Wolk environmental measures win fiscal approval

Bills pass out of Appropriations and on to Assembly floor for vote

SACRAMENTO–Six environmental protection bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) on issues ranging from global warming to wildlife protection passed today from the Assembly Appropriations Committee and on to the Assembly Floor.

“These bills work to resolve a multitude of challenges facing the state, from the threats posed to our state’s water supply and flood management infrastructure by global warming, to the threats to our environment posed by highly invasive species,” said Wolk, whose package of environmental protection legislation was heard along with nearly 550 bills up for a vote today in the fiscal committee. “It is up to the Assembly now to approve these bills and send them to the Senate.”

• Assembly Bill 224 requires the integration of anticipated effects of climate change in all local and state water plans, including the California Water Plan and State Plan of Flood Control. 

• AB 532 requires solar heating to be evaluated as an option for all state operated swimming pools.

• AB 680 extends until 2013 the successful Rice Straw Tax Credit Program that has helped reduce air pollution by encouraging alternatives to burning California rice straw.

• AB 923 speeds the implementation of the California Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy developed and adopted by the Department of Fish and Game to protect California 's wildlife.

• AB 1426 requires the State Department of Parks & Recreation to implement "Central Valley Vision," an existing plan for increasing state parks and recreational opportunities in California 's Central Valley .