California Legislation

Audubon California legislation support

Audubon California supported a number of bills under consideration in the 2015 California legislative session that position our state as global leader in addressing global warming. We believe that this legislation offers great benefits to both birds and people.

With 170 California birds threatened with extinction due to our changing environment, expanding the state’s landmark carbon pollution law is one of the most effective tools we have for protecting our birds. This includes iconic birds including: Brown Pelican, Golden Eagle, Allen’s Hummingbird, and the Yellow-billed Magpie, to name a few.

Audubon California’s position is that carbon pollution threatens the health of wildlife and people. Because of this we need to make investments in clean energy and nature that help birds and other wildlife maintain healthy populations while bolstering our state’s economy. California’s communities, wildlife, and natural landscapes will change dramatically over the next several decades due to population growth and climate change. We need bold commitments now to be prepared.

Audubon California supported four bills that are part of the State Senate’s leadership package to address climate:

Senate Bill 32, which reduces carbon pollution – Held back to 2016

Senate Bill 350, sets targets for reduction of petroleum use and increased use of renewable energy – Signed (requirement to reduce fuels removed)

Senate Bill 185, which seeks to reduce coal investments from California pension funds – Signed

Senate Bill 189, which would create an expert committee on climate to advise the Legislature – Did not pass, held in committee

We also support other bills which address the need to reduce emissions and prepare habitat for the challenges of climate change:

Assembly Bill 498, which establish state policy to preserve the most important wildlife corridors – Passed

Assembly Bill 1482, establishing a Strategic Growth Council that will oversee climate adaptation for critical habitat – Passed

Senate Bill 367, which will offer incentives for more ecologically-friend farming practices, such as reducing carbon pollution and adapting to climate change – Held for cap and trade clarification reasons

Assembly Bill 674, which will facilitate distributed generation (ie, rooftop solar panels) for homeowners – Did not pass (yet)

Assembly Bill 761, which will support improving carbon sequestration on rangelands. – Held in committee

Audubon California supported four bills that are part of the State Senate’s leadership package to address climate:

Senate Bill 32, which reduces carbon pollution – Held back to 2016

Senate Bill 350, sets targets for reduction of petroleum use and increased use of renewable energy – Signed (requirement to reduce fuels removed)

Senate Bill 185, which seeks to reduce coal investments from California pension funds – Signed

Senate Bill 189, which would create an expert committee on climate to advise the Legislature – Did not pass, held in committee

We also support other bills which address the need to reduce emissions and prepare habitat for the challenges of climate change:

Assembly Bill 498, which establish state policy to preserve the most important wildlife corridors – Passed

Assembly Bill 1482, establishing a Strategic Growth Council that will oversee climate adaptation for critical habitat – Passed

Senate Bill 367, which will offer incentives for more ecologically-friend farming practices, such as reducing carbon pollution and adapting to climate change – Held for cap and trade clarification reasons

Assembly Bill 674, which will facilitate distributed generation (ie, rooftop solar panels) for homeowners – Did not pass (yet)

Assembly Bill 761, which will support improving carbon sequestration on rangelands. – Held in committee