Energy & Environment

Prohibits the sale of high-speed electric bicycles to anyone under 16 years of age. Establishes a fine of up to $250 for retailers who sell class 3 electric bicycles to minors. Complements existing law that already bans riders under 16 from operating class 3 electric bicycles.

Establishes a mandatory recycling fee on all new mattress purchases in California to fund recycling programs. Allows retailers to pay recycling fees directly to recycling organizations on behalf of consumers. Requires sellers to educate consumers about free mattress drop-off and collection options. Mandates clear disclosure of the recycling fee as a separate line item on purchase documents.

Prohibits the sale of applications that can modify electric bicycle speed capabilities beyond legal limits. Requires all electric bicycle manufacturers to certify compliance with federal safety standards. Mandates that electric bicycle motors must automatically disengage when brakes are applied. Exempts electric bicycle operators from vehicle registration, licensing, and insurance requirements.

Increases Energy Commission certification fees to $750,000 for initial deposits and $70,000 for annual renewals. Extends funding for clean energy projects through the Electric Program Investment Charge program until January 2028. Appropriates $132 million for zero-emission truck and bus voucher incentives through 2027. Requires fossil fuel backup facilities to operate only during extreme grid events.

Requires utilities to provide climate credits on residential bills during July, August, and September annually. Changes climate credits from flat amounts to rates based on electricity usage. Allows utilities to use up to 15% of climate credit funds for clean energy projects.

Exempts emergency evacuation route projects from environmental review in high-fire-risk subdivisions through 2032. Requires public agencies to meet strict environmental protection criteria and hold public meetings. Mandates consultation with wildlife officials and professional oversight during tree removal. Applies only to subdivisions with over 30 homes that lack adequate evacuation routes.

Streamlines coastal development permits for university housing projects by deferring parking space decisions to universities. Establishes a fast-track 10-day review process for minor development plan changes that have no coastal impact. Requires the Coastal Commission to prioritize public transit over parking in university development plans. Mandates monthly public online tracking of all university coastal development plans and amendments.

Establishes a new Public Transmission Financing Fund to support clean energy infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships. Creates a streamlined permitting program to expedite local approval of clean energy projects with expert support and funding. Requires utilities to submit comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans every 4 years with enhanced safety and monitoring requirements. Mandates utilities to finance $15 billion in infrastructure undergrounding projects through ratepayer-protected financing mechanisms.

Establishes a pilot program to reduce emissions from cargo handling equipment at California ports and rail yards. Requires cargo handling equipment to meet strict emission standards of less than 1g CO2 per kWh or km. Protects qualifying equipment purchased before December 31, 2027 from being banned during its useful life. Mandates manufacturers to obtain third-party validation of emission certifications and label qualifying equipment.

Requires utilities to report on microgrid incentive funding status to state regulators by January 2026. Prioritizes unspent microgrid funds for areas experiencing multiple power shutoffs. Directs funding to vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure during power outages. Allows regulators to appoint third-party administrators to manage the microgrid program.

Expands hazardous materials management funding eligibility to all California counties under 150,000 residents. Provides up to 75% of program costs for counties with fewer than 70,000 residents. Caps total funding at $60,000 per eligible county. Requires legislative budget approval before funds can be distributed.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to assess zero-carbon energy needs and opportunities by December 2026. Mandates identification of priority regions for deploying firm zero-carbon resources to ensure grid reliability. Establishes requirements to analyze market barriers and solutions for zero-carbon energy deployment. Creates a framework to evaluate clean energy resources for local and system-wide reliability.

Authorizes gasoline with 10.5-15% ethanol content to be sold immediately in California to reduce fuel prices. Requires state environmental review and regulations before permanent approval of higher ethanol blends. Takes effect immediately as an urgency measure to address gasoline prices.

Extends the alternative energy tax exclusion program through 2031 to promote California manufacturing and clean energy. Doubles the annual tax exclusion cap to $200 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects. Expands eligibility to include nuclear fusion technology projects and out-of-state manufacturers. Requires impact reporting on job creation and environmental benefits by January 2027.

Strengthens oversight of coastal oil and gas operations by requiring new permits for facilities idle over 3 years. Mandates use of best available pipeline technology for transporting oil from offshore to processing facilities. Expands environmental review criteria for oil lease transfers and modifications in state waters. Requires public hearings before approving any lease changes that would increase oil transport volumes.

Expands the Offshore Wind Protection Program to provide grants to local communities and tribes impacted by wind projects. Requires offshore wind companies to report all donations to local groups every 90 days for public disclosure. Mandates annual state reports on how capacity funding grants benefit communities affected by wind development. Authorizes funding for infrastructure readiness and environmental impact monitoring of offshore wind facilities.

Exempts historical vehicles over 35 years old from smog check requirements starting January 2027. Requires exempt vehicles to have special historical plates and collector vehicle insurance. Imposes an $8 fee on transfers of vehicles four years old or newer. Maintains existing smog check exemptions for pre-1976 vehicles and other qualified categories.

Extends property tax exclusions for solar energy systems through 2031 to promote renewable energy adoption. Establishes new qualification criteria for solar systems based on capacity and property type. Requires local tax assessors to evaluate and process solar system exclusion claims without state reimbursement. Maintains tax benefits for qualifying systems until property ownership changes.

Requires state agencies to reduce paper use by 30% and achieve 50% reusable foodware options by 2030. Mandates state agencies to submit waste management plans by July 2027 for department review and approval. Establishes water bottle refill stations across state facilities to reduce single-use plastic waste. Requires state agencies to purchase plastic bottles with at least 25% recycled content starting January 2026.

Streamlines environmental review for large waterfront development projects in San Diego's port district. Requires the Coastal Commission to review development plans within 60 days of submission. Mandates final decisions on port master plan amendments within 90 days of receiving complete documentation. Authorizes the Coastal Commission to charge fees to developers for processing project applications.

Establishes a new Clean Energy Infrastructure Authority to accelerate development of transmission lines and clean energy projects. Requires electrical utilities to submit comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans every 4 years instead of annually. Creates the POWER Program to reimburse utilities for public policy expenditures that benefit the general public. Mandates larger climate credits for low-income customers enrolled in CARE and FERA assistance programs.

Requires aggregate facilities near homes and schools to control dust emissions through new monitoring systems by 2027. Mandates facilities to maintain storage piles under 8 feet tall and install protective fencing around the property. Requires full enclosure of storage piles by July 2027 for facilities repeatedly exceeding pollution limits. Establishes monthly inspections for facilities that exceed particulate matter limits near sensitive areas.

Extends California's wildfire technology research and mitigation programs through 2031. Maintains the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development's role in testing emerging fire prevention tools. Preserves the state's wildfire mitigation financial assistance program for property owners. Requires annual reporting on program effectiveness and wildfire risk reduction outcomes.

Establishes new financial incentives for industrial facilities to decarbonize their heat and power systems. Requires construction projects to use union labor agreements that include local hiring and apprenticeship provisions. Creates a thermal energy storage program to help industrial facilities reduce peak electricity demand. Prioritizes funding for projects that benefit under-resourced communities and reduce air pollution.

Requires beverage manufacturers to report the origin of imported recycled plastic used in containers by March 1 annually. Mandates third-party validation of recycled content in beverage containers using specific ISO standards. Requires public posting of manufacturer recycling reports on the state website within 45 days. Exempts refillable plastic beverage containers from these reporting requirements.