State Air Resources Board: Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details about specific actions that must be taken by the State Air Resources Board to lower costs for drivers.

State Air Resources Board: Low Carbon Fuel Standard

This law requires the State Air Resources Board to consider and analyze financial impacts on drivers when making decisions about air pollution control policies, rules, or regulations, and specifically directs the board to review and revise its Low Carbon Fuel Standard starting in January 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the State Air Resources Board to consider the financial impact of any new policy, standard, rule, or regulation on drivers before adopting them.
• Directs the board to prepare a thorough analysis of the financial impacts on drivers for proposed actions.
• Requires the State Air Resources Board to review and revise its Low Carbon Fuel Standard starting no later than January 31, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• Drivers in California who use transportation fuels regulated by the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• The State Air Resources Board, which is responsible for setting and enforcing rules related to air pollution control.

Terms To Know

Low Carbon Fuel Standard

A set of regulations designed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in California.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much financial burden on drivers will be reduced or by what date.
• It is unclear exactly which actions the State Air Resources Board must take to lower costs for drivers.

Official Summary Text

SB 348, as amended, Hurtado.
State Air Resources Board: Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Existing law imposes various limitations on emissions of air contaminants for the control of air pollution from vehicular and nonvehicular sources. Existing law generally designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency with the primary responsibility for the control of vehicular air pollution. Existing law requires the state board to adopt standards, rules, and regulations necessary for the proper execution of the powers and duties granted to, and imposed upon, the state board.
This bill would require the state board, when it revises, adopts, or establishes any policy, standard, rule, or regulation that would have a direct financial impact to
drivers in the state, to consider the financial burden on drivers and to prepare a thorough analysis and evaluation of the financial impact of the proposed action to drivers to ensure full transparency.
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 establishes the state board as the state agency responsible for monitoring and regulating sources emitting greenhouse gases. The act requires the state board to adopt rules and regulations, as provided, to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reductions to ensure that the statewide greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to at least 40% below the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit, as defined, no later than December 31, 2030. Pursuant to
the act,
its authority,
the state board has adopted the Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulations to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in California, as specified.
This bill would require the state board, beginning no later than January 31, 2026, to reconsider and revise the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce the program’s financial burden on drivers in the state, including by taking specified actions.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF