FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2026
Contact: Michael Blenner, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club California Statement on Newsom’s Final Legislative Update
Today, Governor Newsom issued his final legislative update, and signed and vetoed all remaining bills for the 2026 California legislative session. Newsom signed AB 40 (Bonta) and SB 811 (Caballero) and vetoed AB 2218 (Kalra).
Statement from Asha Sharma, Sierra Club California Deputy Director:
“We applaud Governor Newsom for signing AB 40 (Bonta), which will improve environmental regulation of coal facilities in California. This bill will be crucial for protecting clean water and air across the state. However, we are disappointed that Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2218 (Kalra), which would have protected tribal water rights and strengthened tribal participation in state water decision-making, and signed SB 811 (Caballero), which will allow polluting metal shredding facilities to circumvent state hazardous waste laws.
AB 40 (Bonta) will deliver much needed public health protections to frontline communities who would be harmed by the Trump administration’s efforts to bring back dirty coal to California. As the federal government continues to gut our state’s clean air protections and climate progress, AB 40 will ensure that California remains a national leader in climate and environmental protections.
SB 811 (Caballero) will carve out highly polluting metal shredding facilities from California’s hazardous waste laws, and create a separate, weaker regulatory system in its place. By signing SB 811, Governor Newsom put the interests of toxic, polluting industries over the health of Californians.
AB 2218 (Kalra) would have taken important steps towards addressing historic injustices against California Tribes by requiring state water agencies to incorporate tribal equity into their decision making. Tribes deserve more than symbolic public apologies for state-sanctioned wrongdoings. Tribal communities need a meaningful voice in state decision making that impacts their lives, land, and traditions.”
###
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory arm of Sierra Club’s 13 local chapters in California, representing half a million members and supporters, with a mission to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives. Among Sierra Club’s highest priorities is advocating for federal regulatory policies that address the impacts of climate change, including impacts to the financial system. Sierra Club also has an investment portfolio of approximately $62 million and represents millions of members and supporters, many of whom have significant investments of their own. The Sierra Club and its members seek more reliable and comparable climate-related disclosures.