Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that appropriates funds for climate change reform in California.

Highlights:

• Increases the salary of the chairperson of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) by 5% for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 fiscal years (Sec. 1).

• Extends the authorization for the Energy Commission to award follow-on funding for projects under the Electric Program Investment Charge program until January 1, 2028 (Sec. 6).

• Increases the application fee for certification to construct certain electrical generating facilities from $250,000 to $750,000, and the annual fee to retain certification from $25,000 to $70,000 (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits facilities that operate under the Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program and use any form of fossil fuel from operating outside of extreme events (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes the use of any additional funding appropriated by the Legislature to the Energy Commission for demand side grid support and associated mitigation costs (Sec. 9).

• Repeals the restriction on block grants or incentive programs through the Clean Transportation Program that required them to be administered by public or not-for-profit entities, and authorizes that funding stream for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes the State Air Resources Board to charge annual fees for deficiencies of motor vehicles and engines sold in the state, and to cover the costs for deficiencies of off-road engines and equipment, aftermarket parts, and emissions control components (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates $132,175,000 from the Air Pollution Control Fund to the State Air Resources Board for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that no more than 5% of the funds appropriated to the State Air Resources Board may be used to cover administrative costs (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates funds for climate change reform in California.

Highlights:

• Increases the salary of the chairperson of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) by 5% for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 fiscal years (Sec. 1).

• Extends the authorization for the Energy Commission to award follow-on funding for projects under the Electric Program Investment Charge program until January 1, 2028 (Sec. 6).

• Increases the application fee for certification to construct certain electrical generating facilities from $250,000 to $750,000, and the annual fee to retain certification from $25,000 to $70,000 (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits facilities that operate under the Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program and use any form of fossil fuel from operating outside of extreme events (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes the use of any additional funding appropriated by the Legislature to the Energy Commission for demand side grid support and associated mitigation costs (Sec. 9).

• Repeals the restriction on block grants or incentive programs through the Clean Transportation Program that required them to be administered by public or not-for-profit entities, and authorizes that funding stream for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes the State Air Resources Board to charge annual fees for deficiencies of motor vehicles and engines sold in the state, and to cover the costs for deficiencies of off-road engines and equipment, aftermarket parts, and emissions control components (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates $132,175,000 from the Air Pollution Control Fund to the State Air Resources Board for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that no more than 5% of the funds appropriated to the State Air Resources Board may be used to cover administrative costs (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text