The Barbed Wire - September 2, 2022

RCRC’s Rural Rundown and Legislative Wrap Up as 2021-2022 Session Ends

Win a few, lose a few but, overall, most folks were just glad the legislative session is over! The Governor’s last-minute push on a variety of climate and related measures, while not an elegant discussion, generally ended with the measures he was looking for on his desk. Perhaps the “highest drama” surrounded AB 1577, a measure that would allow legislative staff to unionize. During a good bit of back and forth (largely behind the scenes), the measure was ultimately held (failed) in the Assembly policy committee. Hard feelings ensued between members, with legislative staff in attendance walking out as a sign of their discontent. Another “drama point” of the evening was the discussion surrounding the Diablo Canyon power plant and the extension of its life online. Ultimately passing both Houses early in the morning on September 1, visions of electrical supply disruptions à la those that occurred under the watch of Governor Gray Davis were brought to bear, with one member going so far as to note that with Democrats in charge, any failure to keep the lights on would land squarely in their lap. 

The Legislature will return for the start of the 2023-2024 legislative session on January 3, 2023; although, they will also return on December 5, 2022, to swear in new members and address related “housekeeping” matters. In the meantime, several bills are on the Governor’s desk awaiting action. Below is a list of legislation for which RCRC has requested signature or veto by the Governor so far (Go to List). 

In the final hours of the legislative session, the Legislature passed a variety of budget bills and trailer bills, developing details around funding for energy, wildfire, and drought funding. These bills are now headed to the desk of Governor Newsom for consideration, where they are expected to be signed into law. RCRC's Rural Rundown, which includes additional detail as provided by our friends at Hurst Brooks Espinoza, highlights several items of particular note to RCRC member counties. 

The final 2022-23 Budget Package includes several noteworthy items, including: 

• Identifies one-time CARE Court implementation/start-up funding for counties.
• Significant funding was provided for solid waste management and recycling. 
• Major support for energy infrastructure projects. 
• Several broad allocations to the state’s Nature-Based Solutions initiatives, which include the 2021 State Adaptation Strategy, 2022 Scoping Plan, Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean and Water Resilience Portfolio. 
• Robust additional allocations to CAL FIRE for local fire prevention grants and other local fire mitigation assistance, funding for the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program, and important provisions to extend CEQA exemptions for projects on USDA Forest Service lands done under Good Neighbor Authority or stewardship agreements with state or local agencies that have already undergone the NEPA process. 

For RCRC’s Rural Rundown summary of the final 2022-23 Budget Package  see here. 

 

RCRC REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE OR VETO ON LEGISLATION

• Assembly Bill 1078 (Patterson) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Assembly Bill 1642 (Salas) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Assembly Bill 1717 (Aguiar-Curry) — REQUEST FOR VETO 
• Assembly Bill 2374 (Bauer-Kahan) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Assembly Bill 2463 (Lee) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Assembly Bill 2481 (Smith) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Assembly Bill 2514 (Dahle) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE 
• Senate Bill 1326 (Caballero) – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 1326 (Caballero) – Interstate Cannabis Commerce

Last week, RCRC’s sponsored measure related to interstate cannabis commerce, Senate Bill 1326, was approved by the Legislature. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk pending signature.  

Authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), SB 1326, authorizes the State of California to enter into agreements with other states to allow commercial cannabis activity (both medicinal and adult use) between licensed cannabis businesses in each state. The bill requires agreements to include enforceable public health, safety, and labeling standards; a system to regulate and track cannabis items; and requires that items delivered to California must be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with current state law.  

SB 1326 also provides that interstate cannabis agreements under the bill cannot go into effect until there is appropriate assurance that these agreements will not cause conflict between the State of California and the federal government. Lastly, the bill includes mechanisms for legislative involvement and oversight in the development of interstate agreements.  

Many cannabis businesses, particularly in rural producing regions of California, are struggling to survive and market expansion through interstate commerce is part of the solution to stabilize the legal industry and incentivize participation in the regulated market. Without considerable market expansion, California risks the collapse of portions of the legal industry, devastating many rural communities, which could lead to significant expansion of the illicit market and dire economic impacts to local economies. 

