The Barbed Wire - September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023
RCRC 2023 Annual Meeting Highlights Key Issues for Rural Communities
RCRC Urges Electrical Utilities to Improve Demand Forecasting and Distribution Planning to Address System Capacity Challenges
State Issues Strategy to Address California Property Insurance Crisis
ICYMI- Upcoming Webinar: How California's New Single-Use Packaging and Plastic Pollution Prevention Law Will Impact Local Governments
USDA to Begin Using Most Recent Census Data to Determine Eligibility for Rural Development Programs
DOI Announces $328 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects
White House Releases New Technical Assistance Resources to Help Communities Unlock Opportunities from the Investing in America Agenda
RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC 2023 Annual Meeting Highlights Key Issues for Rural Communities

RCRC wishes to thank the participants of the 2023 Annual Meeting, our generous sponsors, and the expert panelists, and our keynote speaker who, together, made this a memorable event. 

This year, over 300 participants, including representatives from RCRC’s 40 member counties, attended the Annual Meeting over three days at the Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay. 

The event featured experts sharing their knowledge on issues pertinent to rural governance. This included engaging panel discussions with specialists in outdoor recreation, rural hospitals, politics, the fentanyl epidemic, and watershed health, as well as a message from California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. 

“The RCRC Annual Meeting is a vital platform for local government leaders to come together, learn from each other’s experiences and exchange innovative ideas," said RCRC Board Chair and Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter. “It is an honor to enjoy the company of so many accomplished speakers, who are experts in their respective fields, generously sharing their expertise and insights.” 

"Hosting RCRC's Annual Meeting here in Monterey County has been an absolute privilege," said RCRC First Vice Chair and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez. "By bringing together rural leaders from across California, this event serves as a driving force for generating solutions to some of the most significant challenges confronting our communities." 

During the annual favorite Auction Dinner and Basket Drawing, generosity poured out as participants raised over $68,000 for select charities in the County of the Chair. 

Mark your calendars for RCRC’s next Annual Meeting scheduled for September 18-20, 2024, in Sonoma County! We hope to see you there. 

RCRC Urges Electrical Utilities to Improve Demand Forecasting and Distribution Planning to Address System Capacity Challenges

On Thursday, RCRC submitted comments to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) urging electrical utilities to improve their demand forecasting methodology and distribution planning to facilitate community growth, economic development, and achievement of the state’s energy goals.

As part of the High Distributed Energy Proceeding (R.21-06-017), the CPUC required electrical utilities to provide information on their demand forecasting methodologies and distribution planning processes.  There have been widespread complaints throughout the state that the electrical grid has been unable to support the timely energization of new homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.  These challenges have been compounded by the increased demand for vehicle charging as the state seeks to electrify the transportation sector.

RCRC suggested improving coordination with local governments and developers so that utilities have a better understanding of future local energy demands.  These efforts will also help plug gaps that exist in the demand forecasts complied by the California Energy Commission.  With more accurate forecasts, utilities can improve distribution planning and ensure that they are able to secure enough funding to meet actual local demand.

RCRC noted that these changes are just one of several avenues that utilities, the state, and local governments must pursue to expedite project delivery timeframes.  Other efforts to reduce the time and complexity involved in state approval of utility transmission and distribution infrastructure have been put forth by the Legislature and are being considered by the CPUC in other proceedings.

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

State Issues Strategy to Address California Property Insurance Crisis

On September 21, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order designed to strengthen California’s property insurance market, as the largest policy providers continue to cease writing new policies in the state. The strategy was accompanied by an announcement from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who introduced the Sustainable Insurance Strategy to improve market conditions for property owners throughout the state.  

The Strategy, touted by the Commissioner’s office as the “largest insurance reform since Proposition 103,” is poised to be a multi-part regulatory plan designed to modernize California’s insurance market by depopulating the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan and improving how rates are established for insurance providers. The Strategy contains many components that were rumored to be part of a last-minute legislative attempt in early September to reform California’s insurance market, including:  

  • Executive action by Commissioner Lara to transition homeowners and businesses from the FAIR Plan back into the normal insurance market with commitments from insurance companies to cover all parts of California by writing no less than 85% of their statewide market share in high wildfire risk communities. For example, if a company writes 20 out of 100 homes statewide, it must write 17 out of 100 homes in a distressed area; 

  • Giving FAIR Plan policyholders who comply with the new Safer from Wildfires regulation first priority for transition to the normal market, thus enhancing the state’s overall wildfire safety efforts; 

  • Expediting the Department’s introduction of new rules for the review of climate catastrophe models that recognize the benefits of wildfire safety and mitigation actions at the state, local, and parcel levels; 

  • Directing the FAIR Plan to further expand commercial coverage to $20 million per building to close insurance gaps for homeowners associations and condominium developments to help meet the state’s housing goals and to provide required coverage to other large businesses in the state; 

  • Holding public meetings exploring incorporating California-only reinsurance costs into rate filings; 

  • Improving rate filing procedures and timelines by enforcing the requirement for insurance companies to submit a complete rate filing, hiring additional Department staff to review rate applications and inform regulatory changes, and enacting intervenor reform to increase transparency and public participation in the process; 

  • Increasing data reporting by the FAIR Plan to the Department, Legislature, and Governor to monitor progress toward reducing its policyholders; and, 

  • Ordering changes to the FAIR Plan to prevent it from going bankrupt in the case of an extraordinary catastrophic event, including building its reserves and financial safeguards. 

The Commissioner and the Department of Insurance expect to have the regulatory package completed by December 2024, after a thorough public review process. RCRC has formed a 7-member Ad Hoc Committee to examine the Strategy and develop policy recommendations to the RCRC Board of Directors by December 2023. For more information, visit the Department of Insurance website. For questions, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton

ICYMI- Upcoming Webinar: How California's New Single-Use Packaging and Plastic Pollution Prevention Law Will Impact Local Governments

On October 4th, join RCRC, Cal Cities, StopWaste, and the California State Association of Counties for a free webinar addressing the seismic shift coming to California’s recycling landscape.

Under SB 54 (Allen, 2022), all single-use plastics and packaging sold in California must be recyclable or compostable by 2032. Producers must reimburse local governments for the costs of collecting and processing these materials. The new law will also raise $5 billion from the plastics industry to help mitigate the impacts of plastic pollution, particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

It's critical that local governments make their voices heard in the upcoming rulemaking process, which is already underway. Join the League of California Cities, StopWaste (a local government agency in Alameda County), and the National Stewardship Action Council for an overview of SB 54 and the next steps in the regulatory process.

This webinar is free for all SB 54 local government stakeholders. Registration is limited to 1,000 people. Learn more.

Webinar Information

Date: Thursday, October 5

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER HERE by Wednesday, Oct. 4.

USDA to Begin Using Most Recent Census Data to Determine Eligibility for Rural Development Programs

On September 28th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced that on Oct. 1, 2023, it will begin using the most recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine program eligibility for Rural Development programs. 

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2024, the agency will use 2020 Decennial Census population data and 2017-2021 American Community Survey (ACS) income data to determine eligibility. The agency previously used 2010 Decennial Census population data and 2006-2010 ACS data.  

Rural Development will also unveil updated online program eligibility maps. The maps will help individuals and organizations applying for Fiscal Year 2024 funding to quickly determine if an area is considered rural and/or eligible for Rural Development programs. The updated maps will be posted to the RD Eligibility Site

The agency will continue to use 2010 census population data and 2006-2010 ACS income data to process complete applications submitted prior to Sept. 30, 2023, if the: 

For application assistance, contact RCRC Policy & Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will.

DOI Announces $328 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects

On September 28th, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced up to $328 million in funding opportunities to help communities address impacts of climate change through water recycling, water storage and desalination projects. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART and Small Storage programs, as well as through annual appropriations, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act

Water Recycling Projects 

Through Reclamation’s Title XVI Program, a total of $239 million is available for water reclamation and reuse projects. Reclamation will provide financial assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Water recycling is an important tool used to stretch limited water supplies. 

Desalination Construction Projects 

Reclamation is making up to $64 million available for desalination construction projects. Desalination projects develop and supplement municipal and irrigation water supplies through the treatment of ocean or brackish water, thereby providing a local supply, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water and increase water management flexibility, making water supplies more reliable. 

Small Water Storage Projects 

Reclamation is making up to $25 million available for small surface water and groundwater storage projects in the 17 Western states, Hawaii and Alaska. Surface water and groundwater storage projects are essential tools in stretching the limited water supplies caused by a changing climate. Funding is available for projects with a water storage capacity between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet that increase surface water or groundwater storage. 

Information on these funding opportunities is available at grants.gov or Reclamation's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage

White House Releases New Technical Assistance Resources to Help Communities Unlock Opportunities from the Investing in America Agenda

This week, the White House released a fact sheet on the Investing in America agenda that invests in infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience. This effort seeks to guide communities toward available funding opportunities and navigate the many resources that are currently available. Resources are broken down by federal and/or state and include hands-on and self-directed resources such as webinars, websites, project planning, and more. The technical assistance guide can be found here.  

For any question regarding the technical assistance or the programs contained within, please contact RCRC Policy & Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

 

Rural Alliance, Inc. Launches Website

Rural Alliance, Inc. (RAI), an affiliate entity of RCRC, has officially launched its website. RAI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established and led by rural county supervisors, with a mission to advance the understanding of issues impacting rural California amongst policymakers and the public. In concert with its mission and through facilitating research and educational opportunities, RAI brings attention to the unique challenges faced by California’s rural communities. As part of this effort, RAI has launched its first website to serve as a platform for showcasing RAI’s projects and to highlight its initiatives. See the full press release here.  

Visit RAI’s website at www.ruralallianceinc.org and stay tuned for future updates about RAI’s efforts to support rural communities.

 

NHF Explores the Role of Non-Profits in Supporting Affordable Homeownership at NAMMBA CONNECT 2023

In mid-September, National Homebuyers Fund, Inc. (NHF) Director of Marketing, Carolyn Sunseri, joined the speaker lineup at the CONNECT 2023 Conference hosted by National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) in Orlando, Florida.  This annual conference brings industry thought leaders, lenders, realtors and other housing partners together with college students and diversity, equity and inclusion specialists to discuss housing trends, develop new strategies and tactics, and make connections to grow careers, businesses and keep attendees on the cusp of what's new in the home lending and finance sector.  Carolyn held a session showcasing the NHF down payment assistance programs increasing homeownership opportunities across the nation. Down payment assistance can help offset intergenerational wealth disadvantages for lower-income families and make homebuying more affordable, particularly for people of color.  

To learn more about NHF’s affordable housing programs, visit www.nhfloan.org.

 

GSFA Broadcasts Video Showcasing 30 Years of History and Accomplishments

At the RCRC Annual Meeting, Golden State Finance Authority’s (GSFA) Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations, Carolyn Sunseri, presented a special video she produced documenting GSFA’s 30-Year history supporting affordable homeownership and economic development in California.  What began as a Joint Powers Authority formed in 1993 by RCRC and representing 18 California Counties, has expanded to now represent 56 counties and over 300 cities in California, and provide financing programs throughout the state. GSFA has provided over $660 million in down payment and closing cost assistance, participated in the financing of over $15.6 Billion in first and second mortgages, over $1 Billion in energy efficiency improvement projects, on 35,000 properties, and advanced homeownership opportunities to more than 86,000 individuals and families in California.  

View the journey as GSFA firmly established their position as a champion for affordable homeownership in California. See how the organization navigated the Great Recession years, expanding to provide energy efficiency financing on residential and commercial properties. And learn about the variety of economic development programs and projects GSFA is involved in today that provide transformative services to local communities.  The full video can be viewed here

For more information about GSFA visit www.gsfahome.org.

 

ESJPA Offers Application Assistance as CalRecycle Announces Local Assistance Grants to Implement SB 1383

CalRecycle has opened the Local Assistance Grant Program to Implement SB 1383. This non-competitive grant program will provide funding to local jurisdictions to assist with the implementation of regulation requirements associated with SB 1383. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, cities and counties, Regional or Joint Powers Authorities, and special districts directly responsible for solid waste collection services.​​ The guidelines for this program may be found on the CalRecycle website here

Eligible projects include the following: 

  • Collection 

  • Edible Food Recovery 

  • Education and outreach (includes organic waste & edible food recovery) 

  • Enforcement and Inspection 

  • Program Evaluation/Gap Analysis 

  • Procurement Requirements (using recycled organic products – compost, mulch, electricity, and/or renewable gas and recycled paper and paper products) 

  • Record Keeping 

Each eligible applicant will receive a base of $75,000, with remaining funds to eligible entities based on per capita calculation using the Department of Finance's January 2023 population statistics. The estimated funding amounts are available here.  

The grant is due November 15, 2023

ESJPA will assist counties in applying and anticipates a joint application through the Joint Powers Authority should counties need it, to relieve the administrative burden. 

Please contact Eric Will at ewill@rcrcnet.org with any questions regarding this program and for application assistance.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CARB to Hold Training Webinar on Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hosting online training webinars on the new Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations. The ACF regulations apply to local government agencies (among others) and affect medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 8,500 pounds, as well as off-road yard tractors. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to submit their questions in advance (by October 11, 2023).

WHAT: Overview of ACF regulations, such as who is affected and upcoming compliance requirements. Fact sheets are available here.

WHEN: October 18, 2023, 9am – noon.

WHERE: Virtual via Zoom, register here.

For more information, please visit CARB’s TruckStop webpage to learn more about heavy-duty vehicle requirements; webinar questions can be directed to zevfleet@arb.ca.gov.

 

Monthly Discussions on Williamson Act Key Topics with the Department of Conservation

Join Department of Conservation staff for a monthly discussion on key topics under the Williamson Act. County staff and members of the public are invited to these hour-long, virtual sessions where staff from DOC’s Division of Land Resource Protection (DLRP) discuss select topics, provide technical assistance, and invite questions on Williamson Act implementation.

Upcoming sessions in 2023 include:

  • October 19th – WA Enrollment Finder
  • November 16th – Open Question Hour

For questions, contact LCA@conservation.ca.gov. For more information, please visit www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/wa.

 

Public Meeting Notice - Stockton Regional SB 905 Public Meeting: Developing the Framework for Governing Agreements

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) in cooperation with the Department of Conservation (DOC), is hosting an in-person meeting related to developing the process surrounding governing agreements requiring two or more tracts of land overlying the same geologic storage reservoir or reservoirs for purposes of managing, developing, and operating a carbon sequestration project. This meeting builds off the kick-off webinar held September 19, 2023.

Date: Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Doors open at 5:30)
Location: County of San Joaquin Robert J Cabral Agricultural Center  
2101 E. Earhart Ave. Suite 100, Stockton, California, 95206
Spanish interpretation will be provided as well as food and activities for children.

REGISTER HERE

The workshop will begin with a presentation on options other states have considered to answer the following questions:
1.    What percentage and what kinds of rights holders should the framework require for a pore space agreement to move forward?
2.    How could the framework ensure transparency and fairness in contracting? 
3.     Who would hold liability for long-term maintenance and safety of the sequestration site under the framework?
4.    How could the framework determine what compensation is fair for parties to the agreement and for parties who did not agree 
5.    How could the framework ensure that neighboring communities benefit from this initiative? 

You will then be invited to select the two topics that you are most interested in discussing in a breakout group, and you will be able to attend both sequentially. Then, participants will return to the plenary to learn the next steps.  The workshop will close with time for open Q&A and public comment.
 
Learn more at: https://resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Transitioning-to-Clean-Energy
 
NOTE: Two additional workshops with the same agenda will be held:

  • October 24, Bakersfield (location TBD)
  • November 2, Virtual by zoom 

 

Applications Open – CA Small Ag Business Drought Relief Grant

The state has opened the application period for the California Small Ag Business Drought Relief Grant program. You can go directly to the application page by clicking on the Apply Here link on the website: agdroughtrelief.org  
Based on the amount of loss in gross receipts or gross profit in 2022 compared to the last normal year of planting in 2019 of at least 30 percent, qualified businesses can receive grants of $60,000 – $100,000 to offset losses related to the drought. Losses must be verified by federal tax returns. Ten percent of the funds are reserved for applicants who file 2022 crop year tax returns in 2024. The grant is open to dryers, mills, ag aircraft, ag suppliers, ag service providers, ag trucking and small or socially disadvantaged farmers with 100 or fewer employees in 2019. 
 

Public Feedback Requested for Development of Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Toolkit

The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network has partnered with the Community Wildfire Planning Center the CA Fire Safe Council on a project seeking public feedback to inform the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Toolkit - a collection of resources and information to support California communities in the creation and implementation of CWPPs. Take the survey here.

 

California Launches Online Tool to Track Wildfire Resilience Projects

The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) has launched the beta version of a first-of-its-kind Interagency Treatment Dashboard that displays the size and location of state and federal forest and landscape resilience projects in California.

The dashboard offers a one-stop-shop to access data, provide transparency, and align the efforts of more than a dozen agencies to build resilient landscapes and communities in California. It reports treatment activities such as prescribed fire, targeted grazing, uneven-aged timber harvest, mechanical and hand fuels reduction, and tree planting. Users can sort treatments by region, county, land ownership and more. 

The dashboard is an important step to increase the pace and scale of statewide actions addressing California’s wildfire crisis and is a key deliverable of the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, issued by the Task Force in January 2021. 

The beta version of the dashboard will continue to be refined to include additional data, including projects by local and tribal entities, along with revisions based on public feedback. An official launch is expected in spring 2024 with more complete data on projects implemented in 2022.

 

Career Opportunities

  • Yolo County is seeking applicants for the position of Chief Financial Officer. The recruitment brochure is available here.  Those interested in this executive recruitment MUST email a letter of interest and resume to Khanida.Hunter@yolocounty.org. This position is open until filled.

 

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.

Kimberly Goncalves, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California Natural Resources Agency. Goncalves has served as a Staff Services Manager at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2008. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,804. Goncalves is a Democrat.

Susan R. Sommercamp, of Rocklin, has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California State Transportation Agency. Sommercamp has been Policy Advisor and Speechwriter to the Secretary at the California State Transportation Agency since 2022. She was Speechwriter to the Director at the California Department of Transportation from 2020 to 2022. Sommercamp held several positions at the California Department of Justice from 2015 to 2020, including Training Officer and Editor in the Office of Professional Development and Associate Governmental Program Analyst in the Bureau of Gambling Control. She was an Associate Governmental Program Analyst at the California Department of Child Support Services from 2014 to 2015. She is a member of Women in Transportation Seminar International. Sommercamp earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University, Long Beach. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,788. She is a Democrat.

Nicholas Speal, of South Lake Tahoe, has been appointed to the Tahoe Transportation District. Speal has been a Software Engineer at Zipline since 2018. He held several roles at 3D Robotics from 2015 to 2017, including Software Engineer and Engineering Project Manager. Speal was a Project Manager at McGill Robotics from 2013 to 2014. He was a Project Manager at McGill LunarEx Robotics from 2011 to 2013. Speal is President of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and a member of the City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Speal 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.

 

Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Democratic icon and longest-serving female senator, dies at 90 – Sacramento Bee

Senator Dianne Feinstein, who made history as California’s longest-serving U.S. senator, died Thursday night at her home in Washington, her office announced Friday.

 

Valley agencies in a race against winter and a fast-approaching state deadline to repair flood damage – SJV Water

San Joaquin Valley water agencies and counties, including RCRC members Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare, are seeking to repair flood-damaged infrastructure before the upcoming El Niño winter and the November 1 expiration of Governor Newsom’s executive order easing levee work permitting and debris cleanup. Tulare County has submitted the largest reimbursement request to FEMA, totaling $110 million, with other counties, water districts and conservation districts, also seeking funds for repair work to minimize damage and ensure public safety.

 

CARE Courts Roll Out Next Week. Here’s What You Should Know. – California County News

Next week, CARE Court launches in seven counties, including RCRC-members Tuolumne and Glenn counties. Formed under the 2022 Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, CARE Court aims to address severe mental illness within the homeless population, by allowing individuals to petition a county-run civil court to create a treatment plan for those living with severe mental illness.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  Amends reporting and transportation project review requirements, under SB 375 (2008), for the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), for project information pertaining to climate and greenhouse gas emissions impacts. Requires MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence. Additionally, the bill requires any project nominated by local or regional transportation agencies for Solutions for Congested Corridors funding to demonstrate how the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state targets.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was TRANS. on 6/14/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: planning: project selection processes.   Requires all transportation projects funded, at least in part, through major state or federal funding programs to incorporate several, specified principles that include improving road safety, conformity with federal streamlined project principles, ADA compliance, water and air quality impacts, climate impacts, and access to disadvantaged communities, among others. Also requires State Transportation Agency to submit a report to the legislature on how all funded projects conform to the requirements of this legislation.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Public utilities: timely service: customer energization.   Seeks to establish clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers. Invests the CPUC with authority to determine what constitutes the timely provision of electrical service and fulfillment of requests to provide additional capacity. Requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand for a given planning cycle more closely matches the actual demand for service. Requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Establishes a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3,700,000 acre-feet by the year 2030 and a total of 4,000,000 acre-feet by the year 2040.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Requires CA Natural Resources Agency to approve the necessary permits for specified storage projects within 180 days from receiving a permit application, and would deem those permits approved if approval does not occur within this time period.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

