SANTA BARBARA, CA— A measure authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) to give the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) authority to enlist the assistance of independent scientists and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic red tape as they work to conserve our coastal and ocean resources was signed by the Governor today.
“Proposition 84 passed by the voters last November provides $90 million to protect our ocean resources and grants the California Ocean Protection Council the authority to determine how it is spent,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno. “AB 1056 will empower the OPC with the research capacity it needs to assess the complex issues threatening our oceans and ensure that Prop 84 funds are spent on scientifically valid measures that actually improve our coastal and marine environment.”
AB 1056, which was sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy, authorizes the California Ocean Protection Council to establish panels of scientific experts to advise them on state policy and improve the Council’s ability to make decisions informed by their own research and scientific review. The new law also clarifies that the State Coastal Conservancy need not approve of expenditures already designated by the Council, thus removing unnecessary red tape in its day-to-day operations.
In 2004, the Legislature passed SB 1319 (Burton) which established the OPC for the purpose of coordinating state efforts to address ocean and coastal resource needs. The Council is comprised by the Secretary of Resources, the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Chair of the State Lands Commission, and two public members appointed by the Governor, as well as two ex-officio members from the Legislature, one from the Senate and one from the Assembly. Currently, the Ocean Protection Council doesn't have the capacity to independently analyze or study the policies and projects they review.
“One of California’s most valuable resources is our coastlines and our wide array of oceanic wildlife,” said Huffman. “Protecting these resources should be one of our highest priorities, and this bill provides the California Ocean Protection Council that ability.”
The impetus to create the California Ocean Protection Council came from recommendations by a 2003 Pew Oceans Commission report that identified major factors of the degradation of ocean and coastal waters and highlighted the need for coordinated effort between the scientific community and the state agencies governing ocean and coastal resources.
For those joining in gay marriages today, the road from outlaw status to respectability was paved in the Legislature over three decades.
From decriminalizing sex between same-sex couples, to outlawing job discrimination against homosexuals, to adding gay members to the legislative roster, the government has been taking steps, measure-by-measure, that have led to gay couples joining hands in marriage ceremonies across the state.
