The Barbed Wire - March 4, 2022

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Tables Action on Fire Safe Regulations

At its meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) tabled an agendized discussion of the State Fire Safe Regulations (Regulations). Board Chair, Keith Gilless stated, “Because the Board is listening carefully and trying to make the best possible decisions for the State in terms of our responsibilities, we are simply unready to proceed with item 12a [Fire Safe Regulations].” He continued, “We are going to come back to this but are simply not in a place where we can deal with it in the way we want at this meeting.”  

In January the Board released another revised draft of the proposed regulations. RCRC, along with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the Urban Counties of California (UCC), submitted formal comments to the Board on the latest revisions during the 15-day public comment period. In a letter that accompanied the comments, the organizations strongly urged the Board to reconsider its approach to the regulations. The Board has been in the process of making significant changes to the existing Fire Safe Regulations since early 2020, however, it has been unable to find consensus on those rules, receiving significant opposition from environmental groups, local governments and developers on the detrimental effects of the proposed changes.   

The Board approved emergency regulations in July 2020 to amend the Fire Safe rules to specifically exempt legally reconstructed homes damaged by wildfires and the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) from the Fire Safe standards. The Board readopted the rules twice, with the final and last allowable readoption expiring March 8, 2022. The Fire Safe Regulations will revert to those in effect prior to the adoption of the emergency regulations in 2020.  

For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine. 

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2421 (Rubio) – Water: Unpermitted Cannabis Cultivation

RCRC supports Assembly Bill 2421, authored by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio (D- Baldwin Park), which would enhance local enforcement authority to prosecute and enjoin water theft as well as water pollution in order to combat water theft and illegal cannabis grows.  

Rural counties are frequently the targets of large-scale illegal cannabis cultivation. The problems related to illegal cannabis cultivation, including water theft; trespass; hazardous waste due to the use of dangerous pesticides and fertilizers; trash and debris; and associated criminal activities have greatly increased in rural counties. Many of the communities plagued with illicit cannabis cultivation are in the midst of a drought emergency, reinforcing the need to protect this limited resource. Providing additional tools at the local level is an important step to protect public health and safety and to further discourage illicit cannabis operations, while strengthening the market for those who operate legally.  

 AB 2421 would amend the California State Water Code to provide authority to county counsels and city attorneys to civilly prosecute and enjoin water theft, and would amend the California Fish and Game Code to authorize county counsels to civilly prosecute and enjoin water pollution. By removing existing limitations on prosecutorial authority, the bill provides more tools for local governments to use against the harmful community impacts of illicit cannabis cultivation, particularly on our limited water resources.   

Read RCRC’s letter of support here. For additional information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett. 

RCRC Cautions CPUC Against Imposing New Charge on Customers in High Fire Risk Areas

On Monday, February 28th, RCRC participated in a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) en banc hearing in the new proceeding examining the affordability of electricity and natural gas service.  The CPUC is using this proceeding to evaluate policy solutions to reduce customer rate impacts.   

Many consumers, local governments, and advocacy groups have long complained about rapidly rising electricity costs.  Some of the more recent cost increases have been the result of long-overdue infrastructure upgrades and vegetation management work necessary to reduce the risk of utility wildfire ignition; however, others result from many of the state’s climate change and related policy objectives.   

Stakeholders had previously submitted a broad array of potential measures to reduce energy prices, for the CPUC’s consideration.  Those proposals ranged from moving wildfire mitigation costs to the General Fund; creating a wildfire mitigation surcharge for customers in the highest fire threat areas; shifting to state ownership and financing of transmission infrastructure; establishing gasoline and vehicle surcharges to pay for transportation electrification costs; allowing investor-owned utilities more flexibility in selling renewable energy credits; adopting income-graduated fixed charges; and much more. 

At the hearing, RCRC urged the state to consider shifting significant wildfire mitigation costs from ratepayers to the General Fund while the state is flush with cash.  Using the state’s current cash surplus on wildfire mitigation will offset the need for short-term rate increases while improving longer-term system reliability and safety.   

RCRC and San Diego Gas and Electric also strongly cautioned the CPUC against imposing a new charge on customers living in high fire risk areas, noting the overwhelming unpopularity and unwieldiness of the former State Responsibility Area (SRA) fire prevention fee imposed on those living in the SRA and the regressive nature of that fee. 

RCRC also expressed concern about imposing new taxes on gasoline and vehicles to pay for transportation electrification. RCRC noted that rural communities have some of greatest need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure; however, such an approach would be extremely regressive for those who cannot afford to purchase an electric vehicle and those who live in areas with the lowest number of chargers. 

RCRC will be providing formal comments to the CPUC in the coming months.  Please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, for more information.

SRS Bill Passes U.S. House and Senate

On Monday, the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) technical fix bill that ensures Title III funds and 25% payments will remain available for FY21 payments (S. 3706), passed the House and will now go to President Biden for signature. The bill passed the Senate last week by unanimous consent following its advancement from the House Natural Resources Committee on February 16th. The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) on February 17th and the cosponsors included two Republicans and three Democrats when passed. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) then introduced an identical House bill (H.R. 6435), for which the co-sponsors are nine Republicans and two Democrats — including RCRC Delegation Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale). The bill provides that SRS payments be automatically provided to recipients this year.

CPUC Adopts Rules for $50 million Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program

On February 24th the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted its Proposed Decision (Decision) implementing the Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program, as established in Senate Bill 156 (Chapter 84, Statutes of 2021). The Decision authorizes funding for up to $500,000 a year, per Agency, through a staff ministerial process, to fund a local government’s costs associated with studies, reports, needs assessments, market studies, broadband strategic plans, or business plans. The full Decision and accompanying guidelines can be found here.  

The CPUC has launched a Technical Assistance website to support local government applicants. Additionally, CPUC staff will be holding two webinars on the grant program, scheduled for April 5th and April 19th. Links to register for the webinars can be found on the Technical Assistance website. The CPUC will begin accepting applications for funding in early May.  

For more information, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine. 

Large Utilities Unveil 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan Updates

As of Friday, February 25th, all large Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs)—such as PG&E and Southern California Edison—have filed their 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) updates with the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety). These Plans describe how the utility is constructing, maintaining, and operating its lines and equipment to minimize the risk of their assets igniting a catastrophic wildfire.  These updates largely build on a suite of focus areas that include system hardening, risk assessment, vegetation management and proactive de-energization efforts first undertaken in 2018. Notably, PG&E’s 2022 WMP update signals the acceleration of undergrounding powerlines in high fire risk areas. PG&E intends to underground at least 175 miles of powerlines in 2022, and proposes to increase that pace to approximately 3,600 miles by 2026.  Southern California Edison is expanding their grid hardening strategies, which previously relied on the installation of covered conductor to reduce ignitions. While PG&E expects to increase its WMP spending by $1.1 billion in 2022, Southern California Edison expects their WMP efforts to cost the same as last year, pegged at $1.66 billion total. To view these plans in full, please see the Energy Safety Docket here.  

On Thursday, March 10th, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety will be holding a technical workshop for a variety of stakeholders including public agencies and members of the public to ask questions directed at the large IOUs on their WMP initiatives. Energy Safety has primary responsibility to evaluate these Plans and determine compliance. Written public comments are due by Monday, April 11th. On Friday, May 6th, Small and Multi-Jurisdictional Utilities (SMJUs)—which include Liberty Utilities and PacifiCorp—will file their 2022 WMP updates with a similar public vetting process to follow.  

For more information or to send feedback on these WMPs, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate Leigh Kammerich.

CPUC Orders Gas IOUs to Procure Biomethane from Landfills

On Thursday, February 24th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered natural gas investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to procure 17.6 billion cubic feet of biomethane (from roughly 8 million tons of diverted organic waste) from landfills.  The CPUC also established a longer-term procurement target ordering IOUs to procure about 12% of their residential and small business use from biomethane. 

This decision is intended to help the state achieve its SB 1383 goals of diverting 75% of organic waste from landfills.  CalRecycle’s recent SB 1383 organic waste regulations will be inadequate to achieve those objectives because of a significant shortfall in the required infrastructure.  The CPUC is attempting to address that gap through this procurement order.   

RCRC and ESJPA became joint parties to the proceeding earlier this year and submitted extensive comments because previous proposals would have been virtually unimplementable and chilled interest in the program among local governments and the solid waste industry.  Several of RCRC/ESJPA’s suggestions on the fleet procurement requirements were adopted, such that it now requires only large trucks used at biomethane facilities to be near-zero emission (NZE) or zero emission (ZE) vehicles and merely prioritizes those facilities that accept material from third-party fleets that operate NZE and ZE trucks. 

It should be noted that this decision is intended to capture biomethane produced from organic waste diverted away from landfills.  Biogas captured from landfill gas control measures is not part of this order and can still be used for on-site and off-site energy and gas production, although certain provision of the decision may disincentivize the co-location of new biogas production facilities at existing landfills. 

Please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, for more information.

U.S. Senate EPW Committee Holds Hearing on Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

On Wednesday, March 2nd, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing titled: “Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by the U.S. Department of Transportation”, with testimony from Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttgieg. After highlighting the Committee’s products included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), discussion turned to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) formula dollars for states, and the prioritization of projects that address safety and emissions reductions. Republicans have raised concerns about the prioritization, asserting that it prevents states from having the power to select which projects to fund. In his testimony, Secretary Buttigieg emphasized the choices states retain in how formula dollars are spent. The Committee also discussed the need for a continuing resolution in FY 2022 funding in order to jump-start much of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) implementation of the BIL. Speaking to the issue of implementation, Secretary Buttigieg noted the DOT’s two-year average in clearing major projects. He also praised the establishment of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the plan to use $5 billion to build a national network of electric car chargers.

Appropriations Update

The U.S. House and Senate have only days to finalize legislation to fund the federal government for the remaining 6 ½ months of fiscal year (FY) 2022. The government is operating until March 11th on the third extension of funding at last year’s levels, and appropriators are working behind the scenes to craft an omnibus appropriations package for all government funding for FY 2022. It is possible there will be a fourth short-term extension if the package isn’t ready by March 11th. It is also possible that a supplemental emergency aid bill could be attached to the omnibus package. If nothing happens to derail operations, it is likely that the Administration would release its FY 2023 budget request as early as the week of March 14th, but at the time of this writing, no date has been announced.  

BULLETIN BOARD

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

White House Infrastructure Webinars

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

• Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET:  Safety Register Here
• Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET:  Clean Energy and Power Register Here
• Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET:  Water Register Here
• Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET:  Resilience Register Here
• Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET: Environmental Remediation Register Here
• Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET: Broadband Register Here

Grant Funding Available for Behavioral Health Projects

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

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

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

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

• The application and related tools 

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

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

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

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced upcoming public participation hearings to review and solicit input on PG&E’s 2023 General Rate Case application. Written public comments can also be made at any time here. These hearings will cover PG&E’s entire service territory, however, the March 10th hearing will focus on customers located in the San Joaquin Valley.

 WHEN:     Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm (San Joaquin Valley customer focus)
                  Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm

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

Career Opportunities

County of Del Norte Seeks Deputy County Council

The County of Del Norte is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy County Council. The position closes March 4, 2022 at 5:00 PM. For additional information, see the job bulletin here.
 

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

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

USDA Offers Rural Communities Financial Assistance for Renewable Energy Projects 

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

California Air Resources Board Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training

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

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

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

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

Truck and Bus Regulation:

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

Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):

• Regulation Applicability
• Program Updates

Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)

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

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View this message from PG&E for details. 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

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

KEEPING UP

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

Karen Douglas, of Davis, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Energy in the Office of the Governor. Douglas has served as a California Energy Commission Member since 2008. Douglas was Director of the California Climate Initiative for the Environmental Defense Fund from 2005 to 2008. She held several positions at the Planning and Conservation League from 2001 to 2005, including Acting Executive Director and General Counsel. Douglas earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School and a Master of Public Policy degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Colorado Boulder. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,000. Douglas is a Democrat.

Julie Lee, of Auburn, has been appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council. Lee has served as Undersecretary of the California Government Operations Agency since 2018, where she is also Chair of the California Building Standards Commission. Lee held several positions in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2018, including Director of Operations from 2013 to 2018, Reorganizational Specialist from 2012 to 2013 and Project Manager of the Governor’s reorganization plan at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency from 2011 to 2012. She was Public Information Manager at the California Department of Transportation, District 2 from 2009 to 2011 and served in several positions at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2005 to 2009, including as Statewide Workforce Planning Manager, Administrative Assistant II, Executive Secretary I and Office Technician. Lee was an Office Assistant at the California Highway Patrol from 2004 to 2005 and at the California Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $52,794. Lee is a Democrat.

IN THE NEWS

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.

‘Forest Service takes major step forward on historically massive Tuolumne County project’ -Union Democrat

A final environmental impact statement and three draft decisions for a massive project to reduce fire threats in the South Fork and Middle Fork Stanislaus watersheds was released Friday by the U.S. Forest Service, a part of the process that’s billed as a major step forward for the largest green forest management project in the 124-year history of the Stanislaus National Forest.

‘Valley water agencies ask for more water now and in the future’ -The Sun Gazette

On pace to be the driest January-February on record, signaling a third straight year of drought, local water authorities are begging the state to release more water for farmers this summer or at least begin building capacity to withstand future droughts.

‘Drought, fires and beetles — California’s forests are dying. Is it too late to save them?’ -San Francisco Chronicle

An estimated 9.5 million trees died from bugs, disease and dehydration in 2021, according to new aerial survey data from the U.S. Forest Service. The losses were slightly less than what was recorded in surveys two years earlier but still well above what scientists consider normal. The run of mortality since 2010 now exceeds 172 million trees.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AB 1078   (Patterson)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts residential buildings damaged or destroyed in a disaster during the 2020 calendar year from having to install solar energy systems under the California Energy Commission’s recently adopted building requirements.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 0. Page 3410.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 2/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. & E.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

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

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

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1952   (Gallagher)   Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.    Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act projects funded by the $500 million set aside for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.   Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

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

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

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

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

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

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/4/2022-Set for hearing March 22.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

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

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.     Location: Senate Public Safety   Status: 2/18/2022-Set for hearing March 8.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 953   (Min)   Oil and gas leases: state waters: State Lands Commission.   Requires the State Lands Commission to terminate all remaining oil and gas leases under its jurisdiction in tidelands and submerged lands within state waters.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/4/2022-Set for hearing March 22.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 2/23/2022-Referred to Coms. on GOV. & F. and JUD.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/2/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/2/2022-Referred to Coms. on E.Q. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

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