Local News in Brief : AQMD Changes Proposed

Three state legislators, who last year played a key role in killing a “diamond lane” proposed for the Ventura Freeway, unveiled legislation Friday aimed at thwarting efforts by smog regulators to revive plans for a car-pool lane.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has threatened to go to court unless a new eastbound lane on U.S. 101 in the San Fernando Valley is restricted to car pools and buses.

State Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia) said he has introduced legislation under which the votes of eight of the AQMD’s 11 board members would be weighted to reflect the populations of the county each represents--giving Los Angeles County’s two board members 48% control and reducing the power of board members from the district’s four other counties.

Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Camarillo) said he has introduced a bill to require that all AQMD regulations, including its ride-sharing rules, be reviewed by the state Office of Administrative Law.

A bill introduced by Assemblywoman Marian W. La Follette (R-Northridge) would direct the legislative analyst to study whether diamond lanes impair safety and have an effect on air pollution.