Proposition 65: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
One cannot travel very far in the Golden State without being bombarded with cancer warnings. Thanks to Proposition 65 (Prop 65), a 1986 voter-approved ballot initiative titled California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement
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State Water Board Faces First Legal Test Over Wetlands Definition
On April 2nd the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) issued its final regulations defining the term “wetlands” for California, even though the federal definition remains unclear. Shortly thereafter, the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority
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Righting the Ship – Part Two
In my last post, we looked at SB 44 (Skinner; D-Berkeley) and how it went from Job Killer status to a support position from CalChamber by including balance and looking at ways to encourage,
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Righting the Ship: From Job Killer to Support
Legislators recently took aim at diesel trucks with a series of bills that would impact the cost of goods across California. Billed as “Ditching Dirty Diesel” and “Clean Trucks, Clean Air,” SB 44 (Skinner;
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The Danger of Hazy Wildfire Smoke Standards – Capitol Insider
In the wake of recent devastating wildfires, California’s homeowners, businesses, and local governments have been left to clean up the devastation and rebuild their lives. While rebuilding, Government agencies regulating water and waste disposal
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Carbon-Based Sales Tax Study Bill to Be Considered in Senate Committee
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed-unless-amended bill that will increase costs and place regulatory burdens on businesses is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee tomorrow. SB 43 (Allen; D-Santa Monica) increases
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New Biological Assessment Released
In an effort to modernize operations of the federal Central Valley Project (CVP), the United States Bureau of Reclamation just released a new biological assessment. The assessment provides an important part of an overall
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A Different Kind of Carbon Tax
The “carbon tax” being contemplated this session would replace California’s Sales and Use Tax with a “carbon tax” based on the “carbon intensity” of specific products. Yes, you read that right – it’s basically
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Governor Newsom’s Appointments Demonstrate Leadership on Environment – Capitol Insider
Governor Newsom has appointed to his executive team a bevy of experts well versed in climate change and environmental policy from an educational, think tank, and government background. Under Article V, Section 6 of
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Tis Better to Give Than to Receive . . . ?
California loves to highlight its strong economy and leadership on environmental issues. But California has a dirty secret: it is also a leader in the export of hazardous waste. I would not expect to
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Colorado River in Crisis
It’s another dry year on the Colorado River. The two-decade long drought on the river significantly lowered reservoir levels. Lake Powell is about 48 percent full, and Lake Mead, which is downstream from Lake
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Restoring Science-Based Public Policy in California
There is a saying, “science without policy is still science, but policy without science is just gambling.” Using science to inform public policy leads to better outcomes because science is systematic, repeatable and evidence
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New Proposition 65 Rules Include Supply Chain Liability
Minimizing liability is quintessential for any prudent business. Liability could mean costly lawsuits, the loss of valuable business opportunities or relationships, large monetary penalties, serious financial or reputational damage, or even product recalls. Under Proposition
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When Thinking Globally, Policymakers Should Remember Local Impacts
On September 12-14, 2018, the Global Climate Action Summit will convene in San Francisco, following Governor Brown’s 2017 announcement in advance of the United Nations’ Conference of Climate Change that California would continue to
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Legislature Can Get the Lead Out
The right of citizens to propose laws by ballot initiative is one of California’s great checks and balances. Often viewed as a last resort to express the will of the voters (see: Proposition 13),
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New Proposition 65 Regulations Take Effect August 30
WARNING: Beginning August 30, 2018, new Proposition 65 regulations will take effect that significantly overhaul longstanding warning regulations and depart from the rules that businesses have relied on for decades. Accordingly, it is imperative that businesses
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CalChamber Welcomes Leah B. Silverthorn to Policy Team
Leah B. Silverthorn, an experienced environmental litigator, joined the California Chamber of Commerce policy team on May 14. As a policy advocate Silverthorn will specialize in climate change, air quality, energy, environmental justice, and
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CalChamber-Backed Bill Helps Minimize California Waste
An Assembly policy committee gave near-unanimous approval this week to a California Chamber of Commerce-supported bill that will reduce the number of surplus household consumer products unnecessarily managed as hazardous waste. Consumers and the
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Job Killer Update: CalChamber Identifies 26th Job Killer
The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday added a recently amended bill to its job killer list, bringing the total number of job killers to 26. The bill, SB 774 (Leyva; D-Chino), will establish the California
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Job Killer Creates Uncertainty, Increases Potential Litigation
The Senate Appropriations Committee today will consider a California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer that could have a negative impact on a business’ growth, employment, and investment decisions. SB 49 (de León; D-Los Angeles)
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