The Barbed Wire - March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024
BOF Revises Public Agency Right of Way/Utility Vegetation Management Proposal – Will Conduct Third Workshop to Consider Expanding Utility Rights-of-Way
CPUC Issues Proposed Decision Establishing Fixed Monthly Charges for Electric Customers
Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1034 (Seyarto) – California Public Records Act: State of Emergency
Final Appropriations Package Includes New Investments for Rural California Communities
RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES
BULLETIN BOARD
WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

BOF Revises Public Agency Right of Way/Utility Vegetation Management Proposal – Will Conduct Third Workshop to Consider Expanding Utility Rights-of-Way

At its March 27th workshop, the Board of Forestry released a revised (and much improved) draft regulation proposing changes to the Forest Practice Rules addressing how:   

  • Public agencies conduct vegetation management within public rights-of-way; and 

  • Electric utilities conduct vegetation management activities. 

The new draft made significant changes to the Public Agency and Utility Right-of-Way proposals.  It also introduced a PG&E proposal to significantly increase the size of their rights-of-way along overhead distribution and transmission lines. 

Public Agency Right-of-Way Notice of Exemption 

At its workshop, the Board of Forestry provided an overview of the Public Agency Right-of-Way proposal, which they characterized as largely maintaining status quo.  Under the proposal, public agencies seeking to perform vegetation management that constitutes “timber operations” within a public right-of-way located on “timberland” will first have to file a Notice of Exemption prepared by a Registered Professional Forester.  Timber operations performed under the Notice of Exemption would have to be carried out by a Licensed Timber Operator.  CalFire staff indicated that while Public Agencies had historically filed Notices of Exemption with the state, they have not done so over the last several years. 

The revised proposed also deleted controversial changes to “timber operations” and “timberlands” that would have brought all right-of-way maintenance activities within the definition of “timber operations.”   

Utility Rights-of-Way Notice of Exemption 

The Board’s new proposal makes significant changes to the Utility Right-of-Way Notice of Exemption process.  In response to serious concerns expressed by RCRC and several other organizations, the new proposal would require utilities to remove woody debris and slash within 150’ of a structure, remove/chip/burn woody debris that may impede the use of roads for access, egress, and public safety, and treat slash and woody debris to achieve a maximum post-harvest depth of 18” above the ground. 

These changes are intended to ensure that utilities do not compromise landowner efforts to maintain legally required defensible space perimeters.  RCRC suggested further refinements to ensure that all slash and woody debris that impedes access, egress, and public safety shall be removed, not just what impedes the use of roads.  Further revisions may also provide a pathway for landowners to request that wood be left on site. 

Proposed increases to Size of Utility Rights-of-Way 

Concerning the widths of utility rights-of-way, PG&E suggested more than doubling the size of the right of way for distribution lines under 33KV and significantly increasing those distances for higher voltage lines and telephone cables/open wires.  These changes are likely to be extremely controversial for property owners who have distribution and transmission lines running across their land.  The Board did not discuss this proposal at the March 27th workshop, but it is likely to comprise a significant portion of the discussion at the next workshop, which is likely to occur in the first half of April. 

RCRC strongly encourages local governments and property owners to carefully review the Public Agency Right-of-Way provisions of the draft regulation and participate in the next Board of Forestry workshop.   RCRC will provide an update when the Board announces the date and time of the next workshop. 

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

CPUC Issues Proposed Decision Establishing Fixed Monthly Charges for Electric Customers

On March 27, the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a new Proposed Decision establishing income-graduated fixed monthly charges on customers of investor-owned utilities.   

AB 205 (Ch.61, 2022) repealed the cap on fixed charges that utilities may recover from customers to pay for infrastructure-related costs.  The proposal is intended to ensure that customers who rely on distributed generation (like solar energy) do not shift infrastructure maintenance costs onto non-solar customers.  Controversial proposals by PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas &Electric would have imposed new fixed monthly charges quadruple that of the Commission's Proposed Decision; in PG&E’s service territory this would have amounted to $92/month.  

