Robert Rivas (D)

In June of 2023, Robert Rivas was elected Speaker of the Assembly, becoming a critical figure this legislative session. In his time as Speaker so far, he has overseen the closeout of a session that had both great achievements and some challenges. The state's climate grade shifted from an A- to a B from 2022 to 2023, reflecting a mixed performance in the face of pressing environmental concerns this year.

Speaker Rivas, showcasing his clear climate commitment, steered the Assembly to pass the two biggest climate bills of the year, the Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act (SB 253, Wiener) and the Climate Financial Risk Disclosure Act (SB 261, Stern). This accomplishment is especially commendable, as the same bill had failed to garner enough support on the Assembly floor in 2022, underscoring Speaker Rivas’ commitment to corporate accountability and climate action. The Assembly, under his guidance, exhibited a commitment to climate justice by prioritizing legislation like the Community Safety and Protection Act (AB 631, Hart) and the Orphan Well Prevention Act (AB 1167, W. Carrillo), aimed at penalizing oil companies for leaks and spills and ensuring responsible ownership of oil wells.

At the same time, several environmental justice priorities were left on the table in 2023. The bills that were put on hold during critical moments that we hope to see move forward in the Assembly in 2024 include bills like the Central Valley Air Pollution Credit Reform bill (AB 985, Arambula) and Statewide Standard for Fenceline Monitoring at Refineries (SB 674, Gonzalez).

As Speaker, Rivas played a pivotal role in securing significant climate victories in the second half of the legislative session, underscoring the importance of his leadership. This year will demand a sustained commitment to advancing equity and fostering robust climate action. Environmentalists look to Speaker Rivas to ensure that the Assembly prioritizes environmental justice bills, navigates corporate influences, and works collaboratively to protect California's position as a leader in the fight for climate justice.

Robert Rivas's 2023 Environmental Votes

Bill	Vote
AB 3 (California Offshore Wind Energy & Jobs Act)
Vote on AB 3 – Assembly Floor - 5/22/23	Yes
Vote on AB 3 – Assembly Floor #2 - 9/14/23	Yes
AB 126 (Clean Transportation Program Modernization)
Vote on AB 241 – Assembly Floor - 6/26/23	Yes
Vote on AB 126 – Assembly Floor - 9/14/23	Yes
AB 249 (School Lead Testing & Mitigation)
Vote on AB 249 – Assembly Floor - 5/31/23	Yes
Vote on AB 249 – Assembly Floor #2 - 9/13/23	Yes
AB 421 (Referendum Reform)
Vote on AB 421 – Assembly Floor - 5/31/23	Yes
Vote on AB 421 – Assembly Vote #2 - 9/05/23	Yes
AB 460 (State Water Board Emergency Interim Relief)
Vote on AB 460 – Assembly Judiciary Committee - 4/25/23	Yes
Vote on AB 460 – Assembly Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
AB 593 (Pathway to Clean Energy Buildings)
Vote on AB 593 – Assembly Floor - 5/31/23	Yes
AB 631 (Community Safety and Protection Act)
Vote on AB 631 – Assembly Judiciary Committee - 4/25/23	Yes
Vote on AB 631 – Assembly Floor - 5/31/23	Yes
Vote on AB 631 – Assembly Floor #2 - 9/13/23	Yes
AB 985 (Central Valley Air Pollution Credit Reform)
Vote on AB 985 – Assembly Floor - 5/31/23	Abstain
AB 1000 (Warehouse Good Neighbor Policy)
Vote on AB 1000 – Assembly Local Government Committee - 4/26/23	Yes
AB 1167 (Orphan Well Prevention Act)
Vote on AB 1167 – Assembly Floor - 5/25/23	Yes
Vote on AB 1167 – Assembly Floor #2 - 9/14/23	Yes
AB 1248 (Local Independent Redistricting)
Vote on AB 1248 – Assembly Local Government Committee - 4/26/23	Yes
Vote on AB 1248 – Assembly Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
Vote on AB 1248 – Assembly Floor #2 - 9/13/23	Yes
AB 1337 (Curtailing Water Usage During Shortages)
Vote on AB 1337 – Assembly Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
SB 253 (Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act)
Vote on SB 253 – Assembly Floor - 9/11/23	Yes
SB 261 (Climate Financial Risk Disclosure)
Vote on SB 261 – Assembly Floor - 9/12/23	Yes
SB 389 (Surface Water Rights Verification)
Vote on SB 389 – Assembly Floor - 9/05/23	Yes
designates top priority bill