99: New Regulations – from COVID to Wildfires

Wildfires and COVID impacted legislation as much as they impacted wine production this year. Lauren Noland-Hajik, Attorney and Lobbyist at Soares & Conway coves some of the major changes seen in 2020 and what is coming up in 2021. The March shutdown of the legislature due to COVID resulted in the handing off of power from the legislature off to governor to make executive orders. This is a scenario that has not been seen in a long time and was still in place as of the end of 2020. With the extended tax deadline, the legislature passed baby budget and filled in details in August. As a result, many programs were gutted. New programs and one time funds were taken off the table including programs like upgrading diesel engines, healthy soils program, and air quality plans that help agriculture. Lauren covers new and upcoming policies including how ag can be a solution for wildfires; a bill to create consistent training for M95 mask use; AB685 defining a COVID outbreak and the notification procedure; SB1159 defining where COVID cases are presumed to be contracted; SB1383 to expand protected family leave; and Prop15 impacting property taxes. In 2021 Lauren anticipates more bills on employee protection, legislation around recycling, and the codification of CalOSHA emergency regulations into bills.   References: Podcast 76: Regulations that will Affect Your Wine Business this Year (podcast) Kahn, Soares, & Conway, LLP Lauren Noland-Hajik | [email protected] Official California Legislative Information SIP Certified Get More Subscribe on Google Play, iHeartRADIO, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode on the latest science and research with the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Since 1994, Vineyard Team has been your resource for workshops and field demonstrations, research, and events dedicated to the stewardship of our natural resources. Learn more at www.vineyardteam.org.