Assemblymember Jim Cooper is one of the Assembly Democratic Caucus members with the worst environmental voting records.
In 2016, Assemblymember Cooper initially recorded a yes vote on SB 32, which extended California’s 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act and set a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, but then bowed under pressure from special interests and changed his vote to instead oppose the bill. His voting record shows he puts the oil and gas industry ahead of his own constituents.
In 2019, refused to support SB 210 which created a Smog Check program for diesel trucks, which emit toxic air pollutants, similar to current Smog Check requirements for passenger vehicles.
In 2018,opposed SB 64 which would have required the reporting of emissions associated with startups, shutdowns and cycling of electrical generating facilities.
In 2016, opposed SB 100, a landmark climate policy which created a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045 and a mandate of 60% renewable energy by 2030.
In 2016, opposed AB 197 the Climate Equity and Transparency Act, which included reforms that ensure the benefits of climate pollution reduction reach the communities most directly affected and give the Legislature greater oversight responsibility when implementing these climate policies.
In 2016, opposed SB 32 which continued California’s 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act by setting a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
In 2015, opposed SB 185 which required California’s public pension funds, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), to divest from holdings in coal as part of the state’s broader efforts to decarbonize the California economy and transition to clean, renewable energy resources.
In 2019, refused to support AB 35 to require reporting and follow up on tests showing high lead levels in employees.
In 2019, refused to support SB 1 which would have defended California from the Trump Administration’s attempts to rollback or weaken workplace safety laws and environmental laws.
In 2019, refused to support AB 1080 which outline a comprehensive plan to address plastic pollution and the waste crisis by setting targets to achieve a 75% reduction of single-use packaging and products by 2030.
In 2018, refused to support AB 2447 which would have created a meaningful process to notify the public of potential adverse health impacts for industrial projects.
In 2017, refused to support AB 890 which would have closed a loophole which allows for developers of projects with significant environmental impacts to abuse the initiative process to avoid publicly disclosing or mitigating their environmental and public health impacts.
In 2017, refused to support SB 258 which required ingredient disclosure on both product labels and web sites for most kinds of cleaning products sold to consumers and businesses.
In 2016, opposed AB 1066 which provides the same overtime protections for farmworkers as other hourly employees in California.
In 2016, refused to support SB 1000 which required the development of an Environmental Justice element for future local General Plans, helping cities and counties to reduce pollution exposure as well as promote better food access, healthier homes, improved air quality, and physical activity in local communities.
Opposed AB 345, an active bill, which will require regulations to protect public health and safety near oil and gas extraction facilities by establishing a minimum setback distance between oil and gas activities and sensitive places such as schools, childcare facilities, playgrounds, residences, hospitals, and health clinics.
Opposed AB 3214, an active bill which will update fines, which have not been updated for inflation since the 1980s, for companies that knowingly do not take action that could have avoided an oil spill.
In 2019, refused to support SB 127 which would have prioritized the inclusion of complete streets, which is safe and accessible infrastructure for people of all abilities who walk, bike, use public transit, when routine maintenance is done on state owned streets.
In 2019, refused to support AB 936 which required the state to be more prepared for non-floating oil spills, one of the dirtiest and most destructive heavy crudes, by requiring notifications so that communities know when non-floating oil is being transported through their city and can properly respond if a spill occurs.
In 2019, refused to support SB 551 which requires oil and gas operators to demonstrate to the state their ability to pay for the cleanup of oil and gas wells and production facilities. This allows the state to adequately assess the total cost of liabilities and avoid entering billions in liabilities without a plan.
In 2018, refused to support AB 1775 and SB 834, two bills which protected California’s coast from offshore oil drilling by prohibiting new leases for new construction of oil drilling within state waters.
In 2018, opposed AB 3146 which would have required oil well operators to regularly test for emissions of harmful hydrocarbon air pollutants in wells close to homes, and requires the state to similarly test hazardous or idle wells.
In 2016, refused to support SB 1441 which would have prevented California utilities from collecting money from ratepayers for natural gas utilities leak, either accidentally or intentionally.
Refused to support AB 3030, an active bill that supports national and international conservation efforts by setting a state target of conserving 30 percent of land, waters, and ocean by 2030 (the 30 by 30 movement).
Opposed AB 2954, an active bill, which will establish an overall climate goal for the state’s natural and working lands to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2019, refused to support SB 1 which would have defended California from the Trump Administration’s attempts to rollback or environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and workplace safety laws.
In 2019, opposed SB 307 which restored science-based decision-making to stop an environmentally disastrous project, the Cadiz Water Project, which would have pumped 16 billion gallons of water a year from a fragile desert aquifer in the Mojave desert.
In 2018, refused to support AB 1668, a drought adaptation policy that helps conserve water by mandating water utilities set and meet conservation targets. Additionally, the bill required agricultural water suppliers to plan for water efficiency and required the state to provide resources to small and rural water suppliers to plan for drought.
In 2018, refused to support SB 606, drought adaptation policy helps conserve water by mandating water utility suppliers to set and meet conservation targets.
In 2017, refused to support SB 252 which created greater transparency in water well permitting within critically overdrafted water basins by requiring applicants for a new well to notify their neighbors and allow for public comment and a hearing to take place.
In 2016, refused to support SB 1263 which gave the State Water Resources Control Board a stronger role in ensuring public water systems are not approved if they are unnecessary, ensuring that small, public water agencies are able to provide long-term delivery of safe, clean drinking water.
Campaign Finance
Asm. Jim Cooper has accepted oil industry contributions and consistently sides with the oil industry when voting.