Sacramento, California - Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) got seven bills today out of Appropriations Committee and will next go to the Assembly floor for a vote.  Topping his bill list are two local measures, AB 965 (New River) and AB 1095 (Salton Sea), which will coordinate funding  for potential solutions to fix and clean the New River in Calexico and Salton Sea in the Coachella/Imperial Valleys. 

“My legislative agenda is reflective of the issues in our district. The bills addressing the New River improvements, Salton Sea, small business regulatory reform and more moved out of Appropriations Committee today.  Having passed this major hurdle, these bills are a step closer to implementing educational, environmental and economic improvements our district deserves” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.

Bills that got out of Appropriations Committee:

• AB 197 (E. Garcia)  – Public Utilities: renewable resources
• AB 197 will continue California’s transition to a clean energy economy and  further development of abundant wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable energy resources to help the statewide target of achieving 50 percent renewable energy procurement by 2030.

• AB 866 (E. Garcia) - Small Business Regulatory Reform
• AB 866 expands the role of the state Small Business Advocate to assisting small businesses overcome the challenges they face in meeting regulatory mandates.

• AB 965 (E. Garcia) – California and Mexico Border: water resources improvement ( New River)
• Establishes a California Border Council to help coordinate funding for the implementation of the New River strategic plan and projects along the California Mexico Border.

• AB 1071 (Atkins/E. Garcia) – Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPS)
• Require the Secretary of the Cal EPA to develop an agency-wide policy to promote the implementation of supplemental environmental projects in environmental justice communities.  SB 1071 ensures that up to 50 percent of the moneys collected from an enforcement action by the board, department, or office of the agency in an environmental justice community are allocated to projects in that community.

• AB 1091 (E. Garcia) - Cal Grants Program
• AB 1091 aims to streamline California’s financial aid process and increase Cal Grant and FAFSA completion rates.

• AB 1095 (E. Garcia) - Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014: restoration funding: Salton Sea.
• As amended, AB 1095 requires the Natural Resources Agency to report to the Legislature by March 31, 2016 on eligible shovel ready projects.

• AB 1411 (E. Garcia) – Dryer Safety
• AB 1411 would direct the State Fire Marshall to work with the appliance industry and other experts and stakeholders to gather information regarding clothes dryer related fires and the dangers of excessive lint.

The bills will now move onto the assembly floor where they will be heard next wee.