California Air Resources Board

Would have required CARB to expand its incident air monitoring program to provide support for local monitoring, upon receiving funding. This bill would have required CARB and the local air districts to together choose the regional center locations that either CARB or the district would operate, with at least one center being in the South Coast Air Quality Management District. CARB would have been required to assist with operational plans for the centers regardless of the operator, and all operators would be required to provide emergency air monitoring response for disasters. The bill would have established allowable uses for funding, including but not limited to planning and maintaining centers and equipment; air quality data collection, analysis, and communication; and staff resources and training.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2349 without my signature.

This bill would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to expand its incident air monitoring program.

While I share the author’s goal of expanding emergency air monitoring, the proposed program requires significant resources not included in this year's budget.

In partnership with the Legislature this year, my administration has enacted a balanced budget that recognizes the challenging fiscal landscape our state faces while maintaining our commitment to working families and our most vulnerable communities. With significant fiscal pressures and the federal government's hostile economic policies, it is vital that we remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have made changes to the county supervisor membership of the governing board of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) to one that is more diverse with a larger focus on members from cities representing the five supervisorial districts and public members. The bill also would have required ICAPCD to maintain a website and post specified information, including board agendas and permit, air monitoring, and enforcement information.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 675 without my signature.

This bill would restructure the governing board of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and impose new reporting and planning duties.

The Imperial County APCD plays a critical role in improving air quality and protecting public health in a county disproportionately impacted by severe air quality challenges. While increasing representation and transparency on governing boards is important work, change of this magnitude requires sufficient support and resources.

I am concerned that this bill would impose significant new financial obligations on the County, its cities, and ultimately its residents, without identifying a funding source to meet them.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have required, to the extent that funding is appropriated by the Legislature, each large and medium local air district, by January 1, 2028, to implement and maintain a commercial voucher program to support the transition to zero-emission small off-road equipment consistent with specified requirements. The bill would have provided that a violation of an ordinance adopted by a local government governing the use of any small off-road engine landscaping equipment can only be punishable by a warning or an administrative fine imposed in accordance with specified requirements.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2635 without my signature.

This bill requires local air districts to implement a commercial voucher program to support the transition to zero-emission small off-road equipment.

Small off-road engines are a significant source of harmful air pollution, particularly in communities already burdened by poor air quality. While I share the author's goal of helping marginalized communities transition to zero-emission equipment, this bill duplicates existing state and local air district programs. Under my administration, in partnership with the Legislature, we provided $30 million to incentivize the purchase of nearly 30,000 pieces of zero-emission landscape equipment. Additionally, zero-emission landscape equipment is now widely available from many manufacturers, which will further increase market competition.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have required a State agency providing a grant or contract to a federally recognized tribe or private nonprofit, under certain conditions, to pay a portion of the money to the grantee in advance. The bill would have required State agencies to state the percentage that may be given in advance in the solicitation for the grant or contract. This bill requires, by July 1, 2027, the Strategic Growth Council to develop a Statewide Advance Funds and Reconciliation Guide (Master Guide), as specified. The bill requires every State agency to adopt the Master Guide as its standard operating procedure for the disbursement, tracking, and reconciliation of advance payments, as provided.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1039 without my signature.

This bill would require state agencies to provide advance payments for certain grants and contracts awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations and federally recognized tribes, and establish a statewide3 framework to administer and reconcile those payments.

While I appreciate the author's goal of reducing financial barriers for nonprofits and tribes, imposing a new statewide requirement would severely limit the state's oversight and protection of public funds. I signed AB 590 in 2023 and AB 3017 in 2024, which provided agencies with authority to process advance payments for these entities. It is important to ensure agencies maintain discretion to evaluate the financial and programmatic risks of each request for advance payments. I encourage the author and stakeholders to continue engaging with administering agencies to help ensure they are utilizing the existing authorization to the fullest extent possible when appropriate.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have created The Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund which may seek out and accept funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) as well as other sources. The purpose of this fund is for the Department of Water Resources to restore the transport capacity for state water transport systems impacted by land subsidence. The fund also would give money to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh to improve existing levees, including multi-benefit levee projects that protect, improve, or restore habitat, and improve water quality.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Senate Bill 872 without my signature.

This bill establishes the Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund (Fund) to support multi‑benefit levee projects and capital improvements to water conveyance systems impacted by subsidence in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, and requires the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (Conservancy) to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations for projects to be supported by the Fund.

In this year's budget, in partnership with the Legislature, we allocated $68 million to mitigate subsidence on the state's aqueducts and canals, $75 million for projects that repair levees and improve flood protection and climate resiliency in the Delta, $20.2 million to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy to reduce the risks of climate change impacts on communities, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, and $7.9 million to pay for mitigation costs associated with the Delta levee projects.

This bill would establish parameters for spending revenue from a Fund that did not receive resources in this year's budget. While well‑intentioned, this bill is unnecessary.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE) to set aside at least 10% of their prescribed and beneficial fire program funding for beneficial fire-related activities. The funding would be given in the form of grants, programs, or other ways to expand a community’s ability to support beneficial fire programs. At least 25% of the given funds must go to California Native American tribes or indigenous-led groups.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1891 without my signature.

This bill would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to dedicate a specified percentage of all grant funding appropriated to the Department to beneficial fire activities.

The state has nearly doubled the amount of prescribed burn treatments since 2021, treating roughly 200,000 acres annually. While I share the author's goal to increase the pace and scale of prescribed fire projects, this bill limits CAL FIRE's ability to prioritize limited state resources toward the projects and communities facing the greatest wildfire risks.

Funding decisions of this nature should be considered within the annual budget process, where they can be evaluated alongside the state's broader wildfire resilience priorities and considered among available resources.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have established the Biomass Innovation Park Grants and Financing Program, to be administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA). Would have required CNRA to facilitate the process of identifying eligible parks, develop guidelines for soliciting proposals, and specify requirements for each park.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1666 without my signature.

This bill would establish the Biomass Innovation Park Grants and Financing Program, to be administered by the Natural Resources Agency, to identify biomass innovation parks.

I thank the author for his commitment to advancing the use of wood biomass to improve forest health and build wildfire resilience. In partnership with the Legislature, my administration allocated $50 million from the Climate Bond to the Department of Conservation to develop a program to fund the development of large-scale biomass facilities and identify opportunities to accelerate the utilization of wood waste biomass.

The program proposed in this measure would require additional resources not included in this year's budget. With significant fiscal pressures and the federal government's hostile economic policies, it is vital that we remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Summary

Would have established a new regulatory structure at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for metal shredding facilities. The bill, among other things, would have required that any metal shredding facility permit action taken by DTSC consider the conclusions and recommendations set forth in a community emissions reduction program prepared by a local air district and any other health risk assessment conducted by a local air district pursuant to the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act of 1987 or other applicable law. The bill would have required that, if an air quality health risk assessment had not been conducted, the owner or operator of the facility would have had to conduct an analysis of equivalent scope and depth as approved by the local air district.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 404 without my signature.

The bill would establish a comprehensive regulatory program for metal shredding facilities to be administered by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and would require metal shredding facilities to obtain a permit from DTSC.

I support the author's intent to create a uniform structure for permitting metal shredding facilities in California. These facilities are critical to maintaining supply chain stability, recycling millions of end-of-life vehicles, household appliances, and other metallic items produced, used, and discarded annually in California. Unless recycled, these metal materials would overwhelm available landfill capacity, creating a massive accumulation of damaged and abandoned cars, appliances, and other items.

However, this bill lacks clear definitions regarding the materials processed at these facilities, including what "hazardous waste" requirements are applicable. Without this clarity, this bill is not as protective, places a significant burden on DTSC, and cannot be successfully implemented.

