AB-1849 • 2026

Decarbonized gaseous fuels.

Energy Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Papan
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not explicitly state that it aims to incentivize or maximize benefits, but requires consideration of such policies and incentives.

Decarbonized Gaseous Fuels

This law requires the State Air Resources Board to assess how much decarbonized gaseous fuel is needed for hard-to-electrify sectors and post this information online by December 31, 2029.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Air Resources Board to conduct an assessment of the amount of decarbonized gaseous fuels that will be necessary to reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify areas and maintain electricity reliability by 2029.
Includes a review of each specific area or activity that is difficult to electrify and needs this type of fuel.
Requires the State Air Resources Board to consider policies and incentives for increasing the production and use of decarbonized gas in California.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Air Resources Board
Companies producing or using decarbonized gaseous fuel

Terms To Know

Decarbonized gaseous fuels: Fuels that release fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Hard-to-electrify sectors/end uses: Areas or activities where it is difficult to switch from gas or other fuels to electricity, such as heavy industry and transportation.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact amount of decarbonized gaseous fuel needed.
It does not detail how incentives will be provided for increased production and use of these fuels.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 13).
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
2026-04-03 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & E.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1849, as amended, Papan.
Decarbonized gaseous fuels.
Existing law regulates the emission of air contaminants, including the oxides of nitrogen, into the atmosphere. Existing law generally vests regulatory jurisdiction over stationary sources of air pollution to the air pollution control districts and air quality management districts and regulatory jurisdiction over mobile sources of air pollution to the State Air Resources Board.
This bill would require, on or before December 31, 2029, the state board to conduct an assessment of the amount of decarbonized gaseous fuels that will be needed to decarbonize hard-to-electrify
sectors
end uses
and maintain reliability in the electricity sector and to post the
assessment on its internet website. The bill would require the assessment to include an assessment of the need for decarbonized gaseous fuels
in
for
each hard-to-electrify
sector,
end use,
as defined. The bill would require the state board, in assessing the policies and incentives, to consider, among other things, how to incentivize the increased production and use of decarbonized gas
instate
in California
and how to maximize the benefits of
decarbonized gas production and
use,
use in California,
as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF