SCR180 — Consent item noted; action deferred until quorum is reached.
AB40 — AB 40 is introduced as the Community First Coal Review Act. After the chair invites Assembly Member Mia Banta to present the bill, the sponsor explains that AB 40 would require a full CEQA environmental impact report before any new or expanded coal terminal exceeding five million short tons per year can receive discretionary approval. The bill is presented as a clear California response to the need for updated environmental review of new coal plans.
AB40 — AB 40 is discussed as a bill requiring updated environmental review and mitigation for a proposed large coal terminal, especially in West Oakland. Supporters explain that the bill was narrowed to apply only to the largest coal facilities, cite a CARB-funded study on coal terminal air quality, and argue it is needed because the project was not previously considered in environmental review. They frame the bill as a response to the Trump administration’s plan for a high-volume coal terminal and say it would ensure review before permits are issued. Opponents argue the bill would change the rules after approvals and investment, send a damaging signal, and selectively target one terminal, creating a troubling precedent.
AB40 — The committee lifts the call on AB 40 and proceeds with the motion that the Senate amendments be concurred in. The absent-member roll is opened and called, and the bill ultimately receives 10 votes in support of concurrence.
Ms. Margaret — A person named Ms. Margaret is greeted at the start of the presentation; likely a witness or participant.
Ms. Margaret — She is praised for launching a movement in West Oakland and Oakland focused on clean air and environmental justice.
Ms. Margaret — Thanked in closing remarks; speaker joked about an 18th grandchild and a cookout.
Ms. Margaret Gordon — Ms. Margaret Gordon, from the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, gives extended testimony thanking the committee and describing her long history in West Oakland since 1991, including her role in the decommissioning and redevelopment of the former Army base and her leadership with the organization. She says the community was not given upfront information about coal becoming part of the OBOT/Army base project and that residents were left out of the legal and planning history. She emphasizes her continued commitment as board chair and community scholar, her age and family, and her hope that future generations will be able to thrive. She then raises concerns about fugitive dust, port activity, air quality, and cumulative health impacts, citing respiratory and cardiovascular disease in the community and arguing that the coal terminal would add to existing burdens and undermine state investments in emissions reduction.
Colin O'Brien — Identified as an attorney with Earthjustice and a witness/testifier.
Colin O’Brien — Identified himself as a deputy managing attorney with Earthjustice and testified in support of AB 40.
Niccolo DeLuca — Testified on behalf of the City of Berkeley in strong support.
Rosanna Carvacho Elliott — Testified on behalf of the City of Alameda in support.
Jacob Evans — Testified on behalf of Sierra Club California in support.
Marie Lou — Testified in support for SEHA, PCL, the Center for Environmental Health, and the Richmond Shoreline Alliance.
Christina Scrant — Testified in support on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity.
Chloe Shea — Testified on behalf of California Environmental Voters in strong support.
Veronica E.D. — Identified as co-sponsor and Executive Director of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, speaking in support.
Director of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project — Spoke in support of the measure.
Orrace Gonzalez — Testified in opposition on behalf of California's Business Roundtable, arguing the bill targets a single project and undermines investment certainty.
Alfredo Medina — Testified on behalf of Insight Terminal Solutions and said he would present prepared remarks from the company's CEO.
John Kendrick — Testified in opposition on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce.
Isaac Bryan — The speaker addresses Chair Bryan by name.
Isaac Bryan — Isaac Bryan appears in a brief procedural sequence: he is invited to close, then is recorded as present during a quorum call, and finally votes aye.
Isaac Bryan — The chair is thanked as the member closes.
Isaac Bryan — The chair is thanked as part of the closing remarks.
Isaac Bryan — Recorded as voting aye.
Isaac Bryan — Chair is implied in the request to call the roll and in the committee process.
Isaac Bryan — Roll call begins with the Chair's name called for the vote.
Isaac Bryan — The roll call begins with Bryan voting aye.
Matt Roman — Testified in opposition on behalf of the California Business Property Association and Union Pacific Railroad.
Elizabeth Escobal — Testified in respectful opposition on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.
Stan Ellis — Asked the opposition about the regulatory agency over PM 2.5 and whether the project had already been approved.
Stan Ellis — The speaker asks witnesses to respond to Vice Chair Ellis's question about PM 2.5 levels.
Stan Ellis — His question about PM2.5 levels is referenced as part of the discussion.
Stan Ellis — The speaker addresses him as Vice Chair while responding to his question about Air District approval.
Stan Ellis — The speaker refers to the Vice Chair's technical questions.
Stan Ellis — The quorum call records Ellis as present.
Stan Ellis — Ellis votes no.
Stan Ellis — Recorded as voting aye.
Stan Ellis — Stan Ellis is involved in a brief legislative sequence in which he votes aye on the due pass motion, is noted by the chair as possibly having one last opportunity to ask a question, and then votes aye on concurrence in the Senate amendments.
Juan Alanis — During the roll call, Juan Alanis is recorded as present and then votes no.
Juan Alanis — Recorded as voting aye.
Juan Alanis — Votes aye on the due pass motion.
Juan Alanis — Identified as seconding the motion.
Juan Alanis — Alanis votes aye on concurrence in the Senate amendments.
Damon Connolly — Damon Connolly is first recorded as present during the quorum call and then immediately votes aye.
Damon Connolly — Recorded as not voting.
Damon Connolly — During the roll-call vote on the due pass motion, Damon Connolly votes aye.
Robert Garcia — During the quorum call, Robert Garcia is recorded as present and then votes aye.