Invasive Species

AB 2443 (Williams) – Support
As Amended May 3, 2012

AB 2443, by Assembly Member Das Williams, will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee on June 26, 2012. As you recall, this bill would impose a fee of not more than $10 on boater registration for the purposes of funding a Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Program. This bill would help to offset local government and state agency costs by establishing a new source of revenue to help protect California’s vulnerable waters from Quagga and Zebra mussel infestation.

Metal Theft

SB 1387 (Emmerson) – Support
As Amended April 19, 2012

SB 1387, by Senator Bill Emmerson, would prohibit junk dealers and recyclers from possessing fire hydrants, manhole covers or backflow devices without proper certification. In addition, this bill provides that possession of stolen fire hydrants, manhole covers or backflow devices by persons engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase or sale of scrap metal shall be punishable by an additional fine up to $3000. CSAC supports this bill because it would deter the theft of public infrastructure by taking away the market for these types of metals. Requiring certification from a public agency for the sale of fire hydrants, manhole covers and other such metals will add another layer of enforcement, helping to curb the illegal sale of critical infrastructure. This bill will be heard in the Assembly Business, Professions & Consumer Protection Committee on June 19, 2012. 

Climate Change

AB 1532 (Perez) – Support in Concept
As Amended May 1, 2012

AB 1532, by Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, is set for hearing in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on July 2, 2012. As you recall, this bill would create the framework for how the California Air Resources Board would allocate revenues from the Cap and Trade program. Specifically, this bill would require CARB and other relevant state agencies to adopt guidelines for funding criteria and would require CARB to adopt an investment plan every three years which identifies and prioritizes the expenditure of Cap and Trade revenues. CSAC has taken a support in concept position on the bill. We are advocating for a local government funding component to be included in the bill, recognizing the contributions that local governments can make, and have already made towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level. To view of copy of our letter, visit the CSAC webpage.

Water 

SB 1306 (Blakeslee) – Support
As Amended May 22, 2012

SB 1306, by Senator Sam Blakeslee, would require an external scientific peer review of the scientific basis for the adoption of general permit application requirements for stormwater discharges by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) as well as conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements for irrigated lands adopted by a regional water quality control board. The bill would require these provisions to apply only when fees are available to cover the state board’s or a regional board’s costs of complying. CSAC supports this bill because we believe that scientific peer review of permit requirements that apply across broad sectors, i.e. stormwater and agricultural drainage is warranted, and will help ensure that decisions of this type are grounded in the best available science. This bill will be heard in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on June 19, 2012.