Creating a structure to develop lawful interstate agreements now, rather than potentially waiting years for federal legalization, will bolster California’s struggling cannabis industry in a time of near extinction for many small and legacy businesses, while benefiting consumers and medical patients who need access to high-quality cannabis products.   

For more details, read RCRC’s letter to the Governor and Senator Caballero’s press release.  

RCRC urges member counties to submit letters to the Governor electronically, urging his signature on SB 1236.  Letters must be e-mailed to Leg.Unit@gov.ca.gov. For additional information or questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.   

CARE Court Update

As expected, the Governor’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act (SB 1338) was amended for the last time on August 26, before its passage by the Assembly and then final concurrence by the Senate on Wednesday evening. This last round of Assembly floor amendments builds on the prior rounds and addresses many RCRC priority issues. Below is a summary of key amendments contained in the final version of the bill:  

• A list of “cohort one” counties. Prior iterations of the bill identified that a cohort of counties representing half of the state would implement October 2023 and the remaining half in December 2024. The bill now identifies the first cohort of counties as Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and San Francisco. The second cohort will include the remainder of the state. The bill maintains provisions regarding the potential approval of a further implementation delay to December 2025.  

• Clarity on sanctions provisions. After several iterations of language, amendments clarify that funds paid to the state by a sanctioned local government are allocated back to the local government, paying the fine for local expenditure: “All moneys in the fund shall be allocated and distributed to the local government entity that paid the fines, to be used by that entity to serve individuals who have schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders and who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, hospitalization, or conservatorship.”  

• Changes to the judicial authority to sanction local governments. While the last round of amendments placed this authority with the presiding judge of each superior court, final amendments state “the presiding judge or their designee.”  

• County employee liability protection. Amendments specify that a county or county employee/agent shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for any action by a respondent in the CARE process, with the exception of gross negligence.  

• A commitment to allocate funds to implement. The bill includes new language stating, “This part shall become operative only upon the department, in consultation with county stakeholders, developing a CARE Act allocation to provide state financial assistance to counties to implement the care process in this act.” We expect that these conversations will take place throughout the fall as the Administration prepares the Governor’s January Budget for 2023-24.  

In addition, the Budget Bill Junior (AB 179/SB 179) identifies $31 million in one-time implementation/start-up funding for counties for all 58 counties to begin implementation planning/activities and separate additional funds of $26 million for the seven “cohort one” counties previously discussed. The Department of Health Care Services will develop the allocations for funding in consultation with CSAC, RCRC, and UCC.  

While conclusion was reached for the CARE Act with the end of the 2021-22 legislative session, follow-up legislation is already under consideration for next year, to address technical elements requiring more discussion. Between future technical “clean-up” and fiscal negotiations, readers may expect to see CARE Act updates in the future.

More Details Emerge About PG&E Undergrounding Projects and a New Framework for State Approval of Undergrounding Projects

Last year, PG&E announced plans to bury 10,000 miles of overhead powerlines to reduce wildfire risk.  The plan calls for an exponential increase in the pace and scale of its undergrounding work, which is expected to bury 175 miles of lines in 2022 and 400 in 2023. 

There have been scant details about where these undergrounding projects will be located; however, PG&E recently released draft local maps for its 2022-23 projects and where it is considering undergrounding projects for the 2024-26 timeframe. 

RCRC has called upon PG&E to greatly improve its coordination with local governments about these undergrounding projects.  Coordination and consultation can better inform both local government and utility decision-making; provide advanced notice of potential projects; and identify similar or overlapping local government projects within the undergrounding plan implementation horizon in order to reduce expenses, minimize environmental impacts, and avoid future problems and complications. 