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

AB 78   (Ward)   Grand juries.   AB 78 makes changes in Section 890 of the Penal Code, which would increase the per diem rate paid to civil and criminal grand juries from the current statutorily required $15 per day to an amount “equal to seventy percent of the county median daily income.” SB 78 lacks a mechanism to cover the additional cost this bill imposes on counties.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 3/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 297   (Fong, Vince)   Wildfires: local assistance grant program: prescribed grazing: advance payments.     Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Fuel reduction work.   This measure would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Extends the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision specifying that a lead agency is not required to evaluate the aesthetic effects of a project and aesthetic effects are not considered significant effects on the environment if the project involves the refurbishment, conversion, repurposing, or replacement of an existing building that meets certain requirements.   Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 7/27/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 116, Statutes of 2023.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 400   (Rubio, Blanca)   Local agency design-build projects: authorization.   Would allow local governments to continue the utilization of existing state law, which allows them to use the Design-Build (DB) procurement process for qualifying public works projects. This bill achieves this by extending the existing January 1, 2025 sunset date to January 1, 2031 on the statutory DB authority.   Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/22/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 201, Statutes of 2023.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sidd (1)

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

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

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   Authorizes State Water Board to issue, on its own motion or upon the petition of an interested party, an interim relief order in appropriate circumstances to implement or enforce these and related provisions of law. The bill would provide that a person or entity that violates any interim relief order issued by the board would be liable to the board for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the sum of $10,000 for each day in which a violation occurs and $5,000 for each acre-foot of water diverted in violation of the interim relief order.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 504   (Reyes)   State and local public employees: labor relations: strikes.   AB 504 would declare the acts of sympathy striking and honoring a picket line a human right. AB 504 would also void provisions in public employer policies or collective bargaining agreements limiting or preventing an employee's right to sympathy strike. AB 504 would grant sympathy strikers greater rights than the employees engaged in a primary strike and override safeguards for essential employees during a sympathy strike to ensure public health and safety services continue.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 531   (Irwin)   The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023.   Would enact the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023 which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $4,680,000,000 to finance grants for the acquisition of capital assets for, and the construction and rehabilitation of, unlocked, voluntary, and community-based treatment settings and residential care settings and also for housing for veterans and others who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and are living with a behavioral health challenge. The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 557   (Hart)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   Absent any legislative intervention, the processes established by AB 361 to provide remote meeting flexibility to local agencies in emergency circumstances will expire at the end of this year. To remain best-equipped to address future emergencies and allow local agencies to effectively react and respond, AB 557 would eliminate the sunset on the emergency remote meeting procedures added to California Government Code section 54953. Additionally, AB 557 would adjust the timeframe for the resolutions passed to renew an agency’s temporary transition to emergency remote meetings to 45 days, up from the previous number of 30 days.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/15/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 606   (Mathis)   California Endangered Species Act: accidental take: farms or ranches.     Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 764   (Bryan)   Local redistricting.   Would make changes to California’s FAIR MAPS Act, as proposed the bill will be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to implement with existing county resources.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Removal of Opposition   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 817   (Pacheco)   Open meetings: teleconferencing: subsidiary body.   AB 817 would provide a narrow exemption under the Ralph M.Brown Act for non-decision-making legislative bodies currently governed by Act, such as advisory bodies and commissions, to participate in two-way virtual teleconferencing without posting physical location of members. In addition, AB 817 would remove barriers to entry for appointed and elected office by allowing non-decision-making legislative bodies to participate virtually as long as they do not have the ability to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or other entitlements.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/5/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(3). (Last location was L. GOV. on 3/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 909   (Hoover)   Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program.   Makes illegally disposed hazardous wastes eligible for funding under the CalRecycle’s illegal dumping grant program.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/19/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 944   (Irwin)   Fire stations: alternative power generation.   Requires fire stations to have an alternative method to provide power generation for at least 96 hours during power outages.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 998   (Connolly)   Biomass energy facilities: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: report.   Requires the Energy Commission to issue a report on the utility-scale biomass combustion facilities still in operation as of January 1, 2024. The report must include an assessment of operational factors of each facility, a comparison of direct combustion compared to other biomass energy technologies, and a recommended strategy, if appropriate, to repower biomass combustion facilities to noncombustion conversion technologies. The report must include recommendations and strategies related to areas where combustion biomass facilities may be shut down or repowered, including strategies related to baseload power generation, processing waste, and job training.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 7/10/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1000   (Reyes)   Qualifying logistics use projects.   