Tony Vazquez

Latino Caucus Bills

The Latino caucus is prioritizing 5 bills with property tax implications.

Summary: AB 655 would allow the Speaker of the Assembly to appoint a Member of the Assembly who represents a district that shares a border with Mexico to the council to serve as an Ex Officio Member of the California-Mexico Border Relations Council.

There is a nexus to the Board of Equalization because the Council includes a number of issues that have a nexus with the Board, including:

CalHFA program initiatives, which support California-Mexico Border Relations through multiple programs, including but not limited to: (1) the Mortgage Relief program in San Diego and Imperial counties, which helped 1,400 homeowners with a total value of $42 million through mortgage relief, property taxes, partial claim/loan deferral and reverse mortgage, (2) reviewing, approving claims for property tax exemptions by non-profit organizations, churches and lands used by government entities, (3) providing disaster relief and recovery measures, including declines in value, for property damaged or destroyed in various types of calamities.

 Background: Existing law establishes the California-Mexico Border Relations Council in state government, which describes the membership, functions, and duties of the council with respect to coordinating the activities of state agencies that are related to cross-border programs, initiatives, projects, and partnerships that exist within state agencies. The existing Council members are:

1. GO-Biz

2. Natural Resources Agency

3. Environmental Protection Agency (Chair)

4. CA Health and Human Services

5. Business, Consumer Services, and Housing

6. Office of Emergency Services

7. US Environmental Protection Agency (Ex Officio)

The California-Mexico Border Relations Council, chaired by the California Environmental Protection Agency, was established in 2006 to serve as the central organizing body that coordinates cross-border programs, initiatives, projects and partnerships. The Council is mandated to:

  • Coordinate activities of state agencies that are related to cross-border programs, initiatives, projects, and partnerships that exist within state government, to improve theeffectiveness of state and local efforts that are of concern between California and Mexico.

  • Invite representatives of the State of Baja California and the Mexican government to participate in meetings.

  • Establish policies to coordinate the collection and sharing of data related to cross-border issues among agencies.

  • Establish the Border Region Solid Waste Working Group to develop and coordinate long-term solutions to address and remediate problems associated with waste tires, solid waste, and excessive sedimentation along the border that cause the degradation of the

    valuable estuarine and riparian habitats, and threaten water quality and public health in the state.

  • Identify and recommend to the Legislature changes in law needed to achieve the goals

    of Section 99523.

  • Submit Annual reports to the Legislature on the Council’s activities.

    According to the 2022 Annual Report, the Council took note of the following state-level activities that may relate to the Board of Equalization’s jurisdiction.

Summary: The California Essential Worker and Economic Stabilization Act aims to address critical labor shortages in the state’s agricultural and service industries by establishing a state administered work authorization framework for essential workers.

There is a nexus to the Board of Equalization because the agricultural and ag service industries depend heavily on essential workers – thus, a significant impact on agricultural property values and agricultural equipment:

The assessment of agricultural property as well as their business personal property and equipment is taxed according to BOE rules and statutes administered by county assessors and overseen by the BOE. Property values and resultant property tax assessments frequently decrease – and thus – result in reduced property tax revenues - when there is a labor shortage impacting the agricultural industry. The Board is in the position and has the expertise to provide significant data, including property assessment information and technical advice on the impact of labor shortages on the valuation of agricultural lands, crops and equipment, which may impact property tax revenues potentially affected the bill. Input and involvement by the Board to agencies under the California Essential Worker & Economic Stabilization Act may be helpful to all.

Background: Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, consisting of various offices and entities, including the office of the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, the Agricultural Relations Board, and the California Workforce Development Board. AB 1442 would state the intent of the Legislature to enact the California Essential Worker & Economic Stabilization Act.

This is an intent bill – so there is no substantive language available.

Summary: SB 635 advances micro-entrepreneurs’ economic security and stability by limiting the sensitive data that can be collected. Specifically, this bill (1) prohibits local sidewalk vending permitting procedures from inquiring into immigration or citizenship status, or criminal history, or requiring fingerprints, and (2) prohibits local sidewalk vending enforcement officers from using their resources to share micro-businesses vulnerable information voluntarily.

There is a nexus to the Board of Equalization because the street vendors could very likely have assessed business equipment and real property leaseholds:

By protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of sidewalk vendors, including their right to fair and equitable property assessment, the BOE can contribute to the protection of small business development and sustainability, which provide important entrepreneurship and economic development opportunities to low-income and immigrant communities.

