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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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AB-2458 • 2026

Energy: appliance standards and cost-effective measures.

Energy: appliance standards and cost-effective measures.

Energy Housing
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Bennett
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance, leaving room for interpretation.

Appliance Standards and Cost-Effective Measures

This law expands existing rules requiring energy-efficient appliance standards to also cover rental, importation, distribution, and lease of appliances.

What This Bill Does

  • Expands the current requirement for manufacturers to certify that new appliances meet efficiency standards to include rental companies and other businesses involved in importing or distributing appliances.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Manufacturers and sellers of new appliances
  • Rental companies offering appliances for rent
  • Businesses importing or distributing appliances

Terms To Know

Energy Commission
The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, which sets standards for energy-efficient appliances.
End use in the state
Using an appliance within the boundaries of a specific state regardless of where it was sold or rented from.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify penalties for non-compliance with these expanded standards.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced across different types of businesses and transactions.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on U. & E.

  3. 2026-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  4. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2458, as introduced, Bennett.
Energy: appliance standards and cost-effective measures.
Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to prescribe, by regulation, standards for minimum levels of operating efficiency, and authorizes the Energy Commission to prescribe other cost-effective measures, to promote the use of energy- and water-efficient appliances whose use requires a significant amount of energy or water. Existing law prohibits the sale, and the offering for sale, of new appliances unless their manufacturers certify that they comply with the standards in effect at the time the appliances are manufactured. Existing law defines “sold or offered for sale in the state” to mean any sale of or offer to sell an appliance for end use in the state, regardless of the seller’s physical location.
This bill would expand the
above-described provisions to also include the rental, importation, distribution, or lease of, or an offer for the rental, importation, distribution, or lease of, those appliances, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF