The Barbed Wire - June 3, 2022

June 3, 2022
RCRC Submits Comments on the Revised Fire Safe Regulations
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2463 (Lee) – Public Works: Exemption
RCRC Sponsored Bills Pass Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Public Health Investments a Top Priority in Joint Assembly and Senate Budget Agreement
U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla Introduce Slate of Bills to Help California Respond and Recover from Wildfires
White House Proposes First Ever California Offshore Wind Lease Sale
Vice President Harris Unveils White House Plan to Address Global Water Security
BULLETIN BOARD
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC Submits Comments on the Revised Fire Safe Regulations

Last week RCRC, along with the California State Association of Counties and the Urban Counties of California, submitted comments to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) on its revised Fire Safe Regulations proposal. The modified text is significantly narrowed from the previous version discussed in January, largely limiting its focus to those specific items outlined in Senate Bill 901 (Chapter 626, Statutes of 2018), such as development requirements for fuel breaks, greenbelts, and ridgelines. For more information, contact Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine.  

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2463 (Lee) – Public Works: Exemption

RCRC, along with a coalition of government partners, supports Assembly Bill 2463, authored by Assembly Member Alex Lee (D-San Jose). Until January 1, 2024, current law exempts from prevailing wage requirements, work performed by a volunteer, a volunteer coordinator, or a member of the California Conservation Corps or a community conservation corps. This bill would extend that exemption until January 1, 2031. 

AB 2463 would allow California to continue to tap into one of our greatest resources for healthy communities and the environment: volunteerism. Local governments rely on volunteer services to complete charitable, humanitarian, and other civic projects while meeting budget demands. Extending this exemption allows our public entities to continue enhancing and supporting local communities across California’s 39 million residents. 

AB 2463 passed out of Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement on May 18 and is awaiting a hearing in Senator Appropriations. RCRC’s letter of support can be found here. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.

RCRC Sponsored Bills Pass Senate Environmental Quality Committee

On Wednesday, June 1st, two RCRC-sponsored bills passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.   

Assembly Bill 1154, authored by Assembly Member Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), creates a narrow California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for fire safety egress route projects stemming from recommendations made by the Board of Forestry (BOF).  It seeks to expedite fire safety improvements for subdivisions that are at significant risk of fire and lack a secondary egress route. 

The Senate Environmental Quality Committee slightly amended the bill to require local government using the CEQA exemption to consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and clarified that the size of the egress route must be tailored to the existing population of the subdivision.   

AB 1154 is intended to help reduce costs and potential project delays for these important egress route projects. 

The Committee also passed Assembly Bill 2481, authored by Assembly Member Thurston “Smitty” Smith (R-Hesperia), which seeks to reduce administrative and financial burdens on local governments that administer household hazardous waste collection facilities (HHWCFs); provide flexibility for operation of local HHWCFs; and facilitate proper disposal of hazardous waste.  RCRC has been working closely with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, local enforcement agencies, and local programs to develop common sense proposals to improve the existing hazardous waste management system. 

In other news, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee passed Assembly Bill 1078, authored by Assembly Member Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), which  exempts post-fire residential rebuilding of homes destroyed in 2020’s unprecedented fires from the recently-adopted California Energy Commission (CEC) solar energy installation mandates.   

All three bills head to the Senate Appropriations Committee next where their fiscal impact to the state will be analyzed.  RCRC’s letters of support can be found here: 

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

Public Health Investments a Top Priority in Joint Assembly and Senate Budget Agreement

RCRC is a member of the CA Can’t Wait Coalition, advocating for investments in county public health departments. The Coalition is made up of public health officials, local leaders, frontline workers, and health equity advocates. We are pleased that the joint Assembly and Senate budget agreement contains historic new investments for California’s battered local public health departments.  

The joint Assembly and Senate budget agreement upholds the $300M proposed by CA Can’t Wait and committed to as part of last year’s final budget deal, and invests an additional $186.4M in our Public Health Equity Readiness and Opportunity (PublicHERO) Initiatives to recruit, retain, educate and train the next generation of public health workers needed to keep California’s promise of health equity. 

