California Briefs: State to Expand EV Charging Stations; CA Extends Paid Sick Leave; Small Businesses Relief

California to Receive More Than $56 Million to Expand Network of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Feb. 10, announced that $56.8 million in federal funding is available to California this year to build out electric vehicle charging networks. This funding from the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy is part of the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This is the first year of funding for the program, and it is estimated that $383.6 million will be available to California through this program over five years.

The NEVI program will provide nearly $5 billion over five years to help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated alternative fuel corridors, particularly along the interstate highway system. States must submit an EV infrastructure deployment plan before they can access these funds. A second, competitive grant program designed to further increase EV charging access in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities, will be announced later this year.

New California Legislation Extends Paid Sick Leave, Expands Relief for Small Businesses, Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship

OAKLAND – Gov. Gavin Newsom Feb. 9, signed legislation extending COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave for workers, and early budget action to provide an additional $6.1 billion in tax relief, tax credits and direct grants for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

Outlined in January, SB 114 by the committee on budget and fiscal review ensures that employees continue to have access to up to 80 hours of COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave through Sept. 30, 2022, which may be used by employees who have been advised to quarantine, those caring for COVID-impacted family members, attending a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, and more. Small businesses employing 25 or fewer workers are exempt from the legislation, which is retroactive to sick leave taken beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

SB 113 provides an additional $6.1 billion in tax relief, tax credits and direct grants to the hardest hit businesses. The Bill includes provisions that:

• Provide a nearly $500 million tax cut for restaurants and venues: By conforming state tax policy for the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund and federal Shuttered Venue Operators grant programs, grants received by such businesses will not be considered taxable by the state – translating into a tax cut totaling nearly $500 million over the coming years.
• Restore $5.5 billion in tax credits and deductions for California businesses: By restoring business tax credits, including for research and development and the net operating loss deduction for businesses one year early, the near-term benefit for such businesses is estimated to reach $5.5 billion.
• Invest $150 million in COVID-19 relief grants for California’s small businesses: SB 113 invests an additional $150 million in California’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program to fund applicants on the waitlist – the program has provided grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Details: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov