Existing legislative findings and declarations state that the California Conservation Corps offers California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. Existing law provides that the Legislature reaffirms its intent that the corps mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, and instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a days work for a days wages.

This bill would authorize the California Conservation Corps, until January 1, 2024, to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of certified community conservation corps for a specified type of project or program that is in furtherance of those legislative findings and declarations. The bill would authorize the Director of the California Conservation Corps to establish guidelines for these purposes and would require these contracts to adhere to any established guidelines. The bill would require the California Conservation Corps to file a report on the success of any such program or project with the Legislature before January 1, 2023.

Existing legislative findings and declarations state that the California Conservation Corps offers California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. Existing law provides that the Legislature reaffirms its intent that the corps mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, and instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a days work for a days wages.

This bill would authorize the California Conservation Corps, until January 1, 2024, to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of certified community conservation corps for a specified type of project or program that is in furtherance of those legislative findings and declarations. The bill would authorize the Director of the California Conservation Corps to establish guidelines for these purposes and would require these contracts to adhere to any established guidelines. The bill would require the California Conservation Corps to file a report on the success of any such program or project with the Legislature before January 1, 2023.

Existing legislative findings and declarations state that the California Conservation Corps offers California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. Existing law provides that the Legislature reaffirms its intent that the corps mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, and instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a days work for a days wages.

This bill would authorize the California Conservation Corps to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of certified community conservation corps for a specified type of project or program that is in furtherance of those legislative findings and declarations. The bill would authorize the Director of the California Conservation Corps to establish guidelines for these purposes and would require these contracts to adhere to any established guidelines. The bill would require the California Conservation Corps to file a report on the success of the programs or projects any such program or project with the Legislature before January 1, 2023.

Existing legislative findings and declarations state that the California Conservation Corps offers California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. Existing law provides that the Legislature reaffirms its intent that the corps mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, and instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a days work for a days wages.

This bill would authorize the corps California Conservation Corps to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of certified community conservation corps for a specified type of project or program that is in furtherance of those legislative findings and declarations. The bill would require the California Conservation Corps to file a report on the success of the programs or projects with the Legislature before January 1, 2023.

Existing legislative findings and declarations state that the California Conservation Corps offers California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. Existing law provides that the Legislature reaffirms its intent that the corps mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, and instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a days work for a days wages.

This bill would authorize the corps to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of certified community conservation corps for a project or program that is in furtherance of those legislative findings and declarations.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1928

Author:(McCarty and Eduardo Garcia)

As Amended Ver:August 15, 2018

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: NAT. RES.

SUMMARY: Authorizes, until January 1, 2024, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of Local Conservation Corps (LCC) groups for activities related to a CCC project or program

The Senate amendments authorize the director of the CCC to establish guidelines related to the contracts authorized by the bill. The amendments also require any contracts pursuant to this section to be subject to the director's guidelines, and make a technical change to clarify which projects are subject to the guidelines.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCC in the Natural Resources Agency and requires the CCC to implement and administer the conservation corps program.
2. Directs CCC program activities, including the management of environmentally important lands and water, public works projects, facilitating public use of resources, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire prevention and suppression, energy conservation, and environmental restoration.
3. Requires the Governor to appoint a director, who shall act as the administrative officer of the CCC.
4. Authorizes the CCC to distribute federal funds to other corps programs in the state.
5. Requires the CCC to annually certify all LCCs.
6. Authorizes the director to contract with public or private non-profit entities to provide services for the CCC.
7. Authorizes the director to establish training programs for members of LCCs and contract with the LCC requesting the training.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: The CCC, established by Governor Brown during his first term in 1976, is the oldest and largest state conservation corps program in the country. It is modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps. Although the CCC was originally conceived as a labor source for trail maintenance and restoration, it has since evolved to a workforce development program. Corps members now learn variety skills, such as forestry management, energy auditing and installation, emergency services management, and firefighting. Many corps members also receive their high school diplomas and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service. More than 120,000 young men and women have participated in the CCC, with approximately 3,000 hired each year across the state.

LCCs are non-profit organizations with similar missions to the CCC that operate at the local level. LCCs are required to obtain certification from the CCC to operate. While the CCC is authorized to contract with LCCs to provide training, the CCC does not have the explicit authority to contract with LCCs for other projects or programs. There is substantial potential for LCCs to work with the CCC on contracts including, but not limited to, fire response and prevention, waste management, natural resource management, climate change mitigation, education, and outreach. Statewide, 13 LCCs are currently involved with all of the activities described.

In natural disasters and emergencies, contracts with LCCs have the potential to increase statewide response capacity. During the October 2017 North Bay fires, the Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) was ready and able to help with emergency response efforts. Under typical conditions, the CCNB would work with North Bay counties to authorize their work on emergency assistance, but federal jurisdiction was asserted when FEMA released Fire Management Assistance Declarations on October 9th and a Major Disaster Declaration on October 10th. The CCC had standing approval to assist emergency operations under federal jurisdiction, but the CCNB did not, and was unable to obtain approval due to the overwhelming workload across all involved agencies. This left trained and qualified CCNB corps members unable to help with emergency response efforts. For LCCs to work on emergency response, they must be authorized by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES).

In addition to the emergency response needs outlined above, contracts with LCCs have the potential to expand the reach of climate change-related activities across the state. Since LCCs have infrastructure and training comparable to the CCC, LCCs are able to work on activities related to natural resource and land management, forestry, environmental restoration, recycling, and energy. With climate change impacts expected to increase in coming years, there is a pressing need for workforce development in fields related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Analysis Prepared by: Dylan Chapple / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0004463

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 1928

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 9-0, 6/26/18

AYES: Hertzberg, Stone, Allen, Hueso, Jackson, McGuire, Monning, Stern, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/29/18 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: California Conservation Corps: contracts

SOURCE: California Association of Local Conservation Corps

DIGEST:

This bill authorizes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or group of certified local community conservation corps (LCC) for specified types of projects including emergency response. This bill sunsets on January 1, 2024.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/15/18 authorize the Director of CCC to establish contract guidelines for the purposes of this bill, and then requires that the contract guidelines be followed if a contract is agreed to.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CCC as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency to implement and administer the conservation corps program.
   1. The CCC was established in 1976 to provide workforce development to young women and men 18-25 years old through their participation in programs that include the management of environmentally important lands and waters, public works projects, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire suppression and prevention, and environmental restoration.
2. Defines LCCs as non-profit organizations with a similar mission to the CCC that operate at the local community level.
3. Requires the CCC to annually certify LCCs.
4. Authorizes the CCC to enter into contracts with LCCs to establish training programs for members of the LCCs.

This bill seeks to grant the CCC explicit authority to contract with an individual or group of LCCs for specified types of projects. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the CCC to enter into contract with LCCs for projects consisting of:
   1. Natural resources and land management projects,
   2. Energy and climate programs,
   3. Emergency response services,
   4. Education, programming, and training services, and
   5. Corpsmember services.
2. Authorizes the CCC director to develop contract guidelines and then requires that any contract adhere to the guidelines.
3. Requires the CCC to submit a report to the Legislature on the success of the programs by January 1, 2023.
4. Sunsets on January 1, 2024.

Background

The CCC is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the country. Additionally, there are currently 13 certified LCCs located throughout the state. Corpsmembers learn a variety of skills including forestry management, energy auditing, and firefighting. Many corpsmembers earn their high school diploma and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service.

Both CCC and LCC corpsmembers have a history of contributing to the statewide response to natural disasters and emergencies. Although the CCC has explicit authority to contract with LCCs to provide training programs, it is currently unclear if the CCC also has the authority to contract with LCCs for other projects including emergency response.

Related/Prior Legislation

SB 1181 (Hueso, 2018) authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to enter into agreements directly with LCCs to perform emergency of disaster response services. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2126 (Eggman, 2018) requires the director of the CCC to establish a forestry corps to develop and implement forestry health projects. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/6/18)

California Association of Local Conservation Corps (source)

Civicorps

Conservation Corps of Long Beach

Conservation Corps North Bay

Fresno EOC Conservation Corps

Greater Valley Conservation Corps

Los Angeles Conservation Corps

Orange County Conservation Corps

Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps

San Francisco Conservation Corps

San Jose Conservation Corps

Sequoia Community Corps

Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire

Urban Corps of San Diego County

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/6/18)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The sponsor and supporters of this bill anticipate that granting CCC explicit authority to contract with LCCs will help avoid delays in deploying LCC corpsmembers to help with emergency response efforts.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/29/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kamlager-Dove, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Flora, Harper

Prepared by:

8/18/18 13:59:00

**** END ****

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 1928

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 9-0, 6/26/18

AYES: Hertzberg, Stone, Allen, Hueso, Jackson, McGuire, Monning, Stern, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/29/18 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: California Association of Local Conservation Corps

DIGEST:

This bill authorizes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or group of certified local community conservation corps (LCC) for specified types of projects including emergency response. This bill sunsets on January 1, 2024.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CCC as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency to implement and administer the conservation corps program.
   1. The CCC was established in 1976 to provide workforce development to young women and men 18-25 years old through their participation in programs that include the management of environmentally important lands and waters, public works projects, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire suppression and prevention, and environmental restoration.
2. Defines LCCs as non-profit organizations with a similar mission to the CCC that operate at the local community level.
3. Requires the CCC to annually certify LCCs.
4. Authorizes the CCC to enter into contracts with LCCs to establish training programs for members of the LCCs.

This bill seeks to grant the CCC explicit authority to contract with an individual or group of LCCs for specified types of projects. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the CCC to enter into contract with LCCs for projects consisting of:
   1. Natural resources and land management projects,
   2. Energy and climate programs,
   3. Emergency response services,
   4. Education, programming, and training services, and
   5. Corpsmember services.
2. Requires the CCC to submit a report to the Legislature on the success of the programs by January 1, 2023.
3. Sunsets on January 1, 2024.

Background

The CCC is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the country. Additionally, there are currently 13 certified LCCs located throughout the state. Corpsmembers learn a variety of skills including forestry management, energy auditing, and firefighting. Many corpsmembers earn their high school diploma and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service.

Both CCC and LCC corpsmembers have a history of contributing to the statewide response to natural disasters and emergencies. Although the CCC has explicit authority to contract with LCCs to provide training programs, it is currently unclear if the CCC also has the authority to contract with LCCs for other projects including emergency response.

Related/Prior Legislation

SB 1181 (Hueso, 2018) authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to enter into agreements directly with LCCs to perform emergency of disaster response services. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2126 (Eggman, 2018) requires the director of the CCC to establish a forestry corps to develop and implement forestry health projects. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/6/18)

California Association of Local Conservation Corps (source)

Civicorps

Conservation Corps of Long Beach

Conservation Corps North Bay

Fresno EOC Conservation Corps

Greater Valley Conservation Corps

Los Angeles Conservation Corps

Orange County Conservation Corps

Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps

San Francisco Conservation Corps

San Jose Conservation Corps

Sequoia Community Corps

Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire

Urban Corps of San Diego County

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/6/18)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The sponsor and supporters of this bill anticipate that granting CCC explicit authority to contract with LCCs will help avoid delays in deploying LCC corpsmembers to help with emergency response efforts.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-0, 5/29/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kamlager-Dove, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Flora, Harper

Prepared by:

8/10/18 10:57:18

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Robert Hertzberg, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: AB 1928 Hearing Date: June 26, 2018

Subject: California Conservation Corps: contracts

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

Existing law establishes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency to implement and administer the conservation corps program. The CCC was established in 1976 and is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the country. The CCC provides workforce development to young women and men 18-25 years old through their participation in programs that include the management of environmentally important lands and waters, public works projects, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire suppression and prevention, and environmental restoration. Corpsmembers learn a variety of skills including forestry management, energy auditing, and firefighting. Many corpsmembers earn their high school diploma and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service.

Local Conservation Corps (LCC) are non-profit organizations with a similar mission to the CCC that operate at the local community level. There are currently 13 certified LCC’s located throughout the state.

Existing law requires the CCC to annually certify LCC’s as having met specified criteria such as minimum enrollment numbers. The CCC is authorized to enter into contracts with LCC’s to establish training programs for members of the LCC. The programs are authorized only to the extent that they do not adversely affect the ability of the CCC to maintain 2,000 active corps members.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would authorize the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into contract with certified local community conservation corps for certain types of projects as specified. This bill includes a sunset date of January 1, 2024. This bill requires the CCC to submit a report to the Legislature on the success of the programs by January 1, 2023.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author “The CCC offers a unique opportunity for young people to contribute to their community and learn valuable skills in the process. Many corpsmembers gain skills that are essential when providing relief to communities when disaster strikes. AB 1928 will allow capable corpsmembers to respond quickly when their community needs them.”

Letters of support from the 13 certified LLCs argue that the bill will make it easier for LCC corpsmembers to help with emergency response efforts.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None received

COMMENTS

1. Both CCC and LCC corpsmembers have a history of contributing to the statewide response to natural disasters and emergencies. Although the CCC has explicit authority to contract with LCC’s to provide training programs, it is currently unclear if the CCC also has the authority to contract with LCC’s for other projects including emergency response. The sponsor and supporters of this bill anticipate that granting CCC explicit authority to contract with LCC’s will help avoid delays in deploying LCC corpsmembers to help with emergency response efforts.
2. The additional authorized projects specified in the bill, such as climate programs and natural resources projects, will allow LCC corpsmembers more opportunities to gain experience with a variety of skills.

Recent related legislation

SB 1181 (Hueso, 2018) would authorize the Office of Emergency Services to enter into agreements directly with LCC’s to perform emergency of disaster response services. The bill is currently before the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.

AB 2126 (Eggman, 2018) would require the director of the CCC to establish a forestry corps to develop and implement forestry health projects. The bill is currently before the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

AB 2725 (Acosta, 2018) would have specified that public works projects carried out by the CCC could include the construction of housing. This bill died in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

AB 864 (McCarty, Chapter 659, Statutes of 2017) authorizes the CCC and LCC’s to select applicants for enrollment in a corps program who is on probation, post release community supervision, or mandatory supervision. This bill was chaptered.

SUPPORT

California Association of Local Conservation Corps (sponsor)

Civicorps

Conservation Corps of Long Beach

Conservation Corps North Bay

Fresno EOC Conservation Corps

Greater Valley Conservation Corps

Los Angeles Conservation Corps

Orange County Conservation Corps

Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps

San Francisco Conservation Corps

San Jose Conservation Corps

Sequoia Community Corps

Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire

Urban Corps of San Diego County

OPPOSITION

None Received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1928

Author:(McCarty and Eduardo Garcia)

As Introduced Ver:January 24, 2018

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of Local Conservation Corps (LCC) groups for activities related to a CCC project or program.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCC in the Natural Resources Agency and requires the CCC to implement and administer the conservation corps program.
2. Directs CCC program activities, including the management of environmentally important lands and water, public works projects, facilitating public use of resources, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire prevention and suppression, energy conservation, and environmental restoration.
3. Requires the Governor to appoint a director, who shall act as the administrative officer of the CCC.
4. Authorizes the CCC to distribute federal funds to other corps programs in the state.
5. Requires the CCC to annually certify all LCCs.
6. Authorizes the director to contract with public or private non-profit entities to provide services for the CCC.
7. Authorizes the director to establish training programs for members of LCCs and contract with the LCC requesting the training.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee: Unknown General Fund annual cost pressures in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars. There are currently 14 certified LCCs. If the CCC were to contract with an LCC, the CCC estimates contracts would be in the range of $50,000 to $100,000. If this bill is enacted, there is likely to be increased pressure to contract with LCCs.

