California Air Resources Board

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

This bill codifies parts of the Governor’s Executive Order N-12-23 (EO N-12-23) addressing the use and regulation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools by State agencies. The bill tasks specified agencies to update the EO N-12-23 mandated report on the benefits and risks of GenAI. State agencies shall also consider procuring GenAI tools to improve efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of government operations.

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Governor’s Signing Message

To the Members of the California State Senate:
I am signing Senate Bill 896, known as the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Accountability Act, which requires the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to update specified reports called for in Executive Order N-12-23.

On September 6, 2023, I signed an Executive Order (EO) that underscores California's commitment to developing a deliberative and responsible process for the evaluation and deployment of AI within state government. Over the last year, my Administration has worked tirelessly to study the development, use and risks of AI, including potential threats to, and vulnerabilities of, California's critical infrastructure, including those that could lead to mass casualty events.

SB 896 codifies several important aspects of this EO, including direction to CalOES to perform risk analyses on potential threats posed by the use of GenAI to California's critical infrastructure. Under this direction, CalOES has been working with frontier model companies to analyze energy infrastructure risks and convened power sector providers to share threats and security strategies. Building on this work, and in signing this bill, I am further directing CalOES to undertake the same risk assessment with water infrastructure providers in the coming year, and the communications sector shortly thereafter.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have required CARB to convene a youth advisory council of 35 members ages 16 to 21 representing each local air district to advise CARB on air pollution issues that impact youth in California. CARB would have been required to conduct public outreach to encourage applications and do additional outreach efforts in areas disproportionately impacted by pollution in each local air district, as well as prioritize those disproportionately impacted by pollution in membership. The bill would have authorized the council to conduct research and other activities with administrative support from CARB. Amended to deal with judicial officer disqualifications.

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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

Urges the United States Congress and President Biden to support a $100 million supplemental funding request to address the ongoing impacts on public health, the environment, and the local economy caused by cross-jurisdictional pollution from the Navy North Hangar Fire in Tustin, and to include in future federal budgets sufficient ongoing operational and maintenance funding for Navy North Hangar Fire remediation. The measure urges President Biden to declare a national emergency due to the ongoing impacts.

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Summary

Authorizes the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), or an entity within CNRA or CalEPA to enter into a direct agreement with the California Ocean Science Trust for the delivery of peer reviews, technical guidance, or scientific reports and analyses.

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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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