The joint budget plan is expected to be formally introduced and voted on by the full legislature soon, which will kick off final rounds of negotiations with Governor Newsom. The Governor's May Revise contains the $300M we called for as part of last year's budget, but fell short of dedicating additional funding for PublicHERO initiatives focused on workforce development. Stay tuned for updates on the PublicHERO initiatives in the Barbed Wire in the coming weeks. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.

U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla Introduce Slate of Bills to Help California Respond and Recover from Wildfires

On Thursday, May 26th, U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla introduced two bills to support efforts in California “to put fires out faster and better protect communities from post-fire flooding.” 

  • The Fire Suppression Improvement Act would ensure state and local fire suppression assets that are pre-deployed are eligible for FMAGs (Fire Management Assistance Grants) once granted for an incident and allow for the federal cost share of such grants to be increased beyond 75 percent. This will support fire suppression operations across the west and support efforts to ensure fires do not get out of control when they break out. 

  • The Post Fire Flooding and Debris Flow Actwould ensure that mitigation work, before a storm, to prevent post-fire flooding or debris flow is explicitly eligible for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and allow for the federal cost share of such work to be increased beyond 75 percent. 

Additionally, last week, Feinstein and Padilla joined Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) to introduce the National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act, a comprehensive science authorization bill that will identify and invest in research and development; set up warning and forecast systems; develop observation and sensing technologies; and standardize data collection efforts to improve the nation’s preparedness, resilience, and response to wildfires. Provisions of this bill were adopted in an amendment that passed the Senate Commerce Committee on May 25, 2022, and now await consideration by the full Senate.  

White House Proposes First Ever California Offshore Wind Lease Sale

Last week, the Department of the Interior announced the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for three proposed lease areas in the Outer Continental Shelf offshore California: one in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area off central California and two proposed lease areas in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area off northern California, totaling approximately 373,268 acres that have the potential to unlock over 4.5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, power more than 1.5 million homes. The PSN was published in the Federal Register on May 31, 2022 and opens a 60-day public comment period and provides detailed information about the proposed lease areas, proposed lease provisions and conditions, and auction details.

Vice President Harris Unveils White House Plan to Address Global Water Security

On Wednesday, June 1st, Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a White House plan to advance global water security and emphasized the national security implications of water scarcity. Harris said the plan, which elevates water security as an "international priority," is aimed at preventing conflict between nations and promoting equity and economic growth. Harris stressed that she has been "acutely aware" of the importance of water security since a young age, when she saw first-hand the effects of a drought in California.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

 

Basin Irrigation and Drainage Authority (BIDA) Seeks Financial Operations Manager

BIDA is seeking an experienced and dynamic individual with good people skills to support the General Manager in all matters of the Basin Irrigation and Drainage Authority, the Sutter Mutual Water Company, and the Reclamation District 1500. Submit resume and cover letter to Apply@solutions-MRG.com no later than Tuesday June 21, 2022. For more information, view the announcement here.

 

Shasta County Seeks Public Works Director

Shasta County invites applications for the position of Public Works Director. Information about the position is available here,  Apply online here. Final Filing Date: June 27, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

 

Inyo County Seeks Deputy Director for Public Health and Prevention (Health and Human Services)

Inyo County is seeking a Deputy Director for Public Health and Prevention. Under the direction of the Health and Human Services Director, the Deputy Director initiates, organizes, directs, and coordinates the design and development of multiple public health and prevention programs including related client services through a trauma informed lens. The Deputy Director will encourage and support the design and development of integrated service plans among Health and Human Services divisions and programs, as well as with other care providers as appropriate. The Deputy Director will identify needs and goals and strategies to accomplish these goals. The Deputy Director will participate in the development and monitoring of department budgets, direct the investigation and resolution of complaints/concerns, and provide leadership and participate in a variety of committees and task forces within and outside of the Health and Human Service Department. The ideal candidate is technically knowledgeable in the health care and related fields and demonstrates continual learning. They will be able to grasp new information and business models to support agency and team growth. Apply by June 24, 2022. For more information, view the brochure here.  Apply online here.

