AB 1704: Greenhouse gases: embodied carbon building materials.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law requires, by December 31, 2026, the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, as provided, to develop a framework for measuring the average carbon intensity of the materials used in the construction of new buildings, including those for residential uses. Existing law requires, by December 31, 2028, the state board to develop a comprehensive strategy for the state’s building sector to achieve a 40% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of building materials, as specified, as soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 2035. Existing law authorizes the state board to establish an embodied carbon trading system, as defined, in compliance with these requirements, as provided.

This bill would require the state board to determine whether using building materials with lower embodied carbon would be cost effective during the first 2-year period of their use compared to using conventional building materials before implementing the above-described provisions. If the state board determines that using building materials with lower embodied carbon would not be cost effective during the first 2-year period of their use compared to using conventional building materials, the bill would require the state board to delay or suspend, as applicable, implementation of those provisions for not less than 5 years, not to exceed 10 years in total.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 10, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. July 29, 2026In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
4. June 23, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
5. June 22, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 17).
6. May 27, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
7. May 6, 2026Referred to Com. on E.Q.
8. April 28, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
9. April 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 59. Noes 0. Page 4836.)
10. April 23, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. April 22, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22).
12. April 9, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR.