|
Amended
IN
Assembly
June 10, 2020 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
June 20, 2019 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
June 11, 2019 |
| Introduced by Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review |
January 10, 2019 |
(1)The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 (AUMA), an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities. MAUCRSA generally divides responsibility for the state licensure and regulation of commercial cannabis activity among the Bureau of Cannabis Control in the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and the State Department of Public Health. MAUCRSA authorizes each of these licensing authorities to
suspend, revoke, place on probation with terms and conditions, or otherwise discipline licenses issued by the licensing authority and fine a licensee, if the licensee is found to have committed any of the acts or omissions constituting grounds for disciplinary action. MAUCRSA makes a person engaging in commercial cannabis activity without a license required by MAUCRSA subject to civil penalties up to 3 times the amount of the license fee for each violation. MAUCRSA requires civil penalties imposed and collected by a licensing authority to be deposited into the General Fund, except as specified.
This bill would authorize a licensing authority to issue a citation to a licensee or unlicensed person for any act or omission that violates or has violated a provision of MAUCRSA or a regulation adopted pursuant to MAUCRSA, as specified. The bill would provide that these sanctions are separate from, and in addition to, all other administrative, civil, or criminal remedies.
The bill would require moneys collected pursuant to this provision associated with the recovery of investigation and enforcement costs to be deposited into the Cannabis Control Fund, and would require an administrative fine amount to be deposited directly into the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account. The bill would require, except as provided, moneys collected pursuant to MAUCRSA as a result of fines or penalties imposed under MAUCRSA to be deposited directly into the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account, and would require these moneys to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(2)MAUCRSA establishes in state government a Cannabis Control Appeals Panel to review specified decisions of licensing authorities appealed by any person aggrieved by those decisions. The Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requires, with specified exceptions for authorized closed sessions, that all meetings of a state body be open and public and all persons be
permitted to attend any meeting of a state body.
This bill would specify that the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel is established in the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. The bill would authorize the panel to hold a closed session for the purpose of holding a deliberative conference, as specified.
(3)MAUCRSA, until January 1, 2019, authorized a state licensing authority to issue a temporary license if specified conditions were met. MAUCRSA, until January 1, 2020, authorizes a licensing authority, in its sole discretion, to issue a provisional license if the applicant holds or held a temporary license for the same premises and the same commercial activity to be authorized by the provisional license, and if the applicant has submitted a completed license application to the licensing authority, including evidence that compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act is underway.
MAUCRSA requires a provisional license to be valid for 12 months from the date it was issued, and prohibits a provisional license from being renewed.
This bill would extend the repeal date for the provisional license provisions to January 1, 2022. The bill would delete the requirement for a provisional license that an applicant holds or held a temporary license. The bill would revise the requirement for a provisional license that the applicant has submitted a completed license application to include evidence that compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act or local cannabis ordinances is underway, if applicable, as specified. By adding requirements to provisional license applications, which are required to be signed under penalty of perjury, the bill would
expand the scope of the crime of perjury, and would thereby impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require a provisional license to be valid for no more than 12 months from the date it was issued. The bill would authorize a licensing authority, in its sole discretion, to renew the provisional license until the licensing authority issues or denies the provisional license. If the licensing authority renews a provisional license, the bill would require the licensing authority to include the outstanding items needed to qualify for an annual license. The bill would authorize a licensing authority, in its sole discretion, to revoke or suspend a provisional license if the licensing authority determines the licensee failed to actively and diligently pursue requirements for an annual license. The bill would require a licensing authority to cancel a provisional license upon issuance of an annual license, denial of an annual license, abandonment of an application for licensure, or withdrawal of an
application for licensure. The bill would make related changes.
(4)MAUCRSA requires, not later than January 1, 2021, the Department of Food and Agriculture to establish a program for cannabis comparable to the National Organic Program and the California Organic Food and Farming Act. Existing law requires the department to be the sole determiner of organic designation and certification, unless the National Organic Program authorizes organic designation and certification for cannabis, in which case the department’s authority would become inoperative and would be repealed on the following January 1. Existing law prohibits a person from representing, selling, or offering for sale any cannabis or cannabis products as organic or with the designation or certification established by the department, except as provided.
This
bill, not later than July 1, 2021, would require the State Department of Public Health to establish a certification program for manufactured cannabis products comparable to the National Organic Program and the California Organic Food and Farming Act. The bill would remove the requirement that the Department of Food and Agriculture be the sole determiner of designation and certification, and would make the State Department of Public Health’s authority inoperative if the National Organic Program authorizes organic designation and certification for cannabis. The bill would prohibit a person from representing, selling, or offering for sale any cannabis or cannabis products as organic or with the designation or certification established by the Department of Food and Agriculture or the State Department of Public Health, except as provided.
(5)MAUCRSA, until July 1, 2019, provides that the California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance, rule, or regulation by a local jurisdiction that requires discretionary review and approval of permits, licenses, or other authorizations to engage in commercial cannabis activity.
This bill would extend the repeal date of this provision to July 1, 2021.
(6)MAUCRSA authorizes the bureau, upon request by a local jurisdiction, to
provide technical assistance, as defined, to a local equity program that helps local equity applicants or local equity licensees. MAUCRSA, upon appropriation of funds by the Legislature, authorizes an eligible local jurisdiction to submit an application to the bureau for a grant to assist local equity applicants and local equity licensees through that local jurisdiction’s equity program. MAUCRSA requires the bureau to review an application, and to grant funding to an eligible local jurisdiction, based on specified factors. MAUCRSA requires the bureau to prorate the funding as necessary if the applications for funding are greater than the amount appropriated for the program. MAUCRSA requires an eligible local jurisdiction that receives grant funds pursuant to these provisions to use the grant funds to assist local equity licensees in that local jurisdiction to gain entry to, and to successfully operate in, the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace. MAUCRSA requires an eligible local jurisdiction that
receives grant funds pursuant to these provisions to, on or before a specified date, submit an annual report to the bureau that contains specified information on the use of the grant funds and specified demographic data. MAUCRSA requires the bureau to serve as a point of contact for local equity programs for specified purposes. MAUCRSA requires, on or before July 1, 2019, the bureau to, among other things, publish approved local equity ordinances and model equity ordinances created by advocacy groups and experts, as specified, and, on or before July 1 2020, to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the progress of local equity programs that receive funding pursuant to these provisions.
This bill would remove the condition that a local jurisdiction request the technical assistance to a local equity program from the authorization of the bureau to provide the technical assistance. The bill would expand the purposes of the grant to include assisting a local
jurisdiction in the development of a local equity program. The bill would require an eligible local jurisdiction that has a local equity program to include in its grant application the equity assessment that was used to inform the creation of the local equity program. The bill would expand the factors the bureau is required to consider when reviewing an equity program grant application, including, among others, how long the local jurisdiction has operated a local equity program and the outcomes of the program, if the local jurisdiction has adopted or operated a local equity program. The bill would delete the requirement that the bureau prorate funding if applications are greater than the amount appropriated for the program. The bill would expand the list of methods that grant funding is authorized to be used to assist local equity applicants and local equity licensees, including, among others, funding the creation of an equity assessment to inform the development of a local equity program and funding direct
technical assistance to assist local equity applicants and local equity licensees. The bill would authorize the bureau to enter into an interagency agreement with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to administer on its behalf the provisions related to the review and granting of funding for cannabis equity programs. The bill would grant to the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development all powers and authority granted to the bureau related to those provisions. The bill, until July 1, 2021, would authorize the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to review, adopt, amend, and repeal guidelines to implement uniform standards, criteria, requirements, or forms that supplement or clarify the terms, references, or standards set forth in specified provisions. The bill would require a grant recipient to include in the annual report described above specified information related to the local equity program and any other information the bureau determines to be
necessary. The bill would require the bureau to serve as a point of contact for local equity programs in coordination with the other licensing authorities. The bill would require the report that the bureau is required to submit to the Legislature regarding the progress of local equity programs funded by these grants to be submitted annually and to include a copy of the equity assessment, as defined, and equity program descriptions of each local jurisdiction that applies for grant funding.
(7)AUMA establishes the California Cannabis Tax Fund as a continuously appropriated fund consisting of specified taxes, interest, penalties, and other amounts imposed by AUMA. AUMA
requires, after other specified disbursements are made from the fund, the Controller, by July 15 of each fiscal year beginning in the 2018–2019 fiscal year, to disburse 60% of the funds deposited in the California Cannabis Fund during the prior fiscal year into the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account. AUMA requires the Controller to disburse the funds in the account to the State Department of Health Care Services for programs for youth that are designed to educate about and to prevent substance use disorders and to prevent harm from substance use. AUMA requires the State Department of Health Care Services to enter into interagency agreements with the State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Education to implement and administer these programs.
