The Barbed Wire - March 18, 2022

RCRC Urges Legislature to Focus Energy Investments on Ratepayer Savings, Safety, and Reliability

On March 9^th, RCRC urged the Legislature to devote nearly $4 billion from this year’s budget on energy infrastructure investments to reduce ratepayer costs, improve local energy reliability, and reduce wildfire risk. 

The Administration has proposed a $2 billion (over two year) energy infrastructure package to drive innovative energy solutions and decarbonize existing buildings.  RCRC observed that, while helpful, these investments miss the mark in several ways. 

RCRC urged the Legislature to invest some of the budget surplus in energy infrastructure improvements that will yield benefits for decades to come.  RCRC also urged the Legislature to use General Fund revenues to offset utility bill increases otherwise borne by ratepayers.  Specifically, RCRC urged the Legislature to: 

• Add $3.5 billion (General Fund) to offset rate increases related to utility wildfire mitigation plan projects. 

• Add $250 million (General Fund) to support smaller long duration pumped storage, geothermal, and biomass projects that provide critical local resiliency benefits. 

• Add $200 million (General Fund) to deploy remote grids in rural areas to ensure local energy reliability and reduce wildfire risk. 

• Add funding to provide a state match for federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act energy pots. 

The budget request can be found here.  For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy. 

Bill of the Week – Assembly Bill 2481 (Smith) Hazardous Waste Facilities

Assembly Bill 2481, authored by Assembly Member Thurston “Smitty” Smith (R-Hesperia),  seeks to reduce administrative and financial burdens on local governments that administer household hazardous waste collection facilities (HHWCFs); provide flexibility for operation of local HHWCFs; and facilitate proper disposal of hazardous waste.  This measure is sponsored by RCRC. 

Local governments are required to have a program for managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and many jurisdictions operate their own facilities to provide households and small businesses with a convenient opportunity to properly dispose of those wastes.  Local governments are also often responsible for the collection and proper disposal of improperly disposed or abandoned hazardous wastes. 

AB 2481 makes a wide variety of changes to existing hazardous waste laws, providing much needed clarification and cost savings.   

This bill provides more flexibility for local governments, residents, and small businesses to properly dispose of hazardous wastes, including allowing friends and family members to take HHW to a HHWCF (provided there is no compensation) when death, illness, or disability precludes a member of the household from doing so.  AB 2481 also simplifies the process for local governments to transport abandoned hazardous wastes to a HHWCF for proper disposal.   Finally, AB 2481 reduces some of the administrative red tape and unnecessary fees related to transporting hazardous waste from one local government HHWCF to another. 

RCRC’s letter of support can be found here.  For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.

RCRC-Opposed Prevailing Wage Bill for Forestry Projects Clears First Committee

On Wednesday, March 16th, Assembly Bill 1717, authored by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Davis), passed its first committee after being introduced in February. The RCRC-opposed measure passed the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee by a 6-0 vote with 1 abstention; the bill would change the definition of public works to include fuels treatment projects and thus requiring payment of prevailing wage. 

While RCRC is a vocal supporter of developing a robust forest resilience workforce, AB 1717 would artificially raise the costs of vital wildfire mitigation projects funded by state and federal dollars and slowing the pace of crucial efforts to reduce fuels around communities and critical infrastructure. The bill would be most damaging to socioeconomically disadvantaged counties that annually suffer damaging wildfires and depend on maximizing public funds to help safeguard their residents.  

AB 1717 will now be sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for fiscal consideration. Read RCRC’s letter of opposition here. For more information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton. 

RCRC Member County Receives Funding Award from EPA

On Tuesday, March 15th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the American Rescue Plan Electric School Bus Rebates program. Among them is Terra Bella Union Elementary, in Tulare County, California. The program — “reserved exclusively for school districts in underserved communities, Tribal schools, and private fleets serving those schools” — will provide the Tulare County school with $600,000 to fund two electric school buses. Across the nation, twenty-three electric school buses, and associated charging infrastructure, will be funded by this program. 

RCRC Joins Others in Seeking State Funds for SB 1383 Organic Waste Recycling Local Program Implementation

On March 15th, RCRC joined the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, and several other local organizations in requesting $180 million in the state budget for local assistance to help cities and counties implement organic waste recycling programs required under regulations recently adopted by CalRecycle. 

