BOARD MEETING DATE: February 6, 2004
AGENDA NO. 19

Legislative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Legislative Committee held its regular meeting on Friday, January 16, 2004. The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2004, at 8:00 a.m., in Conference Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Jane W. Carney, Vice Chair
Legislative Committee

Attendance [Attachment 1]

Vice-Chair Jane Carney was present; in attendance via videoconference were Committee Members Jan Perry, Michael Antonovich, and S. Roy Wilson. Committee Chair Beatrice J.S. LaPisto-Kirtley was absent.

Washington Report/Update [Attachment 2]

Lynn Jacquez, AQMD Federal Legislative Representative, reported that Congress returns on January 20 at which time the appropriation legislation should be immediately taken up. The biggest unknown is the fate of the energy bill which contains several items of interest to AQMD. There is a feeling that positions on this bill have hardened and there is considerable opposition. The bill may be broken down with various parts worked on individual bills. The chance of that bill passing are dwindling on a daily basis as other things take priority.

Ms. Jacquez has been contacted by Congresswoman Solis’ office to provide an update on the monitoring of the gravel pit issue and response to a recent editorial. Ms. Jacquez would like to coordinate response on this matter.

Ms. Jacquez' office is attempting to get signatures on a letter to the Department of Energy seeking assistance for AQMD’s hydrogen infrastructure and vehicle deployment programs.

In addition, Jeff Shockey and Lynn Jacquez met with Congresswoman Bono’s staff prior to the January 12, 2004 U.S. Congressional Subcommittee Hearing on Energy and Commerce hearing on air quality held in Palm Dessert. AQMD Vice Chair S. Roy Wilson testified at the hearing. Mr. Shockey and Ms. Jacquez were informed by Congresswoman Bono’s staff that they were very pleased with AQMD’s representation and participation and felt that the Committee members were attentive. Congresswoman Bono’s staff felt it was one of the better field hearings that Chairman Barton had attended.

Sacramento Update

Allan Lind, AQMD State Legislative Representative, stated that intense action on the two AQMD sponsored Bills (AB 1063 and SB 981) had taken place over the past month.

Important dialogue has occurred regarding mobile source emission reductions. Mr. Lind said that the Governor's State of the State address was short on details with respect to environmental protection. AQMD subvention funds will remain at the same levels as last year.

Allan Lind stated that during his campaign, Governor Schwarzenegger had said that one of his agenda items was to reduce air pollution by 50% by 2010, which is a good goal from AQMD's perspective.

With regard to new legislation in 2004, bills have just begun to be introduced as of January 5. There were 60 new bills, none of which relate to air quality. Mr. Lind believes by February 20 (the deadline to introduce new bills), there will be between 1,500 - 2,000 new bills introduced, with approximately 30 to 40 bills that will be of interest to AQMD.

Mr. Lind reported that both AB 1063 and SB 981 were taken off the table. Dr. Wallerstein said it was staff’s intent to produce a placeholder bill to obtain a stable funding source for Carl Moyer funds. At this time, CCEEB and others have asked that AQMD quantify the level of funding needed for the next five to seven years, provide a description of cost effective uses for the funds, and a summary of past uses for the Carl Moyer funds. Dr. Wallerstein stated that this will provide a tool to report on the use and successes of the Carl Moyer program.

In discussions with Assemblyman Firebaugh, AB 1063's author, Dr. Wallerstein indicated that Assemblyman Firebaugh intends to pursue railroad emission reductions this year. Further, he stated that we have learned from our efforts on AB 1063 and plan to pursue legislation and evaluate other options to achieve the Board's objectives.

Governing Board Member Carney also asked about staff’s intent to pursue a petroleum fee this year. Dr. Wallerstein stated that staff will proceed with a placeholder bill of our own until further details can be worked out on potential funding source.

Mr. Lind reported that SB 11 (Cedillo) was dropped by the author due to the Board's concerns.

Other Business

None

Public Comments

Bill Quinn of CCEEB stated that it is their intent to work with AQMD to find funding for mobile source emission reductions and that there is a high level of interest in that subject. CCEEB opposed AB 1063 because it would give AQMD additional authority and that CARB should focus on mobile sources. CCEEB feels each sector of industry should address their fair share of emission reductions.

John Billhimer stated that given the degree of improvement and availability of low-emission solvents in the stationary source sector, he could not see why mobile sources cannot find more emission reductions.

Attachments

1. Attendance Roster
2. Federal Legislative Status Report

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