Salton Sea in the View of the California State Legislature

Details
Category: Imperial Valley

Sacramento, California - Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia’s (D-Coachella) AB 1095 passed out of the Assembly with bipartisan support. The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2015  (Salton Sea) require the Natural Resources Agency to report to the legislature by March 31, 2016 on eligible shovel ready projects on the Salton Sea.

“The clock is ticking and water transfers are scheduled in 2017 per the QSA, which will increase the rate at which the sea declines,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.  “Approximately 400,000 people in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys will be harmed by the estimated 33% increase in the amount of fine windblown dust from exposed playa at the sea”

In the governor’s May revise, the administration proposed to form the Salton Sea Task Force. Task Force will develop these plans in coordination with stakeholders to help the construction of projects that protect both wildlife habitat and air quality at the sea.

“Given the sense of urgency to address the threats posed by the sea, AB 1095 compliments current efforts by ensuring that identified shovel ready projects are funded as soon as possible to protect human health, and habitat” he concluded.

Other bills authored or Co-Authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia that passed the Assembly Floor today:

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

  • AB 1411 (E. Garcia) – Dryer Safety: will require the State Fire Marshal to work with fire service entities, the appliance industry, disability advocates, and related stakeholders  in gathering information, and providing findings and recommendations to the Legislature, regarding fires related to type 1 clothes dryers and the dangers of excessive lint. This bill will also help establish a standard regarding the detection of excessive lint and notification of the excessive lint to the consumer.

  • AB 47 Co-Authored by E.Garcia: Establishes the Preschool for All Act of 2015 and requires, on or before January 1, 2017, all eligible children to have access to the state preschool program the year before they enter kindergarten, if their parents wish to enroll them, contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funding in the annual Budget Act for this purpose.

Following today's floor activity, the bills will await policy committee assignment by the Senate Committee on Rules.  First policy committee hearings are expected in June 2015.