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REPORT:

Legislative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Legislative Committee held its regular meeting on Friday,
August 28, 1998, and considered agenda items including a recommended position on SB 1083 (Polanco) -- Diesel Exhaust Emissions

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve the legislative position recommended below.

Richard Alarcón, Chairman
Legislative Committee

Attendance

The Legislative Committee met on August 28, 1998. Richard Alarcón, Chairman of the Legislative Committee and Committee members Roy Wilson (by video conference) and Nell Soto were present. Committee members Michael Antonovich and Jim Silva were absent. (Attachment 1)

Washington Update

Raul Tapia and John O'Donnell, Legislative Representatives in Washington, DC, briefed the Committee on activities in Washington. (Attachment 2) Mr. Tapia reported that Councilman Alarcón will travel to Washington, DC, in September to meet with Congressional leaders and White House staff to discuss additional funding for AQMD programs. The proposed strategy for FY 2000 is early contact with Congressional leaders, focus on California delegation and Appropriation Committee members and formulation of a list of specific programs for funding. Councilman Alarcón requested an update from staff on current discussions with EPA before his trip to Washington, DC.

Update on AB 2194 (Washington) – Clean Fuels Reauthorization

Governor Wilson vetoed AB 2194 on August 17. The Governor's veto message is attached. (Attachment 3) Councilman Alarcón asked if there had been a proactive approach to get support from the Governor's office. Allan Lind, Legislative Representative in Sacramento, reported that there was a great deal of support for AB 2194 from the business community, environmentalists, and cities and counties. Supporters sent letters and made personal visits to Legislators and the Governor's office. Councilman Alarcón asked what the next step should be. Mr. Lind responded that a veto override is unlikely so the bill is dead for this legislative session.

Barry Wallerstein, Acting Executive Officer, stated that the current funding for the Clean Fuels Program continues through August 1, 1999. If legislation is introduced next year and signed by the Governor, the Program would lose about four months of funding, unless an urgency measure was adopted. An urgency measure would require a two-thirds vote by the Legislature.

Sacramento Update and Legislative Status Report

An updated legislative status report was included in the Committee package.
(Attachment 4). Mr. Lind reported that the diesel bill package (AB 1368, Villaraigosa and SB 1857, Brulte) is undergoing amendment to incorporate changes requested by the Governor. The Governor is now expected to sign one or both of the bills into law.

Discussion on Request for Proposal (RFP) for Legislative Consulting Services in Washington, DC, and Sacramento, CA

Lupe Valdez, Deputy Executive Officer/Public Affairs and Transportation Programs, reported that current contracts for legislative consulting services expire January 25, 1999. Staff is recommending that the RFPs for future consulting services be released in September in order to provide sufficient response and review time. The Legislative Committee approved staff's recommendation to request the Governing Board to release RFPs for legislative consulting services in Washington, DC, and Sacramento, CA.

(This will be a separate item on the September 11, 1998, Board agenda.)

Recommended Position:

Staff provided an analysis and a brief description of SB 1083 -- Polanco. (Attachment 5)

 

Bill/Title		Recommended Position
SB 1083 (Polanco) -- Diesel Exhaust Emissions		OPPOSE

• SB 1083 (Polanco) authorizes the ARB to list substances identified in diesel exhaust as toxic air contaminants, but prohibits the ARB from listing diesel exhaust as such, as well as requires the ARB to report and adopt regulations necessary to regulate toxic air contaminants in diesel exhaust. Also authorizes the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to estimate the cost of completing a study on the cost, feasibility, and impact on the economy of the state of developing cleaner diesel engines, fuels, and emission controls and conversion of diesel engines to alternative fuels.

  Mr. Lind reported that SB 1083 was introduced because of opposition to ARB's pending listing of diesel exhaust as a toxic air contaminant. Since the bill's introduction, proponents of SB 1083 and the ARB have reached a compromise on this issue and the bill is now dead. The Legislative Committee, however, may still want to consider taking a position on this bill based on the Governing Board's policy on diesel. The Legislative Committee concurred with staff's recommendation to Oppose SB 1083.

Other Business/Public Comment
No other business/public comment.

Ethnic Community Advisory Group
Attached for information are the Ethnic Community Advisory Group minutes for the
June 10, 1998, and July 8, 1998, meetings. (Attachments 6 and 7)

Attachments

1. Attendance Roster
2. Washington Update
3. Governor's Veto of AB 2194 (Washington)
4. Legislative Status Report
5. SB 1083 (Polanco) -- Diesel Exhaust Emissions
6. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes (June 10, 1998)
7. Ethnic Community Advisory Group Minutes (July 8, 1998)

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