The Barbed Wire - April 28, 2023

RCRC Testifies to California Little Hoover Commission on Effects of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

On April 27, RCRC testified before the state’s Little Hoover Commission on the Effects of CEQA.  This was the Commission’s third hearing on the benefits and challenges posed by California’s landmark environmental disclosure and mitigation law.   

RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, and General Counsel, Arthur Wylene, spoke of CEQA’s commendable underlying goals of better informing stakeholders/decisionmakers and mitigating a project’s significant impacts on the environment; however, they also noted that CEQA has expanded into a complex regulatory obligation with serious consequences resulting from procedural or substantive missteps.  As a result, CEQA is often maligned as a litigation trap that can be exploited by those seeking competitive gain or to stop projects altogether.   

RCRC spoke to: 

• Ways in which CEQA is exploited by various interest groups to chill competition, extract concessions from project developers, or kill projects altogether. 

• Challenges with CEQA reforms either focusing only on arenas and mega-projects or being riddled with exceptions that make many exemptions unworkable. 

• CEQA’s failure to take into consideration the extensive environmental laws and safeguards that have arisen since CEQA’s enactment in 1970. 

• How one-size-fits-all approaches to CEQA evaluation and mitigation, like the shift to reliance on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) are simply unworkable in rural areas. 

RCRC’s written comments to the Little Hoover Commission can be found here.   

For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, or RCRC General Counsel, Arthur Wylene.

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 965 (Carrillo) - Local Government: Broadband Permit Applications

RCRC, along with local government partners CSAC and the League of California Cities, opposes Assembly Bill 965, authored by Assembly Member Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale). This measure would require local agencies to batch and process broadband permits within 60 to 90 days or have the applications deemed approved, without compliance with general health and safety requirements, unless a written finding of specific adverse impact to public health can be made. 

AB 965 is described as a simple permit batching bill, necessary to deploy broadband infrastructure within the spending deadlines tied to source federal funding. However, this bill makes radical changes to California telecommunications law and local government permitting obligations. Specifically, those changes include:

• creating unreasonable permitting “shot clocks” for local governments by expanding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) existing 60-day shot clock (and deemed approved remedy) to all aerial constructed broadband permit applications, and by establishing a 90-day shot clock for trenched or wireless constructed projects regardless of the project size or type.

• implementing a “no limit” batching process for broadband permit applications;

• removing a local government’s ability to protect the public health and safety, by requiring a local agency to issue a written finding that the facility proposed in the broadband permit application would have a specific adverse impact on public health and safety in order to enforce applicable health and safety requirements; and

• deeming all permits approved in a batch if local government doesn’t act in less than 90 days irrespective of concerns or issues with any or all of the proposed facilities, even though the FCC has previously recognized the importance of adopting remedies based on the facts of individual applications.

Local jurisdictions currently have the ability, absent this legislation, to batch permits, expediate applications, and generally work to streamline the process of broadband deployment. Unserved/underserved areas remain without reliable internet access because they are deemed by the Internet Service Providers to have inadequate Return on Investment (ROI). Creating a process to expediate permitting in a jurisdiction that does not offer an adequate ROI will not incentivize deployment in those areas, but will, instead, make building in areas that possess greater potential ROI, like those with existing infrastructure, more lucrative. This bill will not aid bridging the digital divide but will just make it more profitable to build in dense, higher cost markets. 

RCRC’s letter of opposition is available here. This measure passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday, with the author’s commitment to take amendments addressing some of RCRC’s concerns. RCRC will remain opposed until all concerns are addressed. AB 965 will next be heard in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. For more information, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Tracy Rhine. 

Legislature Advances Several Bills to Address Lengthy Connection Delays; Guts One Key Measure to Expedite Distribution System Improvements

Over the last two weeks, the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications and Assembly Utilities and Energy Committees approved several important measures to address growing problems in timely connecting housing and commercial developments to the electrical distribution grid. 

Many local governments have been told it will take anywhere from 2-7 years to improve utility distribution systems to provide additional capacity to support normal growth and facilitate economic development.  These excessive delays have resulted in lost opportunities for transformative economic development, inhibit local ability to increase desperately needed local housing stocks, frustrate efforts to install electric vehicle charging systems, and will stymie the state’s efforts to decarbonize existing residential and commercial buildings. 

In the Senate, the Senate Energy Committee approved Senate Bill 83 (Wiener, D-San Francisco) and Senate Bill 410 (Becker, D-Menlo Park).  SB 83 requires electrical utilities to interconnect a development project within eight weeks of that project becoming “interconnection ready.”  SB 410 takes a broader approach to improve electrical distribution planning, reduce interconnection delays, and ensure that California residents and businesses can timely access new and increased service for general economic growth, housing production, and meeting the state’s decarbonization goals.  Like SB 83, SB 410 charges the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with establishing reasonable average and maximum interconnection time periods.  RCRC’s letter of support for Senate Bill 83 is available here, and the letter of support for Senate Bill 410 may be found here. 

In the Assembly, Assembly Bill 50 (Wood, D-Santa Rosa) establishes clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers.  Importantly, AB 50 also requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand more closely matches the actual demand for service.  Finally, AB 50 requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.  RCRC’s letter for support for Assembly Bill 50 is available here. 

The final measure, AB 914 (Friedman, D-Glendale) would have exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the expansion or upgrade of electrical distribution substations and power lines to meet actual or forecasted demand increases.  That provision was gutted from the bill in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, leaving intact only a requirement that the state complete CEQA environmental reviews of electrical infrastructure projects within two years.  This exemption was sorely needed to address the state’s need to upgrade electrical distribution systems.   While the remaining provisions of AB 914 are supportable, a two-year process for merely preparing environmental documentation is not compatible with the urgency with which the state often needs to react to these pressing problems. The original version of Assembly 914 may be found here.

For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.

Legislature Considering Several Bond Measures to Fill Anticipated Funding Gaps

Anticipating budget shortfalls in the current year and in coming years, the Legislature has introduced several bond measures to fund both existing programs and new priorities. These measures largely focus on environmental and resources policy, but one measure proposed by the Governor would make major changes to state & local homelessness and mental health spending. As bond measures, each proposal would require approval by two-thirds of the Legislature, the Governor’s signature, and ultimately, voter approval.  

Here is a summary of key measures introduced so far: 

Senate Bill 867 (Allen, D – Santa Monica) - Would enact the Drought, Flood, and Water Resilience, Wildfire and Forest Resilience, Coastal Resilience, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture, Park Creation and Outdoor Access, and Clean Energy Bond Act of 2024, which would authorize the issuance of bonds in a currently unspecified amount, but expected to be up to $15,500,000,000 pursuant to the State  General Obligation Bond Law. This measure proposes financing projects for drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate smart agriculture,  park creation and outdoor access , and clean energy programs. This measure would be placed on the ballot in a (currently unspecified) future statewide election. 

Assembly Bill 305 (Villapudua, D – Stockton) - Would enact the California Flood Protection Bond Act of 2024 which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $4,500,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law for flood protection projects. This measure would be placed on the ballot in the November 5, 2024, statewide General Election. 

Assembly Bill 1567 (E. Garcia, D - Imperial) - Would enact the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2023, 2024, which would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $15,105,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. The measure proposed financing of projects for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparation, flood protection, extreme heat mitigation, and workforce development programs. This measure would be placed on the ballot in the March 5, 2024, statewide Primary Election. 

Assembly Bill 408 (Wilson, D – Suisan City) - Would enact the Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,365,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. This measure proposed financing programs related to, among other things, agricultural lands, food and fiber infrastructure, climate resilience, agricultural professionals, including farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, workforce development and training, air quality, tribes, disadvantaged communities, nutrition, food aid, meat processing facilities, and fishing facilities. This measure would be placed on the ballot for the November 5, 2024, statewide General Election.

For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sidd Nag.  

State Air Board Adopts Statewide Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicle Rule

On April 28, 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted a sweeping rulemaking package mandating zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) purchases for commercial vehicles beginning in 2024. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rulemaking package applies to state and local government fleets, fleets operated by large corporations, federal government fleets, and individual drayage trucks operating in California’s intermodal system. The state and local government requirements begin January 1, 2024, and require 50 percent of all new vehicle purchases to be either ZEV or near-ZEV (plug-in hybrid) for most counties, and 100 percent of new purchases beginning January 1, 2027. Members of the Board acknowledged potential challenges with the state’s electrical grid and urged utilities to rise to the occasion to enable the regulatory package to be successful.  

The package includes several exemptions that were not included in the initial final draft proposed in October 2022 to address concerns raised by RCRC and other stakeholders regarding future vehicle and charging infrastructure availability. The Board added a 2025 update on the use of renewable natural gas to meet mandates established in Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016) to meet the state’s methane emissions reductions goals. Staff will also be required to update the Board on implementation progress in 2028, with adjustments to be made accordingly as implementation challenges arise. The final ACF rule can be viewed on CARB’s website.

For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.

Bill Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to Improve Water Supply in the San Joaquin Valley

On April 18th, U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act (H.R. 2671), which would provide flexibility for San Joaquin Valley water users to meet water quality standards and improve water storage. The measure would amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) of 2014, a program that accelerates investment in our nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. The bill would clarify that federally owned infrastructure managed and operated by non-federal entities, such as the San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority and Friant Water Authority, are eligible for WIFIA financing. The text of the bill can be found here.

