Brian Dahle on Environment

NO to new regional groundwater sustainability agency

• Submit a groundwater sustainability plan to adopt regulations.
• Conduct inspections and, because the willful refusal of an inspection lawfully authorized by an inspection warrant is a misdemeanor, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Legislative Outcome: 8/27/14: Passed Senate, 26-11-3; 8/29/14: Passed Assembly, 47-28-4, including NAY vote by Brian Dahle ; signed by Governor Brown

Keep pre-1977 exemption on sale of rhino horn & ivory

Pro-ban argument by the Humane Society:The Los Angeles Superior Court has upheld California's ban on trade in ivory and rhino horn, rejecting claims that the ban was unconstitutional. Elly Pepper, deputy director of wildlife trade for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: "California's ivory ban ensures that illegal elephant ivory is not sold under the guise of legal ivory."

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 54-21-5 on Sept/04/15; Brian Dahle voted NO; Passed Senate 26-13-1 on Sept/02/15; Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Oct/4/15.

Don't ban single-use plastic bags

• A "yes" vote supported upholding the contested legislation banning certain plastic bags that was enacted by the California State Legislature as Senate Bill 270.
• A "no" vote opposed banning certain plastic bags and enacting Senate Bill 270.
• The American Progressive Bag Alliance, an opponent of the measure, led the "No" campaign to repeal SB 270.
• Yes on 67, a coalition of environmental groups, grocers, and others, led the "Yes" campaign to uphold SB 270.

Legislative outcome:

SB270 passed Senate 22-15-3 on 8/29/14; Brian Dahle voted NO; passed House 45-31-3 on 8/28/14; approved by Gov. Brown, 9/30/14