Ben Hueso
- Democratic
Author
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, which consists of various departments, including the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Existing law vests in the Natural Resources Agency various powers, including those related to conservation of lands. This bill would establish the Environmental Equity and Outdoor Access Act, which sets forth the state's commitment to ensuring all Californians can benefit from, and have meaningful access to, the state's rich cultural and natural resources. The bill would make related findings and declarations regarding the importance of the state's natural resources and ensuring equal access to those resources. The bill would provide that the Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to, among other things, promote inclusivity and representation and improve competency, as specified, among staff of the agency and each department, board, office, conservancy, and commission within the agency, to ensure all Californians and visitors of the state feel safe and welcome in the outdoors. The bill would authorize the agency, and each department, board, office, conservancy, and commission within the agency, to take targeted actions, including those that prioritize communities of color, economically disadvantaged communities, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, women, and individuals belonging to more than one of these groups, to reduce elevated barriers to access and increased exposure to environmental health risks that disproportionately impact these communities and people to ensure equitable environmental protection and outdoor access is achieved. The bill would require the agency to prepare a report and submit it to the Legislature with information related to the implementation of these provisions on or before January 1, 2024.
August 26 hearing postponed by committee.
August 19 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 17).
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 1233.) Ordered to the Assembly.
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 1198.) (May 20).
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Set for hearing May 20.
May 17 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.
Set for hearing May 17.
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 985.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Set for hearing April 29.
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 816.) (April 15).
Set for hearing April 15.
April 13 hearing postponed by committee.
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
Set for hearing April 13.
Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W., E.Q., and APPR.
(Ayes 32. Noes 4.)
Joint Rule 55 suspended. (Ayes 32. Noes 4. Page 272.)
Art. IV. Sec. 8(a) of the Constitution dispensed with.
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
| Bill Text Versions | Format |
|---|---|
| SB624 | HTML |
| 02/18/21 - Introduced | |
| 04/05/21 - Amended Senate | |
| 04/19/21 - Amended Senate | |
| 06/21/21 - Amended Assembly |
| Document | Format |
|---|---|
| 04/09/21- Senate Natural Resources and Water | |
| 04/28/21- Senate Environmental Quality | |
| 05/14/21- Senate Appropriations | |
| 05/22/21- Sen. Floor Analyses | |
| 06/15/21- Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife | |
| 08/16/21- Assembly Appropriations |
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