Today Jim Wood announced his appointment as the chair of the “Select Committee on the Digital Divide in Rural California”. The committee will address the challenges rural Californians experience obtaining, and in some cases maintaining, consistent levels of dependable telecommunication services. These services routinely involve cell phone coverage and high-speed internet.

Assemblyman Wood said, “I want to thank Speaker Atkins for this opportunity. I believe the inconsistency in access throughout the state is a growing problem, and it is contributing an additional dimension to our “digital divide.” At one time the “divide” was viewed as generally one that was generational or economic. I do not think we can ignore that geography now seems to be another significant contributing factor.”

Today Assemblyman Jim Wood introduced the Marijuana Watershed Protection Act (AB 243). The legislation would address the environmental impacts of medical marijuana cultivation, and would seek to mitigate the impact of the crop on California’s water quality and supply.

Last year the Governor approved funding for a pilot program tasking the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the State, and Regional Water Boards with educating, permitting, and enforcing regulations as they pertain to medical marijuana cultivation. The program implemented by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board established parameters that can guide statewide standards. AB 243 would build on that program’s momentum and create regulations to address environmental protections and water use on medical marijuana farms statewide.

SACRAMENTO – Last month, the Speaker of the State Assembly announced committee memberships for all standing committees of the Assembly.  Assemblymember Jim Wood is proud to announce that he has been appointed to the following six committees: the Appropriations, Business and Professions, Health, Natural Resources, and the Rules Committee.  He has also been named Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.  These committee assignments will allow Dr. Wood to have an immediate impact on legislation and important issues that the Legislature discusses this coming year.

As a practicing dentist for close to three decades, he is ready to engage in the discussion of bills dealing with the provision of health care and consumer protections, which will be the focus of the Assembly Health and Assembly Business and Professions Committees. An experienced business owner and now a member of the Appropriations committee, he is excited by the opportunity to assist his colleagues in the Legislature achieve meaningful policy change that is also fiscally responsible. Additionally, Dr. Wood has been a long time environmental champion dating back to his service as a councilmember and mayor of Healdsburg, and will bring that knowledge to debates as a member of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.  As Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dr. Wood can continue the work of protecting and restoring our fisheries and supporting the important role of aquaculture on the North Coast.

Will Promote Economic Development and Environmental Conservation

(SACRMENTO) – Jim Wood (D-North Coast) was sworn in as the Assemblymember for California’s 2nd Assembly District today.

“I am grateful to the voters for selecting me to represent the North Coast,” said Assemblymember Wood. “I look forward to getting down to business and championing the interests of Assembly District 2.”

Assembly District 2 comprises all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa. The ceremony was held inside the Assembly Chambers at the State Capitol.