Stormwater

AB 2063 (Alejo) – Support
As Amended June 18, 2012

AB 2063, by Assembly Member Luis Alejo, would allow for ex parte communications to occur between board members and interested parties as long as the communication is disclosed and is in regard to waste discharge requirements, water quality certifications, or conditional waivers of waste discharge requirements. CSAC supports keeping the existing language on ex parte communications, modeled after the Coastal Commission, in the bill. We believe this language is focused on making sure policies are developed in a more open and transparent way while still ensuring that communication with board members is conducted in a fair manner. This bill will be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on July 2, 2012.

Solid Waste

SB 1118 (Hancock) – Support
As Amended June 25, 2012

SB 1118, by Senator Loni Hancock, would create and extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for used mattresses. The bill was recently amended to require significant manufactures to submit a stewardship plan to the Department of Resources Recycling & Recovery by April 1, 2013 and does not allow the manufacturers the opt-out option to defer the program to CalRecycle. These amendments allowed CSAC to remove our opposition to the bill. We believe the best way to handle mattresses is to construct an EPR program because it place the burden of the end of life management of products on those that produce them. This bill will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on July 2, 2012. 

Invasive Species

AB 2443 (Williams) – Support
As Amended June 19, 2012

AB 2443, by Assembly Member Das Williams, will be heard this week in the Senate Transportation Committee. 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 June 27, 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 Public Safety Committee on July 3, 2012. 

AB 2298 (Ma) – Support
As Amended June 25, 2012

AB 2298, by Assembly Member Fiona Ma, would expand law enforcement’s ability to focus on the metal theft epidemic and ensure that existing laws aimed at reducing metal theft are enforced. The program would be voluntary and would provide grants, when funded by the Legislature, to regional task forces to provide local law enforcement and district attorneys with the tools and funding necessary to combat metal theft. California has numerous laws to regulate the recycling of metal, many of which are aimed at reducing the market for stolen metals. CSAC support this bill because it would help provide resources to law enforcement to combat metal theft. This bill will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee on July 3, 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 this week 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. In addition, CSAC is seeking information regarding counties that have engaged in climate planning activities, and which counties have received grant funding to perform related activities. In addition, we are interested in your feedback on which funding streams are preferred and what you would change. If you have not received our survey, please contact Cara Martinson for more information.