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 gained passage in the Assembly and awaits the Governor’s consideration.  RCRC Position: Oppose

AB 171 (Irwin): Veteran Services.  Assembly Bill 171 would continuously appropriate $5.1 million per year for County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs).  Status: AB 171 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 219 (Daly): Public Works: Concrete Delivery.  Assembly Bill 219 would expand prevailing wage requirements to the delivery of offsite, ready-made concrete for public works construction projects.  Status: AB 219 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Oppose

AB 288 (Holden): Public Schools: College and Career Access Pathways.  Assembly Bill 288 would establish the Career Access Pathways Act and expand access to concurrent enrollment programs for students by allowing college courses to be offered on high school campuses.  Status: AB 288 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 363 (Steinorth): Closing of the Polls.  Assembly Bill 363 would provide county elections officials the ability to transport ballots from polling places to the designated counting facility prior to polls closing.  Status: AB 363 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 366 (Bonta): Medi-Cal Reimbursement: Provider Rates.  The 2011-12 State Budget cut rates to a variety of Medi-Cal providers including Distinct Part/Skilled Nursing Facilities (DP/SNFs), pharmacies, and other fee-for-service Medi-Cal activities by 10 percent off of the 2008 reimbursement rates.  Assembly Bill 366 would repeal the implementation of prior year Medi-Cal provider rate reductions, including the 10 percent reduction.  Status: AB 366 failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 435 (Chang): CalEPA Transparency.  Assembly Bill 435 would require all boards and commissions under the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to webcast all public meetings and workshops, as well as receive public comment during those meetings and workshops via telephone or some method of electronic communication.  Status: AB 435 failed passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 590 (Dahle): Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.  Assembly Bill 590 would establish the Biomass State Cost Share Account within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).  Status: AB 590 failed passage in the Senate 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 Senate Floor.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1045 (Irwin): Organic Waste: Composting.  Assembly Bill 1045 would address the diversion of organic waste from disposal.  Status: AB 1045 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1119 (Rendon): Public Utilities: Rights of Way.  Assembly Bill 1119 would grant 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 and awaits the Governor’s consideration.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1142 (Gray): Mining and Geology: Surface Mining.  Assembly Bill 1142 would modify the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA).  Status: AB 1142 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1262 (Wood): Telecommunications: Universal Service.  Assembly Bill 1262 would provide monies within the California Advanced Services Fund to support regional broadband deployment and expansion.  Status: AB 1262 gained passage in the Assembly and awaits the Governor’s consideration.  RCRC Position: Support

AB 1347 (Chiu): Public Contracts Claims.  Assembly Bill 1347 would make various revisions to the claims resolution process that would require non-binding mediation to resolve a dispute on all public contracts.  Status: AB 1347 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Neutral/Opposition Removed

AB 1436 (Burke): In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): Authorized Representative.  Assembly Bill 1436 would permit all In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) applicants and recipients to designate an authorized representative to accompany, assist, or represent an applicant in the application process, or a recipient in the direction of services, and eligibility redetermination process.  Status: AB 1436 gained passage in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 162 (Galgiani): Treated Wood Waste: Disposal.  Senate Bill 162 would continue statutory guidance for the appropriate disposal of treated wood waste in specified solid waste landfills.  Status: SB 162 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 209 (Pavley): Surface Mining: Inspections: Financial Assurances: Reclamation Plans.  Senate Bill 209 would modify the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA).  Status: SB 209 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support if Amended

SB 321 (Beall): Motor Vehicle Fuel Taxes: Rates: Adjustments.  Senate Bill 321 would revise the process used by the Board of Equalization for adjusting the price-based excise tax rate on motor vehicle fuels.  Status: SB 321 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 326 (Beall): Courts: Penalties: Emergency Services Funding.  Senate Bill 326 would extend the Emergency Medical Air Transportation Act to ensure that rural communities have access to life-saving care for both residents and tourists.  Status: SB 326 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support

SB 513 (Beall): Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program.  Senate Bill 513 would help reduce air pollution by making revisions to the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and the local AB 923 incentives programs.  Status: SB 513 gained passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  RCRC Position: Support