Assemblymember Garcia Delays Assembly Floor Vote On Landmark Air Quality Proposal To Continue Discussions With Stakeholders

Despite ongoing successful votes in the Assembly on his landmark air quality legislation, the California Pollution Hotspots Solution Act (AB 914), Assistant Majority Leader Robert Garcia elected to slow down the process to continue discussions with stakeholders.

“I look forward to spending the next several months continuing my efforts to meet with industry leaders throughout the state and taking the legislation up for a vote on the Assembly Floor in January,” said Assemblymember Garcia.

AB 914 will establish a statewide standard for regulating indirect emission sources that produce pollutants contributing to regional air quality issues, such as smog, and localized toxic diesel pollution, which disproportionately harms nearby communities.

“My district, San Bernardino, has the worst air quality in the nation, and while I appreciate the support of my colleagues for advancing this critical legislation through policy and fiscal committees, I have decided to hold my bill on the Assembly Floor at this time,” Assemblymember Garcia continued. “As a recently elected Assemblymember, I introduced this legislation to help further drive emission reductions that impact the health and safety of millions of Californians. I am just as committed to the health and safety of my constituents as I am to ensuring we have the time to properly discuss policy of this magnitude. I want to acknowledge my Legislative Team for their top-notch policy work and thoughtful and deliberative approach to engaging industry stakeholders. I would also like to thank my labor, public health advocates, and environmental advocates for their advocacy and for working tirelessly to advance this critical policy.”

“While we’re left vulnerable as the Trump administration attacks California’s vehicle standards, we will continue to fight for AB 914 and the solutions it proposes,” said Ada Waelder, California policy advocate at Earthjustice. “Indirect Source Rules have a proven track record of spurring infrastructure and clean energy projects and we will use these next several months to work with legislators and stakeholders to build an understanding of how a statewide rule would spur economic growth and clean air benefits across California. Californians breathe some of the dirtiest air in the country and we are thankful to Assemblymember Garcia for his commitment to fixing that.”