State Air Resources Board: regulatory authority: revocation.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature but its final status and any executive action are unknown.

Revoking Air Resources Board's Regulatory Powers

This legislation removes the State Air Resources Board's ability to create and change rules about greenhouse gas emissions, but allows it to suggest ideas to lawmakers.

What This Bill Does

• Removes the State Air Resources Board's power to make new or update existing regulations on greenhouse gases.
• Changes laws that gave the board authority over regulations so they now only allow the board to suggest ideas to lawmakers instead of making rules themselves.
• Requires the board to give advice and propose measures to the Legislature for statutory enactment regarding its duties.

Who It Names or Affects

• The State Air Resources Board
• Lawmakers in California

Terms To Know

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Regulations

Rules made by government agencies to enforce laws.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what will happen if the board fails to provide advice or propose measures as required.
• It is unclear how this change will affect California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Official Summary Text

SB 474, as introduced, Niello.
State Air Resources Board: regulatory authority: revocation.
Existing law designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and confers the state board various regulatory authorities, including the authority to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions, as specified.
This bill would revoke all authority of the state board to adopt, revise, or repeal regulations and would declare that any law granting authority to or requiring the state board to adopt, revise, or repeal regulations, or take an action that requires exercising regulatory authority, instead be read as only authorizing the state board to provide advice and propose measures to the Legislature for statutory enactment. The bill
would require the state board to, as necessary, provide advice and propose measures to the Legislature for statutory enactment regarding its duties, as provided. The bill would declare that it does not invalidate or repeal any regulation adopted by the state board before January 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF