California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
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| California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources | |
|---|---|
| Name | California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources |
| Chamber | California State Assembly |
| Jurisdiction | Natural resources policy, conservation, water, energy, public lands |
| Chair | (varies by session) |
| Vice chair | (varies by session) |
| Formed | (date varies by reorganization) |
California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources The California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources is a standing committee of the California State Assembly that handles legislation and oversight related to natural resources, including water, public lands, energy, and conservation. It interacts with state entities such as the California Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California State Water Resources Control Board, while engaging stakeholders like the Sierra Club, California Farm Bureau Federation, and the Public Policy Institute of California. The committee's work intersects with major statutes and initiatives including the California Environmental Quality Act, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.
History
The committee traces its origins to early legislative panels on fisheries and forestry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that dealt with issues addressed by entities such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Fish and Game Commission. During the Progressive Era contemporaneous with figures like Hiram Johnson and reforms such as the California Constitution of 1879, the legislature created specialized committees mirroring national trends exemplified by the United States House Committee on Natural Resources and the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Throughout the 20th century the committee's remit evolved alongside landmark events and programs including the development of the Central Valley Project, the creation of the California State Water Project, and environmental movements associated with works by Rachel Carson and legislation influenced by the National Environmental Policy Act. Reorganizations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries paralleled policy shifts around climate change, wildfire management after major incidents like the Camp Fire (2018), and water policy reforms following droughts in the 2010s.
Jurisdiction and Responsibilities
The committee's jurisdiction covers statutory areas overseen by the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Coastal Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the California Air Resources Board where statutes such as the California Coastal Act and the California Endangered Species Act are implicated. It considers bills affecting the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, the Sierra Nevada, and federal-state interactions with agencies including the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Forest Service. Responsibilities encompass review of budget proposals tied to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, legislation concerning the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, and implementation oversight of measures connected to the California WaterFix and the Delta Conveyance Project.
Membership and Leadership
Committee membership comprises Assemblymembers appointed by the Speaker of the California State Assembly representing diverse districts from areas such as Los Angeles County, San Francisco, the San Joaquin Valley, and the North Coast. Leadership roles such as Chair and Vice Chair have been held by Assemblymembers with backgrounds tied to constituencies that include urban centers like San Diego and rural regions such as Fresno. Members often coordinate with state executives including the Governor of California and federal legislators such as members of the United States Congress serving on related committees like the House Natural Resources Committee.
Legislative Activities and Notable Bills
The committee has deliberated significant measures including amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act, updates to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, legislation implementing elements of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, and statutes affecting renewable energy siting related to the Renewable Portfolio Standard. Notable actions have intersected with litigation and policy debates involving parties such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and agricultural interests represented by groups like the California Farm Bureau Federation. Legislative packages addressing wildfire funding, water conveyance, and habitat conservation have drawn input from institutions such as the State Water Resources Control Board and conservation entities like the Audubon Society.
Hearings and Oversight
The committee conducts hearings that summon testimony from officials at the California Natural Resources Agency, technical experts from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Davis, representatives of tribal governments including the Yurok Tribe and the Hoopa Valley Tribe, and stakeholders such as the California Chamber of Commerce. Oversight has focused on implementation of projects like the California State Water Project, responses to emergencies exemplified by the Thomas Fire (2017), and compliance with permits overseen by the California Coastal Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board.
Staff and Administration
Committee staff include policy analysts, counsel, and legislative aides who liaise with fiscal offices such as the California Department of Finance and nonpartisan entities like the Legislative Analyst's Office (California). Administrative functions coordinate bill analysis, environmental review briefings, and interagency communications with offices including the Secretary for Natural Resources (California) and legal counsel from the California Attorney General's office.
Relationships with State Agencies and Stakeholders
The committee maintains working relationships with agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Energy Commission, and the California Coastal Commission while engaging non-governmental stakeholders including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, labor organizations like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and agricultural groups such as the California Farm Bureau Federation. Collaboration and conflict arise in arenas involving federal partners like the Bureau of Land Management and scientific institutions including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, especially on issues tied to the Delta Mendota Canal and statewide climate resilience planning.