California Assembly Bill AB1261

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/21
• Refer: 3/18/21
• Report Pass: 3/18/21
• Refer: 3/22/21
• Report Pass: 4/14/21
• Refer: 4/14/21
• Refer: 5/12/21
• Report Pass: 5/20/21
• Engrossed: 6/2/21
• Refer: 6/3/21
• Refer: 6/9/21
• Report Pass: 6/28/21
• Refer: 6/28/21
• Refer: 7/5/21
• Report Pass: 8/26/21
• Enrolled: 9/9/21
• Chaptered: 10/8/21
• Passed: 10/8/21

Caption

State Air Resources Board: greenhouse gas emissions: incentive programs.

Impact

The bill directs CARB to improve its mechanisms for tracking greenhouse gas emissions reductions associated with incentive programs. Such improvements include identifying overlaps among programs that share similar goals and developing metrics that demonstrate the socioeconomic benefits derived from these incentives. As funding for these measures is contingent upon legislative appropriation, the implementation of this bill is designed to enhance the accountability of state-funded programs aimed at reducing emissions and promoting clean technology.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1261, introduced by Assemblymember Burke, amends the Health and Safety Code to enhance the role of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in regulating and managing greenhouse gas emissions. This bill aims to establish clearer processes for evaluating the effectiveness of incentive programs administered by CARB, particularly in terms of their overlap and the behavioral changes they induce. By requiring these processes, AB1261 seeks to assist the state in meeting its climate goals more effectively through refined data collection and evaluation methods.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding AB1261 appears to be generally positive, particularly among environmental advocacy groups and those committed to California's climate change mitigation efforts. Supporters emphasize the importance of data-driven decision making in regulatory practices. However, there may be concerns expressed by some stakeholders about the bill potentially complicating existing structures or delaying the implementation of existing programs due to the additional oversight and data collection requirements.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the expected bureaucratic implications of increased reporting requirements on state resources and the timeliness of achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets. Some critics may argue that the additional layers of evaluation could slow down the process of implementing effective incentive programs. Nonetheless, proponents assert that a thorough understanding of program efficacy will ultimately lead to more successful outcomes in achieving California's ambitious climate goals.