The CPUC’s Proposed Decision is estimated to cut the volumetric rate customers pay by 5-7 cents per kilowatt hour to still encourage energy conservation, and will instead shift certain infrastructure costs to a fixed monthly charge, as follows: 

  • $6/month for customers enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) Program; 

  • $12/month for customers enrolled in the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program or who lived in affordable housing restricted to residents with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (e.g. $140,000 for residents of Marin County compared to $67,000 for Tulare and many other rural counties); 

  • $24.15/month for all other customers. 

Fixed rates for non-low-income residential customers for Bear Valley, Pacificorp, and Liberty Utilities would vary from $23.40-$33.98 per month. 

The CPUC anticipates voting on this item on May 9, 2024. RCRC is not a party to this proceeding. For more information, see here. For questions, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy or Policy Advocate Leigh Kammerich.

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1034 (Seyarto) – California Public Records Act: State of Emergency

RCRC, in coalition with several government and association partners, supports Senate Bill 1034, authored by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta). This measure would amend the definition of “unusual circumstances” in the Public Records Act (PRA) to include the need to respond to a PRA during a state of emergency. 

The California Public Records Act serves as a vital tool for the public to hold their governments and elected leaders accountable. These requests, however, can be costly and time-consuming for local agencies. Public agencies at all levels of government have reported a significant increase in the quantity and breadth of PRA requests. A variety of public agencies reported a 73% increase in the volume of PRA requests over the past five years. Furthermore, due to the modernization of how public sector work is conducted, there has been a significant increase in disclosable records (e.g., emails, text messages, inter-office direct chat messaging platforms, etc.) created by routine government work. In response, there has been a proportionate increase in the complexity and sophistication of the work necessary to respond to PRA requests due to the staff time spent searching for records and redacting material that is exempt or prohibited from disclosure (e.g., confidential attorney-client correspondence, social security numbers, criminal history, trade secrets, medical records, etc.). The staff resources dedicated to PRA responses are often the same employees deployed to emergency response activities during a disaster.  

SB 1034 will provide some narrow, limited relief to counties when they receive PRA requests during an emergency. While there are other reforms to the PRA that could both improve public access to records and reduce impacts on local agencies, RCRC and our coalition partners applaud this modest, beneficial, albeit narrow, reform of the PRA.

SB 1034 is set to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 2, 2024. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.  

Final Appropriations Package Includes New Investments for Rural California Communities

On March 23rd, President Biden signed the second "minibus" appropriations package (H.R. 2882), encompassing the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, Legislative Branch, and State and Foreign Operations spending bills. This occurred two weeks after the approval of the other six spending bills, and included more than $30 million for 27 community initiatives throughout California.  

RCRC member counties and surrounding areas will benefit from funding secured for the following projects: 

  • Arroyo Grande Creek Levees in San Luis Obispo County — $1.2 million: This funding would support a project to evaluate potential flood easement areas that would provide additional flood protection and reduce flood impacts to an area south of Arroyo Grande Creek that experienced catastrophic flooding in 2001 and 2023. 

  • City of Tulare Regional Business Accelerator — $2.5 million: This funding will support the creation of a small business accelerator in the City of Tulare to create opportunities for equitable economic growth in the City, County, and greater region. 

  • Geriatric Whole Community Pilot Program in Merced County — $125,000: This pilot program will provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary care to Medicare and dually enrolled Medicare and Medicaid patients living with severe mental illness and chronic medical conditions. 

  • Madera County Emergency Medical Services Equipment — $940,000: This funding will purchase emergency medical equipment for Madera County EMTs. 

  • Mobile Mental Health Access Point for Rural Californians Project in Merced and Stanislaus Counties — $357,000: This funding will enable La Familia Central Valley to pilot a mobile mental health clinic to expand culturally-competent mental health care access in rural counties. 

  • Nursing Program Expansion at Allan Hancock College in Santa Barbara County — $1.5 million: This funding will expand Allan Hancock College's nursing program capacity and training for bilingual nurses. 

  • Save the Children’s Food Security Initiatives — $1 million (Several Regions): This funding will increase access to food and educational resources for children facing income and educational inequities in Fresno, Tulare, Los Angeles, Kings, Kern, and Madera County 

A full list of California community projects included is available here

The appropriations package also addresses needs across California, including these longstanding priorities of the late Senator Feinstein: 

  • $20 million to upgrade aerial firefighting tankers that fight wildfires in California. 

  • $324 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and $324 million for the Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grant program. These grants provide critical funding to state and local agencies to assist with firefighting equipment, training, and personnel costs. 

  • Fully funds the 5.2% pay raise for servicemembers and DOD civilian employees. 

  • $5 million for the Air Force to research atmospheric rivers, which is essential for California to effectively manager water resources. 

With all 12 spending bills now signed, the federal government's funding extends throughout the remainder of Fiscal Year 2024, concluding on September 30, 2024.  For the full text of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 see here.

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

 

Rural Alliance, Inc. Rebrands as Rural Advancement Institute  

On February 21st, the Rural Alliance, Inc. (RAI) Board of Directors approved the organization’s name change to the Rural Advancement Institute.  For ease of reference, the existing “RAI” acronym will continue to be used.  This rebranding initiative for the 501(c)(3) organization is intended to better align its name with the mission of facilitating research and educational opportunities that advance the understanding of issues impacting rural California amongst policymakers and the public.

RAI aims to educate the public and government officials and facilitate research to develop evidence-based solutions that help rural counties overcome some of the greatest challenges of today. To learn more about RAI current initiatives, please visit the website here.

 

GSNR Holds Public Workshop in Stockton to Discuss Proposed Project

This past week, Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) held two public workshops in Stockton to provide the community with information and an opportunity to share feedback regarding GSNR’s proposed forest and wildfire resiliency project. The first workshop occurred on March 23rd and was designed as a drop-in informational session where community members were able to informally speak with project staff and learn about different aspects of the project. The second workshop occurred on March 27th, as a special meeting of the GSNR Board, and served as an opportunity to continue dialogue. GSNR partnered with the Institute for Local Government to facilitate both workshops and worked with local non-profits to assist with community outreach regarding the events. 
 
The environmental review process for GSNR’s proposed project is currently underway, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). These workshops were intended to provide the public with information and an opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposed project prior to the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) in spring of 2024, at which time there will be further opportunity for public review and comment.
 
Information regarding GSNR’s Forest Resiliency Project is available here.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

New Opportunity for Rural Counties through NACo's Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) Initiative

RLEM is a new peer-learning opportunity for rural local government leaders to advance upward economic mobility to help individuals and families move out of poverty. Applications are due on Monday, April 22 at 11:59pm ET, submit to economicmobility@naco.org.

  • Who should apply? RLEM members will consist of two-person teams from 10 counties, parishes or boroughs with populations of under 50,000. Teams will include one elected leader and one government employee or community member tasked with implementing data-driven programs and policies.
  • Why participate? RLEM will connect you with other local government leaders and help members learn how to use tools for developing policies, programs and funding for place-based approaches to economic mobility. Each RLEM member will receive travel funding to participate in all in-person activities and a $50,000 grant to the participants’ local government to help with capacity building needs.
  • For more information: Visit naco.org/program/RLEM/apply or register to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, April 3 at 3pm ET.

 

Employment Opportunities

Colusa County

Colusa County is seeking an Assistant County Administrative Officer. Salary: $132,300.00 - $216,780.00. This recruitment is open until filled. To learn more or to apply, see here. Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package.

Mendocino County

San Benito County

San Benito County Council of Governments is seeking a Transportation Planner II/III. Salary: $64,916-$100,692 Annually. This recruitment will remain open until filled. To learn more or to apply, click here. San Benito County offers an excellent benefit package.