Congress Members Urge Disaster Relief Package to Help California Farms Damaged by Winter Storms, Catastrophic Flooding

On April 24th, U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey), Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), and Jim Costa (D-Fresno) sent a letter urging the creation and passage of a disaster recovery package to aid recovery efforts for California farms and ranches devastated by historic storms earlier this year. The request was sent to Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy (D-Bakersfield), who represents California farmland impacted by recent flooding, as well as Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas), and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut). At the time of the letter, the Farm Service Agency had received over 900 filings for assistance, of which 860 are from the RCRC member counties of Santa Barbara (240), San Luis Obispo (320) and Monterey (300). The letter also specifically cited that Tulare County estimates $113 million in damages. The full text of the letter can be found here.

Department of Commerce Announces Funding Of $60.3 Million For Projects in Northern California to Strengthen Climate-Ready Coasts

On April 21st, the Department of Commerce recommended $60.3 million for projects across northern California to make communities and the economy resilient to climate change. Across northern California, 13 projects will create jobs and boost economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities. The awards are made under the Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with additional funds leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These projects will affect the Russian River watershed, tributaries in the Klamath Basin, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and areas of Mendocino County, Humboldt County, Del Norte County, and Sonoma County, See a full list of projects here.

RCRC to Host Webinar: Building the Rural Foundation for the Transition to ZEVs

On Monday, May 22nd, RCRC will host a webinar entitled “Building the Rural Foundation for the Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles”. The webinar is in partnership with the VELOZ “Electric for All” Campaign and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and will feature an array of speakers providing updates and guidance on building rural Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about permit streamlining, upcoming projects, and best practices. 

Date: Monday, May 22, 2023 
Time: 10AM to 11AM Pacific Time 
Register Here 

For more information, contact RCRC’s Deputy Chief Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris.  

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

Golden State Natural Resources Update

Earlier this month, the USDA Forest Service announced over $9 million in grants to strengthen California’s wood products economy and local jobs. Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) was awarded $500,000.  Under this program, the funds may be utilized to help establish GSNR’s two wood pellet processing facilities, specifically for pre-development contractual purposes. Once finalized, GSNR intends to use the funds in 2023 in support of its path towards achieving more significant financial funding.  See the announcement here.  

To learn more about GSNR and its forest resiliency projects visit www.goldenstatenaturalresources.com.

BULLETIN BOARD

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

NRCS California Allocates $2 Million to Assist Farmers Recover from Floods

Beginning April 26, 2023, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is setting aside $2 million in federal financial assistance to help California’s agricultural producers recover from recent flooding. This funding is in addition to recent USDA funding allocated through the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (administered by NRCS) and the USDA Emergency Conservation Program (administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency).  The deadline to apply is June 16, 2023.For more information, see here.

Energy Safety to Host Stakeholder Meeting on Community Vulnerability in Wildfire Mitigation Planning

The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety) is hosting scoping meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 10am to 12:30pm for stakeholders—including state agencies and California’s electrical corporations—to share ideas and discuss the inclusion of community vulnerability in wildfire mitigation planning, such as how to measure these factors to inform risk modeling and decision making. The meeting notice and agenda can be viewed here. Register here. 
 

CPUC Public Forums on Telecommunications Service Quality Standards

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is requesting public and customer feedback on telephone, mobile voice, and Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers. Specifically, the CPUC, through a proceeding RCRC is formally participating in, is considering expanding service quality rules currently in place for landline telephone service only to other telecommunications services, such as VoIP/internet phone, wireless phones, and internet/broadband services. The goal of the proceeding and these public comment forums is to assess whether existing rules meet the current needs of Californians and will consider expanding reliability standards for customers to access emergency services, public health, education, and other resources.

WHEN:                  Thursday, May 3, 2023 at 2pm and/or 6pm

WHERE:                1-800-857-1917, passcode 1767567#; (for Spanish, please use passcode 3799627#). To view a video broadcast only, visit www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc.

Written public comments are accepted on an ongoing basis through the proceeding’s docket, see here.

Career Opportunities

Butte County

• BUTTE COUNTY IS SEEKING a professional who is a proven project manager, communicator and presenter. The desired candidate will possess knowledge and experience functioning as a liaison between various departments within an organization and the Chief Administrative Officer. In addition, the ideal candidate will have knowledge and successful experience is the areas of budget preparation, analysis, review and forecasting (preferably County experience). The Deputy Administrative Officer is a management level classification that functions independently and is expected to possess a comprehensive knowledge of Butte County political environment, policies and procedures, and organizational development strategies; serves as a resource to Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Board of Supervisors. To learn more about this exciting career opportunity please view the recruitment brochure HERE and click HERE to apply. Closes May 14, 2023 11:59 PM.

Shasta County

• Deputy County Counsel II/III/Senior Deputy County Counsel ($102,300.00 - $174,144.00 Annually). Click here for the job bulletin or see here for more information and to apply.
• Health Officer ($201,588.00 - $257,304.00 Annually). Click here for the job bulletin or see here for more information and to apply.

Sierra County

• The County of Sierra is seeking a Director of Health and Social Services, responsible for the management and administration of Department of Health and Social Services.  A full description and qualifications are available here. For more information, visit the county website here or call (530) 289-2879.
• The Sierra County Department of Transportation is recruiting for a Transportation Planner II or III, depending on qualifications. This position is open until filled. For more information, see the county website here or call 530-289-2879

Tuolumne County

• Chief Deputy Assistant County Clerk & Auditor-Controller ($125,468-$152,507 Annually).
  The County of Tuolumne is seeking qualified candidates for a Chief Deputy Assistant department head who will have primary supervision and administrative oversight of the department and may assume full responsibility of the office in the absence of the County Clerk & Auditor Controller.  Requires bachelor’s degree in accounting or related and to meet one (1) of four (4) additional qualifications as outlined in the full job announcement. For additional information, or to apply, see here. Closes May 3, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
   

Yolo County

• The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill an at-will full-time position in the class of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Manager at the County Administrator's Office. The recruitment is scheduled to close at 11:00 PM on Friday, April 14, 2023. As a key member of the leadership team, the DEI Manager performs complex strategic planning and analytical work to develop, manage, coordinate, implement, and refine the County's DEI programs and activities. The incumbent functions as a project manager with the authority to develop and make independent decisions within broad policies and procedures as determined by County executive management, the Board of Supervisors, and federal, state and county laws, ordinances, and regulations. To view the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and full DEI Manager job description, click here.

• The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one (1) regular, full-time position in the class of Public Information Officer (PIO) at the County Administrator's Office. The role of the Public Information Officer is to manage the County’s communications with the public through press releases, social media, videos, live media and the County website. The PIO informs and engages the community and other stakeholders regarding County activities, services, and strategies.  The PIO also functions as the County Spokesperson which requires knowledge of County programs and policies. As a member of the County Emergency Operations Center personnel, the PIO also acts in a lead capacity in disseminating information during an emergency. The full job announcement can be found here. This position is open until filled.

PPIC

• The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is accepting applications for the Director of PPIC's Water Policy Center. With a strong track record of conducting compelling research, the Center Director will lead this dynamic policy area and serve as a resource for key decision makers and stakeholders. They will be responsible for managing a talented in-house team and the operating budget for the Center’s activities, and will be a member of PPIC’s executive team, reporting to the President’s Office. Applications and materials are due by Friday, May 19, 2023. Find additional information and apply here.

UC ANR

• Alameda/Contra Costa Area County Director – Job ID 51253 (https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2486) The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is seeking a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Area County Director to provide leadership in support of applied research, extension and outreach programs across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to bring the programs and resources of UC directly to all Californians through research and education programs that support:
  • Sustainable, safe, and nutritious food production and delivery
  • Economic success in a global economy
  • A sustainable, healthy, and productive environment
  • Science literacy and youth development

The Area County Director is responsible for the coordination and overall operation of UCCE programs, in cooperation with county government, in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Area County Director oversees management of the physical plant and human resources. They will increase the visibility of UCCE through community engagement, including but not limited to, needs assessments, representing UC ANR in local and/or regional initiatives, participation in relevant policy development, and communicating the positive impacts and benefits realized by the citizens and workforce of the local counties, region and state from the activities and contributions of local UCCE programs. The Area County Director will endeavor to make sure that the programs and resources of the University of California are available to residents of both counties.

USDA Grants Available to Help Rural California Repair Their Homes Damaged By Floods and Fires in 2022

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announces the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by severe weather or natural disasters in 2022, including the California Mosquito, Oak, Coastal, Fairview, and Mill fires as well as severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

People living in identified counties in California may be eligible for the funding. The homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas.

The grants will be available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.

Funds will be available until expended. They may be used to:

• Pay for home repair expenses that were a result of a presidentially declared disaster in calendar year 2022.
• Prepare a site for a manufactured home.
• Relocate a manufactured home.

To be eligible:

• Applicants must have household incomes that do not exceed the low-limits based on their household size and county.
• Homes must be located in an eligible rural area.
• Homes must be located in a presidentially declared disaster areas 2022.

Residents in the following counties may be eligible for the funding: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yolo

For more information on how to apply, visit the USDA website here.

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox

KEEPING UP

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.

