An End of Year Shake-Up in the Assembly’s Committees

You've likely caught wind of the recent committee changes in the state Assembly, and I'm eager to provide you with Sierra Club California's perspective on these shifts and how they may impact our work to safeguard California's environment and communities.

Committees in the legislature are where the real action unfolds, and they serve as advocates' primary platform to express support or concerns for bills. These committees play a pivotal role in either advancing, refining, or stopping proposed legislation. We collaborate closely not only with bill authors but also with committee chairs who wield significant influence over whether a bill will even be heard during that session. Their stance often guides legislators when voting on the floor.

Given this, the appointment of committee chairs is of paramount importance to environmental advocates. We anticipate changes when new leaders assume power in either house of the legislature and strive to ensure that pro-environmental legislators take the reins of committees we engage with. Speaker Robert Rivas recently announced committee appointments just before Thanksgiving, and they are certainly noteworthy.

Assembly Appropriations: This committee reviews bills that cost the state money in any capacity. Due to enforcement or programmatic costs, climate and environmental bills are often heard in this committee. Asm. Buffy Wicks (AD 14) has been appointed chair of this committee. Asm. Wicks often votes in line with the Sierra Club position. We’ll be looking for her leadership to advance and stop a number of environmentally important bills.

Budget: This committee is pretty self-explanatory; it develops and negotiates the state budget. Asm. Jesse Gabriel (AD 46) will be the new chair of this committee. Asm. Gabriel has been a strong ally of the environment since he joined the legislature in 2018, often working with Sierra Club California on matters related to climate adaptation and energy. We’re looking forward to continuing this partnership in his new role and ensuring the state is putting all resources possible into the fight against the climate crisis. 

Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials: This committee hears bills relating to toxic substances and hazardous materials, hazardous waste regulation, water quality and drinking water regulations, and pesticides. Asm. Eduardo Garcia (AD 36) will lead this committee next session. Representing the Salton Sea region, and previously chair of the Water Parks and Wildlife and Utilities & Energy Committees, Asm. Garcia is acutely aware of issues affecting environmental justice communities. 

Natural Resources: Another consequential committee for environmentalists, Natural Resources hears bills on air quality, climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and a host of other issues. It touches just about every facet of Sierra Club California’s work. Asm. Isaac Bryan (AD 55) has been appointed chair starting 2024, and we couldn’t be more eager to work with him. Asm. Bryan is a great advocate for environmental justice, holding polluters accountable, and investing in greater access to the outdoors for communities. 

Transportation: This committee reviews bills impacting the transportation sector, including mobile sources of air pollution, fuels, bicycles, public transit, and state transportation agencies. Asm. Lori Wilson (AD 11) has been appointed chair of this committee. Asm. Wilson hasn’t scored particularly well on Sierra Club’s scorecard, however her door is always open for communication, and we will be working to ensure she continues the committee’s goal of curbing polluting fuel sources and aligning state transportation policy with climate goals. 

Utilities & Energy: This committee hears bills related to state energy agencies, our energy resources, and energy rates. Asm. Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD 73) has been appointed chair, and honestly, Sierra Club California and environmental advocates will have our work cut out for us in this committee. Petrie-Norris has been somewhat of a disappointment in her time in the legislature, scoring poorly on multiple environmental scorecards year after year. At first we chalked it up to her district, originally Republican-held and leaning more “purple”. However, after redistricting in 2020 and the new races in 2022, she now represents a more pro-environment district. 2023 was the first year in this new district and her votes on environmental issues weren’t much better. All this to say, it will be up to advocates and her constituents to ensure that she and the committee chart an energy future for California that doesn’t empower the fossil fuel industry. 

Water, Parks, & Wildlife: This committee hears bills related to California’s precious waterways, species, and lands. Asm. Diane Papan (AD 21) has been appointed chair. Admittedly, Sierra Club California hasn’t worked too closely with Asm. Papan. While generally seen as a moderate in Sacramento, she carried a few water bills this past session that Sierra Club California supported. She also asked some key questions during the legislative hearings relating to the Governor’s infrastructure package that highlighted the missteps the administration made in the development process. We’re planning on building a greater relationship with Asm. Papan next session. 

If you live in any of the districts above, reach out to your legislator and congratulate them on their appointment. You should also let them know your vision for the environment and ensure they’re in line with Sierra Club and environmental justice organizations. 

But regardless of who chairs a committee, a constant in any of them is Sierra Club California’s presence and our work to ensure that the environment has a voice in their deliberations. We’ll continue to fight for the best environmental outcome possible, working alongside our allies, as well as calling on members and supporters like you to join us in that fight when necessary. 

Sincerely,