SB 128 Summary

• Increases penalties for pesticide violations: misdemeanor fines rise from $500-$5,000 to $5,000-$50,000; civil liability increases from $1,000-$10,000 to $3,000-$30,000, with higher amounts for subsequent violations.

• Authorizes Director of Pesticide Regulation to request sales and distribution records within 48 hours if pesticide residue exceeds permissible tolerance and to levy civil penalties up to $15,000 per violation.

• Requires local agencies to designate moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones within 120 days and prohibits decreasing fire hazard severity zone levels identified by State Fire Marshal.

• Transfers administration of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Purchasing Assistance Program solely to State Air Resources Board, eliminating California Pollution Control Financing Authority's role.

• Allocates $787.5 million to natural resources agencies for water, fish and wildlife protection, and drought relief; allocates $619 million for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and deployment; establishes Community Resilience Center Program with competitive grants for disadvantaged communities.