The Barbed Wire - April 5, 2024

April 5, 2024
Governor and Legislative Leaders Reach Early Action Budget Agreement
Bill of the Week – Senate Bill 1259 (Niello) – California Environmental Quality Act: Judicial Review
Board of Forestry Committee to Consider Expanding Utility Rights-of-Way and Continue Vegetation Management Discussion at Upcoming Meeting
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Advances Measures to Reduce Local Household Hazardous Waste Management Costs
RCRC Requests Inclusion of California in the Rural Partners Network
Congress Members Urge Biden Administration to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following California’s Severe Winter Storms
RCRC Board Members Invited by Incoming NACo President Supervisor James Gore to Apply for NACo 2024–2025 Leadership Appointments
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Governor and Legislative Leaders Reach Early Action Budget Agreement

On Thursday, Governor Newsom, together with Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), announced an agreement to reduce the 2024 State Budget by taking early action to reduce the shortfall by $17 billion. These moves incorporate roughly two-thirds of the budget-balancing maneuvers contained in the Governor’s Proposed Budget of January 10th. However, even if these actions are adopted it continues to leave many difficult proposals for the June budget discussion.   

The Legislature is expected to take up the budget measures, contained in Assembly Bill 106 or Senate Bill 106, in what’s referred to as a “Budget Bill Junior” sometime next week (likely Thursday, April 11). It is customary for budget vehicles to have both a Senate and Assembly version which “mirror” on another, as is the case with AB 106 and SB 106, in order that they receive concurrent consideration on the respective floors. In the meantime, budget committee hearings will be held over the next few legislative days to allow for “public review and comment”.  AB 106 and SB 106 are expected to be amended to reflect the early action proposal in the coming few days. 

View the Early Action Summary: Assembly | Senate 

Bill of the Week – Senate Bill 1259 (Niello) – California Environmental Quality Act: Judicial Review

On April 3, Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) presented Senate Bill 1259 in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. This measure proposes several changes to expedite CEQA litigation review, improve transparency, and ensure that CEQA is not misused for non-environmental purposes.   

RCRC testified with California YIMBY as one of two primary witnesses in support of the measure.  SB 1259 seeks to preserve CEQA’s important information disclosure and environmental mitigation requirements while making key improvements to protect against entities misusing the law for anti-competitive, obstructionist, or pecuniary interests.  

In particular, SB 1259 seeks to: 1) Expedite litigation review for major commercial, housing, and public works projects that address longstanding critical needs; 2) Ensure that courts only stop construction or operation of a project as a last resort when there are unforeseen and imminent threats to public health and safety or sensitive resources; 3) Require judicial approval of CEQA settlements and prohibit inclusion of non-environmental provisions in those settlements; and 4) Require disclosure of persons or entities who made monetary contributions of $10,000 or more to the lawsuit.   

While the bill ultimately failed passage in Committee, it spurred thoughtful and collaborative conversations from members on both sides of the aisle about the ways in which CEQA has evolved over the years and how it is exploited to kill projects, stifle competition, or extract concessions from project proponents. 

RCRC’s letter in support of SB 1259 and testimony to the Little Hoover Commission can be found here

For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy

Board of Forestry Committee to Consider Expanding Utility Rights-of-Way and Continue Vegetation Management Discussion at Upcoming Meeting

Next week, the Board of Forestry’s Management Committee will meet and continue to discuss amendments to the Forest Practice Rules to address how electric utilities conduct vegetation management work within public rights of way, as well as how public agencies conduct similar work. The discussion will focus on a more controversial request by PG&E to more than double the size of the right-of-way for electric distribution lines under 33KV, and to significantly increase rights-of-way for higher voltage lines and telephone cables/open wires. These changes are expected to substantially impact property owners who have distribution and transmission lines running across their land.

Regarding the changes that would impact public agencies, the Board of Forestry has characterized its intent to largely maintain the status quo and remove controversial proposed changes to “timber operations” and “timberlands” that would have brought maintenance activities within the definition of “timber operations,” and required a Notice of Exemption to be prepared by a Registered Professional Forester.  

The Board of Forestry Management Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 9th at 1pm. The meeting can be viewed here.

RCRC requests local government feedback on the draft amendments and urges participation in the upcoming meeting. Responses or questions should be directed to RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy.  

Senate Environmental Quality Committee Advances Measures to Reduce Local Household Hazardous Waste Management Costs

On April 3, the Senate Environmental Quality Committee advanced several important measures, supported by RCRC, to reduce local costs and responsibilities for managing hazardous wastes. 

Senate Bill 1066 (Blakespear, D-Encinitas) requires manufacturers to create, fund, and implement a producer responsibility program for the end-of-life management of expired marine flares.  Flares are vital emergency devices required by the U.S. Coast Guard; however, those flares are extremely difficult and expensive to manage when they expire three to four years after the date of manufacture.  While flares can cost consumers from $13-$26 each, they generally cost local governments $46 or more per flare for disposal.  (See letter of support here.) 

Senate Bill 1143 (Allen, D-Santa Monica) takes a broader approach to require manufacturers of certain types of products that become household hazardous wastes at the end of their useful lives to participate in a producer responsibility program to provide a free and convenient collection and management system for those products.  Products addressed in SB 1143 include cleaners, adhesives, electronics, paints, lubricants, flammable materials, pool chemicals, universal wastes, and the like.  Under SB 1143, those manufacturers would have to reimburse local governments for the costs of managing those waste streams. (See letter of support here.) 

Senate Bill 1280 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz) requires small propane cylinders sold in the state to be reusable or refillable by January 1, 2028.  Small disposable propane cylinders are commonly sold and used in the state for a variety of purposes, including in many recreation-related activities that are important to rural economies. Unfortunately, small propane cylinders are very expensive for local governments to manage in the waste stream, and it is nearly impossible to know whether a cylinder is completely empty.  A small product redesign as contemplated in SB 1280 will substantially reduce the number of waste propane cylinders that local governments must manage in the waste stream, thereby reducing costs, administrative burdens, and safety risks for household hazardous waste programs. (See letter of support here.) 

RCRC strongly supports these three bills because local government household hazardous waste collection programs incur tremendous costs to properly manage and dispose of these items.  Bills like SB 1066 and SB 1143 require the manufacturers who introduce those goods into the stream of commerce to take charge of the collection, transportation, and management of those products, rather than shift those costs onto local governments and taxpayers.   

These measures now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy

RCRC Requests Inclusion of California in the Rural Partners Network

On March 26th, RCRC sent a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack, urging him to consider California’s rural communities in any next selection cohort for the Rural Partners Network (RPN).  The letter also suggested that RCRC could serve as the local/regional anchor host. The RPN was launched in April 2022, and communities within the network collaborate with federal agencies to access resources and funding, aiming to create local jobs, build infrastructure, and foster long-term economic stability on their own terms. The RPN establishes community networks in rural areas, where local leaders and residents work alongside civic organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and development agencies.

RCRC believes that California’s rural counties might have been unintentionally overlooked during the selection process due to population hubs. Earlier in March, RCRC met with Mr. Lee Jones, Executive Director of RPN, to gain insight into the selection process. Last August, RCRC aided Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) in writing a similar letter calling for California's inclusion in the RPN. That letter was signed by many members of RCRC's delegation including Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-San Benito), Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Jared Huffman (D-Marina), Jim Costa (D-Tulare), Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), and David Valadao (R-Hanford).  

Congress Members Urge Biden Administration to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following California’s Severe Winter Storms

In a letter dated March 26th, forty-seven (47) members of the California Congressional delegation called on the Biden Administration to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the ongoing impacts of winter storms that made landfall in California from January 31 through February 9. The recent storms had a profound impact, with heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains, widespread river and urban flooding, strong winds, and substantial precipitation. These weather events caused damage to federal and state highways, critical infrastructure, homes, and buildings. In response, lawmakers rallied behind California’s request for President Biden’s approval of public assistance for nine counties, including the RCRC member counties of Butte; Glenn; Monterey; San Luis Obispo; Santa Barbara; and Sutter, along with the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Ventura. The letter also requested statewide hazard mitigation assistance. The full text of the letter is available here.

RCRC Board Members Invited by Incoming NACo President Supervisor James Gore to Apply for NACo 2024–2025 Leadership Appointments

At the March 2024 RCRC Board of Directors meeting, Sonoma County Supervisor, and incoming NACo President, James Gore invited RCRC Board members to apply for a variety of NACo leadership positions. As a follow-up to that open invitation, Supervisor Gore sent an email message, which can be found here.  

Appointments will be made for: 

  • Policy Steering Committee chairs and vice chairs and subcommittee chairs and vice chairs 

  • Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) and Rural Action Caucus (RAC) chairs and vice chairs 

  • Standing Committee chairs and vice chairs 

  • Ad Hoc Committee, Task Force and Advisory Board chairs and vice chairs 

  • At-Large NACo Board Directors 

More information about each committee can be found in Supervisor Gore’s email message here.  

The presidential appointments application form must be completed by anyone who would like to be considered for a leadership appointment on a steering, standing or ad hoc committee for the 2024–2025 presidential year. The online application form is available here.  

The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 26, 2024. 

IMPORTANT: Policy steering committee membership is not a part of this application process. State associations of counties are responsible for nominating general members of policy steering committees.  To become a member of a policy steering committee you must contact your state association. They will submit the nomination to NACo. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

Webinar Opportunity for Public Defenders

Is your jurisdiction seeking to strengthen Sixth Amendment protections? Join the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Center for Justice Innovation, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on April 23, 2024, at 2:00 pm Eastern for a 45-minute webinar to discuss exciting opportunities for no-cost training and technical assistance through BJA’s Justice for All program

Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

 

Opportunity for Rural Counties through NACo's Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) Initiative

RLEM is a new peer-learning opportunity for rural local government leaders to advance upward economic mobility to help individuals and families move out of poverty. Applications are due on Monday, April 22 at 11:59pm ET, submit to economicmobility@naco.org.

  • Who should apply? RLEM members will consist of two-person teams from 10 counties, parishes or boroughs with populations of under 50,000. Teams will include one elected leader and one government employee or community member tasked with implementing data-driven programs and policies.
  • Why participate? RLEM will connect you with other local government leaders and help members learn how to use tools for developing policies, programs and funding for place-based approaches to economic mobility. Each RLEM member will receive travel funding to participate in all in-person activities and a $50,000 grant to the participants’ local government to help with capacity building needs.
  • For more information: Visit naco.org/program/RLEM/apply or register to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, April 3 at 3pm ET.

 

Employment Opportunities

Colusa County

Colusa County is seeking an Assistant County Administrative Officer. Salary: $132,300.00 - $216,780.00. This recruitment is open until filled. To learn more or to apply, see here. Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package.

Mendocino County

San Benito County

San Benito County Council of Governments is seeking a Transportation Planner II/III. Salary: $64,916-$100,692 Annually. This recruitment will remain open until filled. To learn more or to apply, click here. San Benito County offers an excellent benefit package.

CCDEH and CAEHA Seeking Shared Executive Director and Advocate (Sacramento - Remote)

The California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) and California Association of Environmental Health Administrators (CAEHA) are seeking to fill a shared executive director and advocate position in Sacramento. This is a full-time position shared between these two public health organizations. This position is open through June 1, 2024, 5:00 PM, or until filled. Compensation and benefits are negotiable. Submit resumes by email to justin@ccdeh.com. To learn more, see the job announcement here.

CCDEH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was established in 1956 to promote public environmental health in California – especially at the local government level. CCDEH has three staff and a budget of approximately $.5million. CAEHA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit established in 1968 with 3 staff and a budget of approximately $2.0million. CAEHA serves CCDEH and local environmental health programs through state-wide advocacy and staffing support. Both organizations work closely with the hazardous materials and 
safety regulators in the California Unified Program. The incumbent will be expected to advocate on behalf of the local Unified Program agencies as well as CCDEH. For additional information on these organizations see: www.ccdeh.org, www.caeha.net, and www.calcupa.org.

 

2024 Public Meetings of the Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners (DRIP) Collaborative

Mark your calendars for the 2024 meetings of the Department of Water Resources DRIP (Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners) meetings. Members of the public may observe each meeting and provide public comments in-person (Sacramento) or remotely. Click the links below for information about each meeting.

April 26, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

October 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

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.

 

William “Liam” Coburn, of Upper Lake, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board of Directors. Coburn has been Co-Owner and Culinary Director of Crazy Quilt Farms since 2021. He has also been an In-Home Supportive Services Provider since 2019. Coburn was a Kitchen Manager at Lovejoy’s Tea Room from 2014 to 2018 and a Business Manager at Neiman Marcus from 2005 to 2014. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Coburn is a Democrat.

Linda Workman, of Redding, has been appointed to the 27th District Agricultural Association, Shasta County Fair Board of Directors. Workman has been retired since 2014. She previously served in several positions at the 27th District Agricultural Association, Shasta County Fair from 2002 to 2014, including CEO, Manager III and Business Assistant. Workman was a Billing Specialist at Alltel from 1987 to 2001 and a Receptionist for Dr. Dan Bernett from 1984 to 1991. Workman was a Data Entry Operator for Citizens Utilities Company from 1983 to 1984 and a Floater at Champion International from 1976 to 1984. She is a chairperson for school and community solidarity with the Anderson Union High School District, secretary for community for Anderson Explodes, and treasurer for Toys for the Heart. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Workman is a Democrat. 
 

WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS

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.

 

California oversight agency begins home insurance review – Sacramento Bee

Last week, Humboldt County Supervisor and RCRC board delegate Rex Bohn addressed the California's Little Hoover Commission during their first public hearing on the home insurance crisis in California. As quoted in a subsequent article by The Sacramento Bee, Supervisor Bohn emphasized the significant impact of the crisis on rural counties and the necessity for intervention.

 

Closing the digital divide in California’s rural communities – Sacramento Bee

Supervisor David Griffith of Alpine County recently authored an op-ed stressing the California’s digital divide, emphasizing the need for continued commitment from the State in funding last-mile broadband infrastructure amidst projected budget deficits.

 

House candidates in rural California rake it in – POLITICO

Deep in the heart of California’s farm country, Democrats are enjoying a fundraising bounty. The party’s picks for two of the fiercest House races in the state — and the country overall — each pulled in more than $1 million in the first quarter of 2024, according to figures shared exclusively with POLITICO.

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.   This bill would have amended 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. The bill would have required MPOs to send technical methodologies to CA Air Resources Board for review before project selection and approval can commence.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was TRANS. on 6/14/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 7   (Friedman)   Transportation: planning: project selection processes.   This bill would have required 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.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 62   (Mathis)   Statewide water storage: expansion.   Would have established 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. The bill would have required the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with the state board, to take reasonable actions to promote or assist efforts to achieve the statewide goal, as provided. The bill would require the department, beginning July 1, 2027, and on or before July 1 every 2 years thereafter until January 1, 2043, in consultation with the state board, to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the progress made to achieve the statewide goal.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 66   (Mathis)   Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, or the relevant state 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 Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 68   (Ward)   Land use: streamlined housing approvals: density, subdivision, and utility approvals.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 422   (Alanis)   Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking.   Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, on or before June 1, 2024, to post on its publicly available internet website information tracking the progress to increase statewide water storage, and to keep that information updated.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 429   (Bennett)   Groundwater wells: permits.   If 1% of domestic wells were to go dry in a critically overdrafted basin, this bill would 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 Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 460   (Bauer-Kahan)   State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: interim relief: procedures.   This bill would authorize CA 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: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 491   (Wallis)   Local government: fines and penalties.   would provide effectual tools for addressing illicit land use activities, including unlicensed cannabis operations by (1) streamlined judicial reviewed for minor administrative penalties (under $25,000) imposed for unpermitted cannabis activities; (2) efficient collection of final penalty order (i.e. after administrative/judicial review is complete), in the same manner presently used for pesticide enforcement fines; (3) clarifies that priority of real property liens used to collect administrative penalties for these violations, by providing that such liens have the same priority as a judgement lien.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 9/25/2023-Measure version as amended on September 13 corrected.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (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: Senate Rules   Status: 1/25/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 8.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1168   (Bennett)   Emergency medical services (EMS): prehospital EMS.   Would overturn an extensive statutory and case law record that has repeatedly affirmed county responsibility for the administration of emergency medical services and with that, the flexibility to design systems to equitably serve residents throughout their jurisdiction.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1272   (Wood)   State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning.   This bill would have required 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 have required 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.   Location: Senate Desk   Status: 9/14/2023-Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Held at Desk.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1337   (Wicks)   State Water Resources Control Board: water diversion curtailment.   This bill would have expanded the instances when the diversion or use of water is considered a trespass, and would have directed 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.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1563   (Bennett)   Groundwater sustainability agency: groundwater extraction permit: verification.   This bill would have required 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: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(10). (Last location was GOV. & F. on 6/22/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (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: Senate Public Safety   Status: 6/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB S. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 26). Re-referred to Com. on PUB S.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1785   (Pacheco)   California Public Records Act.   Would prohibit local agencies from posting an assessor’s parcel number associated with an elected or appointed official on the internet without their written permission.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 4/4/2024-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1951   (Fong, Vince)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.   would statutorily exempt from CEQA fuels reduction projects, including removal of trees and brush within 50’ of either side of a roadway. AB 1951 would fill gaps where such work would not qualify for existing statutory or categorical CEQA exemptions and is not covered by CalFire’s Vegetation Treatment Program (VTP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR).   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 4/1/2024-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1957   (Wilson)   Public contracts: best value construction contracting for counties.   would authorize any county in the state to utilize the best-value contracting model and eliminates the statutory sunset on such authority.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/12/2024-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2037   (Papan)   Weights and measures: electric vehicle chargers.   Current law regulates advertising that indicates the price of motor vehicle fuel, including electricity sold as a motor vehicle fuel. Current law requires a county sealer to enforce the advertising requirements. Current law defines “correct,” for purposes of testing and verifying the accuracy of a weighing or measuring device, as a weight or measure or a weighing, measuring, or counting instrument that meets certain tolerance and specification requirements. This bill would authorize a county sealer to test and verify as correct any electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as defined, that is located in the county in which the sealer has jurisdiction. The bill would require a county sealer to condemn and seize, or cause to be marked with a tag or other device with the words “out of order,” an incorrect, as defined, electronic vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified. The bill would authorize a county board of supervisors to charge an annual registration fee for the cost of inspecting and testing an electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency, as specified.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/18/2024-Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2079   (Bennett)   Groundwater extraction: large-diameter, high-capacity wells: permits.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin and imposes specified duties upon that agency or combination of agencies, as provided. Current law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a model water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance implementing certain standards for water well construction, maintenance, and abandonment and requires each county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, not later than January 15, 1990, to adopt a water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance that meets or exceeds certain standards. Under current law, if a county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, fails to adopt an ordinance establishing water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment standards, the model ordinance adopted by the state board is required to take effect on February 15, 1990, and is required to be enforced by the county or city and have the same force and effect as if adopted as a county or city ordinance. This bill would require a local enforcement agency, as defined, to perform specified activities at least 30 days before determining whether to approve a permit for a new large-diameter, high-capacity well, as defined. By imposing additional requirements on a local enforcement agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.   Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 4/1/2024-Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Assembly Higher Education   Status: 2/20/2024-Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2266   (Petrie-Norris)   California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project: vehicle eligibility.   Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to authorize a voucher for a public or private fleet issued under the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project program to be used for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle with a gross vehicle weight greater than 8,500 pounds.   Location: Assembly Transportation   Status: 4/4/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Leigh (1)

