The Senate Local Government Committee convened on July 2, 2025, to discuss Assembly Bill 39 (AB 39), aimed at advancing decarbonization efforts in California's transportation and building sectors. The meeting featured key testimonies from representatives of various organizations advocating for the bill's passage.

Brandon Wong, representing CalSTART, emphasized the importance of AB 39 in helping local governments establish decarbonization goals. He highlighted that the transportation sector is responsible for nearly half of California's greenhouse gas emissions and a significant portion of air pollution, which poses public health risks, particularly for low-income communities and people of color. Wong pointed out that a major barrier to electric vehicle (EV) adoption is the lack of public charging infrastructure, especially for residents of multi-family dwellings. He urged the committee to support AB 39 to facilitate the expansion of the EV charging network.

Madison Vanderklei from the Building Decarbonization Coalition echoed these sentiments, noting that both the transportation and building sectors contribute significantly to the state's greenhouse gas emissions. She mentioned California's ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2030 and the goal of creating 7 million climate-ready homes by 2035. Vanderklei stressed the need for local governments to identify and address barriers to building electrification, particularly for renters and disadvantaged communities. She called for support of AB 39 to help facilitate the transition to electric appliances in homes.

The committee also heard from various supporters of the bill, including representatives from California Environmental Voters, Electrify America, and the California Electric Transportation Coalition, all expressing their backing for AB 39.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the collaborative effort required from local governments and organizations to meet California's decarbonization goals. The committee's discussions highlighted the critical role of AB 39 in addressing infrastructure challenges and promoting equitable access to clean energy solutions. Further actions and follow-ups will be necessary as the bill progresses through the legislative process.