MEETING DATE:
July 13, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
NOTE AND FILE updates to legislation with an official City position.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Good Governance
Relevant Department Goal
Not applicable
Executive Summary
The City Council adopted the 2021 Legislative Platform to guide the consideration of state and federal bills that affect City operations. In keeping with that direction, this report provides updates on California state legislative activity.
Discussion
State Budget Update
While the legislature met its constitution deadline to pass a budget for FY2021-22 by June 15 with the passage of AB 128 on June 14, the process will nevertheless be drawn out. AB 125 contained the compromise between the Assembly and Senate leadership, but was not thoroughly negotiated with the Administration. As of June 28, 2021 the Governor and legislators continued to meet and confer on a second budget bill, known in Sacramento as the Budget Bill Jr., which would make substantial amendments to the budget.
Every year, staff expects numerous budget trailer bills throughout the normal legislative session following the passage of a state budget. However, due to the uncertainties posed by potential additional impacts of COVID-19, extended tax filing deadlines, and pending legislative priorities, staff expects an uncharacteristically high amount of budget trailer bills to emerge in the next one to two months. Member requests for funding are not expected to be taken up until late July or August.
Opening California
On Friday June 11, the Governor, issued Executive Order N-08-21 which provided direction for re-opening for many sectors of the state. One of those sectors is continued flexibility for local agencies in meeting Brown Act requirements during meetings, through September 30. Also of note in the Executive Order is the pushback to September 30th of the expiration of the moratorium on water shutoffs (that was originally contained in Executive Order N-42-20. Of note, what has not changed with this Executive Order is the broader State of Emergency that was issued on March 4th, 2020 that will still remain in place.
Legislation Update
In the State Legislature, June 4 marked the house of origins deadline. Eight bills being tracked by staff were converted to two years that day. These bills are off the table for the remainder of calendar year 2021, but could be reconsidered in 2022. That leaves 28 bills being tracked by staff that are active and could be made into law in 2021. These bills are available for review on the Staff Legislative Update Attachment.
Notably, SB 617, which the city held a position of oppose on, was converted to a two year bill. This bill would have required every city and county to implement online, automated, instantaneous permitting that verified code compliance and instant permit issuance for a solar energy system of specified sizes.
Environmental Review
There is no environmental impact associated with this Report.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impacts associated with budget proposals from the Senate and Assembly are unknown at this juncture.
Attachment(s)
Attachment A: Status and analysis of pending and recently legislation.
Prepared by: Sean Harris, Management Analyst
Approved by: Jack Griffin, City Manager