California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have directed CARB, by July 1, 2026, or as soon as feasible, to revise regulations on indoor air cleaning devices establishing the emission concentration standard for ozone emissions to not greater than 0.005 parts per million, to the extent consistent with federal law. This would have been a more protective standard.The bill would have required the CARB regulations on indoor air cleaning devices to include a ban on the sale or the offering for sale of devices that exceed that emissions limit, even if previously certified, after a date determined by CARB, unless CARB determines an exemption applies. Was not heard in Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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Summary

Would have repealed existing law authorizing the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to adopt regulations to establish management standards for metal shredding facilities for hazardous waste management activities within DTSC’s jurisdiction, and would have established a new comprehensive regulatory framework within DTSC for metal shredding facilities. The bill would have repealed existing law that provides that treated metal shredder waste that is managed in accordance with those regulations is deemed to be solid waste, and not hazardous waste. Was not heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have required, upon appropriation by the Legislature, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), the Office of Emergency Services (OES), and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), in consultation with relevant academic and research institutions, government agency, and educational institution, to form a workgroup related to exposure of toxic heavy metals after a wildfire. The bill would have required the workgroup to take certain actions, including establishing best practices and recommendations for wildfire-impacted communities and first responders to avoid exposure to heavy metals after a wildfire. The bill would have authorized CalFire to contract with public universities, research institutions, and other technical experts to support the work of the workgroup. The bill would have required CalFire, OES, and DTSC to report their findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2026. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have established the Office of Regulatory Counsel in the Governor’s Office under the direction and control of an executive officer. The bill would have required the Office of Regulatory Counsel to draft and assist in the preparation, consideration, amendment, and repeal of regulations for a State agency, before the State agency submits a proposed action regarding that regulation to the Office of Administrative Law for publication in the California Regulatory Notice Register. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have authorized the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to jointly adopt a commute benefit ordinance that requires covered employers operating within the common area of the BAAQMD and MTC respective jurisdictions to offer all covered employees one of the following choices: (1) A pretax option, (2) Employer-paid benefit, (3) Employer-provided transit, or (4) Employer-provided regional transit pass. The bill would have authorized MTC to propose new taxes, allocate new revenue, and issue bonds for specified transportation projects, among other things. Remains at the Assembly Desk.

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Summary

Would have requested the Regents of the University of California to conduct a pilot project in the County of Imperial and the Coachella Valley to develop a three-day wintertime regional dust forecast capability and a dust storm early warning system for the monsoon season. The bill would have repealed the provisions on January 1, 2030. Was held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have established the Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act, which would have required the Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, to create, operate, and maintain a statewide integrated wildfire smoke and health data platform no later than July 1, 2026. The data platform would have, among other things, integrated wildfire smoke and health data from multiple databases with the purpose of providing adequate information to understand the negative health impacts on California’s population caused by wildfire smoke and evaluating the effectiveness of investments in forest health and wildfire mitigation on health outcomes in California. Was held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have prohibited, beginning January 1, 2032, a person from distributing, selling, or offering for sale a product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has made a determination that the use of PFAS in the product was a currently unavoidable use, the prohibition is preempted by federal law, or the product was previously used. The bill would have required DTSC to maintain on its website a list of each determination of currently unavoidable use, when each determination expires, and the products and uses that are exempt from the prohibition. The bill would have imposed an administrative penalty for a violation of the prohibition. The bill would have required DTSC, by January 1, 2027, to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of the bill. Was held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have required the Deputy Secretary for Climate within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to create and maintain a green jobs website that serves as the central hub for employment opportunities related to the transition to carbon-neutral jobs. The bill would have extended by a year the due date of the report to the Legislature on key findings and recommendations regarding the development and implementation of the workforce transition to a sustainable and equitable clean energy economy. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have streamlined the application and implementation process for covered grants, defined as a grant award not exceeding $20,000 with a duration not more than a year, with 501(c)(3) nonprofits as the eligible recipient. The bill would have had website requirements for a State agency or third-party contractor to post application information for a covered grant and to allow completion of a covered grant application online. The bill would have required advanced payment of at least 50% of the grant award and prohibited an administrator from requiring specified receipts, reports, and insurance coverage. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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