Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates $10 billion for projects for safe drinking water, wildifre prevention, and the Clean Air Bond Act in California.

Highlights:

• Exempts the adoption of regulations for program guidelines and selection criteria for the “Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024” (Proposition 4) from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (Sec.1 ). 

• Requires the Secretary of Natural Resources Agency to publish an annual list of all program and project expenditures, including project objectives, status, and direct benefits to vulnerable populations (Sec. 1). 

• Requires state agencies administering competitive grants under this exemption to develop draft solicitation guidelines, hold a public meeting, and provide a public comment period of at least 30 days (Sec. 1). 

• Requires state entities to respond in writing to each public comment received during the draft guideline period (Sec. 1). 

• Requires state agencies to offer opportunities for tribal consultation to impacted tribes before finalizing project solicitation and evaluation guidelines (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Finance to provide for an independent audit of expenditures made pursuant to the bond act (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt certain program regulations as emergency regulations necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the act takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to allow state agencies to prompt distribution funds to address intensified wildfires and drought risks (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text