HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3673
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3673)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 4/1/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: 2013 Federal and State Legislative Program
Title: Approval of the 2013 Federal and State Legislative Program
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Draft Motion:
Approve the 2013 Federal and State Legislative Program as recommended by staff and
the Policy and Services Committee.
Background
On February 12, 2013 the Policy & Services Committee reviewed the City's Legislative
Action Manual, legislative accomplishments in 2012, and the proposed 2013 Federal and
State legislative priorities. The Committee recommended that the City Council approve
the 2013 program with minor modifications (included as attachments A, B, and C
respectively). The draft action minutes for the February 12 Policy & Services Committee
meeting are included as Attachment D.
Discussion
Legislative Action Manual
The Committee reviewed the City’s Legislative Action Manual and recommended that
the Council approve the manual with no changes. The manual defines the City’s guiding
principles for legislative advocacy, describes how legislative activities are coordinated
city-wide, and provides guidelines for evaluating legislation and procedures for
engaging in advocacy efforts.
Federal Legislative Program
2012 was a challenging year in Washington, D.C., as Congress and the Administration
spent most of the year positioning themselves for the elections. Very few bills were
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enacted. The federal government is operating under a Continuing Resolution that
extends current-year funding until March 27, 2013, leaving it to this Congress and
Administration to determine funding for the remaining six months of the fiscal year.
Major accomplishments achieved in 2012 are included in Attachment B.
Contentious debate on a number of priorities can be expected to preoccupy Congress in
the coming year. Meanwhile, federal agencies will likely renew initiatives that were
stalled during the election year. It is in this context that the City of Palo Alto will
advance its federal priorities for 2013.
Attachment B provides a summary of the current climate in Washington and identifies
the priorities that will be addressed in 2013. An important component of the work plan
to achieve these priorities is the engagement of Council Members. VSA coordinated
several Council members’ first visit to Washington, DC in conjunction with the National
League of Cities legislative conference in March 2013. Vice Mayor Nancy Shepherd and
Council Members Klein and Kniss met with the congressional delegation, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
the United States Postal Service, and the chairman of the House Railroads
Subcommittee. The priorities covered during these meetings were San Francisquito
Creek flood control, the future of tax-exempt municipal bonds, high speed rail,
enhancing high speed communications capability throughout the City, and purchase of
the Hamilton Avenue post office.
In addition, VSA met with Council Member Berman in Washington in March for a
briefing on the City’s federal legislative issues and priorities. Council member Berman
traveled with a delegation from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group for their annual trip
to meet with Senate and Congressional leaders and key Administration officials.
State Legislative Program
2012 brought a renewed focus on legislative activities for the City as dedicated staff
was hired (filling a former vacancy) to coordinate City activities. In 2012, the Council
reviewed and updated the City’s legislative guiding principles and program manual, as
well as identified federal and state priorities. The City Manager’s office established a
Legislative Team with representatives from each department and met monthly with the
City’s federal lobbyist and high speed rail and utilities legislative leads to coordinate
information and activities. In addition, staff initiated use of a legislative tracking system
in 2012 called CapitolTrack enabling the City to find and track bills of interest and stay
up to date on important bills. In addition, staff provided legislative updates to Council
with regular legislative email briefs.
The City advocated for or against a number of bills in 2012, including AB 2231 (sidewalk
repairs), SB1222 (solar permits), AB 904 (parking spaces), SB 1002 (public records).
Most notably, the City worked closely with the Senator Yee, author of SB1002 regarding
public records, provided technical assistance to the League, and briefed the Governor’s
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Office in the event that the bill made it to his desk. The bill was amended on Aug. 20
to require the State CIO to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of providing
electronic records in an open format.
New this calendar year, on January 24, 2013, staff met with Assembly Member Gordon
to explore potential legislation for the 2013 state legislative session. The topics
discussed were approved by the Council at its meeting on January 22, 2013 and
focused on clean up and clarifications on the 2012 Public Employee Pension Reform Act
(PEPRA), postponement of State landfill capping requirements for a limited time while
the City evaluates a potential Energy/Compost facility, CEQA reform, State’s Housing
Element Process and Allocation, and some form of dedicated funding for Caltrain. While
the meeting did not result in introducing any potential bill language in 2013, staff will
continue to work with our legislators and update Council.
Looking forward, attachment C provides the state legislative priorities for 2013.
Included in attachment C is a list of bills of interest (at the time this staff report was
prepared) that the City is tracking in coordination with Departments, the Utilities
Legislative staff and the City’s Rail Advocate. There is significant legislative activity at
this time. As bills are being heard and modified, staff is actively monitoring changes and
evaluating their application to the City. Staff is regularly updating this list and will
provide periodic reports to Council. The Council may also refer bills to staff at any time
for further analysis. To note, at the Policy & Services Committee on February 12, it was
suggested that, similar to our federal legislative program, that the City consider use of a
state lobbyist in the future. No Committee action was taken on the matter.
Timeline
The guiding principles and legislative priorities herein are intended to guide the City’s
2013 Legislative Program.
Attachments:
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual (DOC)
Attachment B. 2013 Federal Legislative Program (DOCX)
Attachment C. State Legislative Program (PDF)
Attachment D. 02-12-13 PS EXCERPT (DOC)
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 1
Legislative Action Program Manual
Policy Statement
The objective of the City of Palo Alto legislative action program is to keep the City
Council, community and staff fully advised of proposed legislation with a potential impact
upon the City. It is the City's general policy to take timely and effective action in support
of or opposition to proposed legislation affecting Palo Alto at the County, State, Federal
levels. In addition the City, where appropriate, will take the initiative to seek introduction
of new legislation beneficial to Palo Alto and other local government entities.
City Council Priorities
The groundwork for the City's legislative strategy is the Council's priorities:
Infrastructure Strategy and Funding;
Future of Downtown and California Avenue (transportation, urban design, parking,
livability);
Technology and the Connected City.
Guiding Principles for Legislative Advocacy
1. Protect local revenue sources and prevent unfunded mandates.
Oppose Federal or State legislation, policies and budgets that have negative
impacts on services, revenues and costs. Ensure that legislation, policies and
budgets do not detract from Palo Alto’s ability to draw on local revenue
sources.
2. Protect and increase local government discretion, balancing that with City values and
priorities.
Acknowledge the fundamental issues with the governance structure at the State
level and ensure that legislative or Constitutional reforms align with the City’s
values and maintain and/or enhance local discretion.
3. Ensure that legislation, policies and budgets retain or increase, but generally don’t
decrease, the amount of local discretion held by the City and protect local decision
making. Oppose legislation, policies and budgets that reduce the authority and/or
ability of local government to determine how best to effectively operate local
programs, services and activities. The City retains the right to exceed State goals,
standards or targets.
4. Protect and increase funding for specific programs and services.
Support County, State and Federal funding for local service by maximizing
existing funding levels and seeking new and alternative funding for programs.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 2
Promote increases in the allocation of funds to cities and flexibility in
distribution.
5. Proactively advocate on behalf of the City.
6. Identify key legislative areas to monitor annually. Take a proactive role in working
with Federal and State legislators to draft and sponsor legislation around key City
priorities.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 3
Contents
Internal Coordination of the Legislative Action Program p. 4
The Role of the City Council p. 5
The Role of the City Manager's Office p. 6
The Role of the Departments p. 6
Guidelines for Evaluating Legislation p. 7
Legislative Advocacy p. 8
Lobbying Methods p. 10
Guidelines for Letter Writing p. 11
Procedure for City Council meetings with other Elected Representatives p. 12
California State Legislative Timeline 2013 p. 13
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 4
Basic Steps in the City's Legislative Action Program
Internal Coordination of the Legislative Action Program
The basic steps in the City's legislative action program are illustrated in the accompanying
diagram (above).
1. Legislation is brought to the City's attention by several means: the League of
California Cities, the National League of Cities, Council Members, City staff, citizens,
professional or governmental newsletters, legislators, the legislative tracking service,
etc.
2. The City Manager's Office reviews the proposed legislation (the bill text) and, if
warranted, requests assistance from one or more departments. Departments are urged
to take the initiative to identify legislation of importance to the City and not wait for
the City Manager's Office to ask for their involvement.
3. The Department evaluates the bill for its impact upon Palo Alto, recommends a
position and potential action, and drafts a statement or letter for use by the City
Manager's Office, as appropriate.
4. At this juncture, action can proceed in either of two ways:
a. If the Council has previously adopted a policy directly relevant to the legislation,
the City Manager's Office proceeds to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature;
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 5
b. If the Council policy relative to the legislation does not exist, or if the issue is
politically controversial, or if there is significant local interest in the issue, the
proposed legislation is referred to Council. (See Legislative Advocacy)
5. The Council will consider the information provided in a staff report, determine its
position on the legislation and provide direction to staff. 6. The City Manager's Office coordinates the lobbying activities according to Council
direction through this policy and procedure manual.
7. The Council will connect with the various legislative bodies in several ways
throughout the year:
a. Joint meetings with elected representatives
b. Visits to Sacramento and Washington DC
c. Direct contact with elected representatives by phone or letter on key issues
The Role of the Council
The City Council has ultimate responsibility for determining the position the City shall
take on legislative issues. Council positions applicable to legislation accumulate over the
years and require periodic reevaluation to assure they are still relevant to the City's needs
and interests. The Council generally takes positions only on issues that are of relevance to
the City of Palo Alto.
The Council's specific responsibilities include:
Conduct an annual review and update of legislative priorities at both the State and
Federal levels.
Meet annually with the City's federal lobbyist to establish federal legislative
priorities and strategies, given current trends in Washington.
Establish legislative priorities, taking into account the Council priorities adopted
each year.
Consider legislative issues brought to the Council's attention by staff, citizens,
organizations and others and determine what, if any, position the City should take.
Determine Council positions on resolutions proposed for adoption by the League of
California Cities and the National League of Cities.
Suggest areas for staff action concerning legislation.
Assume an active advocacy role with legislators on behalf of the City. This may
include travel to Washington, DC and/or to Sacramento. Any such travel will be
consistent with current City policies/procedures on travel.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 6
The Role of the City Manager's Office
The City Manager's Office is the central coordinator of the City's legislative program. The
responsibilities and activities of the office include the following:
Ensure the consistency of legislative policy throughout the City.
Serve as a clearinghouse and record keeper for all legislative activity occurring
with the City.
Coordinate contacts and communications with legislators and staff.
Coordinate the evaluation of proposed legislation that may affect the City.
Disseminate information on legislation of interest to departments and division
within the City.
Encourage suggestions from other departments concerning subjects for legislative
action.
Provide feedback to departments on progress of legislation of interest.
Keep Council informed on the status of the City's legislative action program.
Recommend priorities for legislative action, in order to avoid diminishing the
effectiveness of the City’s lobbying activities.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate lobbying activities by Council Members and City
staff.
Maintain legislative files (bill texts, correspondence, records of lobbying activity,
background information, Council policies).
Serve as liaison to the League of California Cities, National League of Cities, and
other organizations and jurisdictions concerning legislative activities.
Coordinate the annual review of legislative positions and preparation of the City's
legislative platform.
The Role of Departments
The participation of various departments within the City is essential to the success of the
Legislative Action Program. The program requires departments to take responsibility for
identifying, evaluating and monitoring legislation that relates to their functional areas. The
program must be cooperative and interactive. Effective lobbying and testimony depends on
factual data concerning the impacts and implications of proposed legislation upon the
City's operations, services, and finances. The responsibilities of the departments include
the following:
Inform the Manager's Office of legislative issues of importance to the City.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 7
Designate a key contact within the department or division who will be responsible
for coordinating the evaluation of legislation and monitoring those legislative
issues of direct significance to the department. Continue to monitor bills as they
progress through the Legislature or Congress.
Establish a system within the department for assuring that requests for legislation
evaluation are responded to promptly.
Draft letters and provide analysis of legislation as requested by City Manager's
Office.
Maintain a legislative file with the department to assure consistency of policy
recommendations.
Establish mechanisms within the department for accessing direct information on
legislation, e.g. computer networks, newsletters, etc.
Network with other cities, agencies, professional organizations, etc. to gain
background information and broader perspective on legislative issues.
Suggest organizations, individuals, publications, and other legislators who may be
allies in lobbying the City's position on certain legislation.
Become acquainted with the League of California Cities staff person with
responsibility for issues related to the department.
Understand and adhere to the City’s Legislative Advocacy Policy. Consult the
Manager's Office if there are questions.
Annually, provide to the Manager's Office the department's recommendations for
the ensuing year's legislative platform. This shall include: 1) a review of existing
positions, 2) statements of underlying policies and principles, and 3) priorities
related to specific legislative issues.
Guidelines for Evaluating Legislation
Several resources are available to departments that can enable them to identify proposed
legislation and track its progress. The League of California Cities and National League of
Cities publications contain information on Congressional legislation. Departments can also
subscribe to legislative announcements through professional associations as well as State
and Congressional websites.
Bills often are amended several times in the course traveled between introduction and final
approval. Analyses and letters expressing the City's position should always be based on the
latest version. When reviewing the bill text, do not rely solely on the Legislative Counsel's
Digest; read the entire bill. The bill-will contain the new or amended language proposed
for the California Code. If the department wishes to compare the proposed language with
the actual language of existing law, and does not have the relevant code (Government
Code, Vehicle Code, Election Code, Revenue and Taxation Code, etc.) in the department,
contact the City Attorney's Office with questions.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 8
If the bill is later amended, language that is deleted will be lined out and new proposed
language will be shown in italics. Proper timing is vital in the legislative process. The
City's views on a bill are of value only if they reach a legislator or committee before they
vote on a bill. Departments should provide the City Manager's Office with information on
bills of importance to the City as soon as they are aware of them.
A. Citywide perspective
Often, proposed legislation will have the potential for affecting more than one department.
Not always will the impact be the same. While the proposal may be beneficial from the
perspective of one department, it may have negative impacts for another department. It is
essential that these differences be reconciled and a common citywide position is
determined. The City Manager's Office will work with Departments to reconcile
differences.
B. Stating the City's position
Departments should be aware of policies and programs contained in the City of Palo Alto
Comprehensive Plan which relate to their area of responsibility. The City Manager's Office
can verify if the League of California Cities or National League of Cities has taken a
position on a bill.
The most effective arguments in lobbying a bill are those which contain hard data about
the effects on the City's operations and services. If the bill has potential significant effects
for the City, it is well worth the time spent to assemble the examples and cost figures.
The best criticism is that which contains suggestions for improvement. If there is little
likelihood of defeating a bill the City opposes, indicate what could be changed to make it
more palatable. Legislators and their staffs are more receptive to communications which
offer concrete ideas.
If the department recommendation is to support, oppose, or amend a bill, it is important to
draft the body of a letter that the City Manager's Office can use in writing to the
legislators. The Manager's Office will put the letter in final form and send it to the
appropriate committees, legislators, etc. A copy of the finalized letter will be routed to the
evaluating department for its records.
Legislative Advocacy
The Council is the official voice of the City of Palo Alto. The final authority for
determining the position that shall be taken by the City on proposed legislation rests with
the Council. The process outlined below would likely be followed only for key and
controversial topics. In many instances, due to timing or the nature of the issue, the Mayor
may sign a letter supporting or opposing legislation on behalf of the City. This position
would need to be generally consistent with the City's overall guiding legislative principles
or the annually adopted priorities.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 9
Process: (Taken from CMR: 315:02)
1. Two Councilmembers draft a Council Colleagues Memorandum to refer a ballot
measure or legislative issue to the Policy and Services Committee for review.
2. Staff generates an informational report for the Policy and Services Committee
summarizing the ballot measure or legislative issue. This report will include an
analysis of City policy as it relates to the item, if applicable. It will also indicate if the
League of California Cities has taken a position on the issue.
3. The item is agendized for the Policy and Services Committee meeting.
4. The Policy and Services Committee reviews and discusses the ballot measure or
legislative issue at the meeting.
5. Policy and Services Committee members vote on the propositions and/or legislative
issue that the Committee determines are consistent with the City's interests.
6. If the vote is unanimous, the matter is forwarded to the Council as consent calendar
item.
7. If a timeliness issue exists, the item will referred to Council without minutes, and a one
page executive summary will be provided. If no timeliness issue exists, the item will be
referred with minutes in the usual manner.
Signature on communication regarding legislation. Letters and other communications
expressing the City's position on legislation will customarily bear the signature of the
Mayor, particularly when the legislation relates to areas of Comprehensive Plan policies
and programs, other Council adopted policies, issues of Council interest, and fiscal
matters.
If the legislation's principal impact is on the City’s operating procedures, the
communication may be signed by the City Manager. In these instances, it may increase the
effectiveness of the communication to have it co-signed by the head of the department
most directly affected.
In order to keep the Council and others informed of all City communications on
legislation, copies of the letters will be distributed in the Council agenda packet.
Independent lobbying by City personnel. City employees are not to lobby in the name of
the City of Palo Alto unless the activity has been approved by the department head and
City Manager has been informed in advance of the activity.
City advisory commissions and committees. City employees who are staff or liaison to
Council appointed advisory commissions and committees should encourage the bodies to
bring to the attention of the Council proposed legislation upon which they recommend the
Council take a position.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 10
The Palo Alto Municipal Code (Section 2.22.060(f)) authorizes the Human Relations
Commission to adopt independent positions on legislation, provided the City Council has
not taken an official position with respect to the legislation. All legislative letters sent by
the HRC and its task forces shall be copied for the City Council.
Lobbying Methods
Listed here are a number of ways to inform and persuade legislators and others of the
City's position on proposed legislation.
Departmental participation in the planning and implementation of many of these activities
is desirable and important. Departments should let the City Manager's Office know of their
interest and suggestions for lobbying bills they have evaluated.
Letters to
The authors of proposed legislation.
The City's elected representatives in the State Legislature and Congress.
The Chair and members of legislative committees.
The Governor or President.
If the letter is being sent within three working days of the scheduled committee hearing
of floor vote, the letter will be faxed or emailed. All records of faxes, mailings, e-mail,
will be maintained by the City Manager's Office.
Telephone calls
Phone calls are useful for discussing with legislative staff the content and
implications of a bill and for suggesting amendments or language clarification.
However, many committees' rules prevent them from counting phone calls as a
legitimate expression of a City's position on a bill. Pro and con positions are
recorded only if they are received in writing.
Meetings with Palo Alto's elected representatives either in the district or in
Sacramento and Washington.
It is the Council's practice to invite legislators representing Palo Alto to an
annual meeting to discuss all issues of importance to the City during that
legislative session.
Councilmembers are encouraged to attend legislative days set by the National
League of Cities and League of California Cities.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 11
Resolutions
The Council is sometimes asked to adopt a resolution expressing its position on
a bill. Resolutions are frequently sought by organizations as an indication of
widespread support for a position, but they are less effective than letters when
communicating directly with a legislator.
Testimony
Testifying in person at a legislative committee hearing provides an opportunity to
present the City's position and respond to questions. The City Manager, the Mayor,
a Councilmember, or the staff person with particular expertise in the subject
assumes the responsibility.
Editorial support from newspapers serving Palo Alto community
Staff member must seek approval from Manager's Office before submitting
editorials in newspapers.
Press Conferences
Press conferences are called by the Mayor and Councilmembers and are staged in a
location relevant to the issues being lobbied. Any press conference should be
coordinated with the City Manager's Office.
Coalitions with other jurisdictions
These alliances are not limited to governmental bodies, but extend to all segments
of the broader community that can similarly be affected by the legislation, e.g.
business, nonprofit organization, environmental groups, etc.
Registered lobbyists are retained by the City when their specific skills and expertise are
required.
Guidelines for Letter Writing
Concentrate on the letter content, rather than format. The City Manager's Office
will produce the final letter, addressing it to the proper legislators or committees
and securing the appropriate signature. The process can be expedited if the
originating department provides the draft of the letter electronically.
At the very start of the letter, indicate the bill number or title that is the subject of
the letter.
A short concise letter is generally more effective than a lengthy treatise. (Several
short letters will carry more weight than one long letter; if there are many good
arguments for supporting or opposing a bill, provide them all to the Manager's
Office but in a form where they can be selectively used in several
communications.)
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 12
Provide specific examples of the impact of the legislation upon Palo Alto, e.g.
estimated cost or savings, effect upon taxpayers and residents, relationship to the
City's policies, programs, charter, etc.
Think of examples that may be particularly newsworthy.
Relate, when feasible, to the effect the proposed legislation may have upon the
legislator’s constituents.
If advice is needed on what aspects of the legislation can most successfully be
lobbied, or what kind of information is most needed by the legislators, it is useful
to talk to the staff of the League of California Cities, of the Legislature's
Committees, or of the individual legislators. The Manager's Office can provide
contact names and phone numbers.
ATTACHED:
Exhibit 1: Sample Federal Letter
Exhibit 2: Sample State Letter
Procedure for City Council meetings with other elected representatives
Typically, the Council meets annually with its County, State and Federal representatives.
These meetings are an important component of building legislative relationships and to
share issues of importance to Palo Alto. These meetings should be scheduled at the
appropriate times during the respective legislative calendars.
At direction of Council, the other Elected Representative, or the City Manager,
staff will schedule a meeting with the representative.
The City Manager will seek agenda items from the Mayor and Council.
Staff from the City Manager's Office will obtain agenda items from Departments
and staff in the representative’s office.
Agenda for the meeting and a potential list of topics will be published by City
Clerk.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 13
California State Legislative Timeline 2013
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect
Jan. 7 Legislature reconvenes
Jan. 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor
Jan. 25 Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative
Counsel.
Feb. 22 Last day for bills to be introduced
Mar. 21 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment
Apr. 1 Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess
May 3 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal
Committees' fiscal bills introduced in their house
May 10 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the floor
nonfiscal bills introduced in their house
May 17 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to June 3
May 24 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills
introduced in their house. Last day for fiscal committees to meet
prior to June 3.
May 28 – 31 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose.
May 31 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house.
June 3 Committee meetings may resume
June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight
July 12 Last day for policy committees to hear and report bills. Summer
Recess begins on adjournment, provided Budget Bill has been
passed.
Aug. 12 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess.
Aug. 30 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills to the Floor.
Sept. 3 - 13 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose.
Sept. 6 Last day to amend on the Floor.
Sept. 13 Last day for each house to pass bills. Interim Study Recess begins
upon adjournment.
October 13 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature
on or before Sept. 13 and in the Governor’s possession after Sept.
13.
2014
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect
Jan. 6 Legislature reconvenes
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 14
Exhibit 1: Sample Federal Letter
January 30, 2012
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Boxer:
As your Committee continues its work on a long-term surface transportation
authorization, I write to urge you to support dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure. Walking and cycling are critical modes of transportation for the City of
Palo Alto, providing healthy and environmentally-friendly ways of getting around our
community. In 2011, Palo Alto approved a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian master
plan to help the City become a leader in providing transportation choices to its citizens.
Partnership with the federal government is one of many components of reaching the goals
outlined in our plan.
Today, programs such as Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School,
and Recreational Trails provide dedicated sources of funding for non-motorized
transportation projects. As you know, the current version of MAP-21 proposes to
eliminate these distinct pots of funding and force bicycle and pedestrian projects to
compete against costly requirements such as environmental mitigation. While we
appreciate your efforts to protect eligibility for bicycle and pedestrian projects, we are
concerned that under the current bill these types of projects would rarely, if ever, be
awarded funding.
While efforts to save money and to refocus transportation programs toward
national needs are laudable goals, eliminating dedicated funding for non-motorized
projects achieves neither. Nationally, 12 percent of all trips are made by walking or
bicycling, while these projects receive less than two percent of federal transportation
funding. Walking and cycling facilities are cost-effective projects that enrich our
communities, provide substantial economic benefits, and ease traffic congestion for drivers
by taking cars off the roadway.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 15
As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a leader in
transportation and environmental issues, I ask that you work to protect dedicated funding
for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. These programs will help the City of Palo Alto
provide diverse transportation choices and ensure that all users of our transportation
system have safe and reliable options.
Sincerely,
Yiaway Yeh, Mayor
City of Palo Alto
cc: Palo Alto City Council
James Keene, City Manager – City of Palo Alto
Curtis Williams, Director of Planning & Community Services – City of Palo Alto
Mike Sartor, Director of Public Works – City of Palo Alto
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 16
Exhibit 2: Sample State Letter
September 14, 2011
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
State of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Request for Signature of SBx1 4 (Budget Committee)
Dear Governor Brown:
On behalf of the of Palo Alto I respectfully request your signature on SBx1 4.
This measure amends and removes a provision included in AB X1 16, that would create a
new maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement on all frontline municipal police services
for cities to receive COPS (Citizens’ Option for Public Safety) funding.
Given the current economic reality, Palo Alto has made reductions in police staffing. Palo
Alto is especially concerned that this MOE requirement will leave us ineligible to receive
COPS funding our community depends on unless we significantly cut other local services.
This MOE language will tie the hands of cities in a time of considerable fiscal difficulty,
when flexibility should be maximized so we can provide the highest level of services to
our community with diminished resources.
In many cities, like Palo Alto, returning frontline municipal police funding to the FY 2010-
11 levels will require offsetting cuts in other essential local services. The very real
outcome is cities, including Palo Alto, will have little choice but to reject the COPS grants
because the potential grant monies are insufficient to justify necessary cuts to other
services.
The MOE language is also unnecessary because the non-supplant language that has been
in place for 15 years has ensured the grant monies for cities, counties, and police
protection districts is used as intended.
For these reasons, the City of Palo Alto respectfully requests your signature on SBx1 4,
following your signature of ABx1 16, so that the harmful MOE provisions applicable to
cities are removed.
Attachment A. Legislative Action Program Manual
Page 17
Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue. Please contact me at (650) 329-2571 if
you have any questions about our concerns.
Mayor Sid Espinosa
City of Palo Alto
Cc: Aaron Maguire, Deputy Legislative Secretary, Office of Governor Brown, via email
(aaron.maguire@gov.ca.gov)
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
1
TO: Sheila Tucker
FROM: Steve Palmer and Thane Young
DATE: March 22, 2013
SUBJECT: 2013 Federal Legislative Priorities and Review of Legislative Activities in 2012
_____________________________________________________________________________
Washington’s Political Climate
With a new Congress and President Obama beginning his second term, bipartisanship seems to
be taking hold in Washington. Already this year, the Congress and President have agreed to
legislation that provides for more than $600 billion in new tax revenues, allowed the first of ten
years of budget sequestration to take effect, and completed the FY 2013 appropriations process.
Before leaving for a two-week legislative break, the House passed its blueprint for spending for
FY 2014, and the Senate is working to complete its first budget plan in four years.
With appropriations behind them, the President and Congress will now focus once again on the
need to increase the debt limit by May 18. And just as importantly, unless Congress acts to
reduce the federal debt by $1.2 trillion, a second of ten years of budget sequestration will take
effect on January 1, 2014.
Other issues will begin to take center stage when Congress returns, as the Senate will turn to gun
control legislation, while the House will begin debating a series of bills that the leadership calls
its “Making Life Work” agenda. Immigration reform has emerged as an early priority for both
parties, with Democrats hoping to further capitalize on the support of Latino voters and
Republicans anxious to reintroduce themselves as a credible party to Latino interests. Recent
events have also demanded the attention of legislators and the White House as turmoil in the
Middle East and North Africa continues.
Federal Priorities for 2013
Contentious debate on a selected number of priorities can be expected to preoccupy Congress in
the coming year. Meanwhile, federal agencies will likely renew initiatives that were stalled
during the election year. It is in this context that the City of Palo Alto must advance its federal
priorities for 2013.
We have identified priorities that we know or anticipate will be addressed in the coming year.
An important component of the work plan to achieve these priorities will be the engagement of
Council Members, and we are prepared to fully integrate the Council into our advocacy efforts.
The first visit to Washington, DC, was conducted in conjunction with the National League of
Cities legislative conference in March. Vice Mayor Nancy Shepherd and Councilmembers Klein
and Kniss met with the congressional delegation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
2
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the United States Postal Service,
and the chairman of the House Railroads Subcommittee. The priorities covered during these
meetings were San Francisquito Creek flood control, the future of tax-exempt municipal bonds,
high speed rail, enhancing high speed communications capability throughout the City, and
purchase of the Hamilton Avenue post office. The active involvement of the City’s elected
leadership is the best way to ensure that the City’s voice is heard among federal policymakers,
including the congressional delegation and Executive Branch officials. Close coordination and
communication with staff will help ensure that the City’s federal advocates are able to deploy the
City’s resources efficiently and effectively.
Tier I Priorities
San Francisquito Creek
Advance flood control study: Secure additional funding from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to continue the study in the FY13 workplan, FY14 budget, and the FY14
workplan
Facilitate construction of Phase I: Assist the JPA in working with PG&E to relocate
pipeline; seek in-kind credit recognition from Corps of Engineers on advance work
Monitor and advise on the implementation of new flood insurance rates and program
requirements
High Speed Rail
Monitor and advise on funding issues and other initiatives regarding HSR in California
Grant Funding Opportunities
Transportation
Public Safety
Firefighter Assistance
Infrastructure
Tax Reform
Tax exempt bond limitations could be included in tax reform legislation; preserve the
viability of this financing option
Mainstreet Fairness Act would provide ability for state and local government to collect
sales tax from internet transactions
Transit Occupancy Tax: maintain local government ability to levy and collect taxes on
hotel and motel room rental
New Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Bike and pedestrian program policy and funding
Post Office Acquisition
Assist City is acquisition of downtown post office facility from the U.S. Postal Service
Technology and the Connected City
Assist City with strategy and funding opportunities to build-out the “last mile” of high-
speed communications capability to businesses and residences.
Tier II Priorities
Support Utilities Legislative Agenda, Cybersecurity
Monitor EPA Stormwater Rules
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
3
Accomplishments in 2012
The 2013 Federal Priorities are the result of either developments or delays in achieving the
priorities of 2012. It was a challenging year in Washington, D.C., as Congress and the
Administration spent most of the year positioning themselves for the elections. Very few bills
were enacted; none of the twelve annual appropriations bills, which provide funding for an array
of City priorities, was signed into law. As such, the availability of competitive grant funding has
been delayed and limited. The federal government is operating under a Continuing Resolution
that extends current-year funding until March 27, 2013, leaving it to this Congress and
Administration to determine funding for the remaining six months of the fiscal year.
The stalled agenda in Congress was matched by similar delays in the Administration. Numerous
regulatory and policy initiatives were postponed during the election to avoid introducing new
issues into the Presidential campaign.
Consistent with the City Council’s 2012 priorities, a federal work plan was organized around
five priorities: 1) City Finances; 2) Emergency Preparedness; 3) Environmental Sustainability;
4) Land Use and Transportation Planning; and 5) Youth Well-Being. A specific set of federal
priorities was identified to provide focus to the City’s advocacy efforts. Progress was reported
and objectives were reiterated in frequent communication with senior staff, including regularly
scheduled conference calls with city manager and department staff. Major accomplishments
achieved in 2012 are listed below:
Tier I Priorities
San Francisquito Creek
Work efforts were closely coordinated with the San Francisquito Creek JPA in order to expedite
funding for the feasibility study and to prepare for construction of the early implementation
project from U.S. 101 bridge to the Bay. Unfortunately, the annual President’s budget requests
have not included funding for the feasibility study in recent years. With the continuing ban on
congressional earmarks, legislators are not able to add funds in the annual Energy and Water
Development Appropriations bill for this specific project. Rather, the only opportunity is for
Congress to add a block of funds in addition to the President’s budget request for flood control
studies. Local project sponsors must then work with the Army Corps of Engineers to secure
funding in a subsequent work plan. Limited funds were added in FY 2012, none of which were
allocated to this project, despite it being referenced as a priority by Rep. Eshoo and Senator
Feinstein.
The early implementation project requires the relocation of a PG&E gas pipeline to
accommodate levee construction. Based on previous relationships with PG&E’s Washington,
D.C. office, VSA was able to help facilitate consideration of the relocation request. We are also
working on a strategy with the JPA to raise the profile of the project with the congressional
delegation and perhaps link it to other priority projects for flood control, environmental
restoration, and economic development for Bay communities.
The JPA is working closely with the City to secure a waiver from Army Corps of Engineers’
policy for credit toward the local cost share requirement. After waiting two years for credit
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
4
approval from the Corps, the JPA learned earlier this year that a recent policy change would
make it impossible for the JPA to receive credit for advance work done on the early
implementation project. The new policy doesn’t allow the Corps to recognize advance work
conducted by the JPA until the feasibility study is nearly completed. Because credit must be
granted before construction commences early next year, the JPA is seeking a waiver from the
new policy. In addition to seeking this administrative waiver from the Assistant Secretary of the
Army, we are simultaneously working with the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee, which is chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer, to revise the policy with legislation in
anticipation of the Assistant Secretary denying the waiver request. Although the Assistant
Secretary invites waiver requests, one has never been granted.
Flood Insurance in Palo Alto
Despite the work of the JPA and the priority the City has placed on removing residents from the
floodplain, legislation considered last year in Congress would have mandated flood insurance
and building restrictions regardless of the level of flood protection provided by levees and dams.
VSA led the successful effort in Congress to remove a provision in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) reauthorization legislation that would have required property owners protected
by levees to purchase flood insurance and be subject to permanent building restrictions. Because
state and local government advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C. did not have a policy on
this matter, despite the potentially devastating costs to property owners and economic
development, VSA had to take the lead to strike the “residual risk” provision from the House and
Senate bills. VSA worked closely with a number of Senate offices to explain the potential
negative impacts for local communities and was successful in building support to remove the
residual risk provision. Flood insurance premiums would have cost Palo Alto residents an
estimated $6 million per year and imposed more costly building restrictions for renovations and
new development. The insurance mandate would have been a major disincentive for property
owners to pay for flood control improvements when insurance would be required nonetheless.
High Speed Rail
Last year we have actively conveyed to federal policymakers the City’s opposition to the
California High Speed Rail Association’s proposed plan for high speed rail on the Peninsula. As
deficiencies in the high speed rail program were brought to light during the last year, Congress
has struggled to provide funding for high speed rail. For example, in FY 2012 and in the FY
2013 Continuing Resolution, which funds the federal government for first six months of the year,
no federal funding was provided for the national high speed rail program. Because of the
importance of this program to the City, we have coordinated the lobbying efforts of VSA and the
City’s state lobbyist in regular, bi-monthly conference calls to compare notes and discuss
possible strategies for opposing the California high speed rail project. From these discussions
VSA has contacted officials at the Department of Transportation (DOT), offering suggestions to
senior policymakers on ways they could advance the President’s agenda, without harming the
interests of people the Peninsula. However, senior DOT and Federal Railroad Administration
officials have continued to advance the California project by completing the environmental
review process and approving the Record of Decision.
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
5
Grant Opportunities
The recent Congressional ban on earmarks has placed new emphasis and more competition on
federal grant opportunities. The earmark ban may, in fact, be temporary; the House’s ban is
indefinite while the Senate’s ban is only effective through fiscal year 2013. There is a growing
consensus that the ban must be revised to restore balance between the legislative and executive
branches in making decisions about authorizations and appropriations for programs and projects.
In the meantime, the City has been advised of grant notices, including the following:
Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grants - The Palo Alto Fire Department (PAFD) applied for
two AFG grants. The first grant was prepared by the PAFD, on behalf of the County Fire
Chiefs ($650,000). This was a regional communication/training grant for a county-wide
videoconferencing system. The County was awarded this grant; however the County Chief
denied the grant because further research suggested a far less expensive and complicated
option that did not require the funds from a grant. The second AFG is for a Heavy Rescue
apparatus ($550,000). The City is waiting to hear on the grant award.
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants - The City did not
apply because these are either hiring/re-hiring grants, which the City has not demonstrated an
interest in pursuing and are for the support of volunteer firefighters which the City does not
utilize.
Community Policing Grant - The City did not apply for this grant because our status as an
affluent community and number of community policing initiatives makes Palo Alto
uncompetitive for these grants.
Small Community Air Service Development Grant – The City was not eligible for this grant
WaterSmart Grant for Water Reclamation - The City did not apply for this grant because the
recycled water project, which Palo Alto is a partner in, is in the CEQA stage and is not currently
an authorized water reclamation project. The project in its current stage is not eligible for a
WaterSmart grant.
Brownsfield Cleanup Grants
Over the course of the next year, VSA and City departments will more closely coordinate efforts
to ensure that all appropriate grant opportunities are vigorously pursued. We will track more
closely the grant opportunities the City pursues, seeking congressional letters of support when
appropriate and arranging debriefings from agencies when applications are not successful.
Additionally, priority projects and programs in the City can sometimes be funded without a
competitive grant process after an agency is aware of local needs and expertise that match a
specific federal objective. These opportunities will be incorporated into visits by City officials to
the Hill and federal agencies.
Post Office Acquisition
Early in 2012, after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced its intent to dispose of
certain properties, the City Council expressed its interest in acquiring the postal facility on
Hamilton Avenue. After coordinating with staff on the status of the application, VSA contacted
the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the USPS to ascertain the process for
disposal of these properties. VSA also met with senior officials at the USPS to confirm that
there was no formal moratorium on the disposal of urban postal facilities. We will continue to
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
6
coordinate advocacy efforts on this acquisition application and its status, taking advantage of the
USPS interest in excess property disposal.
Tier II Priorities
Stormwater Regulations and Waters of the U.S. Guidance
The City closely monitored development of these two initiatives by Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Stormwater regulations scheduled for release last December were postponed
until June 2013. Early drafts of this proposed regulation indicate that stormwater management
costs could significantly increase in Palo Alto with the eventual requirement of attaining numeric
effluent limits, mandatory best management practices such as pervious pavement and on-site
management for new construction, and enforceable schedules to retrofit existing development.
In a related matter, EPA has been contemplating new guidance to define waters of the U.S.
subject to federal permitting requirements. Early drafts of the guidance allow for broad new
categories of waters and discharges to be subject to more rigorous regulation, including all runoff
into the municipal storm sewer system, recharge and settling basins, all ditches and channels, and
water reuse facilities. Final guidance is pending at the Office of Management and Budget and
further action has been postponed until sometime this year.
Transportation Funding
To the surprise of many, in July Congress completed action on a two-year transportation
authorization bill. Senator Boxer was the leading advocate for a bill, as the Environment and
Public Works Committee, which she chairs, drafted and approved a bipartisan bill last year,
known as MAP-21. As the bill progressed to consideration by the full Senate, VSA worked with
City officials, drafting letters for the City to send and offering suggestions for Council Members
to contact Senators Boxer and Feinstein, asking that they support amendments to restore funding
for alternative transportation programs. Unfortunately, as the Senate sought to streamline and
consolidate federal programs, the federal mandate for dedicated funding for bike and pedestrian
activities was substantially diluted from the final bill. However, because MAP-21 is only a two-
year bill, the next Administration and Congress must begin work next year on a new
transportation bill, affording the City an opportunity to express its support for bike/pedestrian
funding.
Budget Sequestration
Early in 2013, Congress approved The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), which
was a partial resolution to the budget issues facing the federal government at the end of last
year. It is only partial because it addressed the tax issues and did not address the debt limit or
complete the FY 2013 appropriations process, which were also pending at the time.
Tax Provisions. ATRA focused largely on personal income tax rates, for example, by making
permanent the middle class tax cuts enacted first by President George W. Bush. Of interest to
the City, ATRA established caps on tax deductions and credits for individuals with incomes over
$400,000 and $450,000 for couples. This phase-out will impact upper income individuals who
might acquire municipal bonds, due to the limitations on the deductibility of the interest from
those bonds. This step could be viewed as the “camel’s nose under the tent,” as other proposals
Attachment B. Federal Legislative Program
7
that might be considered in 2013 would eliminate municipal tax exempt bonds entirely. The City
sent a letter to the congressional delegation expressing opposition to limitations on tax exempt
bonds.
Spending Provisions. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 also delayed effective date of
the FY 2013 budget sequestration by two months, or until the end of February 2013. To offset
approximately $24 billion in foregone savings, Congress chose to increase revenue by $12
billion and cut spending by $12 billion. This spending cut will be spread over two years, so that
$4 billion will be cut in the last half of FY 2013 and $8 billion will be reduced from FY 2014
spending. The FY 2013 cuts will likely be included in the final FY 2013 appropriations bills,
which Congress must complete by the end of March.
Attachment C. 2013 State Legislative Program
1
State of California
The California State legislature convened the 2013-14 regular session on December 3, 2012 with
historic supermajorities, with 29-40 seats in the Senate, and 55 of 80 in the Assembly. However,
democrats will lose their supermajority in the House in late August due to a number of vacancies
and special elections, and will not have an opportunity to get it back until late August. The
democratic supermajorities mark a dramatic shift in the balance of power in the Capitol.
On January 10, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown released his 2014 budget to the legislature.
Despite recent projections from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) that the state would face
a $1.9 billion deficit, the Governor is projecting a balanced budget with a surplus of $167 million
this year. The state’s brighter fiscal picture, according to Governor Brown, is the result of a
combination of spending cuts, primarily to health and human services, corrections and education,
realignment of some responsibilities from the state to local governments, elimination of
redevelopment agencies, reduction in the state’s workforce, and the passage of proposition 30.
A number of risks that could significantly impact the state’s fiscal conditions going forward are
identified in the Governor’s budget. These include: actions at federal level to address the federal
government’s deficit, 2) state’s uncertain economic recovery, 3) potential cost increases to the
state resulting from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
The Governor’s budget proposes additional money for K-12 schools and higher education,
largely driven by the new revenues from Proposition 30 and the public education spending
guarantee in proposition 98, and restrains growth in most other programs. It also recommends
allocating $4.2 billion to begin reducing the “Wall of Debt.” The Governor’s wall of debt
consists of loans, deferrals, and other budgetary obligations that have accumulated over the last
decade and is estimated to be at $35 billion.
Notably, the Governor’s budget also indicates that the Administration will release a Five-Year
Infrastructure Plan later this year. The plan is anticipated to outline the Administration’s
priorities for the state’s major infrastructure programs, including High Speed Rail and other
transportation programs, water and natural resources, and education. The budget indicates that
given the state’s increased general fund debt burden, the plan will place less reliance on future
voter-authorized general obligation bonds.
2013 State Legislative Priorities
For the City’s 2013 state legislative program, the priority areas are:
1. Track League-supported bills and evaluate their application to the City. See the LOCC’s
current Summary of Existing Policy and Guiding Principles here Summary of Existing Policy
and Guiding Principles.
2. Follow the progress of ballot measures intended to revise various State-level budget and
governance reforms and determine impacts to City of Palo Alto.
Attachment C. 2013 State Legislative Program
2
3. Monitor the development of the State budget and take positions to support or oppose
proposals depending on the impact to Palo Alto, particularly as they relate to the taking or
borrowing of local revenues.
4. For the 2013 California Legislative Session, closely monitor legislation that may be
introduced that affects funding to local governments including, but not limited to Transit
Occupancy Tax, Utility User Tax, and Gas Tax, and State’s vehicle License Fee.
5. Coordinate with and support the Utilities Department Legislative Program, which preserves
and enhances local flexibility in the control and oversight of matters impacting utility
programs and rates for City customers. See Utilities 2013 Legislative Policy Guidelines
included as Exhibit 1.
6. Coordinate with and support the High Speed Rail legislative program and advocate to
monitor and support State rail legislative activity.
7. Advocate for the continued funding of local first responder public safety grants for police,
fire, public works, utilities, emergency management, and related facilities and capabilities
and continued funding of Emergency Management Performance Grants and the Urban Area
Security Initiative (UASI). Monitor initiatives related to regional planning, radio
interoperability, and data sharing.
8. Monitor statewide bag and plastic foam ban legislation, and pharmaceutical collection
legislation.
9. Monitor SB375, and potential legislative related to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment
(RHNA).
10. Monitor legislation regarding CEQA reform and take appropriate positions on legislation.
11. Coordinate with Assembly Member Gordon’s Office on request to regulators to postpone
landfill capping requirements.
12. Work with CalPERS on interpretations of new pension reform regulations and build
coalitions with the League or other partners as appropriate.
Exhibit 2 provides a list of the City’s current bills of interest (at the time this staff report was
prepared) that the City is tracking in coordination with Departments, the Utilities Legislative
staff and the City’s Rail Advocate. Several bills on bag legislation and lower voter threshold
have also been introduced that the City is closely monitoring.
There is significant legislative activity at this time. As bills are being heard and modified, staff is
actively monitoring changes and evaluating their application to the City. Staff is regularly
updating this list and will provide periodic reports to Council. The Council may also refer bills to
staff at any time for further analysis.
2012 Legislative Activities
2012 brought a renewed focus on legislative activities for the City as dedicated staff was hired
(filling a former vacancy) to coordinate City activities. In 2012, the Council reviewed an
updated the City’s legislative guiding principles and program manual, as well as identified
federal and state priorities. The City Manager’s office established a Legislative Team with
representatives from each department and met monthly with the City’s federal lobbyist and high
speed rail and utilities legislative leads to coordinate information and activities. In addition, staff
initiated use of a legislative tracking system in 2012 called CapitolTrack enabling the City to
Attachment C. 2013 State Legislative Program
3
find and track bills of interest, stay up to date on important bills. In addition, staff provided
legislative updates to Council with regular legislative briefs.
The City advocated for or against a number of bills in 2012 including AB 2231 (sidewalk
repairs), AB 904 (parking requirements), SB1029 (High Speed Rail), SB1222 (solar energy), and
SB1002 (public records). Notably, the City worked closely with the author of SB1002 (Yee) and
Assembly Member Gordon regarding public records, provided technical assistance to the
League, and briefed the Governor’s Office in the event that the bill made it to his desk. The bill
was amended on Aug. 20 to require the State CIO to conduct a study to determine the feasibility
of providing electronic records in an open format.
Also new this year, on January 24, 2013 staff met with Assembly Member Gordon to explore
potential legislation for the 2013 state legislative session. The topics discussed were approved
by the Council at its meeting on January 22, 2013 and included clean-up and clarifications to the
2012 Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), extension of the City’s landfill capping
requirements, CEQA reform, State’s Housing Element Process and Allocation, and 3) some form
of dedicated funding for Caltrain. While the meeting did not result in introducing any potential
bill language in 2013, staff will continue to work with our legislators and update Council.
High Speed Rail
City of Palo Alto staff, in conjunction with the City Council, City Council Rail Committee, and
the City’s state legislative advocate for rail related issues, the Professional Evaluation Group
(PEG), has been closely tracking legislation as it relates to California high-speed rail (HSR) and
Caltrain. In July of 2012 SB 1029 was signed into law and authorized the sale of bonds for the
initial construction segment (ICS) of HSR in the California Central Valley. Additionally, SB
1029 provides funding for improvements in the commuter rail corridors in northern and southern
California which will one day have both commuter and HSR service operating in them, referred
to as the system “Bookends.”
Therefore, staff has focused their legislative efforts for rail on two fronts.
The first is ensuring that proposed “clean-up” legislation for SB 1029 contains the
clarifying language necessary to ensure that what was promised when SB 1029 was
passed is what ultimately occurs. Examples of this include clarifying in legislation that
all CHSRA funding allocations now and in the future are limited to a two-track system
(plus necessary passing tracks) for the San Francisco to San Jose segment, that the
CHSRA will not construct a four-track system, that Caltrain is the lead agency for the
San Francisco to San Jose segment, and that Bookend funding is not transferred to the
Central Valley. Staff feels this clean-up legislation is the best option at the time for
ensuring that what was promised is delivered and is currently in the process of reviewing
draft clean-up legislation with both PEG and the City Council Rail Committee.
The second front where staff has focused their legislative efforts is ensuring that no
changes are made to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that in any way
jeopardize, modify, or exempt the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), or
any other managing body, from the environmental review currently prescribed by law. It
Attachment C. 2013 State Legislative Program
4
is well known by those tracking state legislation that Governor Brown is having private
discussions with legislative leadership about how CEQA might be reformed. City rail
staff recognizes that CEQA is not perfect but is very concerned with any revisions to
CEQA at the present time because of the impacts such revisions could have on the
environmental review and oversight of HSR. Therefore, staff and PEG are closely
monitoring the environment in Sacramento on this issue despite the fact that currently
there have not been any draft revisions released for public review. When proposed
revisions to CEQA are released to the public for review staff will work to quickly inform
policymakers of their implications and execute the City’s response.
Exhibit 1. Utilities 2013 Legislative Policy Guidelines
Exhibit 2. State Bills of Interest (as of March 25, 2013)
Exhibit 1
Utilities’ Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Advocacy positions taken in alignment with these guidelines will be subject to the approval of the
Utilities Director or City Manager as per the City’s legislative advocacy process
ALL UTILITIES
Goals
1. Preserve/enhance local accountability in the control and oversight of matters impacting utility
programs and rates for our customers while balancing statewide climate protection goals.
2. Support efforts to maintain or improve the reliability of the supply, transmission, storage and
distribution/collection infrastructures.
3. Support legislation that makes bold progress in cost effectively reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, and recognizes early voluntary action.
4. Maintain the City of Palo Alto Utilities’ (CPAU’s) ability to provide safe, reliable, sustainable, and
competitively‐priced utility services.
Legislative Policy Guidelines Venue Goals
1. Local
Accountability
2. Reliability
&
Infrastructure
3. Climate
Protection
4. Service
& Cost
Control
1. Advocate goals through active
participation in joint action efforts.
Federal,
State, and
Regional
2. Communicate the City’s record on
environmental and energy efficiency
programs with Legislature, California
Energy Commission (CEC), California
Air Resources Board (CARB), and
Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) via California Municipal
Utilities Association (CMUA),
Northern California Power Agency
(NCPA), and the Bay Area Water
Supply and Conservation Agency
(BAWSCA).
State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 2 of 13
1. Local
Accountability
2. Reliability
&
Infrastructure
3. Climate
Protection
4. Service
& Cost
Control
3. Support legislation that will result in
the most cost‐effective reduction of
GHG emissions, recognition of early
action, and inclusion of more efficient
solutions, fuel switching, and demand
control programs, in integrated
resource plans.
Federal,
State, and
Regional
4. Promote utility legislation and
regulations that support reasonable
reliability standards and compliance
requirements, and effective and
consistent reporting requirements,
customer communications, and goal‐
setting.
Federal,
State, and
Regional
Reliability
Councils
5. Oppose cost shifts from Federal or
State budgets and California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC)
jurisdictional utilities through active
participation in CMUA and NCPA
legislative activities.
Federal,
State, and
CPUC
6. Advocate for State and Federal grants
for local and regional applications of
energy efficiency, conservation,
renewable resources, fiber,
wastewater collection systems and
recycled water projects.
Federal
and State
7. Maintain right of way access for utility
infrastructure.
Federal
and State
8. Protect the value of existing assets
and contracts and local regulatory
approvals of same.
Federal
and State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 3 of 13
ELECTRIC
Goals
1. Preserve/enhance the ability of municipal utilities to exercise local accountability and oversight over
matters impacting customer service, programs (such as demand side efficiency and conservation
programs), and rate structure.
2. Preserve/enhance the reliability and security of infrastructure.
3. Support legislation that makes bold progress in cost effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and encourages early voluntary action.
4. Preserve just and reasonable utility rates/bills.
Legislative Policy Guidelines Venue Goals
1. Local
Accountability
2.
Reliability
3. GHG
Reduction
4. Cost
Control
1. Advocate goals through Northern California Power
Agency (NCPA), California Municipal Utilities
Association (CMUA), American Public Power
Association (APPA), Transmission Agency of
Northern California (TANC), and Bay Area
Municipal Transmission Group (BAMx) with
support from Palo Alto staff to speak with a
coordinated voice.
Federal
and
State
2. Support NCPA in its continued efforts to
streamline the state regulatory reporting
responsibilities, to eliminate duplicative data and
report submittals to multiple state regulatory
agencies, including the CEC, CARB, and the
California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
State
3. Advocate for legislation/regulations that provide
local control and support for:
cost‐effective clean distributed generation and
cogeneration projects, and standards for
connecting such resources to the local
distribution system;
cost‐effective electric efficiency programs;
implementation of renewable portfolio
standards;
cost‐effective storage integration;
direct access requirements;
smart meters and smart grid design and
implementation, and
public benefit funds (as allowed in AB1890
(1996)).
Federal
and
State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 4 of 13
1. Local
Accountability
2.
Reliability
3. GHG
Reduction
4. Cost
Control
4. Support cap‐and‐trade market designs that:
protect consumers from the exercise of market
power;
allocate allowances that help mitigate impacts
to Palo Alto customers while providing
incentives for utilities to move to lower GHG
emission portfolios;
provide flexible compliance mechanisms such
as banking and borrowing of allowances; and
allocate funds generated from cap‐and‐trade
markets to GHG related activities, not as a
revenue source for state or federal general
funds.
Federal
and
State
5. Support legislation for renewable portfolio
standards that:
promote the 33% goal for the state;
maintain local compliance authority;
allow utilities to pursue low cost alternatives by
utilizing existing transmission system to access
out‐of‐state resources, including use of
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs);
prevent double jeopardy in the assessment of
penalties for non‐compliance; and
restrict extension of CEC jurisdiction over
Publicly Owned Utilities.
Local
and
State
6. Support/encourage transmission, generation, and
demand‐reduction projects and solutions including
advocating for financing or funding
solutions/options for projects that:
enhance/ensure reliability;
ensure equitable cost allocation (including
protection against imposition of state‐owned
electric contract costs on municipal utility
customers);
improve procurement flexibility (e.g. resource
adequacy rules that ensure reliability and
provide flexibility in meeting operational
requirements or flexibility in meeting State
renewable portfolio standards);
improve market transparency (particularly
transparency of IOU’s transmission and
procurement planning and implementation
activities); and
lower the environmental impact on the Bay
Area and the Peninsula.
Local,
State,
and
Federal
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 5 of 13
1. Local
Accountability
2.
Reliability
3. GHG
Reduction
4. Cost
Control
7. Advocate for Congressional, legislative, or
administrative actions on matters impacting costs
or operations of the Western Area Power
Administration such as:
support of Congressional Field Hearings to
explore modernizing flood control strategies,
river regulation and generation strategies at
Central Valley Project (CVP) plants to enhance
generation, water delivery, flood control and
fisheries;
protection of the status of Western Power
Marketing Administration and cost‐based rates;
provisions for preference customers’ first take
at land available with economic potential for
wind farms;
balancing efforts for competing environmental
improvements in rivers and Delta conditions
with water supply and hydropower impacts;
and
Achieving the grid modernization goals of
Secretary Chu’s March 16, 2012 memo without
compromising the primary mission of Western
and recognizing the achievements already
made in California without adding duplicate
costly efforts.
Federal,
State
and
Regional
8. Advocate for Congressional, legislative, or
administrative actions on matters relating to
overly burdensome reporting and compliance
requirements established by the North American
Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the Western
Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).
Federal,
State
and
Regional
9. Support fair and reasonable assessment of grid
reliability established by NERC, WECC, or FERC and
seek Congressional remedies (if needed) for
punitive application of fees and fines.
Federal
and
Regional
10. Work with California Independent System
Operator (CAISO) or through FERC:
to give buyers of renewable intermittent
resources relief from imbalance penalties; and
to promote financial and operational changes
that result in timely and accurate settlement
and billing.
Federal
and
State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 6 of 13
1. Local
Accountability
2.
Reliability
3. GHG
Reduction
4. Cost
Control
11. Monitor cyber security issues to ensure that CPAU,
which currently does not have critical cyber assets,
is not subject to NERC cyber security standards
and support NCPA to protect it and its member
agencies from unnecessary cyber security
regulations.
Federal
and
Regional
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 7 of 13
GAS
Goals
1. Preserve/enhance the ability of municipal utilities to develop their own demand side efficiency and
conservation programs, alternative gas supplies, and rate structure.
2. Increase the security and reliability of the gas supply and transmission infrastructure. This includes
retaining access to intra‐ and interstate gas transmission systems to reliably serve customers.
3. Support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.
4. Preserve just and reasonable utility rates/bills.
Legislative Policy Guidelines Venue Goals
1. Local
Authority
2. Reliability of
Infrastructure
3.
Environ
‐ment
4. Cost
Control
1. Advocate most of these goals mainly
through the American Public Gas
Association (APGA) with minor support
from Palo Alto staff.
Primarily
Federal with
minor advocacy
at State level
2. Work with Northern California Power
Agency (NCPA) and California Municipal
Utilities Association (CMUA) to the extent
that the City’s goals as a gas distributor
align with generators’ use of natural gas.
Federal and
State
3. Support increased production/incentives
for renewable gas supplies from in or out of
state.
Federal and
State
4. Advocate for financing or funding for cost‐
effective natural gas efficiency and solar
water heating end uses.
Federal and
State
5. Support market transparency and efforts to
eliminate market manipulation through
reasonable oversight
Federal
6. Support municipal utilities’ ability to enter
into pre‐pay transactions for gas supplies.
Federal
7. Support efforts to improve pipeline safety.
Work with partners to discourage extension
of CPUC regulatory authority over
municipal gas operations. Oppose
legislative proposals resulting in
unreasonable costs for Palo Alto’s
customers.
Federal and
State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 8 of 13
1. Local
Authority
2. Reliability of
Infrastructure
3.
Environ
‐ment
4. Cost
Control
8. Support cap‐and‐trade market designs that:
protect consumers from the exercise of
market power;
allocate allowances that help mitigate
impacts to Palo Alto customers while
providing incentives for natural gas
utilities to move to lower GHG emission
portfolios;
provide flexible compliance mechanisms
such as banking and borrowing of
allowances; and
allocate funds generated from cap‐and‐
trade markets to GHG related activities,
not as a revenue source for state or
federal general funds.
Federal and
State
9. Advocate for the fair application of Clean
Water Act rules and other existing
environmental rules on the practice of
hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” for natural
gas development.
Federal and
State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 9 of 13
WASTEWATER COLLECTION
Goals
1. Support ability of municipal utilities to develop and manage their own conservation and efficiency
programs and retain authority over ratemaking, including the imposition of non‐volumetric
customer meter or infrastructure charges for wastewater collection service.
2. Increase the reliability of the local wastewater collection systems.
3. Maintain the provision of an environmentally sustainable, reliable high quality wastewater collection
service at a fair price.
4. Support equal comparisons of wastewater collection systems by regulatory agencies in order to
minimize and reduce onerous, costly and time‐intensive reporting requirements and improve value
and accuracy of information reported to the public.
Legislative Policy Guidelines Venue Goals
1. Local
Authority
2. Reliable
infrastructure
3. Maintain
service
4.Valuable
Reporting
1. Advocate goals through active
participation in the Association of Bay
Area Governments (ABAG).
Local,
Regional
& State
2. Advocate to ensure that legislative
actions regarding the comparison of
wastewater collections systems for future
regulations include the following
requirements:
timely rebuilding of the local
wastewater systems;
maintains the quality of delivered
wastewater collection service;
minimizes any increase in the cost of
wastewater collection service;
creates no additional exposure to
more frequent or severe wastewater
overflows;
supports the existing wastewater
collections systems and their
operation.
Local,
Regional
& State
3. Support provision of sufficient resources
for ABAG to enable it to advocate for:
environmentally sustainable, reliable
wastewater collection service at a fair
price;
regional comparisons of wastewater
collection projects for future state
grant funding.
Local and
Regional
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 10 of 13
1. Local
Authority
2. Reliable
infrastructure
3. Maintain
service
4.Valuable
Reporting
4. Support infrastructure security and
reliability including equitable allocation of
funds for increasing the security of
infrastructure.
Regional,
and State
5. Advocate for funding and local
regulations for wastewater collections
system projects and requirements that
reduce overflows and improve collection
system efficiency.
Regional,
State and
Federal
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 11 of 13
WATER
Goals
1. Support ability of municipal utilities to develop and manage their own conservation and efficiency
programs and retain authority over ratemaking, including the ability to optimize volumetric and
fixed charges to balance the goals of revenue certainty and water use efficiency.
2. Increase the security and reliability of the regional water system owned and operated by the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).
3. Support efficiency and recycled water programs in order to minimize the use of imported supplies.
4. Maintain the provision of an environmentally sustainable, reliable supply of high quality water at a
fair price.
Legislative Policy Guidelines Venue Goals
1. Local
Authority
2.
Reliable
infrastructure
3.
Minimize
imports
4.
Supplies
at fair
cost
1. Advocate goals through active participation in
the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation
Agency (BAWSCA) and California Municipal
Utilities Association (CMUA), with support from
Palo Alto staff for BAWSCA and the San
Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System
Financing Authority (RFA).
Local,
Regional
& State
2. Participate in California Urban Water
Conservation Council (CUWCC) Best
Management Practice (BMP) revisions and
development to ensure that aggressive and cost‐
effective efficiency goals are incorporated and
operating proposals are reasonable, achievable,
and cost‐effective.
State
3. Advocate to ensure that legislative actions
regarding the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and
conveyance system include the following
requirements:
timely rebuilding of the regional water
system;
maintains the quality of delivered water;
minimizes any increase in the cost of water;
creates no additional exposure to more
frequent or severe water shortages;
supports the existing water system and its
operation.
Local,
Regional
& State
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 12 of 13
1. Local
Authority
2.
Reliable
infrastructure
3.
Minimize
imports
4.
Supplies
at fair
cost
4. Advocate for interpretations or implementation
of Water Code provisions (such as those enacted
by AB 1823 (2002), AB 2058 (2002) and SB 1870
(2002)) that maintain or reinforce the authorities
and protections available to the City and
BAWSCA members outside of San Francisco.
Local,
Regional
and
State
5. Support provision of sufficient resources for
BAWSCA to enable it to advocate for:
an environmentally sustainable, reliable
supply of high quality water at a fair price;
preservation of Palo Alto’s existing
contractual water allocation and
transportation rights on the SFPUC Hetch
Hetchy system;
regional planning for conservation, recycled
water, and other water supply projects.
Local
and
Regional
6. Advocate for:
actions that preserve Palo Alto’s existing
contractual rights
supporting actions that preserve local
control over water use and limit
encroachment from outside jurisdictions
Local
and
Regional
7. Support infrastructure security and reliability
including an interconnection between the
SCVWD West Pipeline with the SFPUC’s Bay
Division Pipelines 3 and 4.
Regional
and
State
8. Support notification requirements that aid
residents/customers but do not inflict undue or
unobtainable requirements on the utility.
State
9. Support local control of public benefit funds
funding levels and program design.
State
10. Support beneficiary pays methodologies to
prevent taxes or fees, in particular those
imposed on SFPUC customers, to fund
infrastructure improvements and costs of other
water sources such as the Delta.
State
11. Advocate for financing or funding for water
conservation programs and recycled water
projects that meet end‐use needs and conserve
potable water and oppose legislation that would
reduce such funding.
State,
Regional
and
Federal
Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2013
Page 13 of 13
1. Local
Authority
2.
Reliable
infrastructure
3.
Minimize
imports
4.
Supplies
at fair
cost
12. Support infrastructure security and reliability
that includes equitable allocation of funds for
increasing the security of infrastructure and that
protects the City from unnecessary regulations.
Local,
State
and
Federal
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest
3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services Department
Bill Summary Latest Action
AB 265
Gatto D
Local government liability: dog parks.
Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that
owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death
suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the
dog park.
3/13/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on JUD.
Planning and Community Environment
Bill Summary Latest Action
AB 5
Ammiano D
Homelessness.
Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which
would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services
may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income,
or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide
that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing
status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from
specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human
rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement,
in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while
seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on JUD.
AB 745
Levine D
Land use: housing element.
Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of
governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistent
with the city's or county's existing density.
3/4/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on H. &
C.D. and L. GOV.
AB 1229
Atkins D
Land use: zoning regulations.
The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or
county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as
specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city
or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development,
inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intent
of the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a
technical, nonsubstantive change.
3/7/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on H. &
C.D. and L. GOV.
SB 510
Jackson D
Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion.
Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the
support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to
approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency
is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey
have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's
homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact
local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains
other related provisions.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 23.
Public Works Department
Bill Summary Latest Action
SB 7
Steinberg D
Public works: charter cities.
Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or
financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter
provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with
prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would,
except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state
funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar
years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract
without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions.
This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of
charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance
for their construction projects.
3/22/2013:
Set for hearing
April 8.
SB 525
Galgiani D
California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions.
Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental
Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of
passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in
use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This
bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail
Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing
tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances
located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont Commuter
Express service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.Q.
SB 557
Hill D
High-speed rail.
Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed
rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and
$500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda
of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California
region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on T. & H.
SB 731
Steinberg D
Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable
communities strategy.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA
to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill
development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a
threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
Utilities Department
Bill Summary Latest Action
AB 7
Wieckowski D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic
fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and
include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed by
potential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill
would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic
Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water
Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and
regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/14/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 29
Williams D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in
coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President
of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California
State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community
Colleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of
California, the California State University, and the California Community
Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy
demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 39
Skinner D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other
financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school
providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the
purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand
and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy
Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions
for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with
the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related
provisions.
2/28/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 114
Salas D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds made
available from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and
workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, or
other financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development
programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The bill
would require the California Conservation Corps, certified community
conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development
programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who
reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a
higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill
would make legislative findings and declarations.
2/28/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on NAT.
RES. and U. & C.
AB 122
Rendon D
Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing.
Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of
2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential
Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for
proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and
operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing the
issuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible
nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their
properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on B. & F.
AB 142
Perea D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends
moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide
information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the total
amount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of
the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on W.,P. &
W.
AB 145
Perea D
State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water.
Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various
duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health
by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on W.,P. &
W. and E.S. & T.M.
AB 288
Levine D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at
least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the
State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of
intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also
prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by
the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district
deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10
working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
2/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 416
Gordon D
State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program.
Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require
money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance
to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in
the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the
Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified .
3/21/2013:
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 613
Hueso D
Water: water reclamation.
The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using
recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been
called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical,
nonsubstantive changes to the provision.
2/21/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee March
23.
AB 669
Stone D
Oil and gas: drilling.
Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof
to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality
control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposal
for the well.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 719
Hernández,
Roger D
Energy: energy efficiency.
Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's
energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-
efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,
at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the
electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate of
an adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or
county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the
intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing
collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not
result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C.
AB 982
Williams D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of
intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur
to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the
supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which
would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality,
and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require
any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of
water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced
wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations.
3/7/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 1014
Williams D
Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation
Program.
Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation
program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation
(participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy
facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to
offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with
specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1251
Gorell R
Water quality: stormwater.
Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a
stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related
activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The
bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill
contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.S. & T.M.
AB 1259
Olsen R
Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies,
and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36
months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not
more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its
zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This
bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the
above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an
undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on
substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on W.,P. & W.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
W.,P. & W. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1295
Hernández,
Roger D
Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option.
Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric
utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or
allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the
community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the
payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility
due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill
credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 1 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's
homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact
local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains
other related provisions.
3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23.
Public Works Department
Bill Summary Latest Action
SB 7
Steinberg D
Public works: charter cities.
Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or
financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter
provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with
prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would,
except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state
funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar
years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract
without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions.
This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of
charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance
for their construction projects.
3/22/2013:
Set for hearing
April 8.
SB 525
Galgiani D
California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions.
Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental
Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of
passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in
use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This
bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail
Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing
tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances
located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont Commuter
Express service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.Q.
SB 557
Hill D
High-speed rail.
Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed
rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and
$500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda
of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California
region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on T. & H.
SB 731
Steinberg D
Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable
communities strategy.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA
to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill
development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a
threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
Utilities Department
Bill Summary Latest Action
AB 7
Wieckowski D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic
fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and
include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed by
potential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill
would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic
Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water
Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and
regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/14/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 29
Williams D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in
coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President
of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California
State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community
Colleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of
California, the California State University, and the California Community
Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy
demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 39
Skinner D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other
financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school
providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the
purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand
and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy
Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions
for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with
the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related
provisions.
2/28/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 114
Salas D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds made
available from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and
workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, or
other financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development
programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The bill
would require the California Conservation Corps, certified community
conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development
programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who
reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a
higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill
would make legislative findings and declarations.
2/28/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on NAT.
RES. and U. & C.
AB 122
Rendon D
Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing.
Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of
2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential
Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for
proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and
operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing the
issuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible
nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their
properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on B. & F.
AB 142
Perea D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends
moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide
information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the total
amount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of
the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on W.,P. &
W.
AB 145
Perea D
State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water.
Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various
duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health
by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on W.,P. &
W. and E.S. & T.M.
AB 288
Levine D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at
least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the
State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of
intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also
prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by
the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district
deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10
working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
2/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 416
Gordon D
State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program.
Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require
money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance
to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in
the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the
Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified .
3/21/2013:
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 613
Hueso D
Water: water reclamation.
The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using
recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been
called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical,
nonsubstantive changes to the provision.
2/21/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee March
23.
AB 669
Stone D
Oil and gas: drilling.
Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof
to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality
control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposal
for the well.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 719
Hernández,
Roger D
Energy: energy efficiency.
Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's
energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-
efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,
at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the
electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate of
an adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or
county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the
intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing
collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not
result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C.
AB 982
Williams D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of
intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur
to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the
supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which
would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality,
and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require
any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of
water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced
wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations.
3/7/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 1014
Williams D
Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation
Program.
Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation
program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation
(participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy
facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to
offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with
specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1251
Gorell R
Water quality: stormwater.
Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a
stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related
activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The
bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill
contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.S. & T.M.
AB 1259
Olsen R
Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies,
and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36
months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not
more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its
zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This
bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the
above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an
undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on
substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on W.,P. & W.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
W.,P. & W. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1295
Hernández,
Roger D
Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option.
Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric
utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or
allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the
community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the
payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility
due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill
credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 2 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and
regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
AB 29
Williams D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in
coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President
of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California
State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community
Colleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of
California, the California State University, and the California Community
Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy
demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 39
Skinner D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other
financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school
providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the
purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand
and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy
Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions
for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with
the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related
provisions.
2/28/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on NAT.
RES.
AB 114
Salas D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds made
available from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and
workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, or
other financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development
programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The bill
would require the California Conservation Corps, certified community
conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development
programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who
reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a
higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill
would make legislative findings and declarations.
2/28/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on NAT.
RES. and U. & C.
AB 122
Rendon D
Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing.
Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of
2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential
Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for
proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and
operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing the
issuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible
nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their
properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on B. & F.
AB 142
Perea D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends
moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide
information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the total
amount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of
the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013:
Re-referred to
Com. on W.,P. &
W.
AB 145
Perea D
State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water.
Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various
duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health
by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on W.,P. &
W. and E.S. & T.M.
AB 288
Levine D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at
least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the
State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of
intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also
prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by
the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district
deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10
working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
2/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 416
Gordon D
State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program.
Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require
money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance
to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in
the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the
Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified .
3/21/2013:
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 613
Hueso D
Water: water reclamation.
The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using
recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been
called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical,
nonsubstantive changes to the provision.
2/21/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee March
23.
AB 669
Stone D
Oil and gas: drilling.
Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof
to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality
control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposal
for the well.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 719
Hernández,
Roger D
Energy: energy efficiency.
Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's
energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-
efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,
at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the
electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate of
an adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or
county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the
intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing
collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not
result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C.
AB 982
Williams D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of
intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur
to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the
supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which
would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality,
and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require
any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of
water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced
wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations.
3/7/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 1014
Williams D
Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation
Program.
Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation
program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation
(participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy
facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to
offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with
specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1251
Gorell R
Water quality: stormwater.
Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a
stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related
activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The
bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill
contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.S. & T.M.
AB 1259
Olsen R
Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies,
and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36
months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not
more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its
zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This
bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the
above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an
undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on
substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on W.,P. & W.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
W.,P. & W. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1295
Hernández,
Roger D
Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option.
Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric
utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or
allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the
community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the
payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility
due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill
credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 3 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 29 Williams D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California CommunityColleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 39 Skinner D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related provisions. 2/28/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 114 Salas D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds madeavailable from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, orother financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The billwould require the California Conservation Corps, certified community conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations. 2/28/2013: Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & C.AB 122 Rendon D Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing. Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of 2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing theissuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.AB 142 Perea D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends
moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide
information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the total
amount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of
the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other
related provisions.
3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on W.,P. & W.
AB 145
Perea D
State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water.
Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various
duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health
by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on W.,P. &
W. and E.S. & T.M.
AB 288
Levine D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at
least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the
State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of
intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also
prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by
the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district
deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10
working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
2/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 416
Gordon D
State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program.
Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require
money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance
to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in
the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the
Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified .
3/21/2013:
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 613
Hueso D
Water: water reclamation.
The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using
recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been
called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical,
nonsubstantive changes to the provision.
2/21/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee March
23.
AB 669
Stone D
Oil and gas: drilling.
Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof
to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality
control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposal
for the well.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 719
Hernández,
Roger D
Energy: energy efficiency.
Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's
energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-
efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,
at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the
electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate of
an adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or
county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the
intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing
collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not
result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/4/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C.
AB 982
Williams D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of
intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur
to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the
supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which
would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality,
and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require
any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of
water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced
wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations.
3/7/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 1014
Williams D
Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation
Program.
Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation
program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation
(participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy
facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to
offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with
specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1251
Gorell R
Water quality: stormwater.
Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a
stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related
activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The
bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill
contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.S. & T.M.
AB 1259
Olsen R
Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies,
and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36
months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not
more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its
zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This
bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the
above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an
undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on
substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on W.,P. & W.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
W.,P. & W. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1295
Hernández,
Roger D
Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option.
Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric
utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or
allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the
community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the
payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility
due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill
credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 4 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 29 Williams D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California CommunityColleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 39 Skinner D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related provisions. 2/28/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 114 Salas D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds madeavailable from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, orother financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The billwould require the California Conservation Corps, certified community conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations. 2/28/2013: Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & C.AB 122 Rendon D Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing. Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of 2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing theissuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.AB 142 Perea D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the totalamount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on W.,P. & W.AB 145 Perea D State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water. Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/31/2013: Referred to Coms. on W.,P. & W. and E.S. & T.M.AB 288 Levine D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 2/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 416 Gordon D State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program. Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified . 3/21/2013: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 613 Hueso D Water: water reclamation. The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the provision. 2/21/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee March23. AB 669 Stone D Oil and gas: drilling. Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposalfor the well. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 719 Hernández, Roger D Energy: energy efficiency. Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate ofan adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the
intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing
collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not
result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C.
AB 982
Williams D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of
intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur
to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the
supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which
would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality,
and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require
any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of
water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced
wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations.
3/7/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
AB 1014
Williams D
Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation
Program.
Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation
program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation
(participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy
facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to
offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with
specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1251
Gorell R
Water quality: stormwater.
Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a
stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related
activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The
bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill
contains other related provisions.
3/11/2013:
Referred to Com.
on E.S. & T.M.
AB 1259
Olsen R
Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies,
and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36
months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not
more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its
zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This
bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the
above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an
undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on
substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on W.,P. & W.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
W.,P. & W. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1295
Hernández,
Roger D
Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option.
Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric
utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or
allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the
community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the
payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility
due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill
credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on U. & C. From
committee chair,
with author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 5 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 29 Williams D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California CommunityColleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 39 Skinner D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related provisions. 2/28/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 114 Salas D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds madeavailable from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, orother financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The billwould require the California Conservation Corps, certified community conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations. 2/28/2013: Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & C.AB 122 Rendon D Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing. Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of 2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing theissuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.AB 142 Perea D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the totalamount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on W.,P. & W.AB 145 Perea D State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water. Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/31/2013: Referred to Coms. on W.,P. & W. and E.S. & T.M.AB 288 Levine D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 2/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 416 Gordon D State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program. Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified . 3/21/2013: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 613 Hueso D Water: water reclamation. The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the provision. 2/21/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee March23. AB 669 Stone D Oil and gas: drilling. Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposalfor the well. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 719 Hernández, Roger D Energy: energy efficiency. Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate ofan adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C.AB 982 Williams D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality, and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations. 3/7/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 1014 Williams D Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation (participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.AB 1251 Gorell R Water quality: stormwater. Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.AB 1259 Olsen R Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies, and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on W.,P. & W. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W.,P. & W. Read second time and amended.AB 1295 Hernández, Roger D Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option. Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities
Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric
utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on
U. & C. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1375
Chau D
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance
mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account.
Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to
annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into
the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds
available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-
described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while
creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3/21/2013:
Referred to Com.
on NAT. RES.
From committee
chair, with
author's
amendments:
Amend, and re-
refer to Com. on
NAT. RES. Read
second time and
amended.
AB 1406
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Energy: renewable energy resources.
Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard
Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annual
procurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy
resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets
and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive
change to the program's legislative findings and declarations.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
AB 1407
Committee on
Utilities and
Commerce
Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement.
Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority
over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires
the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to
establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to
achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive
changes to that provision.
3/14/2013:
From printer.
May be heard in
committee April
13.
SB 4
Pavley D
Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing.
Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid.
The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or
before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific
study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division
of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adopt
rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the
construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition
and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to
perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic
fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would
create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 36
Rubio D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the
amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 39
De León D
Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects.
Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of
2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013:
From committee
with author's
amendments.
Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 6 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 29 Williams D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California CommunityColleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 39 Skinner D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related provisions. 2/28/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 114 Salas D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds madeavailable from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, orother financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The billwould require the California Conservation Corps, certified community conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations. 2/28/2013: Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & C.AB 122 Rendon D Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing. Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of 2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing theissuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.AB 142 Perea D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the totalamount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on W.,P. & W.AB 145 Perea D State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water. Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/31/2013: Referred to Coms. on W.,P. & W. and E.S. & T.M.AB 288 Levine D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 2/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 416 Gordon D State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program. Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified . 3/21/2013: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 613 Hueso D Water: water reclamation. The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the provision. 2/21/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee March23. AB 669 Stone D Oil and gas: drilling. Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposalfor the well. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 719 Hernández, Roger D Energy: energy efficiency. Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate ofan adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C.AB 982 Williams D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality, and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations. 3/7/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 1014 Williams D Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation (participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.AB 1251 Gorell R Water quality: stormwater. Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.AB 1259 Olsen R Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies, and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on W.,P. & W. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W.,P. & W. Read second time and amended.AB 1295 Hernández, Roger D Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option. Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This billcontains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.AB 1375 Chau D California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account. Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 1406 Committee on Utilities and Commerce Energy: renewable energy resources. Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annualprocurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to the program's legislative findings and declarations. 3/14/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee April 13. AB 1407 Committee on Utilities and Commerce Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement. Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision. 3/14/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee April 13. SB 4 Pavley D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adoptrules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing theconstruction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This billcontains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/13/2013: Set for hearing April 9.SB 36 Rubio D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond. 1/10/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. SB 39 De León D Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects. Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a
school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive
basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean
Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions.
3/21/2013: From committee with author's amendments. Read second time
and amended.
Re-referred to
Com. on ED.
SB 40
Pavley D
Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012.
Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water
Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the
purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond.
1/31/2013:
Re-referred to
Coms. on N.R. &
W. and RLS.
SB 42
Wolk D
The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014.
Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act
of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of
bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General
Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply
reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act
to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill
would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and
other current laws.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on N.R. & W.
SB 43
Wolk D
Shared renewable energy self-generation program.
Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation
program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as
defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity
exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as
defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefitting
account. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state the
intent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable
energy self-generation program.
1/10/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 64
Corbett D
Proposition 39: implementation.
Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public
schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities
consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.
1/24/2013:
Referred to Com.
on RLS.
SB 117
Rubio D
Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board.
Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State
Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the
State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes.
1/31/2013:
Referred to
Coms. on HEALTH
and E.Q.
SB 124
Corbett D
Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy.
Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees
of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that a
clean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled
in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in
the best interest of the public agency.
3/12/2013:
Set for hearing
April 2.
SB 395
Jackson D
Hazardous substances: produced water.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating
or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A
violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define
produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during
the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This
bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
3/19/2013:
Set for hearing
April 3.
SB 802
Evans D
Oil and gas: trade secrets.
Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in
the Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in
conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
3/13/2013:
Set for hearing
April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 7 / 8
City of Palo Alto Legislative Bills of Interest 3/25/2013
Total Measures: 41
Total Tracking Forms: 41
Community Services DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 265 Gatto D Local government liability: dog parks. Would provide that a city, county, city and county , or special district that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for any injury or death suffered by any personor pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the dog park. 3/13/2013: Re-referred to Com. on JUD. Planning and Community EnvironmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 5 Ammiano D Homelessness. Would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability. The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services. This bill contains other related provisions and other existinglaws. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on JUD.AB 745 Levine D Land use: housing element. Would authorize a city or county to request the appropriate council of governments to adjust a density to be deemed appropriate if it is inconsistentwith the city's or county's existing density. 3/4/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.AB 1229 Atkins D Land use: zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances regulating zoning within its jurisdiction, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize the legislative body of any city or county to adopt ordinances to establish, as a condition of development, inclusionary housing requirements, as specified, and would declare the intentof the Legislature in adding this provision. The bill would also make a technical, nonsubstantive change. 3/7/2013: Referred to Coms. on H. & C.D. and L. GOV.SB 510 Jackson D Land use: subdivisions: rental mobilehome park conversion. Would provide that the local agency is required to consider the results of the support of residents of the mobilehome park in making its decision to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the map, and that the agency is authorized to disapprove the map if it finds that the results of the survey have not demonstrated the support of at least a majority of the park's homeowners. This bill would provide that local legislative bodies may enact local regulations to implement the survey requirements. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 23. Public Works DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionSB 7 Steinberg D Public works: charter cities. Would prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project if the city has a charter provision or ordinance that authorizes a contractor to not comply with prevailing wage provisions on any public works contract. The bill would, except as specified, prohibit a charter city from receiving or using state funding or financial assistance for a construction project for up to 2 calendar years if the city has, after January 1, 2014, awarded a public works contract without requiring the contractor to comply with prevailing wage provisions. This bill would require the Director of Industrial Relations to maintain a list of charter cities that may receive and use state funding and financial assistance for their construction projects. 3/22/2013: Set for hearing April 8.SB 525 Galgiani D California Environmental Quality Act: exemptions. Current law exempts certain activities from The California Environmental Quality Act CEQA, including a project for the institution or increase of passenger or commuter services on rail or highway rights-of-way already in use, including modernization of existing stations and parking facilities. This bill would provide that a project by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the High-Speed Rail Authority to improve the existing tracks, structure, bridges, signaling systems, and associated appurtenances located on the existing railroad right-of-way used by the Altamont CommuterExpress service qualifies for this exemption from CEQA. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.Q.SB 557 Hill D High-speed rail. Would specify that of the $1,100,000,000 appropriated for early high-speed rail improvement projects in the Budget Act of 2012, $600,000,000 and $500,000,000 shall be allocated solely for purposes of specified memoranda of understanding approved by the High-Speed Rail Authority for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission region and the southern California region, respectively. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on T. & H.SB 731 Steinberg D Environment: California Environmental Quality Act and sustainable communities strategy. Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation revising CEQA to, among other things, provide greater certainty for smart infill development, streamline the law for specified projects, and establish a threshold of significance for specified impacts. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. Utilities DepartmentBillSummary Latest ActionAB 7 Wieckowski D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define, among other things, hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require an operator of a well to record and include all data on hydraulic fracturing treatment, including the risk posed bypotential seismicity, as a part of the history of the drilling of the well. The bill would require DOGGR, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Air Resources Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before January 1, 2014, to adopt rules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing the construction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/14/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 29 Williams D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the California Energy Commission to administer, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the President of the University of California, the Office of the Chancellor of the California State University, and the Office of the Chancellor of the California CommunityColleges, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges for projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 39 Skinner D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to administer grants, loans, or other financial assistance to an eligible institution, defined as a public school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for the purpose of projects that create jobs in California by reducing energy demand and consumption at eligible institutions. This bill would require the Energy Commission to establish a prescribed system to prioritize eligible institutions for these grants, loans, and other financial assistance, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. This bill contains other related provisions. 2/28/2013: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 114 Salas D Proposition 39: implementation. Would require the Employment Development Department, using funds madeavailable from the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for job training and workforce development purposes, to administer grants, no-interest loans, orother financial assistance for allocation to existing workforce development programs for the purposes of creating green energy jobs in California. The billwould require the California Conservation Corps, certified community conservation corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to give higher priority to disadvantaged youth and veterans who reside in an economically disadvantaged community or in a community with a higher unemployment rate than the statewide unemployment rate. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations. 2/28/2013: Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & C.AB 122 Rendon D Energy: energy assessment: nonresidential buildings: financing. Would enact the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Act of 2013 and would require the commission to establish the Nonresidential Building Energy Retrofit Financing Program and to develop a request for proposal for a third-party administrator by July 1, 2014 , to develop and operate the program to provide financial assistance, through authorizing theissuance of, among other things, revenue bonds, to owners of eligible nonresidential buildings for implementing energy improvements for their properties. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.AB 142 Perea D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program. This bill would require a state department that expends moneys in grants or other expenditures from the bond act to provide information to the Treasurer within a specified time period including the totalamount of moneys spent on each project or program, the specific location of the project, and a detailed description of the project. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/20/2013: Re-referred to Com. on W.,P. & W.AB 145 Perea D State Water Resources Control Board: drinking water. Would transfer to the State Water Resources Control Board the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 1/31/2013: Referred to Coms. on W.,P. & W. and E.S. & T.M.AB 288 Levine D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing" and require the operator of a well, at least 30 days prior to any hydraulic fracturing operations, to file with the State Oil and Gas Supervisor or the district deputy a written notice of intention, as specified, to commence hydraulic fracturing. The bill would also prohibit any hydraulic fracturing operations until written approval is given by the supervisor or district deputy and would require the supervisor or district deputy to notify the operator of the approval or denial of the notice within 10working days after the notice is submitted. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 2/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 416 Gordon D State Air Resources Board: Local Emission Reduction Program. Would create the Local Emission Reduction Program and would require money to be available from the General Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of providing grants and other financial assistance to develop and implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in the state. The bill would require the state board, in coordination with the Strategic Growth Council, to administer the program, as specified . 3/21/2013: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 613 Hueso D Water: water reclamation. The Water Recycling Law provides that a person recycling water or using recycled water in violation of specific provisions, after the violation has been called to the attention of that person in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the provision. 2/21/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee March23. AB 669 Stone D Oil and gas: drilling. Would require the well operator prior to drilling operations to submit proof to the State Oil and Gas Supervisor that the applicable regional water quality control board has approved the method and location of wastewater disposalfor the well. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 719 Hernández, Roger D Energy: energy efficiency. Would require an electrical corporation as part of the Public Utilities Act's energy efficiency targets to replace low-efficiency light bulbs with high-efficiency light bulbs in street light poles that the electrical corporation owns,at the same rate as the city, county, or city and county in which any of the electrical corporation' s street light poles are located or at the highest rate ofan adjacent city or county if the street light poles are located in a city or county that does not own any street light poles. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature that this program be funded through existing collection mechanisms, and that the implementation of this program not result in an increase in any amount collected. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/4/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C.AB 982 Williams D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define "hydraulic fracturing." The bill would also require any notice of intent to drill, rework, or deepen a well where hydraulic fracturing will occur to include a groundwater monitoring plan for review and approval by the supervisor and the appropriate regional water quality control board, which would contain specific information relating to groundwater, water quality, and the monitoring of wells and water quality. The bill would further require any notice of intent to provide specific information regarding the amount of water, the source of the water, and the method of disposal of produced wastewater during hydraulic fracturing operations. 3/7/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.AB 1014 Williams D Energy: electrical corporations: Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. Would repeal the local government renewable energy self-generation program and enact the Shared Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program. The program would authorize a retail customer of an electrical corporation (participant) to acquire an interest, as defined, in a shared renewable energy facility, as defined, for the purpose of receiving a bill credit, as defined, to offset all or a portion of the participant's electricity usage, consistent with specified requirements. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.AB 1251 Gorell R Water quality: stormwater. Would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to convene a stormwater task force to review, plan, and coordinate stormwater-related activity to maximize regulatory effectiveness in reducing water pollution. The bill would require the task force to meet on a quarterly basis. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/11/2013: Referred to Com. on E.S. & T.M.AB 1259 Olsen R Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. Current law requires each city and county within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley, within 24 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, to amend its general plan to include specified data, policies, and implementation measures. The city or county is also required, within 36 months of the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, but not more than 12 months after the amendment of its general plan, to amend its zoning ordinance to be consistent with the general plan, as amended. This bill would include, among the findings that exempt a city or county from the above-described prohibition and requirement, a finding that property in an undetermined risk area has met the urban level of flood protection based on substantial evidence in the record. This bill contains other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on W.,P. & W. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W.,P. & W. Read second time and amended.AB 1295 Hernández, Roger D Public utilities: renewable energy: community renewables option. Would require an electrical corporation and a local publicly owned electric utility to include provisions in its tariff and addenda to a standard contract or allow an electrical generation facility, as defined, to participate in the community renewables option that would allow the facility to assign the payment by the electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility due to that facility to a subscribing customer, as defined, in the form of a bill credit. The bill would, on and after January 1, 2016, require the Public Utilities Commission and the governing board of the local publicly owned electric utility to evaluate the demand for the community renewables option. This billcontains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on U. & C. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.AB 1375 Chau D California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: market-based compliance mechanisms: Clean Technology Investment Account. Would create the Clean Technology Investment Account within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and would require the Legislature to annually appropriate money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund into the Clean Technology Investment Account. This bill would make the funds available for the research, development, and deployment of the above-described Global Warming Solutions Act programs and projects while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 3/21/2013: Referred to Com. on NAT. RES. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.AB 1406 Committee on Utilities and Commerce Energy: renewable energy resources. Current law establishes the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, which requires the Public Utilities Commission to implement annualprocurement targets for the procurement of eligible renewable energy resources, as defined, for all retail sellers, as defined, to achieve the targets and goals of the program. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to the program's legislative findings and declarations. 3/14/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee April 13. AB 1407 Committee on Utilities and Commerce Public utilities: resource adequacy requirement. Under current law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. Current law requires the commission, in consultation with the Independent System Operator to establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities to achieve specified objectives. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision. 3/14/2013: From printer. May be heard in committee April 13. SB 4 Pavley D Oil and gas: hydraulic fracturing. Would define the terms hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fracturing fluid. The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, on or before January 1, 2015, to cause to be conducted an independent scientific study on hydraulic fracturing treatments. The bill would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, on or before January 1, 2015, to adoptrules and regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing, including governing theconstruction of wells and well casings and full disclosure of the composition and disposition of hydraulic fracturing. The bill would require the division to perform random periodic spot check investigations during hydraulic fracturing treatments, as specified. Because a violation of this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This billcontains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/13/2013: Set for hearing April 9.SB 36 Rubio D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 for the purpose of reducing the amount of the $11,140,000,000 bond. 1/10/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. SB 39 De León D Energy: school facilities: energy efficiency upgrade projects. Would enact the Clean Energy Employment and Student Advancement Act of2013 and would require the Office of Public School Construction , in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, to establish a school district assistance program to distribute grants, on a competitive basis, for energy efficiency upgrade projects pursuant to the California Clean Energy Jobs Act. This bill contains other related provisions. 3/21/2013: From committee with author's amendments. Read second timeand amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED.SB 40 Pavley D Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012. Would change the name of the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 to the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2014 and declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the act for the purpose of reducing and potentially refocusing the $11,140,000,000 bond. 1/31/2013: Re-referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and RLS.SB 42 Wolk D The California Clean, Secure Water Supply and Delta Recovery Act of 2014. Current law creates the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program. Current law provides for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election. This bill would repeal these provisions. This bill contains other related provisions and other current laws. 1/10/2013: Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.SB 43 Wolk D Shared renewable energy self-generation program. Under existing law, the local government renewable energy self-generation program authorizes a local government, as defined, to receive a bill credit, as defined, to be applied to a designated benefiting account for electricity exported to the electrical grid by an eligible renewable generating facility, as defined, and requires the commission to adopt a rate tariff for the benefittingaccount. This bill would state various findings and declarations, and state theintent of the Legislature to enact legislation, relating to a shared renewable energy self-generation program. 1/10/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. SB 64 Corbett D Proposition 39: implementation. Would state the intent of the Legislature to install clean energy at public schools, universities, and colleges, and at other public buildings and facilities consistent with the California Clean Energy Jobs Act. 1/24/2013: Referred to Com. on RLS. SB 117 Rubio D Drinking water: State Water Resources Control Board. Would transfer the various duties and responsibilities imposed on the State Department of Public Health by the California Safe Drinking Water Act to the State Water Resources Control Board and make conforming changes. 1/31/2013: Referred to Coms. on HEALTHand E.Q.SB 124 Corbett D Public contracts: bid preferences: clean energy. Would authorize a public agency, including, but not limited to, the Trustees of the California State University, to award a contract based on the fact that aclean energy device, technology, or system was manufactured or assembled in the state if the contract is an energy service contract determined to be in the best interest of the public agency. 3/12/2013: Set for hearing April 2.SB 395 Jackson D Hazardous substances: produced water. The Department of Toxic Substances Control is prohibited from duplicating or adopting conflicting regulations for regulated product categories. A violation of the hazardous waste control law is a crime. This bill would define produced water and require its regulation as a hazardous substance during the extraction of oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing operations. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. 3/19/2013: Set for hearing April 3.SB 802 Evans D Oil and gas: trade secrets. Would require the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) inthe Department of Conservation to regulate oil and gas operations in conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. 3/13/2013: Set for hearing April 9.
SB 804
Lara D
Solid waste: energy.
Current law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to submit an annual report
to the Legislature by March 31 of each year regarding awards made pursuant
to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Program.
This bill would require the energy commission to include in the annual report
that is due by March 31, 2015, an analysis of the opportunities for utilizing
waste conversion technologies. This bill contains other related provisions
and other current laws.
3/21/2013:
Set for hearing
April 16.
Page 8 / 8
POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE
DRAFT EXCERPT
Page 1 of 8
Attachment D
Regular Meeting
February 12, 2013
3. Discussion and Review of the Legislative Action Program Manual and
the 2013 Federal and State Legislative Priorities.
Chair Kniss reported she, the Mayor, and Sheila Tucker had discussed the
report from Van Scoyoc Associates. She requested Mr. Young and Mr.
Palmer provide highlights from their report.
Steve Palmer, Van Scoyoc Associates, provided an overview of the federal
legislative process. There was slightly more political comity in Washington
after the Taxpayer Relief Act passed. Federal legislators working together
was a positive sign. The new group of legislators was not as conservative as
the prior group. Many positions in the Cabinet were being replaced. The
President and Republicans indicated they wanted immigration reform, gun
control, and budget reform. The sequence of events around those issues
would frame either constructive legislation or gridlock for the following two
years. Most people in Washington felt sequestration would occur on March
1, 2013. If sequestration occurred, there would be a dramatic cutback in
overall spending. He felt a showdown on spending would occur on the
appropriations bill at the end of March, which could result in a government
shutdown.
Chair Kniss asked about the effect on cities.
Mr. Palmer explained the effect would be a great deal of uncertainty about
whether funding would flow from the federal government. In addition,
furloughed employees would slow the funding stream. At the end of May
2013, the debt limit issue would return. These major fiscal issues would
determine whether or not this Congress worked together.
Council Member Klein expected sequestration to occur on March 1, 2013 and
inquired how sequestration would affect the atmosphere in Washington.
Chair Kniss requested an explanation of sequestration.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Mr. Palmer reported sequestration was a mechanism by which Congress and
the President required $1.2 trillion be saved through either spending cuts or
new revenue, or $109 billion each year for ten years be removed from
federal spending. Prior sequestration measures had been rescinded.
Sequestration would be significantly harmful to people working in the federal
government.
Council Member Klein asked why different amounts were being stated in
sequestration discussions.
Mr. Palmer could not answer that. He guessed the amounts were larger
than necessary to allow for negotiations.
Council Member Price inquired whether sequestration would result in
appropriated funds being held rather than distributed.
Mr. Palmer stated appropriated funds would not be held. Congress had
appropriated funds through March 27, 2013, but had yet to act on funding
beyond March 27. Because the Office of Management and Budget had been
holding funds, budget cuts would come from existing funding and future
funding.
Council Member Price indicated the uncertainty resulted from not knowing
where budget cuts would occur.
Mr. Palmer agreed. The process of sequestration required more budget cuts
on December 31, 2013. Additional uncertainty resulted from not knowing if
the President and Congress would allow a second round of budget cuts or
negotiate a deal. The $109 billion per year budget cuts would shrink over
time because of interest savings. $4 billion would be cut from the budget in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and $8 billion more in FY 2014. Substantial cuts would
occur no matter what.
James Keene, City Manager, inquired about the amount of the federal
budget for FY 2013.
Mr. Palmer believed it was more than $1 trillion.
Thane Young, Van Scoyoc Associates, suggested the budget amount was
$1.2 trillion.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Chair Kniss recalled sequestration concerned a division between military and
human services, and inquired whether that division would continue.
Mr. Palmer explained half of sequestration cuts would come from defense
and half from non-defense domestic programs.
Chair Kniss indicated the non-defense programs would affect human services
and cities and counties. Sequestration would have a chilling effect. She
asked Mr. Palmer and Mr. Young to discuss the services they provided to the
City.
Mr. Young reported they notified the City of federal grant opportunities,
monitored High Speed Rail (HSR), and dealt with flood control improvements
on San Francisquito Creek. They were active in a provision of the
reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program which would have
required all residents to continue paying flood insurance after the flood
protection system was complete. They were able to defeat that provision in
both the House and the Senate.
Council Member Klein felt that was a significant achievement.
Mr. Young noted the City was heavily engaged on that issue.
Council Member Klein inquired about the groups supporting the provision.
Mr. Young indicated supporters were the insurance community and people
concerned that the Flood Insurance Program encouraged development in
flood plain areas. It was a difficult issue, because national organizations did
not have specific policies.
Chair Kniss inquired whether Van Scoyoc Associates represented other cities
on the flood insurance provision.
Mr. Young responded yes.
Mr. Palmer added they had worked on the transportation bill to preserve
funding for bike and pedestrian projects, but were not as successful because
funding was decreased by approximately one half.
Chair Kniss felt there was time to alter that funding because the Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) was for two years.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Mr. Palmer stated they could work with the City to try to restore funding
through coalitions with others. In addition, they worked on the Post Office
acquisition; however, that was placed on hold as the City developed
background information.
Chair Kniss noted the Post Office was a concern for the City and a historical
landmark.
Council Member Klein asked what would happen with the United States
Postal Service (USPS) with respect to the cut backs.
Mr. Young explained the USPS was not a federal agency; it operated on its
own.
Chair Kniss requested an explanation of the USPS's relationship to the
federal government.
Mr. Young knew the USPS was not a federal agency, but was unsure how it
operated. The USPS was insolvent, yet it did not want to sell or modernize
assets.
Chair Kniss inquired whether the USPS received federal funding.
Mr. Young believed it did.
Mr. Palmer explained the USPS reduced services in order to acquire federal
funding.
Mr. Keene reported market forces and funding actuarial costs of pension
plans and benefits were major problems for the USPS.
Council Member Klein stated the USPS could reduce services, because it was
no longer borrowing from the federal government.
Chair Kniss noted Council priorities of the creek, flood insurance, and HSR.
Without earmarks, the City was relegated to applying for grants. She hoped
Van Scoyoc Associates would bring more grant opportunities to the City.
Mr. Palmer explained earmarked funds would still be distributed through
discretionary grants. Federal agencies did solicit grant proposals, and they
spent a fair amount of time working with different departments and agencies
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
to understand what they were looking for. The agencies who characterized
their projects as fulfilling the Administration's goals were more likely to
receive grants. They attempted to help by targeting those grant
opportunities.
Mr. Young wanted to take the unique strengths of Palo Alto to the federal
agencies and look for opportunities to match federal objectives with Palo
Alto's capabilities. Agencies would also direct-fund projects not listed for
solicitation when they knew a community could meet its objectives.
Chair Kniss inquired whether Council Members should meet with agencies to
establish personal relationships.
Mr. Young stated Council Members' presence indicated the community
commitment. That was important.
Council Member Price believed Mr. Young and Mr. Palmer were generally
discussing capital projects and asked if their advising and guidance related
to capital projects.
Mr. Young indicated they advised on every kind of service, not just capital
improvement projects. When grant programs allocated funds based on a
formula, there was little they could do to impact the formula-driven
programs.
Council Member Price felt Palo Alto's demographics worked for and against
the Council depending on the projects. Palo Alto was not a direct service
agency.
Council Member Klein suggested Council Members visit agencies while
attending the National League of Cities meeting in March 2013.
Chair Kniss expressed concern about meeting with agencies during that visit
because so many cities were present in Washington and time was limited.
Mr. Young explained it was difficult to obtain meetings with legislators during
the National League of Cities conference. They would concentrate their
efforts on meeting with federal agencies.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Council Member Klein was far more interested in meeting with agencies than
ceremonial visits to Congressmen. He was also interested in meeting with
Administration officials with regard to technology.
Chair Kniss noted Congresswoman Eshoo had been on the tech committee
for quite some time.
Mr. Palmer clarified she was on the Energy and Commerce Committee which
had a broad range of trade, technology and healthcare issues.
Mr. Young stated the new chairman at the Rail Subcommittee had
jurisdiction over HSR issues and he was from Northern California. It was
important for the City to communicate its interests and concerns about HSR
to him. They wanted to take advantage of that opportunity when Council
Members were in Washington.
Council Member Klein recalled Mayor Espinosa met with him two years ago.
Mr. Palmer explained the rail authorization bill was the only bill the Rail
Subcommittee had to act on this year. The chairman would be in a prime
position to affect HSR policy.
Sheila Tucker, Assistant to the City Manager, suggested a tighter integration
with the Utilities Legislative Program.
Council Member Price inquired whether Van Scoyoc Associates had other
recommendations.
Mr. Palmer reported that Palo Alto's location at the center of Silicon Valley
and high tech growth in the region gave Palo Alto the opportunity to
communicate to the Administration and Congress that this area worked
successfully. They could position the City to highlight the economic success.
Communicating priorities as they developed and changed was important in
finding the best programs for the City. Working together throughout the
year would create new opportunities.
Council Member Price stated Palo Alto was not the only city interested in
pursuing funding opportunities.
Council Member Klein inquired whether Van Scoyoc had some presence in
Sacramento.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Mr. Young reported at one point he did some lobbying at the state level, but
did not do so now.
Council Member Klein asked if they any thoughts on expanding their work
with state lobbyists.
Mr. Palmer explained they had regular conference calls with City Staff and
the HSR state lobbyist to compare notes and suggest complementary
strategies. That had worked very well but it might not work as well on other
issues. Knowing what the City was doing on the state level helped their
work.
Mr. Keene inquired about comprehensive immigration legislation.
Mr. Young stated people in Washington were interested in allowing more
highly skilled, highly educated foreigners to stay in the country. There was
a great deal of sympathy to change the program to encourage more of that.
This was one area where there would be legislation in the current year.
Mr. Palmer indicated Congress supported immigration but the question was
how far Congress would reach beyond the issues of border control and
amnesty.
Chair Kniss inquired whether they could arrange meetings with agencies.
Mr. Palmer said they would provide an itinerary and schedule meetings.
Chair Kniss inquired whether Van Scoyoc Associates would be interested in
participating at meetings through conference calls.
Mr. Young replied yes.
Ms. Tucker noted the other two elements of the Agenda Item were the
Legislative Program Action Manual and the State Legislative Priorities. The
Manual provided the Guiding Principles for legislative advocacy and
management of the program. When issues arose, Staff first determined if
they were a priority or fit within the Guiding Principles. Staff made positive
steps in organizing advocacy efforts. Topics to track closely were pension
reform regulations and interpretations, HSR, California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) reform, and a potential reduction in the two-thirds
requirement for bond measures.
Chair Kniss suggested use of a state lobbyist in the future.
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Policy and Services Committee Regular Meeting
Draft Excerpt 02/12/13
Council Member Price inquired whether Staff had talked with Silicon Valley
Leadership Group to understand its position on CEQA reform.
Chair Kniss asked Council Member Price to explain Silicon Valley Leadership
Group's position on CEQA reform.
Council Member Price understood they were not taking a strong position on
preserving CEQA. They believed CEQA had been misused in many
communities and the original intent of CEQA was being eroded.
Richard Hackmann, Management Specialist, reported there were two camps
on CEQA reform; one for limited changes and the other for significant
changes. It was difficult to track legislation because no drafts had been
issued and all conversations of high level leadership occurred in private.
Staff was monitoring CEQA and would report as soon as draft legislation was
provided.
Council Member Klein did not believe the City had any common ground with
Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
Council Member Price believed it would be good to know the opposing
position in order to strengthen Palo Alto's position.
Council Member Klein felt the situation would be a nightmare if the Governor
gave HSR a blanket exemption from CEQA. This issue was ripe for
unintended consequences.
MOTION: Council Member Price moved, seconded by Council Member Klein
to recommend the City Council approve: 1) the Legislative Program Action
Manual; 2) the 2013 Federal Legislative priorities and review of 2012
activities; and 3) the 2013 State Legislative priorities and review of 2012
activities.
MOTION PASSED: 3-0 Holman absent