BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1217
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 1217 (Leno) - As Amended: July 2, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural Resources
Vote: 6-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill places requirements upon various state agencies to
assess the risks and impacts of climate change and incorporate
findings into state policy and infrastructure investment
planning and decision making. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the Natural Resources Agency to prepare a California
climate risk assessment by July 1, 2018 and every three years
thereafter in consultation with appropriate state agencies and
departments. Requires the risk assessment to provide original
research on regionally appropriate climate risk
vulnerabilities, risk management actions, and other scientific
research.
2)Requires the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with
numerous federal, state and local public and private entities,
to update the Safeguarding California Plan by January 1, 2019
and every five years thereafter. Requires the plan and updates
to identify specific impacts including seal level rise,
drought, flooding, impacts on wildlife and wild land fire
risk, and identify potential mitigation measures and funding
sources.
3)Requires the Office of Planning and Research, in consultation
with the Strategic Growth Council and all state agencies that
invest in infrastructure, to develop Infrastructure Resilience
Guidelines to provide guidance for infrastructure project
planning and investment. Requires the Office of Planning and
Research to conduct public workshops and submit the guidelines
to the Strategic Growth Council for comment prior to
finalization.
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4)Requires state agencies and departments to seek guidance from
the Strategic Growth Council and use the Infrastructure
Resilience Guidelines to inform capital outlay and
infrastructure planning and investment.
5)Requires the Strategic Growth Council to report specified
findings to state agencies and the Legislature.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Costs pressures of up to $5 million (Environmental License
Plate Fund or GF) for three years for the Natural Resources
Agency to continue statewide scientific risk assessments.
2)Increased annual costs to the Natural Resources Agency, of
approximately $300,000 (Environmental License Plate Fund or
GF) to update the Safeguarding California Plan.
3)Absorbable annual costs to Office of Planning and Research of
approximately $100,000.
4)Absorbable annual costs to the Strategic Growth Council of
approximately $100,000.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. Over the years, California has developed a strong
climate science assessment program and identified climates
risks, the impacts on the economy, and barriers to efforts to
prepare and adapt to climate impacts. The 2009 Climate
Adaption Strategy, the 2013 Safeguarding California and the AB
32 scoping plan provide guidance to assist state agencies in
incorporating climate, risk, resiliency and readiness into
capital outlay and public infrastructure planning and
investment.
This bill ensures planning efforts are continued and updated
and incorporated into state decision making.
2)Background. Executive Order S-13-08 required the Natural
Resources Agency to coordinate with local, regional, state and
federal public and private entities to develop a state Climate
Adaptation Strategy by 2009. The strategy summarized the
best known science on climate change impacts to California,
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assessed California's vulnerability to the identified impacts,
and outlined potential promote resiliency.
The Office of Planning and Research is a comprehensive state
planning agency serving the Governor and providing long-range
planning and research.
The Strategic Growth Council, which consists of the Director
of Office of Planning and Research, the Secretary of the
Natural Resources Agency, the Secretary for Environmental
Protection, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of
California Health and Human Services, the Secretary of
Business, Consumer Services, and Housing, the Secretary of
Food and Agriculture, and one member of the public appointed
by the Governor.
The Strategic Growth Council provides financial assistance to
local governments for preparing, adopting, and implementing a
general plans or general plan elements designed to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, promote water conservation, reduce
automobile use and fuel consumption, encourage greater infill
and compact development, protect natural resources and
agricultural lands, and revitalize urban and community
centers.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081