AB 1629 Summary

• Establishes the Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Food and Agriculture to provide incentives (loans, grants, technical assistance) to farmers for management practices that improve soil health and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.

• Expands the Scientific Advisory Panel on Environmental Farming from 5 to 9 members with representation from the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, Secretary for Environmental Protection, and Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to advise on environmental farming and greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

• Requires the State Air Resources Board to complete a standardized greenhouse gas emissions inventory for natural and working lands by December 30, 2018, and develop an accounting framework supporting statewide emission reduction goals and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund investments.

• Authorizes the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to manage green infrastructure projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions in disadvantaged communities, with at least 75% of funds allocated to projects in disadvantaged communities.

• Requires electrical corporations to collectively procure 125 megawatts of capacity from existing bioenergy projects using forest feedstock from high hazard zones by December 1, 2016, through 5-year financial commitments.

• Modifies the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project to limit eligibility based on income levels ($150,000 for single filers, $204,000 for head-of-household, $300,000 for joint filers) and increase rebates by $500 for low-income applicants.