Senate Bill 719, formerly SB 999, was introduced on February 22, 2005 by Senator Mike Machado. The bill is similar to prior legislation to restructure the San Joaquin Unified Air Pollution Control District Board by increasing city representation and adding seats for public members.
SB 719:
Increases representation for Valley cities. The cities of Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton will each gain a permanent seat on the Air Board. Membership will be more proportional to the population of each jurisdiction.
Adds two non-elected (public) members to the SJVAPCD. Requirements for public membership would include residency within the board's jurisdiction and specialty in each one of two areas of expertise: medical health and air quality science. Public members will be appointed by the State Air Resources Board.
Read the SB 719 Fact Sheet.
Read the bill here.
See a sample support letter here.
Update:
After being passed by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, SB 999 passed through the Senate on a 24-15 vote. The Assembly Committees on Local Government, Natural Resources, and Appropriations all passed SB 999 in their respective committee hearings in 2005. The bill was taken up on the Assembly floor during the last week of session and was defeated on a marginal 38-41 vote.
EDITORIALS ABOUT SB 719:
No vote for Parra - Bakersfield Californian (9/18/06)
Machado trying to shake up pollution board - The Stockton Record (9/6/05)
A better air board - Fresno Bee (8/28/06)
Changing air board is worth a try - The Bakersfield Californian (8/25/05)
San Joaquin Valley needs cleaner air - San Jose Mercury News (8/21/05)
Follow-up: A cleaner smog board - San Francisco Chronicle (8/17/05)
Bill seeks to shake up valley air board: Plan's author insists current panel hasn't done enough to clean up smog - The Bakersfield Californian (8/13/05)
Where are the smog police? - San Francisco Chronicle (8/7/05)
Better representation - Fresno Bee (5/21/05)
More local control - Fresno Bee (5/21/05)
The public interest: Expanding air district's board will limit special interests' power - Fresno Bee (5/3/05)
Air Board needs to embrace the truth - Fresno Bee (5/1/05)
Small step forward - Fresno Bee (4/3/05)
