Bill Talk: Some early wins and plenty of bipartisan support

A weekly update from Cal Cities, sorting through the state bill buzz

By Cal Cities Staff

Welcome back to Bill Talk, Cal Cities’ weekly breakdown of the top measures that city leaders need to know about and act on. Let’s kick things off with some good news: Last week, one of Cal Cities’ sponsored bills passed its first set of committee hurdles with bipartisan support. SB 922 (Laird) would clarify that cities may recover the cost of street maintenance and repair caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through service-related fees and charges. The measure is currently awaiting a vote on the Senate Floor.

SB 922 is one of over a dozen bills sponsored by Cal Cities aimed at providing solutions to some common municipal challenges, including homelessness, disaster preparedness, and metal theft.

Cal Cities also recently secured changes to a disaster credentialing bill that would make it easier for cities to restore critical infrastructure during emergencies. That measure, along with several major housing and public safety bills, advanced through their committee hearings this week — many with bipartisan consent.

A quick note: The Legislature adjourns for Spring Recess on March 26 and returns on April 6 — and so will Bill Talk. During the break, keep an eye out for Cal Cities’ rundown of all the biggest and notable measures for cities.

-Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

Cal Cities urges cities to take action on fire hazard mapping bill

Cal Cities recently issued an action alert for AB 2517 (Calderon). The Cal Cities-sponsored bill would require the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide consistent, timely public updates when developing the local responsibility area fire hazard severity zone maps. The current process timelines often leave cities without the scientific data they need to fully understand which areas are at greatest risk for fires. The Assembly Natural Resources Committee will hear the bill on April 6.

- Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate

Sponsored metal theft bill advances

On Tuesday, the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved AB 1941 (Gonzalez, Mark) by an 8-0 vote. The bill would increase penalties for copper wire theft by targeting repeat and organized offenders who steal or traffic prohibited metal materials. It would also create a statewide data-sharing tool that would increase visibility into organized theft operations.

Repeated metal theft has become a growing problem that has caused significant harm to city infrastructure. “The financial burden of repair, in replacing solar infrastructure components currently falls on taxpayers, utility providers, and municipalities, draining resources that could otherwise be used for essential services,” Richmond Council Member Cesar Zepeda told the committee.

Cities should submit letters of support on this important measure.

- Jolena Voorhis, legislative advocate

Cal Cities and lawmakers push back against federal offshore oil expansion program efforts

Sen. John Laird introduced a joint resolution that went before the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on March 24. SJR 12 would ask the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to hold public hearings in California on a proposed five-year offshore drilling plan and prepare an environmental analysis. The Legislature is strongly opposed to any new offshore oil or gas drilling in federal waters off the Pacific coast.

Cal Cities support SJR 12, which is now headed to the Senate Floor. Sample letters are available for coastal cities that wish to weigh in with their support.

Cal Cities has issued a call for local action, urging coastal cities to adopt or update ordinances to better regulate onshore facilities that may support offshore oil drilling. Example enacted ordinances and resolutions are available on the Cal Cities’ Coastal Cities Group webpage.

- Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate

Assembly Housing and Local Government committees to hold first meetings

The Assembly Housing and Local Government committees had their first bill hearings of the year this week. Of note: The Assembly Housing approved AB 1567 (Ta), which would allow senior residential living facilities and congregate housing to count toward state-mandated housing goals. Cal Cities supports the measure.

Assembly Local Government reviewed AB 1621 (Wilson). The measure would cap the number of times a city can formally review a building permit to no more than two, except for health and safety issues. As drafted, the proposal does not acknowledge regulations not directly related to health and safety that cities must consider and enforce when reviewing project applications, such as air quality or solar energy, or even incomplete applications that may require additional plan checks.

In a joint letter with other local government groups, Cal Cities and other local government associations urged the author to address these concerns, which would allow the coalition to move to neutral.

- Brady Guertin, legislative advocate

Cal Cities secures changes to disaster credentialing bill

The newly formed Senate Emergency Management Committee unanimously supported SB 1001 (Archuleta), which now awaits action from the Senate Public Safety Committee. After taking Cal Cities amendments, the bill would now require Cal OES to issue emergency badges that would make it easier for local public works staff to restore critical infrastructure in restricted areas during or after a disaster.

Local public works departments play a major role in disasters and other emergencies: They assist with rescue, evacuation, and sheltering; provide temporary traffic control and perimeter security; transport supplies and equipment; and restore infrastructure. The wide range of their capabilities is a valuable component in nearly any crisis. SB 1001 recognizes that public works professionals are typically the first in and last out during emergencies. 

- Damon Conklin, legislative advocate

Sponsored disaster aid bill passes out of committee with bipartisan consent

On Monday, AB 1866 (Rogers) passed out of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee with unanimous bipartisan consent. This Cal Cities-sponsored bill would clarify that the state can prioritize funding for public facilities and infrastructure that do not qualify for federal aid during state-declared emergencies. This would provide more equitable access to state disaster funding and speed up recovery for communities with limited fiscal capacity. Some small, rural, and low-income communities that have experienced severe disasters with substantial costs are excluded from federal aid.

- Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate

A quick reminder

Bill Talk is a weekly breakdown of the biggest bills, policy committee hearings, and legislative deadlines that city leaders need to know about. To get this list on Monday morning, contact your regional public affairs manager. To access old Bill Talks, visit the archive page. Cal Cities also maintains a live list of all sponsored/hot measures. Lists of all tracked bills are available on individual policy pages.