BILL NUMBER: AB 2991 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 691 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 21, 2008 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY MAY 8, 2008 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 9, 2008 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Nunez (Coauthor: Assembly Member DeSaulnier) FEBRUARY 22, 2008 An act to amend Section 39705 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to air resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2991, Nunez. Air pollution: research. Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to coordinate and collect research data on air pollution, and to administer and coordinate all air pollution research funded, in whole or in part, with state funds. Existing law also requires the state board to appoint a screening committee not to exceed 9 persons, to review, and give advice and recommendations, with respect to all air pollution research projects funded by the state. Existing law requires the committee members to be physicians, scientists, biologists, chemists, engineers, meteorologists, or other persons who are knowledgeable, technically qualified, and experienced in the air pollution problems for which projects are being reviewed. This bill would require the screening committee to review, and provide advice and recommendations, with respect to any climate change related-research projects funded by the state and subject to approval by the state board. The bill would also expand the number of members on the screening committee to 11, and would also require that at least 2 of the committee members have demonstrated expertise in the field of climate change. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 39705 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 39705. (a) The state board shall appoint a screening committee of not to exceed 11 persons, the membership of which may be rotated as determined by the state board. (b) The committee shall consist of physicians, scientists, biologists, chemists, engineers, meteorologists, and other persons who are knowledgeable, technically qualified, and experienced in air pollution problems for which projects are being reviewed. At least two members of the committee shall have demonstrated expertise in the field of climate change. The committee shall review, and give its advice and recommendations with respect to, all air pollution and climate change-related research projects funded by the state and subject to approval by the state board, including both those conducted by the state board and those conducted under contract with the state board. (c) The committee members shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) per day for each day they attend a meeting of the state board or meet to perform their duties under this section. In addition to the compensation, they shall receive their actual and necessary travel expenses incurred while performing their duties.