The Barbed Wire - September 30, 2022

Governor Vetoes RCRC-Opposed Prevailing Wage Forest Resilience Bill

Earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1717, authored by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Davis), which would have changed 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 beginning in 2024.  

In his veto message, Governor Newsom expressed concerns that the administrative requirements associated with prevailing wage contracts would delay crucial wildfire mitigation projects necessary to protect vulnerable communities across the state. RCRC opposed AB 1717 throughout the 2022 legislative session due to the onerous burdens and costs that would have been imposed on fuels treatment and forest resilience projects in rural communities that rely on public funds to safeguard residents from the impacts of wildfires and requested a veto once the measure was approved by the Legislature.  

The Governor’s veto message can be viewed here. For more information, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton. 

Governor Signs RCRC-Sponsored Hazardous Waste Bill

On Wednesday, September 28th, Governor Newsom signed RCRC-sponsored Assembly Bill 2481 (Smith, R-Hesperia).  AB 2481 reduces administrative and financial burdens on local governments that administer household hazardous waste collection facilities (HHWCFs), provides flexibility for operation of local HHWCFs, and facilitates proper disposal of hazardous waste.   

This bill provides more flexibility for local governments, residents, and small businesses to properly dispose of hazardous wastes, including allowing friends and family members to take HHW to a HHWCF (provided there is no compensation) when death, illness, or disability precludes a member of the household from doing so.  AB 2481 also simplifies the process for local governments to transport abandoned hazardous wastes to a HHWCF for proper disposal.  Finally, AB 2481 reduces some of the administrative red tape and unnecessary fees related to transporting hazardous waste from one local government HHWCF to another.   

RCRC’s letter sponsoring the bill can be found here.

For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate John Kennedy.

Governor Vetoes Bill Seeking to Help Wildfire Victims Rebuild Homes

On September 22nd, Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 1078 (Patterson, R-Fresno), which sought to exempt post-fire residential rebuilding of homes destroyed in 2020’s devastating fires from the recently-adopted California Energy Commission (CEC) solar energy installation mandates. 

The CEC requires all new residential buildings built after January 1, 2020 to be equipped with solar photovoltaic systems. Since post-fire rebuilding is considered “new construction” and must adhere to the current building standards at the time of rebuilding, this new mandate adds significant costs to the price of rebuilding for homeowners who already lack the resources to rebuild their homes. 

RCRC strongly supported AB 1078 as a way to reduce the burden for fire victims trying to rebuild their homes and lives. RCRC’s letter requesting signature can be found here. 

RCRC was very disappointed with Governor Newsom’s veto and strongly disagrees with his rationale.  Governor Newsom argued that the solar mandate will reduce homeowner costs; however, this ignores the fact that the California Public Utilities Commission is considering consequential changes to the state’s net energy metering program that could see the imposition of new fees between $40-$80/month for solar customers.   

RCRC also strongly disputes the Governor’s assertion that the CEC mandate will undermine the energy resiliency of homes.  Our communities have been hit hard by years of Public Safety Power Shutoff and fast trip outages.  Many homeowners were rudely awakened to learn they would lose power even though they had solar panels on their home, and had to turn to generators to keep their lights and refrigerators running.  Installation of solar panels on homes does nothing to provide resiliency without pairing it with very expensive energy storage systems. 

Unfortunately, Governor Newsom’s veto means that hundreds to thousands of wildfire victims will now have to pay tens of thousands of dollars more to install solar panels on their rebuilds. 

For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate John Kennedy. 

California Expands Beverage Container Recycling Program and Redemption Opportunities

With the signing of Senate Bill 1013 (Atkins, D-San Diego) earlier this week, California significantly expanded the state’s beverage container recycling (bottle bill) program to include wine and distilled spirits.   

For decades, the state’s bottle bill program has required consumers to pay a deposit (currently $0.05 or $0.10 per container) on many types of beverages, including soda, water, juice, and beer.  Wine and distilled spirits have long been excluded from that deposit system - largely because of resistance by the wine and distilled spirits industries. 

The passage of Senate Bill 54 (Allen, D-Santa Monica) earlier this year changed that dynamic.  Under SB 54, single use packaging manufacturers will have to comply with new source reduction, recycled content, and end-of-life management of their products; however, SB 54 exempts single-use packaging subject to the state’s bottle bill law.  This means that adding wine and distilled spirits to the state’s bottle bill program will enable those manufacturers to avoid regulatory obligations under the newer SB 54. 

Under Senate Bill 1013, the deposit for wine and distilled spirits will be $0.05 for containers under 24 ounces, $0.10 for containers over 24 ounces, and $0.25 for wine or distilled spirits contained in a box, bladder, or pouch.  These changes will go into effect on January 1, 2024. 

The bill also makes changes to retailer take-back obligations by allowing dealers to either take containers back in the store or form a dealer cooperative to arrange for the collection of beverage containers for recycling.  This effectively does away with the existing option for dealers to pay a $100/day in-lieu payment to CalRecycle, and should increase the number of real redemption opportunities for consumers.  Furthermore, adding wine and distilled spirits to the program will increase the amount of revenue coming into the program, which will provide additional financial support to recycling centers.   

Finally, the bill contains significant funding to increase glass recycling and the quality of recycled materials. 

SB 1013 was supported by the Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA). ESJPA’s letter of support can be found here. 

For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate John Kennedy. 

RCRC Urges California Energy Commission to Modify Draft Opt-In Renewable Energy Permitting Regulations

On Friday, September 30th, RCRC submitted comments to the California Energy Commission (CEC) on draft emergency regulations creating an opt-in permitting framework for renewable energy and manufacturing facilities. 

AB 205 established an opt-in permitting process at the CEC for renewable energy, transmission, energy storage, and manufacturing projects in lieu of the traditional local permitting process.  Local governments strongly objected to AB 205’s creation of this permitting process.   

The CEC published draft regulations to implement AB 205 and solicited input from stakeholders.  The draft regulations largely conform to the process outlined in AB 205, but require local governments to be included in the applicant’s pre-filing consultation meeting.  RCRC’s comments outline many crucial changes that must be made to ensure notification and engagement of local governments, protection of the environment, mitigation of impacts on host communities, and preservation of commitments made by project proponents.   

Perhaps most troubling, the draft regulations require CEC staff to approve post-approval project modifications unless a very high bar is met.  It is only if those modifications require preparation of a subsequent or supplemental environmental impact report under CEQA that the Commission itself would have discretion to review the modifications.  This is an inappropriately high bar and could be exploited by project developers to walk back the environmental, economic, and cooperative commitments made to local governments, stakeholders, and the state. 

RCRC has suggested the following modifications to the proposed regulations: 

• Expand the universe of permits applicants must disclose in the application. 

• Ensure local review and verification of the project’s purported economic benefits. 

• Authorize staff to request additional information of the applicant. 

• Ensure information requested by responsible, trustee, and local agencies are requested of the applicant. 

• Ensure the legitimacy of community-based organizations and that agreements are enforceable. 

• Provide notices of meetings, workshops, and hearings to local governments and tribes. 

• Modify the highly deferential and constraining post-certification project approval process to ensure environmental protection, mitigate impacts on host communities, and preserve commitments made by project proponents. 

For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate John Kennedy. 

U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Improve Federal Wildfire Response

On Wednesday, September 28th, the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act of 2021 (S. 3092) passed unanimously out of the Senate. The FIRE Act, sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla, will strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) wildfire preparedness and response efforts.  by updating the Stafford Act that governs FEMA—which was written when the agency primarily focused on hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. The bill will improve FEMA’s response to wildfires including by accounting for melted infrastructure and burned trees, as well as begin allowing FEMA to pre-deploy assets during times of highest wildfire risk and red flag warnings. The legislation now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

U.S. Department of the Treasury Launches Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury launched a new portal for the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, a general revenue enhancement program established by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) in 2021.

The Treasury Department has been working with Congress and stakeholders since the passage of the ARP to establish rules and guidelines for launching the program, which has been particularly problematic because the original legislation was intentionally vague in order to pass the Senate reconciliation rules.  RCRC has been engaged in discussions with Treasury and with Congress this past year to ensure that the guidelines meet the original intent of the funds, namely to aid rural and public lands impacted communities 

The Fund includes $750 million to pay to eligible revenue sharing counties and $250 million to pay to eligible tribal governments for each of the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years for use on any governmental purpose except lobbying. Eligible revenue sharing counties are defined as any county, parish, or borough:

1. That is independent of any other unit of local government; and 

2. That is the principal provider of government services for the area within its jurisdiction; and 

3. For which there is a negative revenue impact due to implementation of a Federal program or changes to such program. 
    

The portal includes information on fund allocations for eligible counties and instructions on how to request funding, as well as guidance on recipient compliance and reporting and more details on eligible use of funds. For full details on the Fund, including to find out if your county is eligible and to request funding, visit the U.S. Department of Treasury portal.  

