(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assembly Bill 179 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) was approved on the Assembly Floor by a vote of 44 to 20. AB 179 would require one of the existing eleven appointed members of the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to have had experience working on environmental justice issues.
“Whether by bus, car, or bike, transportation has a profound effect on the quality of life for every Californian,” Assemblymember Cervantes said. “The members of our Transportation Commission should reflect the changing reality of transportation in California. This should also include an understanding of how state transportation policy affects our most disadvantaged communities, especially as it relates to air quality.”
Specifically, AB 179 would require that one of the appointed members of the CTC have had experience working directly with disadvantaged communities, especially those burdened with or vulnerable to high levels of pollution. This would follow a precedent set by other state boards and commissions with environmental justice representation, particularly the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Coastal Commission.
AB 179 will be transmitted to the State Senate to await referral to a Senate policy committee. You can find more information about the bill here.