to provide direct services on school campuses.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 6/28/2023-June 28 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.   Position:   Support If Amended   Staff:  Sarah (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 613   (Seyarto)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: low-population waiver.   Exempts from SB 1383 regulations local jurisdictions that dispose less than 5,000 tons of solid waste per year and that have fewer than 7,500 people.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 6/28/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 615   (Allen)   Vehicle traction batteries.   Requires all electric vehicle traction batteries to be recovered, reused, repurposed, remanufactured, or recycled at the end of their useful life in a motor vehicle or other application. Requires vehicle manufacturers, dismantlers, and secondary users to be responsible for end-of-life management of the battery.   Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 6/15/2023-June 20 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 620   (McGuire)   Low-impact camping areas.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 6/8/2023-Referred to Com. on H. & C.D.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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   Status: 6/29/2023-Re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 642   (Cortese)   Hazardous materials: enforcement: county counsel.   Allows county counsels to enforce provisions of state law related to aboveground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, medical waste, and hazardous materials business plans.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 6/28/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

SB 651   (Grove)   California Environmental Quality Act: groundwater recharge projects: Judicial Council rules of court.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 6/22/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.    Staff: 

SB 672   (McGuire)   Residential property insurance.   Requires CA Department of Transportation to establish a standard fee structure for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway, as specified. Prohibits the department from charging an encroachment permit fee for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway. The bill would require the department to consider an encroachment permit application for commercial use. Requires the department to comply with applicable state and federal law in establishing the standard fee structure, authorize the department to adjust the fee schedule to comply with applicable state and federal law, and require the department to report to the Legislature if it adjusts the fee schedule to comply with applicable state or federal law.   Location: Assembly Insurance   Status: 6/26/2023-Re-referred to Com. on INS. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 6/21/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 751   (Padilla)   Franchise agreements: labor dispute.   Prohibits any franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services entered into or amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024 from excusing the service provider from performance in the event of a labor dispute.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 6/15/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 753   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water resources.   SB 753 amends Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. This is an RCRC Sponsored Bill.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 7/6/2023-Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   SB 820 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: Senate 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)