SB 1161 strengthens transparency and accountability for regulations put forward by CARB. The bill requires that CARB provide analysis of how proposed regulations would affect Californians, before the regulations are implemented. Under the new law, CARB would need to produce an economic impact assessment as to whether proposed rules would increase costs for:
Low- and middle-income households
Small businesses
Disadvantaged communities
If a proposed regulation would raise costs for low- and medium-income households or disadvantaged communities beyond typical cost increases, the appropriate committees of the Legislature would need to hold a public hearing before the regulation could be implemented.
“We need to know how new policies would impact every day Californians before they go into effect,” Sen. Valladares said. “This bill brings transparency to proposed major regulations. Californians should be given a clear explanation, and lawmakers should have an opportunity to review the real-world impacts of proposed new regulations before they go into effect.”