California Legislature Passes SB 1069: What the Proposed CARB Conditional Sales Path Means for Performance Parts

California’s aftermarket emissions-approval process could be headed for a meaningful change. On August 27, 2026, the California Legislature passed SB 1069, a SEMA-sponsored bill intended to create a conditional sales pathway for qualifying emissions-related aftermarket products while the California Air Resources Board (CARB) completes its final Executive Order review.

The important word is conditional. This is not a blanket exemption from emissions rules, and it does not make every intake, supercharger, header, calibration or other emissions-related modification automatically legal in California. As of this writing, SB 1069 has passed the Legislature and is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration. SEMA says that, if signed, the bill would take effect January 1, 2027, with the program required to be in place by July 1, 2028.

What SB 1069 Would Actually Change

Under the current California system, many add-on or modified emissions-related parts need a CARB Executive Order, commonly called a CARB EO, before they can be legally sold, advertised or installed for covered street applications in the state. CARB explains that exempted aftermarket parts are evaluated to determine that they do not increase vehicle emissions, and an approved EO identifies the specific vehicles and applications covered by that exemption.

According to SEMA’s August 27 announcement, SB 1069 would allow qualifying manufacturers that submit a complete EO application, supported by the required emissions testing and technical documentation, to receive conditional approval to sell, advertise and install the covered product while CARB completes its final review.

CARB would still retain the authority to approve or deny the final Executive Order, and California’s emissions standards would remain in place. In other words, the proposal is designed to address review timing for products that have already gone through the required testing and application work, rather than remove the underlying emissions-compliance requirement.

Why the CARB EO Process Matters to Performance Parts

The EO process reaches far beyond catalytic converters. CARB’s aftermarket-parts program covers many categories performance enthusiasts know well. Its manufacturer guidance includes specific application procedures for items such as turbocharger and supercharger systems, along with other add-on and modified parts that can affect emissions-related operation.

For manufacturers, bringing a new product to market can involve engineering, vehicle testing, laboratory work, documentation and then agency review. If the technical work is finished but the final administrative review takes additional time, inventory can exist while lawful California sales remain on hold. SB 1069 is aimed at creating a defined pathway for qualifying products during that review window.

That distinction matters. The bill is not about letting untested hardware skip to the front of the line. SEMA says conditional approval would require a complete application supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation.

What This Does Not Mean

There are several easy ways to misunderstand a headline like “faster aftermarket approvals,” so here are the boundaries that matter:

• It is not law yet. The Legislature has passed SB 1069, but the governor still must act on it.
• It is not a blanket CARB exemption. The proposal applies to qualifying products following the specified application and testing process.
• It does not eliminate final CARB review. CARB would retain authority to approve or deny the final EO.
• It does not make every part 50-state legal. EO coverage is application-specific, and CARB itself cautions that an Executive Order should be checked for the exact approved use.
• It does not turn race-only or noncompliant hardware into street-legal equipment. Product labeling, application, vehicle configuration and the applicable rules still matter.

A Real Example: CARB EO-Listed Hardware Already in the SMG Catalog

A useful way to understand the issue is to look at hardware that already carries a CARB EO designation. SMG Speed Shop currently lists the CORSA 2015–2020 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Cold Air Intake with PowerCore filter. The live product data identifies that application as CARB EO = Yes.

That does not mean every CORSA intake, every F-150 intake or every vehicle year is covered. The key is the specific product and application. SMG also carries later F-150 intake applications whose current product data shows CARB EO = No. That is exactly why shoppers should verify the specific part number, vehicle and EO status instead of assuming that approval follows a brand name or an entire product family.

Why Texas Enthusiasts Should Care About a California Rule

SMG Speed Shop and North Texas High Performance are in Texas, so California regulations may sound distant. But California’s aftermarket certification process has national effects.

Performance manufacturers often develop one compliant hardware family that can be sold broadly rather than creating completely separate product strategies for every state. Faster review of qualifying products can affect how quickly a manufacturer is willing to release a new intake, forced-induction system or other emissions-related component, how many SKUs it supports, and whether a product launches as a broad street application or a more limited offering.

There is also a practical ownership issue. Cars move between states, change owners and get sold nationwide. A documented application-specific approval can matter later even if the original buyer lives somewhere with different inspection rules.

Hardware Compliance and Modern Calibration Are Increasingly Connected

The hardware side is only part of the modern performance equation. Newer vehicles increasingly combine emissions diagnostics, secure gateways, encrypted controllers and calibration access. We recently covered that shift in our guide to 2027 OBD-II, OBDonUDS and secure gateways.

That means the best performance build is no longer just a matter of choosing the biggest part. A complete plan should account for the vehicle’s hardware, calibration strategy, diagnostic behavior, intended use, fuel, thermal load and applicable compliance requirements. Those details become even more important as OEM software controls and aftermarket certification continue to evolve together.

How NTHP Fits Into the Equation

North Texas High Performance handles performance installation, diagnostics, calibration and system integration for street and performance vehicles in the DFW area. The goal is not to make unsupported compliance claims; it is to build the combination correctly around the intended application and validate what the vehicle is actually doing.

For combinations where controlled testing matters, NTHP’s Mainline ProHub dyno provides repeatable load and data-logging conditions without tire slip. That is useful for verifying air/fuel behavior, torque delivery, temperature trends and calibration changes rather than relying on assumptions after a hardware swap.

What to Verify Before Buying an Emissions-Related Performance Part

Regardless of where you live, the smartest approach is to verify the exact application before ordering. Check the manufacturer part number, model year, engine, drivetrain and any EO or emissions designation that applies to that exact configuration. If a product claims CARB approval, use the EO number and CARB’s official database to confirm the covered vehicles and conditions rather than relying only on a generic “CARB legal” phrase.

Also distinguish between EO approved, pending, race-only and not approved. Those are not interchangeable statuses.

The Bottom Line

SB 1069 is worth watching because it addresses a real tension in the modern aftermarket: manufacturers can spend heavily on engineering and emissions testing, yet still face a delay between completing that work and receiving final administrative approval for California sales.

If the bill is signed and implemented as described by SEMA, qualifying products with complete applications and required supporting testing could gain a conditional route to market while CARB performs its final review. The standards themselves would remain, and CARB would keep final approval authority.

For enthusiasts, the best outcome is simple: more clearly documented, application-specific performance hardware reaching the market without confusing compliance shortcuts.

Shopping for a performance intake, forced-induction system, exhaust component or other upgrade? Browse SMG Speed Shop for the hardware, and contact North Texas High Performance when you need professional installation, calibration, diagnostics or dyno validation in North Texas.

Sources: SEMA, Aug. 27, 2026 — California Legislature Passes SEMA-Backed Bill to Speed Aftermarket Products to Market; California Air Resources Board — Aftermarket, Performance, and Add-on Parts; California Air Resources Board — Manufacturers of Aftermarket Parts.

This article is general automotive-industry information, not legal advice. Vehicle and parts requirements vary by application and jurisdiction; verify current manufacturer documentation and applicable rules for your vehicle.