BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1447
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1447 (Waldron) - As Amended: April 22, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:9-0
Transportation 16-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill specifies that projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions through traffic signal synchronization are eligible to
receive funding from the state's cap-and-trade program.
FISCAL EFFECT
No direct fiscal impact. Traffic signal synchronization
projects that reduce GHG emissions are eligible for funding from
the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, funding for traffic signal
synchronization has diminished along with transportation bond
dollars. This bill was introduced to provide a means of
funding future projects.
1)Background. The California Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006 (AB 32) requires ARB to adopt a statewide GHG emissions
limit equivalent to 1990 levels by 2020 and adopt regulations,
including market-based compliance mechanisms, to achieve
maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective GHG
emission reductions.
All moneys collected by ARB from the auction or sale of
allowances pursuant to a market-based compliance mechanism
(i.e., the cap-and-trade program adopted by ARB under AB 32)
are deposited into the GHG Reduction Fund available for
AB 1447
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appropriation by the Legislature.
2)State's Investment Plan. AB 1532 (John A. P�rez), Chapter
807, Statutes of 2012, creates the Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Fund Investment Plan and Communities Revitalization Act to set
procedures for the investment of AB 32 cap-and-trade auction
revenues.
AB 1532 allows expenditures from the GHGF to reduce GHG
emissions through strategic planning and development of
sustainable infrastructure projects, including transportation
and housing. Additionally, the adopted investment plan for
2013-14 through 2015-15 recognizes the state needs to fund
programs that modernize existing road systems to promote
efficient use, such as complete streets and traffic management
technologies.
For the 2014-15 Budget, the Governor has proposed spending
$850 million on a variety of programs, including $100 million
for grants to local governments to support implementation of
Sustainable Communities Strategies, $50 million for inter-city
rail grants, $30 million for organic waste diversion
infrastructure, and $20 million for water and energy saving
projects.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081