Prohibits local governments from approving warehouse development projects located within 1,000 feet of a large variety of sensitive receptors. Imposes new conditions on local approval of warehouse projects between 750-1000 feet of those sensitive receptors, in addition to mitigation measures required under CEQA.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 4/28/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(2). (Last location was L. GOV. on 4/17/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1168   (Bennett)   Emergency medical services (EMS): prehospital EMS.   Would overturn an extensive statutory and case law record that has repeatedly affirmed county responsibility for the administration of emergency medical services and with that, the flexibility to design systems to equitably serve residents throughout their jurisdiction.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1248   (Bryan)   Local redistricting: independent redistricting commissions.   Would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   Requires State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would require that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things. Authorizes State Board to issue a cease and desist order when a diversion or use violates or threatens to violate an applicable limitation or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage. The bill would authorize a person who violates a principle, guideline, or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage to be held liable in an amount not to exceed the sum of $500 for each day that the violation occurs.   Location: Senate Desk   Status: 9/14/2023-Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Held at Desk.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   Authorizes State Water Board to adopt regulations for various water conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, to prevent the waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion of water, and to implement these regulations through orders curtailing the diversion or use of water under any claim of right. The bill would require the board to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing an order. The bill would provide that a person or entity may be civilly liable for a violation pursuant to these provisions in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day in which the violation has occurred and $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted or used in violation of the applicable requirement.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1448   (Wallis)   Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions.   AB 1448 would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process, allow local jurisdictions to utilize statutory penalties and create more collection options.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1484   (Zbur)   Temporary public employees.   While AB 1484 is ostensibly intended to benefit temporary employees of local public agencies, in reality, it will directly harm these employees by severely limiting their future opportunities for temporary employment. This bill would: inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees; and that the wages, hours, plus terms and conditions of employment for both temporary and permanent employees must be bargained together in a single memorandum of understanding. This result is already possible under current law, but only if the temporary and permanent employees have a "community of interest" making such combined treatment appropriate – an important component of fair representation and bargaining that this bill eschews.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.   Expands CalRecycle’s existing solid and organic waste recycling grant program to help local governments get recycled material into the marketplace, find new homes for useful consumer goods, and expand local edible food recovery programs.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   Requires a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency to obtain a written verification from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located determining that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was GOV. & F. on 6/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1616   (Lackey)   California Cannabis Tax Fund: Board of State and Community Corrections grants.   AB 1616 would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to prioritize local governments whose programs seek to address the unlawful cultivation and sale of cannabis when disbursing grants from California Cannabis Tax Fund. The bill would also authorize the board to make grants to local governments that ban both indoor and outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation or ban retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products.   Location: Senate Public Safety   Status: 6/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB S. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 26). Re-referred to Com. on PUB S.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1637   (Irwin)   Local government: internet websites and email addresses.   AB 1637 would require local agencies to secure and utilize their website through a new .gov or .ca.gov domain no later than January 1, 2026. It would also require all employee email addresses to reflect the updated domain within the same time frame. There are no financial resources connected to this bill resulting in an unfunded mandate to counties.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1713   (Gipson)   Local agencies: federal funds: reports.   AB 1713 would require state agencies that receive federal funds subject to an expiration date to submit a written report to the Legislature no later than one year before the funding expiration date with a summary of how funds have been expended, and to provide a plan for the remaining funds to be expended. The bill would also require local agencies to include a similar report on an agenda of a public meeting of their legislative body. Local governments rely on federal funding to provide numerous local services on behalf of the state, much of which is associated with our role as the provider of federal entitlement programs, like Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, etc. Accordingly, local governments seek to maximize federal funding opportunities to provide these necessary services to the residents we serve. Unfortunately, AB 1713 would require local governments to be in a state of perpetual reporting or – in most instances – require duplicative reporting.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/28/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   Authorizes a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would make findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 35   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 39   (Laird)   Sierra Nevada Conservancy: Sierra Nevada Region: subregions: climate resilience and equity.   Revises the definition of "subregion" in the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to better organize the agency's subregions, which is established in the Natural Resources Agency in order to preserve specified lands in the Sierra Nevada region. It also requires the conservancy to focus on efforts that advance climate resilience and equity and also revises certain legislative findings related to the conservancy.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/13/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 70, Statutes of 2023.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 43   (Eggman)   Behavioral health.