State Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, touted membership to several Senate committees for the current legislative session in Sacramento, according to officials.

In addition to chairing the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Pavley will sit on a number of other “key committees” in the 2015-16 legislative session, according to a news release from Pavley.

In addition to the subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation Committee and the Legislative Ethics Committee, she’s set to join:

Budget and Fiscal Review Committee: The Senate Committee on Governance and Finance is responsible for hearing legislation pertaining to state and local government revenue mechanisms, taxes, and land use and development. 

Specifically, the Committee exercises oversight on bills relating to the Board of Equalization, enterprise zones, vehicle license fees and taxes (estate, income, sales, property, and insurance). The Committee also considers legislation on zoning law (except housing) and on California communities—cities, counties, special districts, redevelopment agencies. Additionally, the Governance and Finance Committee will hear proposals on budget reform, state and local bond indebtedness, and legislative reform.

In combining the Senate Local Government and Revenue and Taxation Committees, the Governance and Finance Committee works to restructure state and local government responsibility so that funding sources align with program authority and service delivery. In all, the Committee works to help guide the Senate’s reform effort to move government closer to the people and to improve government outcomes through accountable, transparent and efficient means. 

Natural Resources and Water Committee (Chair) : Bills relating to conservation and management of public resources, fish and wildlife, regulation of oil, mining, geothermal development, acid deposition, wetlands and lakes, global atmospheric effects, ocean and bay pollution, forestry practices, recreation, parks and historical resources. 

Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee: Bills relating to utilities, energy companies, alternative energy development and conservation, and communications development and technology.

Environmental Quality Committee: Bills relating to environmental quality, air quality, water quality, integrated waste management, toxics, and hazardous waste. 

Governance and Finance Committee: The Senate Committee on Governance and Finance is responsible for hearing legislation pertaining to state and local government revenue mechanisms, taxes, and land use and development.

Specifically, the Committee exercises oversight on bills relating to the Board of Equalization, enterprise zones, vehicle license fees and taxes (estate, income, sales, property, and insurance). The Committee also considers legislation on zoning law (except housing) and on California communities—cities, counties, special districts, redevelopment agencies. 

Additionally, the Governance and Finance Committee will hear proposals on budget reform, state and local bond indebtedness, and legislative reform. 

In combining the Senate Local Government and Revenue and Taxation Committees, the Governance and Finance Committee works to restructure state and local government responsibility so that funding sources align with program authority and service delivery. In all, the Committee works to help guide the Senate’s reform effort to move government closer to the people and to improve government outcomes through accountable, transparent and efficient means.

Designated committee chairs and members will be formally adopted by the Senate Rules Committee when it convenes Wednesday, according to a news release from Pavley.

Additional Committee Information:

Policy committee hearings are the forums for public input, the best place for citizens to communicate their concerns about proposed legislation. Bills are heard in standing committees which meet on a regular basis throughout the year. Many standing committees have sub-committees that focus in more depth on particular issues.

Select committees and special committees study California policy issues and problems in order to develop longer range solutions. Joint committees have membership from both houses and consider issues of joint concern.

Committee information available online includes committee membership, staff, addresses, phone numbers, meeting schedules, and policy jurisdictions. 

The policy committee of the Senate meet on a regular basis throughout the year to hear legislation.