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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-852 • 2026

Air pollution: oxides of nitrogen: furnaces and water heaters.

Air pollution: oxides of nitrogen: furnaces and water heaters.

Energy
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Wallis
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on when this law will take effect after passing both chambers.

Air Pollution Rules for Furnaces and Water Heaters

This law says that rules about selling or using gas-fired appliances based on how much nitrogen oxide they make do not apply if the appliance can be changed to use propane instead.

What This Bill Does

  • Specifies that regulations prohibiting or restricting the sale or use of a gas-fired appliance, based on emission limitations for oxides of nitrogen, do not apply if the appliance is installed with a propane conversion kit.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who sell or use gas-fired appliances
  • Air quality control agencies

Terms To Know

Gas-fired appliance
A device that uses natural gas to heat a home, like a furnace or water heater.
Propane conversion kit
An add-on part for an appliance that lets it use propane instead of its original fuel.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the appliance cannot be changed to use propane.
  • The bill does not change how mobile sources of air pollution are regulated.
  • It is unclear when this law will take effect after it passes.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  4. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  5. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 852, as introduced, Wallis.
Air pollution: oxides of nitrogen: furnaces and water heaters.
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 specify that regulations adopted by districts or the state board prohibiting or restricting the sale or use of a gas-fired appliance, as defined, based on the emission limitations for oxides of nitrogen does not apply to the sale or use of that appliance if the appliance is to be installed with a propane conversion kit for propane firing only.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF