The Barbed Wire - August 12, 2016

August 12, 2016
RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting – REGISTER TODAY!!!
Annual Meeting Panel Preview: An Insider’s Perspective on the U.S. Supreme Court
California WaterFix Hearings Posted Online
Strategic Growth Council Awards SALC Grant Funding
KEEPING UP
BULLETIN BOARD
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting – REGISTER TODAY!!!

RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting will be held September 28-30 at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Placer County.  This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics of interest to rural counties including:

  • An Insider’s Perspective on the U.S. Supreme Court;
  • Balancing the Benefits and Challenges of Drones;
  • Implementation of a Medical Marijuana Regulatory Scheme in California;
  • Expert Commentary on the Current Political Landscape; and,
  • Navigating the Foster Care System.

To register for RCRC’s 2016 Annual Meeting or to access the current program, click here.

Annual Meeting Panel Preview: An Insider’s Perspective on the U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court performs one of the most important functions of the U.S. government, though little is known about it to the average American. The cases it decides, how it decides them, and its day-to-day workings remain a mystery to many observers of our form of government. Ms. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal will be on hand to provide a better understanding of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to discussing the ‘nuts-and-bolts’ of the Court, she will share her insights on the politics of filling the vacancy caused by the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, and discuss the recently-decided Evenwel v. Abbott case involving legislative redistricting. Ms. Coyle will also provide a preview of what’s to come on the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket.

California WaterFix Hearings Posted Online

The State Water Board is posting each of the California WaterFix hearings online, as well as the submitted policy statements of interested stakeholders, including RCRC’s comment letter.  The video of each hearing as they are posted can be accessed here.  The policy statements can be accessed here.

Strategic Growth Council Awards SALC Grant Funding

This week the Strategic Growth Council awarded over $37 million in Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation (SALC) Program Grants to 21 agricultural land protection projects which included a number of RCRC member counties.  Read More…

KEEPING UP

CDFA and DWR Form Agricultural Advisory Group

The California Department of Food and Agriculture invited 35 stakeholders, including RCRC, to form an Agricultural Advisory Group on implementation of Governor Brown’s water conservation Executive Order.

Click here

BULLETIN BOARD

Sutter County Seeks County Administrative Officer

Click here

SAVE THE DATE: SMARA Webinar

RCRC, CSAC, and the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) are hosting a free webinar on changes to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) that will become effective January 1, 2017.  With the passage of Assembly Bill 1142 and Senate Bill 209, there are new processes for Financial Assurance and Reclamation Plan approvals, changes to inspection and enforcement requirements, inspector clarifications and qualifications, and increased mining operator fees, along with other revisions.  This webinar is essential to both lead agency staff and mine operators. 

The webinar is scheduled for September 23, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Registration and additional information will become available in the near future.  Contact Mary Pitto at mpitto@rcrcnet.org for additional information. 

Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings for 2016

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the schedule of Preseason Flood Coordination Meetings for 2016.  These regional meetings provide the opportunity for partner agencies to review flood emergency procedures, protocol, roles, and responsibilities in an emergency, availability of flood fighting resources, flood threats and other flood concerns, and updates from local agencies in that particular region.  In addition to DWR, partner agencies presenting information at each meeting include the National Weather Service, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, California Conservation Corps, County Offices of Emergency Services, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Managers and key emergency responders from California public agencies with primary responsibility for flood emergency response and coordination are encouraged to participate in this important annual emergency preparedness activity in your area.   The meeting flyer with details for the meetings scheduled at twelve regional locations throughout the state this fall and additional information is available at the WDR website here

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties.  

AB 587 (Chau) Mobilehomes Fees/Tax Amnesty Program:  Assembly Bill 587 would provide an amnesty program for mobilehome owners who face outstanding tax and registration obligations.  Status:  AB 587 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.  RCRC Position:  Oppose Unless Amended

AB 648 (Low): Health Care Project Grants: Virtual Dental Home Grant:  Assembly Bill 648 would establish the Virtual Dental Home Grant Program, and appropriate $4 million General Fund to support virtual dental homes.  Status: Failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1549 (Wood) State Highway Rights-of-Way: Fiber Optic:  Assembly Bill 1549 requires the California Department of Transportation to maintain an inventory of broadband conduits that house fiber-optic communications located on state highway rights-of-way.  The bill also requires that fiber optic conduit be installed during a major reconstruction of a state right-of-way.  Status:  AB 1549 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.   RCRC Position:  Support

AB 1550 (Gomez): Greenhouse Gases: Investment Plan: Communities:  Assembly Bill 1550 would require 25 percent of the AB 32 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) revenues to be spent on projects located within and benefiting disadvantaged communities, and an additional 20 percent to be spent on projects that benefit low-income households or are within low-income communities.  Status: Passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. RCRC Position: Support

AB 1575 (Bonta) Medical Marijuana: Regulatory Structure:  Assembly Bill 1575 addresses a number of aspects to last year’s enactment of the medical marijuana regulatory framework.  The bill serves as an omnibus clean-up; however a number of provisions are controversial and must be addressed.  Status: AB 1575 failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Neutral

AB 1628 (Committee on Budget): No Place Like Home Program: Funding:  Assembly Bill 1658 establishes the bond financing mechanism and structure for funding the $2 billion No Place Like Home homeless housing package that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in late June.  Status:  AB 1658 gained passage in the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.  RCRC Position:  No Position

AB 1672 (Mathis): Veterans Treatment Courts: Judicial Council Survey: Assembly Bill 1672 would require the Judicial Council to conduct an assessment of veterans’ treatment courts statewide. Status: Failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee. RCRC Position: Support

AB 1869 (Melendez) Theft: Firearms:  Assembly Bill 1869 would restore the criminal penalties associated with stealing a firearm.  Status:  AB 1869 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.  RCRC Position:  Support

AB 1958 (Wood): Forestry: Timberlands: Restoration and Conservation:  Assembly Bill 1958 would authorize the Board of Forestry to grant a timber harvest plan (THP) exemption for the removal and commercial harvest of trees to restore and conserve California black or Oregon white oak woodlands, under specified conditions.  Status: Passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2024 (Wood): Critical Access Hospitals: Employment:  Assembly Bill 2024 would allow critical access hospitals to directly employ physicians and bill for their professional services.  Status: Passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2029 (Dahle): Timber Harvest Plans: Exemptions:  Assembly Bill 2029 would extend and expand the provisions of the existing Forest Fire Prevention Pilot Program. Status: Passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2149 (Bonilla) Collection of Cash Payments for Medical Marijuana-Related Businesses:  Assembly Bill 2149 would authorize the Board of Equalization to accept cash transactions on behalf of several state agencies charged with regulatory responsibility of medical marijuana.  Status: AB 2149 failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2243 (Wood) Medical Cannabis: Cultivation Taxation:  Assembly Bill 2243 would impose state taxes on the cultivation of medical marijuana.  Status:  AB 2243 failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2406 (Thurmond) Junior Accessory Dwellings:  Assembly Bill 2406 would provide local governments the option to adopt an ordinance regarding the development of Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in single family residential zones.  Status:  AB 2406 awaits final consideration on the Assembly Floor.  RCRC Position:  Support

AB 2574 (Chavez): Veteran Farmers and Ranchers:  Assembly Bill 2574 would develop a New Veteran Farmer and Rancher Outreach and Assistance Plan to circulate information regarding veteran and agricultural education, training, and other assistance programs.  Status: Failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 2636 (Linder) Marriage and Birth Certificates: Electronic Application:  Assembly Bill 2636 would allow local jurisdictions to provide consumers with the option to complete an online request for vital records.  Status:  AB 2636 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.  RCRC Position:  Support

SB 450 (Allen) Elections: Vote By Mail:  Senate Bill 450 would authorize counties to conduct all types of elections as an all-mailed ballot election.  Status:  SB 450 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Assembly Floor.  RCRC Position:  Support

SB 476 (Mendoza): Organized Camps: Senate Bill 476 would require organized day camp to issue a written notice of intent to operate, register with the local public health officer as an organized camp in the county and store all firearms in a locked cabinet. Additionally, SB 476 would require the local public health officer to issue a permit and conduct inspections of the camps.  Status: Failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 858 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) No Place Like Home Program: Financing:  Senate Bill 858 establishes the bond financing mechanism and structure for funding the $2 billion No Place Like Home homeless housing package that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in late June.  Status:  SB 858 gained passage in the Assembly Budget Committee.  RCRC Position:  No Position

SB 1028 (Hill) Electrical Corporations: Utilities: Wildfire Mitigation:  Senate Bill 1028 would require utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to file wildfire mitigation plans with their governing boards. Status: Passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 1029 (Hertzberg) Debt Issuance:  Senate Bill 1029 would require local governments to submit various reporting elements to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Committee for all bond debt that has not been fully repaid or redeemed.  Status: SB 1029 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Assembly Floor.  RCRC Position: Seeking Amendments

SB 1069 (Wieckowski) Land Use: Zoning: Senate Bill 1069 seeks to encourage the development of more affordable housing through various reforms to a local government’s planning requirements and zoning regulations.  Status: SB 1069 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration on the Assembly Floor.  RCRC Position: Oppose – Pending Removal

SB 1136 (Morrell): Fire Prevention. State Responsibility Areas:  Senate Bill 1136 would continue to require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to submit detailed information on the use of State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Fee funds.  Status: Failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 1170 (Wieckowski): Public Contracts: Water Pollution Prevention Plans: Delegation:  Senate Bill 1170 would prohibit a public entity, charter city, or charter county from delegating to a contractor the development of a plan, as defined, used to prevent or reduce water pollution or runoff on a public works contract, except as provided.  The bill would also prohibit a public entity, charter city, or charter county from requiring a contractor on a public works contract that includes compliance with a plan to assume responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of a plan developed by that entity.  Status: Held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Oppose

SB 1188 (McGuire): Wildlife Management Areas: Payment of Taxes and Assessments:  Senate Bill 1188 will return the ‘may’ back to ‘shall’ in Fish and Game Code Section 1504 making future Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments required rather than permissive.  Status: Gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 1212 (Hueso): 211 Information and Referral Network:  Senate Bill 1212 would expand the state-wide 2-1-1 network into all 58 of California’s counties.  Status: Passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 1380 (Mitchell): Homelessness Coordinating and Financing Council:  Senate Bill 1380 would establish the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC).  Status: Passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 1383 (Lara): Short-Lived Climate Pollutants:  Senate Bill 1383 would require the Air Resources Board (ARB) to approve and implement the comprehensive strategy to achieve, from 2013 levels, a 40% reduction in methane, a 40% reduction in hydrofluorocarbon gases, and a 50% reduction in anthropogenic black carbon, by 2030 Status: Passed out of the Appropriations Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Concerns

SB 1463 (Moorlach): Electrical Lines: Mitigation of Wildfire Risks:  Senate Bill 1463 would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to prioritize communities that are at high risk from the consequences of wildfires when determining areas in which it will require enhanced mitigation measures for wildfire hazards posed by overhead electrical lines and equipment. Status: Passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to submit comments on regulatory matters to state and federal regulatory bodies, and to provide a copy to RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of regulations impacting California’s rural counties.  

Proposed Amendments to the California Cap on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Market-Based Compliance Mechanisms (Cap-and-Trade Regulation).  Provides opportunity for public input on regulatory amendments to the Cap-and-Trade Regulation to address areas for the third compliance period (2018-2020) and to move forward with a continued role of the Cap-and-Trade Regulation in achieving the  2030 target.  Agency: California Air Resources Board Status: Draft released August 2, 2016 and available for public comment until September19, 2016.  Draft proposal and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: RCRC is seeking member county input.  RCRC Advocates: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org and Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org