Bill > SB352

This bill establishes and continues a Bureau of Environmental Justice within the California Department of Justice and strengthens community air monitoring requirements. The bill requires the State Air Resources Board to maintain community air monitoring systems in selected locations for at least five years, with the option to extend monitoring periods. By July 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter, the board must update its monitoring plan, which involves identifying priority locations with high exposure to air pollutants, particularly in disadvantaged communities and near sensitive receptors like hospitals and schools. The bill mandates annual reporting to legislative committees about the progress of air monitoring implementation, including details on implementation status, best practices, lessons learned, enforcement activities, and expenditures. Starting March 1, 2027, the board and air district officials will be required to appear before legislative committees to present their progress. The monitoring systems will use advanced sensing equipment to measure air pollutant concentrations and help estimate health risks, determine pollution trends, and support enforcement efforts. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes state-mandated costs, local agencies will be reimbursed accordingly.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB352