At its July 2026 Board Meeting, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the appointment of a new slate of members to serve on the Assembly Bill 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC) for the 2026-2029 term. In total, CARB appointed 11 committee members and two alternates to provide guidance on the implementation of California’s climate and air quality programs, particularly as they affect disadvantaged and historically underserved communities.

The new committee roster includes returning members Martha Dina Argüello and Thomas Helme, whose prior service on the EJAC provides important continuity and institutional knowledge as the committee begins its work.

The onboarding process for the newly appointed members is expected to take place this month, with the committee’s first public meeting tentatively scheduled for later in the month. As the committee begins its new term, stakeholders across California will be watching closely to see how the group helps shape environmental justice priorities within the state’s evolving climate agenda. EJAC meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period.

What is the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee?

EJAC was established under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), a landmark law that directed CARB to develop and implement programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the state. As part of that mandate, AB 32 required CARB to convene an advisory committee representing communities that experience some of California’s highest levels of air pollution and environmental burdens, including low-income communities and communities of color.

The committee’s primary role is to advise CARB on the development and updates of the AB 32 Scoping Plan, California’s blueprint for achieving its climate goals, as well as other policies and programs related to implementing the state’s climate and air quality initiatives. Since the first EJAC was appointed in 2007, CARB has reconvened successive committees to support Scoping Plan updates. In 2023, the Board formalized EJAC as a permanent advisory body by adopting an ongoing charter, reinforcing the committee’s role in helping shape equitable climate policy and ensuring that environmental justice considerations remain central to California’s climate strategy.

Readers interested in learning more about the newly appointed members can review their biographies and additional information on CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory Committee webpage.