The Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies was established by Assembly Bill 197 was in 2016 for further legislative oversight of the CARB’s efforts to make sure there is greater accountability and transparency in climate policy in California. The motivation for the law appears to have been real concern that climate policies adopted by the state were inequitable and lacked transparency. The law forced CARB to report annually on emissions and to report annually to a new committee.
The law went into effect on January 1, 2017. And the Committee has held multiple hearings since then. All of the hearing materials can be found on the Committee’s website.
(1) On June 14, 2017, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “2030 Target Scoping Plan.”
(2) On July 5, 2017, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “AB 197 Implementation.”
(3) On August 23, 2017, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Local Actions to Improve Sustainability.”
(4) On August 30, 2017, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Supporting a Just Transition to a Lower Carbon Economy.”
(5) On November 3, 2017, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Air Quality in California’s Border Region.”
(6) On January 4, 2018, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of the “2030 Target Scoping Plan.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(7) On February 15, 2018, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Urban Greening and Urban Forestry Programs.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(8) On April 19, 2018, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Building a Healthy and Resilient 2050.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(9) On May 24, 2018, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Cap and Trade.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(10) On July 2, 2018, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Decarbonizing the Electric Grid.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(11) On July 9, 2019, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Indicators.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(12) On February 3, 2020, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Negative GHG Emission Impacts and Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Indicators.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(13) On August 17, 2021, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and an Overview of the 2022 Scoping Plan.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(14) On March 10, 2022, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Achieving Climate Neutrality: Tradeoffs and Opportunities.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(15) On April 21, 2022″Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and an Overview of the 2022 Scoping Plan.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(16) On May 31, 2022, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Carbon Capture and Storage.” The meeting can be viewed as well at the California State Assembly media webpage.
(17) On March 1, 2023, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Assessing the 2022 Scoping Plan Update’s Strategies and Our Progress Towards Statewide Climate Goals: Does the Roadmap Get Us There?” This briefing considers reporting from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Independent Emissions Market Advisory Council, both independent oversite bodies. The Legislature notes that both “sounded alarms” and that there is significant concern that California is not on track to meet its emission reduction targets with the adoption of the 2022 Scoping Plan Update. If you want to hear what CARB had to say in response, you’ll have to watch the video of the hearing as it produced no written materials for this meeting.
(18) On March 11, 2024, the JLCCCP held a hearing on the topic of “Increasing Ambitions, Reducing Emissions: Annual Update on Statewide Trends of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and an Assessment of the Future of California’s Progress Towards Climate Goals.” The commission heard from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Independent Emissions Market Advisory Council, both independent oversite bodies, as well as the California Air Resources Board. The meeting can be viewed here, with more details here.