In related news, the California Legislature sent Senate Bill 884 (McGuire, D-Healdsburg) to Governor Newsom for consideration.  SB 884 sets up an expedited process for the state to review utility undergrounding projects.  Under the bill, PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E may submit a distribution infrastructure undergrounding plan to the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (OEIS) and Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for an 18-month review process.  The plan will include those undergrounding projects in high fire threat or rebuild areas it plans to perform in the next ten years.  PG&E believes this consolidated and expedited approval process will help reduce its costs of financing these projects, thereby driving down the cost of construction.  Local governments and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the undergrounding plans at both the OEIS and CPUC. 

Finally, the CPUC is soliciting feedback on whether to expand the state’s Rule 20A program to include wildfire and emergency-related powerline undergrounding projects.  The Rule 20A program has historically been used to underground power lines for aesthetic and disability access purposes; however, a recent CPUC decision suspended the allocation of work credits and seeks to transfer unused allocations to communities with active projects.  As part of its inquiry, the CPUC is also seeking input on whether it “or utilities should enhance engagement with local governments to inform utility investments of undergrounding for safety, resilience, or emergency-related purposes.” 

For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocates John Kennedy or Leigh Kammerich. 

RCRC Member County Areas to Benefit from Recently Announced Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding

On Tuesday, August 23rd, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding was announced that will benefit several RCRC member counties. First, the Administration announced investments of more than $65 million to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service improve water quality, roads, trails and fish habitat nationwide. August 26th marked the start of the first round of a $25.5 million investment over five years, through the new Collaborative Aquatic Landscape Restoration Program and more than $40 million for Fiscal Year 2022 projects for the already successful Legacy Roads and Trails Program. The Tahoe, Modoc, and Sierra National Forests are among the recipients for aquatic resiliency projects.

That same day, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla announced that the Department of the Interior will provide nearly $26 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Klamath Basin restoration projects, including nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration projects in the Basin and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery.

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces New Funding Under Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program

On Monday, August 22nd, the U.S Department of Transportation announced five new recipients of funding under the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) program, including an award of 1.5 million for the Resilient SR 37 Program. The Metropolitan Planning Commission will lead a comprehensive effort to address congestion, flood protection, sea-level rising issues and connections to transit and rail options along a 20-mile route of State Route 37 (SR 37), which traverses an area vital to communities in Sonoma and Napa counties.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Career Opportunities

• Alpine County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Alpine County Counsel Services. The county is accepting proposals to retain, by contract, a qualified attorney(s) or law firm for the provision of needed legal services.  View the full RFP here. Closing Date: September 16, 2022 at Noon.

• East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition (ESJWQC) is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the day-to-day agent and executive for the governing Board of Directors. Located in the Central Valley of California, with the administration office in Modesto, California, the ESJWQC desires to find an individual that has experience in administration, managing nonprofits, preparing financial reports, managing issues related to water quality, public affairs, public meetings, and communications. Familiarity and experience with the ILRP, the Central Valley Water Board and the State Water Board is highly preferred. The position will remain open until filled by the ESJWQC Board. For more information and to apply, see here.

• Maxwell Irrigation District (MID), located in Colusa County is in search of a General Manager. The position requires oversight of operations as well as coordination of business activities with local, state and federal agencies for their 6,300 acre CVP Settlement Contract district.  Candidates should be capable of supervising and working with both administrative and operational staff, both in the office and in the field. The Manager reports to, and takes direction from, the MID Board of Directors.  A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management, business administration, irrigation engineering or other related majors is preferred, but experience in lieu of the full educational requirement will be considered.  Base salary will range from $70k and up, dependent upon education and experience.  Those interested in the full job listing and a packet of District information should email a request to kathleen@maxwellirrigationdistrict.com or call 530-438-2773.

• Monterey County is seeking a County Administrative Officer to execute and coordinate the management and administrative policies and directives of the Board as well as directing the activities of the Administrative Office. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here for more information or to apply online. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: 10/7/22

• Placer County is seeking a County Executive Officer to manage and direct the activities of County departments and offices, other than those of the County Counsel and elected department heads; to coordinate the work of all County offices and departments, both elective and appointive; to plan, organize, direct, and review the activities of the County Executive Office; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Board of Supervisors. For more information, or to apply online, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: 9/11/22

• Shasta County invites applications for County Health Officer to maintain primary responsibility for the enforcement of public health laws in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County. For more information or to apply online see here (view brochure) Closing Date:  November 28, 2022, 7:59 am. 

• Sonoma County is seeking a County Administrative Officer to act as an agent for the Board with responsibility for the prompt and efficient administration and execution of all aspects of County government over which the Board exercises control and direction.  For more information, or to apply online, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here. Filing Deadline: 10/5/22

• Yolo County is seeking a Chief Budget Official. Applications must be submitted no later than September 12, 2022. For additional information and a detailed job announcement, see here.

 

California Public Utilities Commission and Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety Hosting Utility Safety Culture Briefings

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety or OEIS) have announced two upcoming public meetings jointly directing Bear Valley Electric Service (San Bernardino County), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to present updates on their electric safety related efforts and answer questions from CPUC and Energy Safety. The purpose of the meeting is to support decision-making activities related to safety policies and practices to promote (and maturate) safety culture at each respective utility. 

These meetings will take place as follows:

• Wednesday, September 14th from 9am to 12:30pm: Bear Valley Electric Service and SCE.
• Thursday, September 22nd from 9am to 12:30pm: SDG&E and PG&E.

To view these briefings, please visit www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc. Public Comments will be accepted at both meetings by calling 1-800-857-1917, passcode 1767567# (or use passcode 3799627# for Spanish).

 

Farm Bill Listening Sessions

CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture), in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, California Natural Resources Agency and Cal EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency), is leading listening sessions with all farm bill stakeholders to inform California’s priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.
 
The 2023 Farm Bill is an opportunity for California farmers and ranchers to influence national agricultural policy to maximize the benefits for all Californians – from farmers and ranchers to consumers.  Although California agriculture traditionally leads the country in production value and sustainable agriculture, we are currently facing a wide range of challenges and your input on farm bill programs and policies is more important than ever.

For more information, farm bill resources, and the option to submit comments online, visit the CDFA website here.

Calendar of Upcoming Listening Sessions
(see flyer here)

Live Only
September 7, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Urban Tilth (North Richmond Farm)
323 Brookside Drive
Richmond, CA 94801

 

Reminder: Counties Must File Secure Rural Schools Election Allocation Paperwork by September 30th

As a reminder, counties must file Secure Rural Schools (SRS) election allocation paperwork by September 30, even if the intent is to keep the percentages as they are. Counties that do not file SRS election allocation paperwork by the deadline will go to the default allocations as laid out under the statute. For more information on SRS election allocations, the USDA training slideshow and webinar recording are available here. 

 

DWR Multi-Lingual Dry Well Public Outreach Material Templates for Counties, Local Agencies to be ‘Well Prepared’

On June 6, 2022, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released two dry well tools to help Californians be Well Prepared for the continuing drought conditions. Counties, local water agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, and well owners should use these tools for drought-related decision-making and local emergency response (for more information, please see resources below). To support counties and local agencies with their outreach and communication with well owners regarding dry well emergency assistance, DWR has developed public outreach material templates that are available for download, local customization, and immediate use.

• The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley has developed outreach materials for the following ten counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Los Angeles Counties.

• For all remaining counties, DWR has developed a downloadable outreach template with instructions for counties and local agencies to customize the template, proactively outreach, and communicate with well owners on how to report dry wells and receive emergency water supply assistance. This template is now available for download in the following additional languages: Spanish outreach template; Punjabi outreach template; Hmong outreach template.

These materials can also be found by clicking the Resources button on DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System website, under the Public Outreach Materials section. Please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov with any questions. To find more information about the State’s Drought Response and Assistance, please visit drought.ca.gov.

 

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.

Los Angeles County, September 12, 2022 – TRAINING AT CAPACITY

 

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.

 

27 California communities to get funding for broadband  – ABC 10

Bob Williams, Tehama County Supervisor and Board Chair of RCRC's affiliate Golden State Finance Authority, is interviewed by ABC 10 regarding the $2.7 million broadband grant award coming to California rural counties.

