California Assembly Bill AB1352

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/25
• Refer: 3/24/25
• Report Pass: 3/24/25
• Refer: 3/25/25
• Failed: 2/2/26

Caption

An act to amend Section 107250 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health. An act to amend Section 39719 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to air resources, and making an appropriation therefor.

Summary

AB 1352 would make two main changes to California law. First, it would amend the Health and Safety Code to require the State Department of Public Health to develop and update a county planning framework for significant air quality events caused by wildfires or other sources. That plan would cover respiratory protection, stockpiling and distribution of masks or other protective equipment, public education on the Air Quality Index, guidance for obtaining oxygen or respiratory medications, and outreach tailored to vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, people with disabilities, the homeless, outdoor workers, tourists, and non-English speakers. Second, the bill would amend the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund spending statute to continuously appropriate 10% of annual fund proceeds to the State Air Resources Board for community air protection programs. The money would support grants, technical assistance, community participation, and incentives tied to specified air quality improvement programs. The bill also contains technical, nonsubstantive changes to existing public health provisions and is described as making an appropriation.

Impact

The bill would expand state-level public health planning requirements for counties facing severe smoke or pollution episodes and would formalize statewide guidance on preparedness and communication during air quality emergencies. It would also create a new ongoing funding stream from cap-and-trade proceeds for community air protection activities, affecting the allocation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund revenues and the programs administered by the Air Resources Board. Counties, public health agencies, air districts, and community-based organizations serving vulnerable populations would be the primary parties affected by the planning provisions, while the state board would gain dedicated funding authority for grants, technical assistance, participation support, and incentives.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears oriented toward public health protection, wildfire smoke preparedness, and community air quality assistance, which are generally framed as protective and preventive policy goals. The inclusion of targeted outreach for vulnerable populations and dedicated funding for local implementation suggests a policy approach likely to be viewed favorably by public health and environmental justice advocates.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill would redirect 10% of annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund proceeds to the Air Resources Board, which could be viewed as competing with other uses of cap-and-trade revenue. Any debate would likely center on whether this ongoing appropriation is the best use of limited climate-related funds and whether the new set-aside should come at the expense of existing programs. Another possible issue is implementation burden, since counties would be expected to develop or follow detailed preparedness and outreach practices, including stockpiling and distribution decisions, which may raise questions about administrative capacity and local costs.