I encourage the author to work closely with DTSC and interested parties to remedy this issue, as well as ensure that any future legislation requires metal shredding facilities operate, and be permitted to operate, in a health-protective manner.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here

Would have required State agencies to prioritize strategies to reduce methane emissions, including emissions from imported petroleum and natural gas, where feasible and cost effective and would have required CARB to encourage natural gas procurement on behalf of the State to shift to certified natural gas producing low methane emissions, as verified by "measure, monitor, report, and verify” (MMRV) protocols. The bill also would have authorized CARB, the Public Utilities Commission, and other relevant agencies to assess existing programs and apply MMRV protocols to reduce methane emissions, including emissions from imported petroleum and natural gas procured by utilities and other large gas users, utilizing all relevant sources and standards, including, but not limited to, emissions data, models, or protocols from existing or new regulations.

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Governor’s Veto Message:

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 613 without my signature.

This bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and other state agencies to prioritize strategies to reduce methane emissions, including from imported fossil natural gas. This bill also authorizes state agencies to apply "measure, monitor, report, and verify" (MMRV) protocols and directs the CPUC to assess whether shifting to certified low-methane natural gas is consistent with the interests of ratepayers.

Fossil natural gas is primarily composed of methane gas, which is a short-lived climate pollutant with a global warming potential more than 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The potency of this gas and its climate impact have prompted numerous legislative and regulatory efforts over the years to quantify, identify, and minimize fugitive methane emissions from fossil natural gas infrastructure and to deploy cost-effective leak abatement investments and programs. Currently, our state imports up to 90 percent of its fossil natural gas from out-of-state and relies on this energy source to fuel critical industries and provide essential heating services to many Californians. This demand is expected to decrease in the coming years as we move closer to our 2045 carbon neutrality goal. During this period, we must not lose sight of the state's immediate needs as we continue our collective efforts to transition to clean gaseous fuels and clean electricity.

While well-intended, this bill establishes new requirements that are unclear, duplicative, and risk increasing costs for gas customers in the near term, and could jeopardize fossil natural gas service reliability. I encourage the CPUC, CARB, and other state agencies to continue existing efforts to further minimize methane emissions from the fossil natural gas sector thoughtfully and pragmatically, while continuing to advance the production and use of clean fuels and the clean electrification of many end-uses in the state.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s Veto Message Here

Would have requiredCARB, on or before January 1, 2028, to publish on its website an assessment of the life-cycle emissions from alternative uses of forest and agricultural biomass residues. The bill also would have required CARB, on or before January 1, 2028, to complete a comprehensive strategy to support beneficial carbon removal products generated from agricultural or forest biomass resources, including, but not limited to, biochar, as specified. This bill also would have required the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to require, as feasible, for State-funded forest health projects, a disposal plan describing how much biomass residue should be physically removed versus burned by prescribed burn. The bill also would have required the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to investigate the use of biomass fuel made from biomass residues, as specified.

View full bill text here

Governor’s Veto Message:

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 88 without my signature.

This bill would require the California Air Resources Board to develop specified methods and protocols to quantify the avoided emissions and beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass. This bill also would direct the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to require forest health projects to include a resource disposal component, and the California Energy Commission to include biomass-derived low- and negative-carbon fuels in certain reports.

Throughout my Administration, I have been supportive of advancing methods and practices to sustainably address the growing amount of woody biomass waste in the state, primarily due to the risk it presents of exacerbating catastrophic wildfires. This is why my Administration, for years, has recommended and acted on strategies to address this challenge and risk.

While I applaud the authors' desire to further this work, most of the requirements in this bill are duplicative of existing efforts. At the same time, other provisions would trigger new and substantial costs at each of the affected agencies not accounted for in the 2025 Budget Act. In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that recognizes the challenging fiscal landscape our state faces while maintaining our commitment to working families and our most vulnerable communities. With significant fiscal pressures and the federal government's hostile economic policies, it is vital that we remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here