AB 1238 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Energy Consumer Freedom Act.

Summary
Existing law prohibits new residential-type gas appliances that are equipped with a pilot light from being sold in the state 24 months after an intermittent ignition device has been demonstrated and certified by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, as specified. Existing law requires the State Air Resources Board to adopt and implement motor vehicle emission standards, in-use performance standards, and motor vehicle fuel specifications for the control of air contaminants and sources of air pollution that the state board has found necessary, cost effective, and technologically feasible, as specified. Pursuant to its authority, the state board has adopted regulations, known as Advanced Clean Cars II, which reduce emissions from passenger cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles sold in California, including a requirement that 100% of new vehicle sales be zero emission by 2035. This bill, the California Energy Consumer Freedom Act, would prohibit state agencies and local governments from adopting or enforcing a rule, regulation, resolution, or ordinance that directly or indirectly results in prohibiting the use of gas appliances in residential or nonresidential buildings, and the buying, selling, or use of gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Last action Feb 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

02/21/25 - Introduced 03/27/25 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · Mar 27, 2025
MODERATE
AB 1238 was significantly expanded in its amended version to become the California Energy Consumer Freedom Act. The most substantive change is the addition of a new provision (Health and Safety Code Section 43013.4) that prohibits state agencies and local governments from banning gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment, directly targeting regulations like CARB's Advanced Clean Cars II rule requiring 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. The original gas stove protection provision was retained with minor wording changes.
SCOPE

A new section (43013.4 Health and Safety Code) prohibits state agencies and local governments from adopting or enforcing rules that directly or indirectly result in prohibiting the buying, selling, or use of gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment. This is a major expansion beyond the original gas-stove-only focus.

The bill is now formally named the 'California Energy Consumer Freedom Act' via a new Section 1 providing a short title.

DEFINITION

The gas stove provision (now renumbered as Section 3) changes language from 'prohibiting the use of gas stoves' to 'prohibiting the use of gas stoves appliances,' broadening the category slightly beyond just stoves.

TECHNICAL

The legislative counsel's digest now includes background on CARB's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations (requiring 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2035), providing explicit context for the new gasoline vehicle prohibition.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Introduced
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced. To print.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaio
RRepublican
CA
75