The Barbed Wire - May 19, 2023

Butte County Hosts RCRC May Board of Directors Meeting

Last week, RCRC Board Chair and Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter hosted the May 2023 RCRC Board of Directors meeting in Butte County. The two-day event included the RCRC Board of Directors meeting at the Canyon Oaks Country Club in Chico and tours of Oroville Dam, the Gorrill Ranch Fish Screen and Ladder Project, and Magalia Community Park. 

During their visit, Supervisors met with personnel operating the Oroville Dam, California's second-largest reservoir, and took an exclusive tour inside the facility. The group then visited Gorrill Ranch to see the Fish Screen and Ladder Project, a restoration partnership that protects and assists migrating fish with passage to spawning grounds in Upper Butte Creek. The group concluded their outing at Magalia Community Park where they explored the recently opened South Pines Disc Golf Course; a Camp Fire recovery project that also serves as a positive recreational amenity to the surrounding community. 

As is an organizational tradition, the RCRC Chair hosts a Board of Directors meeting in their county during their tenure. The May RCRC Board of Directors meeting brought over 30 elected Supervisors and rural county leaders to Butte County 

RCRC thanks the County of Butte for hosting our rural leaders, and the Department of Water Resources, the team at Gorrill Ranch, and the dedicated group at Magalia Community Center for their assistance in making this an enjoyable and memorable event!    

See the full press release regarding the event here.  

Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees Take Action on Over 1,000 Bills

In simultaneous hearings Thursday, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees took action on 1,171 bills on their respective suspense files. Measures with cost impacts over the committee-designated Suspense File threshold face one of two possible outcomes:

• Passed off the Suspense File – often (but not always) with amendments to reduce the bill’s cost impacts – and moved to the floor for consideration by the full house; or,
• Held in Committee – some bills remaining in committee that were pulled by the author or otherwise made a two-year bill may be acted upon next year but must pass out of the house of origin by the end of January 2024.

Below is a recap of the actions of the Appropriations Committees on notable measures.

Passed (moves to a floor vote)

• AB 41 (Holden) would revise the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 to require the CPUC to hold a public hearing for any renewal of a state franchise and creates timelines for CPUC action on franchise applications. This bill would also require the CPUC to require video service providers to make video service available to all residences in its service area within 5 years of the issuance of a state-issued franchise. (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 50 (Wood) seeks to establish clear expectations for electric utilities to provide timely service to new customers or increased levels of service to existing customers.  This measure would also require utilities to increase coordination and share information with local governments on system capacity and in developing distribution plans.  (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 338 (Aguiar-Curry) would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds. (OPPOSE)
   
• AB 460 (Bauer-Kahan) would authorize 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.
   
• AB 504 (Reyes) would declare the acts of sympathy striking and honoring a picket line a human right and void provisions in public employer policies or collective bargaining agreements limiting or preventing an employee's right to sympathy strike. (OPPOSE)
   
• AB 764 (Bryan) would make changes to California’s FAIR MAPS Act, as proposed the bill will be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to implement with existing county resources. (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• AB 799 (Rivas) would establish the Homelessness Accountability and Results Act, which would make changes to the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program to increase regional collaboration, update statewide goals, and performance metrics no later than January 1, 2025.
   
• AB 869 (Wood) would provide grants to financially distressed small rural and district hospitals to pay for 2030 seismic upgrades and delay the requirement to 2035. (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 998 (Connolly) would require the Energy Commission to prepare a report on the role of utility-scale biomass combustion facilities, including the role that shuttered facilities may help play in achieving the state’s forest health and wildfire risk reduction objectives.  (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 1115 (Papan) would extend the sunset date on the state’s underground storage tank cleanup fund and fee, which pays for the remediation of leaking publicly and privately-owned underground storage tanks.  (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 1168 (Bennett) 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. (OPPOSE)
   
• AB 1248 (Bryan) would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process. (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• AB 1337 (Wicks) would authorize 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.
   
• AB 1448 (Wallis) would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process and allows a 50/50 state local split of the statutory penalties recovered in actions brought by local jurisdictions. (SPONSOR)
   
• AB 1484 (Zbur) would inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees and creates restrictions on discharging temporary employees. (OPPOSE)
   
• AB 1548 (Hart) would expand CalRecycle’s solid and organic waste grant program to provide more flexibility and greater assistance to local governments seeking to increase reuse and recycling.  (SPONSOR)
   
• AB 1563 (Bennett) would require 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.
   
