Title
Supervisors Thomas and Hidahl recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 036-2024 of the Board of Supervisors opposing Proposition 1 - the Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure, appearing on the March 5, 2024 statewide primary ballot, contingent on County Counsel approval.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On October 12, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 531 (Irwin) and Senate Bill (SB) 326 (Eggman), a two-bill legislative package seeking to alter the state’s behavioral health system and create more supportive housing and behavioral health treatment resources. Specified sections of the two measures will appear together before the voters on the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election ballot as Proposition 1.
While the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors acknowledges that California’s behavioral health system and approach to homelessness needs to be modernized and transformed, the Board has strong concerns that Proposition 1 will takeaway local control and adversely impact El Dorado County’s ability to provide behavioral health services. While Proposition 1 has lofty goals, the implementation strategies employed are likely to have adverse impacts on California counties.
Specifically, Proposition 1 would amend the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) which accounts for about one-third of funding for county behavioral health services, shifting allocations away from community mental health services into housing interventions that may be incompatible with El Dorado County’s existing conditions and needs. While Proposition 1 may create housing it will likely impact and reduce existing services in our community which depend on MHSA funding.
AB 531
AB 531, the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2024, authorizes $6.38 billion in general obligation bonds to finance the conversion, rehabilitation, and construction of supportive housing, behavioral health housing, and treatment settings. The $6.38B will be split between two categories:
1. Facilities for Mental Health Care and Drug or Alcohol Treatment
Proposition 1 would provide up to $4.4 billion to the state program that builds more facilities for mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment. Proposition 1 would require at least $1.5 billion of the $4.4 billion to go to local governments and tribes.
2. Housing
Proposition 1 would give $2 billion to the state program that allocates money to local government to turn hotels, motels, and other buildings into housing and construct new housing. Local governments would get either grants or loans from the state. The housing added by the measure would be for people who are (1) experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and (2) have mental health, drug, or alcohol challenges. Of the $2 billion, $1 billion would be set aside for veterans.
SB 326
SB 326 amends the MHSA which was approved by the voters as Proposition 63 in 2004 and makes other statutory changes to update the state’s behavioral health system. Among its provisions, SB 326 renames the MHSA to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA); broadens the eligible uses of funds to include the provision of substance use disorder treatments services; revises the funding categories to include a prioritization for housing interventions for those with the most severe needs, including the chronically homeless; and establishes additional oversight and accountability measures up to and including sanctions for counties. While SB 326 may increase housing for the chronically homeless, it will reduce local flexibility while decreasing local mental health and prevention services.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Resolution opposing Proposition 1.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office
Health & Human Services Agency
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item, however, if Proposition 1 passes, then the County would see a reduction in ongoing revenue by at least five percent as the State’s share of MHSA funding would go from five percent to 10 percent. Additionally, the County could receive funding to construct or convert buildings into housing or mental health/drug and alcohol treatment facilities.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Chair signature on the Resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Supervisors Thomas and Hidahl