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AB-2046 • 2026

Vehicles: pollution control devices.

Vehicles: pollution control devices.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Ransom
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is unknown based on the provided metadata; it only states the bill passed the legislature and reached final enrollment.

AB-2046: Exempting EPA-Certified E85 Conversion Kits from State Rules

This law creates an exception to state rules that bans modifying pollution control devices, allowing specific gasoline vehicles to be converted to run on both gasoline and E85 fuel if the conversion kit is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What This Bill Does

  • Exempts alternative fuel retrofit systems for light-duty or medium-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles from state rules against modifying pollution control devices, provided they convert the vehicle to run on both gasoline and E85 fuel.
  • Requires that these conversion kits be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a clean alternative fuel conversion system.
  • Prohibits the State Air Resources Board from requiring state certification for these specific EPA-approved systems.
  • Stops the State Air Resources Board from demanding executive order approval or extra testing and demonstration for these devices.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners of light-duty or medium-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles who want to install E85 conversion kits certified by the EPA.
  • Companies that sell, offer for sale, advertise, or install EPA-certified alternative fuel retrofit systems.
  • The State Air Resources Board regarding its authority over these specific devices.

Terms To Know

Alternative fuel retrofit system
A device added to a vehicle that allows it to run on fuels other than the original design, such as E85 instead of just gasoline.
E85 fuel
An alternative fuel used in dual-fueled vehicles alongside gasoline.
State Air Resources Board
The state agency that sets rules for vehicle emissions and pollution control devices.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This exemption only applies to light-duty or medium-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles.
  • The law does not change existing bans on modifying pollution controls for other types of fuel, non-certified kits, or heavy-duty vehicles.
  • Violations of the general rules against tampering with pollution devices remain a crime unless this specific exception is met.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Vehicles: pollution control devices.