Sacramento Weekly Update August 4, 2021 - Chemical ...
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Sacramento Weekly Update
August 4, 2021
Important Dates & Deadlines
August 16th Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess
August 27th Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills
August 30th - Sept. 10th Floor session only
Sept. 10th Last day for any bill to be passed
Sept. 14th Recall Election
PPIC: Water Supply, Drought and Wildfire Are Now Top Environmental Concerns
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) recently published the July 2021 edition of its
Californians and The Environment report. Among the key findings, the statewide survey notes
Californians are most likely to say that the state’s top environmental issue today is water
supply and drought. Sixty-three percent say that the supply of water is a big problem in their
region. Additionally, the poll showed that wildfires are also of great concern. Specifically, fifty-
five percent of Californians say the threat of wildfires is a big problem in their part of the state.
When it comes to the nation’s energy supply, an eighty percent of Californians think that
developing alternative energy sources—such as wind, solar, and hydrogen—should be
prioritized over expanding exploration and production of oil, coal, and natural gas. Further, the
poll found an overwhelming majority of Californians (72 percent) oppose more oil drilling off the
coast. Sixty three percent are opposed to the expansion of hydraulic fracturing—or “fracking”—
for oil and natural gas. The PPIC notes that views on this issue break along partisan lines: 79
percent of Democrats and 67 percent of independents oppose fracking, while 56 percent of
Republicans support it.
Finally, about six in ten Californians approve of Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of
environmental issues. A similar share approves of President Joe Biden on the environment.
For context, the PPIC poll of 1,569 California residents was taken July 6th through July 14th. It
has a 3.4 percent margin of error.
For more the PPIC survey please see https://www.ppic.org/publication/ppic-statewide-survey-
californians-and-the-environment-july-2021/.
As COVID-19 Cases Increase, CDPH Recommends Masking Indoors
A little over a month ago, California moved ‘Beyond the Blueprint’ to fully reopen the
economy. This marked the end many pandemic-era restrictions such as masking for
vaccinated individuals, physical distancing, and capacity restrictions in many settings.
However, health officials have recently been expressing concerns regarding the highly
transmissible Delta variant. On July 28th, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
announced updating its Guidance for Face Coverings, recommending mask use for indoor
public settings, regardless of vaccination status.
1This move comes in part as a response to the new CDC guidance which added a
recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas
of substantial or high transmission. Under the CDC’s new guidance, more than 90 percent of
California’s population is currently in areas designated as substantial or high transmission.
Notably, local jurisdictions are going a step further and reinstating their indoor mask mandates.
Los Angeles County reinstated its mask mandate for all as of July 17th. According to the Los
Angeles County Public Health website, “Given the sustained and substantial community
transmission of COVID-19 and the increasing presence of the more easily spread Delta variant
of the COVID-19 virus, masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status, is essential to
slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.” Since then, the counties of Yolo,
Sacramento, and several Bay Area Counties have also issued similar health orders requiring
masks indoors.
As of August 2nd, the CDPH’s most recent statistics on COVID-19 show, California has
3,873,771 confirmed cases to date. The 7-day positivity rate is 6.7 percent compared to the
0.7 percent that was announced on June 15th. This is the highest positivity rate since
February.
For more information, please see https://covid19.ca.gov/.
Covered California Health Insurance Premiums to Increase 1.8 Percent in 2022
On July 28th, Covered California announced its plans and rates for the 2022 coverage year,
which includes “a full year of lower premiums under the federal American Rescue Plan.” In a
press release, Covered California reported record enrollment figures, along with an average
premium increase of 1.8 percent next year. Additionally, it was reported Covered California
will have 12 carriers providing coverage across the state, and all Californians will have two or
more choices.
Specifically, exchange officials contend that the expanded financial help under the American
Rescue Plan has led to a record 1.6 million people enrolled in Covered California. This, they
say, contributes to California having one of the healthiest consumer pools in the nation,
resulting in a low-rate change for a third straight year. For context, the average rate change for
the past three years is 1.1 percent.
“The American Rescue Plan will keep making a huge difference by lowering costs for many
who were previously eligible, and by building on California’s state subsidies to provide financial
help to lower premiums for many middle-income Californians for the first time,” said Peter V.
Lee, executive director of Covered California. “By getting more people insured and lowering
the costs of coverage, we are creating a virtuous cycle of more people being insured, healthier
consumers and lower rates for everyone.”
The rates were filed with California’s regulators, the Department of Managed Health Care and
the Department of Insurance, and are subject to their final reviews. It has been reported that
this is expected to take about 60 days.
2For more information, please see https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-
releases/2021/07/28/covered-california-announces-2022-plans-full-year-of-american-rescue-
plan-benefits-more-consumer-choice-and-low-rate-change/.
Newsom Issues Emergency Proclamation to Boost Electrical Supply
Last week, on July 30th. Governor Gavin Newsom signed an eleven page Emergency
Proclamation that seeks to expedite clean energy production and reduce stress on the state’s
electric grid this summer.
As noted in the Governor’s office press release, the proclamation suspends certain permitting
requirements to allow greater energy production and creates incentives so that large energy
users can move to back-up power generation. Notably, as part of this, the proclamation
authorizes a temporary program that will pay large energy users to reduce their electricity
demand when an extreme heat event, a sudden and severe reduction in transmission capacity
(including reductions due to wildfire), or both, are projected to result in acute energy shortages.
The directive authorizes payments of up to $2 per kilowatt-hour. The program will remain in
place through October 31st.
It has been acknowledged that when large energy users shift to backup power because of
strain on the grid, some of them will turn to generators powered by fossil fuels. This being the
case, the proclamation also provides for mitigation to offset impacts from any additional
emissions.
Further, the proclamation includes actions to accelerate the state’s transition to clean electricity
by streamlining permitting and other processes to bring new resources on-line as fast as
possible this summer and by next summer, particularly battery storage projects to capture
abundant renewable generation available during the day.
For more information, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/07/30/governor-newsom-signs-emergency-
proclamation-to-expedite-clean-energy-projects-and-relieve-demand-on-the-electrical-grid-
during-extreme-weather-events-this-summer-as-climate-crisis-threatens-western-s/.
New Study Finds Rideshare Companies Help Reduce Traffic Fatalities
According to a new analysis from University of California, Berkeley, researchers Michael
Anderson and Lucas Davis, ridesharing apps help reduce traffic accidents. In a recently
published National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper, the researchers
state that that ridesharing has decreased US alcohol-related traffic fatalities by 6.1 percent and
reduced total US traffic fatalities by 4.0 percent.
This research means that ridesharing apps have likely saved hundreds of lives and the "annual
life-saving benefits range from $2.3 to $5.4 billion." The researchers used data from two
sources: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis
Reporting System (FARS) and rideshare activity from Uber for their findings.
For more information, please see https://www.nber.org/papers/w29071.
3State Employees and Health Care Workers Must Show Vaccination Proof or Get Tested
On Monday, July 26th, Governor Gavin Newsom stated that California is implementing a “first-
in-the-nation standard” to require all state workers and workers in health care and high-risk
congregate settings to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per
week. As noted in the Governor’s office press release, “The new policy for state workers will
take effect August 2nd and testing will be phased in over the next few weeks. The new policy
for health care workers and congregate facilities will take effect on August 9th, and health care
facilities will have until August 23rd to come into full compliance.”
As part of this effort, Newsom also encouraged all local government and other employers to
adopt a similar protocol. Notably, the cities of Pasadena and San Francisco had already
announced a vaccine requirement for their employees. Similarly, on July 15th, the University of
California system announced COVID-19 vaccines will be mandatory for students, faculty, and
staff starting in the fall. On July 27th, the California State University (CSU)
system announced that there is now a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for the fall 2021
term.
Further, it has been reported that President Joe Biden will similarly announce in the coming
days a requirement that all federal employees and contractors be vaccinated or be required to
submit to regular testing and mitigation requirements. Stay tuned…
Bay Area Public Health Officials Urge Employers to Require Vaccines
On July 22nd, the health officers of Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Francisco counties
strongly urged employers to consider requiring their workforce to get vaccinated. This move
comes in response to COVID-19 cases rising and increased circulation of the highly
transmissible Delta variant.
Specifically, in a joint press release, the health officers stated, “Employers can play a critical
role in ensuring a safe workplace environment and boosting vaccination rates among working-
age individuals by requiring vaccination as a condition of employment, with very limited
exceptions for medical exemptions or strongly held religious beliefs.”
Further, they recommended requiring documentation of the vaccination rather than self-
attestation. In making this announcement, they cited that data shows that fully vaccinated
individuals are less likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms than those who are
not inoculated.
For more information, please see https://cchealth.org/press-releases/2021/0722-COVID-Safe-
Workplaces.php.
446 Candidates Qualify for September Recall Election
Last week, the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office released the certified list containing the name,
ballot designation, and political party affiliation of the 46 candidates seeking to replace
Governor Gavin Newsom in the September 14th recall election. Also, the SOS’s
office announced the “outcomes of challenges to ballot designations and inclusion of
candidates on recall ballot.” They are as follows:
• Elder v. Weber and Chu v. Weber: Larry Elder’s petition was granted by the court and
he will appear on the ballot as a replacement candidate.
• In light of [yesterday’s hearing in Elder v. Weber] where the court determined that
Election Code 8902 did not apply to the recall election, the SOS added Joe
Symmon and Kevin Kaul to the certified list of recall candidates.
• Faulconer v. Weber: Kevin Faulconer’s petition to appear as a “retired mayor” was
denied by the court and he will appear on the recall ballot as a “businessman/educator.”
• Paffrath v. Weber: Kevin Paffrath’s petition to appear on the ballot as Kevin “Meet
Kevin” Paffrath was denied by the court. He will appear on the recall ballot as Kevin
Paffrath.
• Furin v. Weber: The case was resolved without a hearing. Rhonda Furin will appear on
the recall ballot as a replacement candidate.
This updated and finalized list now reflects five more individuals than did the initial Notice to
Candidates released on July 17th. The candidates will appear on the ballot according to the
result of a randomized alphabet drawing conducted by the SOS’s office July 19th. Names of
replacement candidates for Governor rotate by Assembly District, to ensure no candidate is
“top of the ticket” throughout the entire state. The challengers are politicians, media celebrities,
self-funders, activists, and more. CalMatters put together a list with more additional detail.
The recall ballot will have two parts. In the first part, voters will have the option to vote “yes” or
“no” to the question of whether to remove the Governor from office. In the second part, the
voter would have an opportunity to select a replacement candidate. This list of replacement
candidates will appear as choices for the second question. Stay tuned…
For more information on the California Gubernatorial Recall Election, please
see https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/2021-ca-gov-recall.
Berkeley IGS Poll: Voters Split on Recall Election
On Tuesday, July 27th, the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Government Studies
(IGS) released a poll regarding the upcoming recall election. The poll found that the recall may
shape up to be a tight race with 47 percent of likely California voters support recalling
Governor Gavin Newsom, while 50 percent favor his retention.
Specifically, the poll found that the proportion of voters in the overall electorate who favor
recalling Newsom has not changed much over the past year. At present, 36 percent of the
state’s registered voters say that if voting in the recall election they would vote Yes to recall the
5Governor, while 51 percent would vote No to retain him. However, the researchers note the
election will be decided not by the overall electorate, but rather by those who participate. When
this is considered, the outcome becomes much closer. The main factor contributing to these
very different distributions is that, if current levels of interest and voting intentions persist,
turnout is likely to be far higher among Republicans than Democrats and No Party Preference
voters.
The poll is a “wake up call” for Democratic voters, Newsom spokesman Nathan Click said in a
statement. “In a normal election, this Republican recall wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in
Death Valley. Californians don’t want a Republican takeover of our state, but if Democrats
don’t vote, that’s what could happen.” Stay tuned…
For the IGS poll, please see https://escholarship.org/uc/item/27x9k5qt.
