Generators: air pollution regulations: income tax credits.

Assembly Member Castillo, joined by Assembly Member Gonzalez and Senator Choi, proposes modifying California's generator regulations to exempt portable and emergency backup generators from emission standards during declared power emergencies while creating new tax incentives for their purchase. The legislation amends existing air quality rules and establishes tax credits for individuals and small businesses investing in backup power systems.

The bill creates a tax credit program running from 2026 through 2030 that would allow individuals and businesses with 50 or fewer employees to claim up to $3,500 annually for generator purchases not exceeding $7,000. Qualified purchases must be intended for residential or commercial property use. Unused credit amounts may carry forward to future tax years until exhausted. The Franchise Tax Board must publish anonymized data on credit usage through 2031.

Under the amended air quality provisions, the State Air Resources Board's regulations prohibiting emissions from new small off-road engines would not apply to portable or emergency generator sales during governor-declared emergencies involving electrical service disruptions. The board retains its mandate to identify and provide funding for commercial rebates supporting transitions to zero-emission equipment. These regulatory adjustments aim to maintain access to backup power sources during grid failures while preserving broader emission reduction goals.