CCDEH and CAEHA Seeking Shared Executive Director and Advocate (Sacramento - Remote)

The California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) and California Association of Environmental Health Administrators (CAEHA) are seeking to fill a shared executive director and advocate position in Sacramento. This is a full-time position shared between these two public health organizations. This position is open through June 1, 2024, 5:00 PM, or until filled. Compensation and benefits are negotiable. Submit resumes by email to justin@ccdeh.com. To learn more, see the job announcement here.

CCDEH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was established in 1956 to promote public environmental health in California – especially at the local government level. CCDEH has three staff and a budget of approximately $.5million. CAEHA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit established in 1968 with 3 staff and a budget of approximately $2.0million. CAEHA serves CCDEH and local environmental health programs through state-wide advocacy and staffing support. Both organizations work closely with the hazardous materials and 
safety regulators in the California Unified Program. The incumbent will be expected to advocate on behalf of the local Unified Program agencies as well as CCDEH. For additional information on these organizations see: www.ccdeh.org, www.caeha.net, and www.calcupa.org.

 

2024 Public Meetings of the Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners (DRIP) Collaborative

Mark your calendars for the 2024 meetings of the Department of Water Resources DRIP (Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners) meetings. Members of the public may observe each meeting and provide public comments in-person (Sacramento) or remotely. Click the links below for information about each meeting.

April 26, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

October 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

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

WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS

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.

 

Rural California is coming out of the woods –Politico

RCRC Chair and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez is quoted in POLITICO discussing the significance of having two of California’s legislative leaders, Speaker Robert Rivas and Senator Mike McGuire, hail from rural districts and the potential impact such leadership could have for addressing rural concerns in budget and policy discussions.

 

Where is the nation's lowest job growth? Look no further than rural California –Los Angeles Times

Amid a population slowdown and housing crisis, California can add another distinction to its list of woes: lackluster job growth. From September 2022 to September 2023, the number of employed people grew just .15%, the lowest figure of any state.

 

California home insurance exodus pushes state's last-resort backup plan toward insolvency –East Bay Times

