Three air-friendly bills were closely watched during the 2011 California State Legislative session. The region's key air quality bill during 2011 was and remains AB 146 (Dickinson) which would provide a seat for the region on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and empower the region to fully participate in key CARB decisions regarding implementation of AB 32 (California's Global Warming Solutions Act) and SB 375 (California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act). A coalition featuring the Cleaner Air Partnership, the Sacramento Metro Chamber, Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, Valley Vision, and local air districts worked hard to assist Assemblymember Dickinson in successfully moving the bill through the Assembly, but the bill stalled in the Senate. The bill's supporters continue to work with the Legislature and Governor to explore different ways of advancing the bill during 2012 or otherwise ensuring that our region has the CARB representation it deserves.

Among many bills still alive for next year is another bill concerning air quality, AB 1095 (Berryhill). This bill would create a hearing board at CARB to resolve AB 32-related disputes rather than the current appeal process of a lawsuit.

Additionally, Governor Brown vetoed SB 582 (Yee) which would have empowered agencies such as the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and local air districts to jointly require specified employers to establish employee benefit programs to encourage employee transit use.