The bill would exempt those contracts entered into or amended by the State Department of Health Care Services from specified provisions of law governing public
contracting.
(8)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(9)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
(10)AUMA authorizes legislative amendment of its provisions with a
This bill would declare that its provisions further the purposes and intent of AUMA.
(11)This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
6870-101-0001—For local assistance, Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges (Proposition 98)
........................
| |||||||
Schedule: | |||||||
| (1) | 5670015-Apportionments
........................
| ||||||
| (2) | 5670019-Apprenticeship
........................
| 43,693,000 | |||||
| (3) | 5670023-Apprenticeship Training and Instruction
........................
| 35,749,000 | |||||
| (4) | 5675040-Student Equity and Achievement Program
........................
| 475,220,000 | |||||
| (5) | 5675019-Student Financial Aid Administration
........................
| 76,007,000 | |||||
| (6) | 5675027-Disabled Students
........................
| 124,288,000 | |||||
| (7) | 5675031-Student Services for CalWORKs Recipients
........................
| 46,941,000 | |||||
| (8) | 5675035-Foster Care Education Program
........................
| 5,654,000 | |||||
| (9) | 5675109-Institutional Effectiveness ........................ | 27,500,000 | |||||
| (10) | 5675061-Academic Senate for the Community Colleges
........................
| 1,685,000 | |||||
| (11) | 5675069-Equal Employment Opportunity
........................
| 2,767,000 | |||||
| (12) | 5675073-Part-Time Faculty Health Insurance
........................
| 490,000 | |||||
| (13) | 5675077-Part-Time Faculty Compensation
........................
| 24,907,000 | |||||
| (14) | 5675081-Part-Time Faculty Office Hours
........................
| 12,172,000 | |||||
| (15) | 5675098-Integrated Technology
........................
| 41,890,000 | |||||
| (16) | 5675119-Economic Development
........................
| 264,207,000 | |||||
| (17) | 5675123-Transfer Education and
Articulation
........................
| 779,000 | |||||
| (18) | 5675023-Extended Opportunity Programs and Services
........................
| 132,691,000 | |||||
| (19) | 5675115-Fund for Student Success
........................
| 47,940,000 | |||||
| (20) | 5675150-Campus Childcare Tax Bailout
........................
| 3,645,000 | |||||
| (21) | 5675156-Nursing Program Support
........................
| 13,378,000 | |||||
| (22) | 5670035-Expand the Delivery of Courses through Technology
........................
| 23,000,000 | |||||
Provisions: | |||||||
| 1. | The funds appropriated in this item are for transfer by the Controller during the 2019–20 fiscal year to Section B of the State School Fund. | ||||||
| 1.5. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (1) reflect a deferral of $330,128,000 to the 2020–21 fiscal year. | |||||
| (b) | In addition to the amount provided in Schedule (1), other funding is available to support apportionments in Provision 1 of Item 6870-488 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2020. | ||||||
| 2. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (1) shall be allocated using the budget formula
established pursuant to Section 84750.4 of the Education Code. The budget formula shall be adjusted to reflect the following: | |||||
| (1) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (1), $24,727,000 shall be used to increase statewide growth of full-time equivalent students (FTES) by 0.55 percent. | ||||||
| (2) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (1), $230,006,000 shall be used to reflect a cost-of-living adjustment of 3.26 percent. | ||||||
| (3) | Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Chancellor’s Office may allocate unused growth funding to backfill any unanticipated shortfalls in the total amount of funding appropriated and support the budget formula established pursuant to Section 84750.4 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (b) | Funds allocated to a community college district from funds included in Schedule (1) shall directly offset any mandated costs claimed for the Minimum Conditions for State Aid (02-TC-25 and 02-TC-31) program or any costs of complying with Section 84754.5 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (c) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (1): | ||||||
| (1) | $100,000 is for a maintenance allowance, pursuant to Section 54200 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. | ||||||
| (2) | Up to $500,000 is to reimburse colleges for the costs of federal aid repayments related to assessed fees for fee waiver recipients. This reimbursement only applies to students who completely withdraw from college before the census date pursuant to Section 58508 of Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations. | ||||||
| (d) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (1), $85,138,000 shall be allocated to support the California College Promise pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 76396) of Chapter 2 of Part 47 of Division 2 of Title 3 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (f) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (1), $50,000,000 shall be used to hire new full-time faculty for community college districts to increase their percentage of full-time
faculty, toward meeting the 75 percent full-time faculty target. The Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges shall consult with representatives from the Department of Finance, the Legislature, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office before distributing these funds to community college districts. | ||||||
| 3. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (2) shall be available pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 79140) of Chapter 9 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. | |||||
| (b) | Pursuant to Section 79149.3 of the Education Code, the reimbursement rate shall be $6.45 per
hour. | ||||||
| (c) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (2), $15,000,000 shall be used for the California Apprenticeship Initiative pursuant to Section 79148.1 of the Education Code. Funds appropriated pursuant to this subdivision shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2025. | ||||||
| 4. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (3) shall be available pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 8150) of Chapter 1 of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code. | |||||
| (b) | Pursuant to Section 8152 of the Education Code, the reimbursement rate shall be $6.45 per hour. | ||||||
| 5. | The funds appropriated in Schedule (4) shall be apportioned to community college districts pursuant to Section 78222 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| 6. | (a) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (5): | |||||
| (1) | Not less than
$15,170,000 is available to provide $0.91 per unit reimbursement to community college districts for the provision of California College Promise Grants pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (m) of Section 76300 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (2) | Not less than $15,337,000 is available for the Board Financial Assistance Program to provide reimbursement of 2 percent of total waiver value to community college districts for the provision of California College Promise Grants pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (m) of Section 76300 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (3) | (A) | $5,300,000 shall be allocated to a community college district to conduct a statewide media campaign to promote the following message: (i) the California Community Colleges are affordable, (ii) financial aid is available to cover fees and help with books and other costs, and (iii) an interested student should contact the student’s local community college financial aid office. The campaign should target efforts to reach low-income and disadvantaged students who must overcome barriers in accessing postsecondary education. The community college district awarded the contract shall consult regularly with the chancellor and the Student Aid Commission. | |||||
| (B) | Of the amount identified in subparagraph (A),
$2,500,000 shall be allocated to expand: (i) outreach for students from non-English speaking households and bilingual households, (ii) marketing and outreach aimed at baccalaureate degree pilot programs, and (iii) marketing and outreach aimed at increasing current and future student awareness of the California College Promise Grant. Bilingual efforts shall target areas of the state that meet at least one of the following conditions: (i) have concentrations of non-English speaking and bilingual households, or (ii) have underserved populations, a history of declining community college attendance, or both. | ||||||
| (4) | Not more than $35,200,000 shall be for direct contact with potential and current financial aid applicants. Each California Community College campus shall receive a minimum
allocation of $50,000. The remainder of the funding shall be allocated to campuses based upon a formula reflecting FTES weighted by a measure of low-income populations demonstrated by the California College Promise Grant program participation within a district. | ||||||
| (5) | Funds allocated to a community college district pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall supplement, not supplant, the level of funds allocated for the administration of student financial aid programs during the 2001–02 or 2006–07 fiscal year, whichever is greater. | ||||||
| (6) | Funding allocated
to a community college district pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall directly offset any costs claimed by that district for any of the following mandates: Enrollment Fee Collection (99-TC-13), Enrollment Fee Waivers (00-TC-15), Cal Grants (02-TC-28), and Tuition Fee Waivers (02-TC-21). | ||||||
| (7) | Notwithstanding subdivision (m) of Section 76300 of the Education Code or any other provision of law, the amount of funds appropriated for the purpose of administering fee waivers for the 2019–20 fiscal year shall be determined in this act. | ||||||
| (8) | Not more than
$5,000,000 shall be for ongoing maintenance, subscription, and training costs for financial aid technology advancements and innovations that streamline the financial aid verification process and enable colleges to more efficiently process state and federal financial aid grants. It is the intent of the Legislature that system improvements supported by this funding have the effect of reducing the manual processing of financial aid applications, thereby enabling financial aid program staff to provide additional technical assistance and guidance to students seeking financial aid. The Chancellor’s Office shall determine the methodology for allocating these funds to community college districts. | ||||||
| 7. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (6) shall be used to assist districts in funding the excess direct
instructional cost of providing special support services or instruction, or both, to disabled students enrolled at community colleges and for state hospital programs, as mandated by federal law. | |||||
| (b) | Of the amount appropriated in Schedule (6): | ||||||
| (1) | At least $3,945,000 shall be used to address deficiencies identified by the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. | ||||||
| (2) | At least $943,000 shall be used to support the High Tech Centers for activities including, but not limited to, training of district employees, staff, and students in the use of specialized computer equipment for the disabled. | ||||||
| (3) | At least $9,600,000 shall be allocated to community college districts for sign language interpreter services, real-time captioning equipment, or other communication accommodations for hearing-impaired students. A community college district is required to spend $1 from local or other resources for every $4 received pursuant to this paragraph. | ||||||
| (4) | $642,000 shall be allocated for state hospital adult education programs at the hospitals served by the Coast and Kern Community College Districts. | ||||||
| 8. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (7) shall be allocated pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 79200) of Chapter 9 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. | |||||
| (b) | Of the amount appropriated in Schedule (7): | ||||||
| (1) | $9,488,000 is for childcare, except that a community college district may request that the chancellor approve the use of funds for other purposes. | ||||||
| (2) | No less than $5,060,000 shall be used to provide direct workstudy wage reimbursement for students served under this program, and $633,000 is available for campus job development and placement services. | ||||||
| 9. | The funds appropriated in Schedule (8) shall be allocated to community college districts to provide foster and relative or kinship care education and training pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 79420) of Chapter 9 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. A community college district shall ensure that education and training required pursuant to Sections 1529.1 and 1529.2 of the Health and Safety Code and Section 16003 of the Welfare and Institutions Code receive priority. | ||||||
| 10. | (a) | Of the amount included in Schedule (9): | |||||
| (3) | (A) | $7,500,000 may be used by the chancellor to provide technical assistance to community college districts that demonstrate low performance in any area of operations. It is the intent of the Legislature that technical assistance providers be contracted in a cost-effective manner, that they primarily consist of experts who are current and former employees of the California Community Colleges, and that they provide technical assistance consistent with the vision for the California Community Colleges. | |||||
| (B) | Technical assistance funded pursuant to this paragraph that is initiated by the chancellor may be provided at no cost to the district. If a community college district requests technical
assistance, the district is required to spend at least $1 from local or other resources for every $2 received as determined by the chancellor. | ||||||
| (4) | (A) | $20,000,000 may be used by the chancellor to provide regional and online workshops and trainings to community college personnel to promote statewide priorities, including, but not limited to, strategies to improve student achievement; strategies to improve community college operations; and system leadership training to better coordinate planning and implementation of statewide initiatives in alignment with the Board of Governors’ Vision for Success. To the extent possible, the chancellor shall partner with existing statewide initiatives with proven results of improving student success and
institutional effectiveness. Each fiscal year, the chancellor shall submit a report on the use of funds appropriated pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this provision in the prior year to the Department of Finance and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee no later than December 31 of each year. This report shall include information regarding California Community Colleges’ participation in the activities funded pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this provision. | |||||
| (B) | Funding available pursuant to this paragraph may be utilized by the chancellor to coordinate with community college districts to conduct policy research, and develop and disseminate effective practices through the establishment of an online clearinghouse of information. The
development of effective practices shall include, but not be limited to, statewide priorities such as the development of educational programs or courses for the incarcerated adults in prisons and jails, and the formerly incarcerated, educational programs or courses for California Conservation Corps members, and other effective practices. The online clearinghouse of information shall also reflect effective practices, guidance, policies, curriculum, courses, and programs developed by local community colleges in support of the Strong Workforce Program established pursuant to Part 54.5 (commencing with Section 88820) of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| (C) | It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the chancellor to facilitate the
development of local community college courses for the California Conservation Corps and the incarcerated adults in prisons and jails, and the formerly incarcerated. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the California Conservation Corps are encouraged to partner with the chancellor’s office in the development and dissemination of local community college courses and effective practices pursuant to this subparagraph and subparagraph (B). | ||||||
| 11. | Of the amount appropriated in Schedule (10), $685,000 is available to support the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges course identification numbering system efforts and shall be subject to the requirements of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 70901 of the Education Code. | ||||||
| 12. | The funds in Schedule (13) shall be allocated to increase compensation for part-time faculty. Funds shall be allocated to districts based on the total actual number of FTES in the previous fiscal year, with an adjustment to the allocations provided to small districts. These funds shall be used to assist districts in making part-time faculty salaries more comparable to full-time salaries for similar work, as determined through collective bargaining in each community college district. If a community college district achieves parity between compensation for full-time faculty and part-time faculty, funds received pursuant to this provision may be used for any other educational purpose. | ||||||
| 13. | (a) | The funds appropriated in Schedule (15) shall be allocated by the chancellor for the following purposes: | |||||
| (1) | Procurement, development, evaluation, and upgrading of high priority systemwide technology tools and infrastructure including, but not limited to, e-transcript, e-planning, and other tools to assist colleges to implement multiple measures of assessment pursuant to Chapter 745 of the Statutes of 2017, and technologies that facilitate portability of education credentials. | ||||||
| (2) | Provision of access to statewide multimedia
hosting and delivery services for colleges and districts. | ||||||
| (3) | Provision of systemwide internet, audio bridging, data security, and telephony. | ||||||
| (4) | Services related to technology use, including accessibility guidance and information security. | ||||||
| (5) | Technology product development and program management, technical
assistance and planning, and cooperative purchase agreements. | ||||||
| (6) | Ongoing faculty and staff development related to technology use and adoption. | ||||||
| (7) | Ongoing support of the California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS) program. | ||||||
| (8) | Ongoing support for programs designed to use technology in assisting
accreditation and the alignment of curricula across K–20 segments in California, as well as to support integration and interoperability toward an improved student experience. | ||||||
| (9) | Support for technology pilots and ongoing technology programs and applications that serve to maximize the utility and economy of scale of the technology investments of the community college system toward improving learning outcomes. | ||||||
| (10) | Up to 5 percent of the funds may be allocated by the chancellor to a community college district for statewide activities, not limited to
statewide technical assistance to evaluate, plan, and continuously improve the system’s data and technology roadmap and deployment. | ||||||
| (b) | Any funds not allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) of this provision shall be available for allocations to districts to maintain technology capabilities. | ||||||
| 14. | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (16): | ||||||
| (a) | $22,929,000 is available for the following purposes: | ||||||
| (1) | Up to 10 percent may be allocated for state-level technical assistance, including statewide network leadership, organizational development, coordination, and information and support services. | ||||||
| (2) | All remaining funds shall be allocated for programs that target investments in priority and emergent sectors, including statewide and/or regional centers, hubs, collaborative communities, advisory bodies, and short-term grants. Short-term grants may include industry-driven regional education and training, Responsive Incumbent Worker Training, and Job Development Incentive
Training. Funds allocated pursuant to this provision may be used to provide substantially similar services in support of the Strong Workforce Program. | ||||||
| (3) | Funds applied to performance-based training shall be matched by a minimum of $1 contributed by private businesses or industry for each $1 of state funds. The chancellor shall consider the level of involvement and financial commitments of business and industry in making awards for performance-based training. | ||||||
| (b) | (1) | $241,278,000 shall be available to support the Strong Workforce Program
pursuant to Part 54.5 (commencing with Section 88820) of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. | |||||
| (2) | In addition to the amount provided in Schedule (16) to support the Strong Workforce Program, other funding is available to support this program in Provision 1 of Item 6870-488 in this Budget Act. | ||||||
| 15. | (a) | (1) | $698,000 of the funds appropriated in Schedule (17) shall be used to support transfer and articulation projects and common course numbering projects. | ||||
| (2) | Funding provided to community college districts shall directly offset any costs claimed by community college districts to be mandates to pursuant to Chapter 737 of the Statutes of 2004. | ||||||
| (b) | $81,000 of the funds appropriated in Schedule (17) shall be used to support the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Transfer Pathway program, which helps develop transfer guarantee agreements that help facilitate a smooth transition for students from the California Community Colleges to partnered HBCU institutions. | ||||||
| 16. | (a) | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (18): | |||||
| (1) | $115,867,000 shall be used pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 69640) of Chapter 2 of Part 42 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code. Funds provided in this item for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services shall be available to students on all campuses within the California Community Colleges system. | ||||||
| (2) | $16,824,000 shall be used for funding, at all colleges, the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education program in accordance with Article
4 (commencing with Section 79150) of Chapter 9 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code. The chancellor shall allocate these funds to local programs on the basis of need for student services. | ||||||
| (b) | Of the amount allocated pursuant to subdivision (a), no less than $4,972,000 shall be available to support additional textbook assistance grants to community college students. | ||||||
