California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have added a requirement that new housing development in the coastal zone, as defined, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to the existing coastal zone requirement to minimize vehicle miles traveled and energy consumption.  Was not heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

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Summary

Would have made eligible under the Jobs and Economic Improvement through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 345, Statutes of 2011) a category of transit projects that meet specified vehicle miles traveled requirements.  Was contingent on the enactment of SB 995 (Atkins), which did not receive Senate Concurrence.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 757 without my signature.

This bill expands the types of environmental leadership projects eligible for streamlined judicial review through the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011(AB 900, Buchanan, Chapter 354, Statutes of 2011) to include zero-emission, public transit projects, provided the lead agency applies for the Governor's certification no later than January 1, 2023 and the project is approved no later than January 1, 2024.  The provisions of this bill are contingent on the enactment of Senate Bill 995 by Senator Atkins, which did not successfully pass in the Legislature.

While I support efforts to accelerate transit projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce miles traveled, enactment of this bill is contingent on the successful statutory extension of the AB 900 statute by SB 995, which unfortunately failed passage in the Legislature.

For this reason, I am returning SB 757 without my signature.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have established a new method for individuals and companies to use electric vehicles, known as an electric mobility manufacturer vehicle membership program.  This bill would have authorized an electric mobility manufacturer to offer a monthly membership contract for an electric or zero-emission vehicle with two or more doors.  Was not heard in Senate Transportation Committee.

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Summary

Spot bill related to the requirement for CARB to consult with other governments and nations to identify the most effective strategies and methods to reduce greenhouse gases.  The bill was amended to deal with nonlatex gloves.

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Summary

Would have required CARB to submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2022, on the results of a study to determine the feasibility of assessing the carbon intensity of all retail products subject to the Sales and Use Tax.  The bill would have set specific requirements for the study and would have required CARB to hold at least three public meetings prior to developing the report.  The bill failed passage in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.

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Summary

Would have required the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to adopt regulations by January 2022 to develop a loan, grant, and incentive payment program to improve California’s statewide recycling and composting infrastructure.  This bill would have created the California Recycling and Composting Infrastructure Fund in the State Treasury to support the regulations.  Remains in the Senate Rules Committee.

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Summary

Would have created the Sea Level Rise Revolving Loan Program (Program) within the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) to provide low-interest loans to local jurisdictions for the purchase of coastal properties in their jurisdictions identified as vulnerable coastal property.  This bill would have also required the California Coastal Commission to determine criteria and guidelines for the identification of vulnerable coastal properties eligible for participation in the program by January 2022.  The bill would have authorized specified cities and counties to apply for, and be awarded, a low‑interest loan under the Program if the city or county develops and submits to the bank a vulnerable coastal property plan.  Remains in the Senate Rules Committee.

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Summary

Would have made various changes to the Green Chemistry program, also known as the Safer Consumer Products program.  This bill would have allowed the Department of Toxics Substance Control (DTSC) to forego the alternatives analysis process and move directly to a regulatory response for a chemical of concern if there were publicly available studies identifying safer alternative chemicals.  The bill would have also established civil penalties for a product manufacturer that does not comply with a DTSC request for product ingredients or use, required the DTSC to include in the Priority Product Workplan a timeline and plan for identifying safer alternatives for chemicals of concern, and eliminated the Toxics Information Clearinghouse.  Of interest to CARB due to the connection with hazardous air pollutants and toxic air contaminants.  Remains in the Assembly Rules Committee.

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Summary

Would have enacted the Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2020, which if approved by voters, would have authorized the issuance of bonds for $5.51 billion to finance projects for wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, and flood protection.  This bond would have provided $50 million to CARB to fund projects that convert forest and vegetation waste to beneficial uses that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide local air quality benefits, and help to increase local community resilience against climate change impacts.  CARB would have also been required to define negative emissions and give preference to projects that provide negative emissions.  Remains at the Assembly Desk.

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