Walter “Budge” Currier, of Granite Bay, has been appointed to the State 9-1-1 Advisory Board. Currier has been Assistant Director, Public Safety Communications in the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services since 2022. Currier was a 9-1-1 Branch Manager at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services from 2011 to 2022. He was Communication Engineer and Project Manager at AECOM from 2007 to 2011. Currier was an Assistant Professor at Liberty University from 2006 to 2007. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 2006. Currier is President of the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators and a member of the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Currier is registered without party preference.   

Rodney Ellison, of West Sacramento, has been appointed to the State 9-1-1 Advisory Board. Ellison has been Chief and Central Division Commander at the California Highway Patrol since 2023, where he served as Assistant Chief from 2020 to 2023. He is a founder and was president of the Central Valley Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives from 2017 to 2018. Ellison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Washington. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ellison is a Democrat.      

Jacque Roberts, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Undersecretary at the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Roberts has served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2020. She was Senior Advisor at the Department of General Services from 2015 to 2020. Roberts was Deputy Legislative Secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2015 and Assistant Legislative Secretary in the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2005 to 2010. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Biola University. This position does not require Senate Confirmation and the compensation is $205,848. Roberts is registered without party preference.

IN THE NEWS

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.

Scientists find trauma changes the brains of wildfire survivors – Scripps News

Some researchers are looking into a phenomenon of so-called "climate trauma" — the trauma for survivors who lived through extreme weather events, and the climate anxiety felt by younger generations. One such climate trauma example is for residents of Butte County, California, who survived the 2018 Camp Fire. The area was part of a wildland urban interface at higher risk of wildfire. 

California boosts State Water Project shares to 100% – The Sacramento Bee

For the first time in 17 years, the California Department of Water Resources has announced that local water agencies will receive 100% of water allocations through this year. Increased water availability is expected to relieve stress on farms, ecosystems, and communities in California's rural counties, which have struggled with severe drought and water cutbacks for years.

“The big melt is now here”: California braces for floods – NBC News

After weeks of nervous anticipation in California’s Central Valley, a massive pulse of snowmelt is expected to flow out of the Sierra Nevada this week, challenging levees and raising the risk of another round of damaging flooding.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties.

