The Barbed Wire - September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024
Barbed Wire on Hiatus
State Assembly to Convene Special Session
RCRC Officers In Washington DC
USDA Announces Investment in New Projects to Expand Work on Wildfire Crisis Strategy
California Airports Awarded Over $219 Million to Bolster Infrastructure
ICYMI: RCRC to Co-Host Free Webinar on Battery Energy Storage System Permitting
BULLETIN BOARD
WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Barbed Wire on Hiatus

The Barbed Wire will be on hiatus September 20th during RCRC’s 2024 Annual Meeting, taking place September 18-20 in Sonoma County at the Double Tree by Hilton – Sonoma Wine Country. The Barbed Wire will return September 27th. Follow #RCRC and #RCRCAM for the latest news! 

State Assembly to Convene Special Session

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced the schedule for the Special Session of the Assembly.  Prior to the convening of an Assembly floor session, the Petroleum and Gasoline Supply Committee will meet for informational hearings on September 18th and 19th. The Committee will then hold a bill hearing on September 26th.  The Assembly floor session is scheduled to occur on October 1st. Speaker Rivas also announced the introduction of AB x2-1, which would attempt to reduce the spikes in gas prices in California by increasing crude oil and fuel capacity.  As of the announcement on September 11th, seven special session measures have been introduced for action.

RCRC Officers In Washington DC

This week, the RCRC Officers joined Supervisors and Commissioners from around the country to advocate for continued funding for the Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, during the National Association of Counties PILT Fly-in event. While in Washington D.C., RCRC Officers also met with several members of Congress to discuss other issues of importance to California’s rural counties, including the farm bill; Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding; rural hospitals; the home insurance crisis; and more.

For more information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.

USDA Announces Investment in New Projects to Expand Work on Wildfire Crisis Strategy

On September 10, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Administration is investing $100 million in twenty-one new projects to expand work on the USDA Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy to reduce the threat of wildfire in high-risk areas across the country. 

 The new projects span fourteen (14) states and eighteen (18) national forests and are part of the $3.2 billion investment in this comprehensive strategy made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In California, projects in three national forests were selected to receive funding, each of which span several RCRC member counties: 

  • $5,000,000 awarded to Breckenridge Community and Communication Site Fuels Reduction, Sequoia National Forest. 

  • $5,000,000 awarded to Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Strategic Fuel Breaks, and Prescribed Fire for Wildfire Resiliency on the Georgetown Divide, El Dorado National Forest. 

  • $5,000,000 awarded to Tahoe National Forest Resilient Communities and Partner Capacity Building, Tahoe National Forest. 

A full list of projects can be found here.

California Airports Awarded Over $219 Million to Bolster Infrastructure

On September 9, 2024, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-California) announced that fifty-six (56) California airports were awarded a combined $219.5 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to upgrade aviation infrastructure. The funding comes through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which invests in airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, noise cancellation, zero-emission equipment, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings. 

California airports in RCRC member counties that were selected to receive funding include: 

  • Monterey Regional Airport: $37.31 million. This funding will support four Monterey Airport projects, including the construction of a new 40,000 square yard commercial apron to conform with current standards; the acquisition of a new 3,000-gallon aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle to enhance safety; the construction of a new 66,500 square foot terminal; and the rehabilitation of 7,175 feet of existing paved Runway 10R/28L to extend its useful life. 

  • Del Norte County Regional Airport: $7.26 million. This funding will support the rehabilitation of 5,002 feet of existing paved Runway 18/36 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. 

  • San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport: $3.57 million. This funding will support the collection and removal of uncontained contaminants on the airfield caused by aqueous film forming foam and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) waste resulting solely from aviation operations/field testing as well as the measuring of lab-proven innovative destruction technologies in order to reduce and mitigate the aviation impacts of aqueous film forming foam and other PFAS substances on surface and groundwater quality at or within five miles of the airport. 

A complete list of AIP awards for California airports is available here

ICYMI: RCRC to Co-Host Free Webinar on Battery Energy Storage System Permitting

On Friday, September 27, RCRC will co-host a webinar with the California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities on battery energy storage system (BESS) permitting. 

This webinar, intended for local elected officials, planners, and industry officials will explore: 

  • Different permitting pathways for BESS permitting, including local permitting, the process for investor-owned utility (IOU) projects, and the Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting process. 

  • BESS safety considerations and protocols, including the California Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association 855 safety standards, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s safety protocols. 

  • Perspectives on permitting best practices and challenges from a diverse panel of city and county representatives. 

View the agenda here.

Speakers include: 

  • Fernando Valero, Director of Advanced Clean Technology and Advanced Technology Integration—San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) 

  • Eric Knight, Manager, Siting and Environmental Branch—California Energy Commission (CEC)  

  • Scott Murtishaw, Executive Director—California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA ) 

  • Daniel Berlant, California State Fire Marshal 

  • Nika Kjensli—California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) 

  • Nick Bartlett, Senior Fire Protection Engineer/Fire Marshall—ATAR Fire  

  • Allan Calder, Planning Manager—Solano County  

  • David Reyes, Assistant City Manager/Interim General Manager, Water and Power—City of Pasadena 

 

Attendees must REGISTER for the free webinar in advance.

Please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, John Kennedy, with any questions. 

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CalOES State and Local Cybersecurity Grants - Application Window Now Open!

The CalOES State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program application window is now open. The State competitive offering combines two federal Fiscal Year allocations (FY22 and FY23) from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security totaling nearly $19.1 million. Individual grants can be up to $250,000 and no match is required. Twenty-five percent of statewide funds will be set aside for rural communities of less than 50,000 residents. There will be three additional rounds of federal funds, but they will require matches.
Grants are available to city or county governments, districts and federally recognized tribal governments. Applications are due by end of day, Friday, September 27, 2024

For more information see: State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services or contact RCRC Deputy Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris.
 

CARB to Host Regional Listening Sessions on Zero-Emission Space and Water Heaters in September and October

The California Air Resources Board is developing statewide standards for new space and water heaters sold in the state and announced upcoming listening sessions to solicit feedback. At these regional listening sessions, CARB staff wish to share information and seek public input regarding 1) needs in rural areas, especially those experiencing extreme temperatures; 2) potential housing impacts from a transition to zero-emission space and water heating, and ways to minimize risks to tenants of increased rental cost or displacement; 3) energy cost implications and strategies for maintaining energy affordability; and 4) access to knowledgeable contractors and high-quality jobs. The current schedule can be found below. For more information, see here
 

CPUC to Hold Virtual Public Forums on Video Franchisees

On September 19, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold two forums to gather input on potential changes to how the CPUC oversees licensing of video franchisees under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA) of 2006 and explore ways to modernize DIVCA implementation. To provide public comment, call 1-800-857-1917, passcode 6032788#. A webcast can be viewed here. For more information, see here.  

 

Employment Opportunities

RCRC Seeks Economic Development Officer

The Economic Development Officer will represent RCRC and work on behalf of its member counties to advance economic and community development initiatives and opportunities as a member of the RCRC Economic Development Team. Areas of focus and key initiatives are directed by the board adopted RCRC Strategic Plan and in pursuit of RCRC’s mission of being the premier advocate and innovative service provider on behalf of California’s rural counties.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000 – Depending on experience
Position closes: September 20, 2024. Send resume and cover letter to RCRC Deputy Chief Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris.

For more information about the position and application process, see here.

Mendocino County

  • Deputy Director - Social Services (Family and Children's Services) - Salary Range: $120,411.20 - $146,390.40 Annually. Position closes 10/3/2024 11:59 PM Pacific. For more information or to apply, see here.
    Under executive direction, the Deputy Director plans, organizes, and directs the overall administrative activities of one or more of the major divisions of a social services agency to include administrative services units, employment, eligibility, or social services programs either directly or through subordinate managers; may act in the Director's absence; and performs related work as required. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Shasta County

  • Director of Resource Management - Salary Range: $158,760.00 - $202,644.00 Annually. Position closes 9/16/2024 at 8:00 AM Pacific. For more information or to apply, see here.
    Under general direction, to manage, coordinate, and supervise all technical and administrative functions within the Resource Management Department, except as otherwise provided by Shasta County Code Chapter 8.02.

 

Free Technical Assistance on Data Collection for Public Defense Systems

The Center for Justice Innovation, the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, and OSPD are offering no-cost assistance to three counties interested in understanding and better addressing their specific data needs related to indigent defense. The project seeks to improve the availability, quality, and use of data in administering indigent defense services. Selected counties will receive assistance on what data points to collect, where and how to access the data, and how to analyze the data for decision-making.  This opportunity is open to counties without an institutional county public defender office.

Learn more about the project and apply here today  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis this summer. Site visits and assistance will begin this fall. 

 

3rd Annual Chamber Summit - Bridging the Gap Between Rural and Urban Chambers

The 3rd Annual Chamber Summit is coming to Copperopolis, California on October 3rd & 4th. This dynamic event brings together chambers of commerce from both rural and urban areas for 2 days of collaboration, resource sharing, and inspiration. Attendees will benefit from engaging workshops, access to invaluable resources, and hear from visionary keynote speakers. Together, we'll explore new strategies to enhance our chambers, uplift our communities, and empower the businesses we serve. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. Make your Chamber's Annual Corporate Retreat meaningful! Find more information here.

 

Upcoming Webinars Offered by the Institute for Local Government (ILG)

Mark your calendars and click the links below to find out more about upcoming webinars offered by the Institute for Local Government.

 

Critical Funding Opportunity Available to Expand Behavioral Health Services

On July 16, DHCS released the Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible organizations can apply for funding to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate properties for behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members. DHCS will award up to $3.3 billion in grants to projects that expand community-based behavioral health facilities and services.

This funding aims to address significant treatment gaps by improving access to behavioral health care. Interested parties can find application instructions on the BHCIP website and submit applications by December 13, 2024. This initiative, part of Proposition 1, seeks to transform California’s mental health and substance use disorder systems, providing more comprehensive care for the state’s most vulnerable populations. For more information, contact DHCS at BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov. To speak to RCRC about this opportunity, contact RCRC's Policy and Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will.

 

NCWA Call for Nominations

The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Board of Directors is calling for nominations in preparation for the next NorCal Water Leaders Program coming in 2025, Please nominate a future water leader from your area by November 15, 2024.

Cultivating strong and knowledgeable leadership in the Sacramento Valley is critical to safeguard Norther California water rights and supplies, and to sustainably manage water supplies for future generations. The program is dependent upon the nomination of individuals who care about the Sacramento Valley and are interested in learning more about our precious water resources. The program aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of water leaders in the Sacramento Valley with a deeper understanding of the region. the NorCal Water Leaders Program of 2025 will be a seven-month program with half-day seminars at various locations throughout the Valley. each seminar will focus on important water issues affecting Northern California water supplies and water quality.

Details

  • Nominations due no later than November 15, 2024
  • First seminar held in January 2025
  • Meets monthly through July 2025
  • Program will include tours

For additional details and the full call for nominations, see here. Send nominations by email to Danyella Ochoa. Include the nominee's name, address, phone number, email address, and any background information about why you have nominated the individual.

 

Ventura County Invitation to the First Annual Government and Disability Summit

The County of Ventura is honored to be holding a first-of-its-kind statewide Government and Disability Summit this September 24-27, 2024.

The goal of the event is to build bridges connecting government representatives, disability organizations, and corporate supporters to amplify the importance of increased empowerment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities throughout California.

At this conference, learn from federal and state leaders, changemakers from all over the state, and people with lived experience with disabilities. There will be various learning modes such as full group plenary panels, a lunch and learn, and 18 breakout sessions on various topics including transportation, accessibility, disability history and culture, systems change, and an emphasis on emergency preparedness.

For the conference schedule and more information, check out the conference website.

 

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

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 Awards $32 Million in Federal Funding to Deploy Over 450 Fast Chargers Along Interstates and Highways – California Energy Commission

California has been awarded over $32 million in federal funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging projects along the state’s busiest transportation corridors, expanding the largest EV charging network in the country and continuing the state’s commitment to building a bigger, better charging network.

