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AB 491

Revises provisions relating to elections. (BDR 24-570)

2025 Regular Session

AB 491 sets targets for natural carbon sequestration and nature-based climate solutions (2030, 2038, 2045), updates plans, and tightens accounting for additionality and equity.

Chapter 323.
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Bill Summary · AB 491

AB 491 (Connolly) — Summary

Title: California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: climate goals: natural and working lands
Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 10, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 491 clarifies and strengthens California’s policy direction on using natural and working lands to meet state climate goals. The bill (1) makes it an explicit state goal to achieve targets for natural carbon sequestration and nature‑based climate solutions by their applicable dates, and (2) revises the statutory definition and guidance around “natural carbon sequestration” to emphasize both carbon removal/storage and prevention of emissions on lands.

Key provisions

  • Adds language to Health and Safety Code §38561.5 specifying that it is the state's goal to achieve the Natural Resources Agency’s targets for natural carbon sequestration and nature‑based climate solutions by the applicable dates (targets set for 2030, 2038, and 2045).
  • Directs priority toward activities that most rapidly, significantly, and cost‑effectively:
    • increase carbon stocks and net sequestration,
    • protect and support ecosystem function,
    • reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Revises the definition of “natural carbon sequestration” to explicitly include actions that remove and provide enduring storage in vegetation and soils or prevent emissions; lists examples such as improved forest management, compost application, cover crops, hedgerows, planned grazing, urban forestry, riparian restoration, and tidal wetland restoration.
  • Reinforces that Natural Resources Agency targets (previously developed — April 2024) must be integrated into the State Air Resources Board (CARB) scoping plan and other state policies.
  • Requires the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with CARB, CalEPA, and the Department of Food and Agriculture, to review and update the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (by Jan 1, 2025) to align with the established targets.
  • Specifies required elements of the review/update: descriptions of projects to date; quantified progress on emissions reductions, natural sequestration, and cobenefits; calculation methodologies; summaries of benefits to low‑income, disadvantaged, vulnerable communities, disadvantaged farmers, and Native American tribes; efficacy evaluations; identification of barriers and recommendations; and input from the expert advisory committee.
  • Directs CARB to ensure accounting methods prevent double counting and that any reductions/removals used in market‑based compliance are additional to baseline reductions.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Natural Resources Agency, CARB, CalEPA, Department of Food and Agriculture, and the expert advisory committee.
  • Landowners and managers of natural and working lands (forests, agricultural lands, wetlands, urban forestry).
  • Vulnerable groups referenced: low‑income and disadvantaged communities, disadvantaged farmers, Native American tribes.
  • Climate market participants, due to strengthened accounting/“additionality” language.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Targets referenced in the bill were established by the Natural Resources Agency in April 2024 (California’s Nature‑Based Solutions Climate Targets) for 2025–2045.
  • Key statutory deadlines in the bill: target determination (already completed, by Jan 1, 2024) and strategy update (by Jan 1, 2025).
  • Legislative actions: introduced Feb 10, 2025; amended and reported out of Natural Resources Committee (Mar 24–26); referred to Appropriations (suspense file); held under submission as of May 23, 2025.
  • Fiscal committee review is required (fiscal committee: YES); no appropriation is specified.

Potential impacts (summarized)

  • Could accelerate use of nature‑based climate actions in state planning and funding priorities.
  • Emphasizes rigorous accounting and “additionality” for sequestration claims, potentially affecting how projects qualify for market or compliance mechanisms.
  • Places emphasis on co‑benefits and equity considerations (benefits to disadvantaged communities, tribes, and farmers) in planning and reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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