Priority Bill:
•
AB 233, Jones: the Healthy Heart and Lung Act, sponsored by Sierra Club
CA and American Lung, is our top air quality bill this year. It
addresses the greatest source of toxic emissions in the state –
older diesel vehicles, by increasing enforcement of existing
regulations. In addition, it
“Prohibits DMV from registering diesel-fueled commercial
motor vehicles that operate in California with a declared
gross or combined vehicle weight that exceeds 10,000 pounds
if the vehicle was manufactured prior to January 1, 1994.
DMV shall continue to accept renewal and transfer of
registrations for these vehicles.”
•
AB 616, Jones: annual Smog Check for vehicles older than 15 years, will
result in major air quality improvements as these aging vehicles have
been shown to fail their smog tests more often than newer models.
•
SB 974, Lowenthal: ports investment/clean-up bill, addresses the major
source of air pollution in southern CA – the
Ports of LA and Long Beach, and at the Port of Oakland, by placing a
$30 fee on in-bound shipping containers. The revenue will be
used, in part, to address necessary air quality mitigation that results
from shipping activity at these ports.
•
SB 240, Florez, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control
District – will levy specified fees to provide funds for that air
district to address the 8 counties the district serves.
•
SB 719, Machado, San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control
District - adds two city appointees and two medical experts to the
board, increasing membership to 15 – will provide more
representative and qualified leadership to the district.
• AB
493, Ruskin “The “Clean Car Discount” bill would have
imposed a fee of up to $2,500 on gas-guzzlers while providing buyers of
more fuel-efficient cars a rebate up to the same amount. “This is
a market-driven approach to drive the production and purchase of
cleaner cars.” said Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Carl
Guardino.
On June 6, passage was refused in the Assembly (Ayes 35. Noes 35.)
But ‘reconsideration was granted’, so we hope to hear from Mr. Ruskin next year on this important bill, hopefully.
