AB-716 • 2026

Fire safety standards: hydrogen facilities.

Energy

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Carrillo
Last action: 2025-08-29
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific information about funding for training and hiring a hydrogen fire expert or penalties for non-compliance.

Fire Safety Rules for Hydrogen Facilities

This law sets fire safety rules for places that make, store, or move hydrogen gas.

What This Bill Does

Sets the National Fire Protection Association Hydrogen Technologies Code (NFPA 2) as the state's fire safety standards and guidelines for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities.
Allows local governments to adopt stricter fire safety standards than the state’s if there are unique local hazards and risks in consultation with the State Fire Marshal.
Requires the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire expert who can answer questions and provide clarification on implementing NFPA 2.
Needs the State Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to local firefighters and building inspectors about hydrogen safety.

Who It Names or Affects

Hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities
Local governments that manage fire safety in their areas
State Fire Marshal's office

Terms To Know

NFPA 2: The National Fire Protection Association Hydrogen Technologies Code, which is a set of rules for making sure hydrogen facilities are safe from fires.
Hydrogen fire expert: A person who knows a lot about the safety issues related to hydrogen and can help others understand how to follow NFPA 2.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if local governments do not consult with the State Fire Marshal when making their own rules.
It is unclear how much funding will be provided for training and hiring a hydrogen fire expert.
There are no details on penalties or enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

Bill History

2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 8).
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1847.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on U. & E.)
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 1265.)
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2025-04-21 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.M and U. & E.
2025-02-15 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.
2025-02-14 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 716, as amended, Carrillo.
Fire safety standards: hydrogen facilities.
Existing law creates the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to foster, promote, and develop ways and means of protecting life and property against fire and panic.
This bill would require the State Fire Marshal
to adopt the National Fire Protection Association Hydrogen Technologies Code (NFPA 2) as the statewide fire safety standards and guidelines for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities. The bill would authorize local
governments, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, to adopt more stringent fire safety standards than the statewide fire safety standards, based on unique local hazards and risks. The bill would require the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire expert, with specified duties.
to appoint a hydrogen fire expert to answer questions and provide clarification on the implementation of hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities, ensuring that hydrogen facilities comply with the most up-to-date fire safety standards.
The bill would require the State Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to local fire departments and building
inspectors, as specified.
inspectors to ensure that hydrogen-related safety
protocols are understood and enforced statewide.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF