October 14, 2021

Sunday, October 10 was the deadline for final bill action by Governor Newsom. Following is an update on major bills of interest or concern for the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources policy area that were among the 800+ bills awaiting action by Governor Gavin Newsom. For additional questions, please contact Catherine Freeman or Ada Waelder.

September 23, 2021

The State has announced its second and third round of funding commitments for $28 million in drought funding through the Small Community Drought Relief program. This comes after the Department of Water Resources allocated its first round of funding last month.

September 16, 2021

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.

Broadband:

September 2, 2021

August 27, 2021

The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) is extending the deadline for the CFSC County Coordinators Grant Application by one month, until Thursday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. to help accommodate counties currently struggling with the impacts of this season’s wildfires. Even with the extension, the CFSC is making every effort to keep the grant process on track and provide prompt payment. The grant activity period is anticipated to begin November 1.

August 26, 2021

This week, California secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Dixie and River fires, currently burning in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas counties. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration opens the door for a wide range of federal assistance programs to assist state and local governments in responding to and recovering from natural disasters.

August 19, 2021

In response to a request from CSAC and local government partners, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) are hosting a webinar to increase awareness of available funding for emergency drought response.

August 5, 2021

July 29, 2021

July 15, 2021

This week, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted unanimously to petition the California Supreme Court for more time to submit final maps. The Commission is seeking an additional two weeks to draw maps, which would make the deadline for final maps January 14, 2022. 

July 5, 2021

The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC), in partnership with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), will open applications for the 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program on Monday, August 2, at 9:00 AM PST. Applications will close August 31, 2021, at 11:59PM PST. Grant awards will be announced in September 2021.

July 1, 2021

This week, President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Governors from Western States and announced that Sonoma County will receive $37 million in wildfire mitigation funds. 

June 17, 2021

June 17, 2021

Last week marked a critical deadline for the Legislature when all bills must have passed out of their house of origin. Below is a round-up of how bills being tracked by the Government Finance & Administration team fared.

Broadband

June 3, 2021

May 27, 2021

This week, CSAC joined a coalition letter to the Governor and Legislative leadership requesting $200 million to CalRecycle for organic waste recycling infrastructure, and $200M for local organic waste recycling assistance. This funding will assist cities in counties by making an initial investment to accelerate development of the programs and infrastructure necessary to achieve the state’s organic waste recycling goals.

May 27, 2021

Coming up in June are two opportunities for county staff to join state and federal partners for virtual meetings and workshops on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers processes, and separately FEMA and DWR floodplain management principles and Risk Rating 2.0.

National Water Conference’s Regional Spotlight: California on June 1-2, 2021 (virtual):

May 20, 2021

At their meeting this month, the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board approved recommendations on the 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) Updates for Small and Multi-Jurisdictional Utilities (SMJU). The Board adopted similar recommendations for Large Investor-Owned Utilities last month.

May 13, 2021

The Senate’s budget proposal, which had a hearing this week, includes critical funding requested by CSAC, RCRC, and CalCities, for implementation for organic waste diversion. The plan would make $200 million available to cities and counties for the development and implementation of organic waste recycling programs as required by CalRecycle’s new Organic Waste Reduction Regulations.

May 13, 2021

This week, the Governor significantly expanded his April 21 drought emergency proclamation to include Klamath River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and Tulare Lake Watershed counties, where accelerated action is needed to protect public health, safety, and the environment. In total, 41 counties and, representing 30 percent of the state population, are now under a drought state of emergency.