The Barbed Wire - March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023
RCRC Sponsors AB 1548 (Hart) to Expand CalRecycle Solid and Organic Waste Grant Program
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 869 (Wood) - Hospitals: Seismic Safety Compliance
AB 998 (Connolly) Explores Upgrading Shuttered Biomass Energy Facilities
RCRC Joins CCAs in Presentation at CPUC Fast Trip Power Outage Workshop
CSAC Introduces Comprehensive “AT HOME” Plan to Address Homelessness
Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023 Introduced in Congress
U.S. DOT Recommends Construction Funding for Eighteen Major Transit Projects Across the Nation
Cannabis Retail Access Grant Applications Now Open for Local Jurisdictions
Applications Open for First Round of New $2.5 Billion Program to Build EV Charging in Communities & Neighborhoods Nationwide
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC Sponsors AB 1548 (Hart) to Expand CalRecycle Solid and Organic Waste Grant Program

Assembly Bill 1548 (Hart, D-Santa Barbara) is sponsored by RCRC to expand CalRecycle’s grant program to provide funding for other types of local recycling, edible food recovery, and reuse projects. 

CalRecycle currently provides grant funding for various types of projects for recycled material manufacturing and organic waste recycling.  Experience has shown that the program does not include funding for much needed local projects to sort, aggregate, and bale recycled materials to get them to the marketplace.  AB 1548 will open the door for local governments to seek funding from CalRecycle for small, yet transformative projects that may be cost prohibitive for smaller jurisdictions and yet are too small to qualify for funding under larger federal programs. 

Based on feedback from Santa Barbara County, AB 1548 also includes revisions to expand program eligibility to purchase equipment and construct facilities to develop, implement, and expand edible food waste recovery operations, as required under CalRecycle’s SB 1383 regulations. 

AB 1548 also seeks to replicate an innovative reuse program developed by Yolo County, which diverts items from landfill disposal for reuse by members of the public.  The program accepts bicycles, toys, sporting goods and equipment, clean wood, doors, windows, flooring, lamps, electronics, furniture, office supplies, cabinetry, tools, housewares, etc. AB 1548 will enable CalRecycle’s grant program to provide seed funding to help other local governments develop similar reuse programs that can find a second life for useful consumer goods and keep them out of the landfill. 

Finally, AB 1548 will ensure that CalRecycle can give equal consideration to projects that benefit impoverished communities that may otherwise be located in areas with cleaner air or water. 

RCRC’s letter in support of AB 1548 can be found here, but the bill has not yet been set for hearing by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. For more information or to learn how to get involved, please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Policy Advocate. 

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 869 (Wood) - Hospitals: Seismic Safety Compliance

RCRC supports Assembly Bill 869, authored by Assembly Member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), which would require Health Care Access and Administration (HCAI), upon appropriation by the Legislature, to provide grants to financially distressed small rural and district hospitals to pay for 2030 seismic upgrades and delay the requirement to 2035. 

Hospitals must comply with seismic safety standards, including a requirement that buildings posing a significant risk of collapse and a danger to the public — referred to as Structural Performance Category (SPC) 1 buildings — be rebuilt or retrofitted to be capable of withstanding an earthquake or removed from acute care service; the hospital must also be capable of continued operation by January 1, 2030. Based on the 2030 requirement to remain operational, 75% of hospital buildings are already 2030 compliant with the more expensive SPC requirements; however, the remaining hospitals, which are spread across more than 250 hospital campuses, must be taken out of service by 2030 or rebuilt to the SPC 4D standard. Small rural hospitals are struggling to comply with these requirements by 2030 due to the costs associated with upgrades.  

AB 869 is a much-needed lifeline for financially distressed rural hospitals to ensure they have the funding needed to meet requirements with flexible compliance timelines, if funds are unavailable. Without grant funding for seismic improvements, we risk additional hospital closures in rural communities. 

The bill is set for hearing in the Assembly Health Committee on March 21, 2023. RCRC’s letter of support is available here. For more information, please contact Sarah Dukett, RCRC Policy Advocate.

AB 998 (Connolly) Explores Upgrading Shuttered Biomass Energy Facilities

Assembly Bill 998, authored by Assembly Member Damon Connolly (D-Santa Rosa), requires the Energy Commission to prepare a report on utility-scale biomass combustion facilities, including the capacity of those facilities to process forest biomass, the role they play in achieving the state’s forest health and wildfire risk reduction objectives, and ways to maximize the environmental benefits of those facilities.  The report must recommend strategies on how to upgrade those facilities, associated costs, and financing opportunities, and how any loss in capacity would be addressed by the future closing of any of those facilities.   

Importantly, AB 998 also requires the Energy Commission to evaluate the feasibility of upgrading shuttered biomass facilities to determine whether they can help the state increase its capacity to manage forest and excess biomass waste.  Evaluating opportunities to upgrade and repower these shuttered facilities could help revitalize many local rural economies, increase baseload renewable energy generation, and significantly increase capacity to deal with wood waste coming from forest health improvement and wildfire risk reduction projects. 

RCRC strongly supports AB 998 and its evaluation of the key role that existing and shuttered biomass facilities play in addressing wildfire risk and improving forest health.  RCRC’s letter in support can be found here

AB 998 has been set for hearing in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on March 27th.  Letters in support are due to the committee by close of business on March 20th to be listed in the committee analysis (late letters will be accepted, but will not be reflected in the analysis).   

For more information or to learn how to get involved, please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Policy Advocate. 

RCRC Joins CCAs in Presentation at CPUC Fast Trip Power Outage Workshop

On March 17th, RCRC joined Pioneer Community Energy, Sonoma Clean Power, Marin Clean Energy, and East Bay Community Energy on a panel at a CPUC workshop that takes a deep dive into the impacts that Fast Trip power outages (like PG&E’s Enhanced Powerline Safety Setting outages) are having on customers and communities.  

RCRC joined those groups in July 2022 in a petition the CPUC to develop rules to ensure that utility fast trip outages are implemented in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare.  Since then, the number of fast trip outages doubled to nearly 2,400 in PG&E’s service territory by the end of 2022. 

RCRC’s presentation with the Joint CCAs can be found here.  Stakeholders provided detailed accounts of just how dislocating and debilitating frequent outages can be for communities, noting that more than four dozen circuits experienced 12-20 outages last year, 12 circuits experienced 6 or more outages in a single month, and that many outages lasted longer than 12 hours (with some lasting nearly two days).  RCRC Board Delegate, El Dorado County Supervisor Lori Parlin, whose constituents lost power 20 times in 2022, joined the workshop to express local concerns and frustrations and urge the commission to act.  

RCRC noted that mitigation actions alone are insufficient and that the CPUC must ensure that utilities will take actions necessary to reduce the probability of future outages through vegetation management, installation of animal exclusion devices or covered conductor, line segmentation, etc.  In a recent meeting with RCRC and CSAC counties, PG&E indicated that while they believe improvements will substantially reduce the number of customers impacted by each outage, they only expect a 2% reduction in the number of fast trip outages year over year. 

For more information, or to learn how to participate in the workshop, please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Policy Advocate.

CSAC Introduces Comprehensive “AT HOME” Plan to Address Homelessness

This week the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) introduced its AT HOME Plan, which provides a framework for addressing the needs of the unhoused or those at risk of being unhoused. In developing the AT HOME Plan, CSAC acknowledged that successful efforts must clearly define roles and responsibilities, there must be a foundation of accountability, and funding must be sustainable and alighted with responsibilities and accountability. The six pillars of the AT HOME Plan are intended to provide an integrated approach to addressing homelessness.  

A- Accountability 
     clearly defined responsibilities, established goals and outcomes, ongoing funding 
T- Transparency 
      need more robust data systems to manage data for fact-based decisions 

H- Housing  
     need affordable housing and shelter with streamlined processes and less red tape 
O- Outreach 
      need to recruit,  train, and retain qualified HHS workers to help with outreach, rapid response, 
     and critical services 

M- Mitigation 
      sustained, consistent funding for Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, Child Welfare Services and more is critical 
      to mitigate homelessness 

E- Economic Opportunity 
    creating employment and education pathways for formerly unhouse Californians is key to long 
    term stability 

Additional information is available on the AT HOME website here. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine.

Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023 Introduced in Congress

On March 14th, the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023  (H.R. 1586) was introduced by Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale). The bill would create a Clean Water Act exemption for federal, state, local, and tribal firefighting agencies to use fire retardant to fight wildfires. The USDA Forest Service and other agencies have historically operated under the assumption that a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is not required for the use of fire retardant because the regulations specifically state that fire control is a "non-point source silvicultural activity" and communications from the Environmental Protection Agency dating back to 1993 indicating that a permit was not required. The legislation was prompted by pending litigation, in which the opposing party has requested an injunction on the use of fire retardant until the Forest Service receives a NPDES permit for its use, which could take years and would endanger western communities who routinely experience wildland fires. Congressman LaMalfa was joined by 24 other Representatives in introducing the House Resolution, including California Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey), Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hills), Young Kim (R-Anaheim), John Garamendi (D-Vallejo), Ken Calvert (R-Palm Desert), Darrell Issa (R-Riverside), Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), And Jim Costa (D-Fresno). Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. Senate. 

U.S. DOT Recommends Construction Funding for Eighteen Major Transit Projects Across the Nation

On Thursday, March 9th, in a report of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, which accompanied President Biden’s FY 2024 Budget Request, 18 large transit projects in 11 states across the nation were recommended to receive $4.45 billion for construction. The projects, which require a local funding match, seek funding through the FTA Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot programs. Of the 18 projects, five are located in California:  

  • The Monterey-Salinas Transit SURF! Highway 1 Busway and Bus Rapid Transit project, connecting the cities of Marina, Sand City, and Seaside in Monterey County and including a dedicated busway to reduce congestion, improve on-time performance, and expand transit ridership. This is a first-time funding request. ($14 million)

  • The Los Angeles Westside Subway Section 2 and Section 3 rail projects. The Westside Subway provides a critical connection for the region’s second-largest job center and connects downtown Los Angeles with the Westside. ($643 million)

  • The BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project will extend BART service six miles through downtown San Jose to Santa Clara and will enhance connectivity of regional transit services, promote economic development, and improve mobility. ($500 million) 

  • The East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Phase I Project through FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery Program. This light rail transit system would improve mobility in eastern San Fernando Valley by providing an improved north-south transit connection. ($167 million) 

Cannabis Retail Access Grant Applications Now Open for Local Jurisdictions

The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has announced a Retail Access Grant to provide resources for local governments to develop and implement cannabis retailer licensing programs. This funding can be used by counties that currently do not have a cannabis retail licensing program to comply with SB 1186, with funding (ranging from $100,000 to $325,000) awarded based on population and can be used for personnel costs (such as salary and benefits for local government staff), permitting expenses (e.g. software costs), environmental reviews and other uses. The grant guidelines may be found here.   

DCC is distributing $20 million in two phases, with priority given to local jurisdictions that propose to assist cannabis equity businesses; address gaps in consumer access to regulated cannabis; and permit cannabis retailers through existing business permitting processes. Additionally, DCC is providing “priority review points” to cities or counties in the following RCRC grant-eligible counties: Amador, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Madera, Placer, San Benito, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba.  

Phase I applications ($10 million total) opened on March 10, 2023 and are due by 5pm on April 28, 2023. DCC will be offering technical assistance to jurisdictions throughout the application process. Local jurisdictions that receive Phase I funding (to be awarded by June 20, 2023) are eligible to receive additional awards during Phase II beginning on or after June 30, 2023, after the local jurisdiction has begun issuing licenses to cannabis retailers. Phase II funding can be used for costs relating to the process and issuing of licenses. A Q&A page may be found here. Please reach out to RCRC Policy Analyst, Eric Will if you have questions regarding this program. 

Applications Open for First Round of New $2.5 Billion Program to Build EV Charging in Communities & Neighborhoods Nationwide

On March 14th, applications opened for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, to fund electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country as well as along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways. This program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a wide range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and Tribes. 

The CFI Program is divided into two grant funding categories. 

  • The Community Program will provide $1.25 billion to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, and hydrogen, propane, or natural gas fueling infrastructure in communities. Infrastructure may be located on any public road or in other publicly accessible locations such as parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity. 

  • The Corridor Program will provide $1.25 billion to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). 

The CFI Program is making up to $700 million available for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) — FY 2022 $300 million and FY 2023 $400 million.  U.S. DOT has scheduled the following webinars to share information about the NOFO. These webinars are open to the public, and registration is required. 

