Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's Senate Bill 546 Gains Momentum in Senate Governance and Finance Committee
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s (D – Jackson) Senate Bill 546 advanced through the Senate Governance and Finance Committee with a 5-2 majority in a hearing held this morning.
SB 546 proposes an exemption from the state sales and use tax for public entities facilitating the purchase of dedicated snow removal vehicles. Aimed at supporting communities grappling with severe winters, the bill ensures safety for residents without impacting local tax revenues. These specialized vehicles have a lifespan of approximately 15-20 years, addressing the pressing need for sustainable, efficient snow removal services.
The urgency of this bill stems from the devastating storms that battered Senator Alvarado-Gil's district and other parts of California in 2023, leading to a State of Emergency declaration by Governor Gavin Newsom. Thirteen counties, including several in the Senator's district, were severely affected, demanding aid for local businesses, schools, and community centers. The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported record snowfall in 2023, close to 42 feet of snow between March and October – more than any other year since 1970 – emphasizing the crucial role of local-level snow removal services.
Although Caltrans is the designated agency for snow removal on state highways, crews were forced to adhere to the California Highway Patrol’s “hard closures” due to avalanches and freezing conditions during the 2023 storms. Law enforcement additionally prevented local snow removal efforts due to significant safety concerns posed by the storms, leaving many residents in vulnerable conditions.
“The 2023 storms left more than 6,000 customers stranded between ice walls and without power or water in the Sierra Nevada. Farther south in San Bernardino County, law enforcement, rescue teams, and residents have been trapped by heavy snowfall multiple times, eliciting a mass-agency response. We must do everything we can to ensure we are prepared for the next significant storm,” Senator Alvarado-Gil strongly stated.
The call to amplify local resources, a key proponent of the bill, is echoed by Kyra Ross, representing the Town of Truckee. In today’s hearing, Ross highlighted the integral role of snow removal in Truckee, where an annual average of 17 feet of snow poses operational challenges to the town. Ross added SB 546 would have saved the Town of Truckee approximately $80,000 over the last four years, allowing for the town to reinvest in additional snow removal resources and benefit residents.
“Each one of my colleagues in the Legislature has at least one constituent who owns a second home in Lake Tahoe,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil. “This underscores the urgent need to support our public entities and ensure they have the best tools at their disposal to alleviate safety concerns for residents and public safety officials alike,” the Senator emphasized.
The support for SB 546 is widespread, with backing from influential organizations such as the California Ski Industry Association, California State Association of Counties, California League of Cities, Sierra Business Council, and the City of South Lake Tahoe. SB 546 is set to move forward to the Senate Appropriations Committee, as Senator Alvarado-Gil continues to champion essential measures for the well-being of Californians in the face of harsh winter conditions.
Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.
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