| 17. | The funds appropriated in Schedule (19) shall be used for the following purposes: | ||||||
| (a) | $1,984,000 shall be used for the Puente Project to support up to 75 colleges. These funds are available if matched by $200,000 of private funds and if the participating community colleges and University of California campuses maintain their 1995–96 fiscal year support level for the Puente Project. All funding shall be allocated directly to participating districts in accordance with their participation agreement. | ||||||
| (b) | Up to $2,539,000 is for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. A community college district is required to spend $1 from local or other resources for every $1 received pursuant to this subdivision. | ||||||
| (c) | No less than $1,836,000 is for the Middle College High School Program. With the exception of special part-time students at the community colleges pursuant to Sections 48802 and 76001 of the Education Code, student workload based on participation in the Middle College High School Program shall not be eligible for community college state apportionment. | ||||||
| (d) | No less than $2,581,000 is for the Umoja program. | ||||||
| (e) | Consistent with the intent of Chapter 771 of the Statutes of 2014 and Chapter 772 of the Statutes of 2017, the chancellor shall enter into agreements with 20 community college districts to provide additional services in support of postsecondary education for foster youth. Up to $20,000,000 of the funds appropriated in this item shall be prioritized for services pursuant to Chapter 771 of the Statutes of 2014 and Chapter 772 of the Statutes of 2017. Further, the chancellor shall ensure that the list of eligible expenditures developed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 78221 of the Education Code includes expenditures that are consistent with the intent of Chapter 771 of the Statutes of 2014 and Chapter 772 of the Statutes of 2017. | ||||||
| (f) | $10,000,000 of the funds appropriated in this item shall be for support of Veteran Resource Centers. To the extent funding is provided in the annual Budget Act, the chancellor shall only allocate funding to community colleges that commit to either meeting or making progress towards meeting the minimum standards developed by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. | ||||||
| (g) | (1) | Colleges shall establish ongoing partnerships with community organizations that have a tradition of helping populations experiencing homelessness to provide wraparound services and rental subsidies for homeless and housing insecure students. $9,000,000 of the funds appropriated in Schedule (19) may be used for, but are not limited to, the following authorized activities: | |||||
| (A) | Connecting students with community case managers who have knowledge and expertise in accessing safety net resources. | ||||||
| (B) | Establishing ongoing emergency housing procedures, including on-campus and off-campus resources. | ||||||
| (C) | Providing emergency grants that are necessary to secure housing or to prevent the imminent loss of housing. | ||||||
| (2) | Funding shall be allocated to campuses based on demonstrated need. | ||||||
| (3) | “Homeless” and “housing insecure” mean students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are: | ||||||
| (A) | Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. | ||||||
| (B) | Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations. | ||||||
| (C) | Living in emergency or transitional shelters. | ||||||
| (D) | Abandoned in hospitals. | ||||||
| (E) | Living in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. | ||||||
| (F) | Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. | ||||||
| (4) | By July 15, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall submit a report to the Director of Finance and, in conformity with Section 9795 of the Government Code, to the Legislature regarding the use of these funds, including the number of coordinators hired, the number of students served by campus, the distribution of funds by campus, a description of the types of programs funded, and other relevant outcomes, such as the number of students who were able to secure permanent housing, and whether students receiving support remained enrolled at the institution or graduated. | ||||||
| 18. | The funds appropriated in Schedule (20) shall be allocated by the chancellor to community college districts that levied childcare permissive override taxes in the 1977–78 fiscal year pursuant to Sections 8329 and 8330 of the Education Code in an amount proportional to the property tax revenues, tax relief subventions, and state aid required to be made available by the district to its childcare and development program for the 1979–80 fiscal
year pursuant to Section 30 of Chapter 1035 of the Statutes of 1979, increased or decreased by any cost-of-living adjustment granted in subsequent fiscal years. These funds shall be used only for the purpose of community college childcare and development programs. | ||||||
| 19. | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (21): | ||||||
| (a) | $8,475,000 shall be used to provide support for nursing programs. | ||||||
| (b) | $4,903,000 shall be used for diagnostic and
support services, preentry coursework, alternative program delivery model development, and other services to reduce the incidence of student attrition in nursing programs. | ||||||
| 20. | Of the funds appropriated in Schedule (22): | ||||||
| (a) | $20,000,000 shall be allocated to the chancellor to increase the number of courses available through the use of technology, provide alternative methods for students to earn college credit, and support the California Virtual Campus Distance Education Program. These funds may be used to pay for a consistent learning management system to help implement this program. The chancellor shall ensure, to the extent
possible, that the following conditions are satisfied: | ||||||
| (1) | These courses can be articulated across all community college districts. | ||||||
| (2) | These courses are made available to students systemwide, regardless of the campus at which a student is enrolled. | ||||||
| (3) | Students who complete these courses are granted
degree-applicable credit across community colleges. | ||||||
| (4) | These funds shall be used for those courses that have the highest demand, fill quickly, and are prerequisites for many different degrees. | ||||||
| (b) | By September 1 of each fiscal year, up to $3,000,000 shall be disbursed by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to one or more community college districts to provide textbooks or digital course content to inmates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who are enrolled in one or more California Community College
courses. The provision of this material is expected to enable community college districts to provide instruction to incarcerated adults. | ||||||
| (1) | To the extent possible, community college districts providing textbooks or digital course content pursuant to this paragraph are encouraged to first use open educational resources. | ||||||
| (2) | Notwithstanding any other law, a contract between the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and a community college district for purposes of this subdivision is not subject to any competitive bidding
requirements of Section 10340 of the Public Contract Code. | ||||||
| 21. | The Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall annually report by December 1 of each year through 2021, on the racial or ethnic and gender composition of faculty, and efforts to assist campuses in providing equal employment opportunity in faculty recruitment and hiring practices as well as systemwide training, monitoring, and compliance activities. | ||||||
The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a)In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). In its statement of purpose and intent, AUMA calls for regulating cannabis in a way that “reduce[s] barriers to entry into the legal, regulated market.”
(b)Cannabis prohibition had a devastating impact on communities across California and across the United States. Persons convicted of a cannabis offense and their families suffer the long-term consequences of prohibition. These individuals have a more difficult time
entering the newly created adult-use cannabis industry due, in part, to a lack of access to capital, business space, technical support, and regulatory compliance assistance.
(c)During the era of cannabis prohibition in California, the burdens of arrests, convictions, and long-term collateral consequences arising from a conviction fell disproportionately on Black and Latinx people, even though people of all races used and sold cannabis at nearly identical rates. The California Department of Justice data shows that from 2006 to 2015, inclusive, Black Californians were two times more likely to be arrested for cannabis misdemeanors and five times more likely to be arrested for cannabis felonies than White Californians. During the same period, Latinx Californians were 35 percent more likely to be arrested for cannabis crimes than White
Californians. The collateral consequences associated with cannabis law violations, coupled with generational poverty and a lack of access to resources, make it extraordinarily difficult for persons with convictions to enter the newly regulated industry.
(d)Offering technical support, regulatory compliance assistance, and assistance with securing the capital necessary to begin a business will further the stated intent of AUMA by reducing barriers to licensure and employment in the regulated industry.
(e)Offering these supports will also aid the state in its goal of eliminating or reducing the illicit cannabis market by bringing more people into the legal marketplace.
(f)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting
this act to ensure that persons most harmed by cannabis criminalization and poverty be offered assistance to enter the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry as entrepreneurs or as employees with high quality, well-paying jobs.
(g)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act that the cannabis industry be representative of the state’s population, and that barriers to entering the industry are reduced through support to localities that have created local equity programs in their jurisdictions.
(h)The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers the purposes and intent of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, enacted as Proposition 64 of 2016.
(a)A licensing authority may issue a citation to a licensee or unlicensed person for any act or omission that violates or has violated any provision of this division or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto. The licensing authority shall issue the citation in writing, and shall describe with particularity the basis of the citation and the notification described in subdivision (c). The licensing authority may include in each citation an order of abatement and fix a reasonable time for abatement of the violation. The licensing authority may, as part of each citation, assess an administrative fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation by a licensee and thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) per violation by an
unlicensed person. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate violation. In assessing a fine, a licensing authority shall give due consideration to the appropriateness of the amount of the fine with respect to factors the licensing authority determines to be relevant, including the following:
(1)The gravity of the violation by the licensee or person.
(2)The good faith of the licensee or person.
(3)The history of previous violations.
(b)The sanctions authorized under this section shall be separate from, and in addition to, all other administrative, civil, or criminal remedies.
(c)A licensing
authority that issues a citation pursuant to this section shall include a provision that notifies the licensee or person that a hearing may be requested to contest the finding of a violation by submitting a written request within 30 days from service of the citation. The hearing shall be held pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), unless held in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) as authorized by regulation of the licensing authority. If the licensee or person cited fails to submit a written request for a hearing within 30 days from the date of service of the citation, the right to a hearing is waived and the citation shall be deemed a final order of the licensing authority and is not subject to review by any court.
(d)After the exhaustion of the administrative and judicial review procedures, a licensing authority may apply to the appropriate superior court for a judgment in the amount of the administrative fine and an order compelling the cited person to comply with the order of the licensing authority. The application, which shall include a certified copy of the final order of the licensing authority, shall constitute a sufficient showing to warrant the issuance of the judgment and order.
(e)A licensing authority may recover from the licensee or person who was the subject of the citation costs of investigation and enforcement, which may include reasonable attorney’s fees for the services rendered. If the licensing authority recovers costs from a licensee, the licensing authority shall
recover the costs pursuant to Section 125.3.
(f)Fines shall be paid within 30 days of service of a citation by the licensing authority. Failure to pay a fine assessed pursuant to this section within 30 days of the date of service of the citation, unless the citation is being appealed, shall constitute a separate violation under this division subject to additional action by a licensing authority. A licensing authority shall not renew or grant a license to a person who was the subject of the fine until that person pays the fine.
(g)All moneys collected pursuant to this section associated with the recovery of investigation and enforcement costs shall be deposited into the Cannabis Control Fund. Any administrative fine amount shall be deposited directly into the Cannabis Fines and
Penalties Account and shall be distributed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 26210.
(a)(1)There is established in state government, in the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, a Cannabis Control Appeals Panel which shall consist of the following members:
(A)One member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(B)One member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(C)Three members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by a majority vote of all of the members elected to the Senate.
(2)Each member, at the time of their initial appointment,
shall be a resident of a different county from the one in which either of the other members resides. Members of the panel shall receive an annual salary as provided for by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11550) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b)The members of the panel may be removed from office by their appointing authority.
(a)After proceedings pursuant to Section 26031, 26031.5, or 26058 or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 490) of Division 1.5, any person aggrieved by the decision of a licensing authority denying the person’s application for any license, denying the person’s renewal of any license, placing any license on probation, imposing any condition on any license, imposing any fine on any license or licensee, assessing any penalty on any license, or canceling, suspending, revoking, or otherwise disciplining any license as provided for under this division, may appeal the licensing authority’s written decision to the panel.
(b)The panel shall review the
decision subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Legislature. In such cases, the panel shall not receive evidence in addition to that considered by the licensing authority.
(c)Review by the panel of a decision of a licensing authority shall be limited to the following questions:
(1)Whether the licensing authority has proceeded without or in excess of its jurisdiction.
(2)Whether the licensing authority has proceeded in the manner required by law.
(3)Whether the decision is supported by the findings.
(4)Whether the findings are supported by substantial evidence in the light of
the whole record.
(a)A licensing authority may, in its sole discretion, issue a provisional license to an applicant if the applicant has submitted a completed license application to the licensing authority, including the following, if applicable:
(1)If compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) is not complete, evidence that compliance is underway.
(2)If compliance with local ordinances enacted pursuant to Section 26200 is not complete, evidence that compliance is underway.
(b)A provisional license issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for no more than 12 months from the date it was issued. If the licensing authority issues or renews a provisional license, they shall include the outstanding items needed to qualify for an annual license specific to the licensee.
(c)A licensing authority may, in its sole discretion, renew a provisional license until the licensing authority issues or denies the provisional licensee’s annual license.
(d)A licensing authority may, in its sole discretion, revoke or suspend a provisional license if the licensing authority determines the licensee failed to actively and diligently pursue requirements for the annual license.
(e)A licensing
authority shall cancel a provisional license upon issuance of an annual license, denial of an annual license, abandonment of an application for licensure, or withdrawal of an application for licensure.
(f)Except as specified in this section, the provisions of this division shall apply to a provisional license in the same manner as to an annual license.
(g)Without limiting any other statutory exemption or categorical exemption, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code does not apply to the issuance of a license pursuant to this section by the licensing authority.
(h)Refusal by the licensing authority to issue a license pursuant to this section or revocation or suspension by the licensing
authority of a license issued pursuant to this section shall not entitle the applicant or licensee to a hearing or an appeal of the decision. Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) of Division 1.5 and Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26040) of this division and Sections 26031 and 26058 shall not apply to licenses issued pursuant to this section.
(i)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2022, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)Licensing authorities may issue state licenses only to qualified applicants.
(b)Revocation of a state license issued under this division shall terminate the ability of the licensee to operate pursuant to that license within California until a new license is obtained.
(c)A licensee shall not change or alter the premises in a manner which materially or substantially alters the premises, the usage of the premises, or the mode or character of business operation conducted from the premises, from the plan contained in the diagram on file with the application, unless and until written approval by the licensing authority has
been obtained. For purposes of this section, material or substantial physical changes of the premises, or in the usage of the premises, shall include, but not be limited to, a substantial increase or decrease in the total area of the licensed premises previously diagrammed, or any other physical modification resulting in substantial change in the mode or character of business operation.
(d)Licensing authorities shall not approve an application for a state license under this division if approval of the state license will violate the provisions of any local ordinance or regulation adopted in accordance with Section 26200.
(e)An applicant may voluntarily provide proof of a license, permit, or other authorization from the local jurisdiction verifying that the applicant is in
compliance with the local jurisdiction. An applicant that voluntarily submits a valid, unexpired license, permit, or other authorization from the local jurisdiction shall be presumed to be in compliance with all local ordinances unless the licensing authority is notified otherwise by the local jurisdiction. The licensing authority shall notify the contact person for the local jurisdiction of any applicant that voluntarily submits a valid, unexpired license, permit, or other authorization from the local jurisdiction.
(f)(1)A local jurisdiction shall provide to the bureau a copy of any ordinance or regulation related to commercial cannabis activity and the name and contact information for the person who will serve as the contact for state licensing authorities regarding commercial cannabis activity within the
jurisdiction. If a local jurisdiction does not provide a contact person, the bureau shall assume that the clerk of the legislative body of the local jurisdiction is the contact person.
(2)Whenever there is a change in a local ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant to Section 26200 or a change in the contact person for the jurisdiction, the local jurisdiction shall provide that information to the bureau.
(3)The bureau shall share the information required by this subdivision with the other licensing authorities.
(g)(1)The licensing authority shall deny an application for a license under this division for a commercial cannabis activity that the local jurisdiction has notified the bureau is prohibited
in accordance with subdivision (f). The licensing authority shall notify the contact person for the local jurisdiction of each application denied due to the local jurisdiction’s indication that the commercial cannabis activity for which a license is sought is prohibited by a local ordinance or regulation.
(2)Prior to issuing a state license under this division for any commercial cannabis activity, if an applicant has not provided adequate proof of compliance with local laws pursuant to subdivision (e):
(A)The licensing authority shall notify the contact person for the local jurisdiction of the receipt of an application for commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(B)A local jurisdiction may notify
the licensing authority that the applicant is not in compliance with a local ordinance or regulation. In this instance, the licensing authority shall deny the application.
(C)A local jurisdiction may notify the licensing authority that the applicant is in compliance with all applicable local ordinances and regulations. In this instance, the licensing authority may proceed with the licensing process.
(D)If the local jurisdiction does not provide notification of compliance or noncompliance with applicable local ordinances or regulations, or otherwise does not provide notification indicating that the completion of the local permitting process is still pending, within 60 business days of receiving the inquiry from a licensing authority submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A),
the licensing authority shall make a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations adopted in accordance with Section 26200, except as provided in subparagraphs (E) and (F).
(E)At any time after expiration of the 60-business-day period set forth in subparagraph (D), the local jurisdiction may provide written notification to the licensing authority that the applicant or licensee is not in compliance with a local ordinance or regulation adopted in accordance with Section 26200. Upon receiving this notification, the licensing authority shall not presume that the applicant or licensee has complied with all local ordinances and regulations adopted in accordance with Section 26200, and may commence disciplinary action in accordance with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 26030). If the
licensing authority does not take action against the licensee before the time of the renewal of the license, the license shall not be renewed until and unless the local jurisdiction notifies the licensing authority that the licensee is once again in compliance with local ordinances.
