ENVIRONMENT -- RELATED PUBLICATIONS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' ROLE IN PREVENTING AND MITIGATING ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH RISKS IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS - Joint informational hearing held by Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and Environmental Quality. They discuss the potential exposure to toxic substances at the Beverly Hills High School. Many other schools in California are close to facilities that have toxic emissions. Under the current law the Department of Toxic and Substance control (DTSC plays a role in the establishment of new schools. School districts cannot acquire school sites, or begin construction unless environmental assessments are conducted and reviewed and approved by DTSC. DTSC does not play a similar role for existing schools. Therefore, Senator Deborah Ortiz has introduced SB 1211 to repeal the prohibition of civil and criminal penalties for those violations the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and other air districts enforcement agencies. They are also considering legislation that will name DTSC as the agency in charge of ensuring that existing schools are safe. (Stock #1259-S; $12.39 - includes tax s/h) (3/04 AIR QUALITY IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY - The Senate Select Committee on Air Quality was created to address the ever-growing air pollution crisis facing California's San Juaquin Valley. Since its inception, the Committee has held twelve informational hearings throughout the Valley. Topics ranged from the health effects of the dirty air, the role of agriculture operations, including dairies, and the contribution of mobile sources such as cars, trains, and diesel school busses to air quality. Asthma rates and respiratory illness have escalated into a public health crisis. This report will summarize and present the findings of the Committee's activities in 2003. It includes a brief overview, newspaper articles documenting the work of the committee and legislative proposals related to the Valley's air quality. (Stock #1257-S; $10.51 - includes tax s/h) (4/04) LAND: HOW TO EFFICIENTLY SUPPLY THE RAW MATERIAL FOR HOUSING - California's affordable housing crisis is fundamentally a problem of too little housing supply to meet too much demand. While there are a number of factors that contribute to California's woeful housing production, academics and builders from both the for-profit and non-profit sectors often point to one primary reality: a lack of appropriately zoned land for housing. The purpose of this hearing was to solicit information on the causes of the broken land supply for housing and seek possible solutions that would ensure that each community in California is providing adequately zoned land to accommodate its long-term housing need. (Stock # 1244-S; $5.12 - includes tax s/h) (1/04) INTEGRITY & ACCOUNTABILITY: EXPLORING SPECIAL DISTRICTS' GOVERNANCE - What statutory reforms would improve special districts' ethical behavior, directors' compensation practices, and auditing procedures? The Senate Local Government Committee has published the results of its hearing held in Orangevale on November 24, 2003 in this report. Senator Ortiz asked the Committee to hold this hearing after articles about the Sacramento Suburban Water District appeared in the Sacramento Bee. This new report summarizes what 22 speakers told the legislators. The summary report also reprints the background policy paper, plus all of the written materials that the speakers gave the legislators. Special districts' officials and watchdog groups can use this summary report when reviewing bills that the legislators may author in 2004. (Stock #1240-S; $6.47 - includes tax s/h) (11/03) CALIFORNIA INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD'S (CIWMB) ADMINISTRATION OF THE WASTE TIRE RECYCLING MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - This study was done by the Senate Advisory Commission on Cost Control in State Government. The Commission is the only Senate authority that deals exclusively with promoting cost control and increased efficiency of state government. The Commission says the CIWMB has done an adequate job of cleaning up old stockpiles. However, the number of waste tires generated each year still far exceeds the number of tires diverted from landfill disposal and stockpiling. Until significant expansion of existing markets for waste tires occurs, or until new technologies emerge, the board will continue to fall short of its goal. (Stock #1231-S; 4.85 - includes tax s/h) (11/03) WATER AND LAND USE PLANNING: ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF SB 221 (KUEHL, 2001) & SB 610 (COSTA, 2001) - The Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee have published the results on their joint hearing on water and land use planning held in Tracy on October 12, 2003 in this report. Developers, water suppliers, and legislative advocates can use the new summary report to evaluate bills that legislators may author in 2004. (Stock #1230-S; $11.04 - includes tax s/h) (10/03) DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE - Hearing to reach a broader understanding of several issues involving low level radioactive waste in California, how it is regulated, where it is disposed of, and how the Department of Health Services Radiologic Health Branch interacts with regulated companies that fall within its jurisdiction. Is the Department of Health Services primarily a health management agency and not equipped to effectively police and protect the environment? (Stock #1219-S; $6.47 - includes tax s/h) (3/03) ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER CLEAN-UP COSTS, VOLS. 1 & 2 - The County of San Bernardino is experiencing a water quality crisis. The County will experience severe water shortages this summer if the problem is not addressed immediately. The problem dates back 50 years, but the resolution is not going to take 25 years, like other major groundwater pollution cases in California. The purpose of the Senate hearings is to get to the source and scope of the perchlorate contamination problem quickly and efficiently, and develop solutions that can be implemented without further delay. (Stock #1213-S; $10.51 - includes tax s/h) (1/03) CARGILL SALT PONDS ACQUISITION AGREEMENT - Hearing by the Senate Select Committee on Baylands Acquisition. They address such issues as cost, environment, wildlife, maintenance and mercury contaminants. (Stock #1209-S; $4.31 - includes tax s/h) (1/03) BREAST CANCER AND THE ENVIRONMENT - SECOND INFORMATIONAL HEARING - Breast cancer rates have nearly tripled over the last fifty years. This is a public health crisis. While much of our attention has focused on detection, access to care, and finding a cure, it is imperative that we begin to examine why the rates are increasing at such a dramatic pace. While continuing to support research for genetic risk-factor-related causes is very important, we ought not abandon that goal and objective, it is time to begin to expand the scope of this policy debate and begin to develop the responses and the research necessary to address questions about environment impacts. This is the subject of this hearing. (Stock #1205-S; $8.35 - includes tax s/h) (10/03) Also see stock #1162-S. ADDENDUM TO WATER STORAGE AND THE CALFED PROGRAM (SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT TO 1104-S AUGUST 2001) - This final report by the Senate Select Committee on CalFed discusses the future of California's water supply due to imbalance between population and the state's rainfall amounts. (Stock #1191-S; $7.00 - includes tax s/h) (11/02) PROPOSITION 51: TRAFFIC CONGESTION RELIEF AND SAFE SCHOOL BUS ACT - This proposition proposes t transfer 30% of the state's share of sales tax paid on the sale and lease of new and used motor vehicles from the state's General Fund to a new Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Bus Trust Fund established by the initiative. The trust fund would finance a variety of transportation, environmental and other programs and projects. This summary report contains the Senate Local Government Committee staff's explanation of what happened at the hearing held on 9/25, 9/26, 10/2, 10/3/2002, witnesses' written material, briefing papers, and background information. (Stock #1182-S; $5.93 - includes tax s/h) (10/02) ISSUES RELATED TO LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE - Informational hearing held by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to facilitate a more informed awareness of the issues around low-level radioactive waste, including its decommissioning and disposal, but overall on the regulatory framework regarding this important area. (Stock #1168-S; $6.47 - includes tax s/h) (6/02) BREAST CANCER AND THE ENVIRONMENT - The purpose of this informational hearing held by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services is to review the science that has begun to be put together about the environment factors of breast cancer. Are there environmental causes to breast cancer? What are the specific causes of breast cancer from an environment perspective? What can be done about those factors? (Stock #1162-S; $5.66 - includes tax s/h) (2/02) WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT SPECIAL DISTRICTS? A CITIZEN'S GUIDE, THIRD EDITION - This contains fresh material on the number of districts, recent controversies, and the debilitation effects of the ERAF property tax shifts. This guide by the Senate Local Government Committee introduces and explains the special district form of government. It's a helpful primer for voters, reporters, and public officials. (Stock #583-S; $3.23 - includes tax s/h) (2/02) BIOTERRORISM AND PUBLIC HEALTH: ASSESSING CALIFORNIA'S PREPAREDNESS - This hearing discusses increasing California's preparedness of our health officials and agencies to adequately respond to Anthrax attacks and communicable diseases so they can help to better protect public health and safety. (Stock #1125-S; $6.47 - includes tax s/h) (11/02). SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES END OF YEAR REPORT 2001 - In this report you will find a "2001 Top 10 List", a summary of all bills heard by the Committee in 2001, a brief synopsis of the key informational hearings held by the Committee, and a short section outlining some of the outstanding issues the committee expects to address this year. (Stock #1122-S; $3.23 - includes tax s/h) (12/01) PARKS, PROGRESS, AND PUBLIC POLICY: A LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF SENATE BILL 707 AND THE "RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT LAW" - This report documents the effort that resulted in the first comprehensive revision of the recreation and park districts' statute since 1957. The Working Group of Revising the Recreation and Park District Law recognized that the 1957 law was incomplete, inaccurate, and archaic. With help from legislative staffers and other advisors, the Working Group researched and drafted a replacement statute. Documenting the origins and legislative history of the new Recreation and Park District Law will help public officials, researchers, legal advisors, and the courts understand where SB 707 came from and what its drafters and authors intended to achieve. (Stock #1112- S; $6.73 - includes tax s/h) (10/01) WATER STORAGE AND THE CALFED PROGRAM: CAN THE PROGRAM DELIVER ON ITS PROMISES? - This report will provide an overview and status report on the CALFED Water Storage Program, including the current status of the Integrated Storage Investigations Program. As part of the status report, they will explore a study commissioned by an environmental group that raises questions about the economic feasibility of the proposed CALFED water storage projects contained within the Record of Decision. It will also highlight recent events that demonstrate the immediate need for new water storage facilities in the state. Finally, the report will conclude by exploring actions that can be taken now to meet the state's critical water needs sooner rather than later. (Stock #1104-S; $9.70 - includes tax s/h) (8/01) URBAN SPRAWL, PART II: INFLUENCES OF THE "FISCALIZATION OF LAND USE" AND URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES - California policy-makers and think tanks often talk of the "fiscalization of land use." It's a shorthand way of suggesting that local planning and zoning decisions are driven by the goal of maximizing the local tax revenues that land can produce. While it has been assumed this phenomenon encourages urban sprawl - as "big box stores," auto malls and other high-volume retailers spring up on once open lands - no one has studied whether the appropriate data does, indeed, show that fiscal considerations are driving many local land-use decisions. Prepared by Robert W. Wassmer, Visiting Consultant for Senate Office of Research. (Stock #1096-S; $3.23 - includes tax, s/h) (7/01) URBAN SPRAWL, PART I: DEFINING EXCESSIVE UBRANIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER WESTERN STATES - This paper is intended to offer a better understanding of the incidence of urban sprawl in California with the goal of helping decision-makers chart effective policies for dealing with it. The paper offers an economic way of thinking about urban sprawl, or decentralized growth. It develops a method for quantifing the degree of sprawl in metropolitan areas, given the available data. Prepared by Robert W. Wassmer, Visiting Consultant for Senate Office of Research. (Stock #1095-S; $3.23 - includes tax, s/h) (7/01) PUBLIC HEALTH EFFECTS OF TOXIC MOLD – The purpose of this hearing is to explore two specific questions. First of all, what exactly are the health effects of exposure to this mold? And secondly, does our system adequately protect the public health in the face of this threat? At this time there are no federal or state laws, regulations or guidelines regarding mold exposure, identification, or remediation. (Stock #1081-S; $6.47 - includes tax s/h) (3/01) HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHROMIUM VI CONTAMINATION OF DRINKING WATER – The release of the film Erin Brockovich in March of 2000 made chromium VI a common household word. The film is based on the town of Hinkley, CA and its redidents who were exposed to high levels of chromium VI and suffered a wide variety of health conditions including cancer. The Hinkley story, the film and the press coverage has vastly increased public awareness and its health effects. The hearing discusses the issue of chromium VI and contamination of California’s drinking water, and how to protect the public health from environmental threat. Background information is also included. (Stock #1069-S; $12.93 – includes tax, s/h) (10/00) NAFTA AND CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER – The Senate Select Committee on the California Legislature’s Role in Global Trade held this third hearing to investigate the effect of the North American Free Trade Policy (NAFTA) on California’s economy and its impact on the California-Mexico border region. The purpose of the hearing to determine whether the NAFTA has lived up to its promises in California. Has it created more jobs rather than lost them. Have labor and environment protections been enforced and strengthened? Are the increased immigration flows from Mexico and the nearly 600 migrant deaths at the CA-MEX border related to NAFTA’s impact on our economies? (Stock #1067-S; $3.77 – includes tax, s/h) (10/00) IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 115 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: OFFICE OF PLANNING & RESEARCH AND CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY – The purpose of this hearing is to determine what actions OPR, Cal-EPA, and other relevant state agencies have taken to date to implement the new law and what specific future program, policy, and process changes are envisioned to further the goal of environmental justice. In addition, the Committee is interested in hearing how state agencies intend to ensure that their programs, permits, and projects are in compliance with Title VI of the federal Civil Rights act of 1964. (Stock #1056-S; $4.31 – includes tax s/h) (9/00) IMPACTS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING ON CALIFORNIA’S ENVIRONMENT: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF RESEARCH AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES (NOVARTIS/UC BERKELEY AGREEMENT) – On May 15, 2000 the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife and the Committee on Higher Education discussed the following issues; long term environmental effects, potential health effects, academic freedom, liability, role of state regulatory agencies and University research departments. The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate whatever evidence there is of adverse effects on the environment from bioengineering/biotechnology. (Stock #1054-S; $7.27 – includes tax s/h) (5/00) CLIMATE CHANGE: ITS ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS – The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality heard testimony from business in California which have taken steps to address greenhouse gas production in their operations while simultaneously increasing their profits and economic positions. If the past is any evidence, actions taken to reduce global warming emissions in California would benefit the State’s economy by providing high-wage jobs, increasing economic competitiveness, expanding clean industries, developing new markets for California Products, and further reducing potentially costly dependence on imported oil and fossil fuels. (Stock #1051-S; $4.31 – includes s/h) (11/99) RECYCLED DRINKING WATER IN THE EAST VALLEY: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT OR ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE? – On June 8, 2000 the Senate Select Committee on Environmental Justice held a hearing to discuss the Department of Water’s East Valley Reclamation Project. Also the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s plan to use reclaimed water as drinking water. (Stock #1047-S; $4.04 – includes tax s/h) BROWNFIELDS TO SCHOOL SITES: HOW CAN THE STATE FACILITATE CLEANUP TO BUILD ESSENTIAL SCHOOLS? – Environmental injustice occurs where environmental degradations are overconcentrated in low-income and minority communities. Because a disproportionate share of “brownfields” (vacant of underutilized sites that may be contaminated from prior uses) are located in these areas, cleaning up these sites and promoting their reuse helps alleviate the historical injustices affecting these neighborhoods. When handled correctly and adequately cleaned or mitigated, brownfields can provide sites for safe neighborhood schools. In some communities, this is one of the few options open for meeting the dire need for school space. This hearing is meant to obtain input from professionals in the field on how the state can further facilitate the cleanup of brownfields for use as schools where alternatives do not readily exist. (Stock #1045-S; $4.31 – includes tax s/h) (1/00) HOOD DIVERSION AND WATER QUALITY – A hearing by the Senate Select Committee on the CALFED Water Program held on May 31, 2000. Issues discussed are Hood Diversion, Peripheral Canal, and California’s water quality and supply problems. Some of those problems include virtual absence of treatment implementation. (Stock #1044-S; $4.85 – includes tax s/h) (5/00) WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE? AN INFORMATIONAL HEARING AT THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS IN DIAMOND BAR, CA – While the term “environmental justice” has been used for years, there remains disagreement over what this concept entails and, more importantly, how environmental justice should be achieved. The purpose of this hearing is to allow members of the Committee to hear the perspectives of various interested parties on this issue: the administration, community groups, environmental justice advocates, and the business community. The hearing is also an opportunity for these parties to share their views on how the state should address this complex issue. (Stock #1034-S; $4.04 – includes tax s/h) (9/99) CALFED WATER PROGRAM – Transcript of the March 15, 2000 committee hearing to discuss CALFED draft environmental impact report and to evaluate how well CALFED has been managed and administered since the creation in 1994. (Stock #1033-S; $3.77 – includes tax s/h) (3/00) CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM – Hearing held on June 8, 1999 which discusses various water issues such as conservation, reclamation, storage, surface and groundwater, utilization of transfers. (Stock #994-S; $4.04 – includes tax s/h) (6/99) THE SINKING OF THE CENTURY FREEWAY –- An oversight hearing of the Senate Transportation Committee. They discuss such issues as the 105 Freeway, which stretches 17 miles from El Segundo to Norwalk, and problems with the drainage system which effects the natural groundwater. (Stock #991-S; $4.31 – includes tax s/h) (4/99) HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN -- Hearing transcript held by the Joint Committee on Headwaters Forest & Ecosystem Management (Stock #970-S; $4.04 -- includes tax s/h) (3/98) CALFED WATER PROGRAM -- This interim report is an analysis of the testimony and materials presented at the hearings held on May 13, June 9, June 29, and August 5, 1998. The hearings examined various aspects of the CalFed Bay-Delta Program, including the alternatives proposed by CalFed, various issues and challenges that face the program, and the general oversight mandated by SR 252. (Stock #968-S; $4.31 -- includes tax s/h) (9/98) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK CLEANUP PROGRAM -- Oversight hearing by the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality. They review concerns that have been raised over proposed changes in the cleanup of leaking underground tanks and specifically concerns raised by the draft policy for investigation and cleanup of petroleum discharges to soil and groundwater. (Stock #950-S; $3.77 -- includes tax, s/h) (3/97) STATUS OF AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE THE HEADWATERS FOREST -- Transcript of hearing by the Joint Committee on Headwaters Forest and Ecosystem Management Planning held on January 6, 1998 in Sacramento, CA. (Stock #942-S; $4.04 -- includes tax, s/h) (1/98) OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARD ASSESSMENT OVERSIGHT HEARING -- On March 3, 1997 the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality reviewed concerns which have been raised about the operation and performance of OEHHA. Specifically, the Committee will review serious allegations concerning political