Plastic Bags

SB 700 (Wolk) – Request for Comments
As Amended April 2, 2013

SB 700, by Senator Lois Wolk, would charge a $0.05 fee on single-use carry-out bags for the purposes of providing grants to cities and counties to support local parks and local park programs. The bill would also allow the governing body of a city or county to adopt an ordinance that provides that the charge does not apply in that city or county. In addition, this bill would not preempt or prohibit local ordinances, regulations, resolutions or rules governing single-use carryout bags or recycling programs, or solid waste or household hazardous waste agreements. According to the Senate Natural Resources analysis, this bill has the potential to raise a significant amount of revenue for parks; however, the analysis also states that “developing a practical program to implement the concept is challenging.” 

Plastic bags are a significant source of pollution and many ends up in our landfills, waterways and in the ocean. More than 70 cities and counties are reported to have ordinances covering approximately one third of California’s population. Additionally, there are several bills this session which CSAC is supporting that would seek to place a statewide ban on plastic bags, eliminating plastic pollution at the source. CSAC is requesting your input on this bill. It will be heard on April 17, 2013 in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. 

AB 158 (Levine) – Support
As Amended April 9, 2013

AB 158, by Assembly Member Mark Levine, would phase- out the use of single-use bags at certain retailers and place requirements on reusable bags. Specifically, this bill would prohibit retailers with gross annual sales of $2 million or more or 10,000 square feet or more of retail space on and after January 1, 2015 from providing a single-use carryout bag to a customer at the point-of-sale. In addition, this bill would require a store, on and after January 1, 2016, to only provide a reusable grocery bag to a customer, which may be made available for purchase. 

Plastic bags are a significant waste management problem. It is estimated that California retailers distribute more than 19 billion plastic retail carryout bags annually. However, less than five percent are currently recycled, and most end up in our landfills. According to the author, plastic bags comprise 10 percent of marine debris and take more than 1,000 years to break down. As stated above, more than 70 cities and counties are reported to have ordinances covering approximately one third of California’s population. Furthermore, AB 158 does not pre-empt local ordinances relating to single-use bags. CSAC is working with the author’s office on amendments that would ensure that all existing ordinances are grandfathered in and that this bill would in no way preempt local governments from adopting ordinances. CSAC supports this bill because it will help to reduce plastic pollution and the costs associated with it. AB 158 has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 405 (Padilla) – Support
As Amended April 2, 2013

SB 405, by Senator Alex Padilla, is substantially similar to AB 158. As stated above, this bill would, as of January 1, 2015, prohibit stores that have a specified amount of dollar sales or retail floor space from providing a single-use carryout bag to a customer. In addition, SB 405 would, on and after July 1, 2016, additionally impose these prohibitions and requirements on convenience food stores, food marts, and certain other specified stores. The bill also contains requirements for reusable grocery bags. SB 405 does not pre-empt local ordinances relating to single-use bags. CSAC is also working with the author’s office on amendments that would ensure that all existing ordinances are grandfathered in and that this bill would in no way preempt local governments from adopting ordinances. This bill has been set for hearing on April 17, 2013 in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

Agricultural Land Conversion

AB 823 – Oppose
As amended March 11, 2013

AB 823, by Assembly Member Susan Eggman, would place in statute minimum statewide mitigation standards for projects that result in the conversion of agricultural land to permanent or long-term nonagricultural uses. Mitigation is required to be the permanent protection and conservation of land suitable for agricultural uses through either a grant in perpetuity of an agricultural easement, or funding of a perpetual agricultural easement through payment to specified entities. AB 823 also would place in statute minimum mitigation ratios as well as other criteria. 

CSAC and the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) have expressed opposition to the bill’s one-size fits all approach which would ignore the unique characteristics of each county. It does this by setting forth mandatory mitigation requirements that remove the lead agency’s ability to balance a wide range of interests important to the local community. AB 823 is scheduled to be heard before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday, April 15.

Timber Harvest Plans

AB 350 (Bigelow/Wieckowski) - Request for Comments
As Introduced February 13, 2013

AB 350, co-authored by Assembly Member Frank Bigelow and Assembly Member Bob Wieckowski, would expand the diameter of a tree stump exempted from the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption under the Timber Harvest Plan. This measure is intended to cut the red tape to allow private forest land owners to do the much-needed work of clearing out deadwood, underbrush and other highly flammable materials that turn healthy forest fires disastrous. AB 350 is schedule to be heard before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday, April 29.