 

Legislative Proposal for California to Negotiate Cannabis Agreements Passes Legislature – California State Senate, District 12

Last week, RCRC sponsored bill SB 1326 by Senator Anna M. Caballero passed the legislative process and made its way to the Governor for potential signature. Monterey County Supervisor and RCRC Second Vice Chair Chris Lopez is quoted on behalf of RCRC in support of the bill. 

 

California’s water year is nearly over. Here’s where our reservoirs stand amid drought – The Sacramento Bee

With California about to experience perhaps the hottest and driest start to September in its modern history, 16 of the state’s 17 major reservoirs entered the month below their historic average levels — several of them well below average, in another daunting reminder of California’s extraordinary ongoing drought and water concerns.

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: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/29/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/30/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   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 Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/2/2022)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1249   (Gallagher)   Income taxes: gross income exclusions: wildfires.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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 Third Reading   Status: 8/31/2022-Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Pan.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/29/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   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: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 8/29/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 202, Statutes of 2022.   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1778   (Garcia, Cristina)   State transportation funding: freeway projects: poverty and pollution: Department of Transportation.   Would require Caltrans to review highway expansion projects in areas of concern identified by the Healthy Places Index (a non-state generated index of localities affected by certain environmental impacts), and would preclude state funding in areas that fall within the bottom 50th percentile of that index.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was S. TRANS. on 6/1/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1851   (Rivas, Robert )   Public works: prevailing wage: hauling.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1879   (Mathis)   California regional water quality control boards: unfounded or frivolous complaints.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1906   (Stone)   Voluntary stream restoration: property owner liability: indemnification: claims.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1931   (Rivas, Luz)   Community water systems: lead service lines.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/2/2022)    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: Senate Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was S. GOV. & F. on 6/8/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1953   (Maienschein)   Drinking water: accessible water bottle refill stations.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/27/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1985   (Rivas, Robert )   Organic waste: recovered organic waste product procurement targets.   Phases in CalRecycle's SB 1383 local organic waste procurement requirements by requiring local jurisdictions to procure 30% of regulatory targets by 2023, 65% by 2024, and 100% by 2025.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2081   (Garcia, Eduardo)   Municipal water districts: water service: Indian lands.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2201   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   This bill would prohibit a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and classified as medium- or high-priority unless it obtains a written verification, from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable groundwater sustainability plan adopted by that groundwater sustainability agency or an alternate plan approved or under review by the Department of Water Resources.   Location: Assembly Concurrence   Status: 8/30/2022-In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2237   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation improvement plan: sustainable communities strategies: alternative planning strategy: state transportation funding.   This bill would require that those projects and programs included in each regional transportation improvement program also be consistent with the most recently prepared sustainable communities strategy of the regional transportation planning agency or county transportation commission, or, if applicable, the alternative planning strategy, and state and federal air quality standards. The bill would prohibit funds collected from any local transportation tax measure passed on or after January 1, 2023, from being spent until the transportation projects or programs to be funded by the tax measure are included in the most recently adopted sustainable communities strategy of the applicable regional transportation planning agency or county transportation commission or, if applicable, the alternative planning strategy. The bill would presumably extend the requirement that RTPAs and other local non-metropolitan transportation agencies develop a sustainable communities strategy or alternative planning strategy.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was S. TRANS. on 6/16/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (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.   Increases the maximum fine for the dumping of commercial quantities of waste by a business that employs more than 10 employees from $3,000 to $5,000 for the first conviction, from $6,000 to $10,000 for the second conviction, and from $10,000 to $20,000 for the third and any subsequent convictions. Clarifies that the dumping of commercial quantities of waste includes waste dumped on another person's residential property.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/23/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2419   (Bryan)   Environmental justice: federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Justice40 Advisory Committee.   This bill would require a minimum of 40% of funds received by the state under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to be allocated to projects that provide direct benefits to disadvantaged communities as designated by the CalEnviroScreen Tool and a minimum of an additional 10% be allocated for projects that provide direct benefits to low-income households and low-income communities, as provided. The bill would create a California Justice40 Advisory Committee to advise state agencies on administration of the funds.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/2/2022)   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2440   (Irwin)   Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022.   Requires producers of batteries to establish a stewardship program for the collection, transportation, recycling, and management of those products.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 63. Noes 10.).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Enrollment   Status: 8/25/2022-Assembly Rule 77(a) suspended. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 67. Noes 2.).   Position:   Removal of Opposition   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2451   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/8/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2454   (Jones-Sawyer)   Public contracts: protests: joint labor-management committee.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was S. G.O. on 6/8/2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2481   (Smith)   Household hazardous waste: facilities: transportation and acceptance.   Makes several changes to laws related to transportation of household hazardous waste (HHW) and operation of household hazardous waste collection facilities (HHWCFs). AB 2481 is intended to clarify and resolve ambiguities in existing law while reducing administrative and financial burdens on local governments that administer HHWCFs; provide flexibility for operation of local HHWCFs; and facilitate proper disposal of hazardous waste.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/29/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2505   (Gray)   Water theft: irrigation districts.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 6/20/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 23, Statutes of 2022.    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: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/29/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2878   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest Biomass Waste Utilization Program.   Requires the state to undertake various actions to consider and promote the use of biomass energy generation and wood products manufacturing.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/8/2022)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (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 Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was A. H. & C.D. on 5/24/2022)   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 Inactive File   Status: 8/29/2022-Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Kalra.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  John (1)

