BOARD MEETING DATE: December 7, 2007 AGENDA NO. 23

BOARD MEETING DATE: December 7, 2007
AGENDA NO. 23

REPORT:

Legislative Committee

SYNOPSIS:

The Legislative Committee held its regular meeting on Friday, November 9, 2007, and approved and forwarded for Board’s consideration AQMD’s 2008 Legislative Goals and Objectives. The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 14, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Review and approve the Proposed 2008 Legislative Goals and Objectives.

Jane W. Carney, Chair
Legislative Committee

Attendance [Attachment 1] The Legislative Committee met on November 9, 2007. Committee Members Jane Carney (Chair), was present. Committee Members Michael Antonovich, Tonia Reyes Uranga, and Dr. S. Roy Wilson were present via videoconference. Mayor Dennis Yates was also present and was appointed to the committee by Chair Carney.

Draft 2008 Legislative Goals & Priorities

A revised Proposed Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Legislative Agenda was distributed by staff at the meeting. The revisions were based on comments received from Committee member Dr. Joe Lyou, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Dr. Anupom Ganguli, Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Public Advisor, presented the committee with the 2008 State and Federal Legislative Goals and Priorities. Dr. Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, informed the committee that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) is currently working on the funding guidelines for the two billion dollars for Trade Corridor Infrastructure Funding per Proposition 1B. Dr. Wallerstein shared his concerns that the CTC has not given air quality priority in the development of the guidelines. Chair Carney stated that it may be helpful for Board Members to contact the CTC commissioners along with a letter from the Chairman to the CTC Commissioners and the Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency to ensure that air quality issues are given a high priority in the CTC Guidelines.

The Committee discussed staff’s recommendation and Dr. S. Roy Wilson, Board Vice Chairman, requested that in addition to supporting legislation to ensure implementation of the 2007 AQMP, staff consider the possible introduction of legislation related to increased alternative energy and enhanced energy demand management as shown in the revised Proposed Goals and Objectives for the 2008 Legislative Agenda.

The Committee deferred recommendation to change the name of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to the “Southern California Air Quality Management District” to the full board for their consideration.

Dr. Ganguli presented the 2008 Federal Goals and Objectives. There were no changes recommended.

With the exception of the District’s name change, the committee approved the 2008 Legislative Goals and Objectives. [Refer to Attachment 2 for additional information.]

Update on Federal Legislative Issues

Mark Kadesh, AQMD federal legislative consultant, reported that Senator Boxer wants to move the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act through committee by the end of the year. Based on discussions between AQMD management staff and the council of the U.S. Senate Committee of Environment and Public Works (EPW), it is expected that locomotive emission reduction legislation may be forthcoming early next session.

Andrew Kauders, AQMD federal legislative consultant, reported that by mid to late December, there will be an omnibus bill that will include our priorities. Congress is slowly working on its appropriations needs for the next fiscal year. It is vital to be in contact with the Office of Management & Budget at the present time because the current budget, which includes funding for the agencies and is delivered to Congress in February, is being drafted.

Mayor Dennis Yates commented that local government is feeling the impacts of war in terms of cuts in block grant funding and requests for transportation funds for local highways. He asked the consultant what impact does the billions of dollars being spent on the war have on our clean air legislation or our request for funding. Mr. Kauders discussed the challenge at present and for next year in Congress where groups are competing for funding for the 2009 Fiscal Year.

Mayor Yates stated that in general our goals for clean air legislation will be financially impacted by the war. Chair Carney pointed out the emphasis will be on how dollars in programs get spent rather than on additional funding.

Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, Board Member, asked if there is any strong Republican support for the Marine Vessel Emission Reduction Act. Mr. Kadesh replied that at the present time there are no Republican co-sponsors; however, he believes that Congressman Lloyd and Congresswoman Bono may be willing to support the bill after the bill is moved out of the Senate.

Update on State Legislative Issues

Dr. Ganguli and Will Gonzales, AQMD state legislative consultant, provided a brief report on the state’s legislative issues which included discussion on AB 118 (Nunez), Proposition 1B funding, and AB 32 (Nunez). Dr. Wallerstein as well as Mr. Gonzales highlighted the fact that next year is an implementation year and that the District needs to be vigilant on the implementation of all programs especially since next year is an election year and also the second year of a two year legislative session.

Public Comments:

Sarah Weldon of the Association of American Railroads, stated that the railroads have been investing to improve emissions in California and nationwide. Railroad/California Transportation Commission (CTC) interactions have been strictly public. To counter a previous allegation by staff that the railroads have been lax, she stated that the railroads will continue emissions reduction. In response, Dr. Wallerstein made a comment that the attitude of the railroads has not changed. He further stated that at CARB public meetings, the railroads have not been supportive of actions that can reduce air pollution impacts at railyards and ports.