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  Amends reporting and transportation project review requirements, under SB 375 (2008), for the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), for project information pertaining to climate and greenhouse gas emissions impacts. Requires MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence. Additionally, the bill requires any project nominated by local or regional transportation agencies for Solutions for Congested Corridors funding to demonstrate how the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state targets.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/25/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (April 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: project selection processes.   Requires all transportation projects funded, at least in part, through major state or federal funding programs to incorporate several, specified principles that include improving road safety, conformity with federal streamlined project principles, ADA compliance, water and air quality impacts, climate impacts, and access to disadvantaged communities, among others. Also requires State Transportation Agency to submit a report to the legislature on how all funded projects conform to the requirements of this legislation.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 50   (Wood)   Public utilities: timely service: timely electrical interconnection.   Seeks to establish clear expectations for how quickly utilities are expected to deliver service to new customers and fulfill requests for increased load from existing customers. Invests the CPUC with authority to determine what constitutes the timely provision of electrical service and fulfillment of requests to provide additional capacity. Requires utilities to refine their distribution planning processes to work more collaboratively with local governments and ensure that the projected demand for a given planning cycle more closely matches the actual demand for service. Requires utilities to share information with local governments about where distribution capacity exists or could be easily added to help meet local housing and economic development objectives.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (April 26).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 54   (Aguiar-Curry)   Department of Food and Agriculture: research funding: winegrapes: smoke exposure.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1), Staci (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Establishes a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3,700,000 acre-feet by the year 2030 and a total of 4,000,000 acre-feet by the year 2040.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/24/2023-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Requires CA Natural Resources Agency to approve the necessary permits for specified storage projects within 180 days from receiving a permit application, and would deem those permits approved if approval does not occur within this time period.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 4/17/2023-Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 78   (Ward)   Grand juries.   AB 78 makes changes in Section 890 of the Penal Code, which would increase the per diem rate paid to civil and criminal grand juries from the current statutorily required $15 per day to an amount “equal to seventy percent of the county median daily income.” SB 78 lacks a mechanism to cover the additional cost this bill imposes on counties.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 3/22/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 297   (Fong, Vince)   Wildfires: local assistance grant program: advance payments.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 338   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.     Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 356   (Mathis)   California Environmental Quality Act: aesthetic impacts.   Extends the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provision specifying that a lead agency is not required to evaluate the aesthetic effects of a project and aesthetic effects are not considered significant effects on the environment if the project involves the refurbishment, conversion, repurposing, or replacement of an existing building that meets certain requirements.   Location: Assembly Consent Calendar   Status: 4/27/2023-Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 2/9/2023-Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill prohibit a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency from approving a permit for a new groundwater well or for an alteration to an existing well in a basin subject to the act and classified as a critically overdrafted basin unless the city county or well permitting agency obtains written verification from a groundwater sustainability agency that the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program AND the proposed well would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by the plan.   Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/28/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   Authorizes State Water Board to issue, on its own motion or upon the petition of an interested party, an interim relief order in appropriate circumstances to implement or enforce these and related provisions of law. The bill would provide that a person or entity that violates any interim relief order issued by the board would be liable to the board for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the sum of $10,000 for each day in which a violation occurs and $5,000 for each acre-foot of water diverted in violation of the interim relief order.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 504   (Reyes)   State and local public employees: labor relations: disputes.     Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2023-Coauthors revised. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 3.) (April 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 592   (Wilson)   Vehicles: nonfranchise solid waste haulers.   Allows Contra Costa County, or any other county, to create a program to regulate nonfranchise waste hauling operations within the county.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/19/2023-Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 606   (Mathis)   California Endangered Species Act: accidental take: farms or ranches.     Location: Senate Rules   Status: 4/27/2023-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 625   (Aguiar-Curry)   Forest biomass: management: emissions: energy.   Establishes the Forest Waste Biomass Utilization Program to be administered by the state board’s Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation to develop an implementation plan to meet the goals and recommendations of the state’s wood utilization policies and priorities, and to develop a workforce training program to complement the workforce needs associated with the implementation plan. Requires annual reports on implementing the plan. Requires the Energy Commission to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature evaluating innovative bioenergy technologies that use forest biomass waste. Requires the Energy Commission to include in its integrated policy report an assessment of the potential for forest biomass waste energy to provide firm renewable power. Requires ARB to develop a methodology to quantify the greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions from wildfire, pile burning, and forest management activities.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 692   (Patterson, Jim)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) egress route projects undertaken by a public agency to improve emergency access to and evacuation from a subdivision without a secondary egress route if the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has recommended the creation of a secondary access to the subdivision.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 704   (Patterson, Jim)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts homes meeting certain requirements and rebuilt after being destroyed by a wildfire from state laws requiring installation of solar panels, until January 1, 2027.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 772   (Jackson)   State Foster Care Ombudsperson.   Requires the Energy Commission to require that each single-family residence constructed on and after January 1, 2025 include a rapid compact electric vehicle charger and that each multifamily residence constructed on and after January 1, 2025 include sufficient rapid compact electric vehicle chargers to serve at least 10% of its residential capacity at any given time.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 817   (Pacheco)   Open meetings: teleconferencing: subsidiary body.   AB 817 would provide a narrow exemption under the Ralph M.Brown Act for non-decision-making legislative bodies currently governed by Act, such as advisory bodies and commissions, to participate in two-way virtual teleconferencing without posting physical location of members. In addition, AB 817 would remove barriers to entry for appointed and elected office by allowing non-decision-making legislative bodies to participate virtually as long as they do not have the ability to take final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, licenses, permits, or other entitlements.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/25/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 909   (Hoover)   Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program.   Makes illegally disposed hazardous wastes eligible for funding under the CalRecycle’s illegal dumping grant program.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 944   (Irwin)   Fire stations: alternative power generation.   Declares Legislative intent to require fire stations to have an alternative method of power generation during power outages.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 998   (Connolly)   Biomass energy facilities: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: report.   Requires the Energy Commission to issue a report on the utility-scale biomass combustion facilities still in operation as of January 1, 2024. The report must include an assessment of operational factors of each facility, a comparison of direct combustion compared to other biomass energy technologies, and a recommended strategy, if appropriate, to repower biomass combustion facilities to noncombustion conversion technologies. The report must include recommendations and strategies related to areas where combustion biomass facilities may be shut down or repowered, including strategies related to baseload power generation, processing waste, and job training.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1000   (Reyes)   Qualifying logistics use projects.   Prohibits local governments from approving warehouse development projects located within 1,000 feet of a large variety of sensitive receptors. Imposes new conditions on local approval of warehouse projects between 750-1000 feet of those sensitive receptors, in addition to mitigation measures required under CEQA.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/27/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   – Requires State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would require that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things. Authorizes State Board to issue a cease and desist order when a diversion or use violates or threatens to violate an applicable limitation or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage. The bill would authorize a person who violates a principle, guideline, or requirement adopted by the state board for the diversion and use of water in specified coastal watersheds during times of water shortage to be held liable in an amount not to exceed the sum of $500 for each day that the violation occurs.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   Authorizes State Water Board to adopt regulations for various water conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, to prevent the waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion of water, and to implement these regulations through orders curtailing the diversion or use of water under any claim of right. The bill would require the board to provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before issuing an order. The bill would provide that a person or entity may be civilly liable for a violation pursuant to these provisions in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day in which the violation has occurred and $2,500 for each acre-foot of water diverted or used in violation of the applicable requirement.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/24/2023-Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1448   (Wallis)   Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions.   AB 1448 would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities by creating a streamlined local administrative penalty process, allow local jurisdictions to utilize statutory penalties and create more collection options.   Location: Assembly Judiciary   Status: 4/17/2023-Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1484   (Zbur)   Temporary public employees.   While AB 1484 is ostensibly intended to benefit temporary employees of local public agencies, in reality, it will directly harm these employees by severely limiting their future opportunities for temporary employment. This bill would: inflexibly mandate that temporary employees must be included within the same bargaining unit as permanent employees; and that the wages, hours, plus terms and conditions of employment for both temporary and permanent employees must be bargained together in a single memorandum of understanding. This result is already possible under current law, but only if the temporary and permanent employees have a "community of interest" making such combined treatment appropriate – an important component of fair representation and bargaining that this bill eschews.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1534   (Irwin)   Methane emissions: municipal solid waste landfills: remote sensing data.   Requires ARB to incorporate the use of remote sensing data into its landfill methane emissions regulations.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1548   (Hart)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recycling infrastructure projects.   Expands CalRecycle’s existing solid and organic waste recycling grant program to help local governments get recycled material into the marketplace, find new homes for useful consumer goods, and expand local edible food recovery programs.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/24/2023-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1554   (Patterson, Joe)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: wildfire fuels reduction projects.   Exempts from CEQA fuels reduction projects in areas within moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 4/24/2023-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   Requires a county, city, or any other water well permitting agency to obtain a written verification from the groundwater sustainability agency that manages the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located determining that, among other things, the extraction by the proposed well is consistent with any sustainable groundwater management program.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/19/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1597   (Alvarez)   Water quality: California-Mexico cross-border rivers.   Makes $50 million available, upon appropriation from the General Fund, to the North American Development Bank for loans, grants, and direct expenditures to address water quality problems arising in the California-Mexico cross-border rivers. Requires funding to be available for water quality projects for the Tijuana River and for projects consistent with the New River Water Quality, Public Health, and River Parkway Development Plan.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/25/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1616   (Lackey)   California Cannabis Tax Fund: Board of State and Community Corrections grants.   AB 1616 would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to prioritize local governments whose programs seek to address the unlawful cultivation and sale of cannabis when disbursing grants from California Cannabis Tax Fund. The bill would also authorize the board to make grants to local governments that ban both indoor and outdoor commercial cannabis cultivation or ban retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products.   Location: Assembly Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/26/2023-In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1700   (Hoover)   California Environmental Quality Act: population growth and noise impacts: housing projects.   Provides that population growth, in and of itself, resulting from a housing project and noise impacts of a housing project are not an effect on the environment for purposes of CEQA.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/9/2023-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   Authorizes a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would make findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 26).    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 35   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 38   (Laird)   Battery energy storage facilities: emergency response and evacuation plans.   States Legislature intent to enact future legislation to address the need for better safety systems at battery storage facilities.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 69   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial and administrative proceedings: limitations.     Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/24/2023-April 24 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 75   (Roth)   Courts: judgeships.   SB 75 would authorize 26 new superior court judgeships, subject to appropriation. If funded in the budget, any new judgeships would be allocated to counties in the state in accordance with the Judicial Council's Judicial Needs Assessment.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/10/2023-April 10 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 91   (Umberg)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: supportive and transitional housing: motel conversion.   Repeals the sunset date of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for conversion a motel, hotel, residential hotel, or hostel to supportive or transitional housing.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 367   (Seyarto)   Farm, ranch, and public lands cleanup and abatement: grant program.   Creates a grant program to facilitate the proper disposal of illegally dumped waste on state and federal lands.   Location: Senate Appropriations Suspense File   Status: 4/10/2023-April 10 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 378   (Gonzalez)   State parks: state beaches: expanded polystyrene food container and cooler ban.   Bans people from bringing an expanded polystyrene food container or cooler onto a state beach or in a unit of the state park system and for improper disposal of those products.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/3/2023-April 11 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 389   (Allen)   State Water Resources Control Board: determination of water right.   Authorize State Water Board to investigate the diversion and use of water from a stream system to determine whether the diversion and use are based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Allows State Board to issue an information order to a water right claimant, diverter, or user to provide technical reports or other information related to a diversion and use of water, including, but not limited to, all of the following: the basis of the water right claimed, the patent date claimed for the place of use, the notice date of the appropriation, and information related to the diversions and use of transferred water.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 393   (Glazer)   California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: identification of contributors: housing projects.   Requires a CEQA plaintiff or petitioner to disclose the identity of persons and entities that contribute more than $5,000 towards litigation costs for housing projects. Requires a plaintiff or petitioner to identify any pecuniary or economic interest related to any person who contributes more than $5,000 to the costs of the action.   Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/18/2023-Set for hearing May 2.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 406   (Cortese)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: financial assistance: housing.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act actions of a local agency to provide financial assistance or insurance for the development and construction of low- or moderate-income residential housing.   Location: Senate Housing   Status: 3/30/2023-Set for hearing May 2.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 410   (Becker)   Powering Up Californians Act.   Seeks to improve electrical distribution planning, reduce interconnection delays, and ensure that California residents and businesses can timely access new and increased service for general economic growth, housing production, and meeting the state’s decarbonization goals. Charges the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with establishing reasonable average and maximum interconnection time periods.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/18/2023-VOTE: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] (PASS)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 507   (Gonzalez)   Electric vehicle charging station infrastructure: assessments.   Requires the Energy Commission to assess the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure needed to meet zero-emission vehicle goals and ensure equitable deployment of EV charging infrastructure, including whether EV charging stations are disproportionately distributed, and whether homes have equal access to electrical panel upgrades to support at-home charging in single-family and multi-family housing. SB 507 requires the Energy Commission to quantify EV charging needs of rural, low-income, as well as disadvantaged communities and provide recommendations to remove barriers to achieve equity of EV charging infrastructure.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Leigh (1)

