CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 975

Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon

February 21, 2019

An act to add Part 4.6 (commencing with Section 71362) to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental protection.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 975, as introduced, Calderon. Environmental protection: California Adaptation Leadership and Coordination Act of 2019.
Existing law establishes the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program, administered by the Office of Planning and Research, to coordinate regional and local efforts with state climate adaptation strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change, as specified.
This bill would establish the California Adaptation Leadership and Coordination Act of 2019, which would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with the Governor’s office, to communicate with other countries, states, regional collaboratives, and subnational governments to support and promote the state’s goals and policies relating to ocean, coastal, and terrestrial adaptation, and would require the secretary to take specified actions related to accomplishing those goals and policies, as prescribed. The bill would require the secretary to prepare and submit to the appropriate legislative committees an annual report on the progress made during the preceding year regarding those actions the secretary is required to take under the act.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Part 4.6 (commencing with Section 71362) is added to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

PART 4.6. California Adaptation Leadership and Coordination Act of 2019

71362.
 (a) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with the Governor’s office, shall communicate with other countries, states, regional collaboratives, and subnational governments to support and promote the state’s goals and policies relating to ocean, coastal, and terrestrial adaptation.
(b) The secretary shall take all action necessary to do all of the following:
(1) Coordinate and share information on best practices relating to adaptation policy, planning, projects, and funding.
(2) Encourage the protection of our oceans, natural resources, and communities from the impacts of climate change.
(3) Research and compile information on vulnerable communities and industries disproportionately impacted by climate change.
(4) Implement adaptation policies that support sustainable, resilient, and thriving places to live, work, and start and grow businesses in the state.
(5) Develop ways to leverage the state’s shared geography, infrastructure, academic institutions, research, planning, and governing structures to facilitate cooperation with other jurisdictions.
(6) Align actions to maximize outcomes in achieving the state’s goals relating to ocean, coastal, and terrestrial adaptation.
(7) Encourage better coordination of state, regional, and local leadership.

71363.
 The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall prepare and submit to the appropriate legislative committees an annual report on the progress made during the preceding year with regard to actions required under Section 71362.