California Air Resources Board

Summary

Prohibits by January 1 of a given year, the sale or distribution of bulk hydrofluorocarbon gases (HFCs) or bulk blends containing HFCs that exceed the specified global warming potential (GWP): shall not exceed 2,200 GWP by 2025; 1,500 GWP by 2030; and 750 GWP by 2033; unless the HFCs are reclaimed or for use in metered dose inhalers, as specified. This bill also prohibits the State from using refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750 that are not reclaimed to service existing equipment owned or operated by the State starting January 1, 2025. This bill also requires CARB to post an assessment on its internet website by 2025 specifying how to transition the State’s economy to ultra-low GWP or no-GWP alternatives no later than 2035. To achieve this transition, the bill requires CARB to initiate a rulemaking requiring low- and ultra-low GWP alternatives in all HFC sectors where it is practicable for entities in the sector to comply. The bill also states penalties for violations, among other provisions.

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Summary

Would have established a program for planning and projects to make California’s transportation more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Was not heard in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

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Summary

Deems a housing development project, as defined, as an allowable use on a parcel that is within a zone where office, retail, or parking are a principally permitted use, if specified conditions are met, including requirements relating to density, public notice, comment, hearing, or other procedures, site location and size, consistency with sustainable community strategy, prevailing wage, and a skilled and trained workforce.

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Summary

Repeals obsolete code sections that required CARB to determine the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts of proposed sports complex development projects in Los Angeles and Sacramento. CARB's GHG determination, combined with many other environmental requirements, allowed the projects to qualify for expedited review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

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Summary

Would have required CARB by December 31, 2025, to include in the SB 901 report, which assesses GHG emissions associated with wildfire and forest management activities, a methodology to quantify GHG and short-lived climate pollutant emissions, including black carbon from wildfire, pile burning, and forest management activities and a list of the data needed to use the methodology. This bill would have also established a Forest Waste Biomass Utilization Program to be administered by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation, would have required the California Natural Resources Agency to facilitate the inclusion of recommendations for forest biomass waste utilization in relevant State climate adaptation plans, and would have required the California Energy Commission to report on innovative bioenergy technologies that utilize forest biomass waste. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have required the establishment a State natural carbon sequestration goal in California of at least 60,000,000 MTCO2e annually by 2030, and 75,000,000 MTCO2e annually by 2035 and would have also required on December 31, 2025, and every year thereafter, CNRA and CARB to submit a progress report to the Legislature. Held on suspense in Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have allowed the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to authorize blue carbon demonstration projects to demonstrate and quantify the carbon sequestration potential of these projects to help inform the State’s natural and working lands and climate resilience strategies and would have required the CCC to consult with CARB and other entities when developing the blue carbon demonstration project program. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have added “climate change” to the definition of the term “disaster” for the purposes of the California Disaster Assistance Act, and would have specified that mitigation measures for climate change and disasters related to climate may include measures that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and investments in natural infrastructure, as specified.Moved to the Senate Inactive File.

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Summary

Establishes, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the position of Deputy Secretary for Climate within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency to assist in the oversight of California's workforce transition to a sustainable and equitable carbon neutral economy. The Deputy Secretary is to coordinate with relevant agencies, including CARB.

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Summary

Requires the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), by January 1, 2024, in collaboration with CARB, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and an expert advisory committee, to set targets for natural carbon sequestration and nature-based climate solutions for 2030, 2038, and 2045, which must be integrated into the Scoping Plan and other State policies. CARB must ensure that double counting of emissions reductions is avoided and emissions reduction projects and actions that receive State funding will not be eligible to generate credits under any market-based compliance mechanism. CARB, by January 1, 2025, must develop standard methods for State agencies to track GHG emissions and reductions, carbon sequestration, and, where feasible, additional benefits from natural and working lands over time. CNRA, by January 1, 2025, in collaboration with CARB, CalEPA, and CDFA, must review and update the Climate Smart Strategy to achieve the targets and post data on its website on progress made toward targets, including on State expenditures made to implement the targets.

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