Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 2 members representing the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would provide that the members selected by the city selection committee members may be either a mayor or city council member from the applicable supervisorial district.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law requires each member of the district to serve a 4-year term, as specified.

The bill would. require, on the first board meeting in the 2029 calendar year, the governing board clerk to conduct a random drawing to select 2 members appointed by city selection committee members and 2 public members to serve a 2-year term and until that members successor is appointed.

Existing law requires governing board of the district to designate one member representing the board of supervisors to serve as the liaison to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.

This bill would eliminate the restriction that the member serving as the liaison be a member representing the board of supervisors and would require that member to be appointed as the liaison after consultation with the United States Armed Forces.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 2 members representing the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would provide that the members selected by the city selection committee members may be either a mayor or city council member from the applicable supervisorial district.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law requires each member of the district to serve a 4-year term, as specified.

The bill would. require, on the first board meeting in the 2029 calendar year, the governing board clerk to conduct a random drawing to select 2 members appointed by city selection committee members and 2 public members to serve a 2-year term and until that members successor is appointed.

Existing law requires governing board of the district to designate one member representing the board of supervisors to serve as the liaison to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.

This bill would eliminate the restriction that the member serving as the liaison be a member representing the board of supervisors and would require that member to be appointed as the liaison after consultation with the United States Armed Forces.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 2 members representing the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would provide that the members selected by the city selection committee members may be either a mayor or city council member from the applicable supervisorial district.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law requires each member of the district to serve a 4-year term, as specified.

The bill would instead require specified public members, and members selected by city selection committee members from specified supervisorial districts, who are appointed in the 2029 calendar year, to serve 2-year terms, as specified. require, on the first board meeting in the 2029 calendar year, the governing board clerk to conduct a random drawing to select 2 members appointed by city selection committee members and 2 public members to serve a 2-year term and until that members successor is appointed.

Existing law requires governing board of the district to designate one member representing the board of supervisors to serve as the liaison to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.

This bill would eliminate the restriction that the member serving as the liaison be a member representing the board of supervisors and would require that member to be appointed as the liaison after consultation with the United States Armed Forces.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 2 members representing the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would establish a process for selecting a member in the event of a tie vote by the city selection committee members representing the cities of that supervisorial district. The bill would provide that the members selected by the city selection committee members may be either a mayor or city council member from the applicable supervisorial district.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law requires each member of the district to serve a 4-year term, as specified.

The bill would instead require specified public members, and members selected by city selection committee members from specified supervisorial districts, who are appointed in the 2029 calendar year, to serve 2-year terms, as specified.

Existing law requires governing board of the district to designate one member representing the board of supervisors to serve as the liaison to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.

This bill would eliminate the restriction that the member serving as the liaison be a member representing the board of supervisors and would require that member to be appointed as the liaison after consultation with the United States Armed Forces.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 2 members representing the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would establish a process for selecting a member in the event of a tie vote by the city selection committee members representing the cities of that supervisorial district. The bill would provide that the members selected by the city selection committee members may be either a mayor or city council member from the applicable supervisorial district.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law requires each member of the district to serve a 4-year term, as specified.

The bill would instead require specified public members, and members selected by city selection committee members from specified supervisorial districts, who are appointed in the 2029 calendar year, to serve 2-year terms, as specified.

Existing law requires governing board of the district to designate 1 one member representing the board of supervisors to serve as the liaison to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard.

This bill would eliminate the restriction that the member serving as the liaison be a member representing the board of supervisors. supervisors and would require that member to be appointed as the liaison after consultation with the United States Armed Forces.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 8 2 members representing various local governments the board of supervisors of the County of San Diego, the mayor or a city council member of the City of San Diego, a city council member from each of the 5 supervisorial districts of the county, and 3 public members who are required to meet specified qualifications and who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law requires the 5 city council members to be selected by city selection committees representing the cities of that supervisorial district. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

The bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

Existing law provides for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to have a governing board of 11 members, including 8 members representing various local governments and 3 public members who are required to meet specified qualifications and who are appointed by the other members representing those local governments. Existing law provides for the members of the governing board to receive compensation while attending meetings of the district governing board or while on official business of the district and to receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the members official duties, as specified.

