SB-441
Energy & Environment

State Air Resources Board: membership: removal: regulations: review.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes the Legislature to remove Air Resources Board members for incompetence or corruption.
  • Requires economic analysis for regulations costing California consumers over $10 million.
  • Mandates publication of all board documents 72 hours before votes with no last-minute changes.
  • Adds two non-voting legislative members to the Air Resources Board.

Summary

Senator Hurtado's proposal to modify California's Air Resources Board operations introduces new oversight mechanisms and transparency requirements while establishing additional economic analysis protocols for major regulations. The legislation would authorize the Legislature to remove board members through a concurrent resolution adopted by majority vote, citing dereliction of duty, corruption, or incompetency as grounds for dismissal.

For proposed regulations that would impose costs exceeding $10 million on California consumers, the bill requires the Air Resources Board to obtain an independent economic analysis from the Legislative Analyst's Office. The analysis must evaluate cost-effectiveness and distributional effects, with the board required to publish a response addressing these findings at least 30 days before adopting any regulation.

The measure also implements new transparency protocols, mandating that the board publish all final resolutions, supporting documents, and proposed regulations on its website 72 hours before any vote. Once published, these materials cannot be amended before the vote occurs. The bill maintains the board's current 14-member structure while adding two non-voting legislative representatives - one appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and another by the Assembly Speaker.

These provisions would apply to the board's full regulatory scope, including its role implementing California's greenhouse gas reduction programs under existing state law. The Legislative Analyst's Office would need to develop new analytical capabilities to fulfill its expanded role examining the economic implications of major air quality regulations.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
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.

Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes the Legislature to remove Air Resources Board members for incompetence or corruption.
  • Requires economic analysis for regulations costing California consumers over $10 million.
  • Mandates publication of all board documents 72 hours before votes with no last-minute changes.
  • Adds two non-voting legislative members to the Air Resources Board.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Hurtado's proposal to modify California's Air Resources Board operations introduces new oversight mechanisms and transparency requirements while establishing additional economic analysis protocols for major regulations. The legislation would authorize the Legislature to remove board members through a concurrent resolution adopted by majority vote, citing dereliction of duty, corruption, or incompetency as grounds for dismissal.

For proposed regulations that would impose costs exceeding $10 million on California consumers, the bill requires the Air Resources Board to obtain an independent economic analysis from the Legislative Analyst's Office. The analysis must evaluate cost-effectiveness and distributional effects, with the board required to publish a response addressing these findings at least 30 days before adopting any regulation.

The measure also implements new transparency protocols, mandating that the board publish all final resolutions, supporting documents, and proposed regulations on its website 72 hours before any vote. Once published, these materials cannot be amended before the vote occurs. The bill maintains the board's current 14-member structure while adding two non-voting legislative representatives - one appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and another by the Assembly Speaker.

These provisions would apply to the board's full regulatory scope, including its role implementing California's greenhouse gas reduction programs under existing state law. The Legislative Analyst's Office would need to develop new analytical capabilities to fulfill its expanded role examining the economic implications of major air quality regulations.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
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.

Contacts

Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Committee Member