California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have required CARB by January 1, 2023, to identify an overall climate goal for the State’s natural and working lands to sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions as part of the next Scoping Plan Update.  The bill also would have required CARB to identify actions that would help achieve the climate goal and integrate opportunities to enhance other public benefits.  Finally, the bill would have required CARB to develop methods for State agencies to track greenhouse gas emission reductions, carbon sequestration, and co-benefits from natural and working lands over time as part of the next Scoping Plan Update.  Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have made various changes to resource conservation districts and, notably for CARB, would have authorized each district to develop a long‑range work plan, annual work plan, and annual district report to address projects that, among other things, enhance adaptation or resilience to climate change, or mitigate or sequester carbon emissions on natural and working lands.  Was not heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee.

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Summary

Would have established the California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act that would have required a contractor contracting with a State agency for procurement of specified products to certify the materials used were not derived from land where tropical deforestation occurred on or after January 1, 2021.  The bill would have required the Department of General Services to issue a notice regarding this requirement and impose specified sanctions on contractors who violate the requirement.  Was not heard in the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee.

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Summary

Would have amended State law to enhance fire prevention efforts by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) through improving vegetation management and home hardening, expanding the area where fire safety building standards apply, and increasing the eligible activities under CAL FIRE’s local assistance grant program.  This bill would have required CAL FIRE, in consultation with CARB and the California Forest Management Task Force, to report specified outcomes of the funds spent on healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2022.  Was not heard on the Assembly Floor.

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Summary

Would have, among other provisions, increased local planning requirements and guidelines for permitting development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and directed local governments to develop retrofit strategies for structures in their communities that need fire hardening.  The bill would have also established a grant program for small jurisdictions, as defined, that contain very high fire risk areas.  Administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, this grant program would have funded wildfire risk reduction planning activities.  This bill would have required CARB to compile the greenhouse gas quantification data for the grant program if the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was identified as the funding source for the program.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 182 without my signature.

This bill would impose certain fire hazard planning responsibilities on local governments and would require cities and counties to make specified findings on fire standards prior to permitting development in the very high fire hazard severity zone.

I strongly support strengthening land use planning requirements in order to better protect our communities from wildfire.  The importance of reducing the number and impact of fires in our communities cannot be overstated.  However, this bill creates inconsistencies, duplicates existing requirements, creates a loophole for regions to not comply with their housing requirements, fails to account for consequences that could increase sprawl and places significant cost burdens on the state.

New state laws and policies are already directing housing to communities near transit, jobs and urban centers and away from fire risk areas, including integration into the current housing planning cycle.  Additionally, the 2019-20 Budget requires the California Department of Housing and Community Development, in collaboration with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, to develop recommendations to improve the regional housing need allocation process to promote and streamline housing development to address California's housing shortage.

Wildfire resilience must become a more consistent part of land use and development decisions.  However, it must be done while meeting our housing needs.

For these reasons, I am returning Senate Bill 182 without my signature.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here