The Barbed Wire - March 11, 2022

RCRC Welcomes Thirty-Ninth Rural County to Membership

Solano County is the newest county to be welcomed to RCRC membership, bringing the total number of RCRC member counties to thirty-nine. The RCRC Board of Directors approved the addition at their meeting on March 9, 2022. Four months earlier, in December 2021, the RCRC Board of Directors approved the addition of the thirty-eighth county, Santa Barbara, to membership. RCRC now represents sixty percent of California’s land mass and fourteen percent of the population. Read the full press releases in the Press Room on RCRC’s website.

Bill of the Week: AB 1717 (Aguiar-Curry) – Public Works: Definition

RCRC has expressed its opposition to Assembly Bill 1717, authored by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Davis), which would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.  

The ability to utilize Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and other public dollars has afforded rural local governments the ability to undertake such vital projects as clearing dead and dying trees from critical infrastructure and residential properties during California’s recent tree mortality epidemic, as well as completing community wildfire mitigation projects in concert with local fire prevention organizations to help safeguard residents from the impacts of devastating wildfires. AB 1717 would increase the cost of crucial fire mitigation projects around communities and critical infrastructure by including these projects in the definition of “public works,” thus subjecting them to prevailing wage. RCRC has long advocated for increased training and development of a local forest management and wildfire prevention workforce. AB 1717 would drive up costs of the scarce forest workforce currently in place, while shrinking the pace and scale of vegetation treatment projects on the ground, particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

AB 1717 is set for hearing in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. RCRC’s letter of opposition is available here. For more information, please contact Staci Heaton. 

RCRC Celebrates 2022 Officers and Honors Rural Leadership Award Recipients

RCRC gathered at its annual reception on Wednesday, March 9^th (originally slated for January 2022), to celebrate the RCRC 2022 Officers and to honor the recipients of the 2021 Rural Leadership Awards.

The Rural Leadership Awards are presented to two public officials who have demonstrated an understanding of, and distinctive leadership regarding, rural county issues. RCRC honored Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Martha Guzman Aceves, former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for their leadership on broadband access and reliability issues in the legislature and CPUC, respectively.

The 2022 RCRC Officers were installed on January 12, 2022, with the official Oath of Office administered virtually by California State Senator Brian Dahle. RCRC Chair, Nevada County Supervisor Dan Miller; First Vice Chair, Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter; Second Vice Chair, Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez; and Immediate Past President, Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless, were recognized at the reception for leading the organization in championing policies on behalf of California’s rural counties.

Read the full press release here.

New Comprehensive Cannabis Regulations Proposed

On Friday, March 4th, the newly-organized Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) commenced the process to adopt permanent regulations to consolidate licensing and enforcement criteria for all commercial cannabis activities. While the objective is to rationalize three formerly separate sets of regulations prior to the consolidation into a single regulatory agency, many of the proposed rules include new policy changes. Notably, some of the proposed changes include instituting minimum security requirements across license types; removing prohibitions on retailers concerning the delivery of cannabis goods; and adding conflict of interest provisions for testing laboratories and creating labeling requirements for the use of an Appellation of Origin and other product ingredients. The full text of the regulations can be accessed here.  

RCRC will continue to participate in the development of new cannabis regulations and legislation to preserve local control, county taxing authority and to mitigate environmental harms associated with cannabis cultivation. DCC will be accepting public comments on these proposed consolidated cannabis regulations through April 19, 2022.  

Public Lands Telecommunications Act Re-Introduced

On Tuesday, March 8^th, RCRC Congressional Delegation Representative Jared Huffman (D-North Coast) re-introduced the Public Lands Telecommunications Act which would, “unlock new opportunities for responsible broadband infrastructure deployment on and near federal public lands.” RCRC Chair, Nevada County Supervisor Dan Miller, was quoted in Representative Huffman’s press release, stating that this legislation “would allow for a much-needed expansion of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure on and near public lands, helping to further reduce the digital divide in California’s rural counties.” 

