The Barbed Wire - May 10, 2024

Barbed Wire on Hiatus Next Week

The Barbed Wire will be on hiatus for the week of May 17th while the RCRC Board of Directors is in Monterey County for the May meeting in the County of the Chair. The following week, The Barbed Wire will return with the latest legislative and regulatory news impacting California’s rural counties.

RCRC's Rural Rundown of the Governor's May Revision of the 2024-25 State Budget

On Friday, May 10th, Governor Newson released his Administration’s May Revision of the 2024-25 state budget. This revision is the next step in the State’s budget negotiations with lawmakers, who must pass a budget by June 15 for the July 1 start of the 2023-2024 fiscal year. While RCRC expects significant additional details on the Governor's May Revision next week, RCRC's Rural Rundown captures highlights of the latest proposal as it relates to RCRC member counties. 

The Governor's 2024-25 May Revision proposes approximately $288 in spending ($201 billion General Fund) and reflects a $27.6 billion budget shortfall.  The Governor projected a $37.9 billion budget shortfall in January, which was reduced by $17.3 billion in budget adjustments adopted in April; however, revenues have fallen short of January projections by an additional $7 billion, thereby leaving a $27.6 billion remaining budget gap.

The May Revision would eliminate $300M ($200M earmarked for counties) in ongoing Future of Public Health funding for our state and local public health infrastructure, $75.6M in one-time Public Health Equity and Readiness Opportunity (PublicHERO) workforce development and training funding, and proposes zero funding for CalCONNECT contact tracing and disease investigation infrastructure. The budget would turn back the clock on public health readiness and infrastructure that RCRC, along with our county partners, strongly advocated for in 2022.

The Governor’s 2024-25 May Revision proposes:

• Spreading out the use of $12.2 billion in Budget Stabilization Act revenues over two fiscal years.
• Withdrawing $8.4 billion from the Public School System Stabilization Account.
• $10.7 billion in reductions.
• $2 billion in revenues and borrowing.
• $520 million in delays.
• $3.9 billion in fund shifts.

Learn more in RCRC's Rural Rundown here.

CPUC Issues Proposed Decision Rejecting AT&T’s Application to Abandon Traditional Landlines

On Friday, May 10th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released a Proposed Decision dismissing AT&T’s Application with prejudice to be relieved of its “Carrier of Last Resort” (COLR) status, which ensures the availability of basic “plain old telephone service” (POTS) to any residential or business customer in its service territory. POTS has a uniform set of minimum service standards and regulations that does not extend to new technologies that provide similar service, such as wireline VoIP.

The Proposed Decision ultimately concludes AT&T’s legal and factual analysis is fatally flawed and erroneously misconstrues the Commission’s Universal Service Rules. Non-COLR voice alternative services are not required to provide service upon request. RCRC strongly objected to AT&T’s Application and was an active, formal party in the CPUC proceeding. Numerous counties weighed in at the public participation hearings and through advocacy letters. Such efforts were instrumental in raising awareness for the negative consequences that AT&T’s COLR relief would have in rural and hard to serve areas.

Next, the Proposed Decision will be considered at an upcoming CPUC Voting Meeting, no earlier than June 20, 2024. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine or Policy Advocate, Leigh Kammerich.  

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2149 (Connolly) - Gates standards: inspection

RCRC has taken a position of “oppose unless amended” on Assembly Bill 2149, authored by Assembly Member Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael). This measure creates a requirement for local agencies to regulate and enforce safety provisions, set forth in the bill, on all gates over 50 pounds and 48 inches wide.  

Specifically, AB 2149 creates a new regulatory and enforcement burden on local agencies by defining a regulated gate in a way that encompasses a vast universe of barriers. The broad definition, as currently drafted, would create enforcement duties over thousands of gates in each jurisdiction. This would require the training of existing staff and hiring of new staff to perform enforcement duties. It would also create an industry incentive to compel the installation of the hardware required by this bill. Considering those factors, the local government staffing costs statewide could be in the mid to high hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.  

RCRC has suggested several amendments, including that this bill be amended to focus on the types of gates that motivated the introduction of the bill— gates on school grounds. 

RCRC is joined by CSAC in opposing this measure unless amended. The letter is available here. For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine.

RCRC Sponsored Bill Update

Several RCRC sponsored bills will be heard in committee in early June. Below is an update on those measures. RCRC encourages counties to submit letters of support. 

