BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 146
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 146 (Dickinson)
As Amended August 21, 2012
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |51-26|(May 27, 2011) |SENATE: |24-9 |(August 29, |
| | | | | |2012) |
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Original Committee Reference: NAT. RES.
SUMMARY : Increases the membership of the Air Resources Board
(ARB) from 11 to 12 and requires the additional member to be a
board member from specified air districts in the Sacramento
region (Sacramento, Placer, Yolo-Solano, Feather River, or El
Dorado air district).
The Senate amendments eliminate the addition of a 13th member
with training and experience in climate change and the reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes ARB and provides for appointment of 11 members by
the Governor on the basis of interest and ability in the field
of air pollution control, understanding of the needs of the
general public in connection with air pollution problems, and
additional specific qualifications. All members serve at the
pleasure of the Governor and are subject to confirmation by
the Senate. Members serve part-time, with the exception of
the Chair, who is appointed by the Governor and serves
full-time. ARB's primary duties are controlling motor vehicle
emissions, coordinating activities of air districts for the
purposes of the federal Clean Air Act, and implementing the
California Global Warming Solutions Act �AB 32 (N��ez and
Pavley), Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006].
2)Establishes the following specific qualifications for board
members:
a) One with training and experience in automotive
engineering or a closely related field;
b) One with training and experience in science,
AB 146
Page 2
agriculture, or law;
c) One who is a physician and surgeon, or health effects
expert;
d) One with experience in air pollution control, or meeting
the qualifications of one of the three categories listed
above;
e) Two public members; and,
f) One board member from each of the following air
districts:
i) South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD);
ii) Bay Area Quality Management District (BAAQMD);
iii) San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
(SJVAPCD);
iv) San Diego County Air Pollution Control District;
and,
v) Any other district.
3)Establishes county air pollution control districts in every
county, unless the entire county is included within the
Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District, the BAAQMD,
the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, the SCAQMD,
the SJVAPCD, a regional district, or a unified district.
Requires air districts to adopt and enforce rules and
regulations to achieve and maintain the state and federal
ambient air quality standards in all areas affected by
non-vehicular emission sources under their jurisdiction.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill increased ARB to 13 members
and required one member to be a board member from the Sacramento
federal nonattainment area for ozone in either the Sacramento,
Placer, Yolo-Solano, Feather River, or El Dorado air district
and one member to have training and experience in climate change
and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
AB 146
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Committee, absorbable costs within existing resources for staff
support for additional board members.
COMMENTS : The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
designated the Sacramento region as a serious nonattainment area
for ozone and particulate matter. According to supporters,
Sacramento is the most populous nonattainment region in the
state without a designated representative on the ARB. Mobile
sources are the largest contributor to air pollution in the
Sacramento region, so regulation of mobile sources is of vital
interest to the local districts in their efforts to meet federal
air pollution standards.
In 2005, the Legislature approved AB 1221 (Jones), which was
similar to this bill. As passed by the Assembly, AB 1221 added
an air district member from the Sacramento region to the ARB.
The bill was amended in the Senate to also add an expert on the
effects of greenhouse gases on climate change. AB 1221 was
vetoed by the Governor on the basis that the current composition
of the ARB allowed for representation from Sacramento and an
expert on greenhouse gases.
Analysis Prepared by : Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
FN: 0005798