AB 32 Implementation: Cap and Trade Auction Revenue
The latest information regarding the Governor’s proposed budget for CalFire was shared with a group of interested parties last week. The total $50 million of cap and trade auction revenue proposed to go to CalFire includes $15 million to the Urban and Community Forestry Program. We will continue to work with our partners on supporting this allocation in the budget process with the Legislature and the Administration, as well as providing input on how the program can be implemented. Stay tuned for how you can help!
Water Bond
Senator Wolk has moved her water bond legislation to a new bill, SB 848; however the language remains as it was in SB 42 from last year. We are working to get similar language in this bill that has been amended into the Assembly version of the water bond AB 1331 (Rendon). Please see the January 9th update below for more information. Hearings for SB 848 (Wolk) are currently set for February 11th and 19th in Senate policy committees. AB 1331 (Rendon) has not yet been set for hearing(s); however it is currently in the Senate. We are currently working on letters for each of these bills with our partners. Stay tuned for how you can help!
Environmental Enhancement Mitigation Program (EEMP)
The Governor’s proposed budget also includes $17 million in funding for the EEMP program, this being its first year officially administered by the Natural Resources Agency (formally at the Department of Transportation) and distinguished from the new Alternative Transportation Program now at Caltrans. CaUFC will work with our partners to support this allocation in the budget process.