Bill > SB675

This bill, effective March 1, 2028, significantly reforms the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (air district) by establishing a new governing board structure and expanding its duties, while also introducing streamlining benefits for certain environmental leadership development projects in San Diego. The Imperial County air district's governing board will consist of 10 members: one county supervisor, five city council members representing different supervisorial districts, and four public members with specific backgrounds in public health, environmental justice, labor, and agriculture, all of whom must reside within the district. This new board will be responsible for appointing a liaison to consult with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps on permitting and regulatory matters impacting their missions, creating a separate public-facing website to post agendas, minutes, permit information, enforcement actions, and air toxics data, applying for state and federal grants, evaluating and improving the public complaint process with a 24-hour hotline and timely responses, developing a comprehensive air monitoring plan, and publishing an annual air quality report. The bill also mandates that by July 1, 2027, the air district must post permit applications within three business days of receipt and consider public comments before final action, and by July 1, 2028, it must report on its 2027 permit actions to consider rule amendments for better public comment opportunities. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District from issuing "major air permits" (permits for Title V sources) until March 1, 2028, after which this prohibition is repealed. The bill also includes provisions for funding the air district through annual per capita assessments on cities and counties within the district, similar to how the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is funded. Separately, the bill provides streamlining benefits for "Waterfront Environmental Leadership Development Projects" (WELDPs) in San Diego, which are large mixed-use waterfront developments certified by the Governor, by establishing specific timelines for the California Coastal Commission to review and act on related permits and plans, aiming to expedite their approval process.