Jones introduces bill to repeal Newsom’s 65 cent gas price hike

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones is rolling up his sleeves and taking action to provide relief to millions of drivers at the pumps in California.

On the first day of the new legislative session, Leader Jones introduced Senate Bill 2, which would repeal the California Air Resources Boar’s recently passed Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulation, which is expected to lower gasoline prices will increase by 65 cents per gallon. The bill is co-authored by the entire Senate Republican Caucus. Click here to read the text of the bill and here to download the fact sheet.

“Californians already pay the highest gas prices in the country, and Gavin Newsom’s policy agenda is about to drive them even higher,” Jones said. “Our top priority is protecting Californians at the pump. SB 2 will immediately repeal the Newsom administration’s 65 cent gas price increase and end its recent price gouging program.”

Specifically, SB 2 repeals the new LCFS regulations adopted by CARB on November 8, 2024. A study published by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania shows that these regulations could increase gas prices by 65 cents per gallon in the near term, 85 cents per gallon by 2030 and $1.50 per gallon by 2030 2035.

A nationwide petition opposing the gas price hike, circulated by members of the Senate Republican caucus, garnered nearly 13,000 signatures in just one week. Despite a lack of transparency and public outcry, CARB unanimously passed the costly regulation.

“Californians need relief, and we have an immediate opportunity to do so on day one,” said Senator Suzette Martinez. “This bill is an important opportunity for us to reduce costs and make life more affordable for everyone in California.”

CARB is made up of wealthy political appointees selected by the governor and is responsible for implementing Newsom’s plan to convert all California vehicles to electric by 2035.

He recently called on the board to increase its efforts to achieve these goals and to “increase the stringency of the low-carbon fuel standard” since California is currently not on track to meet the governor’s mandate.

“The Air Resources Board’s 65 cent gas price increase is a direct attack on hard-working Californians,” Jones continued. “This unelected group of wealthy bureaucrats, hand-picked and led by Governor Newsom, are shamelessly raising gasoline prices, forcing Californians into electric vehicles against their will. SB 2 will stop his plan and keep costs stable for Californians.”