EPA Restores California’s Authority to Enforce Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Cars and Light Trucks

On Wednesday, March 9^th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to allow California’s nitrogen oxides (NOx) rule for heavy-duty trucks. This ruling effectively reauthorizes the State to impose its own pollution limits on cars, empowering the State to pursue progressive climate policies, including an eventual ban on gasoline-powered automobiles. The EPA also announced additional funding to help California school districts transition to zero-emission school buses.

Congress Passes Omnibus Spending Package for Fiscal Year 2022

On Thursday, March 10^th, the U.S. Senate passed the 2022 Fiscal Year (FY) “omnibus” spending package, sending it to President Biden’s desk one day before the deadline for a shutdown. The bill would provide approximately $1.5 trillion across the 12 regular spending bills, as well as $13.6 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine. Federal agencies have been operating under short-term continuing resolutions that extended FY 2021 funding for more than five months.

• The text of the spending package, H.R. 2471, is available here.
• A full summary of the 12 regular appropriations bills is here.
• A summary of the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act is here, and a one-page fact sheet is here.

The measure is the first funding package to include earmarks since they were banned in 2011. House members have included 2,727 earmarks totaling $4.2 billion, with Senate aggregate earmark totals yet to be released. The funding package also allows for the full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which has been delayed since its passage in November due to repeated continuing resolutions for FY 2022 funding.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

White House Infrastructure Webinars

The White House is holding webinars to “provide an in-depth look into the programs contained within each of the twelve major chapters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.” Register for the remaining webinars:

• Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET:  Water Register Here
• Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET:  Resilience Register Here
• Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET: Environmental Remediation Register Here
• Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET: Broadband Register Here

Grant Funding Available for Behavioral Health Projects

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

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

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

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

• The application and related tools 

• Pre-application consultation and technical assistance, including a survey 

• Additional information about the two grant programs, BHCIP and CCE 

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

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced upcoming public participation hearings to review and solicit input on PG&E’s 2023 General Rate Case application. Written public comments can also be made at any time here.

 WHEN:     Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm

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

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

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

USDA Offers Rural Communities Financial Assistance for Renewable Energy Projects 

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

California Air Resources Board Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training

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

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

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

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

Truck and Bus Regulation:

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

Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):

• Regulation Applicability
• Program Updates

Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)

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

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View this message from PG&E for details. 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox. 

KEEPING UP

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

Dorene "DeeDee" D’Adamo, of Turlock, has been re-appointed to the State Water Resources Control Board, where she has served since 2013. She was a Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Congressman Jim Costa from 2013 to 2014 and for the Office of Congressman Dennis Cardoza from 2003 to 2012. She was Legal Counsel for the Office of Congressman Gary Condit from 1994 to 2003, where she was Legislative Director from 1990 to 1991. She served on the California Air Resources Board from 1999 to 2013. D’Adamo was a Visiting Instructor at California State University, Stanislaus from 1992 to 1998. She was an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Perry and Wildman from 1992 to 1994. D’Adamo was a Policy Consultant at D’Adamo Consulting from 1991 to 1992. She was Assistant Director, Legislation for the California Youth Authority from 1988 to 1990. D’Adamo was Legal Counsel at the California State Assembly Committee on Public Safety from 1986 to 1988. D’Adamo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $166,306. D’Adamo is a Democrat. 
 

Marvin Green, of Roseville, has been appointed Deputy Director of Logistics Management at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Green has been Director of Plant Operations at the Villara Corporation since 2016. He has been M-Day Colonel Logistics Officer in the California National Guard since 2008. Green was Director of Operations at Core-Mark International from 2013 to 2015 and Operations Manager at the Campbell Soup Company from 1995 to 2013. Green earned a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education/Executive Development for Public Service from Ball State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $168,552. Green is a Republican. 
  
Edward Westfall, of Davis, has been appointed Deputy Director of Response at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, where he has served as Coastal Region Administrator since 2021. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard from 1985 to 2021, retiring with the rank of Captain (O-6). He held multiple positions in the U.S. Coast Guard, including Commanding Officer of the Cutters Red Cedar, William Tate, Aspen, Escanaba, and Boutwell; Executive Director of the Interdiction Committee; and Chief of the Office of Emerging Policy. Westfall was Deputy Director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office from 2018 to 2020 and Chief of the Arctic Strategy Branch for the U.S. European Command from 2012 to 2014. He was Assistant Coast Guard Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 2007 to 2009 and a Surface Operations Officer at the Joint Interagency Task Force West from 2001 to 2003. Westfall is a member of the Marines’ Memorial Association; Military Officers Association of America; Surface Navy Association; National War College Alumni Association; California Emergency Service Association; Rutgers Alumni Association; Excelsior College Alumni Association; National Railway Historical Society; Prinsendam Rescue Association; and the Rail Passengers Association. Westfall earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $168,552. Westfall is a Democrat.