 

Drought and climate change make agave an appealing California crop. Now, distillers look to turn it into spirits – Capital Public Radio

For years, California farmers have seen some of their crops struggle amid the impacts of drought and climate change. Many have sought out more resilient plants that don’t need a lot of water — like agave. 

 

The CA towns where safe drinking water is out of reach – CalMatters

Drinking water contamination is a chronic, insidious threat in California’s rural communities. Some have been waiting for clean water for years.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

AB 6   (Friedman)   Transportation planning: regional transportation plans: 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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was TRANS. on 5/30/2024)   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(17). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)    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 98   (Carrillo, Juan)   Planning and zoning: logistics use: truck routes.   Imposes restrictions and design standards on logistics use projects within 900’ of a wide variety of sensitive receptors. The bill also requires all local governments to update their circulation elements to identify and establish travel routes for the transportation of goods, materials, or freight for storage, transfer, or redistribution. Failure to update the circulation element by January 1, 2028, exposes jurisdictions to penalties of up to $50,000 for each six-month period. Aside from implementation costs, the bill broadly defines “logistics use projects” to include food processing facilities and temporary ag-related storage facilities that served by heavy-duty trucks. Combined with the restrictions on where “logistics use projects” can be located, AB 98 could have fatal consequences for attempts to build any new storage or manufacturing facilities in rural areas   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/12/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (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: civil penalties.   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: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was JUD. on 5/29/2024)   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was L. GOV. on 5/1/2024)   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: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/5/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   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: Assembly Vetoed   Status: 7/18/2024-Vetoed by the Governor   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 6/7/2023)   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 Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was L. GOV. on 5/22/2024)   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(17). (Last location was PUB. S. on 6/26/2023)   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/5/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Concerns   Staff:  Sarah (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 Chaptered   Status: 7/2/2024-Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 58, Statutes of 2024   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/5/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Watch   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2079   (Bennett)   Groundwater extraction: large-diameter, high-capacity water 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: Senate Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was N.R. & W. on 5/29/2024)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2104   (Soria)   Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.     Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/12/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2149   (Connolly)   Gates: standards: inspection.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/5/2024)   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 2199   (Berman)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: residential or mixed-use housing projects.   Extends an existing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for infill residential and mixed-use housing projects in unincorporated areas.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/28/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Dead   Status: 4/25/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was TRANS. on 2/26/2024)   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/5/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2302   (Addis)   Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.     Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 8/27/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 12 p.m.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2330   (Holden)   Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.   AB 2330 would streamline the process for fuels treatment projects for local governments that require an incidental take of a candidate species.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2344   (Petrie-Norris)   Fire prevention: grant programs: reporting.   AB 2344 would require the Governor's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to publicly post information regarding the allocation of funds from grant programs to provide better information regarding how the state's resources are being utilized for forest resilience projects.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 5/16/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 4/10/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 2346   (Lee)   Organic waste reduction regulations: procurement of recovered organic waste products.   Provides additional flexibility for local governments to meet CalRecycle’s organic waste procurement requirements   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2421   (Low)   Employer-employee relations: confidential communications.   This bill would restrict an employer’s ability to conduct internal investigations to the detriment of employees and the public’s safety and well-being, adding new costs and liability for public employers. AB 2421 creates an employee-union representative privilege in the context of California public employment which could compromise the ability of employers to conduct investigations into workplace safety, harassment and other allegations.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/5/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2469   (Committee on Emergency Management)   Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.   AB 2469 extends the sunset of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2030.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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 Dead   Status: 5/16/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/15/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sidd (1)

