BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1030
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Date of Hearing: June 15, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair
SB
1030 (McGuire) - As Introduced February 12, 2016
SENATE VOTE: 27-8
SUBJECT: Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority.
SUMMARY: Removes the sunset date on the Sonoma County Regional
Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), thus making the RCPA
permanent. Specifically, this bill:
1)Removes the existing sunset date of December 1, 2019,
contained in the statutes for the RCPA.
2)Declares that no reimbursement is necessary because the only
costs incurred by a local agency are the result of a program
for which legislative authority was requested by that local
agency, as specified.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Establishes the RCPA, and authorizes it to perform
coordination and implementation activities within Sonoma
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County to assist agencies that choose to participate in
meeting their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals as set
forth in resolutions and adopted plans. The RCPA may also
develop, coordinate, and implement programs and policies to
comply with AB 32 and other state or federal mandates and
programs designed to respond to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and climate change.
2)Sunsets the RCPA on December 1, 2019.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS:
1)Bill Summary. This bill removes the existing sunset date of
December 1, 2019, for the Sonoma County RCPA, and by doing so,
will allow RCPA to continue on permanently, with no need for
legislative approval.
This bill is sponsored by the author.
2)Author's Statement. According to the author, "California's
diversity of geography, infrastructure and natural resources
make it difficult to use a one size fits all approach to
greenhouse gas mitigation. And, while overarching regulations
and guidelines are necessary, and serve the state in
developing targets and goals for emissions reductions,
greenhouse gas mitigation strategies must be implemented at
the local level. Local government agencies like the RCPA have
the necessary knowledge to execute climate action plans
provided the uniqueness of varying localities.
"The RCPA has a proven track record of achieving more
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ambitious goals than are required by AB 32's Scoping Plan.
According to the climate action strategies set forth by the
RCPA, Sonoma County climate action efforts will complement the
State's efforts to nearly a 1 to 1 match. Their collaborative
approach ensures communities with limited resources are not
left out because of budget constraints."
3)Background and Previous Legislation. Existing law
establishes, pursuant to AB 881 (Huffman), Chapter 375,
Statutes of 2009, the RCPA. The RCPA is a stand-alone agency,
but governed by the same board as the Sonoma County
Transportation Authority. AB 881 authorized the RCPA to apply
for funds and receive grants to carry out its functions,
required it to conduct meetings under the Ralph M. Brown Act,
and required a financial audit. The RCPA coordinates with
other agencies within the county to implement programs and
policies relating to GHG reduction goals pursuant to AB 32.
AB 881 established the RCPA until December 1, 2015. AB 693
(Huffman), Chapter 599, Statutes of 2012, extended the sunset
until December 1, 2019.
The RCPA, in cooperation with local agencies, elects to
participate, develop, coordinate, and implement activities
within Sonoma County to comply with local, state, and federal
mandates and programs designed to respond to GHG emissions
and climate change. In addition to the County of Sonoma, the
RCPA's current members include nine cities within Sonoma
County. Seven other local entities, including Sonoma County
Water Agency, Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control
District, Sonoma Clean Power, Sonoma County Agricultural
Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma County Energy
Independence Program, Sonoma County Health Action, and Sonoma
County Solid Waste Management Authority, also serve as
partners to support the RCPA.
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4)Arguments in Support. Supporters argue that deleting the
sunset will enable the RCPA to work long-term on the climate
challenges ahead.
5)Arguments in Opposition. None on file.
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Bay Area Regional Energy Network
Center for Climate Protection
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Cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol
Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District
Sierra Club California
Sonoma Clean Power
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Sonoma County Water Agency
Town of Windsor
The Nature Conservancy
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Debbie Michel / L. GOV. / (916)
319-3958
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