The following is an update on the status of Agriculture & Natural Resources bills that were heard in various Committees this week. For more detailed information on the bills, please refer to last week’s legislative bulletin, or the CSAC legislative tracking link on our website. 

Flood Protection/Land Use

SB 1278 (Wolk) – Support if Amended
As Amended April 19, 2012

SB 1278, by Senate Lois Wolk, passed out of the Senate Government and Finance Committee this week. As reported in the April 20th Legislative Bulletin, SB 1278, by Senator Lois Wolk, is the legislative vehicle for proposed changes to SB 5 (Machado, Chapter 364, Statutes of 2007), one of a six-bill flood protection package signed into law in 2007. Senator Wolk committed to continue to work with local government and other stakeholders to deal with several outstanding technical issues. This bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Stormwater

AB 2063 (Alejo) – Support
As Amended March 29, 2012 

AB 2063, by Assembly Member Luis Alejo, passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee this week with amendments. The author accepted the Committee staff’s amendment that clarifies the types of communications which are not considered “ex parte.” However, the author rejected a proposed amendment that would restrict the bill to just the State Water Resources Control Board, rather than the State Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. 

AB 2117 (Gorell) – Support 
As Amended April 11, 2012

AB 2117, by Assembly Member Jeff Gorell, passed out of the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. AB 2117 would impose a moratorium on new stormwater effluent standards or limitations more stringent than the provisions of the Clean Water Act until January 1, 2017. The bill also requires SWRCB to work with stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive statewide stormwater plan. The author committed to working with the opposition, comprised mainly of various environmental organizations, to sort out additional changes to the bill. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee

SB 964 (Wright) – Support
As Amended April 9, 2012

Senate Bill 964, by Senator Rod Wright, failed to pass out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee this week, but was granted reconsideration. As your recall, this bill would have limited the circumstances under which the State Water Resources Control Board is exempt from specific requirements in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

SB 965 (Wright) – Support
As Amended March 28, 2012

Senate Bill 965, by Senator Rod Wright, passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee this week. The author accepted amendments in Committee that would model the Board’s ex parte rules after that of the California Public Utilities Committee. CSAC has not yet seen the proposed amendments and will need to re-evaluate our position on the bill once amendments are in print. This bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Energy/Permitting 

SB 1222 (Leno) – Oppose
As Amended April 9, 2012

SB 1222 by Senator Mark Leno, passed out of the Senate Governance and Finance Committee this week. The author accepted amendments that would cap the permit fee at $400 that local agencies are allowed to charge on rooftop solar installations. CSAC is strongly opposed to this bill. SB 1222 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Fire

AB 1506 (Jeffries) – Support
As Amended March 8, 2012

AB 1506, by Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries, was moved to the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File this week. As you recall, this bill would repeal the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fees enacted by ABX1 29 (Chapter 8, 2011). CSAC remains opposed to any SRA fee proposal.