The Local Agency Public Construction Act governs contracting by the San Joaquin Regional Transit District for the purchase of supplies, equipment, and materials. The act requires the district, when such an expenditure exceeds $50,000, to make that purchase by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder. The act requires the district to publish notice requesting bids at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. This bill would increase that competitive bidding threshold to $75,000 and specify that the contract be let, in the district's discretion, either to the lowest responsible bidder or to a responsible bidder that submits a proposal that provides the best value, as defined, to the district. The bill would also require, for the purchase of supplies, equipment, or materials that exceeds $5,000, but does not exceed $75,000, the district to obtain, to the extent practicable, a minimum of 3 written or oral quotes that permit the district to compare the prices and terms for the purchase. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
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Existing law establishes the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority for purposes of planning, developing, and delivering cost-effective and responsive transit connectivity, between the Bay Area Rapid Transit District's rapid transit system and the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service in the Tri-Valley, as defined, region of California. Existing law gives the authority all of the powers necessary for planning, acquiring, leasing, developing, jointly developing, owning, controlling, using, jointly using, disposing of, designing, procuring, and constructing facilities to achieve transit connectivity, including, among other powers, the power to enter into cooperative or joint development agreements with local governments or private entities necessary to achieve transit connectivity. This bill would require the authority to be considered a rail transit district, thereby exempting the authority from specified provisions related to regulation by counties and cities regarding building, zoning, and related matters.
(1) Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which is administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, regulates the application, issuance, and suspension of alcoholic beverage licenses. Existing law defines a licensed branch office with reference to certain winegrower and brandy manufacturer facilities for which a duplicate license has been issued. Existing law prohibits a winegrower or brandy manufacturer from selling wine or brandy to consumers, or engaging in winetasting activities, at more than one licensed branch premise. Existing law limits the effect of this prohibition in connection with other premises, as specified. Existing law generally provides that a violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act is a misdemeanor. This bill would revise the prohibition described above to allow a winegrower or brandy manufacturer to sell wine or brandy to consumers, or to engage in winetasting activities, at up to 2 licensed branch premises. By broadening the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make technical, clarifying changes. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act also provides for application fees for a new license, not including a duplicate license, and for various annual renewal fees, depending on the type of license, including an annual fee for the renewal of a duplicate winegrower's license. The bill would provide for an application fee of $440 for a duplicate winegrower's license application. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) , with jurisdiction over all public utilities, including electrical corporations. Existing decisions of the PUC institute an Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) to fund renewable energy and research, development, and demonstration programs. Existing law creates in the State Treasury the Electric Program Investment Charge Fund to be administered by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) and requires the PUC to forward to the Energy Commission, at least quarterly, moneys for those EPIC programs the PUC has determined should be administered by the Energy Commission for deposit in the fund. Existing law requires the Energy Commission, in administering moneys in the fund for research, development, and demonstration programs, to develop and implement the EPIC program for the purpose of awarding funds to projects that may lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome barriers that prevent the achievement of the state's statutory energy goals and that may result in a portfolio of projects that are strategically focused and sufficiently narrow to make advancement on the most significant technological challenges. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, requires the Energy Commission to expend certain percentages of the moneys appropriated from the fund for technology demonstration and deployment at sites that benefit certain communities. This bill would require the Energy Commission to consider, in the investment planning process for the EPIC program, funding for eligible biomass conversion to energy projects, as specified. The bill would require the commission, in determining the appropriate amount of EPIC funding for biomass conversion, to consider the recommendations of the State Air Resources Board and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and to coordinate with the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, and the Department of Food and Agriculture about the need for biomass conversion. The bill would also require the Energy Commission to consider opportunities to reduce short-lived climate pollutant emissions, generate carbon negative emissions, reduce wildfire impacts, and increase energy reliability.
The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 established as a policy of the state that eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 100% of retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100% of electricity procured to serve all state agencies by December 31, 2045. The act requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) , State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , and State Air Resources Board to, as part of a public process, issue a joint report to the Legislature by January 1, 2021, and every 4 years thereafter, that includes specified information relating to the implementation of the policy. Existing law requires the PUC and the Energy Commission to undertake various actions in furtherance of meeting the state's clean energy and pollution reduction objectives. This bill would require the Energy Commission, on or before June 1, 2022, to evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible capacity of offshore wind to achieve reliability, ratepayer, employment, and decarbonization benefits and to establish offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045, as specified. The bill would require the Energy Commission, in coordination with specified agencies, to develop a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments installed off the California coast in federal waters, as specified. The bill would require the Energy Commission to submit the strategic plan to the Natural Resources Agency and the Legislature on or before June 30, 2023. The bill would require the Energy Commission, in coordination with specified agencies, to work with stakeholders, state, local, and federal agencies, and the offshore wind energy industry to identify suitable sea space for wind energy areas in federal waters sufficient to accommodate the offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045. The bill would require the Energy Commission, in coordination with relevant state and local agencies, to develop a plan to improve waterfront facilities that could support a range of floating offshore wind energy development activities. The bill would require the Energy Commission, in consultation with the PUC and Independent System Operator, to assess the transmission investments and upgrades necessary to support the offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045, as specified. The bill would require the Energy Commission to develop and produce a permitting roadmap that describes timeframes and milestones for a permitting process for offshore wind energy facilities and associated electricity and transmission infrastructure off the coast of California. The bill would require the information described in this paragraph and potential impacts on coastal resources, fisheries, Native American and Indigenous peoples, and national defense, and strategies for addressing those potential impacts, to be included in the strategic plan, as specified. The bill would require the Energy Commission, on or before December 31, 2022, to submit to the Natural Resources Agency and the relevant fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature a preliminary assessment of the economic benefits of offshore wind as they relate to seaport investments and workforce development needs and standards. The bill would repeal all of these provisions on January 1, 2027.
Existing law, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, prohibits specified entities from intentionally sharing, selling, using for marketing, or otherwise using any medical information, as defined, for any purpose not necessary to provide health care services to a patient, unless a specified exception applies. Existing law, with specified exceptions, prohibits an employer from using, disclosing, or knowingly permitting its employees or agents to use or disclose medical information that the employer possesses pertaining to its employees without the prescribed permission of the patient. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a crime. Existing law, the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act, generally regulates how insurers collect, use, and disclose information gathered in connection with insurance transactions. Existing law specifies the manner in which a health care service plan or health insurer is required to maintain confidentiality of medical information regarding the treatment of an insured, subscriber, or enrollee, including requiring a health care service plan or health insurer to accommodate requests by insureds, subscribers, and enrollees relating to the form and format of communication of confidential medical information in situations involving sensitive services or situations in which disclosure would endanger the individual. This bill, on and after July 1, 2022, would revise and recast these provisions to require the health care service plan or health insurer to accommodate requests for confidential communication of medical information regardless of whether there is a situation involving sensitive services or a situation in which disclosure would endanger the individual. This bill, on and after July 1, 2022, would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer from requiring a protected individual, as defined, to obtain the policyholder, primary subscriber, or other enrollee's authorization to receive sensitive services or to submit a claim for sensitive services if the protected individual has the right to consent to care. The bill would require the health care service plan or health insurer to direct all communications regarding a protected individual's receipt of sensitive services directly to the protected individual, and would prohibit the disclosure of that information to the policyholder, primary subscriber, or any plan enrollees without the authorization of the protected individual, as provided. This bill would require a health care service plan to notify subscribers and enrollees and a health insurer to notify insureds that they may request a confidential communication in a specified format and how to make the request, and would require a health care service plan and health insurer to provide the information in a specified manner, including on the internet website of the health care service plan or health insurer. Because a violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, and because this bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law makes a member of the active militia who, when subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, commits a sexual assault crime, as defined, subject to prosecution by the office of the district attorney or other equivalent civilian prosecutorial authority with appropriate jurisdiction, and authorizes the Military Department or California National Guard to claim jurisdiction only if the district attorney, or other equivalent civilian prosecutorial authority, refuses to pursue a criminal prosecution of that member. Existing law requires a member of the active militia recommended for court-martial, as specified, for a sexual assault offense to be tried by general court-martial. The bill would additionally make a member of the active militia who has been lawfully ordered to any type of state duty and who commits sexual harassment punishable by specified military proceedings or by a court-martial. The bill would also state that these provisions do not preclude any other military or civilian authority from exercising its jurisdiction over any act or omission that violates any local, state, or federal law. Existing law requires the Military Department, on or before July 1 of each year, to report specified information to the Governor, the Legislature, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Attorney General, and the United States Attorney for each district in California, including, among other things, statistical data relating to incidents of sexual assault against service members and plans for the prevention of, and response to, sexual assault involving service members. This bill would require that information to also include statistical data relating to incidents of sexual harassment against service members and plans for the prevention of, and response to, sexual harassment involving service members. The bill would also require the department to make that information available on the department's internet website in the form of aggregated statistical data, as specified. Existing law states that members of the militia in active service shall not be liable civilly or criminally for any act done by them in the performance of their duty. This bill would clarify that this exemption does not apply to any act or acts by members of the militia in the active service of the state done by them outside the performance of their military duty, including, but not limited to, sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health under the direction of the State Public Health Officer, and sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Health Officer, including designation as the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. Existing law authorizes the department to establish and maintain the California Electronic Violent Death Reporting System (CEVDRS) , to collect data on violent deaths from data sources, including, but not limited to, death certificates, law enforcement reports, and coroner or medical examiner reports. Existing law sets forth the duties and authority of a county coroner, and authorizes a county board of supervisors, by ordinance, to abolish the office of coroner and provide instead for the office of medical examiner, to be appointed by the board and to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the coroner. Existing law requires the coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of all violent deaths in the coroner's jurisdiction. This bill would require the department to establish a 3-year pilot program in up to 6 counties that agree to participate, for the identification and collection by coroners and medical examiners of gender identity and sexual orientation in cases of violent death. The bill would require the counties to be trained in the data collection by a public or private agency with expertise in identifying and collecting clinical data pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity, as specified. Following the training, the bill would require a coroner or medical examiner to begin data collection and to aggregate, deidentify, and annually report the data to the board of supervisors and the department. The bill would require the department to include the pilot program data in the CEVDRS. The bill would make its provisions inoperative on the date the State Public Health Officer certifies that the final year of data from the pilot program has been entered in the CEVDRS, and would repeal the provisions on the January 1 following that date.
This measure would proclaim September 20, 2021, as Latino Veterans Day.
Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including federally qualified health center (FQHC) services and rural health clinic (RHC) services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law provides that FQHC and RHC services are to be reimbursed, to the extent that federal financial participation is obtained, to providers on a per-visit basis. "Visit" is defined as a face-to-face encounter between a patient of an FQHC or RHC and specified health care professionals, including a physician and marriage and family therapist. Under existing law, "physician," for these purposes, includes, but is not limited to, a physician and surgeon, an osteopath, and a podiatrist. This bill would authorize reimbursement for a maximum of 2 visits taking place on the same day at a single location if after the first visit the patient suffers illness or injury requiring additional diagnosis or treatment, or if the patient has a medical visit and a mental health visit or a dental visit, as defined. The bill would authorize an FQHC or RHC that currently includes the cost of a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as a single visit for purposes of establishing the FQHC's or RHC's rate to apply for an adjustment to its per-visit rate, and after the department has approved that rate adjustment, to bill a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as separate visits, in accordance with the bill. This bill would also include a licensed acupuncturist within those health professionals covered under the definition of a "visit." The bill would require the department, by July 1, 2022, to submit a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reflect certain changes described in the bill, and to seek necessary federal approvals. The bill would also make conforming and technical changes.