Existing law requires the State Oil and Gas Supervisor to supervise the drilling, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of wells so as to prevent damage to life, health, property, and natural resources, damage to underground oil and gas deposits from infiltrating water and other causes, loss of oil, gas, or reservoir of energy, and damage to underground and surface waters suitable for irrigation or domestic purposes by the infiltration of, or the addition of, detrimental substances. Existing law defines "wells" to mean oil or gas wells or other wells related to oil or gas production. Under existing law, a person who fails to comply with the requirements relating to the regulation of wells is guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would, until January 1, 2034, establish the Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program and would authorize the supervisor to authorize the conversion of not more than 1,000 wells for use as gravity-based energy storage wells, as defined, to evaluate their use, including the establishment of appropriate operating conditions and physical parameters to safely generate energy. The bill would require idle wells that are authorized for use as gravity-based energy storage wells to be identified as gravity-based energy storage wells in a plan or updates to the plan required to be filed with the supervisor. The bill would require the mechanical integrity of gravity-based energy storage wells to be assessed by the Geologic Energy Management Division not less than annually. The bill would require an operator of a gravity-based energy storage well, in the event of a loss of mechanical integrity of the well or a leak to the environment, to notify the division, the State Air Resources Board, the appropriate regional water quality control board, and schools and community members within 3,200 feet of the well. The bill would require gravity-based energy storage wells to be continuously monitored for fluid leaks. The bill would specify that the authorization for wells to be used as gravity-based energy storage wells end at the termination of the pilot program. The bill would, by January 1, 2032, require the Secretary for Environmental Protection, in consultation with certain entities, to evaluate the pilot program and make recommendations to the Legislature for a framework to implement an ongoing Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Program to regulate the operation of gravity-based energy storage wells. Because a violation of the requirements of the Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would prohibit the supervisor from authorizing or allowing the use of a well or hydrocarbon reservoir for any purpose other than provided for in law. 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 establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain dental services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services are covered under Medi-Cal for an individual under 21 years of age in accordance with certain federal provisions. Under existing law, for persons 21 years of age or older, laboratory-processed crowns on posterior teeth are a covered benefit when medically necessary to restore a posterior tooth back to normal function based on the criteria specified in the Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria. This bill, The Smile Act, for purposes of the above-described Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns, would remove the condition that the tooth be posterior and would apply the coverage to persons 13 years of age or older. The bill would also add, as a covered Medi-Cal benefit for persons of any age, subject to prior authorization, a dental implant if tooth extraction or removal is medically necessary or if the corresponding tooth is missing. The bill would condition this coverage on there being no other covered functional alternatives for prosthetic replacement to correct the person's dental condition, as specified, on the person being without medical conditions for which dental implant surgery would be contraindicated, on receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and on the availability of federal financial participation. Under the bill, the above-described provisions would not be construed to exclude Medi-Cal coverage for laboratory-processed crowns on teeth or dental implants if otherwise required under EPSDT services.
Existing law requires the Labor Commissioner to issue a civil wage and penalty assessment to a contractor or subcontractor, or both, if, after an investigation, the commissioner determines there has been a violation of the laws regulating public works contracts, including the payment of prevailing wages. Existing law requires the assessment to be served not later than 18 months after the filing of a valid notice of completion in the office of the county recorder in each county in which the public work or some part thereof was performed, or not later than 18 months after acceptance of the public work, whichever occurs last. This bill would extend the above-described time period to 24 months, and would authorize an extension of an additional 18 months for good cause, including ongoing investigation and assessment.
(1) Existing law, the California Building Standards Law, establishes the California Building Standards Commission within the Department of General Services. Existing law requires the commission to approve and adopt building standards and to codify those standards in the California Building Standards Code. Existing law requires the commission to publish the code every 3 years, and, in intervening periods, supplements, as necessary. This bill, to be known as the Neighborhood Restaurant Relief Act, would require the commission, as part of the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code that occurs on or after January 1, 2025, to adopt specified building standards for business establishments, including, among other things, standards authorizing (A) a business establishment that is takeout only to operate without providing customer restrooms; (B) a business establishment with a maximum occupancy of 100 occupants to operate without drinking fountains; and (C) a business establishment to operate cooking equipment, for the purpose of baking, that does not produce cooking odors, smoke, grease, or vapor without installing a Type 1 hood, as described in specified regulations, over the cooking equipment. (2) Existing law, the California Retail Food Code, establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for retail food facilities. Under existing law, local health agencies are primarily responsible for enforcing these standards. Under existing law, a person who violates any provision of the California Retail Food Code is guilty of a misdemeanor, except as otherwise provided. Existing law prohibits a food facility from locating a grease trap or grease interceptor in a food handling area, unless approved by an enforcement agency. Existing law exempts from the prohibition a food facility with an approved grease trap or grease interceptor that was in operation before the effective date of the code. This bill would instead prohibit a food facility from locating a grease trap or grease interceptor in a food preparation area. The bill would additionally exempt an aboveground grease trap installed under a 3-compartment sink, as specified, from this prohibition. Existing law limits the size of a passthrough window service opening to 216 square inches. Existing law authorizes a passthrough window of up to 432 square inches if equipped with an air curtain device. This bill would authorize a passthrough window service opening that is larger than 432 square inches if equipped with both a self-closing device and an air curtain device. Existing law requires a food facility's walls and ceilings to be durable, smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable. Existing law exempts from this requirement walls and ceilings of bar areas in which alcoholic beverages are sold or served directly to the consumers, except wall areas adjacent to bar sinks and areas where food is prepared, among other things. Existing law also exempts from this requirement restrooms that are used exclusively by the consumers, except that the walls and ceilings in the restrooms shall be of a nonabsorbent and washable surface. This bill would instead exempt walls and ceilings of bar areas in which beverages are sold, served, or dispensed directly to the consumers. The bill would also instead exempt restrooms that are used exclusively by employees or consumers. Existing law requires temporary food facilities to be equipped with overhead protection for all food preparation, food storage, and warewashing areas. Existing law requires overhead protection to be made of wood, canvas, or other materials that protect the facility from precipitation, dust, bird and insect droppings, and other contaminants. Existing law exempts from these requirements a temporary food facility that is approved for limited food preparation if flying insects, vermin, birds, and other pests are absent due to the location of the facility or other limiting conditions. This bill would additionally exempt a temporary food facility that is approved for limited food preparation from these requirements if environmental factors that could contaminate the food are absent due to the location of the facility or other limiting conditions. By revising the standards that must be enforced by local health agencies and by expanding the scope of existing crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, among other things, creates the Office of Emergency Services (OES) , which is responsible for the state's emergency and disaster response services, as specified. The OES is under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services. During a state of war emergency, a state of emergency, or a local emergency, existing law requires the director to coordinate the emergency activities of all state agencies in connection with that emergency. This bill would authorize the OES to prioritize funding and technical assistance under specified programs, including, but not limited to, for infrastructure and housing recovery projects, in communities that suffered a loss in population and businesses due to a major federal disaster, state of emergency, or local emergency and have unmet recovery needs as a result of a major federal disaster, state of emergency, or local emergency.
Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing to license and regulate the practice of nursing. The act prohibits a person from engaging in the practice of nursing without an active license but authorizes a student to render nursing services incidental to the student's course of study, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize a student to render nursing services if the student is a resident of the state and enrolled in a prelicensure distance education nursing program based at an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution, as defined, for the purpose of gaining clinical experience in a clinical setting that meets certain criteria, including that the program is accredited by a programmatic accreditation entity recognized by the United States Department of Education and that the program maintains minimum faculty-to-student ratios required of board-approved programs for in-person clinical experiences. The bill would require the student to be supervised in person by a registered nurse licensed by the board while rendering nursing services, as specified, and would require payment to the board of a one-time fee of $100 per student placed in clinical experience in this state. This bill would prohibit a clinical agency or facility from offering nonacute clinical experience placements to an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution if the placements are needed to fulfill the clinical experience requirements of in-state students enrolled in a board-approved nursing program. The bill would require the program to provide initial and subsequent reports to the board, as specified. The bill would require the initial reports to include, among other things, proof of programmatic accreditation and good standing, with an attestation under penalty of perjury that the program will notify the board within 10 days of any changes in status. By expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, this 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (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, and requires the Energy Commission to submit the strategic plan to the Natural Resources Agency and the Legislature on or before June 30, 2023, as specified. Existing law requires 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, as specified. Existing law, the California Infrastructure Planning Act, requires the Governor to annually submit a 5-year infrastructure plan to the Legislature in conjunction with the Governor's Budget. Under existing law, "infrastructure" means real property, including land and improvements to the land, structures and equipment integral to the operation of structures, easements, rights-of-way, and other forms of interest in property, roadways, and water conveyances. This bill would amend the definition of "infrastructure" described above to include port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development, and would require the 5-year infrastructure plan to include, beginning in the 2026–27 fiscal year, an assessment of funding needs for port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development. The bill would require the Governor, in consultation with specified entities, to assess federal, state, and local funding opportunities, including general obligation bonds and funding from the private sector, that can help build port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development.
Existing law requires the Secretary of State to establish a statewide system to facilitate removal of duplicate or prior voter registrations to facilitate the reporting of election results and voter and candidate information and to otherwise administer and enhance election administration. Existing law also requires that certain voter registration information be provided to, among others, any person for election, scholarly, journalistic, or political purposes, or for governmental purposes, as determined by the Secretary of State. This bill would allow the Secretary of State to apply for membership with the Electronic Registration Information Center and, if that application is approved, allow the Secretary of State to execute a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center on behalf of the state. The bill would require the Secretary of State to ensure that any confidential information or data provided by another state remains confidential, and would authorize the Secretary of State to transmit confidential information or data pursuant to that agreement. The bill would prohibit the disclosure of any information or data related to citizenship and certain types of driver's licenses and identification cards, as specified. The bill would also authorize the Secretary of State to adopt regulations necessary to implement these provisions and would require the Secretary of State to receive a certification from the Department of Technology that all proper cybersecurity protections are in place before sending any data or information to the Electronic Registration Information Center.
Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, requires the State Department of Developmental Services to contract with regional centers to provide services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. In order to provide opportunities for children to live with their families, existing law requires the department and regional centers to give a very high priority to the development and expansion of services and supports designed to assist families that are caring for their children at home, including respite for parents, homemaker services, counseling, and mental health services. This bill would require the department to establish a Family Wellness Pilot Program under which regional centers shall provide counseling and peer support group services to families of regional center consumers who are 3 years of age or younger. The bill would require the department to evaluate the program and submit a report on the evaluation to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2029.
(1) The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) , with jurisdiction over all public utilities, and provides for the composition and appointment of the PUC. Existing law prohibits an executive of a public utility from serving as a commissioner on the PUC within 2 years after leaving the employment of the utility. This bill would prohibit a PUC commissioner from being employed by an entity subject to regulation by the PUC for a period of one year after the end of the commissioner's term of office. The bill would prohibit a PUC commissioner from accepting a gift from an entity subject to regulation by the PUC. (2) Existing law establishes within the PUC the independent Public Advocate's Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commission's jurisdiction. Existing law requires the director of the Public Advocate's Office to be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. This bill would prohibit the director of the Public Advocate's Office from being employed by an entity subject to regulation by the PUC for a period of one year after the end of the director's term of office. The bill would prohibit the director from accepting a gift from an entity subject to regulation by the PUC. (3) Existing law authorizes the PUC to fix the rates and charges for every public utility, and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. This bill would, in any instance where the PUC authorizes a forecast for a category of costs in a ratesetting proceeding and authorizes the recording of costs in an existing or new balancing account for potential rate recovery above the authorized forecast, authorize the PUC to further review any costs above the authorized forecast. The bill would require all proposed electrical corporation spending for wildfire mitigation capital costs that are eligible for rate recovery to include a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed expenses and at least one alternative, as specified. (4) Existing law requires the PUC to annually provide the Legislature with an update on the status of its review of public utilities' balancing accounts as part of a specified annual report or by posting it on its internet website, as provided. This bill would require the PUC to include specified information as part of that annual update, including, among other things, the number of balancing accounts that have recorded costs above their forecast by public utility, the number of balancing accounts the PUC has reviewed in the past year, and the dollar amount, by public utility, of costs that have been approved and denied. (5) Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the PUC is a crime. Because certain provisions of this bill would be part of the act and a violation of a PUC action implementing the bill's requirements would be a crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires counsel in juvenile court proceedings to represent the child's interests. Existing law authorizes counsel to introduce and examine their own witnesses, make recommendations to the court about the child's welfare, and participate in the proceedings as necessary to adequately represent the child. This bill would require counsel for a minor or nonminor dependent or their agents to meet regularly with their client, regardless of the age of the client or the client's ability to communicate verbally and to have sufficient personal contact with the minor or nonminor dependent to establish and maintain an adequate and professional attorney-client relationship. Existing law entitles a minor who is the subject of a juvenile court hearing to be present at that hearing. Existing law requires the court to inform the minor, if the minor is present at the hearing, of their right to address the court and participate in the hearing. Existing law requires the court, if the minor is 10 years of age or older and not present at the hearing, to determine whether the minor was properly notified of their right to attend the hearing and inquire whether they were given an opportunity to attend. Existing law requires the court to continue the hearing to allow the minor to be present, if they were not properly notified or if they wished to present, but were not given the opportunity, unless the court finds that it is in the minor's best interest not to continue the hearing. Existing law requires the court to continue the hearing only for the period of time necessary to provide the child notice and secure their presence. This bill would expand the above provisions to include nonminor dependents. The bill would require, if the minor or nonminor dependent participates in the hearing remotely, the court to inform the minor or nonminor dependent that they have the right to be physically present at the hearing. The bill would require, if the minor or nonminor dependant wished to be physically present, for the court to allow the minor or nonminor dependent the opportunity to consult with their counsel. If, after the consultation, counsel requests to continue the hearing to allow the minor or nonminor dependent to be physically present, the bill would require the court to grant the request unless the court finds that the continuance would be contrary to the interest of the minor or nonminor dependent. The bill would require the court to ask a minor or nonminor dependent present at the hearing if they have had an opportunity to consult with their counsel. The bill would authorize a court to continue a hearing to allow counsel a reasonable amount of time to contact a minor or nonminor dependent if the minor or nonminor dependent was not present at the hearing, had not waived their right to be present, or had not had an opportunity to consult with their counsel. The bill would require the court to continue the hearing only for the period of time necessary to provide counsel with a reasonable amount of time to contact the minor or nonminor dependent. The bill would prohibit counsel from waiving the appearance of a client who is 10 years of age or older, unless counsel has received direction from the minor or nonminor dependent. The bill would expand this requirement to a minor under 10 years of age if required by local rule.
Existing law prohibits a person from being tried or adjudged to punishment while that person is mentally incompetent. Existing law, in the case of a defendant charged with a felony, requires that, upon a finding of mental incompetence, the proceedings be suspended until the defendant regains competence. Existing law establishes the process by which, if the mental competency of a defendant is in doubt, the defendant's mental competency is evaluated and the defendant receives treatment with the goal of returning the defendant to competency. Existing law prescribes a program of pretrial diversion for defendants with a diagnosed mental disorder whose disorder was a significant factor in the commission of their offense. Under existing law, persons charged with certain offenses, including murder, rape, sexual abuse of a child, and possession of a weapon of mass destruction, are ineligible for diversion. This bill would authorize the court to extend the duration of diversion for a period not to exceed 4 months based on the recommendation of the defendant's mental health treatment provider in order to continue the defendant's progress in treatment.