RCRC will continue to monitor the program and its implementation and, if necessary, work to further refine language on the second round of funding, which is to be released in 2023.   

USDA Rural Development Makes $500 Million Available to Increase Innovative American-Made Fertilizer Production

On Tuesday, September 27th, Us. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $500 million in grants through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). The new grant program is part of a whole-of-government effort to promote competition in agricultural markets. Grants will be used to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers. Funds also will expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives in the U.S. and its territories. The application period begins Friday, September 30, 2022. 

There are two opportunities for submission. Applications submitted in the first window must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 14, 2022. The second window closes at 11:59p.m. Eastern Time on December 29, 2022. Applications received after December 29, 2022 will not be considered for funding. Applications must be filed through  www.grants.gov. 

For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development website here.  

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

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

GSFA/NHF Presents at CONNECT 2022 National Conference

Carolyn Sunseri, Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations for National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) and Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), spoke at the CONNECT 2022 national conference for the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) in mid-September regarding the important role that non-profit and local housing finance entities play in supporting affordable housing. This included an emphasis on how providing down payment assistance is one solution to help offset intergenerational wealth disadvantages for lower-income families and make homebuying more affordable, particularly for people of color.

CONNECT 2022 is an annual multi-day national conference hosted by NAMMBA that provides educational and networking opportunities to professionals in the real estate and finance industry.

Update on ESJPA’s Organics Recycling Advocacy and Business Plan Development

The Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) continues providing solid waste and recycling advocacy, technical support and grant assistance to its twenty-six member counties in a variety of ways. Most recently, ESJPA provided testimony and comments to the Little Hoover Commission on the challenges in rural communities to implement California’s organics recycling programs to help inform the Commission’s developing report to the Administration and Legislature. ESJPA member jurisdictions have also provided input to the Commission to help inform the report and ensure the unique challenges present in rural jurisdictions are amplified.

ESJPA will hold its next Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2022 where the Board will consider approval of a 2023-2025 business plan to serve as a blueprint to expand and augment the ESJPA’s work in the next few years. ESJPA will also be launching a brand new, modern website in concert with the initiation of the business plan by the beginning of 2023. For more information on ESJPA, contact Staci Heaton, ESJPA Deputy Executive Director, at sheaton@rcrcnet.org.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

GO-Biz Announces Cannabis Equity Grants Available for Eligible Local Jurisdictions

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced $15 million is available in FY 2022-23 for eligible cities and counties to promote equity and eliminate barriers to populations and communities that were disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. Local jurisdictions can be awarded up to $75,000 for assistance on cannabis equity program development, or up to $5 million for cannabis equity program applicants and licensees to gain entry to the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace. Grant applications must be received by December 14, 2022 and will be awarded no later than March 31, 2022. For more information on this grant and how to apply, see here.

2022 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program Opening in October

California Fire Safe Council (CFSC), in partnership with CAL FIRE, is pleased to announce the opening of the 2022 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program application. The application will be open from October 3rd, 2022, through November 15th, 2022.

The objective of the 2022 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Statewide Grant Program is to educate, encourage, and develop county-wide collaboration and coordination among various wildfire mitigation groups. Up to 21 counties will receive a one-time grant of $175,000 to be used to cover administrative costs relevant to county-wide coordination efforts, including but not limited to the salary, support, and administrative costs for a designated County Coordinator.

Eligibility:

The 2022 Statewide County Coordinator Grant Program application is intended for the remaining counties who did not receive funding as part of the 2021-2022 Northern or Southern Region County Coordinator Grant Program. To apply, counties must be the starting point and invested in the scope and goals of the project. However, counties may choose to direct the application process and funds to the non-profit or public agency that they feel are best equipped to execute the project. Local fire mitigation groups are not eligible to apply unless their county designates them as the primary applicant and provides a letter of support. Only one application per county will be accepted.

To Apply: 

Applications open October 3rd, 2022. Visit the California FireSafe Council website here to learn more. Applications will not be available for viewing until October 3rd, 2022. Applications will close on November 15th, 2022, at 11:59PM PST.

View the 2022 County Coordinator Statewide Grant Opportunity Announcement in its entirety here.

This grant program and publication are funded in full by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) as part of the California Climate Investments Program.
 

California Energy Storage Alliance Safety Series 

The California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA) is excited to announce the Energy Storage Safety Series looking to advance safe installation of energy storage devices in California and across the Western US.  

The first Roundtable on October 12th, "Staying Current, How do we create and maintain safety as energy storage technology evolves?", will be discussing the challenges of standards and codes keeping up with evolving energy storage technologies as well as best practices in managing these transitions. This event is being held in conjunction with CESA’s Business Development Forum.

Date: October 12, 2022 
Time: 12:00-3:00 PM PT 
Location: River Terrace Inn, Napa, CA 
Lunch will be provided. 

Panelists: 

• Charles Picard, Senior Engineer of Energy Products, Tesla

• Katherine Balanza, Director of HSE, esVolta 

• Jignesh Maun, Deputy Fire Marshal, Santa Clara Fire Department 

• Mark Neuburger, Legislative Representative in Housing, Land Use and Transportation, California State Association of Counties 

Register for the October Roundtable here

Save the Date: Drought to Flood – Building Resilience for California’s Climate Extremes 

Save the date, Monday, October 17th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, for an event hosted by the California Department of Water Resources, “Drought to Flood: Building Resilience for California’s Climate Extremes”  

The event will feature the latest data about climate extremes and the increased risk of drought and floods; actions to take now that can help prepare for inevitable weather extremes; discussions about developing flood management equity; and insights about meeting funding needs now and in the future. 

Location
In Person: California Natural Resources Agency (715 P Street, Sacramento)
Virtual also available

Register to attend in-person or virtually here.

Career Opportunities

• State Water Resources Control Board is currently accepting applications for two positions, open through October 31, 2022:

  • Delta Watermaster. The job posting is available here.

  • Presiding Administrative Hearing Officer. The job posting is available here. 

• 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.

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.

Next Training: Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte and Lake Counties, October 14, 2022

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.

Tani Cantil-Sakauye, currently Chief Justice of California, has been unanimously appointed by the Board of Directors of the Public Policy Institute of California to serve as the next President and CEO of the organization. Cantil-Sakauye will assume her new role on January 1, 2023. 

IN THE NEWS

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

Governor Newsom signs bill addressing state's wild pig problem – Almanac News

RCRC Second Vice Chair and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez is quoted in this article announcing the Governor’s signing of Senate Bill 856. This bill by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) seeks to mitigate the danger and damage posed by the growing wild pig population in California by loosening certain hunting regulations and fees.

PG&E Requests to Sell Minority Interest in New Subsidiary to Hold Non-Nuclear Generation Assets, Proceeds Invested into PG&E System – PGE Currents

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has formed a subsidiary company, Pacific Generation LLC, to own its non-nuclear power generation assets. 

How Yolo County leaders are transforming their landfill process – KCRA3

Leaders with the Yolo County Central Landfill are making progress towards reducing methane emissions and turning those emissions into renewable energy through the grand opening on Wednesday of a new facility that will quadruple the landfill’s capacity for organic waste processing.

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 Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 491, Statutes of 2022.   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 Vetoed   Status: 9/22/2022-Vetoed by Governor.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was THIRD READING on 8/11/2022)   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/30/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Vetoed   Status: 9/28/2022-Vetoed by Governor.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1879   (Mathis)   California regional water quality control boards: unfounded or frivolous complaints.     Location: Assembly Vetoed   Status: 9/13/2022-Vetoed by Governor.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1906   (Stone)   Voluntary stream restoration: property owner liability: indemnification: claims.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/15/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 325, Statutes of 2022.    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 Chaptered   Status: 9/16/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 344, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2081   (Garcia, Eduardo)   Municipal water districts: water service: Indian lands.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 480, Statutes of 2022.    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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was CONCURRENCE on 8/30/2022)   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/16/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 351, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/13/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 285, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 499, Statutes of 2022.   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 Vetoed   Status: 9/19/2022-Vetoed by Governor.   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was L. GOV. on 4/22/2021)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

ACA 13   (Mathis)   Water infrastructure projects: minimum funding requirement and general obligation bonds.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was W.,P. & W. on 4/7/2022)    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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 8/25/2021)   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 8/29/2022)   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 75, 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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was CONCURRENCE on 8/4/2022)   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/27/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 606, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 931   (Leyva)   Deterring union membership: violations.   Authorizes PERB claim alleging employer deterred or discouraged union membership, up to $100,000 fine ($1,000 per employee impacted) and attorney’s fees for employee organization.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/27/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 610, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/16/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 364, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/29/2022-Signed by the Governor   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/18/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 395, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/16/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 370, Statutes of 2022.   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 Vetoed   Status: 9/29/2022-Vetoed by the Governor   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was REV. & TAX on 6/2/2022)   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/18/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 396, Statutes of 2022.   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 Chaptered   Status: 9/14/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 319, Statutes of 2022.   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(18). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/16/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)