(F)A presumption by a licensing authority pursuant to this paragraph that an applicant has complied with all local ordinances and regulations adopted in accordance with Section 26200 shall not prevent, impair, or preempt the local government from enforcing all applicable local ordinances or regulations against the applicant, nor shall the presumption confer any right, vested or otherwise, upon the applicant to commence or continue operating in any local jurisdiction except in accordance with all local ordinances or regulations.
(3)For purposes of this section, “notification” includes written notification or access by a licensing authority to a local jurisdiction’s registry, database, or other platform designated by a local jurisdiction, containing information specified by the licensing authority, on applicants to determine local compliance.
(h)Without limiting any other statutory exemption or categorical exemption, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code does not apply to the adoption of an ordinance, rule, or regulation by a local jurisdiction that requires discretionary review and approval of permits, licenses, or other authorizations to engage in commercial cannabis activity. To qualify for this exemption, the discretionary review in any such law, ordinance,
rule, or regulation shall include any applicable environmental review pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code. This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2021.
(i)A local or state public agency may charge and collect a fee from a person proposing a project pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 21089 of the Public Resources Code.
(a)(1)No later than January 1, 2021, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall establish a program for cannabis that is comparable to the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)), and the California Organic Food and Farming Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 46000) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code) and Article 7 (commencing with Section 110810) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)No later than July 1, 2021, the State Department of Public Health shall establish a certification program for manufactured cannabis products that is comparable to the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)), the California Organic Food and Farming Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 46000) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code), and Article 7 (commencing with Section 110810) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. For purposes of administrating this section, the State Department of Public Health shall be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(b)If at any time preceding or following the establishment of a program
pursuant to subdivision (a), the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)) authorizes organic designation and certification for cannabis, this section shall become inoperative and, as of January 1, of the following year, is repealed.
A person shall not represent, sell, or offer for sale any cannabis or cannabis product as organic except in accordance with the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)), if applicable. A person shall not represent, sell, or offer for sale any cannabis or cannabis product with the designation or certification established by the Department of Food and Agriculture or the State Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 26062 except in accordance with that subdivision.
(a)The Marijuana Control Fund, formerly known as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Fund and the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act Fund, is hereby renamed the Cannabis Control Fund. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on moneys in the fund.
(b)Upon the effective date of this section, whenever “Marijuana Control Fund,” “Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Fund,” or “Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act Fund” appears in any statute, regulation, or contract, or in any other code, it shall be construed to refer to the Cannabis Control Fund.
(c)Any General Fund or special fund loan that was used to establish and support the regulatory activities of the state licensing entities pursuant to former Section 19351 shall be repaid by the initial proceeds from fees collected pursuant to this division or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this division, by January 1, 2022. Should the initial proceeds from fees not be sufficient to repay the loan, moneys from the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account shall be made available to the bureau, by appropriation of the Legislature, to repay the loan.
(d)Except as otherwise provided, all moneys collected pursuant to this division as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this division shall be deposited directly into the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account,
which is hereby continued in existence, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a)“Eligible local jurisdiction” means a local jurisdiction that demonstrates an intent to develop a local program or that has adopted or operates a local equity program.
(b)“Equity assessment” means an assessment conducted by the local jurisdiction that was used to inform the creation of a local equity program, and that assessment may include the following:
(1)Reference to local historical rates of arrests or convictions for cannabis law violations.
(2)Identification of the impacts that cannabis-related policies have had historically on communities and populations within that local jurisdiction.
(3)Other information that demonstrates how individuals and communities within the local jurisdiction have been disproportionately or negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.
(c)“Local equity applicant” means an applicant who has submitted, or will submit, an application to a local jurisdiction to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.
(d)“Local equity licensee” means a person who has obtained a license from a local jurisdiction
to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.
(e)“Local equity program” means a program adopted or operated by a local jurisdiction that focuses on inclusion and support of individuals and communities in California’s cannabis industry who are linked to populations or neighborhoods that were negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization as evidenced by the local jurisdiction’s equity assessment. Local equity programs may include, but are not limited to, the following types of services:
(1)Small business support services offering technical assistance or professional and mentorship services to those persons from economically
disadvantaged communities that experience high rates of poverty or communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition, determined by historically high rates of arrests or convictions for cannabis law violations.
(2)Tiered fees or fee waivers for cannabis-related permits and licenses.
(3)Assistance in paying state regulatory and licensing fees.
(4)Assistance securing business locations prior to or during the application process.
(5)Assistance securing capital investments or direct access to capital.
(6)Assistance with regulatory compliance.
(7)Assistance in recruitment, training, and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce, including transitional workers.
(8)Other services deemed by the bureau to be consistent with the intent of this chapter.
(f)“Transitional worker” means a person who, at the time of starting employment at the business premises, resides in a ZIP Code or census track area with higher than average unemployment, crime, or child death rates, and faces at least one of the following barriers to employment: (1) is homeless; (2) is a custodial single parent; (3) is receiving public assistance; (4) lacks a GED or high school diploma; (5) has a criminal record or other involvement with the criminal justice system; (6) suffers from chronic unemployment; (7) is emancipated from the foster care
system; (8) is a veteran; or (9) is over 65 years of age and is financially compromised.
(a)The bureau may provide technical assistance to a local equity program that helps local equity applicants or local equity licensees. When determining whether to provide technical assistance, the bureau shall make individual determinations based on the reasonableness of the request and available resources.
(b)“Technical assistance” includes providing training and educational sessions regarding state cannabis licensing and regulatory processes and requirements to equity applicants or equity licensees that are coordinated with the local equity program.
(a)(1)An eligible local jurisdiction may, in the form and manner prescribed by the bureau, submit an application to the bureau for a grant to assist with the development of an equity program or to assist local equity applicants and local equity licensees through that local jurisdiction’s equity program.
(2)An eligible local jurisdiction that has a local equity program shall include in its application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) the equity assessment that was used to inform the creation of the local equity program.
(3)The bureau shall consider the following factors when reviewing an
application:
(A)Whether the local jurisdiction is an eligible local jurisdiction.
(B)Whether the local jurisdiction has identified communities and populations within that local jurisdiction that have been disproportionately or negatively impacted by arrests and convictions for cannabis law violations and has demonstrated a nexus between the individuals served through the local equity program and the communities and populations identified by the local jurisdiction.
(C)Whether the local jurisdiction has adopted or operates a local equity program, and, if so, the bureau shall consider the following:
(i)How long the local jurisdiction has
operated the program.
(ii)The outcomes of the program.
(D)Whether the local jurisdiction has demonstrated the ability to provide, or created a plan to provide, the services identified in subdivision (b).
(E)Whether the local jurisdiction has demonstrated a financial commitment to the implementation and administration of the program.
(F)Whether the local jurisdiction has demonstrated a commitment to remove, or has taken steps to remove, local barriers to entering the legal cannabis market for local equity applicants and local equity licensees, including, but not limited to, developing a local regulatory framework that facilitates an equitable and economically
just industry.
(G)The number of existing and potential local equity applicants and local equity licensees in the local jurisdiction.
(H)Any additional relevant and reasonable criteria the bureau deems necessary.
(4)The bureau shall grant funding to an eligible local jurisdiction based on the eligible local jurisdiction’s compliance with paragraph (2), if applicable, and its review of the factors in paragraph (3).
(b)(1)An eligible local jurisdiction that receives a grant pursuant to subdivision (a) shall use grant funds to do either of the following:
(A)Assist the
local jurisdiction in the development of a local equity program.
(B)Assist local equity applicants or local equity licensees in that local jurisdiction to gain entry to, and to successfully operate in, the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace.
(2)For purposes of this subdivision, “assist” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following methods:
(A)To provide a low-interest or no-interest loan or a grant to a local equity applicant or local equity licensee to assist the applicant or licensee with startup and ongoing costs. For purposes of this paragraph, “startup and ongoing costs” include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i)Rent.
(ii)Leases.
(iii)Local and state application, licensing, and regulatory fees.
(iv)Legal assistance.
(v)Regulatory compliance.
(vi)Testing of cannabis.
(vii)Furniture.
(viii)Fixtures and equipment.
(ix)Capital improvements.
(x)Training and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce.
(B)To support local equity program efforts to provide sources of capital to local equity applicants and local equity licensees.
