Wolk bill to put state's environmental records online moves forward

Bill streamlines process, reduces paper waste, and increases efficiency

SACRAMENTO–The Assembly Natural Resources Committee voted Monday to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to create a more efficient, transparent method of cataloging the state’s environmental documents and making them accessible online.

Current law requires substantial documentation—from environmental impact reports (EIRs) to maps and photographs—for every state bond measure approved by the voters. There is currently no comprehensive cataloging or preservation of these irreplaceable environmental documents, hindering both government and public access. Wolk’s Assembly Bill 862 improves public access by requiring that environmental documents be digitally cataloged and stored with the State Librarian.

“Businesses and government agencies lose time and money having to produce and store hard copies of government reports,” said Wolk. “My bill will provide easier access to environmental information. Digitizing these documents will save paper, time and storage costs in addition to providing universal access to this information.”

AB 862 also allows the countless documents produced through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process to be submitted solely in digital form to the State Clearinghouse, which coordinates the state level review of such documents. Current law requires that the Clearinghouse receive approximately 10 paper copies of CEQA documents, plus a digital copy.

However, most copies of those reports submitted to the Clearinghouse are thrown away.

“There isn’t enough space to store it all,” said Wolk. “Printing and saving hard copies of reports and other informational resources is inconvenient and wasteful. Plus, the printed documents are difficult to access. This leads to lack of transparency and general frustration with the government. My bill would help rectify this problem, and keep pace with rapid changes in information technology.”

AB 862, which will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, is supported by the American Planning Association and The Nature Conservancy.