Through the federal appropriations process, the United States Congress plays an influential role in setting an annual cap on available funds for the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA). This cap fluctuates and is determined in the federal spending bill. As a formula grant program, the VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program supports 30 Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) programs, including more than 800 grant sub-awards, and 400 unique agencies – many of which are California county agencies and departments.
This week, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s
(CalPERS) Pension and Health Benefits Committee received an
update on the Rate Development Process and the 2024 proposed
premiums for the CalPERS health plans.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will provide an
overview of various federal and state funding opportunities for
local agencies for broadband. The webinar will unpack: the
Broadband, Equity, and Access Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Last
Mile Federal Funding Account, the California Advanced Services
Fund (CASF), the Broadband Mapping Program, and the Digital
Equity Program.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s (CalPERS)
Pension & Health Benefits Committee will receive a presentation
on the preliminary 2024 health premiums on Wednesday, June 21,
2023. Once the CalPERS Pension & Health Benefits Committee
concludes its closed session, it will host a special briefing on
the proposed rate changes. This briefing will provide county
employers with insight on health rate changes for employees and
how plan changes may impact their health benefits.
CPUC Comment Period on Order Instituting Rulemaking
Extended until May 8, 2023
On March 1, 2023, The California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) released an order instituting rulemaking for the Broadband
Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, being implemented
in California by the CPUC. The deadline for the comment period
was extended from May 1 to May 8.
With the return of the Legislature last week from Spring Recess,
the 2023-24 Legislative Session continues in earnest. The end of
next week, April 28, 2023, marks the deadline for policy
committees to hear and report fiscal bills introduced in their
house to their respective fiscal committees. The deadline for
nonfiscal bills to be heard by policy committees is the
subsequent week.
Supervisors and county staff throughout the state convened in
Sacramento County for the 2023 CSAC Legislative Conference to
engage, empower and
elevate our collective county voice.
CSAC’s five policy committees – AOJ, AENR, GFA, HHS and HLT
– held important discussions to help steer the Association’s
policy and direction. Below is a recap from each policy
committees’ meeting.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to
submit a proposed rule as early as May 2023, which would require
all state and local governments to take measures to ensure their
websites are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990 (ADA). Specifically, the DOJ would amend its Title II ADA
regulation to provide technical standards for public entities to
ensure they are complying with existing ADA obligations to make
government websites accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
announced that most California Public Employees’ Pension Reform
Act (PEPRA) members working at public agencies will experience an
increase in their contribution rate for their pensions, effective
July 1, 2023. This stems from the change in the discount rate and
actuarial assumptions in late 2021.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is accepting
nominations for county elected officials to serve on the FCC’s
Intergovernmental Advisory Council (IAC) for an upcoming term of
two years. The deadline to submit self-nominations is April 7th,
2023.
The first of a two-year legislative session is underway with the
highest number of bills introduced in over a decade. We will
continue to engage with you as bills are amended and move through
the Legislature. CSAC is currently soliciting feedback on the
bills listed below. Please send your feedback to
Brian Cote.
On March 15-16, 2023, CSAC’s Government Finance and
Administration team attended the 2023 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Public Sector Employment Law Annual Conference in San Diego. The
Conference is geared towards Public Agency Management and
included a variety of informative and engaging presentations, as
a resource to stay up-to-date with legal developments, gain
insights into current legislative implementation challenges and
future reform opportunities, and to network with public
employment agencies. Here are takeaways from several sessions:
CSAC is delighted to be part of a broad local government
coalition co-sponsoring
AB 817 (Pacheco) Open meetings: teleconferencing: subsidiary
body, along with the California Association of Recreation and
Park Districts, League of California Cities, Rural County
Representatives of California, and the Urban Counties of
California.
The United States Department of Commerce’s National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is
seeking input on how to structure nearly $2.7 billion in grant
programs to ensure everyone in America has the digital skills and
devices they need to realize the full potential of high-speed
Internet access.
In March 2022, the California Broadband Council issued a “Call to
Action” to provide high-speed internet service to 90 percent of
all eligible low-income households by 2024. In response, the
California Emerging Technology Fund, along with multiple
stakeholders, are coordinating a statewide mobilization effort to
promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Governor Gavin Newsom recently
announced that California is extending the state tax filing
and payment due dates to October 16, 2023, for Californians
impacted by the winter storms in December and January. This
aligns with the federal government, which announced that the
United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extended various due
dates until October 16, 2023, as well.
With Governor Gavin Newsom
declaring the end of California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency
on February 28, 2023, California counties are transitioning to a
new environment. Threats of emergency persist, as evidenced by
recent flooding, earthquakes, and frequent wildfires.
Accordingly, CSAC is proud to co-sponsor
Assembly Bill 557, authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart – Open
meetings: local agencies: teleconferences, along with the
California Special Districts Association and League of California
Cities.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
recently announced that it will develop rules for determining
grant funding, eligibility, and compliance for funds distributed
to California under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and
Deployment (BEAD) Program created under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
GFA attended the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo)
Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. from February 11-14,
2023. During the Broadband Summit on Local Coordination and
Digital Equity, four National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) administered programs created under the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to drive high-speed internet
access, affordability, and adoption were discussed:
· Broadband Equity, Access
and Deployment Program (BEAD), $42.45B
On February 14, 2023, the California Public Employees’ Retirement
System’s (CalPERS) Board of Administration voted to submit the
final rulemaking package defining limited duration employment to
the Office of the Administrative Law (OAL). CalPERS began this
rulemaking action on June 17, 2022, and subsequently revised the
text of the proposed regulations on December 1, 2022.
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and
the California Department of Technology are hosting a webinar
featuring the California Local Jurisdiction Permitting Playbook:
Updates and Strategies.
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is thrilled
to report the appointments of Supervisor Luis Alejo, District 1,
Monterey County and Supervisor Valerie Starkey, District 2, Del
Norte County to the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee.
The deadline is approaching for completing the Governmental
Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) survey regarding its
Post-Implementation Review (PIR) of its pension
standards—Friday, January 20, 2023.
This survey is administered by a private-sector organization that
establishes accounting standards for federal, state, and local
governments.
To support California stakeholders interested in the Federal
Communication Commission’s (FCC) broadband mapping challenge
process, the California Public Utilities Commission and the
California Department of Technology are hosting an informational
webinar on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
Counties and other interested stakeholders can register
here.
The White House recently published updated interactive
maps illustrating the funding allocated under the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL). As of October 25, 2022, $16.2 billion
in funding has been allocated to the State of California and
local governments in California, with over 700 specific projects
identified for funding.
No cost registration available only until October 31,
2022
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is offering a
cyberattack simulation course on November 14 – 18, 2022, from
10:00 am to 11:00 am (Pacific Time). NACo is partnering with the
Professional Development Academy and their community of
information security officers, risk managers, and cyber leaders
to provide this cyberattack simulation training.
This process will determine the flow of over $42 billion
in funds for broadband deployment.
Counties have an opportunity to review and inform the Federal
Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) broadband mapping data in
their communities during the Broadband Data Collection (BDC)
Process. This process is instrumental in the distribution of more
than $42 billion in federal broadband grants by the end of 2023.
Last week, CSAC reported on the final outcomes of measures that
were approved by the Legislature and delivered to Governor Newsom
for action. To keep counties informed of new laws of interest and
impact, CSAC will publish 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, the Brown Act, labor, pensions,
personnel, workers’ compensation, and more.
October 3 – 7, 2022 marks a special week in recognition and
celebration of Digital Inclusion.
Organizations and individuals throughout the nation are hosting
special events and campaigns to promote digital equity in their
communities. This year’s theme is “Turning Our Moment into
Movement,” and California has mobilized through Get
Connected! California.
California’s Broadband for All Action Plan directs the California
Department of Technology (CDT) to explore actions to enhance
permitting processes at all levels of government to support
broadband deployment in the State.
On Friday, September 23, 2022, at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Pacific
time), the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the
Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Data Task
Force will hold an overview of the ongoing Broadband Data
Collection process, which will be used to create an updated
broadband availability map. These forthcoming maps are
instrumental in determining the allocation of billions of dollars
in federal funds for broadband deployment from the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law.
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed
AB 1951 (Grayson), which would have reduced county and city
revenues by more than $2 billion over five years by giving a full
sales tax exemptions for manufacturing equipment. This is
welcome news for CSAC and the broad coalition of local government
organizations that opposed this measure (veto
request).
The California Emerging Technology Fund is hosting its second Get
Connected California! Day on Saturday, October 22, 2022,
throughout California to expand access to eligible low-income
households. Information about the program and locations
(forthcoming) can be accessed at the Internet for All
Now website.
California’s legislative session came to a close in the early
morning hours this week with hundreds of bills now awaiting
action by Governor Gavin Newsom. The following provides an update
on major bills of interest for the Government, Finance, and
Administration policy area. CSAC staff will continue to monitor
and advocate for County priorities during the signing
period, which ends September 30, 2022.
