CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2024, VOLUME NUMBER 17–Z
483
public inspection during normal working hours at the 
State Personnel Board, 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramen -
to, CA 95814. Items 1 through 3 are also available on 
the Board’s website at www.spb.ca.gov  under “What’s 
New?” Copies may be obtained by contacting the per -
son via the address, email, or phone number listed 
above.
AVAILABILITY OF CHANGED OR 
MODIFIED TEXT
After considering all timely and relevant comments 
received, the Board may adopt the proposed regula -
tions substantially as described in this notice. If the 
Board makes modifications that are sufficiently related 
to the originally proposed text, it will make the mod -
ified text (with the changes clearly indicated) avail -
able to the public for at least 15 days before the Board 
adopts the regulations as revised. Please send requests 
for copies of any modified regulations to the atten -
tion of the person at the address indicated above. The 
Board will accept written comments on the modified 
regulations for 15 days after the date on which they are 
made available to the public.
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL 
STATEMENT OF REASONS
It is anticipated that the proposed regulations will be 
filed with the Office of Administrative Law and shall 
include a Final Statement of Reasons. Copies of the 
Final Statement of Reasons may be obtained from the 
contact person when it becomes available.
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS 
ON THE  INTERNET
Copies of the Notice of Proposed Action, the Ini -
tial Statement of Reasons, and the text of the regula -
tions in underline and strikeout can be accessed on 
the Board’s website at www.spb.ca.gov  under “What’s 
New?”
TITLE 4.  DEPARTMENT OF 
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
FUEL SPECIFICATIONS AND 
LABELING OF NATURAL GAS
The California Department of Food and Agriculture 
(Department) proposes to adopt California Code of 
Regulations (CCR) Title 4, Sections 4192.1 and 4192.2 
relating to fuel quality specification requirements for 
natural gas used as motor vehicle fuel. The Depart -
ment proposes to amend CCR Title 4, Section 4206 relating to labeling requirements for natural gas mo -
tor vehicle fuel dispensers. The Department also pro -
poses to relocate Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 
natural gas motor vehicle fuel dispenser labeling re -
quirements from CCR Title 4, Section 4207 to Sec -
tion 4206.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Department did not schedule a public hearing. 
One will be scheduled if any interested person or his 
or her duly authorized representative submits a writ -
ten request to the Department no later than 15 calen -
dar days prior to the close of the written comment pe -
riod. Address the request for a hearing to the primary 
contact person below.
WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD
Any interested person or his or her authorized rep -
resentative may submit to the Department written 
comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action 
by email, fax, or mail addressed to the primary con -
tact person listed below. Please include “Fuel Speci -
fications and Labeling of Natural Gas” in the subject 
line of any email, fax, or letter regarding this rulemak -
ing. The written comment period begins on April 26, 
2024, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 11, 2024.
AUTHORITY/REFERENCE
The secretary of the Department is granted author -
ity to adopt such regulations as is reasonably neces -
sary to carry out the provisions of Division 5 of the 
Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 12027. 
Pursuant to BPC Section 13440, the Department is re -
quired to establish specifications for automotive spark–  
ignition engine fuels and to adopt by reference the lat -
est standards established by a recognized consensus 
organization, i.e., ASTM International or SAE Inter -
national. This includes natural gas motor vehicle fuels. 
BPC Section 13440 further stipulates that natural gas 
motor vehicle fuels shall meet the latest specification 
set forth by ASTM International or the SAE Interna -
tional. BPC Section 13480(a) requires that any person 
selling any motor vehicle fuel at retail must display a 
plainly visible statement that includes both the product 
name and grade designation. BPC Section 13480(c) re -
quires the Department to adopt regulations as are rea -
sonably necessary to define and enforce motor vehicle 
fuel antiknock index or other labeling requirements. 
BPC Section 13484 requires that the displayed state -
ments described in BPC Section 13480 must be placed 
on each customer–facing side of a dispenser.CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2024, VOLUME NUMBER 17–Z
484INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY 
STATEMENT OVERVIEW
Natural Gas Fuel Quality Specifications
Currently, BPC Section 13440 requires that the De -
partment establish fuel specifications for natural gas 
sold as a motor vehicle fuel and adopt by reference 
the latest specifications set forth by ASTM Interna -
tional or SAE International. The Department has yet 
to adopt fuel specifications for natural gas sold as mo -
tor vehicle fuel. On May 4, 2021, ASTM Internation -
al published ASTM D8080 Standard Specification for 
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natu -
ral Gas (LNG) Used as a Motor Vehicle Fuel.  Addi -
tionally, on July 17, 2023, ASTM International pub -
lished ASTM D8487 Standard Specification for Nat -
ural Gas, Hydrogen Blends for Use as a Motor Vehi -
cle Fuel.  With this rulemaking and pursuant to BPC 
Section 13440, the Department proposes to adopt and 
incorporate by reference the latest versions of ASTM 
D8080  and D8487  with the exception that natural gas 
motor vehicle fuel must not be sold with a total sulfur 
content of more than 16 parts per million by volume 
(ppmv) to remain consistent with existing state law.
CNG and LNG Dispenser Labeling Requirements
In 2018, the Department adopted interim labeling 
requirements for CNG and LNG motor vehicle fuel 
dispensers in CCR Section 4206, and Federal Trade 
Commission fuel rating label requirements in CCR 
Section 4207. These requirements are not compati -
ble with the proposed adoption of ASTM D8080  and 
D8487.  With this rulemaking and pursuant to BPC 
Sections 13480 and 13484, the Department propos -
es to adopt new labeling requirements that align with 
ASTM D8080  and D8487  and to relocate and consoli -
date the FTC labeling requirements into Section 4206. 
The Department proposes to limit the fuel grade des -
ignations as determined in ASTM D8080  and D8487.
Anticipated Benefits of the Proposed Regulation
Adoption and enforcement of ASTM D8080 and 
D8487 by the Department will immediately benefit 
owners of CNG and LNG vehicles because the fuel that 
meets either of these specifications sold at retail will 
help assure these vehicle owners that it will not im -
pair their vehicle’s engine performance and durability. 
Fuel grade labeling requirements will give customers 
a benchmark of comparison when choosing a natural 
gas fuel that meets their specific engine performance 
requirements. Updating and clarifying fuel grade and 
unit price labeling requirements further helps custom -
ers make informed value–based decisions.
Adopting both fuel specifications will permit the 
sale of a larger variety of natural gas fuels and allow 
for higher levels of hydrogen in retail–available natu -
ral gas fuel. This may benefit natural gas producers be -cause blending in hydrogen produced from renewable 
resources could improve natural gas marketability in 
a future energy market focused on decarbonization.
Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State 
Regulations
The Department has determined that this proposal 
is consistent and compatible with existing California 
regulations.
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED 
BY REFERENCE
This proposed rulemaking will adopt and incorpo -
rate by reference the latest versions of ASTM D8080 
Standard Specification for Compressed Natural Gas 
(CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Used as a 
Motor Vehicle Fuel  and ASTM D8487 Standard Spec -
ification for Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blends for Use as 
a Motor Vehicle Fuel,  in accordance with B PC Sec -
tion 13440. These documents are under copyright by 
ASTM International and the latest versions are avail -
able for purchase at https://www.astm.org/d8080–21.
html and https://www.astm.org/d8487–23.html .
MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopts CNG/
LNG motor vehicle fuel dispenser labeling require -
ments in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 
16, Section 306.12 for LNG and Sections 309.15 and 
309.17 for CNG. The Department has already adopted 
the FTC labeling requirements for CNG and LNG mo -
tor vehicle fuel. However, there is no federal require -
ment that the State of California adopt a fuel specifi -
cation for natural gas motor vehicle fuel.
OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
No other statutory requirements apply to this pro -
posed rulemaking.
LOCAL MANDATE/FISCAL IMPACT/
HOUSING COSTS
The Department determined that this proposed 
regulation:
1. does not impose a mandate on local agencies or 
school districts;
2. does not incur costs to any local agency or school 
district requiring reimbursement pursuant to 
Government Code Sections 17500 et seq.;
3. does not incur costs or savings to any state 
agency;
4. does not incur other non–discretionary costs or 
savings imposed on local agencies;CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2024, VOLUME NUMBER 17–Z
485
5. does not incur costs or savings in federal funding 
to the state; and
6. does not have a significant effect on housing costs.
STATEWIDE ADVERSE 
ECONOMIC  IMPACT
The Department determined that the proposed reg -
ulation will not have a significant, statewide adverse 
economic impact directly affecting California busi -
nesses, including the ability of California businesses 
to compete with businesses in other states.
RESULTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT 
ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS
The Department determined that the proposed 
regulation:
1. does not create or eliminate jobs in California;
2. does not create new businesses or eliminate exist -
ing businesses in California; and
3. does not affect the expansion of businesses in 
California.
The proposed regulation simply adopts natural gas 
fuel specifications and updates CNG/LNG dispenser 
labeling requirements that result in businesses incur -
ring a nominal cost to meet regulatory compliance. 
This proposed regulation does not provide any path -
ways, barricades, or incentives to the expansion of 
businesses or to the creation or elimination of jobs and 
businesses.
Other Anticipated Benefits of the Proposed Regulation
Compared to other fossil–based motor vehicle fu -
els such as gasoline and diesel, natural gas fuels are a 
lower–carbon alternative fuel with significantly low -
er pollution forming emissions and greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions. Continued support of low–carbon 
alternative fuels will help in the reduction of GHG 
emissions as California transitions to a net–zero car -
bon future. Furthermore, lowering emissions pro -
motes public health by improving air quality, particu -
larly for communities located near high–traffic trans -
port corridors. This reduction in emissions is further 
attained by increasing the concentration of hydrogen 
blended into natural gas. Water is the only emission 
of hydrogen combustion. Another benefit of natural 
gas fuels is that they can be produced from renew -
able biomass–based sources such as capturing and re -
finement of emissions from dairies. Renewable natu -
ral gas (RNG) can be wholly used as motor vehicle 
fuel or blended with non–renewable natural gas fuel 
and can help further reduce GHG and pollution form -
ing emissions.COST IMPACTS ON A REPRESENTATIVE 
PRIVATE PERSON OR BUSINESS
The Department is aware of cost impacts that a 
representative business, affected by this rulemaking, 
would necessarily incur in reasonable compliance 
with the proposed action. The proposed regulation 
protects the interests of and does not incur addition -
al costs to private persons who use natural gas to fuel 
their natural gas vehicles. The Department does not 
anticipate any costs or savings to private persons who 
purchase natural gas motor vehicle fuel.
BUSINESS REPORTING
No reporting requirements apply to this proposed 
rulemaking.
EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS
The Department is not aware of any small business -
es involved in the retail sale of natural gas motor vehi -
cle fuel to the public. The Department is not aware of 
any financial cost or benefit impacts that representa -
tive small businesses would incur to reasonably com -
ply with the proposed regulation.
CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES
Government Code Section 11346.5(a)(13) requires 
the Department to determine that no reasonable alter -
native it considered or that has otherwise been identi -
fied and brought to its attention would be more effec -
tive in carrying out the purpose for which the action is 
proposed, would be as effective and less burdensome 
to affected private persons than the proposed action, or 
would be more cost–effective to affected private per -
sons and equally effective in implementing the statu -
tory policy or other provision of law.
The Department invites interested persons to pres -
ent statements or arguments with respect to alterna -
tives to the proposed regulation at the scheduled pub -
lic hearing or during the written comment period.CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2024, VOLUME NUMBER 17–Z
486CONTACT INFORMATION
Primary and Secondary Contacts:
Andrew Adkins, Senior Environmental Scientist 
(Specialist)
Samuel Ferris, Senior Environmental Scientist 
(Specialist)
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Division of Measurement Standards
6790 Florin Perkins Road, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95828–1812
Main: (916) 229–3000
Fax: (916) 229–3055
Email: dms@cdfa.ca.gov
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS IN THE 
RULEMAKING FILE
The Department will have the entire rulemaking 
file available for inspection and copying throughout 
the rulemaking process at the above address. As of 
the date this notice is published in the California Reg -
ulatory Notice Register, the rulemaking file consists 
of this notice, the proposed text of the regulation, the 
Initial Statement of Reasons, and all supporting docu -
ments and information relied upon in the development 
of this proposed regulation. Please submit a request to 
the address above to receive a copy of the rulemak -
ing file.
AVAILABILITY OF MODIFIED TEXT
After receiving and considering all timely and rel -
evant comments, the Department may adopt the pro -
posed regulation substantially as described in this no -
tice. If, however, the Department makes modifications 
which are sufficiently related to the originally pro -
posed text, it will make the modified text (with chang -
es clearly indicated) available for public comment for 
at least 15 calendar days before the Department adopts 
the modified regulation. Please submit a request to the 
above address for a copy of the modified text of the 
regulation. Include “Fuel Specifications and Labeling 
of Natural Gas” in the subject line of any email, fax, or 
letter regarding this rulemaking.
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL 
STATEMENT OF REASONS
Upon its completion, a copy of the Final Statement 
of Reasons may be obtained by submitting a request to 
the address above.AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS 
ON THE  INTERNET
The Department posts electronic copies of this 
rulemaking file on its website at www.cdfa.ca.gov/
dms/regulations.html
TITLE 11.  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS
The Department of Justice (Department) proposes 
to amend sections 4017, 4018, and 4021 of title 11, di -
vision 5, chapter 2 of the California Code of Regula -
tions concerning licensed firearms dealers’ (licensees) 
annual renewal for placement on the Department’s 
Centralized List of all persons licensed to sell firearms 
pursuant to Penal Code section 26715.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Department has not scheduled a public hear -
ing on this proposed regulatory action. However, the 
Department will hold a hearing if it receives a written 
request for a public hearing from any interested per -
son, or their authorized representative, no later than 15 
days before the close of the written comment period.
WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD
Any interested person or their authorized represen -
tative may submit written comments relevant to the 
proposed regulatory action. The written comment pe -
riod closes June 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Only written 
comments received by that time will be considered. 
Please submit written comments to:
Q. Farris
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 160487
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 210–2372
bofregulations@doj.ca.gov
NOTE: Written and oral comments, attachments, 
and associated contact information (e.g., address, 
phone, email, etc.) become part of the public record 
and can be released to the public upon request.
AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE
Authority: Sections 26705, 26715, and 26806, Penal 
Code.
Reference: Sections 26705, 26715, and 26806, Pe -
nal Code.