This bill would authorize each appointing authority to designate an alternate member to serve in place of the regular member when the regular member is absent or disqualified from participating and would require the alternate member to meet the same qualifications applicable to the regular member. When serving in place of the appointed member, the bill would authorize the alternate member to vote and to receive compensation and expenses, as specified.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 652

Author:(Alvarez)

As Amended Ver:July 17, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) board be the supervisor currently serving on the Air Resources Board (ARB). Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

Senate Amendments

1. Strike out provisions regarding resolving tie votes.
2. Replace provisions prescribing two-year terms for specified members with provisions requiring a random drawing to determine members to serve two-year terms.
3. Require the district board to consult with the United States Armed Forces prior to designating a member as the military liaison.

COMMENTS

In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria), restructured the SDCAPCD board, which previously was governed by the five San Diego County Supervisors, to be governed by an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members.

San Diego County is second only to Los Angeles County in population, with approximately 3.3 million residents, approximately 1.4 million of whom live in the City of San Diego.

San Diego's county-only air district board is an anomaly. San Diego has the largest population by far of any county air district. There are 35 air districts covering California's 58 counties. Of the 21 single county districts, eight have boards with city representation and 13 have boards that are only county supervisors. The other 20 single county districts are primarily rural.

According to the Author

AB 652, modernizes the governance of the SDAPCD, positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board's capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality.

AB 652 is a proactive approach toward equitable governance, ensuring that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color—often the most severely impacted by pollution—have dedicated advocates influencing the policies that directly affect their health and environment. By formalizing military coordination, the bill not only protects essential operations but also holds the SDAPCD accountable to local residents. With no new taxes or costs to the state, this legislation represents a fiscally responsible model for effective, community-driven environmental stewardship. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan, has a seat at the decision-making table.

Arguments in Support

According to the City of San Diego, (SB 652) addresses the potential disruption in governance due to the absence of board members, which can hinder the district's ability to effectively manage air quality and pollution control efforts. By introducing alternates, the bill aims to maintain a full board and ensure that vital decisions regarding air pollution are made without delay. These provisions will streamline the SDAPCD's operations, reduce administrative delays, and foster more inclusive and effective representation.

Arguments in Opposition

None received.

FISCAL COMMENTS

Non-fiscal.

VOTES:

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 13-0-1

YES: Bryan, Alanis, Connolly, Ellis, Flora, Garcia, Haney, Kalra, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Schultz, Wicks, Zbur

ABS, ABST OR NV: Hoover

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 63-2-14

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Schultz, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO: DeMaio, Hoover

ABS, ABST OR NV: Castillo, Flora, Gallagher, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Lackey, Macedo, Papan, Patterson, Ramos, Sanchez, Sharp-Collins, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: July 17, 2025

CONSULTANT: Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0001525

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 652

Author: Alvarez (D)

Amended: 7/17/25 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/2/25

AYES: Blakespear, Valladares, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Menjivar, Padilla, Pérez

NO VOTE RECORDED: Dahle

SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/16/25

AYES: Durazo, Choi, Arreguín, Cabaldon, Laird, Seyarto, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 63-2, 4/21/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: San Diego County Air Pollution Control District: governing board: alternate members

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill makes a number of operational changes to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) board, including removing the requirement be the supervisor currently serving on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), authorizing the designation of alternate board members, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Provides the CARB with primary responsibility for control of mobile source air pollution and provides that local air districts have primary responsibility for controlling air pollution from all sources, other than emissions from mobile sources, and establishes certain powers, duties, and requirements for those districts. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 39500, et seq. and § 40000, et seq.)
2. Creates certain air districts, including districts that cover a single county, as well as unified and regional districts that cover multiple counties. (HSC § 40000, et seq.)
3. Provides, for a single county district, except for San Diego that the county board of supervisors is ex officio of the county district board. Includes specified exceptions whereby other county district governing boards must include city council members or mayors. However, these requirements for city representation do not apply to “rural” county districts (i.e., where population of the incorporated area of the county is 35 percent or less of the total county population). (HSC § 40100, et seq.)
4. Designates, for multi-county districts, a variety of different governing board appointment schemes, including county and city officials, public members, and appointment by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly. The governing boards of the multi-county districts are typically larger, with as many as 24 board members, and all include city representation, including some with a majority of city representatives. (HSC § 40150, et seq.)
5. Provides, for the SDCAPCD an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members. Requires that one of the two supervisors be the supervisor currently serving on the CARB. (HSC § 40100.6)

This bill:

1. Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the SDAPCD board be the supervisor currently serving on CARB.
   
2. Provides for two-year, rather than four-year, terms for two city members (to be selected randomly) and two specified public members.
   
3. Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

Background

San Diego Air Pollution Control District. There are 35 air districts covering California’s 58 counties. Of the 21 single county districts, eight have boards with city representation and 13 have boards that are only county supervisors. The other 20 single county districts are primarily rural. San Diego’s county-only air district board is an anomaly.

San Diego has the largest population by far of any single-county air district. San Diego County is second only to Los Angeles County in population, with approximately 3.3 million residents, approximately 1.4 million of whom live in the City of San Diego.

In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria, Chapter 744, Statutes of 2019) restructured the SDAPCD board, which previously was governed by the five San Diego County Supervisors, to be governed by an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members.

Comments

Purpose of this bill. According to the author, “AB 652, modernizes the governance of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board’s capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan, has a seat at the decision-making table. This bill enhances San Diego’s capacity to address air pollution in an equitable and efficient manner-ultimately protecting vulnerable communities, supporting military collaborations, and furthering California’s leadership in climate action.”

How is this going to affect the air? As the local air district, SDAPCD has many responsibilities to protect public health and the environment by regulating stationary sources of air pollution, monitoring air quality, and developing strategies to reduce emissions. The actions taken towards these ends are decided upon by SDAPCD board, who must vote upon new rules, among other things. This bill facilities the operations of the SDAPCD board by staggering some terms, providing for alternates when an appointment member is absent or disqualified, and allowing more flexibility in who may serve in certain positions vis-à-vis serving on the CARB board.

To the extent these changes enable the SDAPCD to assess local air quality challenges and promulgate solutions, this bill would be expected to lead to modest improvements in the ability of the air district to complete its work.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/25)

City of San Diego
County of San Diego Fourth District Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
Environmental Health Coalition
Military Services in California

Monica Montgomery Steppe, Supervisor, San Diego County Fourth District
The Office of San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/25)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 63-2, 4/21/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Schultz, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: DeMaio, Hoover

NO VOTE RECORDED: Castillo, Flora, Gallagher, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Lackey, Macedo, Papan, Patterson, Ramos, Sanchez, Sharp-Collins, Ta, Tangipa

Prepared by: Heather Walters / E.Q. / (916) 651-4108

8/18/25 14:39:33

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 652

Author: Alvarez (D)

Amended: 7/17/25 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/2/25

AYES: Blakespear, Valladares, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Menjivar, Padilla, Pérez

NO VOTE RECORDED: Dahle

SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/16/25

AYES: Durazo, Choi, Arreguín, Cabaldon, Laird, Seyarto, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 63-2, 4/21/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: San Diego County Air Pollution Control District: governing board: alternate members