Background: Existing law authorizes a local authority to adopt a program to regulate sidewalk vendors is the program complies with specified standards. An authorized program can regulate the time, place, and manner of sidewalk vending if the requirements are directly related to objective health, safety, or welfare concerns. This can include requiring the vendor to obtain a permit.

Existing law, the California Values Act, generally prohibits California law enforcement agencies from investigating, detaining, detecting, or arresting persons for immigration enforcement purposes, with limited exceptions.

The stated intent of the bill is to:

  • Promote entrepreneurship and support immigrant and low-income communities,

  • Advance microentrepreneurs’ economic security, privacy, and stability by limiting the sensitive data that can be collected, and

  • Prevent the disclosure of sensitive information that may lead to family separation, community disruption, and life threats.

Summary: Silicosis is a threat to worker safety which has increased recently, particularly in Los Angeles County. It is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, often affecting workers in industries like mining, construction, and stone work. Between July and December 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported a 92% increase in silicosis cases statewide, including 10 related deaths. As of August 21, 2024, there were:

  • 176 silicosis cases in CA, with 105 in LA County

  • 13 known silicosis related deaths statewide

  • 19 stone cutting and fabrication workers who have received lung transplants.

SB 20 will enhance worker safety in the stone fabrication industry and strengthen silicosis prevention efforts by increasing worker education, enforcing safety regulations, and tracking the accurate number and location of fabrication shops in the state.

There is a nexus to the Board of Equalization because protecting the workers who utilize and sustain the income of these businesses will preserve the assessed value of commercial properties that provide property tax revenue to schools and districts. The issue of concern for property tax purposes is a labor shortage. A labor shortage in this industry would possibly cause the revenues of this industry to decrease, which would lead to a decline in value and assessment of the property and business equipment values. Finding ways to support workers in this industry can save lives and prevent the deterioration of associated property values.

Background:

Press Release: Senator Menjivar Fights to STOP Silicosis Cases Among California Workers with SB 20 | California State Senator Caroline Menjivar – SB 20 requires CDPH to:

  • Adopt a training program on best practices related to fabrication activities.

  • Develop a certification process for fabrication shops which reinforces Cal/OSHA safety standards and requires all workers to undergo CDPH’s training program.

  • Begin issuing 3-year certificates to fabrication shops that meet CDPH’s certification criteria.

  • Create and maintain a public database and tracking system that displays information related to fabrication shops’ compliance with Cal/OSHA safety standards and their certification status.

SB 20 builds on recommendations from LA County Department of Public Health, California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and the community organizations in Los Angeles whoa re performing outreach to workers, promoting safety education, and observing firsthand the unsafe working conditions in stone cutting and fabrication shops.

Cal/OSHA will soon approve converting their current emergency temporary standards into permanent standards. However, the severity and catastrophic effects of the issue necessitate stronger and decisive legislative action.

SB 388 California Latino Commission

Authored by Sen. Padilla

Summary: SB 388 seeks to establish the California Latino Commission to serve as a powerful tool for policy change, research, and advocacy that improves the economic well-being and social mobility of Latinos across the state.

There is a nexus to the Board of Equalization because the Commission would focus on issues that are under the Board’s jurisdiction, including addressing the disproportionate impact of the state’s housing crisis on Latinos.

As property taxation can have a severe impact on the ability of individuals to purchase a house, or to receive a property through inheritance or lease, the Board of Equalization can provide significant input on how laws and property tax incentives are or could be impacting various communities, including Latinos. Data collected by the Board from county assessors is a valuable tool for purposes of designing housing programs or modifying existing ones by utilizing such data. The author may wish to consider making the Board a member of the Commission.

Background: Existing law establishes various advisory boards and commissions in state government with specified duties and responsibilities.

SB 388 would create the California Latino Commission to address inequities faced by the Latino community in housing, education, economic mobility, labor, and health care. The commission would consist of 9 members serving 4-year terms and meet quarterly to review data, develop strategies, and ensure that state policies effectively address the needs of the Latino community.

SB 388 would make a number of legislative findings, including that Latinos are key drivers of the state’s economy, but face significant challenges, particularly in housing, education, labor, and health care.

To ensure that the state’s policies are appropriately addressing any inequalities facing the Latino community, the bill would establish the California Latino Commission. This commission would consist of 9 members, 3 appointed by the Governor, 3 appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and 3 appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, who have demonstrated expertise in specified areas. Commission members shall serve 4 year terms and meet at least quarterly to review data, develop strategies, and ensure that state policies are effectively addressing the needs of the Latino community.