 

Del Norte County Seeks Deputy Director for the Community Development Department (Public Works Branch)

Del Norte County seeks a Deputy Director for the Community Development Department - Public Works Branch. This position has branch level administrative responsibility of the department (Public Works Branch), including a variety of contract management and intra- and inter-agency coordination activities under general direction of the Community Development Department Director. Under an administrative team concept, plans, organizes, coordinates and directs work of personnel in the Public Works Branch which includes the Engineering and Surveying Division, Roads Division, County Service Area (sewer collection system), and Flood Control District. Additional information is available here, or view details and apply online.

 

Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.

In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.

Next training:  Imperial County, June 16, 2022 - Planning Commissioner Training

 

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 will fail to achieve its clean vehicle goals if rural counties are left behind Sacramento Bee

In a commentary to the Sacramento Bee, Yolo County Supervisor and RCRC Board Delegate Angel Barajas emphasizes how the key to achieving California’s clean vehicle goals and making electric vehicles (EV) a viable alternative for all residents, is greater equity and investment in rural EV infrastructure. 

 

Monterey County officials take big step in fixing digital divide – KSBW

On May 28, the mayors of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City along with Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez all signed off on an agreement that officially creates the South Salinas Valley Broadband Authority, a joint powers agreement that will develop and oversee the expansion of broadband service in Monterey’s south county communities.

 

Is This California’s Year for a Long-Term Drinking Water Assistance Program? – Capital & Main

Governor Newsom’s revised budget includes $200 million to bolster a federally funded, nationwide low income water assistance program rolled out here in California by a state agency. With that particular pot of money, eligible customers can apply for a one-time remittance to help cover any water-related debt. However, some are calling for more.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

 

AB 522   (Fong)   Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.   The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt specific forest management activities, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, and duration, intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. Assembly Bill 522 extends the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to January 1, 2026 to aid forest landowners with wildfire prevention activities.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 6/1/2022-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air quality impacts: environmental justice.   Modifies the California Environmental Quality Act by: 1) Requiring air and water quality impacts to a disadvantaged community to be mitigated in that community; 2) Requiring local agencies to give consideration to the principles of environmental justice by ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/23/2022-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   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 Appropriations   Status: 5/31/2022-VOTE: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] (PASS)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/2/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 1).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1249   (Gallagher)   Income taxes: gross income exclusions: wildfires.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/1/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