Assembly Bill 817 (Pacheco) was referred to Senate Local Government committee on May 1 and is awaiting a hearing. RCRC is co-sponsoring this measure with the League of California Cities, Urban Counties of California, California State Association of Counties and the California Association of Recreation and Parks Districts. This measure 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. RCRC requests that counties send letters of support to Senate Local Government Committee by May 30. A template is available here. 

Assembly Bill 491 (Wallis) was referred to Senate Local Government on May 8 and is awaiting a hearing. This measure is the code enforcement streaming component from RCRC’s AB 1448 from 2023. AB 491 provides effectual tools for addressing illicit land use activities, including unlicensed cannabis operations by (1) streamlined judicial review 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) clarifying the 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. RCRC requests that counties send letters of support to Senate Local Government Committee by May 30.  A template is available here.  

Senate Bill 820 (Alvarado-Gil) was double referred to Assembly Business and Professions and Public Safety on April 29. The bill will be heard in Assembly Business and Professions on June 4. SB 820 would adapt the same civil seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. RCRC requests that counties send letters of support to Assembly Business and Professions Committee by May 28.  A template is available here. 

For more information on these measures, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett. 

CPUC Establishes Fixed Monthly Charges for Electric Customers

On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved establishing a monthly Income-Graduated Fixed Charge (IGFC) for large investor-owned utility (IOU) and Small and Multijurisdictional Utility (SMJU) electric customers pursuant to Assembly Bill 205 of 2022, which, among other things, repealed the cap on fixed non-bypassable charges that utilities may recover from customers to pay for infrastructure and operational related costs. According to the CPUC, the IGFC is intended to reduce usage rates on an equal cents per kilowatt hour basis, estimated at 5-7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). The state argues that migrating particular costs into a fixed monthly fee could stabilize rates through a more equitable cost recovery on all customers that isn’t solely based on how much electricity a customer consumes. 

This new billing structure will show up on monthly bills for Southern California Edison customers in the third quarter of 2025, while PG&E and smaller utilities, such as Liberty and PacifiCorp, will begin implementation in the first quarter of 2026. For large IOUs, the costs will be as follows: 

• Tier 1: $6/month for low-income customers eligible for California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) Program. 

• Tier 2: $12.08/month for Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program customers, or residents in affordable housing with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. 

• Tier 3: $24.15/month for all other customers. 

By contrast, the following SMJUs will have fees established as shown here below:  

The CPUC’s approval comes amidst public backlash and resulting pushback from numerous Legislators, efforts of which have largely stalled in the legislative process thus far. The CPUC intends to consider a process as to how to conduct customer income verification in the near future, as well as make incremental increases to the IGFC amounts, and use other rate mechanisms (such as time-of-use rate differentials) to reduce volumetric electric rates to support affordable electrification while promoting energy conservation. RCRC is not a party to this CPUC proceeding; for more information, see here or contact RCRC Policy Advocate Leigh Kammerich.

CPUC Denies PG&E’s Asset Transfer Request

On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) denied an Application by PG&E to transfer substantially all (5.6 gigawatts combined) of its non-nuclear generation assets to a “Pacific Generation LLC,” a subsidiary of PG&E. PG&E intended to sell up to 49.9% of equity interest, worth an estimated $3.5 billion, to third-party investors to raise capital. This transaction would have conveyed real property interests with where these hydroelectric, natural gas, solar and battery storage facilities are located. Ultimately, the CPUC found that PG&E did not provide meaningful evidence to justify the unprecedented nature of the proposed transaction and concluded that PG&E’s Application is not in the public’s interest because it would have resulted in additional costs (i.e. rate increases), decreased legal accountability for PG&E, and would increase administrative burdens. For more information, see here, or contact RCRC Policy Advocate Leigh Kammerich.

Governor Names New CalRecycle Director

Zoe Heller has been appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as Director of the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle), succeeding Rachel Machi-Wagoner in the role. The announcement came two months after Machi-Wagoner announced her departure from the department, which left myriad questions about the direction of CalRecycle and who would assume leadership amid the active implementation of several crucial programs, including recycling of organics and single-use packaging.

