Newsom Issues Additional Executive Orders on California Health Corps, Small Business Relief, Others
Over this past week, Governor Gavin Newsom continued to issue several executive orders in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These orders are detailed below:
Judicial Council Emergency Authority
On Friday, March 27, Newsom issued Executive Order N-38-20 expanding the emergency authority of the California Judicial Branch. The order allows the Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court to allow for remote depositions and electronic service of process. The Judicial Branch is provided additional discretion around legal practice and procedure it deems necessary in order to continue conducting business during the COVID-19 emergency.
California Health Corps
Governor Newsom on Monday issued Executive Order N-39-20 launching the California Health Corps initiative to expand California’s healthcare workforce and recruit additional healthcare professionals to address the COVID-19 surge. Newsom’s executive order temporarily expands the healthcare workforce and allows healthcare facilities to staff at least an additional 50,000 hospital beds the state needs to treat COVID-19 patients.
Today, Newsom indicated over 74,000 individuals have volunteered for the California Health Corps via healthcorps.ca.gov.
Small Business Relief
Also on Monday, Newsom issued Executive Order N-40-20 providing tax, regulatory, and licensing extensions for California small businesses. The order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. Additional actions included in the order limit in-person transactions at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and waive Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) continuing education requirements for several professions.
Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account
On Wednesday, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-41-20 allowing for the immediate use of funds to support the state’s efforts in responding to COVID-19. The order facilitates expenditures from the state’s Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account, a subaccount of the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties in the General Fund. Recall, the Newsom Administration on March 25 transferred $1.3 billion from the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties to the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account.
Home and Small Business Water Shutoff
Governor Newsom on Thursday issued Executive Order N-42-20 restricting water shutoffs to homes and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Water Resources Control Board will issue best practices and guidelines on support for the state’s water systems related to the restriction of water shutoffs for nonpayment. The order also restores water for occupied residences who may have had their water shut off as of March 4 when the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency due to COVID-19.