An act to add Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 35640) to Division 26.5 of the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources.
Summary
AB 14 creates a new chapter in the Public Resources Code establishing the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program as a statewide voluntary vessel speed reduction and sustainable shipping effort for California’s coast. The bill directs the Ocean Protection Council, subject to available funding, to participate in an advisory and stakeholder role with coastal air pollution control and air quality management districts and other partners to help expand the existing program beyond its current regions. The stated goals are to reduce air pollution from oceangoing vessels, lower the risk of fatal ship strikes on whales, and reduce harmful underwater noise impacts.
The bill authorizes the expanded program to include a marketing component, ship-speed data collection, monitoring of whale-strike and acoustic impacts where data is available, air-quality data collection in coastal communities, and incentives for vessels that travel at reduced speeds. It also contemplates development of speed-reduction zones, seasonal participation, and identification of covered vessels, while making clear that the program is voluntary, not a regulatory program, and must not conflict with federal law. The program applies only to vessels of 300 gross tons or greater and requires participating districts to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2029.
Impact
AB 14 adds Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 35640) to Division 26.5 of the Public Resources Code, thereby creating a statutory framework for a statewide voluntary vessel speed reduction program tied to coastal air quality and marine mammal protection. It expands the role of the Ocean Protection Council into an advisory stakeholder for this program and authorizes participating air districts to coordinate a unified effort with federal and maritime partners. The bill also imposes a reporting requirement on participating districts and air quality management districts, with the reporting obligation becoming inoperative on December 31, 2033.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have had strongly favorable support throughout the legislative process. It moved repeatedly on consent calendars and passed every recorded vote unanimously, with no recorded opposition in committee or on the floor. The legislative findings emphasize environmental, public health, and maritime-industry benefits, suggesting broad bipartisan or at least noncontroversial support for the voluntary approach.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive opposition in the available record, but the bill’s structure reflects several issues that could have been points of concern. The program depends on available funding, so implementation may vary by region and resources. It also limits participation to larger vessels of 300 gross tons or more, which narrows its reach and may reflect an effort to balance environmental goals with shipping operations. Finally, the bill is careful to state that the program is voluntary and must not conflict with federal law, indicating sensitivity to possible concerns about regulatory overreach, maritime commerce impacts, and federal preemption.
Replaces CRMC with a newly created division of coastal resources management, a state entity within the DEM and would transfer all authority to the DEM with duties and responsibilities to be carried out by the division of coastal resources management.
An act to amend Sections 7922.535 and Section 7923.600 of, and to add Section 7923.606 to, the Government Code, and to amend Section 25152.5 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public records.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.