COMMENTS: The CCC, established by Governor Brown during his first term in 1976, is the oldest and largest state conservation corps program in the country. It is modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps. Although the CCC was originally conceived as a labor source for trail maintenance and restoration, it has since evolved to a workforce development program. Corps members now learn variety skills, such as forestry management, energy auditing and installation, emergency services management, and firefighting. Many corps members also receive their high school diplomas and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service. More than 120,000 young men and women have participated in the CCC, with approximately 3,000 hired each year across the state.

LCCs are non-profit organizations with similar missions to the CCC that operate at the local level. LCCs are required to obtain certification from the CCC to operate. While the CCC is authorized to contract with LCCs to provide training, the CCC does not have the explicit authority to contract with LCCs for other projects or programs. There is substantial potential for LCCs to work with the CCC on contracts including, but not limited to, fire response and prevention, waste management, natural resource management, climate change mitigation, education, and outreach. Statewide, 13 LCCs are currently involved with all of the activities described.

In natural disasters and emergencies, contracts with LCCs have the potential to increase statewide response capacity. During the October 2017 North Bay fires, the Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) was ready and able to help with emergency response efforts. Under typical conditions, the CCNB would work with North Bay counties to authorize their work on emergency assistance, but federal jurisdiction was asserted when FEMA released Fire Management Assistance Declarations on October 9th and a Major Disaster Declaration on October 10th. The CCC had standing approval to assist emergency operations under federal jurisdiction, but the CCNB did not, and was unable to obtain approval due to the overwhelming workload across all involved agencies. This left trained and qualified CCNB corps members unable to help with emergency response efforts. For LCCs to work on emergency response, they must be authorized by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES). Related legislation (SB 1181, (Hueso) of the current legislative session) would authorize LCCs to enter into agreements with OES, facilitating their ability to be utilized in emergency response efforts.

In addition to the emergency response needs outlined above, contracts with LCCs have the potential to expand the reach of climate change-related activities across the state. Since LCCs have infrastructure and training comparable to the CCC, LCCs are able to work on activities related to natural resource and land management, forestry, environmental restoration, recycling, and energy. With climate change impacts expected to increase in coming years, there is a pressing need for workforce development in fields related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Analysis Prepared by: Dylan Chapple / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0003117

Date of Hearing: April 18, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1928

Author:(McCarty and Eduardo Garcia) – As Introduced Ver:January 24, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or a collective of Local Conservation Corps (LCC) groups for activities related to a CCC project or program.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown GF annual cost pressures in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There are currently 14 certified LCCs. If the CCC were to contract with an LCC, the CCC estimates contracts would be in the range of $50,000 to $100,000. If this bill is enacted, there is likely to be increased pressure to contract with LCCs.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, “AB 1928 will increase efficiencies to promote CCC and LCC programs along with helping California better respond to natural disasters and fire suppression programs by authorizing the CCC to directly contract with LCCs.”
2. Background. The CCC, established by Governor Brown during his first term in 1976, is the oldest and largest state conservation corps program in the country. It is modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps. Although the CCC was originally conceived as a labor source for trail maintenance and restoration, it has since evolved to a workforce development program.

Corps members now learn a variety of skills, such as forestry management, energy auditing and installation, emergency services management, and firefighting. Many corps members also receive their high school diplomas and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service. More than 120,000 young men and women have participated in the CCC, with approximately 3,000 hired each year across the state.

LCCs are non-profit organizations that operate at the local level with similar missions to the CCC. LCCs are required to obtain certification from the CCC to operate. While the CCC is authorized to contract with LCCs to provide training, the CCC does not have the explicit authority to contract with LCCs for other projects or programs. There is substantial potential for LCCs to work with the CCC on contracts including, but not limited to, fire response and prevention, waste management, natural resource management, climate change mitigation, and education and outreach.

1. Related Legislation. SB 1181 (Hueso) authorizes LCCs to enter into agreements with the Office of Emergency Services (OES). SB 1181 is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 9, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Al Muratsuchi, Acting Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1928 (

Author:McCarty) – As Introduced Ver:January 24, 2018

SUBJECT: California Conservation Corps: contracts

SUMMARY: Authorizes the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to enter into a contract with an individual or collective of Local Conservation Corps (LCC) groups for activities related to a CCC project or program.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCC in the Natural Resources Agency and requires the CCC to implement and administer the conservation corps program.
2. Directs CCC program activities, including the management of environmentally important lands and water, public works projects, facilitating public use of resources, assistance in emergency operations, assistance in fire prevention and suppression, energy conservation, and environmental restoration.
3. Requires the Governor to appoint a director, who shall act as the administrative officer of the CCC.
4. Authorizes the CCC to distribute federal funds to other corps programs in the state.
5. Requires the CCC to annually certify all LCCs.
6. Authorizes the director to contract with public or private non-profit entities to provide services for the CCC.
7. Authorizes the director to establish training programs for members of LCCs and contract with the LCC requesting the training.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement:

AB 1928 will increase efficiencies to promote CCC and LCC programs along with helping California better respond to natural disasters and fire suppression programs by authorizing the CCC to directly contract with LCCs.

This bill will also facilitate efficient agreements between the CCC and the LCCs to provide critical natural disaster relief support and build upon these programs’ successful track records of creating job training opportunities for young people throughout California.

1. CCC Background. The CCC, established by Governor Brown during his first term in 1976, is the oldest and largest state conservation corps program in the country. It is modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps. Although the CCC was originally conceived as a labor source for trail maintenance and restoration, it has since evolved to a workforce development program. Corps members now learn variety skills, such as forestry management, energy auditing and installation, emergency services management, and firefighting. Many corps members also receive their high school diplomas and industry certifications at the conclusion of their service. More than 120,000 young men and women have participated in the CCC, with approximately 3,000 hired each year across the state.
2. LCC Background. LCCs are non-profit organizations with similar missions to the CCC that operate at the local level. LCCs are required to obtain certification from the CCC to operate. While the CCC is authorized to contract with LCCs to provide training, the CCC does not have the explicit authority to contract with LCCs for other projects or programs. There is substantial potential for LCCs to work with the CCC on contracts including, but not limited to, fire response and prevention, waste management, natural resource management, climate change mitigation, education, and outreach. Statewide, 13 LCCs are currently involved with all of the activities described.
3. Emergency Response to North Bay Fires. In natural disasters and emergencies, contracts with LCCs have the potential to increase statewide response capacity. During the October 2017 North Bay fires, the Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) was ready and able to help with emergency response efforts. Under typical conditions, the CCNB would work with North Bay counties to authorize their work on emergency assistance, but federal jurisdiction was asserted when FEMA released Fire Management Assistance Declarations on October 9^th and a Major Disaster Declaration on October 10^th. The CCC had standing approval to assist emergency operations under federal jurisdiction, but the CCNB did not, and was unable to obtain approval due to the overwhelming workload across all involved agencies. This left trained and qualified CCNB corps members unable to help with emergency response efforts.
4. Climate Change Response. In addition to the emergency response needs outlined above, contracts with LCCs have the potential to expand the reach of climate change-related activities across the state. Since LCCs have infrastructure and training comparable to the CCC, LCCs are able to work on activities related to natural resource and land management, forestry, environmental restoration, recycling, and energy. With climate change impacts expected to increase in coming years, there is a pressing need for workforce development in fields related to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
5. Related Legislation. For LCCs to work on emergency response, they must be authorized by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). Related legislation (SB 1181, Hueso, 2018) would authorize LCCs to enter into agreements with OES, facilitating their ability to be utilized in emergency response efforts. This bill is pending hearing in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Association of Local Conservation Corps

Civicorps

Conservation Corps of Long Beach

Conservation Corps North Bay

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

Greater Valley Conservation Corps

Los Angeles Conservation Corps

Orange County Conservation Corps

Sacramento Regional Conversation Corps

San Francisco Conservation Corps

San Jose Conservation Corps

Sequoia Community Corps

Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire

Urban Corps of San Diego County

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Dylan Chapple / NAT. RES. /