DOF: State Revenue $4.783 Billion Ahead of Projections For 2020-21 Fiscal Year
Recently, the Department of Finance (DOF) published its July 2021 Finance Bulletin, which
provides an economic update and cash report. The bulletin noted preliminary General Fund
cash receipts for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year were $4.783 billion above the 2021-22 Budget
Act forecast of $201.775 billion. Cash receipts for the month of June were $4.74 billion above
the 2021-22 Budget Act forecast of $23.109 billion.
The bulletin also included the following findings as part of its Monthly Cash Report:
• Personal income tax cash receipts to the General Fund for the entire 2020-21 fiscal
year were $1.783 billion above forecast. Cash receipts for June were also $1.783 billion
above the month’s forecast of $15.312 billion.
• Sales and use tax cash receipts for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year were $626 million
above forecast. Cash receipts for June were $451 million above the month’s forecast of
$2.766 billion.
• Corporation tax cash receipts for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year were $1.31 billion above
forecast. Cash receipts for June were $1.283 billion above the month’s forecast of
$4.287 billion.
• Insurance tax cash receipts for the entire 2020-21 fiscal year were $209 million below
forecast. Insurance tax cash receipts for June were $6 million below the forecast of
$168 million.
• Cash receipts from the alcoholic beverage, tobacco taxes, and pooled money interest
for the entire fiscal year were $25 million above forecast and were $13 million above the
forecast of $43 million for June.
For the DOF finance bulletin, please
see https://dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Economics/Economic_and_Revenue_Updates/documents/2
021/Jul-21.pdf.
6Newsom Defends Record on Crime, Signs Legislation to Combat Retail Theft
One day after high-profile victim advocates gathered with recall supporters to denounce his
public safety policies, Governor Gavin Newsom addressed his record on crime and took action
aimed at stopping retail theft.
Specifically, on July 21st, Newsom convened a roundtable discussion with California Highway
Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Amanda Ray, Big City mayors, and police chiefs from around the
state on local crime trends and efforts to protect public safety. Then, the Governor held a
press conference highlighting the need for greater accountability and enforcement. However,
he was also clear that the state will not return to the get-tough era of a few decades ago.
“We’ve got to hold folks to account but we’ll do it in a thoughtful and judicious way,” Newsom
said. “We’re not going back to the way things were in the ’80s and ’90s, at least not while I’m
here.”
As background, Newsom has generally emphasized criminal justice reform. In 2014, when he
was Lieutenant Governor, he supported Proposition 47 to reclassify certain theft and drug
possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. As Governor, he placed a moratorium on
the death penalty, has planned to close two state prisons, and expedited the release of
incarcerated people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Newsom signed AB 331 by Assemblymember Reginald
Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles). The measure extends the sunset date of the crime
of organized retail theft, as well as the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, to January
1, 2026. Further, in acknowledging recent crime trends showing a surge in homicides over the
past year, Newsom cited the increase in gun sales. For context, data shows that the number
of homicides in California climbed by 31 percent from 2019 to 2020. “We’re up against a gun
epidemic,” he said.
For Governor’s Office press release, please see https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/07/21/governor-
newsom-joins-law-enforcement-leaders-and-big-13-mayors-to-discuss-state-efforts-to-reduce-
crime-signs-legislation-targeting-organized-retail-theft/.
PG&E Moves to Underground 10,000 Miles of Power Lines
Currently, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) maintains more than 25,000 miles of
overhead distribution power lines in the highest fire-threat areas. Last week, the utility
announced an initiative to expand the undergrounding of electric distribution power lines in
High Fire Threat Districts (HFTD). Specifically, the new infrastructure safety initiative will be a
multi-year effort to underground approximately 10,000 miles of power lines. According to
PG&E’s press release, this represents the largest commitment in the U.S. to harden the
system and mitigate wildfire risk.
It has been reported that this project could cost tens of billions of dollars to carry out. PG&E
Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe said that the utility sees “a potential range of $15 to $20
billion as a starting point."
7Notably, PG&E made this announcement a day after the utility said in the report submitted to
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that its equipment may have sparked the
Dixie Fire burning in Butte and Plumas counties. The fire has already scorched more than
200,000 acres. As of July 27th, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL
FIRE) was reporting it is just 23 percent contained.
For the PG&E press release, please see here.
California’s Film Tax Credit Expanded
On July 21st, at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 144,
a measure co-authored by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge),
Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-
Inglewood). The legislation invests $330 million to expand the state’s Film and Television Tax
Credit Program. Specifically, the expansion includes a $180 million increase over two years
and an additional one-time $150 million incentive to be used over multiple years for the
construction of certified motion picture soundstages – building out studio infrastructure to keep
pace with the growth in production. Also, the bill includes new diversity workplan provisions
and a pilot skills training program.
"Today's investments ensure film and television production will continue to fuel the California
Comeback through thousands of good jobs right here in the Golden State, training
opportunities to increase access, and a focus on fostering diversity and inclusion for a
workforce that better reflects our vibrant communities,” Newsom said.
In a press release, the Governor’s office notes that the Film and Television Tax Credit Program
has provided $335 million to 48 projects since the start of the pandemic. Further, it cites that
twenty-seven television series have relocated to California from other states and nations since
the program’s launch in 2009. However, in 2019, the California Legislative Analyst’s
Office called into question the effectiveness of film production incentives and concluded that
about one-third of the projects receiving a credit probably would have been made here whether
or not they received the subsidy.
For Governor’s Office press release, please see https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/07/21/governor-
newsom-signs-legislation-to-bolster-states-film-and-television-industry-creating-good-jobs-and-
promoting-a-diverse-workforce/.
Select Committee on Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention Formed
On July 22nd, Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) announced the new Senate Select Committee on
Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention. According to his press release, the select
committee was formed as “a response to a record number of cyberattacks and threats to our
cybersecurity in recent years, including the nationwide Accellion file transfer appliance data
breach in late 2020, which significantly impacted the University of California
community.” Further, it was noted that this new committee will study and make legislative
recommendations regarding threats, preparedness and emerging technologies associated with
cybersecurity as well as data privacy and protecting Californians from the dangers of identity
theft.
8“Earlier this year, the hackers behind the UC data breach seized the private, sensitive
information of faculty, students, current and former employees and their dependents, retirees,
and many others,” Min, who taught law at UC Irvine before his election to the Senate said. “My
family and I were among those impacted by this particular attack, and like the rest of the
victims, we will have to live the rest of our lives with the threat of identity theft invading our
privacy and financial stability
Senator Min will serve as the Chair of the committee. A full list of Senate membership will be
announced next month, in addition to information about future legislative hearings. Stay
tuned…
Additional Members to CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory Committee Appointed
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced the appointment of ten other
members to the AB 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC). These additional
EJAC members will join the seven new members and four returning members. This brings the
total number of members to 21. As background, on May 20th, CARB delegated to its Executive
Officer the authority to select and appoint additional committee members from
underrepresented areas, including from the Inland Empire, the Bay Area, Sacramento, San
Diego, California Native American Tribes, and Labor.
The EJAC was created under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, (AB 32;
Stats. 2006, chapter 488), to advise the CARB in developing the Scoping Plan and any other
pertinent matter in implementing AB 32. As noted on CARB’s website, the 2022 Scoping Plan
will evaluate progress towards the 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target and lay out a
path to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045.
For more information, please see https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/carb-appoints-additional-
members-environmental-justice-advisory-committee.
Climate Insurance Working Group Releases Report
Last week, the Department of Insurance (DOI) announced that the California Climate
Insurance Working Group released its report titled Protecting Communities, Preserving Nature,
and Building Resiliency; How First-of-Its-Kind Climate Insurance Will Help Combat the Costs of
Wildfires, Extreme Heat, and Floods. As noted in the press release, the report “recommends
policies to the Insurance Commissioner, the Governor’s Administration, the State Legislature,
local governments, businesses, and communities across the state to help close growing
protection gaps between those who are insured and those who are uninsured or underinsured,
including the first ever recommendations dealing with the increasingly dangerous threat of
extreme heat waves.” Specifically, the recommendations fall into the following themes: hazard
mapping and disclosure; land use and building codes; closing the protection gap; nature-based
solutions; innovation with mitigation.
