Sacramento, California - The Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials passed two bills (AB 965, AB 1059) with overwhelmingly bi-partisan support today authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, which would require the California Mexico Border Relations Council to better coordinate the funding and implementation of the New River Strategic Plan.  The second would direct CalEPA to improve air quality monitoring and better fund environmental improvement projects along the California-Mexico border region.

“Our Border Air and Water Quality legislative package brings the needed resources to our border region in order to enhance the quality of life to our residents. It is our very own California-Mexico border communities that are most impacted by poor water and air quality standards,” said Garcia.  “It is our goal to create greater opportunities for funding sources to address a series of issues that are affecting not only the economic vitality opportunities in the region but more importantly the public health and well-being of the people that live here.”

AB 965 California-Mexico Water Quality Improvement Act of 2016 now awaits further review in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.  AB 1059– The Cal Enviroscreen 2.0, Border Environmental Data bill awaits further review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.