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Category: California News

Sacramento, California - This week, three bills authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Said committee has jurisdiction over bills related to water quality, cap-and-trade, and the environment. Since taking office Garcia has prioritized issues relating to public health and safety, particularly given air quality concerns attributed to non-attainment in the region and increased windblown dust from the Salton Sea, as well as water quality issues related to elevated levels of chromium-6 and arsenic in the Coachella Valley.

“Water and air quality issues directly impact the quality of life for the constituents I represent. Lack of clean air and water can lead to negative economic consequences for the region. This bill package will increase transparency as it relates to the distribution of cap-and-trade funds, improve air quality by targeting large sources of pollution, and help ensure that the state is investing dollars into disadvantage communities from environmental fines collected. These types of issues have statewide implications. I am proud to champion bills that will help address environmental concerns of communities throughout the state,” said Assemblymember Garcia.

Last year, Assemblymember Garcia authored legislation to help increase access to clean drinking water for communities facing high levels of arsenic in their drinking water, as well as ensuring border communities qualified for cap-and-trade dollars. This year, Garcia is building on those efforts to address ongoing environmental issues.  All bills are now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee for fiscal policy review, if passed they will then head to the Senate Floor for a vote.