44274.4.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) “Near-zero-emission vehicle” and “zero-emission vehicle” have the same meanings as described in Section 44258.
(2) “Eligible applicant” means a rural county with a total population of less than 250,000 or a public transit operator located in such a rural county.
(3) “Nonemergency medical transportation” includes, at a minimum, round-trip transportation for an elderly or disabled person to obtain medical services.
(b) To reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutants, the state board shall develop and implement a program to provide grants to eligible applicants for the purchase, operation, and maintenance of near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicles to provide seniors and disabled populations located in a rural county with a total population of less than 250,000 with nonemergency medical transportation services.
(c) The state board may expend moneys appropriated by the Legislature from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for the implementation of the program.