SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — As tens of thousands gathered across the state for the 2013 California Coastal Cleanup Day, on Saturday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he signed AB 754 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), which gives taxpayers the opportunity to support coastal conservation efforts with the check of a box on their state income tax return.
“The beauty and allure of California’s coast is unrivaled and this bill gives taxpayers a simple way to help keep it that way,” said Governor Brown.
Each September, on the third Saturday of the month, Californians gather to take part in the state’s largest volunteer event, California Coastal Cleanup Day. Last year more than 65,000 volunteers removed nearly 770,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s beaches, lakes and waterways. In 1993, California Coastal Cleanup Day was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “largest garbage collection” ever organized.
Over the years, California Coastal Cleanup Day has spread inland from the beaches and now includes urban efforts to “stop trash where it starts” before litter can make its way into the state’s waterways.
AB 754 will create a check-off box on California personal income tax forms. This will allow taxpayers to make charitable contributions to the California Beach and Coastal Enhancement Account. Funds will be available through the California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL Grants Program, which supports public education on the state’s marine and coastal resources, Adopt-A-Beach programs and other beach maintenance and coastal habitat restoration projects that have an educational component.
For the full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.
Assemblymember Muratsuchi Applauds Governor Brown’s Decision to Sign AB 754, Coastal Contribution Check-off Bill
Assemblymember Muratsuchi (D – Torrance) today released the following statement: “I am pleased that Governor Brown signed my Assembly Bill 754 which helps support coastal conservation, coastal education and outreach programs. AB 754 creates the Protect Our Coast and Oceans tax donation check-off box for the Coastal Commission’s grant programs that support efforts like Adopt-A-Beach.
“This legislation is a step in the right direction to protect our coast without raising taxes by giving taxpayers an opportunity to donate their tax returns to support successful programs and preserve our coasts without impacting the state’s general fund.”
This law becomes effective January 1, 2014.
Assemblymember Muratsuchi represents the 66th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, the Los Angeles communities of Harbor City and Harbor Gateway, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance and the unincorporated communities of El Camino Village and West Carson.
Please visit the Assemblymember’s website, http://asmdc.org/members/a66/ for more information.
Revised 4:17pm PDT to add statement from Assemblymember Muratsuchi.
