California Air Resources Board

Summary

Among other provisions, would have expanded the content of CARB’s SB 150 Progress Report on the SB 375 program; would have required metropolitan planning organizations to submit data for the report, as feasible; would have required additional collaboration on the Strategic Growth Council’s AB 285 Report on the California Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS); would have required local governments to submit a progress report one year after an SCS is accepted; and would have required the Department of Transportation to submit a proposal for a bicycle highway pilot program. Vetoed by the Governor.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1147 without my signature.

This bill adds new and modified reporting at the local and regional levels on compatibility of land use and transportation planning with greenhouse gas reduction goals and a proposal for a pilot program to create a network of bicycle highways.

Although the bill seeks to improve transparency to the Sustainable Community Strategies process, it does not require or incentivize regional and local governments to make land use decisions that change development and transportation patterns.

While I share the author's goal to align policies and promote the use of active transportation modes such as walking and biking, the bill is not necessary because state agencies are already collaborating on these policies and updating local requirements.

I proposed $7.6 billion to make key investments in a wide variety of critically necessary projects including high speed rail, transit connectivity projects in advance of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, active transportation, and a variety of other rail system improvements. Not only will these projects improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians, they will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are key to meeting our state's climate objectives. I look forward to re-engaging with the Legislature to finalize and pass a comprehensive transportation package early next year.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would authorize a public agency that issues a permit to an operator for mobility services, such as a transportation network company like Uber or Lyft, to require an operator to share data as specified and periodically submit to the public agency anonymized trip data, which would have interfered with CARB’s Clean Miles Standard regulation.  Held on suspense in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

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Summary

Would expand the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act, known as the AB 900 program, to include specified hospital projects and requires CARB to complete a greenhouse gas emission determination as one of the requirements needed to obtain the Governor’s certification, which grants the project expedited California Environmental Quality Act review. Was not heard in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.

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Summary

Would, among other provisions, require local governments to make additional considerations in their General Plans and zoning codes regarding wildfire risk. Some elements of these planning considerations would be informed by standards developed by the State Fire Marshall, in coordination with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Governor’s Office of Research and Planning. The bill would also add a sixth Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) objective to promote resilient communities and would adjust the RHNA allocation process to account for wildfire risk. Additionally, the bill would create a grant program at CAL FIRE to support wildfire risk reduction projects. Failed passage in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and was granted reconsideration.

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Summary

Would have exempted from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) housing projects located in a very low vehicle travel area, as defined; required the Office of Planning and Research to maintain maps depicting very low vehicle travel areas; exempted other housing projects as specified; and required CEQA lead agencies approving specified exempted projects to file for notices of exemption, among other provisions.  Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have authorized a transactions and use tax to be placed on the ballot for approval by the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) electorate, if it had been approved by a majority vote of the SCAQMD’s governing board.  The bill would have required the SCAQMD to establish an independent taxpayers’ oversight committee within six months of the effective date of the transactions and use tax levy, increase, or extension to ensure that revenues generated by the levy, increase, or extension are expended consistent with the applicable requirements of the bill.  The bill would have required that all moneys received by SCAQMD from the transactions and use tax be used to implement projects that reduce air pollution through incentives and other measures to first fully implement SCAQMD’s state implementation plan and any subsequent air quality attainment plans, as specified.  Was not heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have prohibited the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission (Commission) from changing the allocation of revenues to any component of the expenditure plan contained in the San Diego Transportation Improvement Program Ordinance by more than an unspecified percentage unless certain conditions were met.  Remains at the Assembly Desk.

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Summary

Would have required CARB to provide each Metropolitan Planning Organization that completes a Sustainable Communities Strategy with greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the automobile and light truck sector for 2045 and 2050, and with vehicle miles traveled reduction targets for 2035, 2045, and 2050.  CARB would have been required to provide the targets no later than December 31, 2022, and release a draft of those targets no later than September 30, 2022, as specified.  Was not heard in the Senate Transportation or Housing Committees.

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Summary

Provides that a Metropolitan Planning Organization or Transportation Planning Agency is not required to submit a Federal Transportation Improvement Program to the U.S. Department of Transportation (Department), and the Department is not required to submit the Federal Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, for 2020.

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Summary

Would have extended the Jobs and Economic Improvement through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2011) until January 1, 2025.  The bill would have also expanded eligibility to include smaller housing projects and specified procedures for the quantification and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, including removing CARB’s role, authorizing the Office of Planning and Research to charge a fee for the greenhouse gas determination, and prioritizing on-site and local direct greenhouse gas emissions reductions over emission offset measures.  Failed passage on Senate Concurrence.

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