CalRecycle’s  SB 1383 regulations adopted last November require local governments to reduce landfill disposal of organic waste 75 percent by 2025 and to increase edible food waste recovery by 20 percent. These new  regulations are the most far-reaching solid waste management changes in decades and CalRecycle has estimated implementation will cost $20 to $40 billion over the next ten years, including the addition of 50 to 100 new organic waste recycling facilities. 

Last year, the Legislature allocated $60 million by formula to local governments for SB 1383 implementation.  The new budget request seeks an additional $180 million for cities and counties for local organic waste recycling program development and initial implementation activities.   

The request also urges CalRecycle to develop a statewide program environmental impact report for the siting and construction of organic waste composting facilities, as this could significantly reduce the time and cost to local governments necessary to construct new composting facilities. 

The budget request can be found here.  For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy. 

USDA Forest Service ‘Hiring Woes’

The Biden Administration’s 10-year wildfire mitigation plan, while applauded by many agriculture and environmental advocates, has raised concerns about the lack of USDA Forest Service staffing needed to carry it out.  Forest Service officials are reportedly  warning employees in California that there have been 50 percent fewer applications submitted for the necessary firefighting positions this year compared to last. Regional Forest Service officials from across the Western fire regions face “a particularly bleak hiring picture.” Additionally, housing for wildland firefighters has resurfaced as a major issue going into the summer. While Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has previously mentioned working with Airbnb to provide housing, USDA said there’s no formal partnership, and only four employees used housing offers from Airbnb hosts during the summer of 2021. 

Legislation Introduced to Restore the SALT Deduction

In early March, U.S. Representative Katie Porter (D-Orange County) introduced the Supporting Americans with Lower Taxes (SALT) Act (H.R. 6847) to fully restore the state and local tax (SALT) deduction for individual and joint filers making $400,000 or less in adjusted gross income (or $200,000 or less for married individuals filing taxes separately). For filers making over $400,000, the SALT deduction cap would start at $60,000 ($30,000 for married individuals filing separately) and would be reduced at a rate of $10,000 for each $100,000 of income more than $400,000 and would completely phase out at $1 million in adjusted gross income. If enacted, all filers claiming SALT deductions would be required to attest their total assets do not exceed $1 billion.

SPECIAL FEATURE! RCRC Digital Governance Series: Digital Transformation: 7 Leadership Strategies for Counties to Move Forward

In the fourth installment of the Digital Governance series, Nevada County Chief Information Officer, Steve Monaghan, describes the importance of digital transformation for local government service-delivery and how rural counties can propel that change in their organization. Read the article here. 

“Digital Governance” is a limited series, featured in RCRC’s Barbed Wire newsletter, to provide county leadership with essential guidance on information technology topics of key importance to local governments. Each month, Steve Monaghan, presents actionable direction on issues such as online service provision, cyber-risk reduction, rural broadband development, and more. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

Grant Funding Available for Behavioral Health Projects

On January 31, 2022, the California Departments of Health Care Services and Social Services released Requests for Applications (RFA’s) for funding for behavioral health “launch-ready” projects AND capital expansion projects, as follows: 

• $518.5M from Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) for expanding or developing infrastructure for behavioral health services; and 

• $570M from Community Care Expansion (CCE) program for capital expansion of adult and senior care facilities that serve Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) applicants and recipients, and other adults who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness. 

The RFA’s are due by March 31, 2022. These funds are open to counties, cities, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and private organizations whose projects reflect the state’s priorities. Additional information about the funding is available at the following locations by clicking on the respective links: 

• The application and related tools 

• Pre-application consultation and technical assistance, including a survey 

• Additional information about the two grant programs, BHCIP and CCE 

White House Infrastructure Webinars

The White House is holding webinars to “provide an in-depth look into the programs contained within each of the twelve major chapters in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook.” Register for the remaining webinars:

• Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 4pm-5pm ET: Environmental Remediation Register Here
• Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 4pm- 5pm ET: Broadband Register Here

California Air Resources Board Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is offering a variety of training webinars for regulatory compliance on issues affecting public fleets such as Off-Road Regulations, Truck and Bus Rules, and Diesel Truck Rules. 

The New Programs and Regulations course covers the requirements of existing regulations and then CARB's new regulatory programs that will eventually be in effect. The goals for this class are to cover the proposed program elements and elicit participation in the regulatory process.

Date:               March 31, 2022
Time:               1:00 p.m.
Webinar:         Register

Public Participation Invited to Review PG&E’s Next Rate Increase

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced upcoming public participation hearings to review and solicit input on PG&E’s 2023 General Rate Case application. Written public comments can also be made at any time here.

 WHEN:     Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 2pm and 6pm

HOW:        1-800-857-1917. 
                  Passcode: 6032788# (English); 3799627# (Spanish). 
                  Press *1 to alert the operator you’d like to speak. 
                  To view live but not participate, please visit https://adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/ at the times indicated.

USDOT Announces $1.5 Billion in Discretionary Grants Available for Local and Regional Infrastructure

The United States Department of Transportation released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program—originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants. RAISE grants can be used for a wide variety of projects and under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, RAISE expands the number of communities eligible for 100 percent federal share of funding, specifically those in rural communities, Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities. To determine if a project location is considered as a Historically Disadvantaged Community, please use the tool available here. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. EST on April 14, 2022, and selections, which are vigorously reviewed and selected based on merit, will be announced no later than August 12, 2022. 

USDA Offers Rural Communities Financial Assistance for Renewable Energy Projects 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the application window is now open for (competitive) Rural Energy Pilot Program grants. State, Local, Tribal and non-profit entities are eligible for up to $2 million over three years to support community-scale renewable energy projects in rural communities, with priority given to distressed and high-energy burden communities that spend a greater proportion on energy costs than the average U.S. household. Funds may be for planning, installing, equipping, and maintaining community scale distributed renewable energy technologies, systems and resources. For more information, see here. Letters of Intent are due on or before April 19, 2022, and completed applications are due no later than July 18, 2022.

Registration Open for 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping

The 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping is happening April 19-21, 2022 The Conference will begin at 9:00 AM daily. This virtual conference is free to attend and designed for elected officials, city and county staff, public works agency employees, community based organizations, faith groups, community members and anyone interested in illegal dumping, community beautification or blight removal. Registration is now open! See here to register or for more information.

PG&E Safety Net Program – How to File a Claim 

If you are a residential customer who has gone without power for at least 48 hours because of severe storm conditions, you may qualify for an automatic payment under our Safety Net program. This program provides a payment of $25 - $100, which we pay automatically about 60 days following the storm outage.  However, you may submit a claim if you believe that PG&E caused a loss for which you should be compensated. You can make this type of claim using various methods, but online is the fastest way for it to be processed.  

View this message from PG&E for details. 

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.

Maria Luisa Cesar, of Oakland, has been appointed Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the California Department of Cannabis Control. Cesar has served as Deputy Commissioner of Communications at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation since 2020. Cesar has been Owner and Chief Storyteller at Greater Good LLC since 2018. She was a Senior Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director at the Office of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg from 2017 to 2018. She served as Communications and Community Outreach Director for San Antonio City Councilman Nirenberg from 2015 to 2017. She was an Education Reporter at the San Antonio Express-News from 2011 to 2015. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $143,820. Cesar is a Democrat. 

Servando Flores, of Hollister, has been appointed to the 33rd District Agricultural Association (San Benito County Fair Board of Directors). Flores has been Systems Administrator at the County of Santa Clara since 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Flores is a Democrat.   

Clare Mendelsohn, of Deerton, MI, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Public Policy at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Mendelsohn was Forest Supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service at the White Mountain National Forest from 2017 to 2020, where she was Deputy Forest Supervisor from 2015 to 2017. She was Director of the Western Regional Environmental Office for the U.S. Air Force from 2002 to 2013 and Special Projects Manager in the Clean Energy and Climate Change Section, Air Division for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 in 2012. Mendelsohn was Senior Operational Research Analyst for the Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency in 2002 and Chief of the Environmental Operations Branch for the Materiel Command of the U.S. Air Force Office of Environmental Management in 2001. Mendelsohn earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering and Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $170,004. Mendelsohn is a Democrat.    

Patrick K. Palacios, of Hollister, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Benito County Superior Court. Palacios has served as a Commissioner of the San Benito County Superior Court since 2020. He was a Sole Practitioner from 2015 to 2020 and served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office from 2007 to 2014. He was an Associate at the Law Offices of John E. Skeath from 2003 to 2007 and a Sole Practitioner from 1994 to 2003. Palacios was an Attorney at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 1991 to 1994 and an Associate at Rosenblum, Parish & Isaacs from 1989 to 1991. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Palacios fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Steven R. Sanders. He is a Democrat. 

