Requires state agencies to, as soon as feasible, but no later than January 1, 2023, stop sending outgoing U.S. mail to an individual that contains the individual’s Social Security number (SSN) unless the number is truncated or required in specified circumstances.
Past Legislative Successes
Leg Year - 2021-2022
Requires the Employment Development Department (EDD) to implement reforms recommended by the California State Auditor (CSA), including providing identity theft monitoring and submitting a corrective action plan until EDD ends its practice of sending out Social Security numbers. Institutes reforms to ensure EDD can handle unemployment claim surges in the future.
Conforms with federal law to exclude from income loans from the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021, for tax purposes. Allows eligible businesses to deduct business expenses that were paid for using forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. Deems ineligible from the business expense deduction publicly traded companies and those that did not meet the 25 percent reduction in gross receipts test required by federal law for second-round PPP loans. Assists taxpayers and furthers the purpose of these federal loans to keep businesses operating during the economic disruption and quarantines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Requires plumbing-related “endpoint devices,” as defined, to produce not more than one microgram of lead according to a specified lead leaching standard, beginning in 2023. Requires such devices to contain corresponding labeling. Creates a lead leaching standard for new plumbing equipment (such as faucets and drinking fountains), up to one year before the industry standard takes effect.
Rescinds an exemption allowing a legally registered off-highway vehicle (OHV) from another state to operate in California without obtaining a nonresident permit, unless that state provides the same exemption for California-registered OHVs. Repeals OHV reciprocity for any state that fails to provide the same reciprocity for California visitors.
AB 239: Winegrowers And Brandy Manufacturers: Exercise Of Privileges: Locations
Allows licensed wineries and brandy manufacturers to refill consumer-provided bottles at their winery and tasting room. Levels the playing field by allowing wineries to refill consumer provided bottles, as is already permitted for breweries.
Makes the illegal dumping of construction materials by a licensed contractor subject to disciplinary action by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Closes a gap in current law which makes the dumping of construction materials unlawful but does not clearly allow for CSLB enforcement against the overseeing contractor.
Expands the ability of persons who claim they only committed crimes because they were victims of human trafficking to have their arrest record sealed and conviction vacated by making the procedures more generous and removing any requirement that they pay fines while the petition is pending. Expands the law enforcement agencies that are required to seal and destroy records if the human trafficking vacatur petition is granted. Allows petitioners to appear by counsel if the petition is unopposed. Makes arrest and conviction record sealing and destruction procedures more generous for petitioners who claim they were victims of human trafficking.
Requires a local health officer (LHO), before overseeing a responsible party’s hazardous waste release remediation investigations and actions done under a “remedial action agreement,” to certify to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the regional water board (RWB) that it has adequate oversight capability. Authorizes DTSC or a RWB to assume oversight duties from the LHO at any point after providing 30 days’ notice, and imposes new certification and reporting requirements on LHOs conducting remediation oversight. Increases the state’s authority to assume hazardous waste remediation in place of local officers.
Updates current law regarding the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson by granting greater independence and improved investigative authority. Updates the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson in order to better protect foster youth.
AB 332: Hazardous Waste: Treated Wood Waste: Management Standards
Codifies regulations (with minor modifications) providing for alternative treatment and disposal standards for treated wood waste (TWW), which lapsed on January 1, 2021, and makes them permanent. Adds annual outreach requirements on the wood preserving industry, based in part on what existed in prior law. Sunsets in 2030 if the state determines it can safely manage TWW without the law. Restores the status quo for TWW handling and recordkeeping rules after the unexpected veto of SB 68 of 2020.
Allows tribal nations in the Sacramento region to plan, construct, and maintain a monument to the California Native people of the region on the grounds of the State Capitol, funded exclusively by private funding. Requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to perform review and oversight duties for the new monument. Repeals the 1965 statute requiring the Department of Finance (DOF) to erect and maintain a monument to Father Junípero Serra on the grounds of the State Capitol.
AB 425: Milk And Other Dairy Products: Dairy Council Of California Law: Producer-Handlers
Revises several provisions of dairy law relative to the state’s milk marketing order and Milk Producers Security Trust Fund that are needed as a result of a recently enacted Federal Milk Marketing Order. Makes statutory changes that seek to provide clarity of the Department of Food and Agriculture’s responsibility of setting milk safety standards, provide consistency of definitions between the federal and state agencies, because of a successful vote by dairy producers to approve a Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) for the entire State of California.
AB 543: Public Postsecondary Education: Student Orientation: CalFresh
Requires each campus of the California Community Colleges (CCC), the Trustees of the California State University (CSU), and requests the Regents of the University of California (UC), to include educational information about CalFresh and eligibility requirements to all incoming students during student orientation. CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low income and provides economic benefits to communities. Attempts to reduce campus hunger among students by informing all students who attend a CCC, CSU, or UC about CalFresh and how to apply if they qualify.
Implements three non-controversial changes including: changing the period of time in which a certified farmers’ market certificate is valid from “12 months” to “up to 12 months;” clarifies that the nine directors of a fair board association shall complete all mandatory forms and training within a specified period of time; and authorizes the California Apple Commission to lower the number of California Apple Commission districts to match the lower number of apple producers in the state. As an Assembly Agriculture Committee bill, puts forth several minor and non-controversial changes in state law.