Public Policy

H.R. 3131

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3131

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

H.R. 3131 is to amend and reauthorize the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act–this is key federal funding for Community Action Agencies and other organizations/programs addressing poverty. CSBG was “zeroed out” in the President’s proposed budget for FY2026, making H.R. 3131’s passage even more critical.

Please visit this link to find your Representative: (https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative).

This Bill is currently in Committee and has 17 co-sponsors as of 7/30. We are asking everyone to reach out to their Representatives TODAY–PARTICULARLY our LA-area members and colleagues–and please share this post!

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Net Energy Metering (NEM)

CCEDA has taken a bold, strong move by spearheading advocacy in support of NEM reform. NEM reform has a strong coalition in opposition, and that has been highly politicized as being “anti-solar.”

Having done work in climate change and adaptation, CCEDA has built relationships with various environmental groups, many of who are opposed to NEM reform.

However, it’s clear; this well-meaning program benefits wealthier homeowners, not the low-income communities that CCEDA seeks to empower. In keeping with CCEDA’s Vision and Mission, we became the forefront for low-income advocacy on this issue.

CA Lifeline Program

The CA Lifeline program offers low-income Californians assistance for wireless telecom services (cell phones and broadband internet). However, a recent proposed decision by the CPUC would eliminate this subsidy for customers who also receive the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Lifeline $9.25 state subsidy and the federal ACP subsidy is $30. The CPUC considers Target Support to be $25.48, while the average bill for standard wireless plans is $60-$80. The combined subsidy of ACP and CA Lifeline would total $39.25, which is under the average.

CCEDA enacted a campaign to raise awareness and request public comment, with 38 comments collected so far.

Housing Working Group

A coalition of 19 community organizations and nonprofits seeking to address the issue of affordable housing in California. The coalition meets monthly, sharing strategies, legislation, and updates regarding affordable housing.

We recently had our first in-person meeting and drafted out a plan to creating and advancing legislation amenable to all parties that helps alleviate the affordable housing problem in the state.

CCEDA will continue working within this group to legislatively expand opportunities in low-income communities for home ownership, development of affordable housing, and housing assistance. We aim to introduce legislation next year.

Support Letters

CCEDA submitted a total of 7 letters of support for the following bills:

• SB 423: Land use: streamlined housing approvals: multifamily housing developments.       – Scott Wiener
• AB 538: Multistate regional transmission system organization: membership. – Chris Holden
• SB 418: California Prison Redevelopment Commission. – Steve Padilla
• SB 594: Beneficial owners. – Maria Elena Durazo
• SB 851: Self-generation incentive program. – Henry Stern
• AB 1231: Telecommunications: combining lifeline, federal lifeline, and federal Affordable Connectivity Program subsidies. – Miguel Santiago
• AB 919: Residential real property: sale of rental properties: right of first offer.                Ash Kalra
• Low-Income Renewable Campaign
  • CCEDA partnered with Goal Zero, a leader in portable power solutions, to garner support for AB 1231, a bill that would extend SGIP benefits to low-income communities and provide funding for upfront costs of renewable technology in low-income households.
  • CCEDA collected a total of 3 letters of support for the bill.