Craig Stevenson has been selected as the Chief Executive Officer of Lundberg Family Farms, a national leader in organic rice, rice products, and US-grown quinoa. Stevenson, an alumnus of Michigan State University and a CPG veteran, began his career at Procter & Gamble. He joined Clorox in 1994 as a Sales Manager and subsequently served in a variety of internal Sales, Marketing, and International roles. He assumed leadership of the Professional Products Division in 2003, stepped in to lead the Burt’s Bees natural personal care business in 2013, and expanded his scope to include the Renew Life Probiotics business in 2016. Most recently, Stevenson was named CEO of the Scholl’s Wellness Company, where he steered the business through the worst of the pandemic while leading share and profit growth. 

Jennifer O. Trimble, of Turlock, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Merced County Superior Court. Trimble has served as Chief Deputy County Counsel at the Office of the Merced County Counsel since 2018. She was an Associate at Perry & Associates in 2018 and an Attorney at Dependency Legal Services from 2013 to 2018. Trimble was an Attorney at Trimble & Trimble, Attorneys at Law from 2002 to 2013. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Trimble fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeanne E. Schechter. She is registered without party preference. 

Richard Wade, of Pollock Pines, has been reappointed to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he has served since 2011. Wade has been a District Manager/District Forester for Sierra Pacific Industries since 1995. He was a Forester at Cal Oak Lumber Company from 1983 to 1995 and at James Nicklos and Associates from 1980 to 1983. Wade was a Harvest Inspector for the U.S. Forest Service from 1979 to 1980. He was a Forester at Western Timber Services Inc. from 1978 to 1979. Wade is a board member and treasurer at Forestry Educators Inc. He is a member of the Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum, California Licensed Foresters Association, California Native Plant Society and the Society of American Foresters. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wade is a Democrat. 

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.

‘In rural California, high-quality internet access can be a matter of life or death‘ -The Sacramento Bee

In this commentary to the Sacramento Bee, Calaveras County Supervisor Jack Garamendi describes how rural counties are banding together, through the formation of Golden State Connect Authority, to take advantage of state and federal funding in order to establish internet access for their unserved and underserved communities.

‘California’s community energy resilience bill passes key hurdle’ -Microgrid Knowledge

California’s Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833), which would help cities and local governments develop energy resilience plans using clean distributed energy resources, unanimously passed the California Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communication this week following testimony in its favor by several organizations including RCRC.

'Big new California reservoir on track for $2.2B federal loan' -Associated Press

A long-delayed plan to build a giant reservoir in Colusa County to help withstand the U.S. West’s notorious droughts got a huge financial boost on Thursday when the federal government signaled its intent to loan the project nearly $2.2 billion — about half of the cost to design, plan and build it.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 14   (Aguiar-Curry)   Communications: California Advanced Services Fund: deaf and disabled telecommunications program: surcharges.   Assembly Bill 14 establishes the State Department of Education in state government and vests the department with specified powers and duties relating to the state’s public-school system. This bill would authorize local educational agencies to report to the department their pupils’ estimated needs for computing devices and internet connectivity adequate for at-home learning.   Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 658, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 32   (Aguiar-Curry)   Telehealth.   Assembly Bill 32 requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2021, to specify that coverage is provided for health care services appropriately delivered through telehealth on the same basis and to the same extent as in-person diagnosis, consultation, or treatment.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was HEALTH on 6/9/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 215   (Chiu)   Planning and Zoning Law: housing element: violations.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/28/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 342, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 240   (Rodriguez)   Local health department workforce assessment.   This bill would require the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to contract with an appropriate and qualified entity to conduct an evaluation of the adequacy of local health department infrastructure, including an assessment of future staffing, workforce, and resource needs.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 8/27/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(12). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 7/5/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 522   (Fong)   Forestry: Forest Fire Prevention Exemption.   The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 authorizes the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to exempt specific forest management activities, including the harvesting of trees for the purpose of reducing the rate of fire spread, and duration, intensity, fuel ignitability, or ignition of tree crowns, known as the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption. Assembly Bill 522 extends the sunset of the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to January 1, 2026 to aid forest landowners with wildfire prevention activities.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-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 537   (Quirk)   Communications: wireless telecommunications and broadband facilities.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 10/4/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 467, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Removal of Opposition   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 602   (Grayson)   Development fees: impact fee nexus study.     Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/28/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 347, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 759   (McCarty)   Elections: county officers.   Assembly Bill 759 would require an election for all county-wide offices (sheriff, assessor, district attorney, etc.) be held at the presidential general election. Initially, this bill only applied to the county sheriff but recent amendments expand it to all county-wide offices. In addition, this bill would require that these officeholder elections occur at the 2024 General Election thereby requiring affected officeholders to hold a two-year term (assuming election in 2022).   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/8/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 870   (Santiago)   Hazardous materials: liens.    Provides that when the Department of Toxic Substances Control determines that a contaminated site must be remediated, and issues a cost estimate to the property owner for the estimated cost of remediation, the amount in the cost estimate shall constitute a lien on the property that takes priority over all other liens, including liens for local property taxes and special assessments.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  John (1)

AB 925   (Dahle, Megan)   Sexual assault forensic examinations: reimbursement.   Would authorize the appropriate local law enforcement agency to seek reimbursement from the Office of Emergency Services, using the specified federal funds, for the cost of conducting the medical evidentiary examination of a sexual assault victim.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 8/27/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(12). (Last location was APPR. on 6/29/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 989   (Gabriel)   Housing Accountability Act: appeals: Office of Housing Appeals.     Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/10/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 1001   (Garcia, Cristina)   Environment: mitigation measures for air and water quality impacts: environmental justice.   Modifies the California Environmental Quality Act by: 1) Requiring air and water quality impacts to a disadvantaged community to be mitigated in that community; 2) Requiring local agencies to give consideration to the principles of environmental justice by ensuring the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 3/9/2022-Referred to Com. on RLS.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1078   (Patterson)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Exempts residential buildings damaged or destroyed in a disaster during the 2020 calendar year from having to install solar energy systems under the California Energy Commission’s recently adopted building requirements.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 0. Page 3410.) In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1124   (Friedman)   Solar energy systems.      Location: Assembly Chaptered   Status: 9/23/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 235, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 1154   (Patterson)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.   Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act secondary egress route projects undertaken by a public agency for a subdivision in a high fire threat area that was evaluated by the Board of Forestry.   Location: Senate Rules   Status: 1/27/2022-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1218   (McCarty)   Zero-emission new passenger vehicle and light-duty truck goals.   AB 1218 would codify Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order N-79-20, which requires the California Air Resources Board to adopt measures to increase the number of zero emission vehicles sold in the state to reach a goal of 100% by the year 2035.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-Died on third reading file.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1434   (Friedman)   Urban water use objectives: indoor residential water use.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 1454   (Bloom)   The California Beverage Container and Litter Reduction Act.   Assembly Bill 1454 makes several changes to the Beverage Container Recycling Program, including creation of a new $25,000 startup loan for the creation of new recycling centers in unserved or underserved areas and increased payments to redemption centers with an even greater increase in rural areas.   Location: Senate 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was E.Q. on 6/16/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1547   (Reyes)   Air pollution: warehouse facilities.   AB 1547 allows the Air Resources Board to regulate indirect sources of air pollution and requires local governments to undertake many other actions to identify and address the potential environmental impacts of warehouse development projects.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1608   (Gipson)   County officers: consolidation of offices.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 1/14/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and PUB. S.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1642   (Salas)   California Environmental Quality Act: water system well and domestic well projects: exemption.   Exempts from CEQA, vital projects to prevent or mitigate failure of a well that would leave residents without an adequate supply of drinking water. This exemption only applies to those wells in areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as being at high risk or medium risk in the state’s annual Drinking Water Needs Assessment.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 1/20/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1644   (Burke)   Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: California Jobs Plan Act of 2021    The California Jobs Plan Act of 2021 requires the state board to work with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to update, by July 1, 2025, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund funding guidelines for administering agencies to ensure that all applicants to grant programs funded by the fund meet specified standards, including fair and responsible employer standards and inclusive procurement policies, as provided. Existing law exempts from these standards applicants for certain types of projects. This bill would exempt applicants for projects for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects, and the completion of prescribed fire and other fuel reduction projects from these standards.   Location: Assembly Labor and Employment   Status: 1/20/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. & E. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1707   (Boerner Horvath)   Property tax postponement: Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Postponement Fund.     Location: Assembly Revenue and Taxation   Status: 3/14/2022-In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1717   (Aguiar-Curry)   Public works: definition.   Assembly Bill 1717 requires prevailing wage to be paid for public works projects funded by public dollars related to community wildfire prevention, vegetation management and fuels treatment.   Location: Assembly Appropriations   Status: 3/17/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (March 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 1749   (Garcia, Cristina)   Community Air Protection Blueprint: community emissions reduction programs: toxic air contaminants and criteria air pollutants.   Prohibits approval or issuance of permits for projects that contribute to an increase in air pollutants or toxic air contaminants in a CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged community unless the agency finds that increased emissions caused by the project (combined with cumulative emissions from other sources) will not cause or contribute to additional negative public health impacts on individuals living and working in that community. Requires the state to identify measures to reduce criteria air pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions in CalEnviroScreen disadvantaged communities.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 3/15/2022-Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1814   (Grayson)   Transportation electrification: community choice aggregators.   Allows community choice aggregators to file applications with the state for approval of programs and investments to accelerate widespread transportation electrification.   Location: Assembly U. & E.   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on U. & E.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1832   (Rivas, Luz)   Tidelands and submerged lands: hard mineral extraction.   Prohibits the State Lands Commission and local trustees of granted public trust lands from granting leases or issuing permits for extraction or removal of hard minerals (not including rock, gravel, sand, silt, and coal) from tidelands and submerged lands.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1944   (Lee)   Local government: open and public meetings.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 1952   (Gallagher)   Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.    Exempts from the California Environmental Quality Act projects funded by the $500 million set aside for the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program of 2019.   Location: Assembly Housing and Community Development   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and NAT. RES.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 1956   (Mathis)   Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.   Creates a new grant program administered by CalRecycle to fund woody biomass collection and disposal by rural counties with a population of 250,000 or less.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/18/2022-Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2208   (Kalra)   Fluorescent lamps: sale and distribution: prohibition.     Location: Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials   Status: 2/24/2022-Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2258   (Wood)   Property Assessed Clean Energy program: wildfire safety improvements.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and B. & F.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2374   (Bauer-Kahan)   Crimes against public health and safety: illegal dumping.     Location: Assembly Public Safety   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and B. & P.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2421   (Rubio, Blanca)   Water: unlicensed cannabis cultivation.     Location: Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife   Status: 3/15/2022-Re-referred to Com. on W.,P., & W.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2449   (Rubio, Blanca)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 3/3/2022-Referred to Com. on L. GOV.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

