California Air Resources Board

Would have created a Lower Emissions Cargo Handling Equipment Pilot program and prohibited CARB from adopting a future regulation that requires the replacement of cargo handling equipment before the end of its useful life if it was (1) purchasedbefore December 31, 2027, (2) met the EU zero-emission standard, and (3) met specified certification and labeling requirements. This bill stated that it is self-executing and did not require any implementing or interpretive rulemaking by CARB or any other agency to become operative. Amended todeal with ensuring maximum employee retention at fossil fuel refineries.

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Would have allowed CARB to adopt and enforce rules for indirect sources of emissions. Within 120 days of statewide indirect source rule (ISR) adoption, air districts would have had to decide if the district or CARB would implement and enforce the regulations within the air district. If the air district decided to implement and enforce a statewide ISR, it would have been required to propose regulations enacting those measures no later than six months after CARB's ISR adoption. The air district could have, at any time, adopted and enforced stricter ISRs than the regulations adopted by CARB. The bill would have allowed CARB to make a schedule of fees on facilities and mobile sources to cover the reasonable costs of implementing and enforcing the regulations. These fees would have been deposited in the Air Pollution Control Fund and made available to CARB upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would have also required CARB to make a yearly presentation on the effects of any ISRs that it adopted. Moved to the Assembly Inactive File.

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Would have clarified that a 21st century warehouse and a Tier 1 21st century warehouse are required to comply with building standards in effect at the time that the building permit is issued and would have clarified allowable use of conduits and electrical hookups at loading bays for those warehouses. The bill would have changed the definition of “logistics use,” instead defining “logistics use development” for these purposes to mean a building that is (1) mainly used as a warehouse for moving or storing items for business or retail customers, or both, (2) does not mainly sell to retail customers onsite, and (3) heavy-duty trucks are primarily involved in moving those items. The bill would have made other technical changes to the laws around logistics use development. This bill was identical to SB 415 (Reyes, Chapter 316, Statutes of 2025). Moved to the Assembly Inactive File.

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Would have removed references to non-federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in the Government-to-Government Consultation Act, as well as introduced a new definition for “California tribe" that includes all Native American tribes on the contact list maintained by the California Native American Heritage Commission. The bill would have also required State agencies to consult with a tribe upon request and within 60 days, instead of just encouraging consultation. The consult would have been required to include communication that meets the needs of diverse cultures and education levels, and state agencies would have had to make multiple attempts to engage with tribes in different formats. Amended to deal with the Tribal Housing Grant Program Trust Fund.

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Requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish the California Wildfire Preparedness Program to (1) establish guidance for the use of available wildfire risk modeling and analysis tools by organizations, (2) develop guidance and tools related to wildfire risk assessments, (3) support the creation or updating of county-level wildfire risk assessments, (4) oversee the Wildfire County Coordinator Program, and (5) develop guidance and templates for the creation or updating of county-level wildfire preparedness prioritization and implementation plans. Amended to remove a requirement that the Wildfire County Coordinator Program coordinate with CARB to increase access to indoor clean air spaces, distribution of HEPA filters, and other activities.

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Would have expanded the definition of tribal cultural resources under the California Environmental Quality Act and required lead agencies to adopt mitigation measures when a project may cause a substantial harm to a tribal cultural resource. Lead agencies would have been required to explain their decision with substantial evidence when not using mitigation measures identified by the consulting tribe for tribal cultural resources. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Would have required CARB to give a yearly legislative report on AB 617 progress by June 30, 2027, and to expand the eligible uses of grant funding for community air grants. The bill would have also required CARB and air districts to approve local community emissions reduction plans (L-CERPs) and authorize CARB and air districts to enforce applicable portions of those L-CERPs. The bill would have also required an AB 617 community steering committee to remain active until the emissions goals identified in its community emissions reduction program (CERP) are met by the air district or a majority of the committee votes to disband. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Would have required the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force), on or before July 1, 2028, and in cooperation with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Department of Public Health, and CARB, to assess the health costs and impacts of high-severity wildfire smoke using existing wildfire smoke and health data. The bill would have also required the Task Force to develop a model to estimate the health benefits of achieving the goals identified in the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and recommend how the Action Plan can increase its health benefits. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Would have expanded the California Environmental Quality Act’s definition of "environment" and "significant effect on the environment" to include impacts on people. The bill would have also required the lead agency preparing the Environmental Impact Report to include a detailed statement on any significant effects that may result from locating the proposed project near, or attracting people to, existing or likely natural hazards or harmful environments.

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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