Webinar #1
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Time: 10 AM PT/1 PM ET (1 hour)
Register Here 

Webinar #2
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Time: 11 AM PT/2 PM ET (1 hour)
Register Here 

For information about the CFI Discretionary Grant Program, including eligibility, application details, webinars, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity, visit the program website here. Applications are due by May 30, 2023. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CALEPA and DTSC Issue Interim Advisory on Handling and Management of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued an Interim Advisory on Handling and Management of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer on March 16th. The coronavirus pandemic triggered the need for large volumes of alcohol-based hand sanitizer for businesses, schools, and other entities across California. Some of these entities procured alcohol-based hand sanitizer in excess of need and could not consume or manage the excess material. Much of that alcohol-based hand sanitizer is now expiring. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be considered a hazardous material, and additionally, an ignitable hazardous waste once it is no longer usable for its intended purpose. Read the full advisory here.

 

Office of State Public Defender Announces Launch of a New California Data Hub with County-Specific Resources brought to you by the Vera Institute of Justice

On March 16th,  the Vera Institute of Justice launched a new California Data Hub, which provides county-specific resources for county leaders interested in analyzing spending for criminal justice. With a separate fact sheet for each county, the data hub combines CDCR, DOJ, BSCC and Controller’s office data to give easy access to charts that can be downloaded. It includes helpful data points such as:

  • Dollars spent on different parts of the county budget, including a breakdown of prosecution, defense, probation, sheriff
  • Arrest rates by race within a particular county
  • Percentage of people incarcerated within the county who have a mental health issue
  • Percentage of people in your county jail who are awaiting trial
  • Percentage of cases that are misdemeanors / felonies / violent felonies within a county
  • Suggestions of what specific resources a county could pay for if they kept jail spending at 2017 levels (i.e. 34 mental health counselors, 225 one-bedroom apartments for the homeless)
  • Statewide comparisons for incarceration rates by county
  • Downloadable images and data sets

Explore the data hub here.

 

Upcoming PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinars

PG&E hosts online webinars throughout each year for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Community Wildfire Safety Program. These virtual gatherings allow community members to learn more about wildfire safety and emergency preparedness, meet with PG&E representatives, ask questions and share feedback. For anyone who is not able to join a live webinar, presentations and video recordings of our past webinars are available on the PG&E website here

The next webinar is scheduled for March 23, 2023 -  Wildfire Safety Webinar (Santa Clara)
Counties served: Santa Clara

Join webinar 
Attendee Dial In:  1-888-790-1836
Conference ID: 7108900

For a full list of upcoming webinars, see here.

 

The CivicSpark Fellow Application for the 2023-24 service year is Now Open 

For 11 months, beginning in September, over 100 Fellows will bring energy, commitment, and drive to support communities tackle their climate and community resilience challenges while gaining professional experience. After launching pilot cohorts in Colorado and Washington last year, CivicSpark is excited to continue to serve those states, in addition to California. The priority deadline is April 7th. 

Register for an upcoming informational webinar and visit our website to learn more about our program and how you can support and strengthen communities.

For more information, visit the website here.

 

Training: Land Use Planning for Wildfire (Free!) 

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the launch of the CAL FIRE / Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Introduction to Land Use Planning for Wildfires in California Trainings.  

These free, all-day, in person trainings are open to land use planners, fire marshals, fire chiefs, fire mitigation specialists, building officials, and other professionals from government agencies and the private sector engaged in planning, policy, development review and/or approval activities in California. 

The following is a list of upcoming trainings across the state. 

  • April 18, 2023 – Del Rey 
  • April 20, 2023 – Los Osos 

Space is limited. For more information and to register, see here

view flyer

 

Career Opportunities

Mendocino County

  • The County of Mendocino is seeking an Emergency Services Coordinator to oversee the function of an Operational Area Office of Emergency Services. The final filing date is March 17, 2023. For full job description and to apply, prospective candidates should visit  here.

Sierra County

  • The County of Sierra is seeking a Director of Health and Social Services, responsible for the management and administration of Department of Health and Social Services.  A full description and qualifications are available here. For more information, visit the county website here or call (530) 289-2879.
  • The Sierra County Department of Transportation is recruiting for a Transportation Planner II or III, depending on qualifications. This position is open until filled. For more information, see the county website here or call 530-289-2879

Tuolumne County

  • Tuolumne County Public Works is seeking an experienced integrated waste professional with extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance to oversee the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste and hazardous materials, provide public outreach and training, promote recycling programs, maintain two closed landfills, and negotiate and monitor contracts for environmental and landfill services. The Director of Solid Waste, as a key member of the management team, will oversee a staff of four and provide expert advice and support to the Director, Board members, and the community.  Bachelor’s degree and three years’ experience in solid waste management with two years at a supervisory or higher level. Flexible schedule 90/8 or 20%-40% telework considered for right candidate. Position is open until filled. EOE For additional details, see here.

Yolo County

  • The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Public Information Officer (PIO) at the County Administrator's Office. The role of the Public Information Officer is to manage the County’s communications with the public through press releases, social media, videos, live media and the County website. The PIO informs and engages the community and other stakeholders regarding County activities, services, and strategies.  The PIO also functions as the County Spokesperson which requires knowledge of County programs and policies. As a member of the County Emergency Operations Center personnel, the PIO also acts in a lead capacity in disseminating information during an emergency. The full job announcement can be found here. This position is open until filled.

 

CMSP Offering Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant

The CMSP Healthcare Infrastructure Development Matching Grant program (HID Matching Grant) will help CMSP counties and non-profits contracted with CMSP counties to expand their physical capacity to provide healthcare and behavioral health services by providing required local level match funds for state, federal or other infrastructure grants.  Up to $10 Million may be awarded!  Awards range up to $500,000 for projects serving a single CMSP county and up to $ 1,000,000 for projects serving multiple CMSP counties. HID Matching Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning February 1, 2023 through June 1, 2023.   Applications will be considered as they are received and will be submitted to the Governing Board for consideration at an upcoming regularly scheduled public meeting of the Board. Completed applications must be submitted to grants@cmspcounties.org by June 1, 2023. To learn full program details and requirements, or to download an application, visit the CMSP website here.

 

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 Trainings: Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yuba and Sutter Counties, POSTPONED to April 14, 2023

 

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.

 

Ann Notthoff, of Carmel Valley, has been appointed to the California Coastal Commission. Notthoff served the Natural Resources Defense Council for nearly 40 years, most recently as Senior Western Advocacy Director, before her retirement in 2020. She was a founding member of the California League of Coastal Protection, previously served as Northern Vice President for the California League of Conservation Voters Board, and currently serves as Board Chair of LandWatch Monterey County. She served as a Senate Rules Committee appointee on the State Coastal Conservancy from 2005 until 2023. This appointment, made by Senate Rules Committee, is a four year term. Compensation is $100 per diem and actual and necessary expenses.

James O’Rourke, of Shingle Springs, has been appointed to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. O’Rourke has served as a Sergeant at the California Highway Patrol since 2007. He was a California Highway Patrol Officer from 2000 to 2007. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. O’Rourke is a Republican.

Joy Sterling, of Sebastopol, has been appointed to the California State Coastal Conservancy. Sterling is the Chief Executive Officer and Partner of Iron Horse Vineyards, where she has served since 1985. Previously, she was a Deputy Bureau Chief at ABC Network News. She serves as a member of the State Board of Food and Agriculture, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Task Force on Connectivity for Precision Agriculture, California Wine Institute, Sonoma County Vintners Association, North Bay North Coast Broadband Consortium, and California Broadband Council Advisory Board. This appointment, made by Senate Rules Committee, is a four year term. Compensation is $100 per diem and actual and necessary expenses.

Marc Van Camp has been awarded the 2023 Innovative Water Management Award. The award is given by the NCWA President to an individual (or organization) who has demonstrated innovation and creativity in advancing water management in the Sacramento Valley. Read about Van Camp here or view NCWA's tribute to Van Camp here.

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.

 

Salmon fishing banned along California coast as population plummets – Los Angeles Times

This week, The Pacific Fishery Management Council, a multistate, quasi-federal body that decides on ocean fishing seasons, adopted proposals to close the fishing season at a meeting last week, and is expected to formally approve the closure at a meeting in early April. This decision comes as fishery officials record low numbers of fall-run chinook salmon that returned to spawn in the Sacramento river.

 

California’s ghostly Tulare Lake will be revived this year – CalMatters

Once the largest lake west of the Mississippi, the dry Tulare Lake, located in Kings County, shows signs of returning. With historic rain and snowmelt this year, the lake may return to life once again.

