Williamson Act Update

The Assembly Budget Committee moved forward a budget package last week, with Democrats voting “Aye” and Republicans voting “No”, that concurred with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for the Williamson Act. The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee followed suit, taking action to eliminate all funding for subventions. 

This action comes as a surprise due to the previous week’s Senate and Assembly Subcommittee Actions, which allocated differing levels of funding for the Williamson Act, which should have assured the issue was heard in the Joint Budget Conference Committee. In addition to eliminating the funding for Williamson Act subventions, both Budget Committees voted to approve the Administration’s proposal, via a budget trailer bill, to repeal the local option, 4 year interim self-funded program adopted last year in SB 863. CSAC and RCRC continue to advocate for the restoration of Williamson Act subvention funding and the SB 863 local option program. 

For more information, or to find out how you can help advocacy efforts, contact Karen Keene, or Cara Martinson.

Emergency Management

AB 578 (Hill) – Request for Comments
As Introduced February 16, 2011

AB 578, by Assembly Member Jerry Hill would create a new Debris Removal Account within the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties. The purpose of the account would be to fund debris removal service costs incurred as a result of an emergency. Funds would be allocated by the Director of Finance to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for qualifying debris removal service costs, an incident that was proclaimed by the Governor as an official state of emergency. This bill may be heard in Committee as early as March 19, 2011.

Solid Waste

AB 818 (Blumenfield) – Pending
As Introduced February 18, 2011

AB 818, by Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield, would enact the Renter’s Right to Recycle Act. Specifically, this bill would require the owner of a multifamily dwelling of give or more living units to arrange for recycling services. This bill is substantially similar to last session’s AB 473, which was vetoed by the Governor. This bill may be heard in Committee as early as March 20, 2011. 

AB 298 (Brownley) – Pending
As Introduced February 9, 2011

AB 298, by Assembly Member Julia Brownley, would create standards for reusable bags in California. This bill would prohibit a manufacturer from selling or distributing reusable bags unless it meets these standards. Standards include:

• The reusable bag is made from a material that can be cleaned
• and disinfected.
• The bag must include printed guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the reusable bag, either printed on the bag, or on a tag attached to the bag.
• The reusable bag does not contain lead, cadmium, or any other heavy metal in toxic amounts.

This bill has been referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. 
SB 568 (Lowenthal) – Pending
As Introduced February 17, 2011

SB 568, by Senator Alan Lowenthal, would prohibit a food vendor after January 2013 from using polystyrene foam food containers. The bill defines a polystyrene foam food container as a container made of thermoplastic petrochemical material utilizing the styrene monomer, including a cup, bowl, plate, tray, or clamshell container that is intended for single use. The bill does not preempt a local government from adopting and enforcing additional single-use takeout food packaging ordinances, regulations, or policies that are more restrictive.