The Coalition is tracking the following bills and others that affect the alternative fuels and vehicles industry throughout the legislative session. The Legislature is in spring recess, returning April 17.
In brief: Authorizes CARB to extend the use of market-based compliance mechanisms and to adopt a regulation that establishes a system of declining annual aggregate emissions limits after Dec. 31, 2020, for sources that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), in line with the state’s GHG emissions reduction goal of at least 40 percent below the 1990 level by 2030.
Details: AB 151 extends the cap-and-trade program to 2030.
Status: Amended and re-referred to Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
In brief: This spot bill makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to provisions in the existing law requiring the Department of Finance to develop a three-year investment plan for the money in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the Legislature to make appropriations from the fund in the annual Budget Act.
Status: Amended and re-referred to Assembly Transportation Committee.
In brief: Authorizes the cap-and-trade program through 2030.
Details: Authorizes CARB to adopt or revise regulations that establish a market-based compliance mechanism from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2030, to ensure that GHG emissions are reduced to at least 40 percent below the 1990 level by 2030. Requires CARB to adopt the most effective and equitable mix of emissions reduction measures.
Status: Referred to Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
In brief: Defines a heavy-duty vehicle as having a manufacturer’s maximum gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more pounds, a medium-duty vehicle as having a gross vehicle weight between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds, and a light-duty vehicle as having a gross vehicle weight of under 10,001 pounds.
Details: Existing law defines a heavy-duty vehicle as having a manufacturer’s maximum gross vehicle weight of 6,001 or more pounds and a light-duty vehicle as having a gross vehicle weight of less than 6,001 pounds. It does not specify a weight for medium-duty vehicles. Read the fact sheet.
Status: Referred to Assembly Transportation Committee. Hearing set for April 24.
In brief: Makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to provisions in the existing law that authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate certain lanes for the exclusive use of high-occupancy vehicles, superlow- and ultralow-emission vehicles, partial zero-emission vehicles, or transitional zero-emission vehicles.
Status: Amended and re-referred to Assembly Transportation Committee.
In brief: Extends funding for early commercial deployment of zero- and near-zero-emission heavy-duty truck technology to Jan. 1, 2023.
Details: The existing law requires CARB to allocate, until Jan. 1, 2018, no less than 20 percent of funding for a specified class of projects to support the early commercial deployment of market-ready zero- and near-zero-emission heavy-duty truck technology.
Status: Referred to Assembly Transportation and Natural Resources committees.
In brief: Creates the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program to address deferred maintenance on state highways and local streets and roads. The bill generates funds through a $0.12 per gallon increase in the motor vehicle fuel (gasoline) tax, phased in over three years; a $38 increase in the annual vehicle registration fee; and a new $100 annual vehicle registration fee for ZEVs.
Details: Also creates the Office of the Transportation Inspector General, an independent office with the mission of ensuring that all state agencies expending state transportation funds are operating efficiently and in compliance with federal and state laws.
Status: Passed; headed to the governor’s desk.
In brief: Enacts the Goods Movement and Clean Trucks Bond Act to authorize $600 million in state general obligation bonds: $200 million for California Transportation Commission projects and programs eligible for funding from the Trade Corridor Improvement Fund; $200 million for CARB projects and programs consistent with the Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program; and $200 million for CARB projects and programs that expand the use of zero- and near-zero-emission trucks in severe or extreme nonattainment areas for ozone and particulate matter.
Details: This bill is subject to voter approval at the June 5, 2018, primary election.
Status: Re-referred to Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
In brief: Allows a heavy-duty NGV to exceed the state limit on total gross weight for on-road vehicles by up to 2,000 pounds.
Details: The higher weight limit reflects the difference between the weight of a natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. Read the fact sheet.
Status: Amended and re-referred to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. Set for hearing April 17.
In brief: Effective Jan. 1, 2020, requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse registration for aging diesel vehicles that weigh more than 14,000 pounds and fail to meet regulations requiring reduced emissions of particulate matter, NOx, and other criteria pollutants.
Details: The bill requires the DMV to confirm, prior to initial registration or a transfer of ownership, that the specified vehicles are compliant with or exempt from applicable air pollution control technology requirements. The number of model years affected increases with each year.
Status: Amended and re-referred to Senate Environmental Quality Committee.