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 69   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: local agencies: filing of notices of determination or exemption.   Requires local agencies to file California Environmental Quality Act notices with the Office of Planning and Research, in addition to the county clerk, and requires those notices (including any subsequent or amended notice) to be posted both by the county clerk and on the State Clearinghouse website within 24 hours of receipt and for a period of 30 days.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/13/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 75   (Roth)   Courts: judgeships.   SB 75 would authorize 26 new superior court judgeships, subject to appropriation. If funded in the budget, any new judgeships would be allocated to counties in the state in accordance with the Judicial Council's Judicial Needs Assessment.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/13/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 91   (Umberg)   California Environmental Quality Act: supportive and transitional housing: motel conversion: environmental leadership transit projects.   Repeals the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for conversion a motel, hotel, residential hotel, or hostel to supportive or transitional housing.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 326   (Eggman)   The Behavioral Health Services Act.   Would, if approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, would delete the provision that establishes vote requirements to amend the MHSA, requiring all amendments of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to be approved by the voters. The bill would recast the MHSA by, among other things, renaming it the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), expanding it to include treatment of substance use disorders, changing the county planning process, and expanding services for which counties and the state can use funds. The bill would revise the distribution of MHSA moneys, including allocating up to $36,000,000 to the State Department of Health Care Services for behavioral health workforce funding.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 367   (Seyarto)   Farm, ranch, and public lands cleanup and abatement: grant program.   Creates a grant program to facilitate the proper disposal of illegally dumped waste on state and federal lands.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 389   (Allen)   State Water Resources Control Board: investigation of water right.   Authorizes State Water Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Allows State Board to issue an information order to a water right claimant, diverter, or user to provide technical reports or other information related to a diversion and use of water, including, but not limited to, all of the following: the basis of the water right claimed, the patent date claimed for the place of use, the notice date of the appropriation, and information related to the diversions and use of transferred water.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. on 7/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 406   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: financial assistance: residential housing.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act actions of a local agency to provide financial assistance or insurance for the development and construction of low- or moderate-income residential housing.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 9/1/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 150, Statutes of 2023.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 410   (Becker)   Powering Up Californians Act.   Seeks to improve electrical distribution planning, reduce interconnection delays, and ensure that California residents and businesses can timely access new and increased service for general economic growth, housing production, and meeting the state’s decarbonization goals. Charges the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with establishing reasonable average and maximum interconnection time periods.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 418   (Padilla)   California Prison Redevelopment Commission.   Would establish the California Prison Redevelopment Commission and articulate its responsibilities including its composition, with a focus on developing recommendations for repurposing closed state prison facilities.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 525   (Durazo)   Minimum wages: health care workers.   SB 525 proposes to raise the health care minimum wage broadly across the health sector to $25 per hour, including for employees working in county agencies – specifically, county health departments, county mental health departments, county correctional health settings, county hospitals, and county owned and operated clinics. Additionally, SB 525 requires salaried employees to be paid twice the proposed $25/hour minimum wage – creating a new salary base of $104,000 per year.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/26/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 551   (Portantino)   Mental health boards.   Would divert 20% of the prevention and early intervention funds from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSA), to provide direct services on school campuses.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/8/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support If Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 584   (Limón)   Laborforce housing: Short-Term Rental Tax Law.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 6/29/2023-June 28 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 624   (Alvarado-Gil)   Horse racing: state-designated fairs: allocation of revenues: gross receipts for sales and use tax.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation Suspense File   Status: 7/10/2023-July 10 set for first hearing. Placed on REV. & TAX. suspense file. July 10 hearing. Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 642   (Cortese)   Hazardous materials: enforcement: county counsel.   Allows county counsels to enforce provisions of state law related to aboveground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, medical waste, and hazardous materials business plans.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 9/1/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 154, Statutes of 2023.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 751   (Padilla)   Franchise agreements: solid waste handling services: labor dispute.   Prohibits any franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services entered into or amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024 from excusing the service provider from performance in the event of a labor dispute.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 753   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water resources.   Amends Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. This is an RCRC Sponsored Bill.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/20/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 799   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/21/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   Adapts the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. In addition, SB 820 would invest enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity business.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 5/19/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(5). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)