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SB-59 Cannabis provisional licenses: local equity applicants.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 04/12/2021 09:00 PM
SB59:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  April 12, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 59

Introduced by Senator Caballero

December 07, 2020

An act to amend Sections Section 26050.2 and 26055 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to cannabis.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 59, as amended, Caballero. Cannabis licenses. provisional licenses: local equity applicants.
Existing law, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 (AUMA), an initiative measure, 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. AUMA authorizes legislative amendment of its provisions with a 2/3 vote of both houses, without submission to the voters, to further its purposes and intent.
Existing law, 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, for purposes of the California Cannabis Equity Act, defines local equity program as 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 specified. MAUCRSA requires the bureau to administer a grant program to assist a local jurisdiction with the development of a local equity program or to assist local equity applicants and local equity licensees through a local equity program, as specified.
MAUCRSA, until January 1, 2022, authorizes a licensing authority, in its sole discretion, to issue a provisional license if the applicant has submitted a completed license application to the licensing authority, including evidence that compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or local cannabis ordinances is underway, if applicable, as specified.
This bill would prohibit a licensing authority from issuing a new provisional license to an applicant on or after July 1, 2022, unless the applicant is a qualified equity applicant, as defined by the California Cannabis Equity Act, and would authorize a licensing authority to reinstate a provisional license issued prior to July 1, 2022, to an applicant for the same activity previously licensed at the location. The bill would extend the repeal date of these provisional license provisions to July 1, 2028. By extending provisional licensure, the applications for 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.

MAUCRSA, until July 1, 2021, provides that CEQA 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 reinstate that exemption, to become inoperative on July 1, 2028.

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.
This bill would declare that its provisions further the purposes and intent of AUMA.
Vote: 2/3   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 This act shall be known as the California Legacy Cannabis Preservation and Equity Act of 2021.

SEC. 2.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) This act intends to keep compliant cannabis businesses in California’s legal cannabis marketplace and deter unlicensed market activity.
(b) Compliant cannabis businesses have contributed to the state’s economy creating jobs, boosting economic development, and generating substantial state and local tax revenue.
(c) Stability in the cannabis marketplace is a vital component of an effective permanent state licensing program.
(d) The provisional licensed program has provided a legal path for California’s legacy cannabis businesses to continue operations while ensuring those businesses achieve compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(e) With almost 80 percent of all licenses under provisional status, it is vital that the provisional program continue for these existing businesses in the licensed system while they continue to undergo environmental review.
(f) It is equally vital that the provisional program be extended in a manner that ensures a meaningful and immediate pathway to licensure for equity applicants in disadvantaged communities.

SECTION 1.SEC. 3.

 Section 26050.2 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

26050.2.
 (a) A Subject to subdivision (i), 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) A licensing authority shall not issue a new provisional license to an applicant on or after July 1, 2022, unless the applicant is a qualified equity applicant, as defined in Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 26240). The licensing authority, in its sole discretion, may reinstate a provisional license issued prior to July 1, 2022, to an applicant for the same activity previously licensed at the location.

(i)

(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2.Section 26055 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
26055.

(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, 2028.

(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.

SEC. 3.SEC. 4.

 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.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers the purposes and intent of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act.