The Barbed Wire - August 9, 2024 (2024)

August 9, 2024

RCRC Continues to Engage on Board of Forestry Proposal to Update Utility Right of Way Exemption Amendments

RCRC Call to Action as Legislative Session Resumes

RCRC Continues Advocacy on Key Energy and Telecommunications Priorities

State Awards Infill Infrastructure Grants to Support Projects in RCRC Member Counties

Retail Theft Legislation Resurrected

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Renew Affordable Connectivity Program

Farm Bill Hits New Snag as Official Estimate Says It Raises Deficit

DOI Announces $105 Million Investment for Water Conservation and Efficiency Projects

U.S. Senate Passes California Water Infrastructure and Ecosystem Restoration Priorities

BULLETIN BOARD

KEEPING UP

WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

RCRC Continues to Engage on Board of Forestry Proposal to Update Utility Right of Way Exemption Amendments

In July, as part of ongoing advocacy efforts, RCRC submitted comments to the Board of Forestry on proposed modifications to the Public Agency and Utility Right of Way Exemption Regulation. RCRC also engaged at the Board’s July 23 Forest Management Committee at which the issue was brought up for discussion.

RCRC supported many of the Board’s proposed changes to the regulation to ensure utilities appropriately manage felled wood after vegetation management operations to avoid increasing risks and costs upon the underlying landowner.

The Board’s overview of the proposed changes can be found here and the text of the proposed changes can be found here.

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

RCRC Call to Action as Legislative Session Resumes

On Monday, August 5th, the Legislature returned from summer recess to finish out the 2023-2024 session. As the session heads into the final weeks, there are still several items on the move. RCRC continues to engage on several key legislative measures. Those of greatest interest where we request assistance from member counties are the following:

  • AB 2557 (Ortega) - places new contracting reporting 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 residents. 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. AB 2557 represents a sweeping change to the fundamental work of local governments, but we remain unaware of a specific, current problem that this measure would resolve or prevent.

AB 2557 is in Senate appropriation awaiting the suspense hearing on August 15. RCRC’s letter of opposition is availablehere. RCRC encourages counties to oppose this measure and contact their legislative delegation.

For questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.

  • AB 2561 (McKinnor) - 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 will not achieve that goal. The measure does not address the root causes of low labor force participation rates in California across all sectors. Instead, the measure will create additional layers of bureaucracy that detract from meaningful efforts to recruit and retain the public sector workforce.

AB 2561 is in Senate appropriation awaiting the suspense hearing on August 15. RCRC’s letter of opposition is availablehere. RCRC encourages counties to oppose this measure and contact their legislative delegation.

For questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.

  • AB 2882 (McCarty) - 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 is duplicative of reporting mandates recently enacted by proposition 1.

AB 2882 is in Senate appropriation awaiting the suspense hearing on August 15. RCRC’s letter of opposition is availablehere. RCRC encourages counties to oppose this measure and contact their legislative delegation.

For questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.

  • SB 610 (McGuire) - revises the current state fire responsibility process and obligations, including many provisions related to housing, land use and building permitting, shifting these from the Board of Forestry (BOF) to the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM). This bill was introduced as a gut and amend on June 11, 2024. RCRC, along with our local government partners, CSAC and Cal Cities, have been working with the author and the sponsor (the Newsom administration) on language to address local government concerns.

SB 610 is in Assembly Appropriations awaiting the suspense hearing on August 15. RCRC’s letter of concern is availablehere. RCRC encourages counties to contact their legislative delegation and express concern about this measure.

For questions, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Tracy Rhine.

  • SB 1057 (Menjivar) - would dramatically recast the composition of multiagency juvenile justice coordinating councils (JJCC), designed to develop and implement a continuum of county-based responses to juvenile crime. For a JJCC to be eligible to receive Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funding, the newly revised council composition must consist of 50% community representation and must be co-chaired by a community representative. Unfortunately, SB 1057 does not take into consideration the real and challenging concerns in counties across the state that will be unable to establish a full council due to a lack of community volunteers, especially in rural regions. Further, while on its surface the changes to the composition of the JJCC and their meeting frequency may seem reasonable, from the county perspective, they are reflective of the objective to minimize local authority and redirect JJCPA funding that is guaranteed to counties under 2011 Realignment and protected pursuant to Proposition 30 (2012) with maximum flexibility and control over the design.

SB 1057 is in Assembly Appropriations awaiting the suspense hearing on August 15. RCRC’s letter of opposition is availablehere. RCRC encourages counties to oppose this measure and contact their legislative delegation.

For questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.

RCRC Continues Advocacy on Key Energy and Telecommunications Priorities

In the last month, RCRC has joined two new proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). First, RCRC joined an energy proceeding dedicated to electrical safety, reliability and resiliency. RCRC continues to advocate for greater oversight of utility fast-trip programs, emphasizing the scale and consequences of persistent power outages on communities and county operations. Counties are encouraged to weigh in, see a template here. Second, RCRC joined a proceeding that would consider potential changes to Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules governing universal access to essential telecommunications service—i.e. basic telephone service—to any resident or business customer upon request, and at affordable prices.

Additionally, RCRC submitted comments to the CPUC’s Staff Proposal on General Order 131 which seeks to balance the need for expediting essential utility projects with safeguarding public safety and local authority. Lastly, RCRC also provided input on a comprehensive staff proposal in the High DER Proceeding that identifies current distribution planning and execution processes and provides recommendations on how to improve interconnection capacity analysis and data portal improvements.

A full list of RCRC’s involvement in active CPUC Proceedings, along with RCRC staff contacts, is available here.

State Awards Infill Infrastructure Grants to Support Projects in RCRC Member Counties

On July 31st, Governor Newsom announced the award of $94 million to 15 counties to support infill development projects. The grants are awarded through the state’s Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) Program and will support capital improvement projects in the following RCRC member counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kings, Imperial, Madera, San Benito, Shasta, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba. In 2019, RCRC worked with the legislature to create the rural set-aside in the existing IIG program for counties with populations less than 250,000. More information can be found in the Governor’s Press Release. For questions, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Tracy Rhine

Retail Theft Legislation Resurrected

One of this legislative year’s distractions -- involving negotiations that for quite some time had gone nowhere -- included a package of retail-theft proposals. That all changed on Thursday, August 8th, when it was announced by Senate President Pro TemMike McGuirethat a successful conclusion had been reached in negotiations involving both the Assembly and Senate. Early indications are that the negotiated retail-theft proposals have at least some appeal for the big box retailers, who, heretofore, have been strong proponents of Proposition 36.

Legislative leaders who have been working on the package had argued that the ballot measure is too punitive, and their approach is more equitable in the changes it would make to Proposition 47. Reportedly, retailers and other supporters of Proposition 36 are still mulling over whether or not they will re-evaluate their campaign in light of these developments.

The retail-theft bills passed easily, despite a lack of enthusiasm from some progressive lawmakers who maintain that the package includes provisions that are too punitive to communities of color. Final approval is expected on Monday when both houses return from the weekend.

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Renew Affordable Connectivity Program

On July 30th, U.S. Representative Mike Carey (OH-15) and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced bipartisan legislation to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) -a federal program that helped low-income households afford access to high-speed internet. The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act provides $7 billion to restore the program that provides a $30 per month discount off internet service. Bi-partisan companion legislation (S. 4317) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (NM), J.D. Vance (OH), Peter Welch (VT), Roger Wicker (MS) and Jacky Rosen (NV).

The ACP was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ran out of funding in May affecting over 23 million American households that utilized the subsidy to bring needed connectivity into their homes.

More information can be found in Representative Carey’s Press release. RCRC will be working with our federal lobbyist, ACG, to assess opportunities to engage.

Farm Bill Hits New Snag as Official Estimate Says It Raises Deficit

According to an official cost estimate released Friday by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the House Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill would boost the federal budget deficit by $33 billion over 10 years. The funding gap could force House leaders to either direct the CBO to change its budget estimate or to modify the legislation, if they want to put the bill on the House floor. 

 At issue is a provision in the bill intended to suspend USDA’s use of section 5 under its Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) spending authority. CBO’s estimate of the potential savings is short of what is needed to cover the cost of several commodity program provisions, including higher reference prices in the Price Loss Coverage program.

 The CBO estimates there is a 50% probability the CCC provision could save $3.6 billion between Fiscal Years 2025 through 2033. Meanwhile, the CBO estimated the bill would increase the cost of commodity programs by $43.4 billion over the same period. Other cuts in the bill lower the net cost increase to $33 billion. For additional information, see here.

DOI Announces $105 Million Investment for Water Conservation and Efficiency Projects

On August 5, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced a nearly $105 million investment as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda for 67 water conservation and efficiency projects that will enhance drought resilience across the nation. The investment comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations. 

 Nine projects in RCRC counties were selected for a total of $7.9 million in funding. The complete list of projects can be found on Bureau of Reclamation website.

U.S. Senate Passes California Water Infrastructure and Ecosystem Restoration Priorities

On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 (S. 4367).  The legislation includes provisions to help address ongoing climate impacts in California. The bill authorizes $10 million for the Tijuana River Valley Watershed to help address the ongoing transboundary sewage crisis through stormwater conveyance, environmental and ecosystem restoration, and water quality protection projects. Additionally, the bill includes: $20 million to restore ecosystems and bolster salmon recovery; and directs a new study to examine ways to modify the existing Sacramento River levee system for floodplain management and ecosystem restoration.

The Senate and House of Representatives have each passed their respective versions of WRDA, which will now be conferenced to produce final legislation. The full text of the bill is available here.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

HCD Reminder - Annual Reporting Required for Cities and Counties (AB 362 - Homeless Shelters)

This is a reminder of the annual homeless shelter reporting requirement due by April 1 of each year.California cities and counties are required to investigate complaints related to substandard homeless shelters and report specified information to HCD.

Information Bulletin 2022-02: Assembly Bill 362 (AB 362) Homeless Shelters Reporting Guidelines provided the details of annual reporting obligations.Cities and counties can submit annual homeless shelter reports, as required by AB 362 (Chapter 395, Statutes of 2021), electronically through the Local Ordinances, Amendments, and Reports Portal (Portal). The Portal can be accessed through HCD’s Local Ordinances, Amendments, & Reports webpage.

Questions?Please call the Division of Codes and Standards at 1.800.952.8356 or email HCDBuildingStandards@hcd.ca.gov.

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.

ILG Webinar August 19th:Complying with CARB's Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently implemented the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which may require local governments and local government contractors that own, lease, or operate more than one truck/bus to phase in zero-emission vehicles. Is your agency ready to comply? This webinar provides an opportunity to learn about the requirements, strategies local governments are implementing to comply with ACF, and if there are exemptions and time extensions that may apply for your agency.

Speakers include:

  • Alene Taber, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett LLP
  • David Fernandez, Chief, Departmental Operations, Fleet Services Division, County of San Diego

Moderated by Melissa Kuehne, Senior Program Manager, Institute for Local Government.

Date: Monday, August 19th
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Register Today!

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

    Calaveras County

    • Director of Public Works and Transportation, #2024-00037 ($83.74 - $102.94)
      Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Public Works Divisions including Roads and Bridges, Engineering, Fleet, Administration and the office of the County Surveyor. Coordinates work related to the design, construction, maintenance and repair of County highways, roads, and bridges. Application review to take place the week of August 5th. For detailed job flyer and application requirements please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/calaverascounty. Apply now. Open until filled. EOE

    Shasta County

    • HHSA Chief Fiscal Officer- Salary Range:$97,464.00 - $124,392.00 Annually.Position closes 9/9/2024 at 5;00 AM Pacific.For more informationor to apply, see here.
      Under general direction, plans, organizes, directs and performs highly complex and technical auditing, accounting, financial, administrative, budgetary, claiming, business management, and fiscal management functions of the Health and Human Services Agency; assists in policy and procedure development and implementation; manages and oversees all fiscal and accounting services; ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations; maintains budget, fiscal control, accounting, audit, and related administrative and reporting systems for the Health and Human Services Agency; may supervise, manage, and train staff; and performs related work as required.
    • Director of Mental Health Services- Salary Range:$159,528.00 - $203,616.00 Annually. Position closes9/9/2024 9:00 AM Pacific. For more information or to apply, see here.
      Under the general administrative direction of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director and within federal and state laws and rules, plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the administrative and support operations as well as program activity for Behavioral Health Services in Shasta County; assists in policy and procedure development and implementation; serves on the agency management team; and performs related work as assigned.

