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Senate committee advances bill to standardize local hydrogen fire‑safety procedures
Summary
AB 716, carried by Assemblymember Carrillo, would provide a predictable framework for local governments on hydrogen fire‑safety and allow limited events at vineyard sites; industry groups and the International Code Council asked for clarifying amendments. The committee moved the item to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Carrillo presented AB 716 as part of California’s shift toward a low‑carbon energy portfolio, arguing that hydrogen will be critical for hard‑to‑decarbonize sectors and that local governments need predictability on fire‑safety requirements for hydrogen facilities.
“Hydrogen's unique properties require additional engineering and safety considerations,” Carrillo told the committee, noting the bill grew out of a request from the city of Lancaster. Teresa Cook of the California Hydrogen Coalition said the coalition removed its opposition after committee amendments and thanked staff for changes that addressed some industry concerns.
Ed Manning, representing the International Code Council, urged caution and additional technical work. Manning said existing California codes already contain many hydrogen safety protections and that a new national hydrogen code is expected next year after years of stakeholder work. “There are a litany of existing health and safety protections in California law in the existing codes,” Manning said, and asked legislators to resolve outstanding questions before the bill reaches the Senate floor.
Committee members pressed the author about the strength of the adopted amendments and whether they would be part of the bill as it moves forward. Senator Archuleta said he would support the bill after the author confirmed he accepted the committee amendments and would continue stakeholder engagement.
The committee recorded a motion to pass the bill as amended to the Appropriations Committee and placed the item on call pending quorum. The author reiterated a commitment to continue working with fire‑safety experts and code officials as the measure proceeds.
Why it matters: California is expanding hydrogen deployment for decarbonization. AB 716 seeks to give local governments consistent guidance on fire safety so that jurisdictions can permit hydrogen facilities with greater confidence; code agencies asked for time to align the bill with forthcoming consensus code language.
Next steps: The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee. The author and stakeholders will continue negotiations on technical code alignment and public‑safety provisions.
