California Air Resources Board

Would have transferred Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds currently provided to the High-Speed Rail Authority to the State’s General Fund and made the funding available for rural road safety. Failed passage in the SenateTransportation Committee.

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Would have required CARB to update regional greenhouse gas (GHG) targets indefinitely, rather than only until 2050 and authorized CARB to update the years to which those targets apply. The bill would have required a metropolitan planning organization, prior to adopting amendments to a regional transportation plan that could impact a Sustainable Communities Strategy, to quantify the reduction in GHG emissions and difference due to the amendments. This bill would have also updated the Sustainable Communities Strategy review process for CARB and metropolitan planning organizations, among other provisions. Was not heard in the Senate Transportation Committee.

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Summary

Would have created the Climate Cashback Program to be administered by the Franchise Tax Board for the public purpose of mitigating the costs of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The bill would have required the Franchise Tax Board to develop and implement the program by December 31, 2024, to deliver quarterly per capita cashback payments to all California residents and set other requirements for the operation of the program. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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Summary

Would have created the California Compost Tax Credit Fund providing refundable tax credits for California farmers, ranchers, and landowners who employ farming practices that maximize carbon sequestration through the utilization of compost on natural and working lands. Would have transferred one percent of annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund proceeds, not exceeding $120 million per fiscal year through FY 2035-36 to the California Compost Tax Credit Fund. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have added climate change and climate change exacerbated conditions to the list of conditions for which a state of emergency or local emergency could be declared. The bill would have also created the California Individual Assistance Act and California Local Assistance Act programs. These programs were intended to give individuals, community-based organizations, local and tribal governments, transportation systems, and communities the assistance they need to quickly recover following a disaster related to climate change. Would have appropriated $100 million for the California Individual Assistance Act and $400 million for the California Local Assistance Act, both from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have required the University of California (UC) to conform to certain labor, employment, and occupational health and safety standards that apply to other public agencies had it been placed on a ballot and approved by the voters. Current constitutional law exempts UC from executive and legislative authority over basic labor standards. This bill may have forced agencies such as CARB to solicit UC for research grants before any other institution. However, this amendment would not have removed the “civil servant” exemption that UC employees are under, so this eventuality may have been unfounded. Failed passage in the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments.

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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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