SB-88
Energy & Environment

Air resources: carbon emissions: biomass.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes new systems to measure and reduce carbon emissions from forest and agricultural biomass by 2027.
  • Requires state-funded forest projects to include scientific methods for biomass removal and prescribed burns.
  • Mandates development of carbon credit protocols for biochar and other carbon removal products by 2029.
  • Directs state agencies to evaluate biomass use for low-carbon fuel alternatives and energy solutions.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/22/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senator Caballero's biomass emissions legislation directs California agencies to develop new systems for measuring and managing carbon outputs from forest and agricultural materials. The bill requires the State Air Resources Board to create standardized methods for quantifying emissions from fuel reduction activities by 2027 and establish life-cycle emissions measurements for alternative biomass uses by 2028.

Under the measure, the Air Resources Board must evaluate carbon credit protocols for biochar and other carbon removal products derived from agricultural and forest biomass. If deemed appropriate through this assessment, the board would incorporate these protocols into its compliance offset program by 2029. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection must require state-funded forest health projects to include scientifically-verified plans specifying amounts of biomass for physical removal versus prescribed burning.

The legislation also directs the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to document potential applications of agricultural and forest biomass for producing low- and negative-carbon fuels through non-combustion methods. The bill defines agricultural biomass resources as crop, orchard, vineyard and other agricultural residues, excluding crops grown specifically for energy or food. Forest biomass resources encompass materials removed during wildfire mitigation, forest restoration, and protection of public infrastructure.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Anna Caballero
Anna CaballeroD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Tim Grayson
Tim GraysonD
California State Senator
Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

March 19, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8008PASS

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 113
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes new systems to measure and reduce carbon emissions from forest and agricultural biomass by 2027.
  • Requires state-funded forest projects to include scientific methods for biomass removal and prescribed burns.
  • Mandates development of carbon credit protocols for biochar and other carbon removal products by 2029.
  • Directs state agencies to evaluate biomass use for low-carbon fuel alternatives and energy solutions.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Anna Caballero
Anna CaballeroD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Tim Grayson
Tim GraysonD
California State Senator
Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Caballero's biomass emissions legislation directs California agencies to develop new systems for measuring and managing carbon outputs from forest and agricultural materials. The bill requires the State Air Resources Board to create standardized methods for quantifying emissions from fuel reduction activities by 2027 and establish life-cycle emissions measurements for alternative biomass uses by 2028.

Under the measure, the Air Resources Board must evaluate carbon credit protocols for biochar and other carbon removal products derived from agricultural and forest biomass. If deemed appropriate through this assessment, the board would incorporate these protocols into its compliance offset program by 2029. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection must require state-funded forest health projects to include scientifically-verified plans specifying amounts of biomass for physical removal versus prescribed burning.

The legislation also directs the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to document potential applications of agricultural and forest biomass for producing low- and negative-carbon fuels through non-combustion methods. The bill defines agricultural biomass resources as crop, orchard, vineyard and other agricultural residues, excluding crops grown specifically for energy or food. Forest biomass resources encompass materials removed during wildfire mitigation, forest restoration, and protection of public infrastructure.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/22/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 113
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Latest Voting History

March 19, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8008PASS

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author