• AB 1637 (Irwin) would require, no later than January 1, 2026, a local agency that maintains an internet website to utilize a “.gov” or a “.ca.gov” domain. The bill was amended in Appropriations to only apply to cities and counties. (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• AB 1713 (Gipson) would require a state or local agency that receives federal funds that are subject to an expiration date to submit a written report to the Legislature or the local agency’s legislative body, respectively, no later than one year before the funding expiration date with a summary of how funds have been expended and a plan for the remaining funds to be expended. (OPPOSE)
   
• SB 75 (Roth) would authorize 26 additional judgeships, subject to appropriation. (SUPPORT)
   
• SB 252 (Gonzalez) would prohibit the boards of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the State Teachers’ Retirement System from making new investments or renewing existing investments of public employee retirement funds in a fossil fuel company. (OPPOSE)
   
• SB 389 (Allen) would, upon specified findings, authorize the State Water Resources Control Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right.
   
• SB 525 (Durazo) would create a new health care minimum wage of $25 for hourly and $104,000 for salaried employees starting in 2024 impacting county behavioral health, public health, clinics, hospitals and correctional health care settings.  (OPPOSE)
   
• SB 753 (Caballero) would amend Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. (SPONSOR)

Held in Committee

• AB 54 (Aguiar-Curry) would have funded research and created an advisory committee to mitigate the damage to winegrapes and wine that can occur from exposure to wildfire smoke. (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 78 (Ward) would have made changes in Section 890 of the Penal Code, which would increase the per diem rate paid to civil and criminal grand juries from the current statutorily required $15 per day to an amount “equal to seventy percent of the county median daily income.” (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• AB 625 (Aguiar-Curry) would have made various changes to help achieve the state’s forest health and wildfire risk reduction goals by increasing the productive use of forest waste biomass through energy generation and wood products manufacturing. (SUPPORT)
   
• AB 909 (Hoover) would have expanded California’s illegal dumping grant program to also fund management of illegally dumped hazardous wastes. (SPONSOR)
   
• AB 1504 (McCarty) would have required local agencies to complete a plan for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the public right-of-way.  (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• SB 7 (Blakespear) would have required each city and county to provide housing for homeless individuals within its jurisdiction, based on their most recent point-in-time count, and would have required each jurisdiction to develop a housing obligation plan.
   
• SB 83 (Wiener) would have required electrical utilities to interconnect a development project within eight weeks of that project becoming “interconnection ready.”  (SUPPORT)
   
• SB 527 (Min) would have established a process by which gas utilities could abandon service to neighborhoods and forced those communities to shift to electric appliances and heating systems.  (OPPOSE)
   
• SB 634 (Becker) would have required an opportunity housing project to be a use by right if the project has a relocation housing transition plan for a situation when the parcel on which the project is located is no longer suitable for opportunity housing projects. (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED)
   
• SB 820 (Alvarado-Gil) would adapt the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. (SPONSOR) - designated as a 2-year bill by the author

Reminder: Join RCRC’s Webinar on Building the Rural Foundation for the Transition to ZEVs

On Monday, May 22nd, RCRC will host a webinar entitled “Building the Rural Foundation for the Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles”. The webinar is in partnership with the VELOZ “Electric for All” Campaign and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and will feature an array of speakers providing updates and guidance on building rural Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about permit streamlining, upcoming projects, and best practices.  

Date: Monday, May 22, 2023  
Time: 10AM to 11AM Pacific Time 
Register Here 

For more information, contact RCRC’s Deputy Chief Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris.  

Department of Technology Releases Public Survey on Internet Use and Adoption

The California Department of Technology has released their public survey on internet use and adoption. This information will inform California’s State Digital Equity Plan and help California design solutions to ensure that all California residents have access to high quality and affordable internet service, devices, skills training, and digital support. The survey is available in 14 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Armenian, Persian/Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Punjabi, and Khmer. It is a 10-15 minute survey. For more information contact Senior Legislative Advocate, Tracy Rhine.

The link is here: California Department of Technology: California Department of Technology: Broadband Digital Equity Survey: California State Digital Equity Plan: Public Survey

Public Utilities Commission Proposes to End Rule 20A Power Line Undergrounding Program

On May 5, the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Proposed Decision to discontinue the Rule 20A undergrounding program. Details are below. Of note, local governments with Rule 20A work credits should work quickly to take advantage of any remaining balances before they expire. 

