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AB-2796 Equitable Access to Zero-Emissions Vehicles Fund.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 02/15/2024 09:00 PM
AB2796:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2796

Introduced by Assembly Member Alvarez

February 15, 2024

An act to add Chapter 8.3 (commencing with Section 44257.5) to Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to vehicles.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2796, as introduced, Alvarez. Equitable Access to Zero-Emissions Vehicles Fund.
Existing law establishes the Air Quality Improvement Program for the purpose of funding air quality improvement projects relating to fuel and vehicle technologies. Under existing law, the State Air Resources Board is required to administer the program and to provide preference in awarding funding to projects with higher benefit-cost scores that maximize the purposes and goals of the program. Existing law also authorizes the state board to give additional preference in funding awards to projects based on specified criteria, including the ability of the project to promote the use of clean alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, as specified.
This bill would establish the Equitable Access to Zero-Emission Vehicles Fund and would make moneys in the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for a new vehicle rebate program and for other specified purposes. The bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2025, to establish a program to offer rebates for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and other specified vehicles from moneys made available from the fund. The bill would require the state board to submit a biennial report to the Legislature that includes certain information relating to the expenditures from the fund.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 8.3 (commencing with Section 44257.5) is added to Part 5 of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
CHAPTER  8.3. Equitable Access to Zero-Emission Vehicles Fund

44257.5.
 (a) The Equitable Access to Zero-Emission Vehicles Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury.
(b) All moneys deposited in the fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to provide funding for any of the following:
(1) The Clean Cars 4 All Program established pursuant to Section 44124.5.
(2) The program established pursuant to Section 44257.6.
(3) Financial incentives to the dealership that completes the sale of a zero-emission vehicle under the program described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(c) For purposes of this chapter, “fund” means the Equitable Access to Zero-Emission Vehicles Fund.

44257.6.
 (a) No later than July 1, 2025, the state board shall establish a program to offer rebates for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and other vehicles, as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), from moneys made available from the fund.
(b) As part of the program, the state board shall do all of the following:
(1) Allow consumers to receive a rebate for the purchase of a qualifying vehicle at the time of sale.
(2) Restrict the availability of incentives for vehicles based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
(3) Consider offering incentives for vehicles with low greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions and that are of a vehicle type and weight for which there are no zero-emission vehicles available in the current model year. Incentives shall not be offered on any vehicle model pursuant to this paragraph for more than three model years.

44257.7.
 (a) On or before December 31, 2026, and every two years thereafter, the state board shall submit a report to the Legislature describing any rebates or other incentives provided by moneys made available from the fund, recommendations to improve the equitable distribution of the fund, and recommendations to make any changes to this chapter to better complement the Clean Cars 4 All Program. The report shall include information regarding the vehicle classes purchased using a rebate, income brackets of persons receiving a rebate, and the geographical area where rebates were received.
(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.