 

Madera Community Hospital CEO: time running out to reopen – KVPR.org

After receiving nearly 100 ER patients a day, the Madera Community Hospital has closed due to ongoing financial distress. Despite ongoing difficulties, administration maintains hopes of reopening. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 3   (Zbur)   Offshore wind energy.  States Legislative intent to accelerate the approval, implementation, and operation of offshore wind energy projects necessary to meet California’s climate action goals and the transition to a clean energy economy, clarify the authority of California governmental agencies related to the analysis and selection of feasible alternatives for seawater ports and transmission infrastructure improvements required to construct wind energy projects along the California coast, and specify criteria for the analysis and selection of port and transmission alternatives related to offshore wind energy projects to ensure the protection of the environment and sensitive habitats and robust community participation and comment, to keep the maximum number of jobs related to the construction of offshore wind energy projects in California, and to achieve environmental justice goals.   Location: Assembly Print   Status: 12/6/2022-From printer. May be heard in committee January 5.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Energy demand: communication.     Location: Assembly Print   Status: 12/6/2022-From printer. May be heard in committee January 5.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 54   (Aguiar-Curry)   Department of Food and Agriculture: research funding: winegrapes: smoke exposure.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/16/2023-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 2/28/2023-Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. Read second time and amended.   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 Appropriations   Status: 2/28/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 2.) (February 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 297   (Fong, Vince)   Wildfires: local assistance grant program: advance payments.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/2/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.     Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 2/9/2023-Referred to Com. on L. & E.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 344   (Wood)   Electricity: load-serving entities: offshore wind facilities.   Authorizes electrical corporations, electric service providers, and community choice aggregators to jointly enter into agreements to procure electricity generated from offshore wind facilities.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 2/9/2023-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Repeals 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: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/14/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 2/9/2023-Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   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 Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/6/2023-Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: interim relief.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 2/17/2023-Referred to Coms. on W., P., & W. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 592   (Wilson)   Vehicles: waste hauling.   Allows Contra Costa County, or any other county, to create a program to regulate nonfranchise waste hauling operations within the county.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 625   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest Biomass Waste Utilization Program.   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. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to extend the BioMAT program until all 250 MW of capacity are procured.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 2/17/2023-Referred to Coms. on U. & E. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 643   (Berman)   Electricity: interconnection timelines: report.   Requires the Public Utilities Commission to submit a report to the Legislature on timelines for the interconnection of customer-sited energy generation and storage resources. Require the commission to consider the negligent exceedance of an interconnection timeline by an electrical corporation to be a failure to comply with a rule of the commission and subject to a penalty. Requires an electrical corporation to provide a substantial response to any queries from an interconnection applicant related to the completeness of the application and the submission of supporting information to pending applications within 3 business days.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 2/17/2023-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Watch   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 Natural Resources   Status: 2/23/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 704   (Patterson, Jim)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts homes rebuilt after being destroyed by a wildfire from state laws requiring installation of solar panels, until January 1, 2027.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 772   (Jackson)   Electric vehicle chargers.   Require the Energy Commission to require that each single-family residence constructed on and after January 1, 2025 include a rapid compact electric vehicle charger and that each multifamily residence constructed on and after January 1, 2025 include sufficient rapid compact electric vehicle chargers to serve at least 10% of its residential capacity at any given time.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (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 Local Government   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Com. on L. GOV. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. Read second time and amended.   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 Natural Resources   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 944   (Irwin)   Fire stations: alternative power generation.   Declares Legislative intent to require fire stations to have an alternative method of power generation during power outages.   Location: Assembly Emergency Management   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Com. on E.M.   Position:   Watch   Staff: 

AB 978   (Patterson, Joe)   California Environmental Quality Act: housing projects: judicial review: bonds.   Require a person seeking judicial review of the decision of a lead agency made pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to carry out or approve a housing project to post a bond of $500,000 to cover the costs and damages to the housing project incurred by the respondent or real party in interest.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/23/2023-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 982   (Villapudua)   Public Utilities Public Purpose Programs Fund.   Establishes the Public Utilities Public Purpose Programs Fund and requires the Public Utilities Commission to allocate the moneys in the fund for purposes of funding the Family Electric Rate Assistance program, programs funded through an electrical corporation’s public purpose program rate component as of December 31, 2023, including the CARE program, and other programs determined by the commission to provide public benefits.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   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: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/16/2023-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1152   (Patterson, Joe)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: recycled water.   Exempts from CEQA a project to construct or expand a recycled water pipeline for the purpose of mitigating drought conditions for which a state of emergency was proclaimed by the Governor. Exempts from CEQA the development and approval of building standards by state agencies for recycled water systems.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1155   (Flora)   Wildfire mitigation plans: vegetation management: vegetation inspection standards.     Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Com. on U. & E. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1238   (Ward)   Hazardous waste: solar panels.   Requires DTSC to develop alternative management standards for recycling solar panels to reduce the regulatory burden on management and recycling.   Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water shortage enforcement.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/2/2023-Referred to Coms. on W., P., & W. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1448   (Wallis)   Cannabis: enforcement of local laws.   AB 1448 would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process, allow local jurisdictions to utilization statutory penalties and create more collection options.   Location: Assembly B.&p.   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Coms. on B. & P. and JUD.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1488   (Wallis)   California Environmental Quality Act: water conveyance or storage projects: judicial review.   Requires the Judicial Council to adopt rules of court applicable to actions or proceedings brought to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul the certification or adoption of an environmental impact report for water conveyance or storage projects, as defined, or the granting of project approvals, including any appeals to the court of appeal or the Supreme Court, to be resolved, to the extent feasible, within 270 days of the filing of the certified record of proceedings. Requires the lead agency to concurrently prepare the record of proceedings for a water conveyance or storage project.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and JUD.   Position:   Pending   Staff: 

AB 1534   (Irwin)   Methane emissions: municipal solid waste landfills: remote sensing data.   Requires ARB to incorporate the use of remote sensing data into its landfill methane emissions regulations.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/16/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1554   (Patterson, Joe)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: wildfire fuels reduction projects.   Exempts from CEQA fuels reduction projects in areas within moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1597   (Alvarez)   Water quality: California-Mexico cross-border rivers.   Makes $50 million available, upon appropriation from the General Fund, 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. T   Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Coms. on E.S. & T.M. and JUD.    Staff: 

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: Assembly B.&p.   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on B. & P.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1700   (Hoover)   California Environmental Quality Act: population growth and noise impacts: housing projects.   Provides that population growth, in and of itself, resulting from a housing project and noise impacts of a housing project are not an effect on the environment for purposes of CEQA.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 2/22/2023-Re-referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and E.Q.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 35   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/18/2023-Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 38   (Laird)   Battery storage facilities: safety systems.   States Legislature intent to enact future legislation to address the need for better safety systems at battery storage facilities.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/18/2023-Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 69   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial and administrative proceedings: limitations.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 3/16/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   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: Senate Judiciary   Status: 3/7/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   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: Senate Housing   Status: 3/15/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HOUSING with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 15). Re-referred to Com. on HOUSING.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 367   (Seyarto)   Farm, ranch, and public lands cleanup and abatement: grant program.   Seeks to create a grant program to facilitate the proper disposal of illegally dumped waste on state and federal lands.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 3/16/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 378   (Gonzalez)   State parks: state beaches: expanded polystyrene food container and cooler ban.   Bans people from bringing an expanded polystyrene food container or cooler onto a state beach or in a unit of the state park system and for improper disposal of those products.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 2/22/2023-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 393   (Glazer)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: identification of contributors: housing projects.   Requires a CEQA plaintiff or petitioner to disclose the identity of persons and entities that contribute more than $1,000 towards litigation costs. Requires a plaintiff or petitioner to identify any pecuniary or economic interest related to any person who contributes more than $1,000 to the costs of the action.   Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 3/15/2023-VOTE: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Judiciary] (PASS)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 406   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: financial assistance: 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 Housing   Status: 3/15/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HOUSING with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 15). Re-referred to Com. on HOUSING.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 410   (Becker)   Powering Up Californians Act.   Requires electrical corporations to provide data to the Public Utilities Commission on the response time to provide upgraded electrical service to customers for electrification upgrades in buildings, panel upgrades, solar installations, or electric vehicle chargers.   Location: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications   Status: 3/14/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 420   (Becker)   Electricity: electrical transmission facility projects.   Requires the Governor to identify a lead agency to monitor clean energy and electrical transmission facility planning and deployment, and requires that agency to identify those electrical transmission facility projects necessary to maintain system reliability. Make that agency the lead agency for those projects for purposes of CEQA and deems those projects to be environmental leadership development projects for purposes of the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/16/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 560   (Laird)   Solid waste: extended producer responsibility.   States legislative intent to establish a framework for expended producer responsibility for the end-of-life management of covered gas cylinders.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 2/22/2023-Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 568   (Newman)   Electronic waste: export.   Conditions the export of electronic waste and covered electronic devices upon a demonstration that capacity does not exist in California to safely and responsibly recycle that waste or device.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

SB 613   (Seyarto)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: low-population exemption.   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: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 615   (Allen)   Electric 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: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (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: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

SB 651   (Grove)   Water storage and recharge: California Environmental Quality Act: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009: exemptions.   Makes it the policy of the state that, to help advance groundwater recharge projects, and to demonstrate the feasibility of projects that can use available high water flows to recharge local groundwater while minimizing flood risks, the state board and the regional water quality control boards must prioritize water right permits, water quality certifications, waste discharge requirements, and conditional waivers of waste discharge requirements to accelerate approvals for projects that enhance the ability of a local or state agency to capture high precipitation events for local storage or recharge, consistent with water right priorities and protections for fish and wildlife. Exempts from CEQA actions taken by a state or local agency if the state agency with primary responsibility for the implementation of directives addressing impacts of drought concurs that local action is required, and permits that are necessary to carry out those actions, to accelerate approvals for projects that enhance the ability of a local or state agency to capture high precipitation events for local storage or recharge, consistent with water right priorities and protections for fish and wildlife. Exempts from CEQA a recharge project under the Department of Water Resources’ Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program and flood-managed aquifer recharge projects, occurring on open and working lands to replenish and store water in groundwater basins that will help mitigate groundwater conditions impacted by drought   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/1/2023-Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and E.Q.    Staff: 

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/1/2023-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 707   (Newman)   Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2023.   Creates a Responsible Textile Recovery Act to require producers to establish a stewardship program for collection and recycling of apparel and textiles that are unsuitable for reuse by a consumer.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 751   (Padilla)   Franchise agreements: labor impasse.   Prohibits a local government from entering into an exclusive franchise agreement for waste services, or an amended agreement, that contains a force majeure provision that can be triggered by a labor impasse.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 3/1/2023-Referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   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: Senate Public Safety   Status: 3/15/2023-Set for hearing April 11.   Position: Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 768   (Caballero)   California Environmental Quality Act: transportation impact analysis: rural areas.   States legislative intent to create a new transportation impact analysis for rural areas for purposes of the California Enivronmental Quality Act.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/1/2023-Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 794   (Niello)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: identification of contributors: housing projects.   Requires a CEQA action brought to attack a commercial, housing, or public works projects that addresses longstanding critical needs and that results in an investment of at least $25 million to be resolved within 365 days of filing of the record of proceedings. Requires a CEQA plaintiff or petitioner to disclose the identity of persons and entities that contribute more than $100 towards litigation costs. Requires a plaintiff or petitioner to identify any pecuniary or economic interest related to any person who contributes more than $100 to the costs of the action.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position: Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 861   (Dahle)   California Environmental Quality Act: water conveyance or storage projects: judicial review.   Requires the Judicial Council to adopt rules of court applicable to actions or proceedings brought to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul the certification or adoption of an environmental impact report for water conveyance or storage projects, or the granting of project approvals, including any appeals to the court of appeal or the Supreme Court, to be resolved within 270 days of the filing of the certified record of proceedings. Requires the lead agency to concurrently prepare the record of proceedings for a water conveyance or storage project.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/7/2023-Set for hearing March 29.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SBX1 2   (Skinner)   Energy: transportation fuels: supply and pricing: maximum gross gasoline refining margin.   Establishes a maximum gross gasoline refining margin at an unspecified amount per gallon and would authorize the Energy Commission to annually adjust the maximum gross gasoline refining margin. Authorizes the commission to petition the court to enjoin a refiner from exceeding the maximum gross gasoline refining margin. Authorizes the commission to assess an administrative civil penalty on a refiner for exceeding the maximum gross gasoline refining margin.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 12/5/2022-Introduced. Read first time. Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)