The Barbed Wire - September 9, 2022

September 9, 2022
The Barbed Wire on Hiatus September 16 Due to RCRC Annual Meeting
U.S. Senators Feinstein, Padilla to FEMA: Provide Update on Reforms to Disaster Assistance Program
Winners of $1 Billion American Rescue Plan Regional Challenge Announced
USDA Awards Grants to Rural California
BULLETIN BOARD
IN THE NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The Barbed Wire on Hiatus September 16 Due to RCRC Annual Meeting

The Barbed Wire will be on hiatus September 16 during RCRC’s 2022 Annual Meeting, taking place September 14-16 at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa in Napa County. The Barbed Wire will return September 23. Follow #RCRC and #RCRCAM for the latest news! 

U.S. Senators Feinstein, Padilla to FEMA: Provide Update on Reforms to Disaster Assistance Program

On September 6, 2022, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla wrote a letter to FEMA requesting an update regarding the Individual Assistance program, which provides funding to survivors of major disasters. The inquiry comes one year after the Caldor Fire destroyed nearly 800 homes, 1,000 structures, and 222,000 acres in Grizzly Flats. Despite the devastation, California’s requests for assistance have been repeatedly denied. The refusal by FEMA is understood to be a result of a rule established in 2019, which considers a state’s total resources when determining whether to provide assistance for individuals. In June, when FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell appeared before Congress \, she testified that the agency was considering revising the 2019 rule. Senators Feinstein and Padilla await an update on the status of that review. 

Winners of $1 Billion American Rescue Plan Regional Challenge Announced

On September 2nd, the Administration announced the 21 winners of the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Funded by the American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Regional Challenge provides each awardee funding to rebuild regional economies, promote inclusive and equitable recovery, and create thousands of good-paying jobs in industries of the future such as clean energy, next-generation manufacturing, and biotechnology. The Central Valley Community Foundation was awarded $65.1 million for the F3 - Fresno-Merced Future of Food program.  

USDA Awards Grants to Rural California

USDA announced on August 24 that it awarded $121 million in grants for a wide variety of projects.   

Among those recipients are the following projects impacting communities in rural California: 

  • Modoc County received $74,230 for the purchase of two special service rural patrol vehicles.   

  • Mendocino County received $64,200 for the purchase of new library equipment.   

  • The City of Fortuna received $140,800 for the purchase of for new law enforcement vehicles. 

  • The City of Orland received $49,500 to purchase a new water tender for their fire department.   

  • Golden Valley Community Broadcasters received $27,100 to purchase an emergency generator to support local emergency broadcasting resiliency. 

  • The Fall River Valley Fire Protection District received $368,100 to purchase an emergency response vehicle and a fire engine. 

  • The Groveland Community Services District secured $50,000 to purchase and install a generator to power its administrative building. 

USDA also awarded several grants to California farmers, ranchers, and small businesses to install solar panels and make energy and water efficiency improvements.

The announcement highlighted 415 investments the USDA is making through three programs designed to help people and businesses in rural areas:  Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants, and Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Grants. Applications for each program are being accepted now for the 2023 fiscal year, with more information available from the USDA website.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Register Now for SB 54 (Allen): The Path to Passage Webinar to Hear from Speakers Including RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy

The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) is hosting a FREE, two-hour webinar on SB 54 (Allen): California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act signed into law on June 30, 2022. SB 54 lead author Senator Ben Allen and Senior Policy Advisor, Tina Andolina will present along with key negotiation stakeholders to share the details regarding the process, how an agreement was reached, the timelines for implementation, and more. There will be presentations from four key stakeholder groups being environmental NGOs, waste haulers, producers/corporations, and local governments, followed by Q + A.

Those who will benefit from attending include: local governments, packaging stakeholders, waste haulers, environmental advocates, environmental justice advocates, and policymakers. For more information, see here, or Register now.

 

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

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

These meetings will take place as follows:

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

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

 

Career Opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox.

IN THE NEWS

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

 

Water use drops 10% in July as California deals with drought -Associated Press

Californians stepped up their water conservation in July, using 10.4% less than two years ago as the state struggles with a years-long drought, state water officials said Wednesday. July marks the first full month that new conservation rules like a ban on watering decorative grass were in effect, which state water officials said helped make a difference.

 

Californians paid heed to text to save energy, averting blackouts – Los Angeles Times

A text message alert on Tuesday proved crucial in helping avoid rolling blackouts during one of the worst days of a grueling heat wave that has roasted the state for more than a week, taxing California’s power grid daily.

 

State Awards $5 Million Grant for Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Near Petrolia and Salmon Creek – Lost Coast Outpost 

CAL FIRE has entered into a nearly $5 million grant agreement with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District to enhance forest health and wildfire resilience across 1,022 acres of forest and grasslands in the Mattole and Salmon Creek watersheds by early 2026.This project is a collaboration between state and local agencies, non-profits, and private landowners.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

 

AB 522   (Fong)   Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.   The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt specific forest management activities, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, and duration, intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. Assembly Bill 522 extends the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to January 1, 2026 to aid forest landowners with wildfire prevention activities.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/29/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1078   (Patterson)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts residential buildings damaged or destroyed in a disaster during the 2020 calendar year from having to install solar energy systems under the California Energy Commission’s recently adopted building requirements.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/30/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/2/2022)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1249   (Gallagher)   Income taxes: gross income exclusions: wildfires.     Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.   AB 1608 would remove county authority to combine the duties of the Sheriff with the duties of the Coroner. The bill appears to require counties with a combined Sheriff-Coroner function to either combine the Coroner with another authorized elected office, transition to a standalone elected Coroner, or replace the Coroner model with a Medical Examiner office.   Location: Senate 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 Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Flora)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021.   The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 8/29/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 202, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1696   (Lee)   Elections: nonpartisan candidates’ party preference.   Current constitutional and statutory law prohibits including the party preference of a candidate for nonpartisan office, defined as any judicial, school, county, or municipal office, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for that office. This bill would require the ballot for the above offices, except for judicial offices, to contain the candidate’s party preference or, if applicable, lack of party preference.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 4/29/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was ELECTIONS on 3/10/2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

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

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

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

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

AB 1931   (Rivas, Luz)   Community water systems: lead service lines.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/2/2022)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.   AB 1944 would authorize members of local legislative bodies to teleconference from a remote location without making the address of that location public. Additionally, the bill requires that – for those local agencies that elect to use teleconferencing for its legislative body meetings – a video stream is made available to members of the public, including an opportunity to provide public comment via telephone or videoconference option.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/5/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was S. GOV. & F. on 6/8/2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

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

AB 2201   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   This bill would prohibit a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and classified as medium- or high-priority unless it obtains a written verification, from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable groundwater sustainability plan adopted by that groundwater sustainability agency or an alternate plan approved or under review by the Department of Water Resources.   Location: Assembly 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 Enrolled   Status: 8/23/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

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

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

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.   AB 2449 would authorize remote participation in local public meetings if at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a location clearly identified on the agenda that is also open to the public and situated within the boundaries of the local agencies. In order to do so, the local agency must appropriately post agendas, members of the legislative body attending the meeting by teleconference must participate in both audio and video formats, and members of the public must have call-in and internet-based access for attending and participating in the meetings.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Removal of Opposition   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

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

AB 2505   (Gray)   Water theft: irrigation districts.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 6/20/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 23, Statutes of 2022.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2647   (Levine)   Local government: open meetings.   This measure would clarify that writings distributed to the majority of a local legislative body less than 72 hours before a meeting can be posted online to satisfy the Brown Act if physical copies are made available for public inspection at the beginning of the next regular business day at a public office or designated location.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/29/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2677   (Gabriel)   Information Practices Act of 1977.   Would remove the exemption of local agencies from the Act, which deals with the collection, storage, and disclosure of personal information.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2878   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest Biomass Waste Utilization Program.   Requires the state to undertake various actions to consider and promote the use of biomass energy generation and wood products manufacturing.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/12/2022-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(15). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/8/2022)   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

ACA 1   (Aguiar-Curry)   Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval.    ACA 1 would lower the vote threshold to 55 percent for approval of local bonded-indebtedness and specially dedicated taxes imposed for specified uses.   Location: Assembly 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 Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.   SB 915, which would prohibit the sale of firearms on any state- or county-owned property, including fairgrounds from holding gun shows and, as a result, erode the revenue stream that would be derived from legal gun shows on these premises.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/21/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 145, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 926   (Dodd)   Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program: Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 8/26/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 931   (Leyva)   Deterring union membership: violations.   Authorizes PERB claim alleging employer deterred or discouraged union membership, up to $100,000 fine ($1,000 per employee impacted) and attorney’s fees for employee organization.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 938   (Hertzberg)   The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000: protest proceedings: procedural consolidation.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/1/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 89, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

SB 1044   (Durazo)   Employers: emergency condition: retaliation.   SB 1044 would prohibit an employer from taking or threatening any adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to, or leaving, a workplace because the employee feels unsafe due to a state of emergency or an emergency condition, and (2) permit employees to access their mobile device or other communications device.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 8/30/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.   SB 1100 would clarify the rules around when individuals can be removed for willfully interrupting a meeting.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 8/22/2022-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 171, Statutes of 2022.   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1109   (Caballero)   California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: bioenergy projects.   Extends SB 901 BioRAM biomass energy facility contracts by an additional five years. Requires any incremental procurement of electricity products from bioenergy resources by a new BioRAM contract or contract extension of 5 years or longer in duration to be from a resource that meets emission limits equivalent to, or more stringent than, the best available retrofit control technology determined at the time of procurement.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1186   (Wiener)   Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act.   SB 1186 undermines the intent of MAUCRSA by (1) eliminating a local jurisdiction's ability to prohibit medical cannabis retail activities, regardless of the needs or conditions in the jurisdiction, and (2) restricting the ability for the large number of jurisdictions that permit and regulate cannabis retailers to set appropriate local regulations which are developed in a public process.   Location: Senate Enrollment   Status: 8/30/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 24. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

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

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

SB 1266   (Borgeas)   Income taxes: credits: designated wildfire zones.   Provides a tax credit of 50 percent of the amount paid, up to $3,500, for the purchase of a backup power generator ($5,000 for purchase of a solar battery) for use in a residence or by a small business located in a very high fire hazard severity zone.   Location: Assembly 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 Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/2/2022-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1 p.m.   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)