The State Assembly passed the California Climate Bill, which for the first time gives the agency that regulates air pollution in the state the power to limit emissions of carbon dioxide, the main gas that scientists say is building up in the atmosphere and causing a warming of Earth's climate, the New York Times reported. The Times said the vote was 41 to 30, with nine members not voting and with a majority of 41 needed to pass the bill. Democrats control the Assembly 50 to 30, and the vote was mostly along party lines, with Republicans in opposition, the newspaper added. The California Senate passed the measure 23 to 16 on Saturday and the Assembly approval indicated the bill would soon go to Governor Gray Davis for signing, the Times said, though a few procedural hurdles might still derail it. The Times reported that the California measure – if signed - would not take effect until 2005, and the first models that would come under its restrictions would not be sold until 2009.