AB 598 was co-authored by Assemblyman Richard Bloom and Senator Ben Allen, both Democrats from Santa Monica, who were trying to succeed where five previous attempts over the years had failed. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had vetoed similar bills three times - in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
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For instance, last summer, California lawmakers passed SB 54, which requires that by 2032, 100% of packaging in the state must be recyclable or compostable; plastic packaging must be reduced by 25%; and 65% of all single-use plastics must be recycled.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 54, which requires all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable and 65% of all single-use plastic packaging to be recycled by 2032.
As part of AB 102 Budget Act of 2023, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on July 10, $1.15 million in appropriated funds will finance the anticipated Log Cabin renovations. A portion of those funds came at the request of Senator Ben Allen (CA Senate District 24), the California Department of Housing and Community Development approved $500,000 to support the project.
California lawmakers are now debating whether to take some steps toward reform. State bills would give regulators more power to investigate the water use of senior rights holders, allow them to order those rights holders to stop using water when there’s a shortage, and to increase the fines against those who take water illegally.
Lawmakers are considering additional bills to complement the legislation, according to SB 54 sponsor Sen. Ben Allen (D). These include extended producer responsibility for areas such as electric vehicle batteries, textiles, aerosol paint, and solar panels. Allen previously sponsored efforts regulating what kind of plastics can bear the recycling symbol.
The second major piece of legislation is SB 54, the plastics bill, that requires by 2032 100% of packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable, a 25% cut in plastic packaging, and 65% of all single-use plastic packaging be recycled.
Backers of more money for California transit say its cities don’t need to be as reliant on the service as a place like New York to make it a worthy investment for a state that’s considering the environmental and economic benefits of reducing automobile traffic.
