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 57 (Quirk): Telecommunications: Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. Assembly Bill 57 would establish “deemed granted” approval for all wireless telecommunication facilities siting and collocation applications when a local government fails to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s “Shot Clock Rule.” Status: AB 57 is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly Local Government Committee on May 13, 2015. RCRC Position: Oppose
AB 327 (Gordon): Public Works: Volunteers. Assembly Bill 327 would extend the sunset that is set to expire January 1, 2017 until January 1, 2024 which would extend the exemption from the definition of “public works” for any work performed by a volunteer, a volunteer coordinator, or by members of the California Conservation Corps or certified Community Conservation Corps. Status: AB 327 gained passage in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee. RCRC Position: Support
AB 390 (Cooper): Criminal Law: DNA Evidence. Assembly Bill 390 would restore the ability of government officials to collect DNA samples from adult offenders convicted of offenses that were recently converted from felonies to misdemeanors. Status: AB 390 is on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. RCRC Position: Support
AB 896 (Wagner): Counties: Search or Rescue: Costs. Assembly Bill 896 would authorize a county to seek reimbursement for costs incurred for any extraordinary methods used in search and rescue operations from a resident within their jurisdiction. Status: AB 896 awaits final consideration on the Assembly Floor. RCRC Position: Support
AB 1119 (Rendon): Public Utilities: Rights of Way. Assembly Bill 1119 would counties the same authority granted to cities to challenge a utility project located in the unincorporated portion of the county. Status: AB 1119 gained passage in the Assembly Local Government Committee. RCRC Position: Support
AB 1262 (Wood): Telecommunications: Universal Service. Assembly Bill 1262 would transfer $5 million collected for the California Advanced Services Fund from the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account to the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Account to support regional broadband deployment and expansion. Status: AB 1262 gained passage in the Assembly. RCRC Position: Support
SB 16 (Beall): Transportation Funding. Senate Bill 16 would increase various fees and taxes associated with a variety of transportation-related funding sources to raise approximately $3.5 billion in overall funding for the state and local transportation system. Status: SB 16 gained passage in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee and awaits consideration in the Senate Appropriations Committee. RCRC Position: Watch