BOARD MEETING DATE: July 7, 2006
AGENDA NO. 26
Legislative Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Legislative Committee considered agenda items on legislation described below. In addition, the Board will consider positions for the following legislation:
Bill/Title
Recommended
PositionSB 1494 (McClintock) Top Priority: Transportation Projects* Oppose
AB 1901 (Horton) Air Pollution: Truck Retrofit Revolving Loan Program Support with Amendments
AB 2600 (Lieu) Vehicles: HOV Lanes Support
*Continued from the June 2, 2006Governing Board meeting by operation of procedure.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file this report and adopt positions on the bills specified in this letter.
Beatrice J.S. LaPisto-Kirtley,
Chair Legislative Committee
Attendance [Attachment 1]
The Legislative Committee met on June 9, 2006. Present were Committee Chair Beatrice LaPisto-Kirtley, Committee Vice-Chair Jane Carney, and Committee Members Roy Wilson, Michael Antonovich and Jan Perry.
Mr. Oscar Abarca, Deputy Executive Officer, announced that this was the last meeting for Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley as Chair of the Legislative Committee. He said that she had provided exemplary leadership, and was a true champion for clean air as displayed in her active support of AQMD’s legislative efforts.
Recommended Positions on Bills [Attachment 2]
SB 1494 (McClintock) Top Priority: Transportation Projects. This bill was continued from the June 2, 2006 Governing Board meeting by operation of procedure.
AB 1901 (Horton) Air Pollution: Truck Retrofit Revolving Loan Program
Paul Wuebben, Clean Fuels Officer, reported that this bill would establish a revolving loan fund for SmartWayTM transport (retrofit program for heavy duty vehicles). Staff considers this technology to be constructive in reducing emissions. This program provides for loans up to $300,000. It will establish a specific account within the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank and the California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority to fund the loans. The sunset for the loan program is January 1, 2012.
Staff recommends supporting AB 1901 with the caveat that if retrofit requirements become mandatory, the loan program should cease.
Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley asked if the author of the legislation is accepting of staff’s recommendations. Mr. Abarca replied that staff has not spoken with the author because they are waiting for direction from the Governing Board.
Ms. Carney said that AQMD provides financial resources for rule compliance and she was not opposed to this loan program remaining in place even if CARB adopted regulations. She also said that financial incentives to implement a regulation should be considered in that context. If the author has some modifications to what we are saying we would consider that again. The Legislative Committee recommended to SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS AB 1901.
AB 2600 (Lieu) Vehicles: HOV Lanes
Mr. Wuebben reported that this bill applies to ILEV or certified vehicles or hybrids that qualify for the HOV lane decal and thereby allows access to the HOV lanes. This bill would extend the sunset provision in the current law from 2008 to January 2013.
Staff does not believe that this bill would severely impact the congestion of HOV lanes given that the large majority of current decals are for alternative fuel vehicles. The Legislative Committee recommended to SUPPORTAB 2600.
Update on AQMD’s Federal Legislative Agenda
Dr. Anupom Ganguli, Assistant DEO/Public Affairs, reported that on June 8, the House passed H.R. 5254 which designates a single Federal point of contact at the discretion of the Governor regarding refinery expansions, etc. The next step for the bill is the Senate, where these types of bills previously had difficultly moving. Staff will continue to monitor this item.
In the House Energy Committee, Chairman Barton is circulating draft legislation regarding the use of boutique fuels (specialty fuels). AQMD’s Washington D.C. consultants have been asked to let our delegation know that this is not necessary for our region, and we have no problems with this type of application of fuels.
The House has passed H.R. 5386 which is in the FY 07 Interior Appropriations Bill. This will provide $25 million for the diesel reduction program and has an item for our health study of nanoparticles. The next step is the Senate Interior Appropriations.
Federal Report/Update/Action Items
Lynn Jacquez, Washington D.C., consultant, reported they are seeking support letters directed to our two senators for our appropriations requests in the next couple of weeks. She also reported that they have worked with Pom Pom Ganguli and Peter Greenwald on draft concepts for potential legislation over the last few weeks.
Primary Election Results and Overview of the June 6 Primary Election
Senator Richard Polanco and Jared Ficker reported on the June 6 Primary Election results, including administration changes.
In addition, Senator Polanco provided the following update:
- AB 2015 (Lieu); he has met with Senate Local Government Committee members. This bill is expected to be heard on June 21.
- SB 459 (Romero) will be heard on June 12. He has spoken directly to the Chair of Assembly Transportation Committee and other members. This bill should come out of committee.
- AB 888 (DeLaTorre) is currently held in the Senate Environmental Quality committee, pending further action.
Public Comment
None.
Attachments (EXE 421kb)
1. Attendance Roster
2. Recommended Positions on Bills
3. Federal Report/Update