SB 54   (Allen)   Solid waste: reporting, packaging, and plastic food service ware.   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: Senate Chaptered   Status: 6/30/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 54, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 213   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: hospital employees.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was A. INS. on 5/5/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 396   (Bradford)   Forestry: electrical transmission or distribution lines: clearances: notice and opportunity to be heard.   Exempts electrical utilities from liability for vegetation management activities undertaken to reduce wildfire risk.   Location: Senate Concurrence   Status: 8/31/2022-Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Bradford.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/20/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/25/2022)   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: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/3/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 884   (McGuire)   Electricity: expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding program.   Establishes an expedited process for the state's review and approval of electrical utility undergrounding projects.   Location: Senate Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 31. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Watch   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 Chaptered   Status: 7/21/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 145, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 926   (Dodd)   Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program: Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 8/26/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 29. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   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: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/1/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 89, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1012   (Glazer)   State parks: open fires.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/3/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1013   (Atkins)   Beverage container recycling.   Expands the state's Beverage Container Recycling Program, for which consumers must pay a $0.05 or $0.10/container deposit, to wine and distilled spirits.   Location: Senate Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1044   (Durazo)   Employers: 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 Enrolled   Status: 8/30/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   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: Senate Chaptered   Status: 8/22/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 171, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1109   (Caballero)   California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: bioenergy projects.   Extends SB 901 BioRAM biomass energy facility contracts by an additional five years. Requires any incremental procurement of electricity products from bioenergy resources by a new BioRAM contract or contract extension of 5 years or longer in duration to be from a resource that meets emission limits equivalent to, or more stringent than, the best available retrofit control technology determined at the time of procurement.   Location: Senate Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 34. Noes 2.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 28. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 24. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003: covered battery-embedded products.   Imposes "covered electronic device" fees on battery embedded products at the point of sale to pay for the management and disposal of those products.   Location: Senate Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 31. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.   Prohibits the sale of disposable propane cylinders beginning January 1, 2028.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 8/23/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 12:30 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1266   (Borgeas)   Income taxes: credits: designated wildfire zones.   Provides a tax credit of 50 percent of the amount paid, up to $3,500, for the purchase of a backup power generator ($5,000 for purchase of a solar battery) for use in a residence or by a small business located in a very high fire hazard severity zone.   Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation   Status: 6/20/2022-June 20 hearing: Heard for testimony only.   Position:   Support   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/25/2022-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 28. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   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 Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Neutral   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)