The Rule 20A program funds the undergrounding of overhead power lines and was originally created to address the aesthetic impacts of the power lines. Local projects are completed through ratepayer-funded work credits that are allocated to communities based on the number of meters in that jurisdiction. 

The CPUC previously discontinued the annual allocation of Rule 20A work credits, but was exploring whether the program should be expanded to include wildfire safety-related undergrounding.  The CPUC reasoned it would be better to discontinue the program altogether to “prevent ratepayers from funding inefficient and inequitable infrastructure investments.”  While many rural jurisdictions have benefited from the Rule 20A program, the vast majority of projects funded have been in dense, urban communities like Los Angeles and the Bay Area. 

The CPUC proposed that any work credits that have not been allocated to an Active Rule 20A project within one year of the decision’s adoption shall be deemed expired and that any unused work credits shall expire December 31, 2033.  It requires utilities to prioritize reallocation of work credits from inactive communities to Active Projects in an underserved or Environmental and Social Justice Community census tract.  The CPUC also urges utilities to give jurisdictions an opportunity to contribute to Rule 20A projects that have insufficient work credits.

While the Proposed Decision declined to allow Rule 20A work credits to be used for wildfire-related undergrounding, it does require the large investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to consult with local and tribal governments about wildfire-related undergrounding investment plans as part of their existing semi-annual workshops.  The CPUC did acknowledge that  

“Local and tribal governments should have the opportunity to provide input on large electric utilities’ wildfire-related undergrounding plans on a regular basis.  Local governments have valuable knowledge of the wildfire-related needs of their communities. It is not sufficient for utilities to inform local governments about wildfire-related undergrounding plans and projects after these plans are final.” 

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

Visit California Releases New Economic Impact of Travel Report, County-Specific Details Available

According to Visit California’s recently released 2022 Economic Impact Report, California's tourism industry is on the cusp of achieving an accelerated recovery as visitors from around the world return to rediscover the Golden State. Projections now show visitor spending in 2023 will exceed the levels of 2019. 

Visitor spending hit $134.4 billion in California in 2022 – 93% of the way back to pre-pandemic levels – navigating the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and global inflation.   

Jobs in the state’s tourism industry also nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to the report. The travel sector added 157,000 jobs in California in 2022, bringing the statewide total to 1.1 million jobs supported by tourism. Visitor-generated tax revenue to support essential services in California communities increased by 21.6% to $11.9 billion. 

This indicates that the jagged tourism recovery seen a year ago across California is leveling out. Tourism spending in 20 of the state’s 58 counties recovered enough in 2022 to exceed pre-pandemic levels.  

 The economic impact report release coincides with California Tourism Month this May. It was designated by the state Legislature in 2016 to amplify the tourism industry’s economic and lifestyle benefits to all Californians. Visit California emphasizes how Californians can continue to boost tourism’s recovery by supporting local and regional hospitality and leisure businesses or discovering new destinations in the Golden State. 

 Check out the full EIR report and find details by county using the interactive map of data available on the Visit California website here. 

Bill Requiring Backup Power at Fire Stations Held in Committee

Assembly Bill 944 (Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks) was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 18th.  The bill would have required all fire stations to have backup power resources capable of powering the facility for 96 hours during a power outage.  Energy reliability has declined significantly in many parts of the state over the last few years as a result of Public Safety Power Shutoff and Fast Trip outages.   

While supportive of efforts to increase energy resiliency of critical facilities like fire stations, RCRC and others expressed concerns about the expected $100,000 cost to upgrade each facility, including volunteer fire stations.  

For more information about AB 944, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy. 

Assembly Member Patterson Bills on CEQA Relief for Egress Projects and Wildfire Rebuilds Held in Committee

The Assembly Appropriations Committee held two important bills authored by Assembly member Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) and supported by RCRC.   

Assembly Bill 692 would have created a new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for secondary egress routes for communities in high fire risk areas.  RCRC previously sponsored similar legislation carried by Assembly Member Patterson and by now-Congressman Jay Obernolte.  The measures all sought to streamline and expedite the creation of secondary egress routes to help residents safely evacuate during a wildfire or other emergency. 

Assembly Bill 704 would have exempted homes rebuilt after wildfires from new California Energy Commission solar roof mandates.  A similar exemption for homes destroyed during pre-2020 wildfires expired on January 1 of this year.  Governor Newsom vetoed a similar measure last year; however, AB 704 was narrower in scope and would have extended relief for many rebuilds that are taking much longer than previously anticipated. 

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

Illegal Dumping Cleanup Bills Meet Differing Fates

Two bills that seek to address illegal dumping met very different fates on Thursday.   

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 367 (Seyarto-R, Murrieta), which seeks to create a new grant program to help fund the cleanup of solid waste illegally dumped on state or federal lands.  RCRC helped to rework the measure and strongly supports the bill, as illegal dumping continues to be a serious problem for many local governments, especially in unincorporated rural areas. 

On the same day, the Assembly Appropriations Committee held Assembly Bill 909 (Hoover, R-Folsom), which RCRC sponsored to expand California’s illegal dumping grant program.  Under current law, the state grant program only pays for the cleanup and disposal of illegally dumped solid waste.  While hazardous wastes are also commonly found either intermixed with solid waste or on their own, the higher costs of managing hazardous wastes are ineligible for funding under the program.  AB 909 attempted to break down regulatory silos and made both types of waste eligible for funding under the program. 

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

Debt Ceiling Negotiations and Funding Concerns

Counties have expressed concerns about what the current debt ceiling negotiations and possible ARPA funding claw back on unspent funds might mean for resources they have received. The bill specifically targets unobligated funds, not unspent funds. If counties have already received funds from the federal government, those funds are unaffected since they have already been released (obligated) to counties by the federal government. 

As defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) document titled “Budget Concepts,” budget authority, obligations, and outlays serve as the primary benchmarks and measures. When Congress enacts laws that grant agencies spending authority, known as budget authority, agencies must obtain OMB's approval for their spending plans before utilizing these resources or obligating the budget authority.  Once the spending plans are approved, agencies can enter into binding agreements to purchase goods, services, or make grants and other payments. These agreements are recorded as obligations of the United States and are subtracted from the agency's available budgetary resources. 

Therefore, as an entity for a county that has unallocated funds, it is essential to be aware that the House-passed debt limit bill does not directly impact these funds. However, it is advisable to have a clear understanding of the status of the funds, ensuring they have been properly obligated by the federal government to the county. 

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $11 Billion Investment to Advance Clean Energy Across Rural America

On May 16th, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the availability of nearly $11 billion in grants and loan opportunities that will help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable, reliable clean energy to their communities across the country. Funding is available through two programs under the Inflation Reduction Act. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be opening a Letter of Interest process for the Empowering Rural America (“New ERA”) program, which makes $9.7 billion available to eligible rural electric cooperatives to deploy renewable energy systems, zero-emission and carbon capture systems. In addition to New ERA, USDA will also be opening a Letter of Interest process for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, which makes $1 billion available in partially forgivable loans to renewable-energy developers and electric service providers, including municipals, cooperatives, and investor-owned and Tribal utilities to help finance large-scale solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower projects and energy storage in support of renewable energy systems. 

More information on the New ERA program is available here. Rural electric cooperatives, including current and previous USDA borrowers, are eligible for funding. To apply, eligible entities must submit a Letter of Interest between July 31 and August 31, 2023. 

More information on the PACE program is available here. Loans through this program may be forgiven by 40% of the loan amount, and the maximum loan amount is $100 million.  For this program, USDA will begin accepting Letters of Interest starting on June 30, 2023, on a rolling basis until September 29, 2023.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

Bureau of Land Management Meeting Dates for Proposed Public Lands Rule

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a schedule for five public meetings that will provide forums across the country for the public to learn more about the proposed Public Lands Rule and have questions answered.

The proposed Public Lands Rule, which was announced in late March, would provide tools for the BLM to protect healthy public lands in the face of increasing drought, wildfire and climate impacts; conserve important wildlife habitat and intact landscapes; better use science and data in decision-making; plan for thoughtful development; and better recognize unique cultural and natural resources on public lands.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions that facilitate a deeper understanding of the proposal. The dates and cities of upcoming meetings are:

• Thursday, May 25, 2023 - Denver, Colorado
  Denver West Marriott, 1717 Denver West Blvd, Golden, Colorado
  Time: 5:00 PM -7:00 PM MT
   
• Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
  Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  Time: 5:00 PM -7:00 PM MT
   
• Thursday, June 1, 2023 - Reno, Nevada
  Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4950 S Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada
  Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM PT
   
• Monday, June 5, 2023 - Virtual Meeting
  Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM MT
  Register at https://swca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QwRH6XZeS6amUDI70FzriA

Career Opportunities

Shasta County

• Deputy County Counsel II/III/Senior Deputy County Counsel ($102,300.00 - $174,144.00 Annually). Click here for the job bulletin or see here for more information and to apply.
• Health Officer ($201,588.00 - $257,304.00 Annually). Click here for the job bulletin or see here for more information and to apply.

Sierra County

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

Yolo County

• The County of Yolo County Counsel’s Office is recruiting to fill a full-time position in the class of Deputy County Counsel III or Senior Deputy County Counsel, scheduled to close Friday, May 12, 2023.  Salary range is from $133,515 - $190,486. The candidate selected will be placed at the appropriate level, depending on their background and experience, and at the discretion of the appointing authority.  The full job announcement can be found here.

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

UC ANR

• Alameda/Contra Costa Area County Director – Job ID 51253 (https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2486) The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is seeking a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area County Director to provide leadership in support of applied research, extension and outreach programs across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to bring the programs and resources of UC directly to all Californians through research and education programs that support:
  • Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery
  • Economic success in a global economy
  • A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
  • Science literacy and youth development

The Area County Director is responsible for the coordination and overall operation of UCCE programs, in cooperation with county government, in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Area County Director oversees management of the physical plant and human resources. They will increase the visibility of UCCE through community engagement, including but not limited to, needs assessments, representing UC ANR in local and/or regional initiatives, participation in relevant policy development, and communicating the positive impacts and benefits realized by the citizens and workforce of the local counties, region and state from the activities and contributions of local UCCE programs. The Area County Director will endeavor to make sure that the programs and resources of the University of California are available to residents of both counties.

NRCS California Allocates $2 Million to Assist Farmers Recover from Floods

Beginning April 26, 2023, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is setting aside $2 million in federal financial assistance to help California’s agricultural producers recover from recent flooding. This funding is in addition to recent USDA funding allocated through the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (administered by NRCS) and the USDA Emergency Conservation Program (administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency).  The deadline to apply is June 16, 2023. For more information, see here.

USDA Grants Available to Help Rural California Repair Their Homes Damaged By Floods and Fires in 2022

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announces the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by severe weather or natural disasters in 2022, including the California Mosquito, Oak, Coastal, Fairview, and Mill fires as well as severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

People living in identified counties in California may be eligible for the funding. The homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas.

The grants will be available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.

Funds will be available until expended. They may be used to:

• Pay for home repair expenses that were a result of a presidentially declared disaster in calendar year 2022.
• Prepare a site for a manufactured home.
• Relocate a manufactured home.

To be eligible:

• Applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the low-limits based on their household size and county.
• Homes must be located in an eligible rural area.
• Homes must be located in a presidentially declared disaster areas 2022.

Residents in the following counties may be eligible for the funding: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yolo

For more information on how to apply, visit the USDA website here.

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

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.

Governor Newsom Announces Agreement to Reopen Yuba River to Salmon and Launch River Restoration – Governor's Office

Governor Newsom joined state, federal and local officials in Yuba County to announce a landmark framework agreement for the Yuba River that will reopen miles of habitat to multiple native fish species. The agreement sets the stage for the return of imperiled spring-run Chinook salmon to their native habitat in the North Yuba River for the first time in more than 100 years. #ruralcounties

California city threatened by revived lake gets levee funds – San Francisco Chronicle

As California's massive snowpack continues to melt away, there's growing concern about the rising water levels in Tulare Lake and possible flooding in the nearby City of Corcoran in Kings County. To address this issue, the state has committed to help fund Levee improvements, which are needed to help keep the city's 22,500 residents remain safe. 

California lawmakers OK emergency loans to failing hospitals – AP News

Alarmed by the closure of a rural hospital in Madera County earlier this year, on May 4th California lawmakers voted to loan $150 million to struggling medical centers to help prevent similar failures across the state. The state will give out the $150 million in the form of interest-free loans to nonprofit or public hospitals that meet certain conditions, with loans prioritized for medical centers in rural areas and those that have a disproportionate number of patients on Medicaid.  

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

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.  Amends 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. Requires MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence. Additionally, the bill requires any project nominated by local or regional transportation agencies for Solutions for Congested Corridors funding to demonstrate how the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state targets.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/11/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: project selection processes.   Requires 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. Also requires State Transportation Agency to submit a report to the legislature on how all funded projects conform to the requirements of this legislation.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 3.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Public utilities: timely service: customer energization.   Seeks to establish clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers. Invests the CPUC with authority to determine what constitutes the timely provision of electrical service and fulfillment of requests to provide additional capacity. Requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand for a given planning cycle more closely matches the actual demand for service. Requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 54   (Aguiar-Curry)   Department of Food and Agriculture: research funding: winegrapes: smoke exposure.   Funds research and creates an advisory committee to mitigate the damage to winegrapes and wine that can occur from exposure to wildfire smoke.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1), Staci (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Establishes 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.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Requires CA Natural Resources 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 Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 3/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 78   (Ward)   Grand juries.   AB 78 makes changes in Section 890 of the Penal Code, which would increase the per diem rate paid to civil and criminal grand juries from the current statutorily required $15 per day to an amount “equal to seventy percent of the county median daily income.” SB 78 lacks a mechanism to cover the additional cost this bill imposes on counties.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 297   (Fong, Vince)   Wildfires: local assistance grant program: advance payments.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   This measure would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Extends the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision specifying that a lead agency is not required to evaluate the aesthetic effects of a project and aesthetic effects are not considered significant effects on the environment if the project involves the refurbishment, conversion, repurposing, or replacement of an existing building that meets certain requirements.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/17/2023-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was W.,P. & W. on 2/9/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill prohibit a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to the act and classified as a critically overdrafted basin unless the city county or well permitting agency obtains written verification from a groundwater sustainability agency that the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program AND the proposed well would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by the plan.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was W.,P. & W. on 3/2/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   Authorizes 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: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 504   (Reyes)   State and local public employees: labor relations: disputes.   AB 504 would declare the acts of sympathy striking and honoring a picket line a human right. AB 504 would also void provisions in public employer policies or collective bargaining agreements limiting or preventing an employee's right to sympathy strike. AB 504 would grant sympathy strikers greater rights than the employees engaged in a primary strike and override safeguards for essential employees during a sympathy strike to ensure public health and safety services continue.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 557   (Hart)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   Absent any legislative intervention, the processes established by AB 361 to provide remote meeting flexibility to local agencies in emergency circumstances will expire at the end of this year. To remain best-equipped to address future emergencies and allow local agencies to effectively react and respond, AB 557 would eliminate the sunset on the emergency remote meeting procedures added to California Government Code section 54953. Additionally, AB 557 would adjust the timeframe for the resolutions passed to renew an agency’s temporary transition to emergency remote meetings to 45 days, up from the previous number of 30 days.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/16/2023-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 606   (Mathis)   California Endangered Species Act: accidental take: farms or ranches.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 5/10/2023-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 625   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest biomass: management: emissions: energy.   Establishes the Forest Waste Biomass Utilization Program to be administered by the state board’s Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation to develop an implementation plan to meet the goals and recommendations of the state’s wood utilization policies and priorities, and to develop a workforce training program to complement the workforce needs associated with the implementation plan. Requires annual reports on implementing the plan. Requires the Energy Commission to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature evaluating innovative bioenergy technologies that use forest biomass waste. Requires the Energy Commission to include in its integrated policy report an assessment of the potential for forest biomass waste energy to provide firm renewable power. Requires ARB to develop a methodology to quantify the greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions from wildfire, pile burning, and forest management activities.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 692   (Patterson, Jim)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) egress route projects undertaken by a public agency to improve emergency access to and evacuation from a subdivision without a secondary egress route if the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has recommended the creation of a secondary access to the subdivision.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 704   (Patterson, Jim)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts homes meeting certain requirements and rebuilt after being destroyed by a wildfire from state laws requiring installation of solar panels, until January 1, 2027.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-Coauthors revised. In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 764   (Bryan)   Local redistricting.   Would make changes to California’s FAIR MAPS Act, as proposed the bill will be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to implement with existing county resources.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   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: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/5/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(3). (Last location was L. GOV. on 3/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 909   (Hoover)   Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program.   Makes illegally disposed hazardous wastes eligible for funding under the CalRecycle’s illegal dumping grant program.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 944   (Irwin)   Fire stations: alternative power generation.   Requires fire stations to have an alternative method to provide power generation for at least 96 hours during power outages.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 998   (Connolly)   Biomass energy facilities: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: report.   Requires the Energy Commission to issue a report on the utility-scale biomass combustion facilities still in operation as of January 1, 2024. The report must include an assessment of operational factors of each facility, a comparison of direct combustion compared to other biomass energy technologies, and a recommended strategy, if appropriate, to repower biomass combustion facilities to noncombustion conversion technologies. The report must include recommendations and strategies related to areas where combustion biomass facilities may be shut down or repowered, including strategies related to baseload power generation, processing waste, and job training.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1000   (Reyes)   Qualifying logistics use projects.   Prohibits local governments from approving warehouse development projects located within 1,000 feet of a large variety of sensitive receptors. Imposes new conditions on local approval of warehouse projects between 750-1000 feet of those sensitive receptors, in addition to mitigation measures required under CEQA.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was L. GOV. on 4/17/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1248   (Bryan)   Local redistricting: independent redistricting commissions.   Would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   Requires 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 require 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. Authorizes State Board to issue a cease and desist order when a diversion or use violates or threatens to violate an applicable limitation or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage. The bill would authorize a person who violates a principle, guideline, or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage to be held liable in an amount not to exceed the sum of $500 for each day that the violation occurs.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   Authorizes 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. The bill would require the board to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing an order. The bill would provide that a person or entity may be civilly liable for a violation pursuant to these provisions in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day in which the violation has occurred and $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted or used in violation of the applicable requirement.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1448   (Wallis)   Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions.   AB 1448 would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process, allow local jurisdictions to utilize statutory penalties and create more collection options.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1484   (Zbur)   Temporary public employees.   While AB 1484 is ostensibly intended to benefit temporary employees of local public agencies, in reality, it will directly harm these employees by severely limiting their future opportunities for temporary employment. This bill would: inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees; and that the wages, hours, plus terms and conditions of employment for both temporary and permanent employees must be bargained together in a single memorandum of understanding. This result is already possible under current law, but only if the temporary and permanent employees have a "community of interest" making such combined treatment appropriate – an important component of fair representation and bargaining that this bill eschews.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.   Expands CalRecycle’s existing solid and organic waste recycling grant program to help local governments get recycled material into the marketplace, find new homes for useful consumer goods, and expand local edible food recovery programs.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   Requires 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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 3.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1597   (Alvarez)   Water quality: California-Mexico cross-border rivers.   Provides that funds may be made available, upon appropriation, to the North American Development Bank for loans, grants, and direct expenditures to address water quality problems arising in the California-Mexico cross-border rivers. Requires funding to be available for water quality projects for the Tijuana River and for projects consistent with the New River Water Quality, Public Health, and River Parkway Development Plan.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1637   (Irwin)   Local government: internet websites and email addresses.   AB 1637 would require local agencies to secure and utilize their website through a new .gov or .ca.gov domain no later than January 1, 2026. It would also require all employee email addresses to reflect the updated domain within the same time frame. There are no financial resources connected to this bill resulting in an unfunded mandate to counties.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1713   (Gipson)   State and local agencies: federal funds: reports.   AB 1713 would require state agencies that receive federal funds subject to an expiration date to submit a written report to the Legislature no later than one year before the funding expiration date with a summary of how funds have been expended, and to provide a plan for the remaining funds to be expended. The bill would also require local agencies to include a similar report on an agenda of a public meeting of their legislative body. Local governments rely on federal funding to provide numerous local services on behalf of the state, much of which is associated with our role as the provider of federal entitlement programs, like Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, etc. Accordingly, local governments seek to maximize federal funding opportunities to provide these necessary services to the residents we serve. Unfortunately, AB 1713 would require local governments to be in a state of perpetual reporting or – in most instances – require duplicative reporting.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   Authorizes 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 make 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 Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-May 18 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 35   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Assembly Health   Status: 5/11/2023-Referred to Com. on HEALTH.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 43   (Eggman)   Behavioral health.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 69   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: local agencies: filing of notices of determination or exemption.   Requires local agencies to file California Environmental Quality Act notices with the Office of Planning and Research, in addition to the county clerk, and requires those notices (including any subsequent or amended notice) to be posted both by the county clerk and on the State Clearinghouse website within 24 hours of receipt and for a period of 30 days.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. (Amended Text Released 5/19/2023)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 75   (Roth)   Courts: judgeships.   SB 75 would authorize 26 new superior court judgeships, subject to appropriation. If funded in the budget, any new judgeships would be allocated to counties in the state in accordance with the Judicial Council's Judicial Needs Assessment.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 91   (Umberg)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: supportive and transitional housing: motel conversion.   Repeals the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for conversion a motel, hotel, residential hotel, or hostel to supportive or transitional housing.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/11/2023-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and H. & C.D.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 367   (Seyarto)   Farm, ranch, and public lands cleanup and abatement: grant program.   Creates a grant program to facilitate the proper disposal of illegally dumped waste on state and federal lands.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 378   (Gonzalez)   State parks: state beaches: expanded polystyrene food container and cooler ban.   Bans people from bringing an expanded polystyrene food container or cooler onto a state beach or in a unit of the state park system and for improper disposal of those products.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 2/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 389   (Allen)   State Water Resources Control Board: determination of water right.   Authorize State Water Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Allows State Board to issue an information order to a water right claimant, diverter, or user to provide technical reports or other information related to a diversion and use of water, including, but not limited to, all of the following: the basis of the water right claimed, the patent date claimed for the place of use, the notice date of the appropriation, and information related to the diversions and use of transferred water.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 393   (Glazer)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: identification of contributors: housing development projects.   Allows a CEQA defendant to file a motion requesting the plaintiff or petitioner to disclose the identity of persons and entities that contribute more than $10,000 towards litigation costs for housing projects. Requires a plaintiff or petitioner to identify any pecuniary or economic interest related to any person who contributes more than $5,000 to the costs of the action.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 5/15/2023-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 32. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 406   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: financial assistance: housing.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act actions of a local agency to provide financial assistance or insurance for the development and construction of low- or moderate-income residential housing.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/18/2023-Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and H. & C.D.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 410   (Becker)   Powering Up Californians Act.   Seeks to improve electrical distribution planning, reduce interconnection delays, and ensure that California residents and businesses can timely access new and increased service for general economic growth, housing production, and meeting the state’s decarbonization goals. Charges the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with establishing reasonable average and maximum interconnection time periods.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 507   (Gonzalez)   Electric vehicle charging station infrastructure: assessments.   Requires the Energy Commission to assess the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure needed to meet zero-emission vehicle goals and ensure equitable deployment of EV charging infrastructure, including whether EV charging stations are disproportionately distributed, and whether homes have equal access to electrical panel upgrades to support at-home charging in single-family and multi-family housing. SB 507 requires the Energy Commission to quantify EV charging needs of rural, low-income, as well as disadvantaged communities and provide recommendations to remove barriers to achieve equity of EV charging infrastructure.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-May 18 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Leigh (1)

SB 525   (Durazo)   Minimum wage: health care workers.   SB 525 proposes to raise the health care minimum wage broadly across the health sector to $25 per hour, including for employees working in county agencies – specifically, county health departments, county mental health departments, county correctional health settings, county hospitals, and county owned and operated clinics. Additionally, SB 525 requires salaried employees to be paid twice the proposed $25/hour minimum wage – creating a new salary base of $104,000 per year.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 551   (Portantino)   Mental health boards.   SB 551 would divert 20% of the prevention and early intervention funds from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSA), to provide direct services on school campuses.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 613   (Seyarto)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: low-population exemption.   Exempts from SB 1383 regulations local jurisdictions that dispose less than 5,000 tons of solid waste per year and that have fewer than 7,500 people.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 615   (Allen)   Vehicle traction batteries.   Requires all electric vehicle traction batteries to be recovered, reused, repurposed, remanufactured, or recycled at the end of their useful life in a motor vehicle or other application. Requires vehicle manufacturers, dismantlers, and secondary users to be responsible for end-of-life management of the battery.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 620   (McGuire)   Low-impact camping areas.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 642   (Cortese)   Hazardous materials: enforcement: county counsel.   Allows county counsels to enforce provisions of state law related to aboveground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, medical waste, and hazardous materials business plans.   Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 5/18/2023-Referred to Coms. on E.S. & T.M. and JUD.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

SB 651   (Grove)   Water storage and recharge: California Environmental Quality Act.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff: 

SB 672   (McGuire)   State highways: parklets.   Requires CA Department of Transportation to establish a standard fee structure for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway, as specified. Prohibits the department from charging an encroachment permit fee for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway. The bill would require the department to consider an encroachment permit application for commercial use. Requires the department to comply with applicable state and federal law in establishing the standard fee structure, authorize the department to adjust the fee schedule to comply with applicable state and federal law, and require the department to report to the Legislature if it adjusts the fee schedule to comply with applicable state or federal law.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 751   (Padilla)   Franchise agreements: labor dispute.   Prohibits any franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services entered into or amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024 from excusing the service provider from performance in the event of a labor dispute.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/16/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 753   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water resources.   SB 753 amends Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. This is an RCRC Sponsored Bill.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/18/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 18). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   SB 820 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: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/18/2023-May 18 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)