After a long, harsh winter, California now faces a dangerous summer of unpredictable wildfires and climate change.

Wildfire numbers across the United States have continuously grown since 2000, but California wildfires in particular are escalating and becoming more and more unpredictable.  After a rough winter of heavy snowfall and rain, vegetation is blooming.  While this may sound like just what we needed after the worst drought in over a millennium, flourishing greenery serves as an effective kindling for summer wildfires.

Cal Fire crews are trying to outsmart these erratic fires with fire behaviorists, who use everything from drones and radar to artificial intelligence models to try and predict how the blazes will move.  The smallest of factors can change its course, like wind force or even the shape of slopes.  In the end, however, trying to predict something so arbitrary is oftentimes unsuccessful.

Adding to the unpredictability of this year’s wildfire season is the drastic heat waves as a result of climate change.  The last two weekends have reached triple digits, and there doesn’t look to be any relief for the remainder of the summer.  These heat waves not only keep flames burning overnight (during the crucial hours when firefighters try to get ahead of them), they put California residents in danger as well.

The key takeaway from the radical start to this summer is to stay safe.  Keep updated with wildfires throughout the state and keep yourself and your workers safe from the heat outside.

Read the full article from CalMatters!

For more information about wildfire safety as well as protecting outdoor workers from heat illnesses, check out these CalOHA articles!

It was a long legislative day yesterday, but as of 8:16 pm we had our vote on AB 1472 (Alvarez – San Diego).

AB 1472 set to fine parks for allowing reregistration of tenants under the assumption that the only reason they were asked to leave was to prevent residency.  CalOHA, along with our lobbyist, Andrew Govenar, representatives from Terra Vista Mgmt, Santee Lakes Recreation District, and the Western Fairs Association opposed the legislation in a challenging battle that pit RV parks against affordable housing. 

AB 1472 was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 27th. At that time the committee instructed the Asm to work with opposition on amendments and bring it back for a vote only on July 11th.  It is anyone’s guess as to why the Asm took the path he did, but the bill was brought back to committee with no amendments and no attempt to work with opposition.  

AB 1472 failed in Senate Judiciary Committee as a vote only 2-6 on July 11th.  Senators Weiner (San Francisco) and Durazo (Los Angeles) voted Aye.  Senators Umberg (Anaheim), Ashby, (Sacramento), Min (Orange), Laird (Central Coast), Neillo (Elk Grove to Yuba City), Caballero (Fresno) voted NO.  Wilk (Palmdale/Lancaster), Allen (LA Ventura coast) and Stern (Ventura County) abstained. 
 
Senator Laird moved for reconsideration, and it was granted, meaning that Asm Alvarez can bring the bill back in the spring.  However, the strong opposition from the committee would indicate a full need to gut and amend before presenting to the committee again.  It is likely that the bill will be brought back to committee in some form and unlikely the Asm will work with opposition. 

However, this is just the beginning of what could be more legislation between RV parks and housing issues.  As an industry we need to look to the future and what direction we should take to protect our parks.  20+ years ago the founders of CalOHA took the initiative to write SOPA. Now it is time to rethink RV parks and where we want to land for the next 20 years.  

Please take a moment to thank the Senators, especially if they are in your district, for their support of RV parks and campgrounds throughout California.  

Need to find your representatives?

While the majority of California’s employment law changes are made at the start of the calendar year, they are constantly evolving throughout year, oftentimes without employers’ realization.

To keep employers up to date on all the changes that have been implemented thus far this year, CalChamber has released their 2023 Midyear Employment Law Update. 

According to CalChamber, this year has been a busy one, with local ordinance updates, federal and state court decisions, regulatory developments from multiple departments, and important decisions from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Among the Local Ordinance Updates are minimum wage increases for many California cities and counties. Effective July 1, 2023, the following localities will increase their minimum wage to:

• Alameda: $16.52/hour
• Berkeley: $18.07/hour
• Emeryville: $18.67/hour
• Fremont: $16.80/hour
• Los Angeles City: $16.78/hour
• Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas): $16.90/hour
• Malibu: $16.90/hour
• Milpitas: $17.20/hour
• Pasadena: $16.93/hour
• San Francisco: $18.07/hour
• Santa Monica: $16.90/hour
• West Hollywood: $19.08/hour

All California employers with employees in these jurisdictions should prepare to implement these new minimum wage rates. Employers should also check to see if their city/county has any required posters or updates for July 1st. 

David Gorin, a founding member of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC) passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 78 years old.

David Gorin was the definition of a titan of industry when it comes to RV parks and campgrounds. Among his assistance in establishing the National ARVC, Gorin was also a consultant and lobbyist within the industry, as well as an RV and manufactured housing Hall of Fame recipient.  

Since his diagnosis of stage four pancreatic and liver cancer in February, Gorin spent his final months enjoying the countless friendships he made within the industry over the course of his career. David also made sure to spend quality time with his two sons, Daniel and Jesse, and his wife, Susan.

 Susan Gorin, his wife, noted on CaringBridge.org that “He and I did a lot of talking and planning in preparation for this day. He was quite humble about what he wanted people to remember and say about him. What I can say is that his intentions and actions were always for good reasons, he was respected highly by those he worked with, he deeply loved our family and friends, and he met his three final goals: our annual Passover seder in NYC, our Memorial Day weekend with our sons and their girlfriends, and a pain-free departure from home through hospice.”

For more updates from David Gorin’s family or to share your thoughts, please visit CaringBridge.org