RCRC is sponsoring two measures for the 2018 Legislative Session.  One of the measures is aimed at municipal responsibilities for local enforcement of cannabis regulatory functions, and the other would provide a personal income tax credit to firefighters who incur personal costs.  

Assembly Bill 2717, by Assembly Member Tom Lackey (R – Palmdale), would explicitly state that cities may contract with counties to arrange for fulfillment of regulatory functions within the incorporated area.  Current law gives cities and counties the authority to allow for licensed commercial cannabis activities.  In jurisdictions that allow for commercial cannabis activities, there are certain local regulatory functions that are devolved from the State and to be performed locally (inspection of weights and measures, various local environmental health duties, etc.).  Senate Bill 94, which was enacted last June, consolidated licensure and regulation for both medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities.  However, SB 94 left some ambiguity regarding which local government entity is responsible for certain regulatory functions for cannabis licensees within city limits.  AB 2717 is a compromise between cities and counties in clarifying the responsibility for regulatory functions. 

Assembly Bill 2727, by Assembly Member Heath Flora (R – Stanislaus), provides a tax credit to qualified firefighters for 80 percent of qualified expenses incurred during the taxable year, up to $1,500.  Often times, volunteer firefighters spend monies out of their own pocket for their safety equipment and training they are required to have.  Due to the costs associated with required firefighter training, fire equipment needs, it is becoming more difficult for these volunteers to continue their service and to recruit new volunteer firefighters to provide an adequate level-of-service in rural fire departments. 

The full text of AB 2717 can be accessed here. The full text of AB 2727 can be accessed here.