California Senate thwarts Assembly's attempt to renew cap-and-trade legislation authorization

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D) is taking a new approach to extend California's cap-and-trade program from 2030 to 2045, after the Senate refused to allow amendments to the original bill (AB 1207). The new bill, AB 710, currently stalled in the Assembly, will be the focus of Irwin's efforts.

The move to introduce the language from the initial attempt into AB 710 is expected to be through a process known as gut-and-amend. This process allows for the entire text of a bill to be replaced with new language, bypassing the usual steps of committee hearings and floor votes.

However, the success of introducing the language into AB 710 depends on gaining support from all her Assembly colleagues. If successful, the bill would then be sent to the Senate for consideration.

The Senate's stance on amendments to AB 1207 is well-documented, with the upper house previously refusing to allow any changes to the bill. This could potentially expose fissures within the Assembly, as some colleagues may oppose the use of the gut-and-amend process.

The Senate still controls the bill because it has already passed the Assembly. The new bill (AB 710) was not yet in print as of Tuesday morning, but is expected to be by the end of the week.

The process of gaining support from Assembly colleagues could slow down Irwin's momentum, as she navigates the complexities of the Assembly and seeks to garner support for her proposed extension of California's carbon market. The attempt made on Thursday to insert proposed language into AB 1207 may have foreshadowed the challenges that lie ahead.

If successful, the extension of the cap-and-trade program could have significant implications for California's efforts to combat climate change. The potential for fissures within the Assembly adds an interesting dynamic to the proceedings, as Irwin seeks to push her bill forward.