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.

‘New Joe Biden commission seeks California wildfire experts’ - Sacramento Bee

The federal government on Thursday will begin accepting applications for a newly created commission designed to shape the nation’s management of wildland fires.

'Tulare County to use mining pit to recharge aquifer with flood water' -The Sun-Gazette

Tulare County plans to reuse an excavated mining pit to recharge groundwater levels with floodwater, which would provide more water for irrigating crops and drinking water while also serving as a habitat for migratory birds.

'Huffman, Khanna Reintroduce Public Lands Telecommunications Act ' -House.gov

Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) re-introduced the Public Lands Telecommunications Act to unlock new opportunities for responsible broadband infrastructure deployment on and near federal public lands. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air and water quality impacts: environmental justice.   Modifies the California Environmental Quality Act by: 1) Requiring air and water quality impacts to a disadvantaged community to be mitigated in that community; 2) Requiring local agencies to give consideration to the principles of environmental justice by ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/9/2022-Referred to Com. on RLS.   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 Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 0. Page 3410.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1124   (Friedman)   Solar energy systems.      Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 235, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

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

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

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

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

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 1/14/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and PUB. S.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA, vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 1/20/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

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

AB 1707   (Boerner Horvath)   Property tax postponement: Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Fund.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation   Status: 2/3/2022-Referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.   Position:   Support   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: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 2/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. & E.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1749   (Garcia, Cristina)   Community Air Protection Blueprint: community emissions reduction programs: toxic air contaminants and criteria air pollutants.   Prohibits approval or issuance of permits for projects that contribute to an increase in air pollutants or toxic air contaminants in a CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged community unless the agency finds that increased emissions caused by the project (combined with cumulative emissions from other sources) will not cause or contribute to additional negative public health impacts on individuals living and working in that community. Requires the state to identify measures to reduce criteria air pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions in CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged communities.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/10/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1814   (Grayson)   Transportation electrification: community choice aggregators.   Allows community choice aggregators to file applications with the state for approval of programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1832   (Rivas, Luz)   Tidelands and submerged lands: hard mineral extraction.   Prohibits the State Lands Commission and local trustees of granted public trust lands from granting leases or issuing permits for extraction or removal of hard minerals (not including rock, gravel, sand, silt, and coal) from tidelands and submerged lands.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   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 Housing and Community Development   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1956   (Mathis)   Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.   Creates a new grant program administered by CalRecycle to fund woody biomass collection and disposal by rural counties with a population of 250,000 or less.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

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

AB 2258   (Wood)   Property Assessed Clean Energy program: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and B. & F.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Assembly Public Safety   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and B. & P.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unpermitted cannabis cultivation.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Coms. on W.,P., & W. and JUD.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   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)

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

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

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

SB 12   (McGuire)   Local government: planning and zoning: wildfires.   Senate Bill 12 requires that the Office of Planning and Research, among other things, coordinate with appropriate entities, including state, regional, or local agencies, to establish a clearinghouse for climate adaptation information for use by state, regional, and local entities, as provided. This bill would require the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element or the hazard mitigation plan, on or after July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 6/24/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 28   (Caballero)   Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006: deployment data.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 673, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/10/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 833   (Dodd)   Community Energy Resilience Act of 2022.   Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to develop and implement a grant program for local governments to develop community energy resilience plans.   Location: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications   Status: 3/7/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/9/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (March 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   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 Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/10/2022-March 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 3/9/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1127   (Atkins)   Workers’ compensation: liability presumptions.     Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 2/23/2022-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling and Fire Risk Reduction Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/2/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/8/2022-Set for hearing March 28.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/10/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.     Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 3/2/2022-Referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)