interference in the scientific process at OEHHA. (Stock #924-S; $4.58 -- includes tax, s/h) (3/97) PARKS AND OPEN-SPACE ECONOMIC BENEFITS -- Hearing by the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review on the lack of funds for the development and maintenance of state and local parks since 1988. Senator Mike Thompson has introduced a bill, SB 12, which is a bond measure that, if passed by the Legislature, would go before the voters and ask them if they want to vote for and allocate the money necessary to do the work that needs to be done in regard to our parks. (Stock #901-S; $4.31 -- includes tax, s/h) (12/96) AB 3248: PUBLIC ADVISOR SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT -- The Senate Local Government Committee scheduled an interim hearing to review AB 3248 and District plans for the Public Advisor. This report will focus on the background of, and issues raised by, that version of the bill and the District’s counter proposal. (Stock #896-S; $4.58 -- includes tax, s/h) (9/96) ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS/MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AND OTHER RELATED CONDITIONS -- A final report prepared by the former Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Rights of the Disabled on nearly four years of examining access issues for people with Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (EI/MCS). Since work was begun on this issue it has become increasingly apparent that people with allergies, asthma, emphysema, other respiratory diseases, immunological and neurological conditions also can be seriously affected by chemicals in the home, work and outdoor environment and in the foods we ingest. This report addresses only the issues related to access to public places, services and employment. (Stock #876-S; $2.96 -- includes tax, s/h) (9/96) MYTHS OF JOBS VS. RESOURCES: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH -- A study prepared by the Senate Office of Research which analyzes the economic impact of environmental laws and regulations on job growth in the United States and California. This study also examines the restructuring of the economy in the past twenty years to determine whether losses in industrial employment are related to strict environmental regulation. Central to the report is a review of the work done by Dr. Stephen Meyer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Project on Environmental Politics and Policy which compared states beginning in 1973 on the basis of the strength of their environmental laws and economic performances. (stock #847-S; $3.77 -- includes tax, s/h) (3/96) REDEVELOPMENT AND BLIGHT -- The summary report from the joint interim hearing of the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Redevelopment which discussed the following questions: How have local officials and property owners used the statutory definition of blight? Has the 1993 statutory definition created by AB 1290 lived up to its promises? Should state agencies review local officials' determinations of the existence of blight? Are further statutory reforms needed in 1996? The committee's report summarizes the testimony, includes the background policy paper, reprints the key statutes regarding blight and reproduces all of the hand-out materials that the legislators received from witnesses and correspondents. (stock #831-S; $20.74 - - includes tax, s/h) (11/95) SPECIES AND HABITAT: PROGRAM REFORM -- This document is in support of the third hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committees' oversight review of California's programs for the protection of species and their habitat. The subject of this hearing is "Recommendations for Program Reform." (stock #808-S; $12.66 -- includes tax, s/h) (7/95) CALIFORNIA RANKINGS: COMPARING CALIFORNIA TO OTHER STATES IN THE NATION -- A report prepared by the Senate Office of Research which includes charts displaying California's ranking as compared to the other 49 states in the following issue areas: Employment, Economy and Demographics; State and Local Finance; Education; Health; Housing; Criminal Justice; Environment, Energy, Transportation and the Arts; Elections. (stock #806-S; $10.24 -- includes tax, s/h) (7/95) SPECIES AND HABITAT: THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES CONSERVATION PLANNING PROGRAM -- Contents of this document include the NCCP Act; the NCCP Program; Guidelines and Section 4(d) Waiver; Department of Fish and Game Status Report of NCCP; Subregional Planning Activities; and, Commentary: What Went Wrong With NCCP. (stock #803-S; $10.24 -- includes tax, s/h) (5/95) SPECIES AND HABITAT: THE CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND THE NATIVE PLANT PROTECTION ACT -- A joint oversight hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committees. Included in this report is Oversight Hearings background; The California Endangered Species Act; Legislative Findings and Declarations; Listing of Species; Implementation of Rule; Taking of Endangered Species; and, The Native Plant Protection Act. (stock #802-S; $5.66 -- includes tax, s/h) (5/95) ASSESSING THE BENEFITS OF BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS: A CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS IN CALIFORNIA -- This guide was prepared by the Senate Local Government Committee and answers many questions about one of California's local financing mechanisms. It explains what benefit assessments are, what they pay for and their history and legal authority. In addition, it also tells you where to get more information about benefit assessments and how you can make judgments about the benefit assessments in your community. (stock #801-S; $4.85 -- includes tax, s/h) (5/95)