Senate Judiciary Committee Rejects SB 982, Protects Californians from Higher Costs and Fuel Shortages

Media Contact:
Nick Mirman
nick@cmpublicaffairs.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 14, 2026) — Jaime Huff, President and CEO of the Civil Justice Association of California, released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee held SB 982 (Wiener), a deeply flawed proposal that would have driven up costs, destabilized California’s fuel market and made life even harder for families already struggling under the state’s affordability crisis:

“Senators drew a hard line for their constituents, stopping a reckless bill that would have driven up costs and risked fuel shortages and gas lines. Californians need affordability relief, not more economic self-sabotage.”

CJAC led a broad coalition opposing SB 982, including the California Chamber of Commerce, California Business Roundtable and the Western States Petroleum Association, among many others. The coalition warned that the bill would drive up fuel and household costs, eliminate jobs and risk tighter fuel supplies and gas lines in California’s already constrained market.