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Panel advances bill affirming CARB authority for statewide indirect‑source rules amid industry and EJ concerns
Summary
AB 9 14 would affirm California Air Resources Board authority to adopt statewide indirect source rules to curb emissions from sites that attract vehicle activity; proponents said ISRs can reduce pollution near ports and warehouses, opponents warned about costs, overlapping programs and expanded fee authority.
Assemblymember Robert Garcia presented AB 9 14, which would affirm the California Air Resources Board’s authority to adopt statewide indirect source rules (ISRs) — regulatory tools designed to reduce emissions from sources that attract polluting vehicle activity, such as ports, large warehouses and freight hubs.
Supporters — including Earthjustice, the American Lung Association and numerous environmental, public‑health and climate organizations — said ISRs are flexible tools for reducing diesel and truck emissions in pollution hotspots. Ada Welder of Earthjustice and Will Barrett of the American Lung Association said local successes, including a warehouse indirect‑source program in the South Coast Air Quality Management District, demonstrate how ISRs can drive installation of infrastructure that supports zero‑emission trucks, the buildout of charging, and other mitigation measures.
Opponents, including the California Retailers Association, California Chamber of Commerce, trucking and warehouse associations, and many business groups, urged caution. They argued the bill would expand CARB’s regulatory and fee‑setting authority, risk duplicative obligations with existing laws (including SB 253 climate disclosure and upcoming extended‑producer responsibility for textiles), and could increase costs for consumers and businesses. Several opponents asserted CARB already has other tools and that local districts have used ISRs when needed; some asked for legislative guardrails before granting statewide fee authority to CARB.
Committee members asked about impacts to small businesses, truck availability for zero‑emission replacements, and whether the measure duplicates established laws. The author and supporters said the bill is designed to enable flexible, locally tailored ISR approaches while preserving stakeholder processes.
After discussion the committee recorded a due‑pass recommendation and referred AB 9 14 to Appropriations for fiscal review.
