California-Mexico Border Relations Council.

Assembly Member Alvarez's legislation modifies the California-Mexico Border Relations Council by adding legislative representation from districts along the Mexican border. The bill authorizes the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tempore to each appoint one member from their respective chambers who represents a border district to serve as nonvoting council members.

The council, which coordinates cross-border programs and initiatives between California and Mexico, consists of eight voting members including the directors and secretaries of key state agencies such as the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, Natural Resources Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Food and Agriculture, Business, Consumer Services and Housing, and Emergency Services. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Regional Administrator for Region 9 may designate a staff representative as a nonvoting member. Under the bill's provisions, the Secretary for Environmental Protection chairs the council.

The newly appointed legislative members serve at the discretion of their appointing authorities and participate in council activities to the extent compatible with their legislative duties. This modification maintains the council's existing structure while incorporating direct representation from California's border communities through their elected officials.