California

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9/7/07-A bill has been has tabled for the year that would allow the collection of a $30 fee on every 20-foot equivalent unit passing through the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port complexes. Money would be used solely for improvements to road and rail infrastructure and clean-air programs.
At the urging of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, opted to table his bill until next year to avoid a potential veto. The Senate previously approved it.
Schwarzenegger said the bill is incomplete and lacks accountability. Instead, a year after he vetoed a similar effort he offered to work with Lowenthal on a compromise version for inclusion in the regular session that starts in January 2008.
The current version of the bill - SB974 - would allot the portion provided to alleviate port congestion to the California Transportation Commission to fund projects that improve the rail system that moves containers to and from the ports. The text of the bill says the commission would be prohibited "from using the funds to construct, maintain, or improve highways."
Money earmarked for mitigation relief would be used by the California Air Resources Board to develop a list of projects to reduce pollution caused by the movement of containers.

7/11/07-The Assembly Transportation Committee voted 8-6 to approve a bill that would collect a $30 fee on every 20-foot equivalent unit passing through the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port complexes. Money would be used solely for improvements to road and rail infrastructure and clean-air programs.
The portion provided to alleviate port congestion would go to the California Transportation Commission to fund projects that improve the rail system that moves containers to and from the ports. The text of the bill says the commission would be prohibited "from using the funds to construct, maintain, or improve highways."
Money earmarked for mitigation relief would be used by the California Air Resources Board to develop a list of projects to reduce pollution caused by the movement of containers.
Sponsored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, SB974 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The Senate previously approved it.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

6/12/07-The Senate approved a bill that would collect a $30 fee on every 20-foot equivalent unit passing through the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port complexes. Money would be used solely for improvements to road and rail infrastructure and clean-air programs.
The portion provided to alleviate port congestion would go to the California Transportation Commission to fund projects that improve the rail system that moves containers to and from the ports. The text of the bill says the commission would be prohibited "from using the funds to construct, maintain, or improve highways."
Money earmarked for mitigation relief would be used by the California Air Resources Board to develop a list of projects to reduce pollution caused by the movement of containers.
Sponsored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, SB974 is awaiting assignment to committee in the Assembly.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/12/07-The Senate Environmental Quality Committee approved a bill that would collect a $30 fee on every 20-foot equivalent unit passing through the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port complexes. Money would be used solely for improvements to road and rail infrastructure and clean-air programs.
The portion provided to alleviate port congestion would go to the California Transportation Commission to fund projects that improve the rail system moving port containers to and from the ports. The text of the bill says the commission would be prohibited "from using the funds to construct, maintain, or improve highways."
Money earmarked for mitigation relief would be used by the California Air Resources Board to develop a list of projects to reduce pollution caused by the movement of containers.
Sponsored by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, SB974 is in the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/5/07-Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, has offered a bill that would collect a $30 fee on every 20-foot equivalent unit passing through the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland port complexes. Money would be used solely for improvements to road and rail infrastructure and clean-air programs.
The portion provided to alleviate port congestion would go to the California Transportation Commission to fund projects that improve the rail system moving port containers to and from the ports. The text of the bill says the commission would be prohibited "from using the funds to construct, maintain, or improve highways."
Money earmarked for mitigation relief would be used by the California Air Resources Board to develop a list of projects to reduce pollution caused by the movement of containers.
The bill - SB974 - is in the Senate Transportation & Housing and Environmental Quality committees.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.