Probably one of the most high-profile environmental bills that now moves forward makes changes to California's Environmental Quality Act.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg authored the bill that he says would protect the environment but prevent abuses of the law. It now moves to the Assembly floor.
Democratic Senator Fran Pavley's bill that would regulate fracking also moves forward but with some amendments. Some environmental groups opposed the bill because they say it doesn't give the public enough information to protect air and water from contamination.
One environmental bill that failed to make it out of Senate Appropriations would have taken California's drinking water program away from the Department of Public Health.
The department had been criticized for failing to distribute money to communities for clean drinking water. Opponents say moving the program to the state water board would only cause further problems.
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