The Barbed Wire - February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017
RCRC Chair and Staff Visit Colusa County
RCRC Member Counties Discuss Status of Cannabis Activities Before Assembly Local Government Committee
Upcoming Budget hearing on IHSS Change
Forest Health, Tree Mortality Set for Spotlight in Joint Committee Hearing
Oroville Dam Spillway Update
Introduced Legislation Focuses on CASF
RCRC Officers Head to Washington, D.C.
KEEPING UP
BULLETIN BOARD
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC Chair and Staff Visit Colusa County

On Tuesday, RCRC Chair Bob Williams (Tehama) invited Greg Norton, RCRC President and CEO, Paul A. Smith, RCRC Vice President of Governmental Affairs, and Justin Caporusso, RCRC Vice President of External Affairs/Administration, to provide an organizational overview, and present an update on the organization’s 2017/18 legislative and regulatory priorities to the Colusa County Board of Supervisors.  Supervisor Williams opened the presentation outlining his goal to attend RCRC member Board of Supervisors meetings on the weeks that his county, Tehama, does not meet.  

RCRC staff provided an update on RCRC’s affiliate programs, Golden State Finance Authority, and National Homebuyers Fund, and discussed the current status of efforts related to State Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), soon-to-be-released proposed state regulations regarding commercial cannabis activities, funding for state and local transportation needs, and wildfire funding, among others.

A synopsis of RCRC’s 2017-18 legislative priorities can be accessed in a recent article from Supervisor Williams, titled The Year Ahead for California’s Rural Counties.

RCRC Member Counties Discuss Status of Cannabis Activities Before Assembly Local Government Committee

On Wednesday, the Assembly Local Government Committee convened to hear from a variety of local officials on the looming implementation of the Medical Cannabis Regulatory and Safety Act and the voter-approved Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64).  Led by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Yolo County), Chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee, questions were posed to RCRC Vice Chair and Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn, Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner Jeff Dolf, Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner John Young, and others, regarding their local jurisdictions recent efforts to deal with cannabis. 

RCRC joined with local government partners at the California State Association of Counties and the League of Cities in outlining the most immediate concerns with the development of a regulatory scheme, namely the contents of the proposed state regulatory packages.  RCRC indicated that what will be most on the minds of the state’s rural counties will be the state’s verification process that license applicants will have received local approval to engage in commercial cannabis activities.  In addition, RCRC expressed concerns over the state’s expectations of counties with regards to enforcement activities of county agricultural commissioners, environmental health directors, sheriff’s offices, and tax collectors.

Upcoming Budget hearing on IHSS Change

The Senate’s Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services will hold its first hearing on the Governor’s proposed budget item related to In-Home Support Services (IHSS) on March 2, 2017.  Chairman Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) will hear testimony on the Governor’s shift of the county share of IHSS costs from the current 2011 level to 35 percent of the nonfederal share of costs.  This shift is estimated to cost counties an additional $623 million in Fiscal Year 2017-18.  

RCRC and its county partners continue to work with the Administration and the Legislature to address the significant county impacts of this change.  In the coming days, RCRC will be sending a letter of opposition, as well as a joint opposition letter with County partners, to both budget subcommittees.  

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services is set to discuss this item at its March 8, 2017 hearing.  RCRC’s joint letter opposing the Governor’s 2017-18 proposed budget item eliminating the Coordinated Care Initiative and the IHSS Maintenance of Effort (MOE) cost sharing agreement can be accessed here.

Forest Health, Tree Mortality Set for Spotlight in Joint Committee Hearing

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and Assembly Natural Resources Committee will hold a joint hearing on tree mortality, forest health, and prescribed fire on Monday, February 27, 2017.  The informational hearing is set to focus on the overall health of California’s forests, with special attention to the benefits and role of prescribed fire in restoring the state’s forest lands to a more natural resilience.  

The hearing will take place at 3 p.m. at the State Capitol, Room 4202. 

Oroville Dam Spillway Update

The California Department of Water Resources, together with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, continue to assess the Oroville Dam Spillway for issues related to its stability and integrity resulting from its failure earlier this month.  

In addition, in response to the dynamic situation associated to this incident (and its subsequent evacuation of 180,000 people), Governor Brown issued an order proclaiming states of emergency in Butte, Yuba, and Sutter counties, and activated the State Emergency Operations Center at Mather.  The Governor also submitted an emergency declaration request to the Trump Administration for assistance in the affected counties.

Introduced Legislation Focuses on CASF

Last week, several bills were introduced in both the Assembly and Senate to extend funding for the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF).  Assembly Bills 665 (Garcia), and 854 (Aguiar-Curry), and Senate Bill 460 (Hueso), were introduced for the purpose of providing additional funding to the CASF.  Under existing law, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is required to administer a program using monies in the CASF to encourage deployment of high-quality advance communication services to all Californians.  

This occurs in two areas: first, by providing funding for infrastructure projects that provide broadband access to households that are unserved or underserved; and second, by providing monies to consortia that assist in preparing grant applications and educating communities on their specific broadband needs.

Deployment of high-speed broadband in rural and remote areas of California and the equitable regulatory treatment of all forms of telecommunications services is a high priority for RCRC.  In order to be economically competitive, ensure a first-class public safety network, and provide residents with the benefits of online connectivity, the deployment and expansion of high-speed broadband access must be prioritized to unserved and underserved communities throughout the state.  It is estimated that more than one million California residents do not have broadband access.

California has several tools available to obtain broadband services, with one of the primary sources being the CASF.  It should be noted that the CASF will soon complete its funding authorization timeline, and that pending applications for last-mile broadband projects to meet the Legislature’s current 98 percent deployment goal significantly exceed the amount of remaining funds. In order for California to maintain its position as a national and global digital leader, it is imperative all tools and resources necessary to deploying ubiquitous high-speed broadband infrastructure throughout the state, and CASF serves as one of these critical resources.

RCRC supports efforts by the Legislature, the federal government and private industry to continue providing additional funding and deployment of this critical infrastructure effort.

RCRC Officers Head to Washington, D.C.

Today, RCRC Officers and staff will descend upon Washington, D.C. for the 2017 National Association of Counties Legislative Conference.  While in town, RCRC will be meeting with targeted Members, Agencies and staff, advocating on a strategic platform of federal items, including Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Wildfire Suppression Funding, Secure Rural Schools, and Transportation Infrastructure.

KEEPING UP

Christiana Tiedemann, 59, of Berkeley, has been appointed deputy secretary for law enforcement and counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Tiedemann has served as supervising deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General since 1989. She was an attorney at Vanderlann and Associates from 1982 to 1989. Tiedemann earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $164,004. Tiedemann is a Democrat.

Christine Hironaka, 29, of San Francisco, has been appointed deputy secretary for legislative affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Hironaka has served as assistant director for policy development at the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery since 2015, where she was deputy director for legislative affairs from 2014 to 2015. She served as a legislative assistant in the Office of California State Senator Mark Leno from 2010 to 2014 and as a capital fellow in the Office of California State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny from 2009 to 2010. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $121,668. Hironaka is a Democrat.

Joseph Byrne, 46, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Water Commission, where he has served since 2010. Byrne has been a partner at Best Best and Krieger since 2015, where he was of counsel from 2013 to 2015. Byrne was a partner at Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP from 2007 to 2013 and executive director of Business Executives for National Security, Los Angeles Region from 2005 to 2008. He was an associate at Mayer Brown and Platt from 2003 to 2005 and served in several positions in the Office of California State Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg from 1998 to 2002, including legal counsel and chief water policy consultant. Byrne earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Byrne is a Democrat.

Armando Quintero, 61, of San Rafael, has been reappointed to the California Water Commission, where he has served since 2014. Quintero has been executive director at the University of California, Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research Institute since 2015, where he was director of development from 2008 to 2015. He was an independent environmental educator from 1998 to 2008. Quintero served in several positions at the U.S. National Park Service from 1977 to 1998, including personnel staffing specialist, chief of the special park uses group and district ranger at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, park ranger and supervisory park ranger at the Point Reyes National Seashore and park ranger at the Sequoia National Park and at the John Muir National Historic Site. Quintero is vice president at the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors and is a member of the George Wright Society Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Quintero is a Democrat.

Donne Brownsey, 61, of Fort Bragg, has been appointed to a two-year pleasure term on the California Coastal Commission. Brownsey was senior vice president at Sacramento Advocates Inc. from 2004 to 2015. She was founder of Government Solutions from 1993 to 2004 and chief legislative consultant in the Office of California State Senator David Roberti from 1985 to 1993. Brownsey earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Brownsey is a Democrat.

Effie Turnbull Sanders, 44, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to a two-year pleasure term on the California Coastal Commission, where she has served since 2014. Turnbull Sanders has been an assistant general counsel at the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2006. She was a deputy attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006, working on behalf of the city to address blight and environmental hazards, and was an associate at Richards Watson and Gershon from 2001 to 2003. Turnbull Sanders was a special assistant to former California Supreme Court Justice and vice chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Cruz Reynoso from 1998 to 2001, advising on environmental justice, civil rights and economic development issues. She is a board member of Social Action Partners, where she works to educate and train individuals to be advocates for social justice and encourages public service. Turnbull Sanders earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Turnbull Sanders will serve as the environmental justice representative on the Commission, pursuant to statute. She is a Democrat.

BULLETIN BOARD

NOFA Update: Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program Guidelines

Click here

DWR Extends Comment Period on SGMA Alternative Submittals

Click here

HCD Announces Stakeholder Meetings on Community Development Block Grant Program Redesign

Click here

Sierra County Seeks Director Health & Social Services

Click here

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. 

California Forest Carbon Plan.  Provides opportunity for public comment on the State Forest Carbon Plan, which lays out a blueprint for forest management actions in California on all levels of forestland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon storage and sequestration.  Agency: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Status: Draft available for public comment, comments due by March 17, 2017.  Draft proposal and related documents can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: RCRC is seeking member county input.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Revised Draft Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy.  The revised Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Reduction Strategy and relevant Appendices have been released for public review and comments.  The SLCP Reduction Strategy addresses black carbon, methane, and hydroflourocarbons (HFC) emissions, and lays out a range of options to reduce SLCP emissions in California, including regulations, incentives, and other market-supporting activities.  Agency: Air Resources Board (ARB) Status: The revised SLCP Reduction Strategy and relevant Appendices was released on November 28, 2016, with comments due by January 17, 2017.  Three SLCP Strategy workshops were held the week of December 12, 2016.  The Revised Draft SLCP Reduction Strategy and Revised Draft Environmental Analysis (Appendix E) will be considered at the March 23 and 24, 2017 ARB monthly meeting.  The revised SLCP Reduction Strategy, notice of public workshops, and other related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocates: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org and Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update.  The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Strategy for Achieving California’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas Target, builds upon the framework adopted in the initial Scoping Plan and the 2014 Update by establishing recommendations and priorities for the State to achieve its 2030 climate goals.  Agency: Air Resources Board (ARB) Status: The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update was released January 20, 2017, with comments due by March 6, 2017.  Two informational hearings were conducted on January 27 and February 16, 2017 in Sacramento.  The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update will be considered at the April 27 and 28, 2017 ARB monthly meeting.  The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update, hearing schedules and other related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocates: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org and Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

General Plan Safety Element Review and Assessment.  The proposed rule establishes a standardized review process for Board of Forestry review of a draft element or a draft amendment to the safety element of a county or a city’s general plan that contains State Responsibility Areas (SRA) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.  Agency: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) Status: The proposed rule was republished December 23, 2016, with comments due by February 7, 2017.  The Board anticipates holding a public hearing on March 8, 2017.  The proposed rule can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Staff welcomes input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Draft 2017 Update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP).  The CVFPP is a long-range plan for improving flood risk management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river Basins.  The plan provides a comprehensive framework for system-wide management and flood risk reduction planning and is required to update every five years.  This first update refines the overall near and long-term investment needs established in the CVFPP, and includes recommendations on policies and financing that support comprehensive flood risk management actions locally, regionally, and system-wide.  Agency: Department of Water Resources Status: The draft was released on December 30, 2016, with comments due by March 31, 2017.  Five public outreach hearings have been scheduled in February and March 2017 throughout the Central Valley.  The draft update, draft Supplemental Program EIS, and scheduled workshop details can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org