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill makes a number of operational changes to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) board, including removing the requirement be the supervisor currently serving on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), authorizing the designation of alternate board members, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Provides the CARB with primary responsibility for control of mobile source air pollution and provides that local air districts have primary responsibility for controlling air pollution from all sources, other than emissions from mobile sources, and establishes certain powers, duties, and requirements for those districts. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 39500, et seq. and § 40000, et seq.)
2. Creates certain air districts, including districts that cover a single county, as well as unified and regional districts that cover multiple counties. (HSC § 40000, et seq.)
3. Provides, for a single county district, except for San Diego that the county board of supervisors is ex officio of the county district board. Includes specified exceptions whereby other county district governing boards must include city council members or mayors. However, these requirements for city representation do not apply to “rural” county districts (i.e., where population of the incorporated area of the county is 35 percent or less of the total county population). (HSC § 40100, et seq.)
4. Designates, for multi-county districts, a variety of different governing board appointment schemes, including county and city officials, public members, and appointment by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly. The governing boards of the multi-county districts are typically larger, with as many as 24 board members, and all include city representation, including some with a majority of city representatives. (HSC § 40150, et seq.)
5. Provides, for the SDCAPCD an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members. Requires that one of the two supervisors be the supervisor currently serving on the CARB. (HSC § 40100.6)

This bill:

1. Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the SDAPCD board be the supervisor currently serving on CARB.
   
2. Provides for two-year, rather than four-year, terms for two city members (to be selected randomly) and two specified public members.
   
3. Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

Background

San Diego Air Pollution Control District. There are 35 air districts covering California’s 58 counties. Of the 21 single county districts, eight have boards with city representation and 13 have boards that are only county supervisors. The other 20 single county districts are primarily rural. San Diego’s county-only air district board is an anomaly.

San Diego has the largest population by far of any single-county air district. San Diego County is second only to Los Angeles County in population, with approximately 3.3 million residents, approximately 1.4 million of whom live in the City of San Diego.

In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria, Chapter 744, Statutes of 2019) restructured the SDAPCD board, which previously was governed by the five San Diego County Supervisors, to be governed by an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members.

Comments

Purpose of this bill. According to the author, “AB 652, modernizes the governance of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board’s capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan, has a seat at the decision-making table. This bill enhances San Diego’s capacity to address air pollution in an equitable and efficient manner-ultimately protecting vulnerable communities, supporting military collaborations, and furthering California’s leadership in climate action.”

How is this going to affect the air? As the local air district, SDAPCD has many responsibilities to protect public health and the environment by regulating stationary sources of air pollution, monitoring air quality, and developing strategies to reduce emissions. The actions taken towards these ends are decided upon by SDAPCD board, who must vote upon new rules, among other things. This bill facilities the operations of the SDAPCD board by staggering some terms, providing for alternates when an appointment member is absent or disqualified, and allowing more flexibility in who may serve in certain positions vis-à-vis serving on the CARB board.

To the extent these changes enable the SDAPCD to assess local air quality challenges and promulgate solutions, this bill would be expected to lead to modest improvements in the ability of the air district to complete its work.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/25)

City of San Diego
County of San Diego Fourth District Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
Environmental Health Coalition
Military Services in California
The Office of San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/25)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 63-2, 4/21/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Schultz, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: DeMaio, Hoover

NO VOTE RECORDED: Castillo, Flora, Gallagher, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Lackey, Macedo, Papan, Patterson, Ramos, Sanchez, Sharp-Collins, Ta, Tangipa

Prepared by: Heather Walters / E.Q. / (916) 651-4108

8/15/25 15:04:49

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Senator María Elena Durazo, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

San Diego County Air Pollution Control District: governing board: alternate members

Authorizes the designation of alternate board members and staggers terms starting in 2029 for specific members in San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.

Background

California Air Resources Board. California’s efforts to protect the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and help prepare the state for the effects of climate change involves federal, state, and local governments. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) works with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and spearheads the state’s non-vehicular air pollution efforts through 35 air pollution control districts and air quality management districts (air districts). CARB is comprised of 16 members, including 12 members the Governor appoints and the Senate confirms. Five of these members serve on local air districts, four are experts in fields that shape air quality rules, two are members of the public, and one serves as the CARB chair. The remaining four members include two members who represent environmental justice communities (one each appointed by the Senate and the Assembly) and two non-voting members for Legislative oversight (also one each appointed by the Senate and the Assembly). AB 197 (Eduardo Garcia, 2016) established staggered six-year terms for CARB’s voting members.

Local air districts. CARB oversees the state’s 35 air districts, who adopt and enforce rules and regulations to achieve and maintain state and federal air quality standards affected by businesses and facilities, ranging from oil refineries to auto body shops to dry cleaners. State law spells out the membership of these local air districts’ governing boards, but there are many variations. Some are county-specific, while others are regional entities with representation from more than one county, and some have their own specific governing statutes. While governance structures vary, each district appoints an air pollution control officer, whose responsibilities include enforcing all orders, regulations, and rules the district board prescribes.

Air districts generally receive funding from grants, subventions, permit fees, penalties, and/or a surcharge or fee on motor vehicles registered in the district. If these funding sources do not provide the district with sufficient revenues to meet its expenses, an air district can levy an annual per capita assessment on those cities that have agreed to have a member on the district board and on the county or counties included within the district. Any annual per capita assessment imposed on the cities and/or counties included in a district must be imposed on an equitable per capita basis.

Most county air districts must have both mayors or city council members and county supervisors to reflect the geographic diversity of the county. Cities and the county meet and determine the appropriation composition, which a majority of county supervisors and a majority of the cities representing a majority of the county’s population must approve. A city selection committee selects the city council members for the board, and the board of supervisors selects its representatives. They also select the alternates for each board member. Of the 22 single-county districts, 11 have boards with city representation and 11 have boards with only county supervisors.

San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD). The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) represents over 3 million people across the 18 cities and unincorporated areas in San Diego County. SDAPCD issues permits to over 4,000 local businesses and public agencies, and conducts over 10,000 inspections each year. The districts largest revenue sources are intergovernmental revenues, including state and federal programs; licenses, permits, and franchises; and other financing sources.

In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria) restructured the SDAPCD board to an 11-member board consisting of:

• Two County supervisors, one of which must be the supervisor who is currently serving as the SDAPCD member for CARB;
• The mayor or a city council member at-large from the City of San Diego;
• One city council member or mayor from each of the five supervisorial districts; and
• Three public members, including a physician or public health professional, an environmental justice representative, and a person with a scientific or technical background in air pollution.

All members of the board serve four-year terms. The governing board also consults with the U.S. Armed Forces on how regulations affect their mission and must designate one member to serve as liaison to the U.S. Armed Forces.

SDAPCD had a difficult time members attending meetings, therefore delaying critical decisions from the board. The author wants to give the authority to SDAPCD to assign alternates and be able to stagger terms when select board members are appointed.

Proposed Law

Assembly Bill 652 repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the SDCAPCD board be the supervisor also serving on CARB.

AB 652 selects city representatives from supervisorial districts 4 and 5 and two public members, the environmental justice representative and the person with a scientific background, to serve a two-year term starting calendar year 2029 or until a successor is appointed.

AB 652 authorizes the designation of alternate board members to all board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses if they attend.

AB 652 also clarifies that the board must consult with the U.S. Armed Forces when it appoints the liaison to the U.S. Armed Forces.

Comments

1. Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “AB 652, modernizes the governance of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board’s capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan has a seat at the decision-making table. This bill enhances San Diego’s capacity to address air pollution in equitable and efficient manner-ultimately protecting vulnerable communities, supporting military collaborations, and furthering California’s leadership in climate action.”

