August 2024 Newsletter
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits while enjoying the summer season. It has been a productive last couple of months as my fellow State Senators and I worked on the state budget, legislation and continued support for Californians.
My District office team and I have been keeping busy visiting the district’s communities. From supporting local businesses at ribbon cutting ceremonies, to visiting local schools and meeting with city officials on projects to benefit their respective communities and the 30th District as a whole: we are out there and doing our best to serve our constituents.
My Capitol office team and I have been busy working on legislation helping our military veterans; supporting renewable hydrogen, to increasing air quality, as well as strengthening public safety to protect our neighborhoods and business communities. Wherever I can, I will always advocate for the health and safety of our communities.
As always, I stand ready to serve you, and encourage you to contact my offices for assistance or with questions at (562) 406-1001 or visit https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/
God bless,
Chair, Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Chair, Senate Select Committee Hydrogen Energy
2024 Legislative Accomplishments
August starts the homestretch of the legislative session in Sacramento. All remaining bills have to be passed by August 31. Then, the Governor will have until September 30 to make his decision to sign or veto the final bills he receives. As the legislative session wraps up this month, I look forward to sharing all our work here in the State Capitol with you. Below is an update on key legislation I authored as they make their way through the Assembly and ultimately, the Governor’s desk. To learn more about these measures, please contact my Capitol Office at 916-651-4030.
SB 1158 – Air Quality Standards Attainment Program
SB 1158 would extend the time air districts have to disburse Carl Moyer Program funds from four to six years. The Carl Moyer Program is a proven cost-effective clean air program administered by local air districts that provides incentives to private businesses and public agencies to voluntarily clean up older, dirtier vehicle and mobile off-road engines with cleaner-than-required engines, equipment and emission reduction technologies. It is the gold standard of incentive programs in California. However, current global economic trends have amplified the need for the Moyer program to be modernized. By expanding liquidation time, we will ensure that California’s air districts are able to continue successfully implementing this vital program.
SB 1262 – Parole Reform
SB 1262 seeks to make modest changes to California's post release supervision law and prioritizes accountability to prevent repeat offenders from committing crimes while on community supervision. The bill requires the county supervising the release of individuals under Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) to petition the court to revoke, modify, or terminate any person’s post release community supervision after their third violation.
SB 1315 – Local Educational Agencies Report
SB 1315 would require the California Department of Education (CDE) to produce a report on the number of all state reports required of local educational agencies (LEAs). By assessing the number, type and scope of reports, this will help to identify where information could be condensed and where some reports could be eliminated – freeing up more time to provide increased supports for California’s students.
SB 1330 – Water Conservation
SB 1330 seeks to provide flexibility for water suppliers to comply with water conservation mandates, which will reduce costs and provide more time for reaching the urban water use objectives established by the Office of the Legislative Analyst.
SB 1335 – California Cadet Corp
SB 1335 seeks to modernize and reflect current organizational and administrative practices of the CA Cadet Corps. At present, Cadet Corps units are only authorized at schools and colleges; SB 1335 will allow for Cadet Corps units to be established by independent organizations or other governmental entities. Cadet Corps Leaders have had inquiries from such youth organizations as 4-H Clubs, as to sponsoring a Cadet Corps unit.
SB 1336 – Metro Hospital
SB 1336 authorizes the Department of General Services, with the consent of the Department of State Hospitals, to lease to a nonprofit corporation or local government, seven buildings located at Metropolitan State Hospital in the City of Norwalk for the purposes of providing housing to individuals with behavioral health needs and/or behavioral health-related disorders.
SB 1418 – H2 Permitting Update
SB 1418 will bring parity to the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) permitting process by streamlining the administrative approval process for hydrogen fueling stations in the same way that we do for charging stations. Specifically, SB 1418 mandates that cities and counties must adopt an ordinance and checklist that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for hydrogen-fueling stations. This directive is designed to expedite procedures and ensure that citizens have access to clean energy options without unnecessary administrative hurdles.
SB 1465 – Code Enforcement
SB 1465 extends existing inspections and code enforcement for any building used for human habitation to be declared to be a substandard building if it does not meet the habitability standards required by the building code, regardless of the building’s zoning or approved use. California is experiencing a housing shortage of significant proportions, particularly in the affordable housing sector. Individuals and families unable to find affordable housing may reside in buildings that have not been zoned residential. This has highlighted a problem where commercial spaces are being converted to residential use without the knowledge of local officials and without the building being habitable. Despite being rented as housing, many warehouses, factories, and buildings are not in residential zones and have evaded much-needed safety inspections and code enforcement.
I attended various National Night Out events throughout the district to create a stronger bond between law enforcement and the community.
I visited Cerritos College, one of the 30th District’s, institutions of higher learning, and learned about the programs and support systems in place to enhance their students’ educational experience. They included their Veterans Resource Center, Falcon’s Nest and workforce development program.
Congratulations to the San Gabriel Valley COG on the groundbreaking of the Turnbull Canyon Road Grade Separation Project, the final one in their comprehensive program to improve safety, eliminate crossing collisions, reduce traffic congestion and delays, as well as reduce gas emissions from idling vehicles waiting at the railroad crossing. Thank you to all the agencies and community partners that helped make this project a reality.
I had the pleasure of meeting with the board members of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Foundation. The mission of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation is to help strengthen America by preserving the aviation history of the U.S. Marine Corps, honoring the service of its people, and inspiring in all generations an appreciation of America’s freedoms and values. The museum is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.
I hosted a meeting with Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts, where seven cities in District 30 were able to address issues, within their respective communities. Mayors and City Managers from Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, Downey, Norwalk, Montebello, La Mirada and Whittier discussed common challenges facing their cities regarding area freeways and other locations operated by Caltrans. This was the first step to building a stronger relationship between all entities that would benefit all residents in the region.
My staff is available and committed to helping you resolve any issues you have with any state agencies. We will contact a state agency on your behalf to see if we can get your questions answered or matter resolved. You can give us a call at (562) 406-1001.
Sincerely,
Chair, Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Chair, Senate Select Committee Hydrogen Energy
Senator Bob Archuleta currently represents the 30th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and a member of the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, Governmental Organization Committee, Transportation Committee, as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management.
Website of Senator Bob Archuleta: https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/