California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have required the Office of Planning and Research, by January 1, 2025, to conduct and submit to the Legislature a study on the impacts and implementation of its guidelines relating to transportation impacts. The bill also would have required the Office of Planning and Research, upon appropriation, to establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to local jurisdictions for implementing those guidelines. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have included specified energy projects in the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act. Was not heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

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Summary

Allows a private, nonprofit corporation that provides services to zero-emission transportation systems or facilities, including, but not limited to, finance, design, construction, operation, or maintenance, to enter into a joint powers agreement with a public agency to facilitate the development, construction, and operation of zero-emission transportation systems or facilities that lower GHGs, reduce vehicle congestion and VMT, and improve public transit connections. Requires that a board of directors govern the joint agency formed, board membership determined by the participating public agencies, and prohibits the representation of corporations on the board from exceeding 50 percent. The bill will be repealed on January 1, 2032.

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Summary

Would have established, until January 1, 2028, the State-Regional Collaborative for Climate, Equity, and Resilience to provide guidance, by January 1, 2024, to CARB for approving new guidelines for sustainable communities strategies (SCS) and would have required CARB to update the guidelines for SCSs to incorporate Collaborative suggestions by December 2025. The Collaborative would have been chaired by CARB and consisted of one representative of the California Transportation Agency, the California Housing Department, and the California Strategic Growth Council, along with 10 public members representing local and State organizations, as specified. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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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 required CARB, air districts, and other specified agencies to complete an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or alternative environmental analysis, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and as specified, for every rule or regulation adopted that requires emission reductions of greenhouse gases (GHG), criteria air pollutants, or toxic air contaminants (TAC), or compliance with a performance standard or treatment requirement that requires emission reductions of GHGs, criteria air pollutants, or TACs. This bill also would have added extensive labor requirements if a focused EIR was used for the installation of pollution control equipment projects to reduce TACs, criteria pollutants, or GHGs that was undertaken to comply with the any of the regulations specified above.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Senate: 

I am returning Senate Bill 1136 without my signature.

This bill expands the environmental review process for California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations that require the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria air pollutants, or toxic air contaminants.

I share the author's goal in seeking ways to streamline and accelerate critical projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, this bill restricts CARB from using standard California Environmental Quality Act streamlining tools for environmentally beneficial regulations.

In addition, this bill would create significant delays in the promulgation of environmentally beneficial regulations. This bill also exposes state and local public agencies to new litigation risks and results in millions of dollars in costs not accounted for in the budget.

With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined when it comes to spending, particularly spending that is ongoing. We must prioritize existing obligations and priorities, including education, health care, public safety and safety-net programs.

The Legislature sent measures with potential costs of well over $20 billion in one-time spending commitments and more than $10 billion in ongoing commitments not accounted for in the state budget. For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Requires the California Transportation Commission to develop a needs assessment of the cost to operate, maintain, and provide for the future growth and resiliency of the State and local transportation system.

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Summary

Would have prohibited a city or county from imposing or enforcing minimum parking requirements on housing development projects located within one-half mile of a major transit stop, except as
specified. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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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

Requires the circulation element of a general plan to include specified contents related to bicycle plans, pedestrian plans, and traffic calming plans, and requires the implementation of those plans.

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