(a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that moneys shall be appropriated from the fund only in a manner consistent with the requirements of this chapter and Article 9.7 (commencing with Section 16428.8) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) The state shall not approve allocations for a measure or program using moneys appropriated from the fund except after determining, based on the available evidence, that the use of those moneys furthers the regulatory purposes of Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) and is consistent with law. If any expenditure of moneys from the fund for any measure or project is determined by a court to be inconsistent with law, the allocations for the remaining measures or projects shall be severable and shall not be affected.

(3) An eligible expenditure of moneys appropriated to the Department of Community Services and Development may occur over multiple fiscal years and the department may make multiyear funding commitments over a period of more than one fiscal year.

(b) Moneys shall be used to facilitate the achievement of reductions of greenhouse gas emissions in this state consistent with Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) and, where applicable and to the extent feasible:

(1) Maximize economic, environmental, and public health benefits to the state.

(2) Foster job creation by promoting in-state greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects carried out by California workers and businesses.

(3) Complement efforts to improve air quality.

(4) Direct investment toward the most disadvantaged communities and households in the state.

(5) Provide opportunities for businesses, public agencies, Native American tribes in the state, nonprofits, and other community institutions to participate in and benefit from statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(6) Lessen the impacts and effects of climate change on the state’s communities, economy, and environment.

(c) Moneys appropriated from the fund may be allocated, consistent with subdivision (a), for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this state through investments that may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy generation, distributed renewable energy generation, transmission and storage, and other related actions, including, but not limited to, at public universities, state and local public buildings, and industrial and manufacturing facilities.

(2) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development of state?of?the?art systems to move goods and freight, advanced technology vehicles and vehicle infrastructure, advanced biofuels, and low?carbon and efficient public transportation.

(3) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water use and supply, land and natural resource conservation and management, forestry, and sustainable agriculture.

(4) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic planning and development of sustainable infrastructure projects, including, but not limited to, transportation and housing.

(5) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased in-state diversion of municipal solid waste from disposal through waste reduction, diversion, and reuse.

(6) Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through investments in programs implemented by local and regional agencies, local and regional collaboratives, Native American tribes in the state, and nonprofit organizations coordinating with local governments.

(7) Funding research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies, measures, and practices related to programs and projects funded pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Moneys directed to grant, loan, voucher, or other incentive programs shall be conditioned on the requirements of Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 39680), as applicable.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 748, Sec. 5. (AB 794) Effective January 1, 2022.)