SB 525   (Durazo)   Minimum wage: health care workers.   SB 525 proposes to raise the health care minimum wage broadly across the health sector to $25 per hour, including for employees working in county agencies – specifically, county health departments, county mental health departments, county correctional health settings, county hospitals, and county owned and operated clinics. Additionally, SB 525 requires salaried employees to be paid twice the proposed $25/hour minimum wage – creating a new salary base of $104,000 per year.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 551   (Portantino)   Mental Health Services Act: prevention and early intervention.   SB 551 would divert 20% of the prevention and early intervention funds from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSA), to provide direct services on school campuses.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 26).   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 560   (Laird)   Solid waste: gas cylinders: stewardship program.   States legislative intent to establish a framework for expended producer responsibility for the end-of-life management of covered gas cylinders.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  John (1)

SB 613   (Seyarto)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: low-population exemption.   Exempts from SB 1383 regulations local jurisdictions that dispose less than 5,000 tons of solid waste per year and that have fewer than 7,500 people.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 615   (Allen)   Vehicle traction batteries.   Requires all electric vehicle traction batteries to be recovered, reused, repurposed, remanufactured, or recycled at the end of their useful life in a motor vehicle or other application. Requires vehicle manufacturers, dismantlers, and secondary users to be responsible for end-of-life management of the battery.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 620   (McGuire)   Low-impact camping areas.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/25/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 642   (Cortese)   Hazardous materials: enforcement: county counsel.   Allows county counsels to enforce provisions of state law related to aboveground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, medical waste, and hazardous materials business plans.   Location: Senate Third Reading   Status: 4/13/2023-Read second time. Ordered to third reading.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

SB 651   (Grove)   Water storage and recharge: California Environmental Quality Act.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/27/2023-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.    Staff: 

SB 672   (McGuire)   State highways: parklets.   Requires CA Department of Transportation to establish a standard fee structure for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway, as specified. Prohibits the department from charging an encroachment permit fee for the application and placement of a parklet on a state highway. The bill would require the department to consider an encroachment permit application for commercial use. Requires the department to comply with applicable state and federal law in establishing the standard fee structure, authorize the department to adjust the fee schedule to comply with applicable state and federal law, and require the department to report to the Legislature if it adjusts the fee schedule to comply with applicable state or federal law.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/21/2023-Set for hearing May 1.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 707   (Newman)   Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2023.   Creates a Responsible Textile Recovery Act to require producers to establish a stewardship program for collection and recycling of apparel and textiles that are unsuitable for reuse by a consumer.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 751   (Padilla)   Franchise agreements: labor dispute.   Prohibits a local government from entering into an exclusive franchise agreement for waste services, or an amended agreement, that contains a force majeure provision that can be triggered by a labor impasse.   Location: Senate Gov. & F.   Status: 4/27/2023-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on GOV. & F.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 752   (Padilla)   Solid waste: collection service: disruptions.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/11/2023-Set for hearing April 18. April 18 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 753   (Caballero)   Cannabis: water resources.   SB 753 amends Section 11358 of the Health and Safety Code to include groundwater as a public resource, and establishes that the theft of groundwater, unauthorized tapping into a water conveyance or storage infrastructure, or digging an unpermitted, illegal well may also be punished by imprisonment. This is an RCRC Sponsored Bill.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 768   (Caballero)   California Environmental Quality Act: vehicle miles traveled: statement of overriding consideration.   States legislative intent to create a new transportation impact analysis for rural areas for purposes of the California Enivronmental Quality Act.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 4/18/2023-April 19 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)