State Air Resources Board: regional air quality incident response program.

Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez's proposal to establish a network of regional air quality incident response centers would expand California's emergency air monitoring capabilities through coordination between the State Air Resources Board and local air districts. The legislation directs the State Board to operate these centers across California, with at least one facility required within the South Coast Air Quality Management District's jurisdiction.

The centers would conduct targeted monitoring of air contaminants during disasters, emergencies, and recovery periods, coordinating with unified command centers and other relevant agencies. The bill authorizes funding for equipment acquisition, data management systems, staff positions including a State Air Quality Health Officer, training programs, and research studies examining wildfire emissions and health impacts. The State Air Quality Health Officer would translate air quality data for public health implications and coordinate emergency response communications across agencies.

Implementation depends on legislative appropriation of funds, with the State Board and air districts' responsibilities limited to available funding levels. The bill requires the State Board to develop operational plans with affected air districts before establishing centers in their jurisdictions. As the program expands existing air district duties, local agencies may receive state reimbursement for additional costs, subject to review by the Commission on State Mandates.