The Barbed Wire - September 8, 2023

September 8, 2023
RCRC Member Counties Testify at CPUC Hearing on Service Quality
Senate and Assembly Appropriations Suspense Files
San Benito County among recipients of $1M in Federal Funding Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
$1.5 Million Of Federal Funding For Communicare Health Centers
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Meet RCRC’s Registration Sponsor Anthem
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC Member Counties Testify at CPUC Hearing on Service Quality

On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held a meeting to discuss service quality and reliability of voice service throughout the state. Specifically, the Commission provided the in-person and virtual public forum for Service Providers, Consumer Advocates and Local and Tribal governments to respond to changes to voice service quality metrics and enforcement measures proposed by CPUC staff in the General Order 133-D proceeding. Panelists included Lake County Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, Lake County Deputy County Administrative Officer, Mathew Rothstein, Inyo County Broadband Regional Coordinator, Scott Armstrong, and Modoc County’s Assistant County Administrative Officer, Tiffany Martinez. Rural county representatives discussed the challenges and real-life impacts of having unreliable telephone service, especially in areas prone to natural disasters.  

General Order 133-D establishes uniform minimum standards of service to be observed in the operation of public utility telephone corporations when providing voice services, both wireline and wireless. Additionally, these rules set forth CPUC enforcement mechanisms when those standards are not met. The CPUC is reviewing the efficacy of the existing standards, metrics and enforcement measures through the current proceeding (R. 22-03-016), in addition to adding broadband services to the General Order. 

Public comments are accepted through the proceeding’s docket on a rolling basis. To submit public comments on this proceeding, use this link.  For more information, please contact Tracy Rhine, Senior Policy Advocate, at trhine@rcrcnet.org

Senate and Assembly Appropriations Suspense Files

Friday, September 1, 2023, marked the last day for fiscal committees to meet and either pass or hold fiscal bills which had been placed on the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees’ Suspense Files this legislative year.  Several hundred bills were placed on the respective Suspense Files and dispatched; either to proceed forward or held. The following are of particular interest to RCRC: 

 

Bills Held in Appropriations Committees 

Assembly Bill 388 (Connolly) would have enabled the departments under the California Natural Resources Agency to directly award regional block grants to eligible regional entities, forest collaboratives, and partnerships to implement regional plans, strategies, agreements, and initiatives, and would have established guidance for the framework for such regional plans. (Policy Lead: Staci Heaton) 

Assembly Bill 998 (Connolly) would have required the state to prepare a report on utility-scale biomass combustion facilities, including the capacity of those facilities to process forest biomass, the role they play in achieving the state’s forest health and wildfire risk reduction objectives, and ways to maximize the environmental benefits of those facilities.  RCRC supported the measure. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Assembly Bill 1713 (Gipson) AB 1713 would require local agencies that receive federal funds subject to an expiration date to submit a written report to its legislative body no later than one year after the funding expiration date with an enumeration of the amount of funds returned, a summary of the reasons the funds were returned, and an analysis of policy or operational changes required to ensure that relevant funds are spent timely in the future. RCRC is in opposition of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 310 (Dodd) would have expanded exemptions granted for prescribed burns conducted by federally recognized tribes. 

Senate Bill 367 (Seyarto) would have expanded the state’s Farm and Ranch cleanup program to fund the cleanup and abatement of illegally dumped solid waste on lands owned by the state or federal government.  RCRC supported the measure. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Senate Bill 508 (Laird) which streamlines the State’s review and approval of cannabis licenses when a local jurisdiction completes certain types of environmental review. RCRC is in support of this measure (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

 

Bills Passed in Appropriations Committees 

Assembly Bill 50 (Wood) makes several interrelated changes to expedite the timely delivery of service by electrical utilities, including improving utility planning and information sharing to facilitate systematic reductions in the time it takes to meet requests for new or increased levels of service from customers.  RCRC supports the measure. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Assembly Bill 297 (Fong) would extend the ability of CAL FIRE to make advance payments on grants for fire prevention and home hardening education activities through its local assistance grant program through January 1, 2034. The bill was recently amended to harmonize with prescribed grazing provisions in Senate Bill 675 (Limón). RCRC is in support of this measure. (Policy Lead: Staci Heaton) 

Assembly Bill 338 (Aguiar-Curry) would expand the definition of “public works” to include fuel reduction work done on contract and paid for in whole or part by public funds, thereby requiring prevailing wage be paid for community fuels treatment and forest resilience projects.  The bill includes a 1-year implementation delay (2 years for nonprofits) and a full exemption on tribal lands. This bill passed the Legislature in 2022 as Assembly Bill 1717 but was vetoed by Governor Newsom. RCRC is in opposition to this measure. (Policy Lead: Staci Heaton) 

