Bill Text: CA AB50 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 50 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Climate change: Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network: sea level rise.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB50 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB50-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 50

Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath

December 07, 2020

An act to add Section 35626 to the Public Resources Code, relating to climate change.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 50, as introduced, Boerner Horvath. Climate change: Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network: sea level rise.

Existing law requires the Natural Resources Agency, in collaboration with the Ocean Protection Council, to create, and update biannually, a Planning for Sea Level Rise Database describing steps being taken throughout the state to prepare for, and adapt to, sea level rise.

This bill would establish the Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network in the Ocean Protection Council to provide local governments facing sea level rise challenges with information and scientific expertise necessary to proceed with sea level rise mitigation.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 35626 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

35626.

(a) The Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network is hereby established in the Ocean Protection Council to provide local governments facing sea level rise challenges with the information and scientific expertise necessary to implement mitigation measures to address the effects of sea level rise by doing all of the following:

(1) Provide technical support and information to local governments on adapting to climate change impacts, including sea level rise.

(2) Connect practitioners undertaking adaptation work with state policy and guidance, useable scientific information, and technical assistance that is both easily accessible and applicable.

(3) Address local governments’ frequently expressed need for a point person to answer their questions and provide real-world advice, guidance, expertise, and examples on how to proceed with adaptation work.

(4) Establish formal partnerships with universities in the state to provide local governments with the latest scientific information regarding impacts of climate change.

(b) The Climate Adaptation Center and Regional Support Network shall be staffed as follows:

(1) Ten full-time equivalent staff shall be located at the Ocean Protection Council and shall have expertise in disciplines essential to climate adaptation work, including expertise in planning, engineering, land use law, finance, and community outreach.

(2) Ten full-time equivalent staff shall be located at regional locations. Staff at regional locations shall develop relationships at the local level and be engaged in local planning and collaborative meetings and efforts. These staff shall work with staff described in paragraph (1) to share information and best practices across the state, disseminate updates and guidance from various state agencies to local governments, and provide feedback from local governments to state policymakers about challenges and needs at the local level.