Demonstrating the urgency and collaboration appropriate to the
task, the state has announced the first 18 sections for the
statewide open-access middle-mile network just a few short months
after the network was authorized by SB 156.
Middle-mile infrastructure will not provide broadband service
directly to consumers, but it will make it faster and cheaper for
all internet service providers to provide last-mile service to
both unserved and underserved households, as well as those who
currently live in a broadband monopoly.
Nearly two months after California voters rejected an attempt to
recall Governor Gavin Newsom that cost counties and the state
about $276 million to conduct, state officials continue to
examine California’s recall system for potential reform.
Discussions for potential reforms include raising the signature
threshold to qualify a recall election, altering the election
process for successor candidates, and creating a malfeasance
standard for justifying a recall election.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is
developing the Clean
California Local Grant Program as part of a two-year program
through which approximately $296 million in funds will go to
local communities to beautify and improve local streets and
roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers to
clean and enhance public spaces.
County officials and personnel are invited to attend a two-day
conference on private 4G/5G networks, an alternative to
traditional Wi-Fi networks that might help local agencies
implement connected traffic signals, provide public services, and
help close the digital divide. The event, “Enterprise 5G Live,”
includes educational workshops, networking opportunities, and an
exhibit hall where attendees can connect and learn about private
wireless networks.
Governor Newsom met the October 10 deadline to take action on
measures approved by the Legislature and delivered to his desk.
To keep Counties informed of new laws that impact them, CSAC will
be publishing a series of articles to spotlight those laws in
each policy area. This week, the Government, Finance, and
Administration (GFA) policy area provides information on new
laws impacting broadband, elections, labor relations, and more.
California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part
of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
(GO-Biz), announced that it is now accepting applications from
California County governments to administer the California
Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program (MBCRG). Counties are
encouraged to apply for funding to provide $2,500 grants to
eligible microbusinesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and
the associated health and safety restrictions.
Governor Newsom had until October 10, 2021 to sign or veto bills
passed by the Legislature last month. Following is an update on
major bills of interest or concern for the Government, Finance,
and Administration policy area, including victories broadband
access and public meeting requirements. For additional
questions, please contact Geoff Neill, Ryan Souza, or Danielle Bradley.
Both chambers of the Legislature adjourned before 9 p.m. last
Friday night, bringing an end to the 2021 session. Following
is an update on major bills of interest or concern for the
Government, Finance, and Administration policy area that are now
among the 800+ bills awaiting action by Governor Gavin
Newsom. CSAC staff will continue to monitor and advocate for
County priorities during the signing period, which ends
October 10, 2021.
California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, part of the
Governor’s Office of Business Economic Development (GO-Biz),
recently launched
calosba.ca.gov – a website that connects California’s small
business community with critical resources available through
state-funded small business technical assistance program and
other state resources.
Californians in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas counties who
have been impacted by wildfires that started in July and August
2021 can now file for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance
(DUA). The California Employment Development Department (EDD)
administers these benefits, which are available to workers,
business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their
jobs or businesses, or had their work hours reduced due to the
ongoing wildfires.
One week remains before the Legislature reaches its deadline to
pass legislation for the year and the fate of two bills that
amend the Brown Act remain uncertain.
AB 339 (Lee) and
AB 361 (Robert Rivas) are both currently pending on the
Senate Floor at the time of this writing.
Only two weeks remain for the Legislature to act on bills before
adjourning for Interim Recess. Yesterday, both the Senate and
Assembly Appropriation Committees voted on hundreds of bills
sitting in their suspense files, many of which the CSAC
Governance, Finance, and Administration team have been
monitoring. Below is a summary of the outcomes.
SB 594 (Glazer), which aligns the elections calendar for the
June 7, 2022 primary with the new statewide redistricting
deadline, was passed out of Assembly Elections Committee earlier
this week with unanimous support.
An Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) issued a
ruling late last week extending the deadline for formal
parties to submit opening comments on the statewide middle-mile
broadband network to Friday, September 3. The
ruling was issued in response to a request from the California
Cable & Telecommunication Association. The ruling also extends
the deadline for reply comments to Tuesday, September
21.
