The Commission of the Californias (Spanish: Comisión de las Californias), abbreviated as ComCal, is a multilateral forum for regional cooperation between the Californias, a region of North America encompassing the U.S. state of California and the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur.Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the State of California of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Baja California and the Government of the State of Baja California Sur of the United Mexican States for the Establishment of the Commission of the Californias
History The Commission of the Californias was established on June 25, 1964, by Governor Pat Brown of California and Governor Eligio Esquivel Méndez of Baja California, as a forum to discuss common issues and develop common solutions.Office of the Governor of California - TOMORROW: Governor Newsom to Unleash Hundreds of Millions in Emergency Homelessness Aid for Cities & Counties
In 1967, the commission produced the book The Call to California, commemorating the bicentennial of the Portolá expedition of 1769–1770. It hired photographer Harry W. Crosby to recreate Portolá's voyage from Baja California to Alta California, for illustrations in the book.Karen Kenyon, "Tracking the Hispanic Roots of California", Los Angeles Times, April 12, 1987.
In 1968, Baja California Sur joined the commission, under Governor Hugo Cervantes del Río.
In 2004, the commission was dissolved by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California.
In 2017, then lieutenant governor Gavin Newsom called for the reestablishment of the Commission of the Californias, citing the importance of cultural and economic ties between the three Californian states. A motion to reinstate the commission was subsequently proposed by Deputy Patricia Ramírez Gutiérrez to the Congress of Baja California Sur.Congreso del Estado de Baja California Sur - Vicegobernador de California pide que se reinstale La Comisión de las Californias
The Commission of the Californias was reestablished on December 4, 2019, by Governor Gavin Newsom of California, Governor Jaime Bonilla Valdez of Baja California, and Governor Carlos Mendoza Davis of Baja California Sur.Yahoo Noticias - Gobernadores firman memorando para restablecer la Comisión de las CaliforniasSan Diego Union-Tribune - Three California Governors Revive Cooperation Agreement
In 2020, the commission's tri-lateral discussions were focused on establishing transboundary guidelines, with attention to natural disaster preparedness, increasing cooperation on tackling transboundary pollution affecting the Tijuana River Valley, and conducting feasibility studies for a joint tri-Californian trade show and pavilion to boost economic cooperation and competitiveness.San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce - Commission of the Californias Produces Trilateral Transboundary Guidelines
In 2022, the Commission of the Californias hosted a tri-state hybrid meeting in San Diego with more than 100 officials attending from all three Californian states, with the intention of reinvigorating the commission following the COVID-19 pandemic and recent elections. Apart from general discussions, the focus of the 2022 meeting was on climate change, covering topics such as the transition towards zero-emissions vehicles and the regional impacts this would bring within the Californias.The California-Mexico Border Relations Council: A Summary of Activities Undertaken in 2022Institute of the Americas - La Comisión de las Californias se reúne para revisar el mandato regulatorio del vehículo eléctrico en California y su impacto transfronterizo
Functions
The Commission of the Californias serves as a platform for cooperation between the three Californian states, particularly in regards to common challenges and solutions to address them. Noted areas of focus include: Environment and energy Transportation and infrastructure Emergency preparedness and response Economic development and tourism Agriculture Public health
The commission's activities are planned and carried out by the offices of the three governors. The commission is intended to meet in collective discussions at least once a year.California Department of Energy - Climate Change Partnerships
Representatives on the commission include the governor of each states, as well as delegations of public officials and subject matter experts appointed by governors and state legislatures.Gaceta UABC - UABC es parte de la Comisión de las Californias
See also The Californias California Baja California Baja California Sur Mexico-United States relations
References