Sacramento, California - Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) has submitted a budget request for $75 million to fully fund the implementation of AB 617. A total of fifty legislators signed on to this request letter championed by Assemblymen Eduardo Garcia and Timothy Grayson (D-Concord).

“The groundbreaking passage of AB 617 has been the most significant advancement in air pollution laws since the California Clean Air Act. Now we need to lock in the funding,” stated Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, who sits as an Ex Officio member of the California Air Resources Board. “This is the crucial next step in our state’s ability to fulfill its commitment to alleviate air quality concerns for our most environmentally disadvantaged communities, like those in my district.”

“Imperial County is reported to have 12,000 children with asthma and more than double the state’s rate of young children’s hospital and emergency room visits for this respiratory illness. These funds will equip local air districts with the resources necessary to implement community-led air monitoring programs, mitigate pollution and improve overall public health.”

AB 617 directs the California Air Resources Board to work with local air districts to develop community-focused air quality monitoring networks and implement emission reduction plans.