State Responsibilty Area (SRA) Fee 

Last Friday, the Governor signed ABX1 29 into law. This bill establishes a fee on structures within the State Responsibility Area (SRA). Specifically, ABX1 29 requires the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to adopt emergency regulations, on or before September 1, 2011, to establish the “fire prevention fee” on structures intended for human habitation within the SRA, not to exceed $150. The bill also requires the State Board of Equalization to collect the fee commencing with the 2011–12 fiscal year. CAL Fire is charged with generating the list of those subject to the fee within 30 days of the effective date of the measure. CSAC, along with the Regional Council of Rural Counties, opposed the SRA fee and requested a veto from the Governor.

ABX1 29 was accompanied by a message from the Governor which directs the Department of Finance and CAL FIRE to work with the Legislature during the remaining legislative session in developing clean-up legislation to realize the intended General Fund savings of $50 million in the current budget year and an additional $200 million in out years. 

As previously reported in CSAC’s Budget Action Bulletin, the 2011-12 budget signed by the Governor includes language that would direct the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to convene a Working Group to discuss options for future funding, realignment and possible changes to the State’s management of wildland firefighting. The budget language specifies that the working group will be comprised of legislative staff, Department Executive staff, a representative from the Department of Finance, and at least two Fire Chiefs – one from Northern California and one from Southern California and from both rural and urban districts. 

Specific details regarding the Administration’s plans for working group and collecting the fee have yet to be announced. However, CSAC will share that information it is made available.

Solid Waste

AB 818 (Blumenfield) – Support
As Amended July 1, 2011

AB 818, by Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield, would require the owner of a multifamily dwelling of give or more living units to arrange for recycling services. The bill was amended recently to include a provision that would make the bill only operative if AB 341 does not become law. AB 341, by Assembly Member Wes Chesbro, would increase the state’s solid waste diversion rate to 75%. AB 341 also includes a multifamily recycling provision that mirrors the provision in AB 818. 

Energy

AB 1073 (Fuentes) – Request for Comments
As Amended July 12, 2011

AB 1073, by Assembly Member Fuentes, was amended recently to mirror provisions included in SB 454 (Pavley) that would require that a written building or construction permit be submitted when customers apply to electric utilities for ratepayer funded energy efficiency incentives. CSAC is supporting a similar bill, SB 454 that contains a similar provision. However, recent timing issues with SB 454 have come to light. Section 5. b (1) of SB 454 states that any rebates or incentives for energy efficiency improvements or installations from a public utility shall only be provided if the recipient has complied with any applicable permitting requirements, and work was done by a licensed contractor. CSAC is working with the author and supporters to clarify that local governments seeking grant funding for energy efficiency improvements from may be able to do so before actually completing a project.