AB-921
Energy & Environment

Generators: air pollution regulations: income tax credits.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts backup generators from emission regulations during state emergencies with power outages.
  • Provides tax credits up to $3,500 for individuals and small businesses buying backup generators.
  • Limits eligible generator purchases to those costing $7,000 or less between 2026 and 2031.
  • Requires the state to track and publish data on generator tax credit usage through 2031.

Summary

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.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 18 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
ABX-114
Generators: air pollution regulations: income tax credits.
January 2025
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Jeff Gonzalez
Jeff GonzalezR
California State Assembly Member
Steven Choi
Steven ChoiR
California State Senator
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts backup generators from emission regulations during state emergencies with power outages.
  • Provides tax credits up to $3,500 for individuals and small businesses buying backup generators.
  • Limits eligible generator purchases to those costing $7,000 or less between 2026 and 2031.
  • Requires the state to track and publish data on generator tax credit usage through 2031.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Jeff Gonzalez
Jeff GonzalezR
California State Assembly Member
Steven Choi
Steven ChoiR
California State Senator

Summary

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.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 18 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
ABX-114
Generators: air pollution regulations: income tax credits.
January 2025
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1