ACA 1   (Aguiar-Curry)   Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval.    ACA 1 would lower the vote threshold to 55 percent for approval of local bonded-indebtedness and specially dedicated taxes imposed for specified uses.   Location: Assembly Local Government   Status: 4/22/2021-Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and APPR.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AJR 5   (Rivas, Luz)   Wild free-roaming horses and burros: protection: roundup moratorium.   AJR 5 would urge the federal government to declare a moratorium on all further wild horse and burro round-ups and would urge the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service to introduce and support populations in areas of California where wild horses and burros were historically present.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 8/25/2021-Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 4   (Gonzalez)   Communications: California Advanced Services Fund.   Senate Bill 4 would modernize and increase the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) by exploring ways to facilitate streamlining of local land use approvals and construction permit processes for projects related to broadband infrastructure deployment and connectivity.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 671, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 11   (Rubio)   The California FAIR Plan Association: basic property insurance: exclusions.   Senate Bill 11, which would remove certain barriers to enable homes and structures used to conduct business on farmland to be covered through the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan.   Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 7/23/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 128, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 12   (McGuire)   Local government: planning and zoning: wildfires.   Senate Bill 12 requires that the Office of Planning and Research, among other things, coordinate with appropriate entities, including state, regional, or local agencies, to establish a clearinghouse for climate adaptation information for use by state, regional, and local entities, as provided. This bill would require the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element or the hazard mitigation plan, on or after July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 6/24/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 28   (Caballero)   Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006: deployment data.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 673, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 37   (Cortese)   Contaminated Site Cleanup and Safety Act.   Senate Bill 37 eliminates the ability to use a “common sense exemption” under the California Environmental Quality Act for any projects undertaken at over 40,000 sites throughout the state that appear on the Cortese List of currently or formerly contaminated properties. Instead allows specified types of projects to use either a statutory or categorical CEQA exemption is certain circumstances are met   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/8/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Neutral   Staff:  John (1)

SB 38   (Wieckowski)   Beverage containers.   Replaces the existing Beverage Container Recycling Program (Bottle Bill) with a new recycling program administered by beverage container manufacturers and increases the CRV from $0.05 to $0.10 per container if the state fails to achieve specified recycling rates. Repeals the $10.5 million annually set aside for payments to cities and counties to address recycling and litter.   Location: Assembly Natural Resources   Status: 2/14/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES. (Amended 2/14/2022)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  John (1)

SB 54   (Allen)   Plastic Pollution Producer Responsibility Act.   SB 54 requires manufactures of single-use, disposable packaging and food service ware to ensure that those products sold, distributed, or imported into the state are either recyclable or compostable.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/24/2022-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 7.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Support In Concept   Staff:  John (1)

SB 213   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: hospital employees.     Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 2/1/2022-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 284   (Stern)   Workers’ compensation: firefighters and peace officers: post-traumatic stress.   Establishes a workers’ compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the course of employment.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 8/30/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 286   (Min)   Elections: Orange County Board of Education.   Senate Bill 286 would require the top-two vote-getters seeking election to a county office to face-off in a General Election.   Location: Assembly Desk   Status: 1/26/2022-Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 7.) Ordered to the Assembly. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.  

SB 316   (Eggman)   Medi-Cal: federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.     Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 9/10/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(15). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/9/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 335   (Cortese)   Workers’ compensation: liability.   Senate Bill 335 prohibits a claim for workers’ compensation from being maintained unless within 30 days after the occurrence of the injury, the injured person, or in case of the death, a dependent, or someone on the injured person’s or dependent’s behalf, serves notice of the injury upon the employer.   Location: Assembly 2 year   Status: 7/14/2021-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was INS. on 6/10/2021)(May be acted upon Jan 2022)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 359   (Caballero)   Climate change: Resilient Merced County Incentive Pilot Program.   Senate Bill 359 requires the Department of Conservation to develop and implement the Resilient Merced County Incentive Pilot Program to assist the County of Merced to develop and adopt a climate action plan through the use of a scenario-planning tool developed by the department and provide financial assistance to private landowners in implementing activities resulting from the use of the scenario-planning tool set forth in the adopted climate action plan.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 2/1/2022-Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 378   (Gonzalez)   Local government: broadband infrastructure development project permit processing: microtrenching permit processing ordinance.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 10/8/2021-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 677, Statutes of 2021.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 477   (Wiener)   General plan: annual report.     Location: Senate Vetoed   Status: 1/27/2022-Stricken from file. Veto sustained.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (1)

SB 832   (Dodd)   Water rights: measurement of diversion.     Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/17/2022-March 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 833   (Dodd)   Community Energy Resilience Act of 2022.   Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to develop and implement a grant program for local governments to develop community energy resilience plans.   Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/17/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (March 14).   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 915   (Min)   Firearms: state property.     Location: Senate Appropriations   Status: 3/9/2022-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (March 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 953   (Min)   Oil and gas leases: state waters: State Lands Commission.   Requires the State Lands Commission to terminate all remaining oil and gas leases under its jurisdiction in tidelands and submerged lands within state waters.   Location: Senate Natural Resources and Water   Status: 3/10/2022-March 22 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1100   (Cortese)   Open meetings: orderly conduct.     Location: Senate Judiciary   Status: 3/17/2022-From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (March 17).   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1127   (Atkins)   Workers’ compensation: liability presumptions.     Location: Senate L., P.E. & R.   Status: 3/11/2022-Set for hearing March 21.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1215   (Newman)   Battery and Battery-Embedded Product Recycling and Fire Risk Reduction Act of 2022.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/2/2022-Referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1235   (Borgeas)   Air pollution: portable equipment: emergency events.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/17/2022-March 28 hearing postponed by committee.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1256   (Wieckowski)   Waste management: disposable propane cylinders.     Location: Senate Environmental Quality   Status: 3/10/2022-From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1326   (Caballero)   Cannabis: interstate agreements.     Location: Senate B., P. & E.D.   Status: 3/16/2022-Set for hearing April 4.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)