Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael Callagy, County Manager
Connie Juarez-Diroll, Legislative Officer
Subject: 2021 State and Federal Legislative Update #1
RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept this informational report on the start of the 2021 State legislative session and elements of the recently passed American Rescue Plan of 2021.
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BACKGROUND:
The California State Legislature convened on December 7, 2020 to begin the first year of the 2021-22 legislative cycle. Members introduced a total of 2,531 bills-1,666 in the Assembly and 865 in the Senate.
On March 31, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (H.R. 1319) into law. The $1.9 trillion package, based on President Biden's American Rescue Plan, is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts.
DISCUSSION:
2021 State Legislative Session
The 2021 state legislative session began with legislators and staff conducting legislative proceedings in compliance with public health guidelines. In an effort to accommodate the large number of bills introduced by members under constrained meeting conditions, the Senate and Assembly have eliminated the 30-day-in-print rule to speed up the vetting process and more carefully regulate the usage of "spot" bills.
The main policy priorities for the legislature this year include: 1) responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) increasing the stock of affordable housing units, 3) reducing homelessness, 4) expanding health care coverage, 5) closing the digital divide, 6) reforming law enforcement, and 7) investing in climate resiliency.
Due to the pressing nature of the pandemic, legislative action began with passage of SB 91 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) which extended the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent due to COVID-19 financial hardship, subject to numerous conditions from January 31, 2...
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