    NCWA Call for Nominations

    The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Board of Directors is calling for nominations in preparation for the nextNorCal Water Leaders Programcoming 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.

    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.

    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 conferencewebsite.

    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.

    The following appointments were made by the Governor during the month of July, or in the first week of August 2024.

    Daniel Cueva, of Vacaville, has been appointed Warden of the California Medical Facility, where he has been Acting Warden since 2023. Cueva served in several positions at the California Medical Facility from 1997 to 2022, including Chief Deputy Administrator, Correctional Administrator, Correctional Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant, Correctional Counselor I and Correctional Officer. Cueva was Associate Director of Female Offender Programs and Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2022 to 2023, where he was Correctional Administrator from 2011 to 2013 and Facility Captain from 2010 to 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $193,524. Cueva is registered without party preference.

    Brianna “Shae” Dellamaggiore, of Chowchilla, has been appointed an Alternate to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. Dellamaggiore has been a Youth Advisory Consultant for ACEs Aware since 2023 and a Youth Advisory Consultant for the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls from 2023 to 2024. They are a Policy Trainee Member and Chapter Chair at California Youth Connection. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Dellamaggiore is registered without party preference.

    Leon Dixson, of Placer County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Placer County Superior Court. Dixson has been Regional Counsel for Civil Rights at Legal Services of Northern California since 2023. He was Managing Attorney of the Expanded Access Project at Legal Services of Northern California from 2018 to 2023, where he was a Supervising Attorney from 2016 to 2017, a Staff Attorney from 2011 to 2016 and a Legal Graduate from 2010 to 2011. Dixson earned a Master of Dispute Resolution degree and Juris Doctor degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Colleen Nichols. Dixson is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $238,479.

    Matt Espenshade, of Roseville, has been appointed Chief Deputy Inspector General of the Independent Office of Audits and Investigations at the California Department of Transportation. Espenshade has been Principal Manager of Audit Services at the Judicial Council of California since 2023. He was Deputy Secretary of Administration and Audits at the California State Transportation Agency from 2022 to 2023. Espenshade was Assistant Chief Deputy Inspector General at the Office of the Inspector General from 2020 to 2022. He was Deputy Director of Audits and Court Compliance at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2017 to 2020 and Supervising Management Auditor there from 2014 to 2017. Espenshade was Vendor Management Consultant of Governance and Oversight at Blue Shield of California in 2014, a Business Compliance Consultant at Health Net Inc. from 2012 to 2014 and Supervising Management Auditor at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System from 2011 to 2012. He was Deputy Inspector General, Senior at the Office of the Inspector General from 2009 to 2011 and a Deputy Inspector General there from 2006 to 2009. Espenshade was a Research Program Specialist at the California Department of Health Care Services from 2005 to 2006 and an Auditor Evaluator at the California State Auditor’s Office from 2000 to 2005. Espenshade earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $185,964. Espenshade is a Democrat.

    Claudia Carroll Hanson, of Truckee, has been appointed to the 17th District Agricultural Association, Nevada County Fair Board of Directors. Hanson was Planning Manager for the City of Reno from 2006 to 2021. She was Assistant Planner and a Senior Planner with the City of Reno from 1997 to 2006. Hanson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hanson is a Democrat.

