BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2184
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 30, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2184 (Chesbro) - As Introduced: February 20, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:9-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies that grants from the Timber Regulation and
Forest Restoration (TRFR) Fund may be used to remediate former
marijuana growing operations.
FISCAL EFFECT
Negligible state costs. This remediation activity is already
eligible for TRFR grant funding, although it is not expressly
called out.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, the purpose of this bill
is to draw attention to the availability of funding to
remediate negative impacts of marijuana operations on the
state's natural resources, water quality, fish and wildlife.
Both the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Water
Resources Control Board have documented adverse impacts of
marijuana cultivation on public and private lands. While the
cultivation of any crop is illegal on public lands, the impact
of producing medical marijuana on private lands poses a threat
to water quality and supply and on fish and wildlife and their
habitats. Activities resulting in adverse impacts include
land clearing, pesticide and fertilizer use, and stream
diversions.
2)Background. In 2012, the Legislature enacted an assessment on
lumber products and engineered wood products at a rate of 1%
of gross receipts from the sale of those products. Revenues
AB 2184
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are deposited in the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration
Fund and are required to be spent according to a four-tiered
funding structure. Each tier must be funded before the next
tier may receive money. The four tiers are as follows:
a) Tier 1, Board of Equalization administrative costs.
b) Tier 2. $4 million reserve to fund Tier 1, if funding
falls short.
c) Tier 3. Funding of the California Forest Improvement
Program (CFIP) and existing restoration grant programs.
d) Tier 4. Fuel treatment grants and projects under the
Wildland Fire Protection and Resources Management Act.
Grants to public and private entities to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, promote climate change adaptation, improve
forest health, and protect homes and communities.
The remediation of former marijuana growing operations is
eligible under Tier 4.
1) Budget Proposal. In response to the need to develop a
statewide strategy to deal with the environmental and
public safety issues relating to marijuana cultivation, the
Governor's proposed budget for 2014-15 includes a request
for $1.5 million and seven positions for the Department of
Fish and Wildlife and $1.8 and 11 positions for the State
Water Resources Control Board to implement a task force and
fund permitting, enforcement, education, outreach and
coordination with other agencies.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081