CA AB2819

Establishes the Rural California Infrastructure Program within the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank to award competitive grants to eligible local agencies (counties and special districts with populations under 300,000) for rural infrastructure projects.

Appropriates $1,000,000,000 to the newly created Rural California Infrastructure Account in the I-Bank Fund, with the Controller required to transfer funds on January 1, 2023.

Defines eligible rural infrastructure projects as disaster preparedness/mitigation projects, disaster recovery projects, or historic/cultural preservation projects that constitute economic or public development facilities.

Requires at least 50 percent of grant funds support disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery projects, with priority given to projects addressing imminent fire or flooding threats and requiring geographic equity in award distribution.

Mandates all public works funded comply with prevailing wage requirements and either use skilled apprentice workforces or operate under a project labor agreement; requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on program activity, projects funded, and jobs created or retained.