2. Catching up. County air districts allow their city selection committee and city councils to appoint alternates to their representatives on the governing boards of county air pollution control districts (SB 113, Senate Local Government Committee, 2009). However, when SDAPCD got their own statuary code section, AB 423 did not include a similar provision to align with other single-county air district boards. AB 652 aims to correct this omission by allowing SDAPCD to appoint alternates, consistent with the authority granted to other single county air districts.

3. Transitions. Every four years, SDAPCD undergoes a full appointment process. This can result in replacing the entire board at once, which may cause inconsistencies in decision-making about air pollution in the region. To ease transitions, AB 652 proposes to stagger the terms of four out of its eleven members. To accomplish this, the bill shortens the terms of office for two specific city representatives and the environmental justice and scientific members appointed in the 2029 calendar year to two years, while the other seven members would serve four years. While staggering terms is common in local governments, it is unclear why those members should serve shorter terms than the others. Instead, the Committee may wish to amend the process so that the board clerk conducts a random draw at the first meeting of the 2029 calendar year, ensuring all eight members have an equal chance of serving shorter terms.

4. Incoming! The Senate Rules Committee has ordered a double referral of AB 652: first to the Committee on Environmental Quality, which approved AB 652 at its July 2^nd hearing on a vote of 7-0, and the second to the Committee on Local Government.

Assembly Actions

Assembly Natural Resources Committee: 13-1
Assembly Floor: 63-2

Support and Opposition

(7/11/25)

Support: County of San Diego Fourth District Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
County of San Diego Third District Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer
City of San Diego
Military Services in California
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District

Opposition: California Business Properties Association
Industrial Environmental Association
NAIOP San Diego
San Diego Working Waterfront

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 652

Author:(Alvarez)

As Amended Ver:March 18, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) board be the supervisor currently serving on the Air Resources Board (ARB). Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

Major Provisions

1. Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the SDCAPCD board be the supervisor currently serving on ARB.
2. Provides procedures for breaking a tie vote in the selection of city board members through weighting votes based on population.
3. Provides for two-year, rather than four-year, terms for two specified city members and two specified public members.
4. Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

COMMENTS

In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria), Chapter 744, Statutes of 2019 restructured the SDCAPCD board, which previously was governed by the five San Diego County Supervisors, to be governed by an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members.

San Diego County is second only to Los Angeles County in population, with approximately 3.3 million residents, approximately 1.4 million of whom live in the City of San Diego.

San Diego's county-only air district board is an anomaly. San Diego has the largest population by far of any county air district. There are 35 air districts covering California's 58 counties. Of the 21 single county districts, eight have boards with city representation and 13 have boards that are only county supervisors. The other 20 single county districts are primarily rural.

According to the Author

AB 652, modernizes the governance of the SDAPCD, positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board's capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality.

AB 652 is a proactive approach toward equitable governance, ensuring that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color—often the most severely impacted by pollution—have dedicated advocates influencing the policies that directly affect their health and environment. By formalizing military coordination, the bill not only protects essential operations but also holds the SDAPCD accountable to local residents. With no new taxes or costs to the state, this legislation represents a fiscally responsible model for effective, community-driven environmental stewardship. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan, has a seat at the decision-making table.

Arguments in Support

According to the City of San Diego, AB 652 addresses a critical issue: the potential disruption in governance due to the absence of board members, which can hinder the district's ability to effectively manage air quality and pollution control efforts. By introducing alternates, the bill aims to maintain a full board and ensure that vital decisions regarding air pollution are made without delay. These provisions will streamline the SDAPCD's operations, reduce administrative delays, and foster more inclusive and effective representation. Strengthening the board's functionality is particularly important as the SDAPCD continues its critical work in regulating air quality and protecting public health in the San Diego region.

Arguments in Opposition

None received.

FISCAL COMMENTS

Non-fiscal.

VOTES

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 13-0-1

YES: Bryan, Alanis, Connolly, Ellis, Flora, Garcia, Haney, Kalra, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Schultz, Wicks, Zbur

ABS, ABST OR NV: Hoover

UPDATED

VERSION: March 18, 2025

CONSULTANT: Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0000213

Date of Hearing: April 7, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Isaac G. Bryan, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 652 (

Author:Alvarez) – As Amended Ver:March 18, 2025

SUBJECT: San Diego County Air Pollution Control District: governing board: alternate members

SUMMARY: Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) board be the supervisor currently serving on the Air Resources Board (ARB). Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Provides ARB with primary responsibility for control of mobile source air pollution and provides that local air districts have primary responsibility for controlling air pollution from all sources, other than emissions from mobile sources, and establishes certain powers, duties, and requirements for those districts. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) 39500, et seq. and 40000, et seq.)
2. Creates certain air districts, including districts that cover a single county, as well as unified and regional districts that cover multiple counties. (HSC 40000, et seq.)
3. For a single county district, except for San Diego, provides that the county board of supervisors is ex officio of the county district board. Includes specified exceptions whereby other county district governing boards must include city council members or mayors. However, these requirements for city representation do not apply to “rural” county districts (i.e., where population of the incorporated area of the county is 35 percent or less of the total county population). (HSC 40100, et seq.)
4. For multi-county districts, there are a variety of different governing board appointment schemes, including county and city officials, public members, and appointment by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly. The governing boards of the multi-county districts are typically larger, with as many as 24 board members, and all include city representation, including some with a majority of city representatives. (HSC 40150, et seq.)
5. For the SDCAPCD, provides for an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members. Requires that one of the two supervisors be the supervisor currently serving on the ARB. (HSC 40100.6)

THIS BILL:

1. Repeals the requirement that one of the two supervisors serving on the SDCAPCD board be the supervisor currently serving on ARB.
2. Provides procedures for breaking a tie vote in the selection of city board members through weighting votes based on population.
3. Provides for two-year, rather than four-year, terms for two specified city members and two specified public members.
4. Authorizes the designation of alternate board members, provided the alternate meets the same qualifications as the regular member, and authorizes alternates to vote and receive per diem compensation and expenses.

FISCAL EFFECT: Non-fiscal

COMMENTS:

1. Background. In 2019, AB 423 (Gloria), restructured the SDCAPCD board, which previously was governed by the five San Diego County Supervisors, to be governed by an 11-member board consisting of two county supervisors, six council members or mayors from specified cities, and three public members.

San Diego County is second only to Los Angeles County in population, with approximately 3.3 million residents, approximately 1.4 million of whom live in the City of San Diego.

San Diego’s county-only air district board is an anomaly. San Diego has the largest population by far of any county air district. There are 35 air districts covering California’s 58 counties. Of the 21 single county districts, eight have boards with city representation and 13 have boards that are only county supervisors. The other 20 single county districts are primarily rural.

1. Author’s statement:

AB 652, modernizes the governance of the SDAPCD, positioning it to effectively tackle contemporary environmental, equity, and operational challenges. This bill enhances the board’s capacity to protect public health and air quality by introducing alternate members to expedite decision-making, updating compensation to attract qualified experts, and mandating collaboration with military stakeholders to balance environmental and national security priorities. By ensuring that public members possess expertise in health impacts, environmental justice, and air pollution science, AB 652 amplifies the voices of vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution. These changes are vital for an efficient, inclusive, and transparent board that responds to the unique needs of a region rich in military installations and confronted with poor air quality.

AB 652 is a proactive approach toward equitable governance, ensuring that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color—often the most severely impacted by pollution—have dedicated advocates influencing the policies that directly affect their health and environment. By formalizing military coordination, the bill not only protects essential operations but also holds the SDAPCD accountable to local residents. With no new taxes or costs to the state, this legislation represents a fiscally responsible model for effective, community-driven environmental stewardship. AB 652 is not merely about achieving cleaner air; it is about guaranteeing that every San Diegan, has a seat at the decision-making table.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Lawrence Lingbloom / NAT. RES. /