PROPOSITION 4

Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands From Climate Risks. Legislative Statute.

Bonds are loans given to the state and paid by tax payers.

A YES vote on this measure means: The state could borrow $10 billion to fund various activities aimed at conserving natural resources, as well as responding to the causes and effects of climate change.

A NO vote on this measure means: The state could not borrow $10 billion to fund various activities aimed at conserving natural resources, as well as responding to the causes and effects of climate change.

Authorizes $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects like wildfire prevention, protection of communities and land, with the biggest chunk, $1.9 billion, for drinking water improvements. The bond prioritizes lower-income communities, and those most vulnerable to climate change, and requires annual audits.

Drought, Flood, and Water Supply ($3.8 Billion). Roughly half of this money would be for activities to increase the amount and quality of water available for people to use ($1.9 billion). This would include storing water so it can be used during futuredroughts, as well as cleaning polluted water to make it safe to drink. Money wouldalso be used to help reduce the risk of floods, such as by repairing dams and capturing and reusing stormwater ($1.1 billion). The rest of the money would be used for various activities, such as restoring rivers and lakes.

• Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention ($1.5 Billion). All of this money would support activities to improve the health of forests and reduce the risk of severe and destructive wildfires. This would include thinning trees in forests that are overgrown and clearing vegetation near where people live. Money would also be used for other activities, such as helping homeowners make their properties more resistant towildfire damage.

• Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Areas ($1.2 Billion). Most of this money would pay for activities to restore coastal areas and protect them from the effects of rising sea levels($890 million). This could include restoring wetlands so they can serve as buffers to rising sea levels. The rest of this money would be used to improve ocean habitats and protect fish and other marine wildlife ($310 million).

• Land Conservation and Habitat Restoration ($1.2 Billion). This money would be used to protect and restore land for the benefit of fish and wildlife. For example, it could support purchasing land to set aside so that it is not developed.

• Energy Infrastructure ($850 Million). More than half of this money would support the development of wind turbines off the California coast ($475 million). Most of the remaining money would pay for building infrastructure such as transmission lines to carry electricity long distances ($325 million). The rest of the money would pay for projects to build large batteries that store electricity for when it is needed ($50 million).

• Parks ($700 Million). The bulk of this money would support various activities that expand recreational opportunities at parks or reduce the impacts of climate change on parks ($300 million). These activities could include adding new trails and parking areas. Some of this money would provide grants to local communities to build new parks or renovate existing parks ($200 million). The rest of this money would be used to repair state parks and provide nature education ($200 million).

• Extreme Heat ($450 Million). Much of this money would pay for activities focused on protecting communities from extreme heat ($200 million). These activities could include adding trees and greenspaces. Money would also support places for people to go during heatwaves or disasters ($100 million). The rest of the money would provide grants for local communities to conduct activities that provide environmentalbenefits, such as reducing air pollution ($150 million).

• Farms and Agriculture ($300 Million). Much of this money would be used for activities that encourage farmers to improve soil health, reduce air pollution, and use less water ($105 million). This money would also support community gardens and farmers’ markets, such as by purchasing shade canopies ($60 million). The rest of this money would support a range of other activities, such as purchasing vans to transport farmworkers and conserving farmland.

Establishes Other Requirements for the Use of Funds. Proposition 4 requires the bond money to be used in certain ways. For example, at least 40 percent of bond money must be used for activities that directly benefit communities that have lower incomes or are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Proposition 4 also requires regular public reporting of how the bond money is spent.