Heller, who is set to assume the role on May 13, 2024, has served as Deputy Director of the Division of the Circular Economy at CalRecycle for the past year after serving in numerous other positions at the department since 2017. Heller previously worked at U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office where she served in various roles, including manager for the Zero Waste section. In her time at CalRecycle, Heller has often worked with RCRC’s affiliate Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority.

RCRC Submits Comments on CalRecycle Senate Bill 54 Single Use Packaging Regulations

On Wednesday, May 8th, RCRC submitted comments and suggested changes to CalRecycle’s proposed SB 54 single-use packaging regulations.   

Under SB 54 (Allen) of 2022, all local jurisdictions must include those covered materials CalRecycle determines to be recyclable or compostable in their collection and recycling/composting programs, unless they receive an exemption or extension from CalRecycle.  Pursuant to SB 54, CalRecycle was required to determine what categories of covered materials are recyclable and compostable – that list is found here.  Importantly, those 19 counties with fewer than 70,000 residents (and cities within those counties) may exempt themselves from this requirement. Locals are not precluded from collecting additional materials not included on that list.   SB 54 is transformative in that it requires manufacturers of single use packaging to ensure their products are recyclable or compostable, create and fund end markets, and reimburse local jurisdictions and recycling service providers for the cost of collection, storage, handling, and marketing for those products. 

In general, RCRC strongly urged CalRecycle to: 

• Make changes to reduce the cost and complexity of program implementation, 

• Clarify that local jurisdictions are not required to start collecting covered materials until the producer responsibility organization’s (PRO) stewardship plan has been approved by CalRecycle, 

• Recognize that the Legislature did not intend for local jurisdictions to be subject to enforcement under SB 54,  

• Modify and refine the structure and process through which local jurisdictions can seek exemptions from the law, and  

• Develop protocols to ensure that the PRO achieves the stated legislative intent of making local jurisdictions financially whole for the costs of implementing the law. 

CalRecycle’s notice can be found here, the proposed regulatory text can be found here, and the Initial Statement of Reasons can be found here.  RCRC’s comments on the proposed regulations can be found here.   

CalRecycle will consider stakeholder comments and issue a revised draft regulation for additional comment later this year.

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

Little Hoover Commission Suggests Targeted Reforms to CEQA

This week, the Little Hoover Commission issued its long-awaited report suggesting targeted reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  The Commission held several hearings on benefits and challenges posed by California’s landmark environmental disclosure and mitigation law, which included a presentation by RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, and General Counsel, Arthur Wylene (who was quoted in the Commission’s report concerning the complexity of CEQA and its evolution into a body of common law).  RCRC’s written comments to the Commission can be found here. 

The Commission suggests several targeted reforms to the law and urges the state to consider several other longer-term measures to improve and modify the law.  Its recommendations include: 

• Strengthening judicial standing requirements to align the universe of entities that may bring a challenge with the similar National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

• Restricting “data dumps” and “late hits” by only requiring lead agencies to consider information submitted during the official public comment period. 

• Establishing a broad and simple CEQA exemption for infill housing. 

• Increasing judicial training on CEQA. 

• Reaffirming that courts should defer to procedural and substantive requirements contained in statute and the CEQA guidelines. 

• Establishing clearer parameters to determine thresholds of significance for analysis and mitigation of impacts. 

• Considering creation of specialized CEQA courts. 

• Considering translation requirements for CEQA documents. 

• Considering requiring litigants bringing an action to post a bond. 

• Reevaluating the ways in which Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis is conducted, the scope of mitigation measures, and its applicability to all areas of the state. 

The Commission is well-respected for its deep dives into complicated policy matters.  Its recommendations are advisory only and require further action by the Legislature or Administration to change the law. 

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

 Legislation Introduced in the House Expanding Telehealth Options

On April 29, 2024, a group of U.S. Representatives including Representative Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) introduced H.R. 8151, bipartisan legislation that would permanently expand the list of practitioners eligible who provide telehealth services to include qualified physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and audiologists. 

Currently, these practitioners do not have permanent authorization to deliver electronic or virtual care to their patients. Families have come to rely on telehealth since the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation would help to preserve these authorities so that families, particularly in rural and underserved areas, have equal access to world-class health care. 

Legislation Reintroduced to End Federal Prohibition of Cannabis

On May 1, 2024, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), comprehensive legislation that would end the federal prohibition of cannabis by removing cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances, was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate. 

