The Barbed Wire- May, 20, 2022

May 20, 2022
Proposal to Increase Protections for California’s Giant Sequoias
Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1944 (Lee) – Local Government: Open and Public Meetings
ICYMI: Governor Newsom Releases May Revision of the 2022-23 State Budget
Mono County Town Receives Homekey Funding Award
Federal Legislation Introduced to Increase and Modernize Water Supply
Bipartisan Senators Push for SAFE Banking Act
Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 Passes the House
2022 Long-Distance Hiking Season on the Pacific Crest Trail
SPECIAL FEATURE! RCRC Digital Governance Series - County Leaders: How to Drive Information Technology Success in Your Organization
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Proposal to Increase Protections for California’s Giant Sequoias

U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Representative Scott Peters (D-San Diego) are gearing up to introduce legislation in the next few weeks that would streamline federal regulations related to tree removal and clearing dangerous undergrowth in the approximately 73 giant sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lawmakers are still working on the specific bill language and have yet to decide whether to tweak any laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act or Endangered Species Act, for the geographic area included in the legislation. The bill also would support reforestation in devastated groves.

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1944 (Lee) – Local Government: Open and Public Meetings

RCRC, along with a coalition of government partners, supports Assembly Bill 1944, authored by Assembly Member Alex Lee (D-San Jose) This measure seeks to authorize members of local legislative bodies to teleconference from a remote location without making the address of that location public. The bill would also require that – for those local agencies that elect to use teleconferencing for its legislative body meetings – a video stream is made available to members of the public, including an opportunity to provide public comment via telephone or videoconference.   

AB 1944 represents an important modernization to the Brown Act, improving access for members of the public via a teleconferencing or videoconferencing option, while protecting the location of local elected officials participating from a non-public, remote location. 

Local agencies subject to the Brown Act were able to utilize remote participation during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Agencies learned during the pandemic that such participation is effective, transparent, and encourages participation from a broader component of the public than was anticipated. At the same time, local elected officials were able to participate remotely without risking their own well-being or that of their families and neighbors. 

AB 1944 will be heard on the Assembly Floor next week. RCRC encourages Board members to contact their local Assembly Member to express support for this measure. RCRC’s letter of support can be found here.  For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.

ICYMI: Governor Newsom Releases May Revision of the 2022-23 State Budget

On May 13th, Governor Newson released his Administration’s 2022-23 May Revision. The Rural Rundown captures highlights of the proposal as it relates to RCRC member counties. 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 2022-2023 fiscal year.

The Governor’s 2022-23 May Revision reflects an increase in the state’s General Fund revenues  higher than in the January estimates: currently expected to be at just under $55 billion. It also builds on the investments proposed in January, in the following program areas:  

  • Climate Resiliency; 
  • Addressing Homelessness; 
  • Cost of Living; and 
  • Public Safety Investment. 

 
In addition, the revision includes $18.1 billion in what is characterized as “direct relief” to help offset rising costs of fuel, etc., exacerbated by global inflationary pressures. This includes a $400 rebate to households based on registered vehicles; in addition, the Governor is proposing a temporary reduction to the diesel sales tax rate that was proposed in March 2022. Other areas of “relief” include: 

  • Rental assistance; 
  • Payments for outstanding utility arrearages; 
  • Subsidizing child care programs; 
  • Health care subsidies if federal subsidies expires; and
  • Retention bonus payments to an estimated 600,000 workers in hospitals and nursing homes.

While it was anticipated that the Governor’s 2022-23 May Revision would include an updated calculation of the Gann Limit and proposals to address it, the Administration has projected that the state will exceed the State Appropriations Limit or “Gann Limit” for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years by “a small margin”. Thus, the Governor’s 2022-23 May Revision does not exceed the limit: the Department of Finance has calculated that the revised 2022-23 limit is $4.3 billion above the $131.4 billion estimated in January. Since the May Revision relies heavily on investments in infrastructure, fiscal relief, and emergency expenditures (all Gann-excludable), revising the limit upward appears to have created the breathing room the state needs to get through another year without exceeding the limit. The Administration cautions, however, that the limit may be exceeded in future years. Committing to additional ongoing spending will also make it much more difficult to meet all constitutional obligations due to the limitations imposed by the State Appropriations Limit.

Read RCRC's Rural Rundown of the Governor's 2022-23 May Revision here.

Mono County Town Receives Homekey Funding Award

On Wednesday, May 18th, Governor Newsom announced the latest round of awards granted in Project Homekey, a program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This program provides grant funding to cities, counties, or other local public entities within California to purchase and rehabilitate housing, hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes will receive more than $4.5 million for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Innsbruck Lodge, which will ultimately provide 16 units of permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness. To read more about this project, view the full announcement here.

Detailed information is available on the HCD Homekey website here.  (RCRC Staff contact: Tracy Rhine

Federal Legislation Introduced to Increase and Modernize Water Supply

On Wednesday, May 18th, Senator Dianne Feinstein along with Senators Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) introduced the Support to Rehydrate the Environment, Agriculture and Municipalities (STREAM) Act (S.4231). In combination with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this bill would provide California with more than 1 million additional acre-feet of water per year on average, enough water for more than 6 million Californians. A one-page summary of the bill is available here; a section-by-section analysis of the bill is available here; and a list of supporters of the bill is available here.

Bipartisan Senators Push for SAFE Banking Act

On May 12th, twenty-four U.S. Senators—including California Senators Feinstein and Padilla—wrote in a letter that the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act would “help cannabis-related businesses, support innovation, create jobs, and strengthen public safety in our communities.” The nineteen Democrats and five Republicans who signed onto the letter also called for marijuana provisions to be included in the America COMPETES Act, which a bicameral conference committee will discuss at its first meeting this week.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 Passes the House

On May 11th, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 (H.R. 2499). Representative Carbajal (D- Santa Barbara) originally introduced the bill in the House, and it has 203 bipartisan co-sponsors including California Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Jim Costa (D-Fresno), John Garamendi (D-Wlanut Grove), Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel), Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Jared Huffman (D-Marina), Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), and Mike Thompson (D-Napa). The bill would alter the current law that requires federal firefighters who are injured on the job or claim illness from toxic exposure to apply for the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Program, specifying a single event which led to their ailment. It would also establish a list of health conditions and injuries that can be brought on by their line of work, and streamline the process of qualifying for workers compensation, disability, and retirement benefits. Firefighters who work at the state and local level are already under the streamlined rule.

2022 Long-Distance Hiking Season on the Pacific Crest Trail

Long before hikers begin long distance treks across the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), each hiker receives education from Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) to prepare them for the journey. PCTA focuses on educating hikers on safety and responsible use of the trail. Throughout their journeys, PCTA connects with these hikers on social media, via email, at trailheads, and in the backcountry. With the wildfire crisis, educating hikers about fire safety is one of PCTA’s highest priorities. They promote a full spectrum of fire education, beginning with the importance of respecting campfire restrictions, and always putting out fires with lots of water. When fire season is underway, PCTA plays a critical role in educating trail users about area closures, and what to do if they see a fire. PCTA also educates hikers about the hazardous conditions that remain long after fires are out. The comprehensive education provided by PCTA is a key part of ensuring the Pacific Crest Trail experience is the best it can be.

This spring, hundreds of long-distance hikers have left the Mexican border heading north on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The USDA Forest Service limits the number of PCT Long-distance Permits to 8,000 people spread across the whole trail. Four thousand six hundred of those people may hike north from the Mexican border, while thousands more will hike long sections crisscrossing throughout California’s Eastern rural counties. Later in the year, a few hundred southbound thru-hikers will pass through as they head down to Mexico in the fall. These hikers come from all 50 states and nearly 50 countries. Their hikes take an average of 150 days.

For more information about the Pacific Crest Trail, visit the PCTA website at www.pcta.org.

SPECIAL FEATURE! RCRC Digital Governance Series - County Leaders: How to Drive Information Technology Success in Your Organization

In the sixth and final installment of the Digital Governance series, Nevada County Chief Information Officer, Steve Monaghan, details the benefits and necessity of a well-functioning IT governance structure and how the engagement of top-level county leadership is vital to its success. Read the article here.

“Digital Governance” is a limited series, featured in RCRC’s Barbed Wire newsletter, to provide county leadership with essential guidance on information technology topics of key importance to local governments. Each month, Steve Monaghan, presents actionable direction on issues such as online service provision, cyber-risk reduction, rural broadband development, and more.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CPUC Engagement Survey For Local Governments

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is requesting feedback from local governments, community-based organizations, tribes, and others on effective communication strategies as well as prior engagement experiences with the CPUC. The survey can be found here; responses are requested by May 31, 2022.

 

Informational Drought Meeting for County Executive Staff- RSVP by May 23rd

On May 26, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., staff from the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will host an informational meeting for county executive staff to learn more about projected drought impacts and funding opportunities available through the State Water Board, DWR, and the Office of Emergency Services. The presentations will also cover relevant provisions from Executive Order N-7-22, signed by Governor Newsom on March 28, 2022, and new drought planning requirements for counties from Senate Bill 552, which was enacted in 2021.

RSVP Here by May 23, 2022

This will be a remote meeting with no physical meeting location. For additional details, see here.

 

CPUC to Host Webinar on Broadband Funding

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will be hosting a webinar on June 1, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to discuss the broadband funding programs administered by the CPUC. The one-hour meeting will review the goals and anticipated application release for the following programs:

  • Broadband Technical Assistance - $50 Million 
  • Loan Loss Reserve - $750 Million 
  • Federal Funding Account - $2 Billion 
  • California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) – up to $150 Million per year 

For more information and register for the webinar, click here.

 

Upcoming Webinar on County Drought Planning Requirements for Domestic Wells and State Small Water Systems

In September 2021, Senate Bill 552 (SB 552) was signed by Governor Newsom and enacted into law. SB 552 includes new responsibilities and requirements at both the state and local level to help small water systems and rural communities reduce their risk of inadequate water supply amid a water shortage event. This is the first of three virtual workshops to inform and solicit input from stakeholders on the development of a guidebook to support the preparation of County Drought Plans which focus on state small water systems and domestic wells as required under SB 552. During this first workshop, DWR and State Water Board staff will review the SB 552 requirements for counties and the plan to develop a guidebook as technical assistance, and solicit input on needed tools and considerations that could help counties meet the requirements. The virtual workshop is open to County Office of Emergency Services, County Environmental Health Programs, County Planners, other county programs and other interested parties.

Date:          June 2, 2022
Time:          10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location:    Zoom 

Register Here

 

Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.

In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.

 

Career Opportunity in Del Norte County

Del Norte County seeks a Deputy Director for the Community Development Department - Public Works Branch. This position has branch level administrative responsibility of the department (Public Works Branch), including a variety of contract management and intra- and inter-agency coordination activities under general direction of the Community Development Department Director. Under an administrative team concept, plans, organizes, coordinates and directs work of personnel in the Public Works Branch which includes the Engineering and Surveying Division, Roads Division, County Service Area (sewer collection system), and Flood Control District. Additional information is available here, or view details and apply online.

 

Career Opportunity in Plumas County

The County of Plumas seeks a County Administrative Officer.  The CAO is a contracted, at-will position both appointed by and accountable to the Board of Supervisors and is responsible for enforcement of all County codes, ordinances and regulations, the conduct of all financial activities, and the efficient and economical performance of the County’s operations.  First review of qualified applicants scheduled for May 6, 2022.  For additional information and to view the job posting click here.

 

California Water Management Research Needs Virtual Workshop May 27th, Hosted By Water UCI

Join Water UCI for a one-half day workshop aimed at prioritizing the most urgent research needs for water resilience in California. The workshop will consist of a series of large and small discussions on issues of water equity, sustainability, research translation, as well as a review of the survey results. Water UCI looks forward to hearing from stakeholders about what research is most urgent and how it can best be applied.

Date: May 27, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
RSVP Here

 

USDOT Opens Application Window for Competitive Grants to Support Infrastructure Projects

On Wednesday, March 23rd, United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $2.9 billion in competitive grants is available for major infrastructure projects as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. While there are three major grant programs with funding up for grabs, including the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL), USDOT has combined the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)  into a single application to reduce the burdens on state, regional and local government applicants, as well as make it easier to apply for more than one program at a time. Up to $300 million is available this year for rural highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve access to an agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the rural economy. 

The application deadline is May 23, 2022 at 11:59pm EST. The NOFO can be found here. For more information, including frequently asked questions or how to apply, see 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.

KEEPING UP

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

Anthony Crawford, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Fiscal and Data Management at the California Department of Human Resources. Crawford has been Chief of the Financial Management Division at the California Department of Human Resources since 2015. He held several positions at the California Department of Finance from 2011 to 2015, including Principal Program Budget Analyst III, Principal Program Budget Analyst II and Staff Finance Budget Analyst. Crawford was Staff Services Manager in the Financial Management Division at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2010 to 2011. He held several positions at the California Department of Justice from 2001 to 2010, including Associate Personnel Analyst, Staff Services Analyst and Information Systems Technician. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,332. Crawford is registered without party preference. 

Nara R. Dahlbacka, of Hidden Valley Lake, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association (Lake County Fair Board). Dahlbacka has been Partner at the Milo Group of California since 2022, where she was Vice President from 2018 to 2022, and Government Affairs Manager from 2016 to 2018. She was Campaign Manager for Re-Elect Jane Parker in 2016. Dahlbacka held several positions at the Law Office of Rena Rickles from 2010 to 2016, including Permit Expediter, Paralegal and Legal Assistant. She was an External Affairs Manager at the San Francisco Committee on Jobs from 2007 to 2008. Dahlbacka is a board member of Cat Town Oakland. Dahlbacka earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in playwrighting from San Francisco State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Dahlbacka is a Democrat.

Maria Herrera has been appointed Rural Development State Director for California. Maria Gallegos Herrera is a proud daughter of farmworker parents, who grew up in the rural agricultural communities in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley. She joined the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019 as the Central California Deputy Regional Director of External Affairs and in July of 2021 was promoted to Central California Regional Director. Herrera previously served as a Community Development Manager at Self-Help Enterprises, a nationally recognized community development organization dedicated to working with low-income families to build and sustain healthy communities. She worked at the Community Water Center from 2008 to 2014 and at the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 2004 to 2007.

Traci Medina, of Lakeport, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association (Lake County Fair Board). Medina has been Senior Implementation Consultant at Journal Technologies Inc since 2004. She held several positions at the Lake County Superior Court from 1994 to 2004, including IT Analyst, Trainer, Special Project Coordinator, Supervisor and Deputy Court Clerk. Medina was a Retail Clerk at Kelseyville Pharmacy from 1986 to 1994. She was a Bindery Worker at Linnell Printing from 1984 to 1985. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Medina is a Democrat.

Jennifer Sturdy, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Evaluation at the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Sturdy has been Senior Evaluation Specialist at the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation since 2021. She held several roles at the Millennium Challenge Corporation from 2011 to 2021, including advising Evaluation Policy and Practice, Director of Independent Evaluations, and Associate Director for Monitoring and Evaluation. Sturdy held several roles at the University of California, Berkeley from 2015 to 2018, including Program Director, Advisor and Board Member. She held several positions at the World Bank from 2005 to 2011, including Short-Term Consultant and Extended Term Consultant. Sturdy earned a Master of Arts degree in international development economics from the University of San Francisco. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $161,400. Sturdy is a Democrat.

IN THE NEWS

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

 

California Can’t Wait Coalition Says Additional Workforce Investment Needed to Deliver on Promise of Health Equity CHEAC.org

California Can’t Wait, a coalition of public health officials, local leaders, frontline workers, and health equity advocates, including RCRC, applauded Governor Gavin Newsom for upholding his commitment to dedicate $300M in ongoing dedicated funding to rebuild local and state public health in his FY 22-23 May Revise state budget proposal. Coalition members continue to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to invest in one-time #PublicHERO programs to recruit, retain, educate and train the next generation of public health workers to respond to existing and emerging public health threats as part of final budget negotiations.

 

Back to Greenville: Community rebuilding from the Dixie Fire braces for fire season – KRCR

As fire season approaches, rebuilding efforts continue for the rural community of Greenville, following the 2021 Dixie Fire. Plumas County Supervisor & RCRC Board Delegate Kevin Goss is featured discussing his hopes for the future of Greenville.

 

County Seeks Lithium Valley Infrastructure Funding – Holtville Tribune

Imperial County is working to improve roads and infrastructure in the Valley as state funding related to Lithium Valley becomes available. The Department of Public Works has submitted congressional earmark requests for about $25 million for bridges to support the development of a commercial and industrial corridor between the Lithium Valley area at the southern shores of the Salton Sea and the Gateway of the Americas on border with Mexico.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

 

AB 522   (Fong)   Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.   The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt specific forest management activities, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, and duration, intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. Assembly Bill 522 extends the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to January 1, 2026 to aid forest landowners with wildfire prevention activities.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 5/4/2022-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air quality impacts: environmental justice.   Modifies the California Environmental Quality Act by: 1) Requiring air and water quality impacts to a disadvantaged community to be mitigated in that community; 2) Requiring local agencies to give consideration to the principles of environmental justice by ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/4/2022-Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1078   (Patterson)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts residential buildings damaged or destroyed in a disaster during the 2020 calendar year from having to install solar energy systems under the California Energy Commission’s recently adopted building requirements.   Location: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications   Status: 5/4/2022-Referred to Com. on E., U. & C.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/4/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1249   (Gallagher)   Income taxes: gross income exclusions: wildfires.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 5/18/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

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

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

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.   AB 1608 would remove county authority to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner. The bill appears to require counties with a combined Sheriff-Coroner function to either combine the Coroner with another authorized elected office, transition to a standalone elected Coroner, or replace the Coroner model with a Medical Examiner office.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/17/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA, vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/18/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Flora)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021.   The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/12/2022-Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. 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 1696   (Lee)   Elections: nonpartisan candidates’ party preference.   Current constitutional and statutory law prohibits including the party preference of a candidate for nonpartisan office, defined as any judicial, school, county, or municipal office, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for that office. This bill would require the ballot for the above offices, except for judicial offices, to contain the candidate’s party preference or, if applicable, lack of party preference.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was ELECTIONS on 3/10/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 13. Noes 3.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1749   (Garcia, Cristina)   Community emissions reduction programs: toxic air contaminants and criteria air pollutants.   Prohibits approval or issuance of permits for projects that contribute to an increase in air pollutants or toxic air contaminants in a CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged community unless the agency finds that increased emissions caused by the project (combined with cumulative emissions from other sources) will not cause or contribute to additional negative public health impacts on individuals living and working in that community. Requires the state to identify measures to reduce criteria air pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions in CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged communities.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1757   (Haney)   Groundwater sustainability agency.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/19/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1784   (Smith)   Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014: groundwater sustainability projects: grants and loans.      Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was A. PRINT on 2/3/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1814   (Grayson)   Transportation electrification: community choice aggregators.   Allows community choice aggregators to file applications with the state for approval of programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was U. & E. on 2/18/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1832   (Rivas, Luz)   Waters subject to tidal influence: hard mineral extraction.   Prohibits the State Lands Commission and local trustees of granted public trust lands from granting leases or issuing permits for extraction or removal of hard minerals (not including rock, gravel, sand, silt, and coal) from tidelands and submerged lands.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 5/18/2022-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1851   (Rivas, Robert )   Public works: prevailing wage: hauling.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 3.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1879   (Mathis)   California regional water quality control boards: unfounded or frivolous complaints.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1906   (Stone)   Voluntary stream restoration: property owner liability: indemnification: claims.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 5/18/2022-Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and JUD.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1931   (Rivas, Luz)   Community water systems: lead pipes.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.   AB 1944 would authorize members of local legislative bodies to teleconference from a remote location without making the address of that location public. Additionally, the bill requires that – for those local agencies that elect to use teleconferencing for its legislative body meetings – a video stream is made available to members of the public, including an opportunity to provide public comment via telephone or videoconference option.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/5/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1952   (Gallagher)   Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.    Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act projects funded by the $500 million set aside for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 2/18/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1953   (Maienschein)   Drinking water: accessible water bottle refill stations.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1956   (Mathis)   Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.   Creates a new grant program administered by CalRecycle to fund woody biomass collection and disposal by rural counties with a population of 250,000 or less.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-In committee: Held under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2081   (Garcia, Eduardo)   Municipal water districts: water service: Indian lands.     Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 5/12/2022-From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2201   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.     Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2208   (Kalra)   Fluorescent lamps: sale and distribution: prohibition.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 5/18/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Local government: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was A. B. & F. on 4/20/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/17/2022-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2419   (Bryan)   Environmental justice: federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Justice40 Advisory Committee.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unlicensed cannabis cultivation.   AB 2421 would amend the California State Water Code to provide authority to county counsels and city attorneys to civilly prosecute and enjoin water theft. It would also amend the California Fish and Game Code to authorize county counsels to civilly prosecute and enjoin water pollution. By removing existing limitations on prosecutorial authority, the bill provides more tools for local governments to use against the harmful community impacts of illicit cannabis cultivation as well as the degradation of our water and other natural resources.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   AB 2449 would authorize remote participation in local public meetings if at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a location clearly identified on the agenda that is also open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the local agencies. In order to do so, the local agency must appropriately post agendas, members of the legislative body attending the meeting by teleconference must participate in both audio and video formats, and members of the public must have call-in and internet-based access for attending and participating in the meetings.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 5/5/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2451   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 3.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2454   (Jones-Sawyer)   Public contracts: protests: joint labor-management committee.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2505   (Gray)   Water theft: irrigation districts.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/12/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 65. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2647   (Levine)   Local government: open meetings.   This measure would clarify that writings distributed to the majority of a local legislative body less than 72 hours before a meeting can be posted online to satisfy the Brown Act if physical copies are made available for public inspection at the beginning of the next regular business day at a public office or designated location.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 5/12/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 62. Noes 0.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2677   (Gabriel)   Information Practices Act of 1977.   Would remove the exemption of local agencies from the Act, which deals with the collection, storage, and disclosure of personal information.   Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

ACA 13   (Mathis)   Water infrastructure projects: minimum funding requirement and general obligation bonds.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/7/2022-Referred to Coms. on W.,P., & W. and NAT. RES.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

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

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

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

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

SB 54   (Allen)   Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act.   SB 54 requires manufactures of single-use, disposable packaging and food service ware to ensure that those products sold, distributed, or imported into the state are either recyclable or compostable.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  John (1)

SB 213   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: hospital employees.     Location: Assembly Insurance   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on INS. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on INS.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

SB 463   (Dahle)   Water: landowner or water right holder right to modify, repair, or replace jointly used conduits.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/18/2022-March 22 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-May 19 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 833   (Dodd)   Community Energy Resilience Act of 2022.   Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to develop and implement a grant program for local governments to develop community energy resilience plans.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.   SB 915, which would prohibit the sale of firearms on any state- or county-owned property, including fairgrounds from holding gun shows and, as a result, erode the revenue stream that would be derived from legal gun shows on these premises.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 926   (Dodd)   Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program: Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.     Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. (Amended Text Released 5/20/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 931   (Leyva)   Deterring union membership: violations.   Authorizes PERB claim alleging employer deterred or discouraged union membership, up to $100,000 fine ($1,000 per employee impacted) and attorney’s fees for employee organization.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. (Amended Text Released 5/20/2022)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 938   (Hertzberg)   The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000: protest proceedings: procedural consolidation.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 953   (Min)   Oil and gas leases: state waters: State Lands Commission.   Requires the State Lands Commission to terminate all remaining oil and gas leases under its jurisdiction in tidelands and submerged lands within state waters.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-May 19 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1012   (Glazer)   State parks: open fires.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1013   (Atkins)   Beverage container recycling: reports: electronic submittal: wine and distilled spirits.     Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. (Amended Text Released 5/20/2022)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1044   (Durazo)   Employers: state of emergency or emergency condition: retaliation.   SB 1044 would prohibit an employer from taking or threatening any adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to, or leaving, a workplace because the employee feels unsafe due to a state of emergency or an emergency condition, and (2) permit employees to access their mobile device or other communications device.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. (Amended Text Released 5/20/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.   SB 1100 would clarify the rules around when individuals can be removed for willfully interrupting a meeting.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 5/5/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and JUD.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1127   (Atkins)   Workers’ compensation: liability presumptions.   SB 1127 proposes to shorten the time provided for employers to investigate claims from 90 to 30 days for any claim covered by a presumption statute, and 60 days for all other claims. The bill proposes new and unprecedented penalties all claims covered by presumption statutes up to $100,000.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1186   (Wiener)   Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act.   SB 1186 undermines the intent of MAUCRSA by (1) eliminating a local jurisdiction's ability to prohibit medical cannabis retail activities, regardless of the needs or conditions in the jurisdiction, and (2) restricting the ability for the large number of jurisdictions that permit and regulate cannabis retailers to set appropriate local regulations which are developed in a public process.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/17/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1220   (Hurtado)   Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater sustainability plans.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/6/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was S. N.R. & W. on 3/2/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was E.Q. on 3/2/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/21/2022-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.   SB 1326 would allow the cross jurisdictional import and export to other states, of cannabis and cannabis products by authorizing the Governor to enter into an agreement to provide lawful interstate commerce. SB 1326 requires the agreement to include public health, safety, and labeling standards, a system to regulate and track cannabis items, collection of applicable taxes, and that out of state cannabis items delivered to California be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with California state law.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (May 19). Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1338   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.   SB 1338 reflects Governor Newsom’s vison for creating a new civil court process to reach and treat individuals living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum and psychiatric disorders. These new Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Courts would work with public defenders, county behavioral health, and a new class of trained “supporters” to assist individuals with treatment, medication, and housing. CARE Courts require significant engagement and resources from counties.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 5/19/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 19). Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1426   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water pollution crimes.   Would make it a misdemeanor or felony to plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process more than 50 living cannabis plants, or any part thereof, and where that activity involves theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, digging an unpermitted, illegal well, or the pollution of groundwater, as specified. This bill would also clarify that causing substantial environmental harm to public resources includes groundwater.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 5/19/2022-May 19 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)