Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: community projects: funding.

The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases. The act requires the state board to adopt a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit and to adopt rules and regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and authorizes the state board to implement a system of market-based compliance mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Existing law requires that all moneys, except for fines and penalties, collected by the state board from the auction or sale of allowances as part of a market-based compliance mechanism be deposited in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Existing law continuously appropriates 35% of the annual proceeds of the fund for transit, affordable housing, and sustainable communities programs and 25% of the annual proceeds of the fund for certain components of a specified high-speed rail project. Existing law requires the state board to select locations around the state for the preparation of community emissions reduction programs, and to select locations based on findings and recommendations in a specified monitoring plan to deploy community air monitoring systems, as defined. Existing law requires the state board to provide grants to community-based organizations for technical assistance and to support community participation in the implementation of these requirements. Existing law provides for the establishment of air pollution control districts and air quality management districts and vests in the districts the primary responsibility for the control of air pollution from all sources, other than emissions from motor vehicles. Existing law declares a district a public agency of the state. This bill would continuously appropriate to the state board, beginning in the 2023–24 fiscal year, 20% of the annual proceeds of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, up to $600,000,000, for allocation to air pollution control districts and air quality management districts for the purpose of supporting community emissions reduction strategies in, and reimbursement for participation by, communities selected by the state board, as specified.