After a flurry of action by California lawmakers in the final weeks of the legislative session, the attention now shifts to Gov. Jerry Brown, who will act on an estimated 640 bills over the next month. The vast majority are authored by Democrats, standard for the overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature.  Below is a list of legislation the association is engaging on that is a waiting action by Governor Brown.

SB 350 (Sen. Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles): By 2030, California would have to increase to 50 percent from one-third the amount of energy it generates from renewable sources and double the energy efficiency of existing buildings.  The association was actively engaged on the bill working for some acceptable language in the bill on the 50% RPS increase and the section on transportation electrification.  Due to overwhelming opposition from the oil industry and agriculture and business groups, and questions about the votes in the Assembly to pass the bill, the bill was stripped of the petroleum reduction section less than a week before the end of session.  With that section removed and strong-arming from the Pro Tem's office on supporters, the bill passed the Assembly with votes to spare, including two from Republicans.  The bill is certain to be signed by the Governor. 

AB 1288 (Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego): Gives the Senate Rules Committee and the speaker of the Assembly one appointment each to the California Air Resources Board.  However, the appointments need to be from the environmental Justice community.  The association has led a coalition of business and ag interest groups in opposition to this legislation. 

AB 1164 (Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles): Cities and counties would not be able to prevent residents from installing drought-friendly landscaping, synthetic grass or artificial turf.  Earlier this month, drought-conscious Brown signed legislation putting a similar restriction on homeowners associations.  This may be a concern to the turf and seed industries but is likely to be signed by the Governor. 

AB 1390 (Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville) and SB 226 (Pavley - Augora Hills) These two bills were amended towards the end of session to be companion bills and joined together to represent a deal that was negotiated between ag interests and the administration.  The legislation establishes special procedures for adjudicating disputes over groundwater extraction rights within the code of civil procedures and then creates a process to integrate those decisions into the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act enacted last year. 

SB 185 (de León): Instructs the California Public Employees' Retirement System and State Teachers' Retirement System to divest from coal companies. Supporters argue that California should not be lending financial support to the coal industry at a time when it is trying to bolster its use of renewable energy, but the CalPERS investment staff has said the bill would diminish their ability to influence how energy companies do business.  The bill was part of the Senate climate package and is likely to be signed. 

SB 406 (Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara):

SB 588 (de León - Los Angeles): Permits the labor commissioner to impose a lien on an employer's property to secure unpaid wages.  This bill passed the legislature with bipartisan votes.

SB 561 (Campos - San Jose) This measure addresses appeals and litigation issues in ag labor disputes.    Specifically the measure requires the ALRB to process into a final board order all decisions concerning make-whole awards, backpay, and other monetary awards to employees within one year and employers appealing the decision must first post a bond in the amount of the entire economic value of the order as determined by the Board.