    Anne Hoskins, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Hoskins has been Senior Vice President of Policy and Market Development – Energy Technology at Generac Power Systems since 2022 and Advisor at Swift Solar since 2022. She was an Advisor at Brimstone from 2022 to 2023. Hoskins was Chief Policy Officer at Sunrun from 2016 to 2022. She was a Member of on the Maryland State Public Service Commission from 2012 to 2016. Hoskins was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability at PSEG from 2007 to 2013 and a Visiting Research Scholar at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University from 2012 to 2013. She held several roles at Verizon from 1998 to 2007, including Senior Counsel and Regulatory Counsel. Hoskins was an Associate at McCarter and English from 1995 to 1998. She was an Attorney at the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency from 1994 to 1995. Hoskins was Public Capital Program Coordinator for the Center for Policy Alternatives from 1989 to 1991. She served as a Policy Advisor in the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning from 1986 to 1989. Hoskins is a member of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University, a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Hoskins is a Democrat.

    Eliana Kaimowitz, of Davis, has been appointed Director of the Office of Equity at the California Department of Social Services, where she has been Branch Chief of the Immigration Integration Branch since 2019 and was a Bureau Chief and Legal Fellow from 2018 to 2019. Kaimowitz was an Immigration Integration Executive Fellow in the Office of Governor Jerry Brown from 2017 to 2018. She was a Senior Research Analyst for Service Employees International Union California State Council from 2015 to 2017. Kaimowitz was a Consulting Attorney from 2014 to 2015. She was a Senior Research and Global Program Coordinator for the Center for the Study of Law, Justice, and Society from 2013 to 2014. Kaimowitz was an Equal Justice Works Fellow and Staff Attorney for the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation from 2009 to 2012. She was an Associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP from 2008 to 2009. Kaimowitz was a Survey Research Associate for the Public Policy Institute of California from 2002 to 2004. Kaimowitz earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $187,116. Kaimowitz is a Democrat.

    Kecia Lind, of Napa County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Napa County Superior Court. Lind has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Napa County District Attorney's Office since 2015. She served as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office from 2008 to 2015 and was a Law Clerk there from 2006 to 2007. Lind earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Monique Langhorne Wilson to the Court of Appeal. Lind is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $238,479.

    Brett Lockman, of Sonora, has been appointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Lockman has been President of Sierra Biotensegrity since 2017. He was Medical Director of Pain Medicine for Adventist Health from 2018 to 2019. Lockman was Chief Executive Officer and President of Advanced Wellness Sports and Spine from 2011 to 2016. Lockman was a Staff Physician at the Carolina Back Institute from 2009 to 2010. He is a Member of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California. Lockman earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology from Michigan State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lockman is a Republican.

    Trevor Merrell, of Rohnert Park, has been appointed to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. Merrell has been a Behavioral Therapist at Autism Comprehensive Educational Services since 2023. He served as an Electronic Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2018 to 2022. Merrell serves as an Officer At-Large for the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Merrell is a Democrat.

    Wednesday Pope, of Placerville, has been appointed to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. Pope has been a Youth Advocate at John Burton Advocates for Youth since 2024. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Pope is registered without party preference.

    Matthew Swain, of Ukiah, has been appointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board. Swain has been Chief Medical Officer at Mendocino Community Health Centers since 2022. Swain was a Hospitalist and Primary Care Physician at South Peninsula Hospital from 2020 to 2022. He was a Chief at the Primary Care VA Healthcare System from 2017 to 2020. He served in several positions at Naval Camp Lejeune from 2008 to 2017, including Senior Medical Officer, Medical Officer, Primary Care Manager Wounded Warrior Battalion East, Family Physician and Family Medicine Resident. Swain is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California. Swain earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, Chemistry and Military Studies from Northern Arizona University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Swain is registered without party preference.

    Troy Taira, of Madera County, has been reappointed to the Board of Parole Hearings, where he has served since 2018. Taira served as an Administrative Law Judge for the California Public Utilities Commission in 2018. He was a Commissioner for the Board of Parole Hearings from 2016 to 2017, where he was a Deputy Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge from 2015 to 2016. Taira was Special Assistant to the Inspector General in the Office of the Inspector General from 2013 to 2015 and served as an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings from 2012 to 2013. He served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Department of Social Services from 2011 to 2012 and for the Office of Administrative Hearings from 2009 to 2011. Taira served as a Commissioned Officer and Staff Attorney for the U.S. Coast Guard from 1992 to 2009. He was a Defense Attorney in the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office from 1991 to 1992. Taira is a member of California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment and the American Bar Association. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from San Francisco State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $204,120. Taira is a Democrat.