AB 2557   (Ortega)   Local agencies: contracts for special services and temporary help: performance reports.   AB 2557 places new contracting and posting requirements for local agencies that are overly burdensome, exceptionally costly, and inappropriately inflexible, likely resulting in worse outcomes for vulnerable communities and diminished local services for our residents and students. With the proposed requirements of AB 2557 for local agencies with represented workforces and for their contractors, we anticipate (1) fewer non-profit providers, community-based organizations, and other private service providers willing to engage with local agencies, (2) exacerbated already-demanding caseloads and workloads for our existing staff, and (3) increased costs for local agencies.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/5/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2561   (McKinnor)   Local public employees: vacant positions.   This measure requires local agencies with vacancy rates exceeding 15% for permanent full-time positions for more than 180 days (approximately 6 months) within a bargaining unit to, at the request of the bargaining unit, meet with the bargaining unit within 21 days and hold a public hearing within 90 days to discuss, among other specified items, the public agency’s strategy to fill the vacancies. If the true intent of AB 2561 is to provide a path for public agencies to reduce staff vacancies, diverting staff away from core service delivery and mandating they spend time preparing for additional meet and confer requirements and public hearings on their vacancy rates will not achieve that goal. Adding another unfunded mandate on public agencies will not solve the problem this bill has identified. It is just as likely to create even more burn-out from employees tasked with producing the very report the bill mandates.   Location: Assembly Enrollment   Status: 8/31/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 27. Noes 10.). In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2787   (Patterson, Joe)   Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.   Seeks to exempt homes rebuilt after certain disasters from a recent California Energy Commission mandate to install solar panels on every new home built in the state   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/3/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

AB 2797   (McKinnor)   Telephone corporations: carriers of last resort: tariffs.   This bill would commence a process, with no oversight, to no longer require any telephone corporation to be a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) in a specified manner, and discontinue legacy voice service. A telecommunications service provider designated as a COLR has an obligation to provide basic telephone service, commonly landline plain old telephone service (POTS), to any customer in its service territory to ensure universal access to safe, reliable, and affordable telephone service. AB 2797 requires telephone corporations to identify, as part of the relief notice, (1) a census block of the telephone corporation’s service territory where there is no population or where the company has no basic exchange telephone service customers, or (2) a census block designated as urban where 2 or more different service providers offer alternative voice services, as defined, to customers, or both. Alternative technologies have no equivalent consumer protections, such as minimum service quality standards or reliable access to 9-1-1.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was E. U., & C. on 6/12/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Tracy (1)

AB 2882   (McCarty)   California Community Corrections Performance Incentives.   AB 2882 seeks reprioritization of an existing Proposition 30-protected community corrections revenue stream to address the behavioral health treatment needs of those in county jail settings. The measure expands local requirements – by amending Penal Code section 1230.1 – the elements of the local community corrections plan by requiring new comprehensive and in-depth analyses and recommendations about how criminal justice funds might be used as matching funds for other sources; quantifiable goals for improving the community corrections systems; and specific targets for each goal. These new duties represent a higher level of service in the context of a realigned program and duplicative of reporting mandates recently enacted by proposition 1.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/5/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

AB 2902   (Wood)   Solid waste: reduction and recycling.   Provides additional flexibility to local governments implementing the state’s SB 1383 organic waste diversion objectives, including by: Extending the existing rural exemption for the 19 counties with fewer than 70,000 residents Providing flexibility and financial assistance to reduce the risk of adverse human/bear interactions related to organic waste management Increasing local benefits from edible food recovery programs Clarifying that mulch and compost give aways and rebate programs are not gifts of public funds   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/6/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  John (1)

AB 3150   (Quirk-Silva)   Fire safety: fire hazard severity zones: defensible space: State Fire Marshal.   AB 3150 would allow for members of the public to petition the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to review the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for potential reclassifications based on new data, and would shift certain responsibilities regarding the maps from the Board of Forestry to the OSFM.   Location: Senate Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/5/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

AB 3179   (Carrillo, Juan)   Emergency telecommunications medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.   would exempt certain telecommunications vehicles used by emergency telecommunications providers from the provisions of the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations until January 1, 2030.   Location: Assembly Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (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 42   (Umberg)   Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program: process and proceedings.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Pending   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 399   (Wahab)   Employer communications: intimidation.   SB 399 would prohibit an employer from subjecting, or threatening to subject, an employee to any adverse action because the employee declines to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or affirmatively declines to participate in, receive, or listen to any communications with the employer, the purpose of which is to communicate the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters. The uncertainty created because of the vague and overly broad provisions of this bill in the context of public employers would make it incredibly difficult to comply with and would certainly be litigated. SB 399 would also create a private right of action in court for damages caused by adverse actions on account of the employee’s refusal to attend an employer sponsored meeting.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   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 Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 504   (Dodd)   Wildfires: defensible space: grant programs: local governments.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/10/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 584   (Limón)   Laborforce housing: Short-Term Rental Tax Law.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/31/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(17). (Last location was H. & C.D. on 6/15/2023)   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 Dead   Status: 8/31/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(17). (Last location was REV. & TAX SUSPENSE FILE on 7/10/2023)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Mary-Ann (1)

SB 707   (Newman)   Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024.   Creates a Responsible Textile Recovery Act to require producers to establish a stewardship program for collection and recycling of apparel and textiles that are unsuitable for reuse by a consumer.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (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 Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/7/2024)   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: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/7/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 946   (McGuire)   Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: exclusions: wildfire mitigation payments.   SB 946 would exclude payments from the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, the state's pilot grant program to aid low income homeowners with home hardening retrofits, from eligibility for state income taxes.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/4/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 960   (Wiener)   Transportation: planning: complete streets facilities: transit priority facilities.   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/9/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   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 Enrolled   Status: 9/11/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   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 Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was L. GOV. on 2/21/2024)   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: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/31/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(17). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/7/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1046   (Laird)   Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.   Seeks to expedite the construction of compost facilities by requiring CalRecycle to develop a programmatic environmental impact report for small and medium-sized organic waste compost facilities.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/3/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1057   (Menjivar)   Juvenile justice coordinating council.   This measure would dramatically recast the composition of multiagency juvenile justice coordinating councils (JJCC), which are designed to develop and implement a continuum of county-based responses to addressing the needs of justice system-involved youth.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/7/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1060   (Becker)   Property insurance underwriting: risk models.   SB 1060 would encourage companies offering property insurance in California and utilizing risk assessment models in their underwriting to account for home hardening, defensible space, and community wildfire risk mitigation measures in their models.   Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was INS. on 6/3/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1064   (Laird)   Cannabis: operator and separate premises license types: excessive concentration of licenses.   This bill seeks to reduce unnecessary complexity and duplication within the cannabis regulatory environment which is impeding government’s ability to license businesses in a reasonable timeframe and complicating efforts to enforce the law. By doing so, it seeks to reduce challenges and barriers to basic compliance for businesses.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/3/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Sponsor   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1066   (Blakespear)   Hazardous waste: marine flares: manufacturer responsibility.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/9/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1101   (Limón)   Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: maps.   SB 1101 streamlines the process for CAL FIRE to enter into contracts for prescribed fire operations for the purpose of fuels treatment projects.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/4/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  Staci (1)

SB 1116   (Portantino)   Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits.     Location: Assembly Dead   Status: 7/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(13). (Last location was INS. on 6/3/2024)   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1156   (Hurtado)   Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest 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 Enrolled   Status: 8/27/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.   Position:   No Position   Staff:  Sidd (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: Assembly Dead   Status: 8/15/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(14). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 6/19/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1193   (Menjivar)   Airports: leaded aviation gasoline.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/9/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Oppose Unless Amended   Staff:  Sidd (1)

SB 1269   (Padilla)   Safety net hospitals.     Location: Senate Dead   Status: 5/2/2024-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was HEALTH on 2/29/2024)   Position:   Support   Staff:  Sarah (1)

SB 1280   (Laird)   Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.     Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/9/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1361   (Blakespear)   California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: local agencies: contract for providing services for people experiencing homelessness.     Location: Senate Chaptered   Status: 8/19/2024-Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 188, Statutes of 2024   Position:   Support   Staff:  John (1)

SB 1420   (Caballero)   Hydrogen production facilities: certification and environmental review.   Seeks to facilitate the construction of hydrogen production facilities to secure over $1 billion in federal funding, including by expanding the AB 205 opt-in permitting process to include hydrogen production facilities. By expanding the AB 205 opt-in permitting process, the bill preempts local governments by allowing project developers to apply to the California Energy Commission for approval.   Location: Senate Enrolled   Status: 9/12/2024-Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.   Position:   Oppose   Staff:  John (1)>