CaliforniaVetoed bill would have set rules for California biomass parks
AB 1666 was vetoed; it would have directed California agencies to identify wood waste parks and set rules for park proposals and projects.
What it does
The agency would choose one or more parks and seek proposals. Parks could process California wood waste into products without burning it, and would need air quality and community benefit rules.
The agency would run a grants and financing program for the parks, but the text does not set aside money or promise that projects will receive funding.
State agencies would assess wood waste supplies, help public agencies arrange long-term forest residue supplies, and track where forest biomass comes from.
The agency would report to lawmakers about the parks it identifies.
Argument forUsing California wood waste in nonburning projects could support useful products while giving nearby communities a formal benefits program.
Argument againstApplicants might face added planning and tracking work, and parks could have fewer project options because they must use California wood waste and nonburning technology.
More detail
The Natural Resources Agency would identify one or more parks and seek proposals to develop, run, and manage them. Eligible applicants may propose parks that process forest or agricultural residues; feedstock grown mainly to produce energy is excluded. Eligible applicants include public agencies, California Native American tribes, nonprofits, joint powers authorities, and special districts. Parks could process only wood waste from California and host projects using nonburning technology to make carbon-beneficial products or end uses. Supporting heat systems are allowed. Parks must follow regional air quality rules, set up a community benefits program, and favor projects developed by or with a California Native American tribe. Existing facilities may propose expansions that meet these rules, and eligible proposals may include mobile processing. The text establishes a grants and financing program but does not set aside money or guarantee that parks or projects will receive funding. The agency would identify the parks on or before September 30, 2027.
The Natural Resources Agency would set up a grants and financing program for the parks. The program concerns parks covered by the Act. The program is for purposes of the Biomass Innovation Parks Act. The text does not provide a funding amount or guarantee awards.
The Natural Resources Agency would assess regional wood waste supplies, help public agencies arrange long-term supplies of forest residues, and create a system to track their origins. The supply support concerns forest residues from federal government and nonindustrial private lands. The agency would coordinate with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the Department of Food and Agriculture. Supply support concerns forest residues from federal government and nonindustrial private lands; it may include technical assistance.
The Natural Resources Agency would report information about identified parks to the Legislature. The report would cover parks identified under the Act. The report must follow the Legislature's standard filing rules. The report would be due on or before December 31, 2027. This reporting requirement would end on January 1, 2032.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.Latest
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6632.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1666 Rogers Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1666 Rogers By McNerney. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 18Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 2Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 2From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1).Major
- Jul 1
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.Major
- Jun 10Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.Minor
- May 28In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1666 Rogers Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 5472.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 28Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 27Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 20).Major
- Apr 20
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.Minor
- Mar 19From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 19Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.Minor
- Jan 30From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.
- Jan 29Read first time. To print.Introduced
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