    Julianna Vignalats, of Roseville, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at the California Department of Social Services. Vignalats has been Acting Chief Operating Officer at the California Department of Social Services since 2024 and has served in several positions there since 2013, including Assistant Deputy Director of the Research Automation and Data Division, Acting Deputy Director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division, Section Chief and Cal-OAR Specialist in the CalWORKs and Family Resilience Branch, and Research Analyst II. Vignalats was an AmeriCorps Vista Member and Program Associate with HandsOn Sacramento from 2012 to 2013. Vignalats earned a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, San Diego and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $187,116. Vignalats is a Democrat.

    Sarah Yee, of Granite Bay, has been appointed an Alternate to the California Youth Empowerment Commission. Yee has been a Youth Crisis Counselor for the California Youth Crisis Line since 2022. She is member of Key Club, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Journalism Education Association of Northern California. She was Co-Editor-in-Chief of Granite Bay Today from 2023 to 2024. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Yee is not registered to vote.

    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.

    A soil fungus that can kill is on the rise in California: What to know about Valley Fever– Capital Public Radio

    It’s shaping up to be a bad year — possibly the worst yet — when it comes to Valley fever, a fungal disease marked by cough and fevers. More than 5,300 cases have been reported in California through June, that’s 63% more infections than the same period last year.

    Evacuation orders expand in response to El Dorado County's Crozier Fire– Capital Public Radio

    A wildfire burning in El Dorado County has expanded evacuation orders for several communities northeast of Placerville. Cal Fire says the Crozier Fire, which started Wednesday morning northwest of Slate Mountain, has burned 706 acres and is 5% contained. The cause is under investigation.

    Cooler weather helps firefighters corral a third of California's massive Park Fire– Capital Public Radio

    Fire crews battling California's largest wildfire this year have corralled a third of the blaze aided in part by cooler weather, but a return of triple-digit temperatures could allow it to grow, fire officials said Sunday.

    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:SenateDead 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:Senate2 year Status:9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/11/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024) Staff: Sidd (1)

    AB 62 (Mathis) Statewide water storage: expansion. Would have established a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3,700,000 acre-feet by the year 2030 and a total of 4,000,000 acre-feet by the year 2040. The bill would have required the Department of Water Resources, in consultation with the state board, to take reasonable actions to promote or assist efforts to achieve the statewide goal, as provided. The bill would require the department, beginning July 1, 2027, and on or before July 1 every 2 years thereafter until January 1, 2043, in consultation with the state board, to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on the progress made to achieve the statewide goal. Location:AssemblyDead 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:AssemblyDead 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:AssemblyDead Status:2/1/2024-From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. Position: No Position Staff: Tracy (1)

    AB 422 (Alanis) Natural Resources Agency: statewide water storage: tracking. Would have required CA Natural Resources Agency, on or before June 1, 2024, to post on its publicly available internet website information tracking the progress to increase statewide water storage, and to keep that information updated. Location:AssemblyDead 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:AssemblyDead 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:SenateDead 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:SenateDead 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:Senate2 year Status:9/14/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(14). (Last location was INACTIVE FILE on 9/12/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024) Position: Oppose Staff: Sarah (1)

    AB 1272 (Wood) State Water Resources Control Board: drought planning. This bill would have required State Water Board to establish a program, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water in coastal watersheds, as specified, during times of water shortage for drought preparedness and climate resiliency. The bill would have required that the principles and guidelines provide for the development of watershed-level plans to support public trust uses, public health and safety, and the human right to water in times of water shortage, among other things. Location:AssemblyVetoed 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:SenateDead 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:SenateDead 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:SenatePublic Safety Status:6/26/2023-From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB S. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 26). Re-referred to Com. on PUB S. Position: Support Staff: Sarah (1)

    AB 1785 (Pacheco) California Public Records Act. Would prohibit local agencies from posting an assessor’s parcel number associated with an elected or appointed official on the internet without their written permission. Location:SenateThird Reading Status:6/27/2024-From Consent Calendar. Ordered to third reading. 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:AssemblyChaptered 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:SenateThird Reading Status:8/6/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. 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:SenateDead 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. Position: Support Staff: Sarah (1)

    AB 2149 (Connolly) Gates: standards: inspection. Location:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. Position: Oppose Unless Amended Staff: Tracy (1)

    AB 2199 (Berman) California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: residential or mixed-use housing projects. Location:SenateThird Reading Status:8/6/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. 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:AssemblyDead 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:SenateThird Reading Status:6/27/2024-From Consent Calendar. Ordered to third reading. Position: Support Staff: Staci (1)

    AB 2302 (Addis) Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences. Location:SenateThird Reading Status:6/6/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:AssemblyDead 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. Location:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:AssemblyDead 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. Position: Oppose Staff: Sarah (1)

    AB 2787 (Patterson, Joe) Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements. Location:SenateThird Reading Status:6/18/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. 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:SenateDead 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. Position: Oppose Staff: Sarah (1)

    AB 2902 (Wood) Organic waste: reduction regulations: exemptions. Location:SenateAppropriations Status:7/31/2024-In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. 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:SenateAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/5/2024-In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. Position: Support Staff: Staci (1)

    AB 3238 (Garcia) California Environmental Quality Act: electrical infrastructure projects. Location:SenateAppropriations Status:7/8/2024-From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 3). Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. (Amended text released 7/10/2024) Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 23 (Caballero) Water supply and flood risk reduction projects: expedited permitting. This bill would have authorized a state agency, defined to mean any agency, board, or commission, including the state board or the regional boards, with the power to issue a permit that would authorize a water supply project or authorize a flood risk reduction project, to take specified actions in order to complete permit review and approval in an expeditious manner. The bill would have made findings and declarations related to the need to expedite water supply projects and flood risk reduction projects to better address climate change impacts while protecting the environment. Location:SenateDead 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: notice to original petitioner. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:6/19/2024-June 19 set for second hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:Assembly2 year Status:9/1/2023-Failed Deadline pursuant to Rule 61(a)(11). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 8/16/2023)(May be acted upon Jan 2024) Position: Support Staff: Mary-Ann (1)

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

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

    SB 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyThird Reading Status:8/8/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. Position: Watch Staff: Sidd (1)

    SB 972 (Min) Methane emissions: organic waste: landfills. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:7/2/2024-July 2 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (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:SenateDead 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: Staci (1)

    SB 1045 (Blakespear) Composting facilities: zoning. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 1046 (Laird) Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:7/2/2024-July 2 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyDead 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Sponsor Staff: Sarah (1)

    SB 1066 (Blakespear) Hazardous waste: marine flares: producer responsibility. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:7/2/2024-July 2 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: Staci (1)

    SB 1116 (Portantino) Unemployment insurance: trade disputes: eligibility for benefits. Location:AssemblyDead 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 1143 (Allen) Household hazardous waste: producer responsibility. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (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:AssemblyConsent Calendar Status:8/8/2024-Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar. Position: No Position Staff: Sidd (1)

    SB 1159 (Dodd) California Environmental Quality Act: roadside wildfire risk reduction projects. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:7/2/2024-July 2 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 1175 (Ochoa Bogh) Organic waste: reduction goals: local jurisdictions: waivers. Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider alternatives to census tracts, as provided, when deciding the boundaries of a low-population or elevation waiver and would require low-population waivers to be valid for a period of 10 years. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:6/19/2024-June 19 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 1193 (Menjivar) Airports: leaded aviation gasoline. Location:AssemblyThird Reading Status:8/8/2024-Read second time. Ordered to third reading. Position: Oppose Unless Amended Staff: Sidd (1)

    SB 1269 (Padilla) Safety net hospitals. Location:SenateDead 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:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 1361 (Blakespear) California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: local agencies: contract for providing services for people experiencing homelessness. Location:SenateEnrollment Status:8/5/2024-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    SB 1420 (Caballero) Hydrogen production facilities: certification and environmental review. Location:AssemblyAppropriations Suspense File Status:8/7/2024-August 7 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. Position: Support Staff: John (1)

    The Barbed Wire - August 9, 2024 (2024)
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