California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have provided that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that provides that the policy of the State is to ensure that companies that contract with the State are not contributing to tropical deforestation, either directly or through their supply chains. Remains at the Assembly Desk.

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Summary

Would have required the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop procedures, in consultation with CARB, for local jurisdictions to request technical assistance on meeting the State’s organic waste recycling requirements.

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Governor's Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 972 without my signature.

This bill requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop procedures for local jurisdictions to request technical assistance regarding the disposal of organic material in landfills. It also requires CalRecycle to consider providing technical assistance before exercising its enforcement authority, if a local jurisdiction has submitted a technical assistance request.

While I appreciate the author's intent to assist local jurisdictions in meeting California's organic waste reduction and diversion targets established in Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016), this bill is unnecessary and duplicative of existing efforts. CalRecycle currently offers a suite of technical assistance materials and comprehensive staff assistance for all jurisdictions in the state specific to Senate Bill 1383. Further, the Local Assistance and Market Development branch within CalRecycle regularly meets with local jurisdictions, including monthly Senate Bill 1383 roundtables, and conducts annual site visits to provide customized assistance consistent with each jurisdiction's needs.

For this reason, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Enacts the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, which would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 if approved by voters, for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience; wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions; climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands; park creation and outdoor access; and clean air programs.

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Summary 

Would have allowed the California Natural Resources Agency to authorize teal carbon demonstration projects and develop, with consultation from CARB and other parties, a teal carbon demonstration project program starting January 1, 2028. The bill would have also allowed the California Coastal Commission (Commission) to authorize blue carbon demonstration projects and develop, with CARB and other parties, a blue carbon demonstration project program. The bill would have allowed the Commission to require an applicant with a nonresidential project that impacts coastal wetland, subtidal, intertidal, or marine habitats or ecosystems to build or contribute to a blue carbon demonstration project. The bill would have required these provisions (both teal and blue carbon demonstration projects programs) to be implemented only upon an appropriation by the Legislature for its purposes.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1992 without my signature.

This bill would authorize the California Coastal Commission and the California Natural Resources Agency to facilitate the development of blue and teal carbon demonstration projects in certain coastal areas and inland wetlands.

California is a global leader in advancing nature-based carbon capture and sequestration solutions, having built and expanded our portfolio of actions over decades. In fact, between 2020 and 2023 alone, the State invested approximately $9.6 billion in nature-based solutions. Additionally, I signed Assembly Bill 1757 (C. Garcia) in 2022, which required the State to develop achievable carbon removal targets for natural and working lands. This same year, the Natural and Working Land Climate Smart Strategy cataloged over 350 efforts across State agencies to deliver meaningful nature-based solution climate action.

While I share the author's desire to accelerate novel nature-based climate solutions, this bill creates a new, unfunded program. In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep program cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have enacted the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Clean Energy, and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2024, which, if approved by the voters, would have authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $15,995,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparation, flood protection, extreme heat mitigation, clean energy, and workforce development programs. Was not heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

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Summary 

This bill requires the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) to create high road evaluation metrics and provide technical assistance to state agencies in their high road reporting requirements. Requires, by January 1, 2025, specified state agencies, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the CWDB to incorporate high road evaluation metrics in the state agency’s procurement processes, contracts, and incentive programs. The bill also requires the MOUs to include advice and recommendations from CWDB to ensure state agency policies and regulated programs create or support high-quality jobs in the broadband, energy, resources, and transportation sectors and expand access to those jobs for priority populations through high-quality education and training.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 822 without my signature.

This bill creates the lnteragency High Road Act and requires the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the California Workforce Development Board [CWDB) to consult with stakeholders, including public input, on the development and evaluation of high road metrics. It also requires certain state agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the CWDB to incorporate high road evaluation metrics in the state agency's procurement processes, contracts, and incentive programs.

I strongly support efforts to maximize state and federal funding opportunities while delivering high quality jobs that increase opportunity for all communities and decrease disparities in historically disadvantaged areas. To further this work, I issued an Executive Order to accelerate clean infrastructure projects with an all-of-government strategy for planning and development and tracking progress toward equity goals that support disadvantaged communities - including good jobs. California's Infrastructure Strike Team is also driving collaboration across state agencies - including in the area of workforce training and development. Additionally, the Department of General Services and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development are supporting implementation of AB 2019 (2022), to advance equitable inclusion and utilization of small and diverse businesses in California's state procurement and contracting opportunities.

Additionally, I have signed several bills that ensure public contracting dollars are also investing in human infrastructure, including SB 150 that requires the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Government Operations Agency, and the State Transportation Agency to convene relevant stakeholders and draft recommendations to ensure that investments maximize benefits to marginalized and disadvantaged communities. The recommendations are due by March 30, 2024.

It is advisable to allow time for those policies to be implemented before adding more requirements that may duplicate efforts.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have required the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature discussing potential lower carbon emission versions of asphalt mixtures, cement, and concrete used in State transportation projects. The bill would have required the Department of Transportation to require bidders to submit environmental product declarations for, and the amounts of, asphalt mixtures and concrete used in a project. CARB would have been in a consulting role. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have required the California Energy Commission, on or before June 1, 2024, to adopt a strategy, with milestones, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases for the building sector consistent with the targets and strategies identified in the most recent scoping plan. CARB would have been in a consulting role. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Makes several operational and technical changes to last year's AB 2446 (Holden, Chapter 352, Statutes of 2022) that requires CARB to establish a framework and strategy for embodied carbon in building materials to make the program workable. The bill also authorizes, instead of requires, CARB to establish an embodied carbon trading system.

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Summary 

Would have required CARB to annually produce an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation of oil in California, as specified, and to include the assessment on CARB's internet website. Remains in the Senate Rules Committee.

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