(C)To provide or fund direct technical assistance to local equity applicants and local equity licensees.
(D)To assist in the development or administration of local equity programs.
(E)To fund the creation of an equity assessment to inform the development of a local equity program.
(c)An eligible local jurisdiction that receives a grant pursuant to subdivision (a) shall, on or before January 1 of the year following receipt of the grant and annually thereafter for each year that grant funds are expended, submit an annual
report to the bureau that includes all of the following information:
(1)How the local jurisdiction disbursed grant funds.
(2)How the local jurisdiction identified local equity applicants or local equity licensees, including how the local jurisdiction determines who qualifies as a local equity applicant or local equity licensee.
(3)The number of local equity applicants and local equity licensees that were served by the grant funds.
(4)Aggregate demographic data on equity applicants, equity licensees, and all other applicants and licensees in the jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, income level,
education level, prior convictions, and veteran status. This information will be consolidated and reported without the individual’s identifying information.
(5)If the local jurisdiction requires equity applicants to become eligible through specific ownership percentages, a breakdown of equity applicants’ and equity licensees’ business ownership types and percentages of ownership.
(6)Other information that the bureau deems necessary to evaluate the outcomes of the program consistent with the intent of this chapter and that was specified in the grant agreement between the bureau and the local jurisdiction.
(d)An eligible local jurisdiction that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall use no more than 10
percent of the state grant for administration, including employing staff or hiring consultants to administer grants and the program.
(e)The bureau may enter into an interagency agreement with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to administer this section on its behalf.
(f)(1)All powers and authority granted to the bureau in this section are also granted to the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to carry out the purposes of this section.
(2)(A)The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development may review, adopt, amend, and repeal guidelines to implement uniform standards, criteria, requirements, or forms that supplement or
clarify the terms, references, or standards set forth in this section and Section 26240. The adoption, amendment, or repeal of a guideline, term, or standard authorized by this subdivision is hereby exempted from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(B)This paragraph shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2021, and as of that date is repealed.
To facilitate greater equity in business ownership and employment in the cannabis market, the bureau shall do all of the following:
(a)In coordination with the other licensing authorities, serve as a point of contact for local equity programs.
(b)On or before July 1, 2019, publish local equity ordinances that have been enacted by the legislative body of the respective local jurisdiction, and model local equity ordinances created by advocacy groups and experts to the bureau’s internet website. Advocacy groups and experts may include, but are not limited to, minority business owners and entrepreneurs, organizations with expertise in
addressing barriers to employment and licensure for low-income communities or persons with prior arrests or convictions, and unions representing cannabis workers.
(c)To the extent feasible, coordinate with the relevant local jurisdictions to carry out the responsibilities described in this section.
(a)On or before July 1, 2020, and annually thereafter, the bureau shall submit a report to the Legislature regarding the progress of local equity programs that have received funding pursuant to Section 26244.
(b)The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:
(1)The local jurisdictions that have enacted local equity programs.
(2)A copy of the equity assessment and equity program description of each local jurisdiction that applied for grant funding pursuant to Section 26244.
(3)The number of local equity applicants and general applicants applying for and receiving licenses in the jurisdictions that received grants pursuant to Section 26244.
(4)Information collected pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 26244.
(c)The bureau shall post the report required by this section on its internet website.
(d)The report required by this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, and shall apply notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.
(a)(1)Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent a state body from holding closed sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against that employee by another person or employee unless the employee requests a public hearing.
(2)As a condition to holding a closed session on the complaints or charges to consider disciplinary action or to consider dismissal, the employee shall be given written notice of their right to have a public hearing, rather than a closed session, and that notice shall be delivered to
the employee personally or by mail at least 24 hours before the time for holding a regular or special meeting. If notice is not given, any disciplinary or other action taken against any employee at the closed session shall be null and void.
(3)The state body also may exclude from any public or closed session, during the examination of a witness, any or all other witnesses in the matter being investigated by the state body.
(4)Following the public hearing or closed session, the body may deliberate on the decision to be reached in a closed session.
(b)For the purposes of this section, “employee” does not include any person who is elected to, or appointed to a public office by, any state body. However, officers of the
California State University who receive compensation for their services, other than per diem and ordinary and necessary expenses, shall, when engaged in that capacity, be considered employees. Furthermore, for purposes of this section, the term employee includes a person exempt from civil service pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution.
(c)Nothing in this article shall be construed to do any of the following:
(1)Prevent state bodies that administer the licensing of persons engaging in businesses or professions from holding closed sessions to prepare, approve, grade, or administer examinations.
(2)Prevent an advisory body of a state body that administers the
licensing of persons engaged in businesses or professions from conducting a closed session to discuss matters that the advisory body has found would constitute an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual licensee or applicant if discussed in an open meeting, provided the advisory body does not include a quorum of the members of the state body it advises. Those matters may include review of an applicant’s qualifications for licensure and an inquiry specifically related to the state body’s enforcement program concerning an individual licensee or applicant where the inquiry occurs prior to the filing of a civil, criminal, or administrative disciplinary action against the licensee or applicant by the state body.
(3)Prohibit a state body from holding a closed session to deliberate on a decision to be reached in a proceeding required
to be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) or similar provisions of law.
(4)Grant a right to enter any correctional institution or the grounds of a correctional institution where that right is not otherwise granted by law, nor shall anything in this article be construed to prevent a state body from holding a closed session when considering and acting upon the determination of a term, parole, or release of any individual or other disposition of an individual case, or if public disclosure of the subjects under discussion or consideration is expressly prohibited by statute.
(5)Prevent any closed session to consider the conferring of honorary degrees, or gifts, donations, and bequests that the donor or proposed donor has requested in writing to be kept
confidential.
(6)Prevent the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board or the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel from holding a closed session for the purpose of holding a deliberative conference as provided in Section 11125.
(7)(A)Prevent a state body from holding closed sessions with its negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the state body to give instructions to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease.
(B)However, prior to the closed session, the state body shall hold an open and public session in which it identifies the real property or real properties that the negotiations may concern and the
person or persons with whom its negotiator may negotiate.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, the negotiator may be a member of the state body.
(D)For purposes of this paragraph, “lease” includes renewal or renegotiation of a lease.
(E)Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude a state body from holding a closed session for discussions regarding eminent domain proceedings pursuant to subdivision (e).
(8)Prevent the California Postsecondary Education Commission from holding closed sessions to consider matters pertaining to the appointment or termination of the Director of the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
(9)Prevent the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education from holding closed sessions to consider
matters pertaining to the appointment or termination of the Executive Director of the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
(10)Prevent the Franchise Tax Board from holding closed sessions for the purpose of discussion of confidential tax returns or information the public disclosure of which is prohibited by law, or from considering matters pertaining to the appointment or removal of the Executive Officer of the Franchise Tax Board.
(11)Require the Franchise Tax Board to notice or disclose any confidential tax information considered in closed sessions, or documents executed in connection therewith, the public disclosure of which is prohibited pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 19542) of Chapter 7 of Part 10.2 of Division 2 of the Revenue
and Taxation Code.
(12)Prevent the Corrections Standards Authority from holding closed sessions when considering reports of crime conditions under Section 6027 of the Penal Code.
(13)Prevent the State Air Resources Board from holding closed sessions when considering the proprietary specifications and performance data of manufacturers.
(14)Prevent the State Board of Education or the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or any committee advising the board or the Superintendent, from holding closed sessions on those portions of its review of assessment instruments pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 60600) of Part 33 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code during which actual test content is reviewed
and discussed. The purpose of this provision is to maintain the confidentiality of the assessments under review.
(15)Prevent the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery or its auxiliary committees from holding closed sessions for the purpose of discussing confidential tax returns, discussing trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information in its possession, or discussing other data, the public disclosure of which is prohibited by law.
(16)Prevent a state body that invests retirement, pension, or endowment funds from holding closed sessions when considering investment decisions. For purposes of consideration of shareholder voting on corporate stocks held by the state body, closed sessions for the purposes of voting may be held only with respect to election of
corporate directors, election of independent auditors, and other financial issues that could have a material effect on the net income of the corporation. For the purpose of real property investment decisions that may be considered in a closed session pursuant to this paragraph, a state body shall also be exempt from the provisions of paragraph (7) relating to the identification of real properties prior to the closed session.
(17)Prevent a state body, or boards, commissions, administrative officers, or other representatives that may properly be designated by law or by a state body, from holding closed sessions with its representatives in discharging its responsibilities under Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500), Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 3512), Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 3525), or Chapter 10.7 (commencing with
Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 as the sessions relate to salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits. For the purposes enumerated in the preceding sentence, a state body may also meet with a state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(18)(A)Prevent a state body from holding closed sessions to consider matters posing a threat or potential threat of criminal or terrorist activity against the personnel, property, buildings, facilities, or equipment, including electronic data, owned, leased, or controlled by the state body, where disclosure of these considerations could compromise or impede the safety or security of the personnel, property, buildings, facilities, or equipment, including electronic data, owned, leased, or controlled by the state body.
(B)Notwithstanding any other law, a state body, at any regular or special meeting, may meet in a closed session pursuant to subparagraph (A) upon a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting.
(C)After meeting in closed session pursuant to subparagraph (A), the state body shall reconvene in open session prior to adjournment and report that a closed session was held pursuant to subparagraph (A), the general nature of the matters considered, and whether any action was taken in closed session.
(D)After meeting in closed session pursuant to subparagraph (A), the state body shall submit to the Legislative Analyst written notification stating that it held this closed session, the general reason or reasons for
the closed session, the general nature of the matters considered, and whether any action was taken in closed session. The Legislative Analyst shall retain for no less than four years any written notification received from a state body pursuant to this subparagraph.
(19)Prevent the California Sex Offender Management Board from holding a closed session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the application of a sex offender treatment provider for certification pursuant to Sections 290.09 and 9003 of the Penal Code. Those matters may include review of an applicant’s qualifications for certification.
(d)(1)Notwithstanding any other law, any meeting of the Public Utilities Commission at which the rates of entities under the commission’s jurisdiction
are changed shall be open and public.
(2)Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the Public Utilities Commission from holding closed sessions to deliberate on the institution of proceedings, or disciplinary actions against any person or entity under the jurisdiction of the commission.
(e)(1)Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent a state body, based on the advice of its legal counsel, from holding a closed session to confer with, or receive advice from, its legal counsel regarding pending litigation when discussion in open session concerning those matters would prejudice the position of the state body in the litigation.
(2)For purposes of this article, all expressions
of the lawyer-client privilege other than those provided in this subdivision are hereby abrogated. This subdivision is the exclusive expression of the lawyer-client privilege for purposes of conducting closed session meetings pursuant to this article. For purposes of this subdivision, litigation shall be considered pending when any of the following circumstances exist:
(A)An adjudicatory proceeding before a court, an administrative body exercising its adjudicatory authority, a hearing officer, or an arbitrator, to which the state body is a party, has been initiated formally.
(B)(i)A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the state body on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant
exposure to litigation against the state body.
(ii)Based on existing facts and circumstances, the state body is meeting only to decide whether a closed session is authorized pursuant to clause (i).
(C)(i)Based on existing facts and circumstances, the state body has decided to initiate or is deciding whether to initiate litigation.
(ii)The legal counsel of the state body shall prepare and submit to it a memorandum stating the specific reasons and legal authority for the closed session. If the closed session is pursuant to paragraph (1), the memorandum shall include the title of the litigation. If the closed session is pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B), the memorandum shall include the
existing facts and circumstances on which it is based. The legal counsel shall submit the memorandum to the state body prior to the closed session, if feasible, and in any case no later than one week after the closed session. The memorandum shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to Section 6254.25.
(iii)For purposes of this subdivision, “litigation” includes any adjudicatory proceeding, including eminent domain, before a court, administrative body exercising its adjudicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator.
(iv)Disclosure of a memorandum required under this subdivision shall not be deemed as a waiver of the lawyer-client privilege, as provided for under Article 3 (commencing with Section 950) of Chapter 4 of Division 8 of the Evidence Code.
(f)In addition to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), nothing in this
article shall be construed to do any of the following:
(1)Prevent a state body operating under a joint powers agreement for insurance pooling from holding a closed session to discuss a claim for the payment of tort liability or public liability losses incurred by the state body or any member agency under the joint powers agreement.
(2)Prevent the examining committee established by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, pursuant to Section 763 of the Public Resources Code, from conducting a closed session to consider disciplinary action against an individual professional forester prior to the filing of an accusation against the forester pursuant to Section 11503.
(3)Prevent the enforcement
advisory committee established by the California Board of Accountancy pursuant to Section 5020 of the Business and Professions Code from conducting a closed session to consider disciplinary action against an individual accountant prior to the filing of an accusation against the accountant pursuant to Section 11503. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the qualifications examining committee established by the California Board of Accountancy pursuant to Section 5023 of the Business and Professions Code from conducting a closed hearing to interview an individual applicant or accountant regarding the applicant’s qualifications.
(4)Prevent a state body, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 11121, from conducting a closed session to consider any matter that properly could be considered in closed session by the state body
whose authority it exercises.
(5)Prevent a state body, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 11121, from conducting a closed session to consider any matter
that properly could be considered in a closed session by the body defined as a state body pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 11121.
(6)Prevent a state body, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 11121, from conducting a closed session to consider any matter that properly could be considered in a closed session by the state body it advises.
(7)Prevent the State Board of Equalization from holding closed sessions for either of the following:
(A)When considering matters pertaining to the appointment or removal of the Executive Secretary of the State Board of Equalization.
(B)For the purpose of hearing confidential taxpayer
appeals or data, the public disclosure of which is prohibited by law.
(8)Require the State Board of Equalization to disclose any action taken in closed session or documents executed in connection with that action, the public disclosure of which is prohibited by law pursuant to Sections 15619 and 15641 of this code and Sections 833, 7056, 8255, 9255, 11655, 30455, 32455, 38705, 38706, 43651, 45982, 46751, 50159, 55381, and 60609 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(9)Prevent the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council, or other body appointed to advise the Director of Emergency Services or the Governor concerning matters relating to volcanic or earthquake predictions, from holding closed sessions when considering the evaluation of possible predictions.
(g)This article does not prevent either of the following:
(1)The Teachers’ Retirement Board or the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System from holding closed sessions when considering matters pertaining to the recruitment, appointment, employment, or removal of the chief executive officer or when considering matters pertaining to the recruitment or removal of the Chief Investment Officer of the State Teachers’ Retirement System or the Public Employees’ Retirement System.
(2)The Commission on Teacher Credentialing from holding closed sessions when considering matters relating to the recruitment, appointment, or removal of its executive director.
(h)This article does not prevent the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System from holding closed sessions when considering matters relating to the development of rates and competitive strategy for plans offered pursuant to Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 21660) of Part 3 of Division 5 of Title 2.
(i)This article does not prevent the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board from holding closed sessions when considering matters related to the development of rates and contracting strategy for entities contracting or seeking to contract with the board, entities with which the board is considering a contract, or entities with which the board is considering or enters into any other arrangement under which the board provides, receives, or arranges services or reimbursement, pursuant to Part 6.2 (commencing
with Section 12693), Part 6.3 (commencing with Section 12695), Part 6.4 (commencing with Section 12699.50), Part 6.5 (commencing with Section 12700), Part 6.6 (commencing with Section 12739.5), or Part 6.7 (commencing with Section 12739.70) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.
(j)Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the board of the State Compensation Insurance Fund from holding closed sessions in the following:
(1)When considering matters related to claims pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 3200) of Division 4 of the Labor Code, to the extent that confidential medical information or other individually identifiable information would be disclosed.
(2)To the extent that matters related
to audits and investigations that have not been completed would be disclosed.
(3)To the extent that an internal audit containing proprietary information would be disclosed.
(4)To the extent that the session would address the development of rates, contracting strategy, underwriting, or competitive strategy, pursuant to the powers granted to the board in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11770) of Part 3 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code, when discussion in open session concerning those matters would prejudice the position of the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
(k)The State Compensation Insurance Fund shall comply with the procedures specified in Section 11125.4 of the Government Code with respect to any
closed session or meeting authorized by subdivision (j), and in addition shall provide an opportunity for a member of the public to be heard on the issue of the appropriateness of closing the meeting or session.
Contracts entered into or amended by the State Department of Health Care Services to implement and administer the programs identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 34019 shall be exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Section 19130 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, shall be exempt from the State Administrative Manual, and shall not be subject to the review or approval of any division of the Department of General Services.
The Legislature finds and declares that Section 15 of this act, which amends Section 11126 of the Government Code, imposes a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that
constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
The protection of sensitive information, public safety, privacy, and security is furthered by ensuring that the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel may hold a closed session for the purpose of holding a deliberative conference as provided in Section 11125 of the Government Code.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers the purposes and intent of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act.
This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
In order to have a thriving and legal cannabis market in California, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately.