BILL NUMBER:  SB 1516
  VETOED	DATE: 09/23/2000




SEP 23 2000

To Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill SB 1516 without my signature.

This bill would require the Secretary of Resources and the Secretary
of the California Environmental Protection Agency to report to the
Legislature concerning the impact of existing and proposed
international trade agreements on state environmental laws and
regulations.

This bill does nothing to redress the problem it identifies.  The
legislative findings indicate that "California's role as a global
leader in environmental protection policies, and the Legislature's
role in enacting those policies, is subject to challenge by
international trade agreements."  Unfortunately this bill, and any
assessment prepared pursuant to this bill, would not change the
content of international treaties.  Under World Trade Organization
rules and North American Free Trade Agreem ent (NAFTA),  California
is not a party to the treaty and does not have a place at any forum
reviewing actions under General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
or NAFTA.  Nor would the bill provide any mechanism for California
to participate more effectively in consultations with the federal
government over trade disputes involving environmental laws.

Existing provisions of the United States Constitution grant the
United States Congress the sole power to regulate commerce with
foreign nations.  Therefore, the expenditure of the resources
necessary to comply with this measure would be unproductive.

Sincerely,





GRAY DAVIS