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

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

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.   AB 1608 would remove county authority to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner. The bill appears to require counties with a combined Sheriff-Coroner function to either combine the Coroner with another authorized elected office, transition to a standalone elected Coroner, or replace the Coroner model with a Medical Examiner office.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 5/25/2022-Referred to Coms. on GOV. & F. and PUB. S.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA, vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/18/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Flora)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021.   The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 5/25/2022-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1696   (Lee)   Elections: nonpartisan candidates’ party preference.   Current constitutional and statutory law prohibits including the party preference of a candidate for nonpartisan office, defined as any judicial, school, county, or municipal office, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for that office. This bill would require the ballot for the above offices, except for judicial offices, to contain the candidate’s party preference or, if applicable, lack of party preference.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was ELECTIONS on 3/10/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1749   (Garcia, Cristina)   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: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1757   (Haney)   Groundwater sustainability agency.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 6/1/2022-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1784   (Smith)   Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014: groundwater sustainability projects: grants and loans.      Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was A. PRINT on 2/3/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1814   (Grayson)   Transportation electrification: community choice aggregators.   Allows community choice aggregators to file applications with the state for approval of programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was U. & E. on 2/18/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1832   (Rivas, Luz)   Waters subject to tidal influence: 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: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/1/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1851   (Rivas, Robert )   Public works: prevailing wage: hauling.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1879   (Mathis)   California regional water quality control boards: unfounded or frivolous complaints.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 6/1/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1906   (Stone)   Voluntary stream restoration: property owner liability: indemnification: claims.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 6/1/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1931   (Rivas, Luz)   Community water systems: lead pipes.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.   AB 1944 would authorize members of local legislative bodies to teleconference from a remote location without making the address of that location public. Additionally, the bill requires that – for those local agencies that elect to use teleconferencing for its legislative body meetings – a video stream is made available to members of the public, including an opportunity to provide public comment via telephone or videoconference option.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1952   (Gallagher)   Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.    Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act projects funded by the $500 million set aside for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 2/18/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1953   (Maienschein)   Drinking water: accessible water bottle refill stations.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/27/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1956   (Mathis)   Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.   Creates a new grant program administered by CalRecycle to fund woody biomass collection and disposal by rural counties with a population of 250,000 or less.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/4/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2081   (Garcia, Eduardo)   Municipal water districts: water service: Indian lands.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 6/1/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2201   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 6/1/2022-Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and GOV. & F.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2208   (Kalra)   Fluorescent lamps: sale and distribution: prohibition.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/25/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Local government: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was A. B. & F. on 4/20/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Senate Public Safety   Status: 5/25/2022-Referred to Com. on PUB. S.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2419   (Bryan)   Environmental justice: federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Justice40 Advisory Committee.   This bill would require a minimum of 40% of funds received by the state under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to be allocated to projects that provide direct benefits to disadvantaged communities as designated by the CalEnviroScreen Tool and a minimum of an additional 10% be allocated for projects that provide direct benefits to low-income households and low-income communities, as provided. The bill would create a California Justice40 Advisory Committee to advise state agencies on administration of the funds.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/26/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unlicensed cannabis cultivation.   AB 2421 would amend the California State Water Code to provide authority to county counsels and city attorneys to civilly prosecute and enjoin water theft. It would also amend the California Fish and Game Code to authorize county counsels to civilly prosecute and enjoin water pollution. By removing existing limitations on prosecutorial authority, the bill provides more tools for local governments to use against the harmful community impacts of illicit cannabis cultivation as well as the degradation of our water and other natural resources.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/26/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   AB 2449 would authorize remote participation in local public meetings if at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a location clearly identified on the agenda that is also open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the local agencies. In order to do so, the local agency must appropriately post agendas, members of the legislative body attending the meeting by teleconference must participate in both audio and video formats, and members of the public must have call-in and internet-based access for attending and participating in the meetings.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2451   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/27/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2454   (Jones-Sawyer)   Public contracts: protests: joint labor-management committee.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/26/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2505   (Gray)   Water theft: irrigation districts.     Location: Senate Consent Calendar   Status: 6/2/2022-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2647   (Levine)   Local government: open meetings.   This measure would clarify that writings distributed to the majority of a local legislative body less than 72 hours before a meeting can be posted online to satisfy the Brown Act if physical copies are made available for public inspection at the beginning of the next regular business day at a public office or designated location.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 5/25/2022-Referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2677   (Gabriel)   Information Practices Act of 1977.   Would remove the exemption of local agencies from the Act, which deals with the collection, storage, and disclosure of personal information.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/26/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

ACA 1   (Aguiar-Curry)   Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval.    ACA 1 would lower the vote threshold to 55 percent for approval of local bonded-indebtedness and specially dedicated taxes imposed for specified uses.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/22/2021-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

ACA 13   (Mathis)   Water infrastructure projects: minimum funding requirement and general obligation bonds.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/7/2022-Referred to Coms. on W.,P., & W. and NAT. RES.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AJR 5   (Rivas, Luz)   Wild free-roaming horses and burros: protection: roundup moratorium.   AJR 5 would urge the federal government to declare a moratorium on all further wild horse and burro round-ups and would urge the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service to introduce and support populations in areas of California where wild horses and burros were historically present.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 8/25/2021-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 12   (McGuire)   Local government: planning and zoning: wildfires.   Senate Bill 12 requires that the Office of Planning and Research, among other things, coordinate with appropriate entities, including state, regional, or local agencies, to establish a clearinghouse for climate adaptation information for use by state, regional, and local entities, as provided. This bill would require the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element or the hazard mitigation plan, on or after July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.   Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 5/24/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

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

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

SB 54   (Allen)   Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act.   SB 54 requires manufactures of single-use, disposable packaging and food service ware to ensure that those products sold, distributed, or imported into the state are either recyclable or compostable.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  John (1)

SB 213   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: hospital employees.     Location: Assembly Insurance   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on INS. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on INS.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

SB 463   (Dahle)   Water: landowner or water right holder right to modify, repair, or replace jointly used conduits.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/18/2022-March 22 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/25/2022)   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: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.   SB 915, which would prohibit the sale of firearms on any state- or county-owned property, including fairgrounds from holding gun shows and, as a result, erode the revenue stream that would be derived from legal gun shows on these premises.   Location: Assembly Public Safety   Status: 6/2/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 926   (Dodd)   Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program: Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and JUD.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 931   (Leyva)   Deterring union membership: violations.   Authorizes PERB claim alleging employer deterred or discouraged union membership, up to $100,000 fine ($1,000 per employee impacted) and attorney’s fees for employee organization.   Location: Assembly Public Employment and Retirement   Status: 5/27/2022-Referred to Coms. on P.E. & R. and JUD.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 938   (Hertzberg)   The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000: protest proceedings: procedural consolidation.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 953   (Min)   Oil and gas leases: state waters: State Lands Commission.   Requires the State Lands Commission to terminate all remaining oil and gas leases under its jurisdiction in tidelands and submerged lands within state waters.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/9/2022)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1012   (Glazer)   State parks: open fires.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Com. on W.,P., & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1013   (Atkins)   Beverage container recycling: reports: electronic submittal: wine and distilled spirits.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1044   (Durazo)   Employers: state of emergency or emergency condition: retaliation.   SB 1044 would prohibit an employer from taking or threatening any adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to, or leaving, a workplace because the employee feels unsafe due to a state of emergency or an emergency condition, and (2) permit employees to access their mobile device or other communications device.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 5/26/2022-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.   SB 1100 would clarify the rules around when individuals can be removed for willfully interrupting a meeting.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 5/26/2022-June 8 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1127   (Atkins)   Workers’ compensation: liability presumptions.   SB 1127 proposes to shorten the time provided for employers to investigate claims from 90 to 30 days for any claim covered by a presumption statute, and 60 days for all other claims. The bill proposes new and unprecedented penalties all claims covered by presumption statutes up to $100,000.   Location: Assembly Insurance   Status: 5/27/2022-Referred to Com. on INS.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1186   (Wiener)   Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act.   SB 1186 undermines the intent of MAUCRSA by (1) eliminating a local jurisdiction's ability to prohibit medical cannabis retail activities, regardless of the needs or conditions in the jurisdiction, and (2) restricting the ability for the large number of jurisdictions that permit and regulate cannabis retailers to set appropriate local regulations which are developed in a public process.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 5/24/2022-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 6/2/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1220   (Hurtado)   Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater sustainability plans.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was S. N.R. & W. on 3/2/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was E.Q. on 3/2/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/27/2022-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.   SB 1326 would allow the cross jurisdictional import and export to other states, of cannabis and cannabis products by authorizing the Governor to enter into an agreement to provide lawful interstate commerce. SB 1326 requires the agreement to include public health, safety, and labeling standards, a system to regulate and track cannabis items, collection of applicable taxes, and that out of state cannabis items delivered to California be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with California state law.   Location: Assembly B.&p.   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Com. on B. & P.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1338   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.   SB 1338 reflects Governor Newsom’s vison for creating a new civil court process to reach and treat individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum and psychiatric disorders. These new Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts would work with public defenders, county behavioral health, and a new class of trained “supporters” to assist individuals with treatment, medication, and housing. CARE Courts require significant engagement and resources from counties.   Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 6/2/2022-Referred to Coms. on JUD. and HEALTH.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1426   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water pollution crimes.   Would make it a misdemeanor or felony to plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process more than 50 living cannabis plants, or any part thereof, and where that activity involves theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, digging an unpermitted, illegal well, or the pollution of groundwater, as specified. This bill would also clarify that causing substantial environmental harm to public resources includes groundwater.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-May 19 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)