 The CAOA would establish a federal regulatory framework to protect public health and safety; end discrimination in the provision of federal benefits on the basis of cannabis use; provide major investments for cannabis research; and strengthen worker protections. By decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level, the CAOA would also ensure that state-legal cannabis businesses or those in adjacent industries would no longer be denied access to bank accounts or financial services as a consequence of their ties to cannabis. 

The CAOA was reintroduced by Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Finance Committee Chair, Ron Wyden (D-OR); and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). The legislation is co-sponsored by California Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, in addition to  John Fetterman (D-PA); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Patty Murray (D-WA); Edward Markey (D-MA); Michael Bennet (D-CO); Gary Peters (D-MI); Tina Smith (D-MN); John Hickenlooper (D-CO); Ben Ray Luján (D-NM); Raphael Warnock (D-GA); Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

A summary of the reintroduced CAOA can be found here. 

Biden Expands Two National Monuments in California

On Thursday, May 2nd, President Joe Biden expanded the perimeters of two national monuments in California, protecting mountains and meadows in a remote area between Napa and Mendocino as well as a rugged stretch east of Los Angeles. 

The San Gabriel Monument encompasses 342,177 acres of the Angeles National Forest and 4,002 acres of neighboring San Bernardino National Forest. The monument will be expanded by approximately 110,000 acres. The expanded national monument includes a unique scenic railroad, grand recreation resorts and Nike missile facilities that date back to the Cold War. 

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument includes nearly 331,000 acres of protected land in parts of the RCRC member counties of Napa, Yolo, Solano, Lake, Colusa, Glenn and Mendocino. It will be expanded by approximately 13,753 acres. The new designation protects a striking 11-mile-long ridgeline that features unique geologic and hydrologic features and is sacred to the Patwin people. The presidential proclamation also permanently renames the ridgeline, previously known as Walker Ridge, to Molok Luyuk, which means Condor Ridge in the language of the Patwin people.

Save the Date for RCRC Webinar on Empowering Rural Counties by Navigating Gubernatorial Appointments

On June 13th, join RCRC for an informative webinar titled “Navigating Gubernatorial Appointments: Empowering Rural Counties.” 

This webinar aims to demystify the application process for gubernatorial appointments and the various responsibilities associated with stepping into these important roles. It will be hosted by Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams, featuring Morgan Carvajal, the Chief Deputy Appointments Secretary at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.  

Date: Thursday, June 13 
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
Register here  | See Flyer Here 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

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

• County Counsel. Salary range: $200,000 Annually. This position is open until filled. For more information or to apply, see here.
• Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. - $40,000 hiring bonus! Salary range: $125,112.00 - $152,068.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.
• Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. - $20,000 hiring bonus! Salary range: $88,899.20 - $108,076.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.

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.

Shasta County

Shasta County is seeking a County Clerk/Registrar of Voters - Salary: $150,432.00 Annually. The position closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2024. To learn more here or to apply, see here.

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 upcoming 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 upcoming meeting.

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

KEEPING UP

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

Courtney Abril, of Nevada County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Nevada County Superior Court. Abril has been a Sole Practitioner since 2019. She served in several roles at the Yuba County Counsel’s Office from 2016 to 2019, including Chief Deputy County Counsel and County Counsel. Abril served as an Attorney in the Nevada County Public Defender’s Office from 2006 to 2016 and as a Legal Research Assistant in the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office from 2005 to 2006. Abril earned a Juris Doctor degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Linda J. Sloven. Abril is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $238,479.

Mason Brawley, of Merced County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Merced County Superior Court. Brawley has been a Sole Practitioner since 2023. He was a Partner at Murphy & Brawley LLP from 2014 to 2022. Brawley was an Associate at Berliner Cohen from 2013 to 2014 and at Temmerman, Cilley & Kohlmann LLP from 2007 to 2013. He was an External Auditor for Ernst & Young LLP from 2001 to 2004 and has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant since 2004. Brawley earned a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David W. Moranda. Brawley is registered without party preference. The compensation for this position is $238,479.

Sandie Ha, of Merced, has been appointed to the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee. Ha has been an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Merced since 2017. She was an Intramural Research Training Award Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development from 2015 to 2017. Ha was a Predoctoral Fellow at the University of Florida from 2011 to 2015. She is a member of the American Public Health Association, Society for Epidemiologic Research, Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research, and the National Faculty of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Ha earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Epidemiology from the University of Florida, a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Washington. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ha is a Democrat.

Zoe Heller, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery. Heller has been Deputy Director of the Division of Circular Economy at the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery since 2023 and served in several roles there from 2017 to 2022, including Deputy Director of the Materials Management and Local Assistance Division and Deputy Director of Policy Development. Heller held multiple roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 2006 to 2017, including Manager of the Zero Waste Section, Special Assistant to Regional Administrator, and Environmental Protection Specialist. She was a Research and Policy Analyst at the Center for Neighborhood Technology from 2004 to 2006. Heller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Policy from Eckerd College and a Master of Public Administration degree from Roosevelt University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $205,734. Heller is a Democrat.

Clara Levers, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Yolo County Superior Court. Levers has served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General since 2008. She was an Associate at Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney from 2006 to 2008 and at the Law Offices of Johnny Griffin from 2003 to 2006. Levers earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Rosenberg. The Governor’s appointment allows her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2025. Levers is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $238,479.

Charles Plopper, of Chester, has been reappointed to the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee, where he has served since 2017. Plopper was a Professor for the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis from 1979 to 2011. Plopper earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Developmental and Cell Biology from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology/Zoology from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Plopper is a Democrat.

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.

Last year’s wet winter gave CA groundwater levels a big boost – Sacramento Bee

California’s groundwater reservoirs got a major boost during last year’s record wet season, offering a glimmer of hope for the depleted underground aquifers that remain in a long-term deficit.

Hikers will soon have to pay for California’s famous Lost Coast Trail – San Francisco Chronicle

Backpackers will soon have to pay a modest fee to hike the popular Lost Coast Trail in rural Northern California — the first time that the federal agency managing the trail has imposed such a charge.

Why Highway 1 is the climate challenge that California can’t fix – The Washington Post

Workers dangle from a crane, drilling into the vertical face of rock that holds up one of the most famous and picturesque stretches of road in the world. They’re performing a delicate surgery on fragile geology in hopes that a single lane of traffic can safely flow to Big Sur before summer arrives.

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.   would provide 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 Local Government   Status: 5/8/2024-Re-referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and JUD.   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 Local Government   Status: 5/1/2024-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and JUD.   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: Senate Judiciary   Status: 5/8/2024-Referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1951   (Fong, Vince)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.   would statutorily exempt from CEQA fuels reduction projects, including removal of trees and brush within 50’ of either side of a roadway. AB 1951 would fill gaps where such work would not qualify for existing statutory or categorical CEQA exemptions and is not covered by CalFire’s Vegetation Treatment Program (VTP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR).   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was NAT. RES. on 2/12/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1957   (Wilson)   Public contracts: best value construction contracting for counties.   would authorize any county in the state to utilize the best-value contracting model and eliminates the statutory sunset on such authority.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/9/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 65. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2037   (Papan)   Weights and measures: electric vehicle chargers.   Current law regulates advertising that indicates the price of motor vehicle fuel, including electricity sold as a motor vehicle fuel. Current law requires a county sealer to enforce the advertising requirements. Current law defines “correct,” for purposes of testing and verifying the accuracy of a weighing or measuring device, as a weight or measure or a weighing, measuring, or counting instrument that meets certain tolerance and specification requirements. This bill would authorize a county sealer to test and verify as correct any electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as defined, that is located in the county in which the sealer has jurisdiction. The bill would require a county sealer to condemn and seize, or cause to be marked with a tag or other device with the words “out of order,” an incorrect, as defined, electronic vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified. The bill would authorize a county board of supervisors to charge an annual registration fee for the cost of inspecting and testing an electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified.   Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 5/8/2024-Referred to Coms. on B., P. & E. D. and JUD.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2079   (Bennett)   Groundwater extraction: large-diameter, high-capacity water wells: permits.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin and imposes specified duties upon that agency or combination of agencies, as provided. Current law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a model water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance implementing certain standards for water well construction, maintenance, and abandonment and requires each county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, not later than January 15, 1990, to adopt a water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance that meets or exceeds certain standards. Under current law, if a county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, fails to adopt an ordinance establishing water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment standards, the model ordinance adopted by the state board is required to take effect on February 15, 1990, and is required to be enforced by the county or city and have the same force and effect as if adopted as a county or city ordinance. This bill would require a local enforcement agency, as defined, to perform specified activities at least 30 days before determining whether to approve a permit for a new large-diameter, high-capacity well, as defined. By imposing additional requirements on a local enforcement agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/9/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/8/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2149   (Connolly)   Gates: standards: inspection.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/1/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (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 Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was TRANS. on 2/26/2024)   Position:   Support   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: Senate Rules   Status: 5/9/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 65. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/9/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 63. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2330   (Holden)   Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.   AB 2330 would streamline the process for fuels treatment projects for local governments that require an incidental take of a candidate species.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/8/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2344   (Petrie-Norris)   Fire prevention: grant programs: reporting.   AB 2344 would require the Governor's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to publicly post information regarding the allocation of funds from grant programs to provide better information regarding how the state's resources are being utilized for forest resilience projects.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/10/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/2/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2469   (Committee on Emergency Management)   Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.   AB 2469 extends the sunset of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2030.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/1/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2514   (Aguiar-Curry)   Solid waste: organic waste: diversion: hydrogen: biomethane.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/8/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   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 Appropriations   Status: 5/7/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Joint Rule 10.5.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2746   (Villapudua)   Streamlined housing approvals: multifamily housing developments: agricultural employee housing.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 3/4/2024)    Staff:  John (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.     Location: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications   Status: 5/8/2024-Referred to Com. on E., U. & C.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/1/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3011   (Bains)   Electricity: rates: unreasonable hardship.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was U. & E. on 3/11/2024)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3150   (Quirk-Silva)   Fire safety: fire hazard severity zones: defensible space: State Fire Marshal.   AB 3150 would allow for members of the public to petition the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to review the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for potential reclassifications based on new data, and would shift certain responsibilities regarding the maps from the Board of Forestry to the OSFM.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/23/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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 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 B.&p.   Status: 4/29/2024-Referred to Coms. on B. & P. and PUB. S.   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 Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/29/2024-April 29 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 946   (McGuire)   Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: exclusions: wildfire mitigation payments.   SB 946 would exclude payments from the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, the state's pilot grant program to aid low income homeowners with home hardening retrofits, from eligibility for state income taxes.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 5/9/2024-Set for hearing May 13.   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 Appropriations   Status: 5/9/2024-Set for hearing May 13.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: complete streets facilities: transit priority projects.   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 Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/6/2024-May 6 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   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 Appropriations   Status: 5/8/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   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 Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was L. GOV. on 2/21/2024)   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 Suspense File   Status: 4/8/2024-April 8 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1045   (Blakespear)   Composting facilities: zoning.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 5/3/2024-Set for hearing May 13.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/6/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1060   (Becker)   Property insurance underwriting: risk models.   SB 1060 would require companies offering property insurance in California and utilizing risk assessment models in their underwriting to account for home hardening, defensible space, and community wildfire risk mitigation measures in their models.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 5/3/2024-Set for hearing May 13.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/6/2024-May 6 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/29/2024-April 29 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1101   (Limón)   Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: maps.   SB 1101 streamlines the process for CAL FIRE to enter into contracts for prescribed fire operations for the purpose of fuels treatment projects.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/6/2024-May 6 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/6/2024-May 6 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1143   (Allen)   Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/29/2024-April 29 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1156   (Hurtado)   Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest disclosures.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Existing law requires a groundwater sustainability plan to be developed and implemented for each medium- or high-priority basin by a groundwater sustainability agency. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin, as provided. Current provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibit a public official from making, participating in making, or attempting to use their official position to influence a governmental decision in which they know or have reason to know that they have a financial interest, as defined. However, current law permits a public official to make or participate in the making of a governmental decision, even if the public official knows or has reason to know that the official has a financial interest, if the official’s participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. Current law makes a knowing or willful violation of the act a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties. This bill would require members of the executive team, board of directors, and other groundwater management decision makers of groundwater sustainability agencies to annually disclose any economic or financial interests pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974 that may reasonably be considered to affect their decision-making related to groundwater management, as provided.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/9/2024-From consent calendar on motion of Senator Blakespear. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1159   (Dodd)   California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 5/3/2024-Set for hearing May 13.   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 Third Reading   Status: 4/23/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was HEALTH on 2/29/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/23/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)\