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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM 3.1
TO: Mayor and Town Council December 22, 2020
SUBJECT: December Legislative Report
BACKGROUND
On December 7, the State Assembly and Senate officially convened the 2021 Legislative
Session. The organizational session provided each house with the opportunity to swear
members into office, adopt Rules of the House, and elect Anthony Rendon Assembly
Speaker and Toni Atkins Senate Pro-Tem to their respective houses. On the first day in
session there were 96 Assembly bills introduced and 69 Senate bills introduced.
The Legislature is currently on recess until January 4; however, the Assembly and Senate
continue to work during the recess to finalize Chairs, Vice Chairs, and full membership
of various policy and fiscal committees for the coming year. The Legislature h istorically
introduces over 2,000 bills each year covering a broad range of issues. While the business
of the organizational session is the same, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the
state and will have broad implications on shaping in the new session.
DISCUSSION
In 2021 the State Legislature is expected to continue to intensify their efforts to encourage
housing development and affordability by imposing new requirements on local
governments. The Senate Pro-Tem housing bills are expected to be reintroduced during
the session. The pressure from private coalitions and the State Legislature to usurp local
control will continue to be a theme. The Legislative Committee’s work is essential to
ensure the town is well positioned for advocacy work during the 2021 legislative year.
State
The legislature is expected to place significant focus on bills related to the Covid-19
pandemic including support for small businesses and expanding broadband internet so
people can work and go to school more reliably from home. Several Legislators have
made announcements about specific bills including;
Assemblymember Chiu’s bill to extend the eviction moratorium until the
beginning of 2022. Currently the bill is set to expire on February 1.
Minimum qualifications for peace officers which builds on police reform
legislation. This bill would require an individual to be 25 y ears old , or have a
bachelor’s degree in order to be a law enforcement officer.
December Legislative Update 2 December 22, 2020
The legislature is also likely to place an emphasis on bills related to police reform,
preparing for, and responding to wild fires, affordable housing, homelessness, and issues
related to the State Budget. The Governor will introduce his first budget prop osal for the
year in January.
Federal
Congress continues to negotiate an economic relief package that includes new
unemployment benefits, small business aid and other programs that received broad
bipartisan support. Two of the most divisive issues bein g negotiated are liability
protections for businesses and $160 billion in aid for state and local governments.
Currently, Congress is expected to stay in session until a bi -partisan smaller bill is passed
in both houses.
Tri-Valley Cities Coalition
During the month of November, the Tri-Valley Cities Manager’s met with Senator Glazer
to discuss legislative priorities for next year. The TVC Liaison’s met with staff from
Senator Glazer’s office and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s office. Both the
City Managers and the liaison’s emphasized the need for legislation supporting Covid-
19 recovery. The next Tri-Valley Mayors, Managers and Liaison’s meeting is scheduled
for January 15.
League of California Cities
The League of California adopted the organization’s 2021 strategic advocacy priorities on
December 11. The League identified four priority areas:
1. Secure state and federal funding for local COVID -19 public health response and
economic recovery for all. Secure direct and flexible funding and resources for
cities of all sizes so that they can continue to protect residents from the pandemic,
deliver essential services, support small businesses, and lead the recovery in our
communities. Improve communication and coordination with regional, state, and
federal governments on public health orders and programs to stimulate equitable
economic recovery.
2. Secure funding to increase the supply of affordability of housing and resources
to assist individuals at risk of, or already experiencing, homelessness while
preserving local decision making. Secure additional resources to increase
construction of housing, particularly affordable housing, workforce housing, and
permanent supportive housing, and ensure cities retain flexibility based on the
land use needs of each community. Increase flexibility and resources to provide
navigation assistance and emergency shelters, and strengthen partnerships and
collaboration with stakeholders to ensure mental health, substance abuse
treatment, and wraparound services are available for adults and youth at risk of –
or already experiencing – homelessness in our communities.
December Legislative Update 3 December 22, 2020
3. Improve state-local coordination and planning to strengthen community
disaster preparedness, resiliency, and recovery. Pursue additional resources and
support to mitigate the effects of climate change, sea level rise, catastrophic
wildfires, and flooding in our communities. Promote community disaster
preparedness, resiliency, and recovery in collaboration with the state and federal
governments. Increase availability and access to the National Flood Insurance
Program to include other natural disasters.
4. Protect and modernize critical infrastructure. Seek increased state and federal
resources for critical and sustainable local infrastructure projects including roads,
public transit, active transportation, water availability, and broadband
deployment that enhance workforce and economic development and improve
quality of life.
SB 1383: Lara – Short Lived Climate Pollutants
CalRecycle states that SB 1383 as the most significant waste reduction mandate to be
adopted in California in the last 30 years. SB 1383 requires the state to reduce organic
waste disposal by 75% by 2025 and increase edible food recovery by 20% percent by 2025.
Landfilling organic waste is responsible for 21% of the state’s methane emissions. In 2021
SB 1383 regulations require that jurisdictions conduct education and outreach on organics
recycling to all residents, businesses, haulers, solid waste facilities, local food banks and
other food recovery organizations.
Grants Program
The inaugural year of the grants program was dramatically impacted by the onset of the
Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the grant programs were delayed or eliminated due to state
staffing and funding issues. In light of these challenges the Town still managed to apply
for 12 grants throughout the year. The Town received $505,000 in grant funding through
the SB2, LEAP and Parks Bond Per Capita Program. There are 5 appli cations still pending
totaling $3.7 million.
Prepared by:
Diane Friedmann
Assistant to the Town Manager
Attachments: A - Danville Legislative Framework
B - Executive Summary: State audit of California Housing Agencies