Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley – Flood/Land Use

AB 1259 (Olsen) – To Enrollment
As Amended March 21, 2013
 
AB 1259, by Assembly Member Kristin Olsen, would make additional clarifying changes to statues enacted as part of the flood protection package signed into law in 2007.  Additional clean-up is expected next year.  CSAC is requesting that the Governor sign this measure.

Metal Theft

AB 841 (Torres) – To Enrollment
As Amended April 10, 2013
 
AB 841, by former Assembly Member and now Senator Norma Torres, would expand law enforcement’s capacity to deal with the metal theft epidemic by requiring recyclers to issue check payments for copper recycling.  CSAC supports AB 841 and has submitted a request for signature to Governor Brown.
 
AB 909 (Gray) – Support
As Amended September 3, 2013
 
AB 909, by Assembly Member Adam Gray, would require, on or after January 1, 2015, the Department of Justice to establish the Metal Theft Task Force Program (MTTFP).   The proposed program would be voluntary and would provide grants to regional task forces to provide local law enforcement and district attorneys with the tools and funding necessary to deter, investigate, and prosecute metal theft and related metal theft crimes.  The funding would come from the federal government, industry, and private sources.   Recent amendments preclude the use of General Fund moneys to begin, start up, implement, or support the continuing administration of this new program.  AB 909 passed off the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File on August 30 and is currently awaiting action on the Senate Floor.

Drinking Water

AB 145 (Perea) – Watch
As Amended June 18, 2013
 
AB 145, by Assembly Member Henry Perea, would transfer the duties and responsibilities related to the regulation and oversight of drinking water, from the Department of Public Health (DPH) to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).  This measure was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 30.

Fairs

SB 741(Cannella) – Support
As Amended August 19, 2013
 
SB 741, by Senator Anthony Cannella, would amend existing law governing the operation, oversight, and funding of the network of California fairs. According to the author, this bill is intended to help District Agricultural Associations deal with the new reality facing the network of California fairs as they exist today without state funding.  This measure is a two-year bill.

Water Bond – Senate Informational Hearing

The Senate Natural Resources and Water and Environmental Quality Committees are holding a joint informational hearing on Tuesday, September 24, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Room 4204 of the State Capitol.  The title of the hearing is:  “Setting the Stage for a 2014 Water Bond:  Where Are We and Where Do We Need to Go?”  The agenda will very like be posted on the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee’s website at:   http://sntr.senate.ca.gov/

Draft Regulations for Creation of Solar Easements

The California Department of Conservation (DOC) draft regulations for the creation of solar use easements on agricultural land are available for public review and comment. These regulations implement SB 618 (Wolk, Chapter 596, Statutes of 2011) which encourages the development of photovoltaic facilities on marginal and impaired farmland by creating solar-use easements.  SB 618 provides for the expedited termination of Williamson Act contracts, without penalty and without undermining the statewide benefits of the program.  
 
DOC plans to adopt these regulations prior to November 30, 2013 so that they will go into effect at the start of 2014.  Copies of the Notice of Proposed Action, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and the text of the regulations can be accessed through the DOC website at:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/lca/Pages/Index.aspx. The written comment period closes at 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2013.  Counties are encouraged to review and comment on the proposed regulations and to provide a copy of submitted comments to CSAC staff.