Toni Atkins (D)

In 2023, Pro Tem Toni Atkins played a pivotal role in California's environmental landscape, contributing to the nuanced outcome of overall progress with some challenges reflected in the state's climate grade transitioning from an A- in 2022 to a B in 2023.

On the positive side, Pro Tem Atkins demonstrated leadership in advancing corporate accountability through the passage of the Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act (SB 253, Wiener) and the Climate Financial Risk Disclosure Act (SB 261, Stern). Notably, under Pro Tem Atkins’ leadership, the Senate passed more environmental justice bills and priority climate legislation compared to the Assembly.

However, challenges emerged as the Senate disbanded its Climate Working Group, and some Democratic Senators aligned with the oil and gas industry. While she contributed to successes, including the protection of communities through bills like Central Valley Air Pollution Credit Reform (AB 985, Arambula) and Statewide Standard for Fenceline Monitoring at Refineries (SB 674, Gonzalez), there were bills like the Neighborhood Decarbonization Program (SB 527, Min) that were watered down in the Senate Energy Committee. Additionally, some Senators are beholden to the fossil fuel industry’s newest greenwashing scheme: hydrogen.

2024 beckons for more focused leadership on climate, addressing internal challenges within the Senate, and working collaboratively to propel California towards a sustainable and resilient future. With a leadership change on the horizon during the first quarter of the 2024 legislative session, there is a critical opportunity to bring climate to the forefront and lift environmental leaders into leadership positions in the Senate.

Toni Atkins's 2023 Environmental Votes

Bill	Vote
AB 3 (California Offshore Wind Energy & Jobs Act)
Vote on AB 3 – Senate Floor - 9/13/23	Yes
AB 126 (Clean Transportation Program Modernization)
Vote on AB 126 – Senate Floor - 9/14/23	Yes
AB 249 (School Lead Testing & Mitigation)
Vote on AB 249 – Senate Floor - 9/11/23	Yes
AB 421 (Referendum Reform)
Vote on AB 421 – Senate Floor - 9/05/23	Yes
AB 631 (Community Safety and Protection Act)
Vote on AB 631 – Senate Floor - 9/12/23	Yes
AB 985 (Central Valley Air Pollution Credit Reform)
Vote on AB 985 – Senate Floor - 9/12/23	Yes
AB 1167 (Orphan Well Prevention Act)
Vote on AB 1167 – Senate Floor - 9/13/23	Yes
AB 1248 (Local Independent Redistricting)
Vote on AB 1248 – Senate Floor - 9/12/23	Yes
SB 252 (California Fossil Fuel Divestment Act)
Vote on SB 252 – Senate Floor - 5/25/23	Yes
SB 253 (Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act)
Vote on SB 253 – Senate Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
Vote on SB 253 – Senate Floor #2 - 9/12/23	Yes
SB 261 (Climate Financial Risk Disclosure)
Vote on SB 261 – Senate Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
Vote on SB 261 – Senate Floor #2 - 9/13/23	Yes
SB 389 (Surface Water Rights Verification)
Vote on SB 389 – Senate Floor - 5/30/23	Yes
Vote on SB 389 – Senate Floor #2 - 9/12/23	Yes
designates top priority bill