As home insurers flee California, the state’s last-resort insurance plan is warning that it’s being pushed toward insolvency, forced to cover a rapidly growing number of properties that have lost traditional coverage and unable to collect enough in premiums to cover potential losses.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.   This bill would have amended reporting and transportation project review requirements, under SB 375 (2008), for the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), for project information pertaining to climate and greenhouse gas emissions impacts. The bill would have required MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was TRANS. on 6/14/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: planning: project selection processes.   This bill would have required all transportation projects funded, at least in part, through major state or federal funding programs to incorporate several, specified principles that include improving road safety, conformity with federal streamlined project principles, ADA compliance, water and air quality impacts, climate impacts, and access to disadvantaged communities, among others.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Would have established a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3,700,000 acre-feet by the year 2030 and a total of 4,000,000 acre-feet by the year 2040. The bill would have required the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with the state board, to take reasonable actions to promote or assist efforts to achieve the statewide goal, as provided. The bill would require the department, beginning July 1, 2027, and on or before July 1 every 2 years thereafter until January 1, 2043, in consultation with the state board, to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the progress made to achieve the statewide goal.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, or the relevant state agency, to approve the necessary permits for specified storage projects within 180 days from receiving a permit application, and would deem those permits approved if approval does not occur within this time period.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, on or before June 1, 2024, to post on its publicly available internet website information tracking the progress to increase statewide water storage, and to keep that information updated.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells were to go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill would 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 Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   This bill would authorize CA State Water Board to issue, on its own motion or upon the petition of an interested party, an interim relief order in appropriate circumstances to implement or enforce these and related provisions of law. The bill would provide that a person or entity that violates any interim relief order issued by the board would be liable to the board for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the sum of $10,000 for each day in which a violation occurs and $5,000 for each acre-foot of water diverted in violation of the interim relief order.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 491   (Wallis)   Local government: fines and penalties.   Provides effectual tools for addressing illicit land use activities, including unlicensed cannabis operations by (1) streamlined judicial reviewed for minor administrative penalties (under $25,000) imposed for unpermitted cannabis activities; (2) efficient collection of final penalty order (i.e. after administrative/judicial review is complete), in the same manner presently used for pesticide enforcement fines; (3) clarifies that priority of real property liens used to collect administrative penalties for these violations, by providing that such liens have the same priority as a judgement lien.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 9/25/2023-Measure version as amended on September 13 corrected.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 817   (Pacheco)   Open meetings: teleconferencing: subsidiary body.   AB 817 would provide a narrow exemption under the Ralph M.Brown Act for non-decision-making legislative bodies currently governed by Act, such as advisory bodies and commissions, to participate in two-way virtual teleconferencing without posting physical location of members. In addition, AB 817 would remove barriers to entry for appointed and elected office by allowing non-decision-making legislative bodies to participate virtually as long as they do not have the ability to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or other entitlements.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/25/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 8.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1168   (Bennett)   Emergency medical services (EMS): prehospital EMS.   Would overturn an extensive statutory and case law record that has repeatedly affirmed county responsibility for the administration of emergency medical services and with that, the flexibility to design systems to equitably serve residents throughout their jurisdiction.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   This bill would have required State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would have required that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things.   Location: Senate Desk   Status: 9/14/2023-Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Held at Desk.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   This bill would have expanded the instances when the diversion or use of water is considered a trespass, and would have directed State Water Board to adopt regulations for various water conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, to prevent the waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion of water, and to implement these regulations through orders curtailing the diversion or use of water under any claim of right.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   This bill would have required a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency to obtain a written verification from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located determining that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was GOV. & F. on 6/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1616   (Lackey)   California Cannabis Tax Fund: Board of State and Community Corrections grants.   AB 1616 would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to prioritize local governments whose programs seek to address the unlawful cultivation and sale of cannabis when disbursing grants from California Cannabis Tax Fund. The bill would also authorize the board to make grants to local governments that ban both indoor and outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation or ban retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products.   Location: Senate Public Safety   Status: 6/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB S. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 26). Re-referred to Com. on PUB S.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1785   (Pacheco)   California Public Records Act.   Would prohibit local agencies from posting an assessor’s parcel number associated with an elected or appointed official on the internet without their written permission.   Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 3/6/2024-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1951   (Fong, Vince)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/21/2024-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1957   (Wilson)   Public contracts: best value construction contracting for counties.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/12/2024-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2079   (Bennett)   Groundwater extraction: large-diameter, high-capacity wells: permits.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/21/2024-Referred to Com. on W., P., & W. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Assembly Higher Education   Status: 2/20/2024-Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2266   (Petrie-Norris)   California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project: vehicle eligibility.   Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to authorize a voucher for a public or private fleet issued under the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project program to be used for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle with a gross vehicle weight greater than 8,500 pounds.   Location: Assembly Transportation   Status: 2/26/2024-Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Leigh (1)

