California Air Resources Board

Summary

Contains statutory provisions necessary to implement the Budget Act of 2021. Among other things, the bill continuously appropriates $200 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) annually until the 2028-29 fiscal year for healthy forest and fire prevention programs and projects that improve forest health and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases caused by wildfires and for completion of prescribed fires and other fuel reduction projects. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the bill makes available $50 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Department of Conservation, in coordination with CARB and the California Energy Commission, for pilot projects in the Sierra Nevada to create carbon-negative fuels from materials resulting from forest vegetation management. The bill also requires the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), upon appropriation by the Legislature, to administer a grant program through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Loan Program to provide financial assistance to promote in-state development of infrastructure, food waste prevention, or other projects to reduce organic waste or process organic and other recyclable materials into new, value-added products. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Loan Fund receives funding from GGRF. Additionally, this bill extends the eligibility for the existing fuel cell net energy metering tariff that utilities have filed with the California Public Utilities Commission from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2023.

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Summary

Early action budget package that amends the 2020-21 Budget Act. Among other things, the bill appropriates money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) for wildfire prevention, natural resources, and forest resiliency. The bill also makes re-appropriations to extend encumbrance and expenditure dates for GGRF appropriations. 

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Summary

Early action budget package that amends the 2020-21 Budget Act. Among other things, the bill appropriates money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) for wildfire prevention, natural resources, and forest resiliency. The bill also makes re-appropriations to extend encumbrance and expenditure dates for GGRF appropriations. 

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Summary

Would have required the Secretary of the California Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to establish the California Council on the Future of Transportation (Council). The Council would have been required to provide the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations for changes and updates to State policy related to autonomous vehicles (AVs). Relevant to CARB, the bill specifies that CARB’s Chair, or their designee, would have served as a member of the Council. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would, among other provisions, require local governments to make additional considerations in their General Plans and zoning codes regarding wildfire risk. Some elements of these planning considerations would be informed by standards developed by the State Fire Marshall, in coordination with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Governor’s Office of Research and Planning. The bill would also add a sixth Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) objective to promote resilient communities and would adjust the RHNA allocation process to account for wildfire risk. Additionally, the bill would create a grant program at CAL FIRE to support wildfire risk reduction projects. Failed passage in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and was granted reconsideration.

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Summary

Would require the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) to research, develop, and propose for adoption building standards for the installation of future electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for parking spaces in existing non-residential buildings. The bill would direct HCD and CBSC to propose these new requirements on or before July 1, 2024, or in the next interim California Green Building Standards Code cycle, whichever is sooner. The bill would also require HCD to take specified factors into account when considering proposed building standards for future EV charging infrastructure in existing multifamily dwellings. Lastly, the bill would require HCD and CBSC to review the EV charging infrastructure standards for multifamily dwellings and non-residential buildings every 18 months and update them as needed.  Moved to the Senate Inactive File.

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Summary

Would have expanded existing school site acquisition and environmental certification requirements under the California Education Code for public and State-funded schools to include private and charter schools.  The requirements include evaluation of the schoolsite for hazardous substances, waste, and air emissions, among other provisions. The bill would have also extended the requirements for the purchase of a schoolsite or the construction of a school under the California Environmental Quality Act to include charter and private schools. Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Existing law requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), in consultation with CARB, to adopt regulations to reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills for the purpose of meeting methane emissions reduction goals. The bill would revise the existing requirement included in CalRecycle’s regulations that, by 2025, at least 20 percent of edible food, which would otherwise be disposed of, be recovered for human consumption. The bill would allow food recovered pursuant to this requirement to also be used for animal or livestock consumption. Additionally, the bill would establish a baseline of January 1, 2022 for the amount of edible food that must be recovered. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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Summary

Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible offshore wind energy generation capacity in waters off the California coast. The bill also requires CEC, by June 1, 2022, to establish offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045. Lastly, AB 525 requires CEC to coordinate with specified State and local agencies to develop a five-part strategic plan for offshore wind development and to submit the plan to the California Natural Resources Agency and the Legislature by June 30, 2023.

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Summary

Makes technical changes to the Budget Act of 2021. Among other things, the bill makes re-appropriations to extend encumbrance and expenditure dates for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appropriations to CARB. This is the third Budget Bill Junior associated with the Budget Act of 2021.  

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