AB 832

This bill makes several key changes to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency in California schools: (1) It requires the State Department of Education, in consultation with health and air quality agencies, to develop comprehensive indoor air quality standards for K-12 schools by July 1, 2027; (2) It extends and modifies the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program by pushing the spending deadline to December 1, 2030 (from 2026) and program sunset to January 1, 2031 (from 2027), expands the definition of noncompliant appliances to include certain water heaters, and gives the Energy Commission flexibility to reallocate funds between ventilation improvement and plumbing/appliance replacement programs after the first two years; (3) It extends annual reporting requirements on program activities through March 1, 2031. The bill also maintains existing requirements for schools to meet ventilation standards while creating new mandates that may require state reimbursement, though it specifies no reimbursement is needed for certain provisions. Additionally, it makes technical changes to utility regulations that could create new crimes under the Public Utilities Act.