AB 2276   (Wood)   Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.   AB 2276 extends the sunset date to January 1, 2031 for three important exemptions from timber harvest plan requirements necessary for small land owners to perform fuels treatment and vegetation maintenance on their properties for the purpose of wildfire mitigation.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/6/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/26/2024-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/26/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2514   (Aguiar-Curry)   Solid waste: organic waste.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/4/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2528   (Arambula)   Williamson Act contracts: cancellation: energy projects.   The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, otherwise known as the Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to enter into contracts with owners of agricultural land to preserve the land to agricultural use, as specified. Current law authorizes the cancellation of a contract under certain circumstances. Current law requires the city or county to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of contract if the city and county approves a cancellation of a contract. Current law authorizes the city or county to charge a cancellation fee in an amount equal to 12.5% of the cancellation valuation of the property. This bill would instead require that the cancellation fees be transmitted by the county treasurer to the Controller within 45 days of the execution of a certification of cancellation of contract.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/19/2024-Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2746   (Villapudua)   Employee Housing Act: agricultural housing.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 3/4/2024-Referred to Com. on H. & C.D.    Staff:  John (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/11/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/4/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3011   (Bains)   Electricity: rates: unreasonable hardship.     Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/11/2024-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   This bill would have authorized a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would have made findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. on 7/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 418   (Padilla)   California Prison Redevelopment Commission.   Would establish the California Prison Redevelopment Commission and articulate its responsibilities including its composition, with a focus on developing recommendations for repurposing closed state prison facilities.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 584   (Limón)   Laborforce housing: Short-Term Rental Tax Law.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 6/29/2023-June 28 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 624   (Alvarado-Gil)   Horse racing: state-designated fairs: allocation of revenues: gross receipts for sales and use tax.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation Suspense File   Status: 7/10/2023-July 10 set for first hearing. Placed on REV. & TAX. suspense file. July 10 hearing. Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   Adapts the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. In addition, SB 820 would invest enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity business.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/29/2024-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 945   (Alvarado-Gil)   The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act.   SB 945, the Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act, would require the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, and the State Air Resources Board to create, operate, and maintain a statewide integrated wildfire smoke and health data platform that, among other things, would integrate wildfire smoke and health data from multiple databases.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/21/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 952   (Dahle)   Personal income taxes: Fire Safe Home Tax Credits Act.   SB 952 would offer tax credits to lower income property owners for home retrofits and vegetation management activities in order to mitigate the risks from high severity wildfire events.   Location: Senate Revenue and Taxation   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: transit priority projects: multimodal.   Would require all transportation projects funded or overseen by the Department of Transportation to provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities unless an exemption is documented and approved, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 2/28/2024-Set for hearing April 9.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 961   (Wiener)   Vehicles: safety equipment.   The Department of the California Highway Patrol regulates the safe operation of specified vehicles, including motortrucks of 3 or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers, and buses. Current federal law regulates required safety equipment on vehicles, including rear impact guards on certain large trucks to prevent rear underrides in collisions with passenger vehicles. This bill would require certain trucks and trailers to also be equipped with side guards, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 2/28/2024-Set for hearing April 9.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 973   (Grove)   Williamson Act: cancellation: solar energy projects.   The Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to contract with a landowner to limit the use of agricultural land located in an agricultural preserve designated by the city or county to preserve the land, subject to conditions of the contract, that may include an agreement to a specified valuation of the land for purposes of property taxation. The act authorizes a landowner to petition the city council or board of supervisors, as applicable, for cancellation of the contract under specified circumstances and imposes a cancellation fee equal to 12.5% of the fair market value of the land without the restriction of the contract. This bill would authorize a board or council to grant a petition for cancellation where the land subject to the contract is located in a basin under the jurisdiction of an adjudicated watermaster or the groundwater sustainability agency. The bill would require the landowner to commit to limiting the amount of water rights to a specific solar energy project, as defined, that uses less water than the agricultural use. The bill would also require the board or council to make specified findings, including that the solar energy project use is being permitted that will use less water than the agricultural use.   Location: Senate Local Government   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1004   (Wilk)   Income taxes: exclusions: wildfires.   SB 1004, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, would provide an exclusion from gross income for any qualified taxpayer, as defined, for amounts received for costs and losses associated with wildfires.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/14/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1045   (Blakespear)   Composting facilities: zoning: air and water permits.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/19/2024-April 24 hearing postponed by committee. Withdrawn from committee. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: green material composting operations.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/21/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/20/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/8/2024-Set for hearing April 3.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1143   (Allen)   Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/18/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1159   (Dodd)   California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/20/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1175   (Ochoa Bogh)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: waivers.   Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider alternatives to census tracts, as provided, when deciding the boundaries of a low-population or elevation waiver and would require low-population waivers to be valid for a period of 10 years.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/8/2024-Set for hearing April 3.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Health   Status: 3/12/2024-March 20 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/20/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)