
CIPL and faith advocates around the state held 32 virtual Senate and Assembly meetings on June 21 & 22 in regards to pressing environmental equity and climate bills. Priority bills were: SB 54 (Allen) – reduction of single-use plastics; SB 1482 – installation of EV charging for every parking space at new multifamily dwellings; AB 30 – Access to Nature expanding outdoor educational opportunities for all; AB 2076 – establish the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program; and and AB 2649 – the Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act of 2022.
The meetings inspired many good discussions with office staff and opened the door to future discussions after the July recess. The 2022 California legislative session ends on August 31, at which point all bills must pass both houses.
As of June 30, all five bills have survived: SB 54 passed the Assembly Floor on June 29, is in Assembly for concurrence of new amendments, and added several new co-authors; SB 1482 passed the Housing & Community Development Committee on June 29, and is referred to Asm Appropriations Committee; AB 30 passed Senate Appropriation on June 20; AB 2076 passed both Senate Environmental Quality and Sen Health Committees and will be heard in Senate Appropriations on August 1; and AB 2649 passed both Senate Natural Resources & Water and Sen Environmental Quality, and has been referred to Senate Appropriations.
A grateful “shout out” goes to the three dozen faith advocates that made the meetings a success. Their commitment, determination, and passion for lessening the climate crisis dictated the tone and guidance of Senate and Assembly votes. Advocates came from all regions of the Golden State, and especially from the following organizations: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockon; Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action Network, Marin Interfaith Climate Action Network, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angles Faith & Ecology Network. Thank you!