9Notably, among the actions to take, the report states that the Insurance Commissioner should
consider the advantages and disadvantages of the use of catastrophe models in insurance
premiums and rates. Currently, catastrophe models for wildfire are not allowed by the DOI for
projecting future losses in the calculations that govern insurance rates.
As background, the Climate Insurance Working Group was established by Insurance
Commissioner (IC) Ricardo Lara as directed by his enacted Senate Bill 30 (Chapter 614,
Statutes of 2018). The 18 members include IC Lara, environmental advocates, researchers,
and international and U.S.-based insurance leaders.
For Department of Insurance press release, please see http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-
news/0100-press-releases/2021/release075-2021.cfm.
CARB Postpones Board Consideration of Amendments to Chrom Plating ATCM
As you may be aware, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently released for
discussion an initial draft amended regulation that included a phaseout from hexavalent
chromium to less toxic trivalent chromium. While the amendments were originally scheduled
for Board consideration in December 2021, to allow more time for discussion and data
submission, CARB is postponing the Board’s review of the amendments until at least Summer
2022.
For more information, please see Chrome Plating ATCM | California Air Resources Board.
Governor’s Appointments
Craig Scholer, of Watsonville, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs at
the California Environmental Protection Agency. Scholer has been Chief of Staff in the Office
of Assemblymember Mark Stone since 2018, where he served in multiple positions from 2012
to 2018, including Legislative Director and Senior Legislative Aide. He was Campaign Manager
for the Campaign of Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva in 2018. Scholer was an Analyst for
the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in the Office of Supervisor Mark Stone in 2012.
This position does not require Senate confirmation. Scholer is a Democrat.
Mehdi Bettahar, of Moreno Valley, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director for Site
Mitigation at the Department of Toxic Substances Control, where he has served as Exide
Residential Cleanup Branch Chief since 2019 and was Hazardous Substances Engineer and
Project Manager from 2018 to 2019. He was Technical Staff Manager at Parsons Corp from
2004 to 2018, a Researcher at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory – University of California, Riverside
from 2001 to 2004 and Visiting Professor at Nagoya University from 1998 to 2000. Bettahar
was Hazardous Substances Engineer and Project Manager at the Department of Toxic
Substances Control from 1998 to 1999 and held several positions at the Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique from 1994 to 1998, including Doctoral Researcher and Post-Doctoral
Researcher. Bettahar earned Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in
environmental science and engineering from Louis Pasteur University. This position does not
require Senate confirmation. Bettahar is registered without party preference.
10Frances Chacon, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs
at the California Health and Human Services Agency. Chacon has been Deputy Director of
Legislative Affairs for the California Complete Count – Census 2020 since 2019. She was
Legislative Consultant at the Department of General Services from 2016 to 2019, Program
Manager of the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children’s Program at the Department of
Social Services from 2015 to 2016 and Principal Consultant at the Assembly Committee on
Human Services from 2008 to 2012. Chacon was Executive Deputy Director of Legislation and
Public Affairs at the Victim Compensation Board from 2006 to 2007 and Principal Consultant at
the Assembly Transportation Committee from 2004 to 2006 and at the Assembly Committee
on Local Government from 2000 to 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation.
Chacon is registered without party preference.
Sami Gallegos, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for External Affairs at
the California Health and Human Services Agency. Gallegos has been Senior Public
Information Officer for the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Task
Force since 2021. She was Communications Director for Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez
from 2018 to 2021, Direct Mail Manager for the Assembly Democrats in 2018 and 2020 and
Creative Content Producer for the Democratic Office of Communications and Outreach from
2017 to 2018. Gallegos was a Digital Producer for ABC10 from 2015 to 2017 and Reporter and
Social Media Manager for Capitol Weekly from 2013 to 2015. This position does not require
Senate confirmation. Gallegos is a Democrat.
Mindy McIntyre, of Sacramento, has been reappointed Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at
the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), where she has served
since 2016. She was Legislative Consultant for the Office of Senator Lois Wolk from 2009 to
2016. McIntyre was Water Program Manager at the Planning and Conservation League from
2003 to 2009. This position does not require Senate confirmation. McIntyre is a Democrat.
Aracely Campa Ramirez, of Sacramento, has been appointed Senior Deputy Director for
Strategic Program Planning and External Affairs for the Governor’s Office of Business and
Economic Development. Campa Ramirez has been Chief of Staff for California State Senator
Anna Caballero since 2020. She was Capitol Director for California State Senator Ben Hueso
from 2013 to 2020 and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of
General Services from 2011 to 2013. Campa Ramirez was Legislative Director for
Assembymember Nora Campos from 2010 to 2011, Legislative Director for Assemblymember
Anna Caballero from 2007 to 2010 and Legislative Aide for Assemblymember Jose Solorio
from 2006 to 2007. Campa Ramirez earned a Master of Public Administration degree from
California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate
confirmation. Campa Ramirez is a Democrat.
11Heather Purcell, of Washington, D.C., has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications
for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Purcell has been Deputy
Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Office of Congressman Ro Khanna since
2019, where she served as Communications Director from 2017 to 2019 and Press Secretary
and Legislative Aide in 2017. She was a Communications Associate for 270 Strategies from
2015 to 2016, Press Aide for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2015 and
Account Coordinator for Corporate and Public Affairs at LEVICK from 2012 to 2013. This
position does not require Senate confirmation. Purcell is a Democrat.
Lynn von Koch-Liebert, of Carmichael, has been appointed Executive Director of the California
Strategic Growth Council. von Koch-Liebert has been Deputy Secretary of Housing and
Consumer Services at the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency since 2017.
She held multiple positions at DynCorp International LLC, including Vice President of Business
Development Operations in 2016, Vice President of Business Development, DynLogistics from
2014 to 2016, Staff Director, DynLogistics in 2014 and Director of Business and Operations for
the Criminal Justice Program Support Contract from 2013 to 2014. She was a Graduate Fellow
at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell in 2010. von Koch-Liebert
held multiple positions at the United Nations Office for Project Services in Afghanistan, South
Sudan and Jerusalem, including Communications and Reporting Officer from 2006 to 2009.
She earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton University and a Master of
Science degree in international security from Cranfield Defense Academy of the United
Kingdom. This position does not require Senate confirmation. von Koch-Liebert is a Democrat.
Alex Traverso, of Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Director of External Affairs at the
California Department of Housing and Community Development. Traverso has served as
Assistant Chief of Communications at the Bureau of Cannabis Control since 2016. He was
Assistant Deputy Director of Communications at the California Lottery from 2008 to 2016 and
Communications Director at the Office of Assemblymember Lloyd Levine from 2006 to 2008.
He was Deputy Press Secretary for the Office of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez from 2004
to 2006. Traverso was Public Relations Manager at the California Exposition and State Fair
from 2003 to 2004 and Assistant Press Secretary in the Office of Governor Gray Davis from
1999 to 2003. This position does not require Senate confirmation. Traverso is a Democrat.
Nicole D. Thibeau, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy.
Thibeau has been Director of Pharmacy Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center since 2013.
She was Pharmacist in Charge at Target Pharmacy from 2012 to 2013. Thibeau was
Pharmacist in Charge at CVS Pharmacy from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy
degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. Thibeau is a
member of the American Academy of HIV Medicine. This position does not require Senate
confirmation. Thibeau is a Democrat.
12Workshops
CARB Advanced Clean Cars II Workshop
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a virtual workshop on August 11th from 4
to 6 p.m. to receive input on the development of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II)
regulations. The ACC II regulations will seek to reduce criteria and greenhouse gas emissions
from new light- and medium-duty vehicles beyond the 2025 model year and increase the
number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for sale. During the workshop, staff will present an
overview of the ACC II regulatory proposals on the Low-Emission Vehicle (or LEV IV)
Regulation and the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation. Staff will also present updates on
minimum technology requirements for ZEVs and proposed measures to increase access to
ZEVs for our priority communities.
Additionally, during this workshop staff will provide an overview of CARB’s process for
preparing the Environmental Analysis (EA) and its content required under the California
Environmental Quality Act. They welcome public input at the workshop on the appropriate
scope and content of the EA at the beginning of the process, including the reasonably
foreseeable methods of compliance with the proposal, the potential significant adverse impacts
associated with the methods of compliance, potential feasible mitigation measures, and
feasible alternatives to the proposal that could reduce or eliminate any significant adverse
impacts. A draft of the EA will be released for public review and comment in 2022.
Informal written comments will be accepted through September 1st.
For more information, please see Advanced Clean Cars Program | California Air Resources
Board.
Microplastics Webinar
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in conjunction with the Ocean Protection
Council (OPC) and Southern California Coastal Water Research Project will host a webinar on
September 8th from 8 – 10 a.m. to discuss the biological effects of microplastics. As you will
recall, in 2020 these organizations convened a Microplastics Health Effects Workshop to bring
together an international group of experts to identify the primary pathways by which
microplastics affect biota, prioritize microplastics characteristics that are of greatest biological
concern, and identify critical thresholds for each at which those biological effects become
pronounced. The experts investigated the feasibility of developing thresholds for both drinking
water and for organisms exposed in the ambient environment and will discuss their findings
during this webinar.
To register for this webinar, please see
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5NVuNEswS1uaAMgVoFgEpg.
13OEHHA Finalizes Proposed PHGs for PFOA and PFOS
This week, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced
proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) and availability of the draft technical support
document for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in
drinking water. A PHG is the level of a drinking water contaminant at which adverse health
effects are not expected to occur from a lifetime of exposure.
The draft technical support document will be released for public comment July 30th through
September 28th with OEHHA holding a virtual workshop on September 28th. After the public
workshop, OEHHA will submit the draft risk assessment for external scientific peer review.
For more information, please see Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane
Sulfonate (PFOS) in Drinking Water | OEHHA.
Upcoming Legislative Hearings
August 16th SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
9:00 a.m.
August 16th SENATE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS
Floor
August 17th JOINT HEARING ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 4 ON
STATE ADMINISTRATION AND ASSEMBLY INSURANCE AND JOINT
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
SUBJECT: Update on Reform at the Employment Development
Department
10:00 a.m.
August 17th JOINT HEARING SENATE HUMAN SERVICES AND ASSEMBLY
HUMAN SERVICES
OVERSIGHT HEARING
SUBJECT: 2022-23 Community Services Block Grant State Plan
1:30 p.m.
August 17th JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
SUBJECT: Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
1:30 p.m.
August 18th ASSEMBLY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
SUBJECT: California's Active Shooter Response and Recovery Efforts
9:30 a.m.
14August 18th SENATE JOINT HEARING SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PANDEMIC
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EDUCATION
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
SUBJECT: Back in School: Addressing Student Well-Being in the Wake of
COVID-19
9:30 a.m.
August 18th ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 3 ON CLIMATE CRISIS,
RESOURCES, ENERGY, AND TRANSPORTATION
OVERSIGHT HEARING
SUBJECT: Wildfire Prevention and Forest Resiliency
2:00 p.m.
August 18th ASSEMBLY JOINT HEARING JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
AND THE ECONOMY AND SELECT COMMITTEE ON SMALL
BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
SUBJECT: Economic Recovery of Women- and Minority-Owned
Businesses
2:00 p.m.
August 19th SENATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
Upon adjournment of Session
August 20th JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT
HEARING TO CONSIDER NEW AUDIT REQUESTS
10:00 a.m.
(c) 2021 by McHugh Koepke & Associates. Right to re-print and share by permission only.
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