Assembly Bill 504 (Reyes) makes sympathy striking and honoring a strike line a human right for public employees. Extending the right to sympathy strike to all public sector employees would upend the bargaining process and undermine the ability of government agencies to provide certain services during a strike.  RCRC is in opposition of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett)  

Assembly Bill 505 (Ting) seeks to take necessary authority and integral funding away from county probation departments. Amendments taken in Senate Appropriations on 9/1/23 fail to address the significant concerns raised by counties and county partners, and to the contrary, give rise to even further ambiguity regarding the delinking of authority and funding from the county entities who continue to bear responsibility for the important and necessary work associated with carrying out DJJ realignment. RCRC is in opposition of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 557 (Hart) makes changes related to emergency remote meeting procedures under the Ralph M. Brown Act established in Assembly Bill 361 (R. Rivas, 2021). 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. RCRC is in support of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 764 (Bryan) would make a number of changes to California’s FAIR MAPS Act which impact county responsibilities during redistricting. Amendments were taken in the Appropriations Committee to address county concerns. RCRC has removed opposition to this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 1115 (Papan) extends operation of the state’s Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund until January 1, 2036. This program pays for removal and remediation of leaking underground storage tanks, including those owned by local governments, businesses, and private property owners. RCRC is supporting the measure. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Assembly Bill 1248 (Bryan) which would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process. AB 1248 does not provide the necessary resources for counties to execute a successful independent redistricting commission process. RCRC is in opposed unless amended to this measure (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 1448 (Wallis) incentivizes local jurisdictions to use the statutory penalties for unlicensed cannabis activities by revising Business and Professions Code 26038 to allow a 50/50 state-local split of the statutory penalties recovered in actions brought by local jurisdictions, as originally enacted by the Legislature in the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA). RCRC is the SPONSOR of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 1484 (Zbur) inflexibly mandates that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees. AB 1484 includes requirements that will be difficult, if not impossible, for public employers to fulfill, including provisions that conflict with existing law for permanent employees. RCRC is in opposition to this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Assembly Bill 1548 (Hart) 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.  RCRC is sponsoring the measure. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Assembly Bill 1637 (Irwin) would require cities and counties to secure and migrate to a new .gov or .ca.gov domain along with all corresponding email addresses.  AB 1637 will impose significant costs to local agencies, particularly during a period of economic decline—creating pressures against existing programs and activities. RCRC is in opposition to this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 43 (Eggman) which expands the definition of "gravely disabled" under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act and modifies hearsay evidentiary standards for conservatorship hearings. RCRC has a position of concern. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 75 (Roth) 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. RCRC is in support of this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 326 (Eggman) which reflects the Governor’s revised proposal to significantly reform the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and makes additional changes beyond the MHSA to the behavioral health system more broadly. Counties have significant concerns that will impact counties ability to implement this measure. RCRC has a position of concern. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 525 (Durazo) would require implementation to begin next year, raising wages by $5.50/hour from the current minimum wage of $15.50/hour, and then increasing by $9.50/hour on June 1, 2025. SB 525 would also require the salaries of full-time/exempt employees to be no less than 150% of the health care worker minimum wage for full-time employment, effectively creating a new salary base of approximately $78,000 per year. RCRC is in opposition to this measure (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 623 (Laird) which is a substantial expansion of California’s current workers’ compensation presumption for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to public safety dispatchers and communications workers. There is no evidence that normal operation of our workers’ compensation system is failing to provide benefits or that setting aside employer protections in favor of a presumption is warranted. RCRC is in opposition to this measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett) 

Senate Bill 675 (Limón): SB 675 requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to develop a strategic action plan to expand the use of prescribed grazing, as well as requires the Range Management Advisory Committee to develop guidance for local and regional prescribed grazing plans. RCRC is in support of this measure. (Policy Lead: Staci Heaton) 

Senate Bill 751 (Padilla) prohibits any franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services entered into or substantially 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. RCRC is neutral on the measure but helped refine its contents to protect local authority. (Policy Lead: John Kennedy) 

Senate Bill 799 (Portantino) allows striking workers to draw employer-funded unemployment benefits after two weeks of strike action. California’s UI Fund was exhausted during the COVID-19 pandemic and has a deficit of $18.6 billion owed to the Federal government. If SB 799 were to become law, we anticipate longer lengths of impasse, higher costs associated with protracted Public Employee Relations Broad (PERB) proceedings, and a decline in the quality of public services. RCRC is in opposition to the measure. (Policy Lead: Sarah Dukett)  

Please contact the RCRC Government Affairs staff at (916) 447-4806 with any questions.

San Benito County among recipients of $1M in Federal Funding Climate Change Mitigation Efforts

On August 30th, U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) announced a $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shared between San Benito and Santa Clara counties. The grant, sourced from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, will bolster the counties' strategies to diminish greenhouse gas emissions. The CPRG program offers grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories for the development and execution of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. The full list of planning grant awards is available here

$1.5 Million Of Federal Funding For Communicare Health Centers

On September 6th, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D- Sacramento) announced federal funding of $1.5 million for the enhancement of CommuniCare Health Centers' electronic health record (EHR) system, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Yolo County. Through the FQHC, Yolo County residents are offered a range of health services. The $1.5 million allocation will facilitate improvements to this contemporary tool for efficient information transfer, enhancing communication between providers and patients, and elevating patient outcomes. The funds will aid CommuniCare in adopting the Epic EHR system, popular in the region.  

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Meet RCRC’s Registration Sponsor Anthem

Anthem has been serving the health insurance needs of California residents since 1937. Today, Anthem provides health care services to millions of members in California, including a broad network of providers. Watch this brief video to learn more and be sure to connect with Anthem at RCRC’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Monterey County. For more information, visit https://www.anthem.com/ca.  

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CalRecycle Request for Data Regarding Potential Implementation Costs of SB 54

On June 28-29, 2023, CalRecycle hosted informal rulemaking workshops that included a description of the Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (SRIA) being performed in support of the SB 54 rulemaking, as well as a general description of the data needs for that analysis.  As part of our continued efforts to ensure the analysis is as robust as possible, we are seeking additional data sources to supplement those we are currently utilizing in the analysis.  This document provides an outline of the type of data CalRecycle is requesting to determine potential cost of SB 54 implementation over the implementation period.  If you have access to, or are aware of others who might have access to, data sources that would help us better project these costs, please contact us via email at packaging@calrecycle.ca.gov.  Include "SB 54 SRIA Data Needs" in the subject line to assist CalRecycle in identifying your offer to help with data. In order to allow sufficient time to review and incorporate new data sources in the analysis, please email no later than September 12, 2023.

 

RCRC to Host Pre-Annual Meeting Economic Development Forum September 19th

RCRC is hosting an Economic Development Forum in Monterey County on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the day before the start of the RCRC Annual Meeting. The Forum will take place at the RCRC Annual Meeting conference hotel, the Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The event is free of charge and lunch will be provided. This is an in-person event only; a virtual option will not be provided.  

Speakers from federal and state agencies will discuss programs that can strengthen communities in RCRC member counties. Additionally, representatives from Golden State Connect Authority partner, Tilson Technology, will address the many benefits of reliable, quality broadband to local governments and their residents and businesses.  RCRC staff from the Economic Development and Business Development Teams will also introduce programs from RCRC-affiliate Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) that can benefit employees, residents, and (infrastructure and community facility) projects in RCRC member counties. The agenda is available here

Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Location: Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay (in person only; no virtual option) 

RSVP to Julie Lunn at jlunn@rcrcnet.org

 

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.

 

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:

  • September 21st – Solar Use & WA Contracts
  • 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.

 

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.

 

Michael S. Hartley, of Madera, has been reappointed to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, where he has served since 2020. Hartley has been President of Bedrock Engineering Inc. since 2008. He was Survey Manager at Michael Sutherland and Associates from 1991 to 2008. Hartley is a board member of the American Council of Engineering Companies and a corporate member of the California Land Surveyors Association. He is a member of the California State University, Fresno GME Advisory Council and the Geomatics Engineering Foundation. Hartley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying Engineering from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hartley is a Republican.

Lisa Lien-Mager, of Davis, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildfire Resilience at the California Natural Resources Agency. Lien-Mager has served as Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2021 and as Deputy Secretary for Communications there since 2017. She was Director of Communications at the Association of California Water Agencies from 2012 to 2017 and Communications Supervisor there from 2008 to 2012. Lien-Mager earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $186,000. Lien-Mager is a Democrat.

Stephanie Weaver, of Yountville, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, West Los Angeles. Weaver has served as Deputy Administrator at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville since 2019. She was Senior Director of SAFE Veterans and Director of Treatment and Recovery for the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic Project in 2019. Weaver served in several positions at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration from 2014 to 2017, including Team Lead, Budget Team and Public Health Advisor - Military Affairs. She was National Guard Liaison to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the National Guard Bureau from 2014 to 2015. Weaver served at the rank of E-8 in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1996 to 2014 and at the rank of E-2 there from 1992 to 1993. She served at the rank of E-4 in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1996. Weaver earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Baltimore. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $168,828. Weaver is a Democrat.  

IN THE NEWS

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

 

California home insurance crisis: Another major insurer pulls back – San Francisco Chronicle

United Services Automobile Association Group (USAA) outlined restrictions for new California property insurance policies that will take effect next March in a filing to the California Department of Insurance.

 

Robert Rivas wants to use small-town charm to build political power in California – Los Angeles Times

Robert Rivas is the first Assembly speaker in a generation to represent a rural district — and the first from San Benito County, a small Central California county with a quirky record as the state’s political bellwether.

 

California farmers urge one-dam solution for Colorado River – Los Angeles Times

As climate change increases the strains on the river, the idea of letting water pass around Glen Canyon Dam and draining the giant Lake Powell reservoir, is receiving support from some surprising new allies: influential farmers in California’s Imperial Valley.

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 Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Public utilities: timely service: customer energization.   Seeks to establish clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers. Invests the CPUC with authority to determine what constitutes the timely provision of electrical service and fulfillment of requests to provide additional capacity. Requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand for a given planning cycle more closely matches the actual demand for service. Requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/6/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   This measure would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Extends the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision specifying that a lead agency is not required to evaluate the aesthetic effects of a project and aesthetic effects are not considered significant effects on the environment if the project involves the refurbishment, conversion, repurposing, or replacement of an existing building that meets certain requirements.   Location: 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 Enrolled   Status: 9/5/2023-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   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 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: Senate Second Reading   Status: 9/7/2023-Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/6/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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 Concurrence   Status: 9/7/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.). In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after September 9 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 606   (Mathis)   California Endangered Species Act: accidental take: farms or ranches.     Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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: Senate Second Reading   Status: 9/7/2023-Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   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 Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1248   (Bryan)   Local redistricting: independent redistricting commissions.   Would require counties with populations of 300,000 or above to create an independent redistricting commission for the 2030 redistricting process.   Location: Senate Second Reading   Status: 9/7/2023-Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   Requires State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would require that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things. Authorizes State Board to issue a cease and desist order when a diversion or use violates or threatens to violate an applicable limitation or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage. The bill would authorize a person who violates a principle, guideline, or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage to be held liable in an amount not to exceed the sum of $500 for each day that the violation occurs.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   Authorizes State Water Board to adopt regulations for various water conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, to prevent the waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion of water, and to implement these regulations through orders curtailing the diversion or use of water under any claim of right. The bill would require the board to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing an order. The bill would provide that a person or entity may be civilly liable for a violation pursuant to these provisions in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day in which the violation has occurred and $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted or used in violation of the applicable requirement.   Location: 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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1484   (Zbur)   Temporary public employees.   While AB 1484 is ostensibly intended to benefit temporary employees of local public agencies, in reality, it will directly harm these employees by severely limiting their future opportunities for temporary employment. This bill would: inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees; and that the wages, hours, plus terms and conditions of employment for both temporary and permanent employees must be bargained together in a single memorandum of understanding. This result is already possible under current law, but only if the temporary and permanent employees have a "community of interest" making such combined treatment appropriate – an important component of fair representation and bargaining that this bill eschews.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.   Expands CalRecycle’s existing solid and organic waste recycling grant program to help local governments get recycled material into the marketplace, find new homes for useful consumer goods, and expand local edible food recovery programs.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   Requires a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency to obtain a written verification from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located determining that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program.   Location: 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: Senate Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 9/7/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (September 7). (Amended Text Released 9/08/2023)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 39   (Laird)   Sierra Nevada Conservancy: Sierra Nevada Region: subregions: climate resilience and equity.     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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/6/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. (Amended Text Released 9/8/2023)   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 Enrollment   Status: 9/7/2023-Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   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 Enrollment   Status: 9/7/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   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 Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Action rescinded whereby bill was read third time, passed, and ordered to the Senate. (Amended Text Released 9/8/2023)   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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/6/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. (Amended Text Released 9/8/2023)   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.   Authorize State Water Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Allows State Board to issue an information order to a water right claimant, diverter, or user to provide technical reports or other information related to a diversion and use of water, including, but not limited to, all of the following: the basis of the water right claimed, the patent date claimed for the place of use, the notice date of the appropriation, and information related to the diversions and use of transferred water.   Location: Senate Concurrence   Status: 9/5/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.   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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/6/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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 wage: health care workers.   SB 525 proposes to raise the health care minimum wage broadly across the health sector to $25 per hour, including for employees working in county agencies – specifically, county health departments, county mental health departments, county correctional health settings, county hospitals, and county owned and operated clinics. Additionally, SB 525 requires salaried employees to be paid twice the proposed $25/hour minimum wage – creating a new salary base of $104,000 per year.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 551   (Portantino)   Mental health boards.   SB 551 would divert 20% of the prevention and early intervention funds from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSA), to provide direct services on school campuses.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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 Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   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: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 753   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water resources.   SB 753 amends Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. This is an RCRC Sponsored Bill.   Location: Assembly Third Reading   Status: 9/5/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 799   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Assembly Second Reading   Status: 9/7/2023-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (September 7).   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   SB 820 adapts the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. In addition, SB 820 would invest enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity business.   Location: Senate 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)