Environment and Natural Resources Publications

Key Differences Between Recent Medical Cannabis Laws and Proposition 64: A Preliminary Review

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December 20, 2016 - The Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA) provides a statutory framework for regulating medical cannabis and Proposition 64 of 2016 provides a statutory framework for regulating nonmedical cannabis. In this web post, we provide a preliminary review of the key differences between MCRSA and Proposition 64. We also describe some overarching issues for Legislative consideration.

(Updated 1/9/17)

Hydraulic Fracturing: How It Works and Recent State Oversight Actions

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December 1, 2016 - In 2014, the Legislature passed new laws intended to improve state oversight of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” In this web post, we provide a progress report on the implementation of these new laws and a high-level overview of how hydraulic fracturing is used to stimulate oil and natural gas production.

New Federal Toxics Law Could Have Future Implications for State

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October 5, 2016 - On June 22, 2016, the President signed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The new law implements significant reforms to the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. Under the new law, U.S. EPA will have greater authority to evaluate and regulate existing chemicals, as well as new chemicals proposed to be brought to the market. In addition to providing EPA with more authority to enforce restrictions on chemicals, the new law places greater limits on the authority of states to enforce their own laws and regulations restricting the use of chemicals. In the long-run, it is quite possible that the new federal law—and specifically the preemption provisions—could significantly affect California’s chemical safety programs and the implementation of current and future state restrictions.

Overview of Bond Funding for California State Parks

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August 5, 2016 - Presented to: Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee

2016-17 Cap-and-Trade Proposals

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May 24, 2016 - 2016-17 Cap-and-Trade Proposals

Addressing California’s Convenience Zone Recycling Center Closures

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May 16, 2016 - Since January 1, 2016, about 330 (or about 15 percent of all) “convenience zone” (CZ) recycling centers—those generally located within a half mile of supermarkets—have closed. CZ recycling centers are an important part of the state’s Beverage Container Recycling Program (BCRP). They provide a convenient location for consumers to recycle beverage containers and have their deposit—the California Redemption Value, or “CRV”—repaid. The closure of so many CZ recycling centers is problematic because it reduces consumers’ ability to easily redeem their containers. This post examines the causes of these closures. It also provides some options that the Legislature could consider to help prevent additional closures, including statutory changes to recycler payments from the state and elimination of some recycler requirements.

Proposition 1: Statewide Commitments

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April 27, 2016 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Overview of the Beverage Container Recycling Program

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April 21, 2016 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy, and Transportation

Administration’s Cap-and-Trade Report Provides New Information, Raises Issues for Consideration

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April 20, 2016 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Administration’s Cap-and-Trade Report Provides New Information, Raises Issues For Consideration

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April 15, 2016 - In March, the administration released its annual report on cap-and-trade spending outcomes. In this post, we summarize the information included in the report and, based on our review of the information, identify issues for legislative consideration.

Letter to Honorable Tom Lackey on Including Transportation Fuels in the Cap-and-Trade Program

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April 7, 2016 - This letter to Honorable Tom Lackey, Assembly Member, 36th District, estimates the effects of including transportation fuels in California’s cap-and-trade program on: (1) the retail price of gasoline and diesel fuel and (2) the additional amount motorists are spending on gasoline and diesel fuel as a result of the program.

2016-17 Budget Overview

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March 9, 2016 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Options for Funding Water-Related Activities

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March 8, 2016 - Presented to Senate Water and Natural Resources Committee

Budget Overview: Resources, Environment, and Food and Agriculture

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March 3, 2016 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy, and Transportation

Proposition 1: Statewide Commitments

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March 3, 2016 - Presented to Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review #2