AB 2276   (Wood)   Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.   AB 2276 extends the sunset date to January 1, 2031 for three important exemptions from timber harvest plan requirements necessary for small land owners to perform fuels treatment and vegetation maintenance on their properties for the purpose of wildfire mitigation.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/6/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/26/2024-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/26/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2514   (Aguiar-Curry)   Solid waste: organic waste.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 4/2/2024-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2528   (Arambula)   Williamson Act contracts: cancellation: energy projects.   The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, otherwise known as the Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to enter into contracts with owners of agricultural land to preserve the land to agricultural use, as specified. Current law authorizes the cancellation of a contract under certain circumstances. Current law requires the city or county to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of contract if the city and county approves a cancellation of a contract. Current law authorizes the city or county to charge a cancellation fee in an amount equal to 12.5% of the cancellation valuation of the property. This bill would instead require that the cancellation fees be transmitted by the county treasurer to the Controller within 45 days of the execution of a certification of cancellation of contract.   Location: Assembly Agriculture   Status: 4/4/2024-Re-referred to Coms. on AGRI. and U. & E. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2746   (Villapudua)   Employee Housing Act: agricultural housing.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 3/4/2024-Referred to Com. on H. & C.D.    Staff:  John (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/11/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions.     Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/4/2024-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3011   (Bains)   Electricity: rates: unreasonable hardship.     Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 3/11/2024-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 23   (Caballero)   Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting.   This bill would have authorized 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 have made 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 Dead   Status: 2/1/2024-Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.    Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. on 7/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 418   (Padilla)   California Prison Redevelopment Commission.   Would establish the California Prison Redevelopment Commission and articulate its responsibilities including its composition, with a focus on developing recommendations for repurposing closed state prison facilities.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 584   (Limón)   Laborforce housing: Short-Term Rental Tax Law.     Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 6/29/2023-June 28 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 624   (Alvarado-Gil)   Horse racing: state-designated fairs: allocation of revenues: gross receipts for sales and use tax.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation Suspense File   Status: 7/10/2023-July 10 set for first hearing. Placed on REV. & TAX. suspense file. July 10 hearing. Held in committee and under submission.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 675   (Limón)   Prescribed grazing: local assistance grant program: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 820   (Alvarado-Gil)   Cannabis: enforcement: seizure of property.   Adapts the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities. In addition, SB 820 would invest enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity business.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/29/2024-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 945   (Alvarado-Gil)   The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act.   SB 945, the Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act, would require the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, and the State Air Resources Board to create, operate, and maintain a statewide integrated wildfire smoke and health data platform that, among other things, would integrate wildfire smoke and health data from multiple databases.   Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/21/2024-Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 952   (Dahle)   Personal income taxes: Fire Safe Home Tax Credits Act.   SB 952 would offer tax credits to lower income property owners for home retrofits and vegetation management activities in order to mitigate the risks from high severity wildfire events.   Location: Senate Revenue and Taxation   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: transit priority projects: multimodal.   Would require all transportation projects funded or overseen by the Department of Transportation to provide comfortable, convenient, and connected complete streets facilities unless an exemption is documented and approved, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 4/2/2024-Set for hearing April 23.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 961   (Wiener)   Vehicles: safety equipment.   The Department of the California Highway Patrol regulates the safe operation of specified vehicles, including motortrucks of 3 or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers, and buses. Current federal law regulates required safety equipment on vehicles, including rear impact guards on certain large trucks to prevent rear underrides in collisions with passenger vehicles. This bill would require certain trucks and trailers to also be equipped with side guards, as specified.   Location: Senate Transportation   Status: 4/4/2024-Set for hearing April 23.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 973   (Grove)   Williamson Act: cancellation: solar energy projects.   The Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to contract with a landowner to limit the use of agricultural land located in an agricultural preserve designated by the city or county to preserve the land, subject to conditions of the contract, that may include an agreement to a specified valuation of the land for purposes of property taxation. The act authorizes a landowner to petition the city council or board of supervisors, as applicable, for cancellation of the contract under specified circumstances and imposes a cancellation fee equal to 12.5% of the fair market value of the land without the restriction of the contract. This bill would authorize a board or council to grant a petition for cancellation where the land subject to the contract is located in a basin under the jurisdiction of an adjudicated watermaster or the groundwater sustainability agency. The bill would require the landowner to commit to limiting the amount of water rights to a specific solar energy project, as defined, that uses less water than the agricultural use. The bill would also require the board or council to make specified findings, including that the solar energy project use is being permitted that will use less water than the agricultural use.   Location: Senate Local Government   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1004   (Wilk)   Income taxes: exclusions: wildfires.   SB 1004, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, would provide an exclusion from gross income for any qualified taxpayer, as defined, for amounts received for costs and losses associated with wildfires.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/28/2024-Set for hearing April 8.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1045   (Blakespear)   Composting facilities: zoning: air and water permits.     Location: Senate Local Government   Status: 4/3/2024-Re-referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: green material composting operations.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/4/2024-April 8 hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.     Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 4/3/2024-Re-referred to Com. on B., P. & E. D.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 3). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 2/21/2024-Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1143   (Allen)   Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (April 3). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1156   (Hurtado)   Groundwater sustainability agencies: financial disclosures.   The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Existing law requires a groundwater sustainability plan to be developed and implemented for each medium- or high-priority basin by a groundwater sustainability agency. Current law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin, as provided. Current provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibit a public official from making, participating in making, or attempting to use their official position to influence a governmental decision in which they know or have reason to know that they have a financial interest, as defined. However, current law permits a public official to make or participate in the making of a governmental decision, even if the public official knows or has reason to know that the official has a financial interest, if the official’s participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. Current law makes a knowing or willful violation of the act a misdemeanor and subjects offenders to criminal penalties. This bill would require members of the executive team, board of directors, and other groundwater management decision makers of groundwater sustainability agencies to annually disclose any economic or financial interests pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974 that may reasonably be considered to affect their decision-making related to groundwater management, as provided.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/1/2024-Set for hearing April 9.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1159   (Dodd)   California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on N.R. & W. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 3). Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1175   (Ochoa Bogh)   Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: waivers.   Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider alternatives to census tracts, as provided, when deciding the boundaries of a low-population or elevation waiver and would require low-population waivers to be valid for a period of 10 years.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 3).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Health   Status: 4/3/2024-Set for hearing April 24.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 4/4/2024-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 2.) (April 3). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Withdrawn from committee. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)