The Schwarzenegger Institute started the year with the expansion of the Digital Environmental Legislative Handbook by adding two additional bill files to its comprehensive list of environmental laws. The USC Schwarzenegger Institute partnered with the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) to create the Digital Environmental Legislative Handbook, an online resource that local, regional and national governments can use to find smart, easily replicable, legislation that both protect the environment and help strengthen the economy. The Handbook was created to help to assist legislators who are interested in advancing smart environmental policies by sharing best practices and actual legislation that is working successfully in a number of states already.
The first additional bill is a measure that makes Hawaii the first state to set a 100% renewable energy goal by 2045. Hawaii's HB 623, signed by Governor Ige in 2015, puts Hawaii on the path to become completely energy independent, both economically and environmentally.
The second addition to the Handbook is Maine’s first-in-the-nation law that phases out all toxic flame retardants in upholstered furniture by 2019 – Maine's LD182. A 2017 bipartisan decision in the Maine legislature overrode Governor LePage’s veto of the law, prioritizing the safety of Maine children, families, and firefighters.
Hawaii's HB 623 and Maine's LD 128 are historic measures that set a precedent for other states. Learn more about Hawaii's HB 623 or Maine's LD 182.