ACTION ALERT AB 233

BREATHE LA Legislative Action
URGENT ACTION ALERT

Governor Schwarzenegger needs to know! 
BREATHE LA supports AB 233 - The Healthy Heart & Lung Act.

AB 233 (Jones) Healthy Heart and Lungs Act, penalties for idling commercial diesel-fueled vehicles.

AB 233 passed the Senate on September 11, 2007 by a vote of 22 to 16. On September 12th, the bill passed the Assembly by a vote of 47 to 30. The bill is currently awaiting the Governor's signature.

You can ensure this is signed into law by contacting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to let him know you support this meaningful and effective legislation. Contact information and sample language are provided below for your convenience:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

Email: Governor@governor.ca.gov

Summary

AB 233 will make California's air cleaner by addressing the need for enhanced enforcement of diesel emission regulations which protect public health and reduce toxic exposure. This important legislation will strengthen the enforcement of existing diesel emission regulations and will require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a strategic enforcement plan of diesel emission regulations which includes increased education efforts, outreach efforts to enforcing agencies, and in-house enforcement officers.
Specifically, AB 233:

• Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to review its existing enforcement plan for diesel emission control regulations and to evaluate future enforcement needs
• Requires CARB to develop a strategic enforcement plan for diesel emission control regulations for on-road and off-road vehicles which includes increased education efforts, outreach efforts to enforcing agencies, and in-house enforcement officers
• Increases the penalty for violating anti-idling regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicles
• Prohibits the DMV from renewing the registration of heavy-duty diesel vehicles which are under citation by CARB until the owner has cleared that citation

I addition to AB 233, other bills supported by BREATHE LA have been sent to the Governor for his signature:

• SB 210 (Kehoe) Greenhouse gas emissions.
• AB 1585 (Lieber) Prohibits inclusion of gift certificates with tobacco products.

BREATHE LA will keep you informed of the progress with these important initiatives.

What BREATHE LA is doing :

BREATHE LA continues to be active in environmental and health issues, global warming and air quality.

What you can do :

We encourage you to contact your representative and the Governor's offices to voice your support for the BREATHE LA supported bills sent to the Governor for signature. Thank you for your continued support of BREATHE LA Advocacy issues. Your commitment can ensure a clean air future for Los Angeles.

Remember, the human body can go for days without food or water, but only moments without air. Each year, over 6,000 people in Los Angeles die from illnesses related to air pollution.