Archuleta proposes Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act to assign state regulator, set standards

Senator Archuleta opened the hearing on Senate Bill 804 by asking the committee to adopt the measure that would establish a clear state safety regulator for hydrogen pipelines. "I'm pleased to present Senate Bill 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act," he said, adding that the bill “does not approve any projects” but ensures safety rules are in place if pipelines are built.

The bill would designate the Office of the State Fire Marshal as the enforcement authority for hydrogen pipelines and direct the Fire Marshal to adopt hydrogen‑specific safety standards and a fee structure to administer the program. Archuleta told the committee his office worked with the governor’s office and the State Fire Marshal to develop technical amendments and said the changes will give the Fire Marshal “the tools of enforcement and a fee structure sufficient to administer the new program.”

Supporters included representatives of the pipe trades and building and construction trades, who said the bill is a prudent step for public safety and workforce readiness. Mike Monaghan of the State Building Trades told the committee he was grateful for the senator’s work in the hydrogen space. Martin Vindiola of the California State Pipe Trades Council said the bill would help demonstrate that hydrogen pipelines can be built and operated safely so the state can meet its climate goals.

Air Products — operator of the only hydrogen pipeline currently in California — expressed qualified opposition to the amended bill. Ryan McCarthy said the company supports the author’s intent to set clear safety jurisdiction but asked for additional changes and consultation so that the single existing pipeline and its operator are accounted for in any rulemaking. He said Air Products has operated its pipeline "for decades without incident under an existing effective federal regulatory regime." McCarthy added concern about "open‑ended fee language" that could make the firm bear the full cost of developing the regulations.

Archuleta and committee members sought to balance those concerns while stressing that a clear state safety regime is needed as hydrogen deployment grows. The measure was taken up by the committee and placed on call for absent members to add votes; committee staff and the author said they would accept the committee’s amendments.

What’s next: The committee took the measure under submission and left the roll open; the author indicated willingness to continue working with stakeholders on clarifying amendments.