All Roll Calls
Yes: 245 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 702025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Solid waste: pyrolysis.
Sponsored By: Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
21 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.
Flexible ways to meet procurement goals
Local governments get more ways to meet their buying goals. They can count certain direct spending toward up to 10% of the goal through December 31, 2035. Before new rules, every $21.38 spent counts as one ton. Starting January 1, 2027, they can choose a five‑year target (five times the annual target) and must notify the state. They can also set per‑person targets using a recent local waste study. Jurisdictions can get credit for purchases made due to their ordinances even without a direct service agreement, with records and no double counting.
More edible food rescued by 2025
The state requires rules to recover at least 20% of edible food that is now thrown away by 2025. This gets more safe food to people instead of landfills. Local food recovery programs and partners grow to reach the goal.
More options for local organics purchases
The law expands what counts toward local organics buying goals. By January 1, 2027, pipeline biomethane made only from landfill‑diverted organic waste counts. Cities may count up to 10% from tree‑trimming mulch and from edible food (1 ton = 1 ton). Small compost sites count if under 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet and they meet safety limits. Local ordinances can trigger credit without a direct contract when records verify it. CalRecycle may also set a “1 ton waste = 1 ton local compost applied” factor, and jurisdictions must follow counting rules.
Penalty relief for 2022 noncompliance
Cities and counties with violations that began in 2022 can file a formal notice to comply by March 1, 2022. The state must reply within 45 business days. If the plan is approved and followed, 2022 penalties are waived. For violations that continue, penalties can start January 1, 2023 unless the area reaches full compliance under a corrective plan. The state can set the maximum deadlines in the plan and revoke relief if the plan is not followed.
Local fees to fund organics rules
Your city or county can charge fees to cover the cost of meeting the state’s organic waste rules. These fees can show up on trash or utility bills. The law does not set fee amounts. Local boards decide the rates.
Cities must meet recovered product targets
Local governments must buy recovered organic products on a set schedule. They must meet at least 30% of their target in 2023, 65% in 2024, and 100% in 2025. The state can fine jurisdictions that miss these levels, up to existing penalty caps.
Local fees and financing for organics
Local governments can charge fees to recover their organics program costs. This can raise trash or utility bills in your area. The state also shares financing options with facility owners and operators to cut methane. Cities and counties can give away compost or mulch and pay incentives, which is a legal public purpose.
Penalty relief path for 2022 violations
Local governments with violations that began in 2022 can seek penalty relief. They must file a written notice adopted by the governing body by March 1, 2022. CalRecycle must respond in writing within 45 business days. If the notice is approved and actions are done on schedule, 2022 penalties are waived. Penalties for violations that continue can start January 1, 2023, but are waived after full corrective compliance. CalRecycle can set the maximum plan deadlines, and it can revoke approval and charge retroactive penalties if a plan is not followed.
Phased organics rules and penalty delays
The state must set organics rules to meet climate goals. Local governments can be required to set rules for waste generators and fine them for not following them. The rules can be phased by each area’s progress. State rules take effect on or after January 1, 2022, and local penalties on generators start two years after the rules take effect. The state can also adjust the procurement schedule without full rulemaking.
What counts toward city buy targets
Mulch from tree trimming and edible food recovery can count for up to 10% of a city’s target. One ton of edible food counts as one ton of organic waste. Compost from small operations (like worm or mushroom compost) can count if it meets safety limits and local rules. By January 1, 2027, pipeline biomethane made only from diverted organic waste also counts. Cities must follow state rules to claim credit for these products.
Financing info for methane controls
The state can share financing options with solid waste facility owners and operators. It works with two financing authorities to point to loans or funding for methane capture or emission cuts. This is information only; it does not provide money itself.
Bear-proof bins skip lid colors
Bear‑resistant trash bins do not have to follow the standard lid color rules. Places that use bear‑proof bins can keep their existing lids and avoid extra changes.
Caps on fines in organics rules
The law caps any fines in the state’s organics rules at the existing legal maximum. This limits how much local governments or operators can be charged for violations.
Flexible timelines and limits for organics rules
CalRecycle can set different rule levels and timelines based on each area’s progress. The rules take effect on or after January 1, 2022, but penalties start two years later. The department can issue an adjusted procurement schedule without the usual APA process. It can use emergency rules through January 1, 2024. Penalties cannot exceed Section 41850 limits, and the rules cannot set numeric landfill caps.
More compost sources count toward targets
Local governments can count more types of compost toward their buying targets. This includes vermicompost, mushroom compost, and small sites that stay under 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet. The compost must meet safety limits and be used on land. The city or county must adopt an ordinance to enforce this.
No landfill organic waste caps
The state cannot set a numeric organic waste limit for each landfill. It must use other tools to meet statewide goals. This keeps operating flexibility for landfill owners and local programs.
Rural areas keep organics exemptions longer
If your area had a rural exemption on January 1, 2024, it stays exempt from organics collection and buying rules until January 1, 2037. After 2037, the state can renew these exemptions for up to five years at a time.
Rural relief and bear bin exceptions
Rural jurisdictions with a current exemption stay exempt from collection and procurement rules until January 1, 2037. CalRecycle will set a renewal process for up to five‑year periods after that. People covered by low‑population or elevation waivers are excluded from target population counts. Bear‑resistant bins do not have to follow the lid color rule.
Studies to boost food recovery and soils
CalRecycle must study how edible food recovery can bring more local benefits. It also looks at when recovered food should go to local animal feed. The department studies ways to encourage carbon‑farming and healthier soils. These are planning steps that can lead to future programs.
Waived residents left out of targets
The state leaves out people covered by low‑population or high‑elevation waivers when it sets a city or county’s organics buying target. This lowers targets for places that have those waivers.
Sets a clear pyrolysis definition
The law defines pyrolysis as breaking down material at high heat with little or no oxygen. This aligns how agencies and permits use the term. It does not by itself add new costs or benefits for households.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/11/2025
Item 19 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 80 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/10/2025
Item 183 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/14/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/2/2025
Vote in CS64
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 6/2/2025
Item 314 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 79 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 11 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/24/2025
Vote in CX16
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 678, Statutes of 2025.
10/13/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/13/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
9/23/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3287.).
9/11/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/10/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2823.).
9/10/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/8/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/5/2025SenateOrdered to third reading.
9/3/2025SenateFrom special consent calendar.
9/3/2025SenateOrdered to special consent calendar.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7/14/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/2/2025SenateReferred to Com. on E.Q.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1895.)
6/2/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseRead second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
5/23/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseAssembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
4/9/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/25/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
3/12/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/13/2025
Enrolled
9/15/2025
Amended Senate
9/5/2025
Amended Assembly
5/23/2025
Amended Assembly
3/11/2025
Introduced
12/11/2024