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AB-1110 Zero-emission vehicles: Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson: Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 08/27/2021 04:00 AM
AB1110:v94#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  August 26, 2021
Amended  IN  Senate  July 07, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  May 03, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  April 20, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 23, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1110

Introduced by Assembly Member Robert Rivas
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Chiu, Cristina Garcia, and Stone)
(Principal coauthor: Senator Archuleta)

February 18, 2021

An act to amend Sections 63048.92 and 63048.93 of, to add Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 14990) to Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of, and to add and repeal Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 12100.87) of Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of, and to repeal Section 14992 of, the Government Code, relating to climate catalyst projects.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1110, as amended, Robert Rivas. Zero-emission vehicles: Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator: Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson: Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program.
(1) Existing law, the Economic Revitalization Act, establishes the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) within the Governor’s office, under the direct control of a director who is responsible to, and appointed by, the Governor. Existing law requires GO-Biz to serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth.
Existing law, the Charge Ahead California Initiative, administered by the State Air Resources Board, includes goals of, among other things, placing in service at least 1,000,000 zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicles by January 1, 2023, and establishing a self-sustaining California market for zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicles in which zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicles are a viable mainstream option for individual vehicle purchasers, businesses, and public fleets.
This bill would establish the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator, administered by GO-Biz. The bill would also create the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson, to be appointed by and report directly to the Director of GO-Biz, to oversee the activities of the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator. The bill, among other things, would require the ombudsperson, in consultation with the Department of General Services (DGS), and would require the ombudsperson to consult with specified appropriate entities in identifying all available programs and incentives offered by the state that can help to reduce costs and increase participation in the master service agreement a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement, as described below. The bill would also require the ombudsperson to annually convene 2 or more workshops of an advisory committee to aid the activities of the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator. ombudsperson in identifying and publishing best practices in adopting zero-emission fleet vehicles for public agencies and identifying appropriate candidate vehicles for bulk purchase, leveraged procurement, or other means of widespread adoption by public entities, as specified. The bill would also require the ombudsperson to develop, and recommend that DGS adopt, criteria for evaluating vehicle bulk purchase options or other means of widespread and streamline adoption options, as provided. The bill would repeal these provisions establishing the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator and setting forth its the powers and duties of the ombudsperson as of January 1, 2027.
The bill would require DGS, in consultation with based on information provided by the ombudsperson and taking into account the recommendations of the advisory committee and the criteria recommended by the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson workshops as described above, to issue a nonmandatory master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement for the bulk purchase of zero-emission fleet vehicles, as defined, by a public agency, as defined. The bill would require that the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement, at minimum, establish standard pricing for bulk purchases of zero-emission fleet vehicles, taking into consideration applicable financial incentives and low-cost financing options. The bill would require DGS to provide for the first round of zero-emission fleet vehicle acquisitions under the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement no later than June 30, 2022, to the extent feasible, or otherwise as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, and annually thereafter, as provided. evaluate the existing programs the department operates to assess how these programs may be modified, advertised, or expanded to include new options designed to significantly expand participation by public agencies and accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption, as specified. The bill would require the department to issue a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement and, at minimum, to consider establishing standard pricing for the procurement of zero-emission fleet vehicles, taking into consideration any applicable financial incentives and low-cost financing options that are available to public agencies for the purchase of those vehicles.
(2) Existing law, the Bergeson-Peace Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Act, establishes the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) in GO-Biz and, among other things, authorizes the I-Bank to make loans, issue bonds, and provide financial assistance for various types of projects that qualify as economic development facilities or public development facilities, as those terms are defined.
Existing law, the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2020, establishes the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program, authorizes the I-Bank to provide financial assistance to any eligible sponsor or participating party for eligible climate catalyst projects, as provided, and defines various terms for these purposes. Existing law requires the Strategic Growth Council, in consultation with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, to advise the Legislature before the end of each calendar year of potential categories of climate catalyst projects that would focus on the state’s key climate mitigation and resilience priorities, as provided. Existing law creates the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund and makes moneys available, upon appropriation, for expenditure for purposes of the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program.
This bill would expressly provide that the acquisition of a zero-emission fleet vehicle pursuant to the master service agreement a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement, developed as described above, is a climate catalyst project eligible for financial assistance under the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program. The bill would require the Strategic Growth Council to review and make a recommendation on providing financial assistance under the program to include loan loss reserves, revolving loan funds, and other financial instruments to facilitate climate catalyst projects that consist of the acquisition of zero-emission fleet vehicles pursuant to that master service agreement, a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement, developed as described above, or other agreements pursued upon the advice of the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson to accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption by public agencies.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The Governor’s Executive Order No. N-79-20 and the State Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Fleets regulations both establish goals of rapidly transitioning medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets in California to zero-emission vehicles.
(b) Smaller local governmental entities, including school districts, transit agencies, and cities and rural counties, face real obstacles and challenges in their efforts to meet these zero-emission vehicle goals compared to their larger local government counterparts.
(c) Various state agencies are engaged in the process of developing action plans to help spur the adoption of zero-emission vehicles; however, the need for dedicated staffing resources to provide technical assistance and special financing options dedicated to helping smaller local governmental entities navigate and utilize available assistance must be a critical part of this process.
(d) To help smaller jurisdictions achieve the statewide zero-emission vehicle goals, the state must create a technical assistance and financing program designed to designate a single point of contact within state government to help small public entities identify, access, procure, and deploy zero-emission vehicles.

SECTION 1.SEC. 2.

 Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 12100.87) is added to Chapter 1.6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
Article  8.5. California Clean Fleet Accelerator

12100.87.
 For purposes of this article:

(a)“Accelerator” means the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator created in Section 12100.88.

(b)

(a) “Eligible vendor” means a person that is any of the following:
(1) A dealer, as that term is defined in Section 285 of the Vehicle Code, that sells a medium- or heavy-duty zero-emission fleet vehicle to a public agency.
(2) Any vendor, eligible under the laws of this state to contract with a public agency, of a zero-emission vehicle that is off-road equipment engaged in the sale of that equipment.
(3) Any vendor, eligible under the laws of this state to contract with a public agency, of a zero-emission vehicle that is an electric bicycle, as that term is defined in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code, or electric cargo bicycle.

(c)

(b) “Ombudsperson” means the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson created in Section 12100.88.

(d)

(c) “Public agency” means a public entity as described in Section 1100 of the Public Contract Code.

(e)

(d) “Vehicle fleet” means two or more vehicles under common ownership of, or operation by, a public agency.

(f)

(e) “Zero-emission fleet vehicle” means a vehicle, off-road equipment, including, but not limited to, a forklift, motorized construction or utility equipment, streetsweeper, or other special-use municipal vehicle, an electric bicycle, as that term is defined in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code, or an electric cargo bicycle acquired by a public agency for use as part of its vehicle fleet that produces no emissions of criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, or greenhouse gases when stationary or operating.

12100.88.
 (a) (1)There is hereby established the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator, which the office shall administer in accordance with this chapter. within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) the position of Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson.

(2)The office may adopt, amend, or repeal guidelines and regulations and promulgate forms in order to carry out its duties under this chapter.

(b) There is within the Office of the California Clean Fleet Accelerator the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson, who shall oversee the activities of the accelerator. The Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson The ombudsperson shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the director and shall report directly to the director.
(c) The ombudsperson may do all of the following:
(1) Upon the request of a public agency, provide technical assistance to the public agency in the procurement of zero-emission fleet vehicles.
(2) In cooperation with the Department of General Services, assist a public agency in procuring zero-emission fleet vehicles by bulk purchase under the master service agreement under a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to Section 14992.
(3) Actively reach out to small and rural communities to offer technical assistance and other state resources related to the use and purchase of zero-emission vehicles.
(4) Provide any other assistance to a public agency in procuring zero-emission fleet vehicles that is consistent with the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, identifying available incentives and financing mechanisms.
(d) In carrying out their duties under this section, the ombudsperson shall prioritize assisting public agencies that serve disadvantaged communities.
(e) The ombudsperson, in consultation with the Department of General Services, ombudsperson shall consult with each of the following appropriate entities in identifying all available programs and incentives offered by the state that can help to reduce costs and increase participation in the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement described in an agreement developed pursuant to Section 14992, as well as any barriers that may prevent programs and incentives offered by these entities from being made available to participants: participants.

(1)The office.

(2)The Transportation Agency.

(3)The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.

(4)The State Air Resources Board.

(5)The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.

(6)The Public Utilities Commission.

(7)The California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority.

(8)The Department of General Services.

(f) (1) The ombudsperson shall, at least annually, shall convene two or more workshops of an advisory committee to aid in the activities of the accelerator. the performance of duties described in paragraph (3). The first advisory committee meeting workshop shall occur on or before March 15, 1, 2022. The second advisory committee workshop shall occur on or before June 1, 2022. Additional meetings will be at the discretion of the ombudsperson, subject to the limitation in Section 12100.89.
(2) The ombudsperson shall invite to participate in the advisory committee shall include workshops vehicle fleet managers or other appropriate persons representing, at minimum, the following:
(A) Five cities with populations less than 150,000.
(B) At least two regional organizations, which may include, but are not limited to, councils of governments or metropolitan planning organizations.
(C) Two jurisdictions that, in the office’s judgment, have demonstrated experience in acquiring electric vehicles for use in their vehicle fleets.
(D) As appropriate, representatives of the entities described in subdivision (e). state agencies that oversee incentives and other programs to promote zero-emission vehicle adoption.
(E) Nongovernmental entities with expertise in promoting medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle adoption, particularly in rural areas and in disadvantaged communities.
(3) The advisory committee ombudsperson shall do incorporate information obtained from the advisory committee workshops in the ombudsperson’s performance of all of the following:
(A) Identify and publish best practices in adopting zero-emission fleet vehicles. vehicles for public agencies and work to disseminate these findings to public entities through appropriate outreach methods.
(B) Identify appropriate candidate vehicles for bulk purchase or purchase, leveraged procurement. procurement, or other means of widespread adoption by public entities through a standardized and streamlined process facilitated by state agencies.

(C)Assist in promoting and encouraging participation in the California Clean Fleet Accelerator Program.

(g) The ombudsperson shall develop, and recommend that the Department of General Services adopt, criteria for evaluating vehicle bulk purchase and leveraged procurement agreement purchase options or other means of widespread and streamlined adoption options pursuant to Section 14992, giving additional consideration to offers of sale of zero-emission fleet vehicles produced by manufacturers that are able to demonstrate a pattern of activity showing superior performance in meeting the following criteria:
(1) Adherence to high-road labor. labor principles.
(2) Job creation within this state.
(3) Providing training and hiring opportunities to residents in disadvantaged communities.
(4) Demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, as indicated by proportionate representation of women and persons of color among all levels of employees.

12100.89.
 This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2.SEC. 3.

 Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 14990) is added to Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
CHAPTER  14. California Clean Fleet Purchasing Accelerator

14990.
 For purposes of this chapter:
(a) “Eligible vendor” means a person that is any of the following:
(1) A dealer, as that term is defined in Section 285 of the Vehicle Code, that sells a medium- or heavy-duty zero-emission fleet vehicle to a public agency.
(2) Any vendor, eligible under the laws of this state to contract with a public agency, of a zero-emission vehicle that is off-road equipment engaged in the sale of that equipment.
(3) Any vendor, eligible under the laws of this state to contract with a public agency, of a zero-emission vehicle that is an electric bicycle, as that term is defined in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code, or electric cargo bicycle.
(b) “Public agency” means a public entity as described in Section 1100 of the Public Contract Code.
(c) “Vehicle fleet” means two or more vehicles under common ownership of, or operation by, a public agency.
(d) “Zero-emission fleet vehicle” means a vehicle, off-road equipment, including, but not limited to, a forklift, motorized construction or utility equipment, streetsweeper, or other special-use municipal vehicle, an electric bicycle, as that term is defined in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code, or an electric cargo bicycle acquired by a public agency for use as part of its vehicle fleet that produces no emissions of criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, or greenhouse gases when stationary or operating.

14992.

(a)(1)The department shall issue a nonmandatory master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement for the bulk purchase of zero-emission fleet vehicles by a public agency. In developing the requirements and conditions of the master service agreement, the department shall consult with the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson and take into consideration the recommendations of the advisory committee convened pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 12100.88 and the criteria developed pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 12100.88.

(2)The master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement shall, at minimum, establish standard pricing for bulk purchases of zero-emission fleet vehicles, taking into consideration any applicable state or federal tax credits or other financial incentives and low-cost financing options available to public agencies for that purpose.

14992.
 (a) (1) The department shall, based on information provided by the ombudsperson and the advisory committee workshops pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 12100.88 as that section read on January 1, 2022, evaluate the existing programs the department operates to assess how these programs may be modified, advertised, or expanded to include new options designed to significantly expand participation by public agencies and accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption particularly among smaller public agencies and those serving disadvantaged communities.
(2) The department shall issue a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement and shall, at minimum, consider establishing standard pricing for the procurement of zero-emission fleet vehicles, taking into consideration any applicable state or federal tax credits or other financial incentives and low-cost financing options that are available to public agencies for the purchase of those vehicles.

(3)

(b) A public agency that acquires a zero-emission fleet vehicle pursuant to the master service agreement a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to this section shall comply with all other applicable laws and policies governing the acquisition of that zero-emission fleet vehicle, including, but not limited to, the Public Contract Code and the regulations of the department.

(b)

(c) In carrying out its duties under this section, the department shall, to the extent feasible, provide for the first round of zero-emission fleet vehicle acquisition by public agencies under the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to this section no later than June 30, 2022, or, if that date is not feasible, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, and annually thereafter, provided that sufficient participation exists among public agencies. shall consult with the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank to evaluate the potential to develop new or modified tools to leverage private capital or otherwise develop streamlined financing tools for public agencies.

(c)Nothing in this section alters or revokes any existing authority of the department to engage in activities related to the purchase of zero-emission fleet vehicles.

(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

14992.

(a)(1)The department shall issue a nonmandatory master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement for the bulk purchase of zero-emission fleet vehicles by a public agency.

(2)The master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement shall, at minimum, establish standard pricing for bulk purchases of zero-emission fleet vehicles, taking into consideration any applicable state or federal tax credits or other financial incentives and low-cost financing options available to public agencies for that purpose.

(3)A public agency that acquires a zero-emission fleet vehicle pursuant to the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to this section shall comply with all other applicable laws and policies governing the acquisition of that zero-emission fleet vehicle, including, but not limited to, the Public Contract Code and the regulations of the department.

(b)In carrying out its duties under this section, the department shall, to the extent feasible, provide for annual rounds of zero-emission fleet vehicle acquisition by public agencies under the master service agreement or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to this section no later than June 30 of each year or, if that date is not feasible, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, provided that sufficient participation exists among public agencies.

(c)Nothing in this section alters or revokes any existing authority of the department to engage in activities related to the purchase of zero-emission fleet vehicles.

(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2027.

SEC. 3.SEC. 4.

 Section 63048.92 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63048.92.
 The definitions contained in this section are in addition to the definitions contained in Section 63010 and together with the definitions contained in that section shall govern the construction of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) “Bank” means the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank.
(b)  “Climate catalyst project” means any building, structure, equipment, infrastructure, or other improvement within California, or financing the general needs of any sponsor or participating party for operations or activities within California that are consistent with, and intended to, further California’s climate goals, activities that reduce climate risk, and the implementation of low-carbon technology and infrastructure. “Climate catalyst project” includes, but is not limited to, the acquisition of a zero-emission fleet vehicle pursuant to the master service agreement or a statewide contract, leveraged procurement agreement agreement, or other tool developed in accordance with Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 14990) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2.
(c) “Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund” means revolving funds by that name created under, and administered pursuant to, this article to provide financial assistance for climate catalyst projects.
(d) “Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program” means the program of that name to administer the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund and to provide financial assistance for climate catalyst projects, to be administered by the bank pursuant to this article and criteria, priorities, and guidelines to be adopted by the bank board.
(e) “Sponsor” and “participating party” shall mean the same as defined in Section 63010, but also include federally recognized Native American tribes and tribal business enterprises located in California.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 Section 63048.93 of the Government Code is amended to read:

63048.93.
 (a) (1) The bank is hereby authorized and empowered to provide financial assistance under the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program to any eligible sponsor or participating party either directly or to a lending or financial institution, in connection with the financing or refinancing of a climate catalyst project, in accordance with an agreement or agreements, between the bank and the sponsor or participating party, including, but not limited to, tribes, either as a sole lender or in participation or syndication with other lenders.
(2) The Strategic Growth Council shall review and make a recommendation on providing financial assistance under the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program to include, but not be limited to, loan loss reserves, revolving loan funds, and other financial instruments to facilitate climate catalyst projects that consist of the acquisition of zero-emission fleet vehicles pursuant to the master service agreement a statewide contract or leveraged procurement agreement developed pursuant to Section 14992 or other agreements pursued upon the advice of the Clean Vehicles Ombudsperson to accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption by public agencies.
(b) Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 does not apply to any criteria, priorities, and guidelines adopted by the bank in connection with the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program or any other program of the bank.
(c) Repayments of financing made under the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund Program shall be deposited in the appropriate account created within the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund.
(d) The Strategic Growth Council, in consultation with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, shall advise the Legislature prior to the end of each calendar year, commencing with the calendar year of 2020, of potential categories of climate catalyst projects that would focus on the state’s key climate mitigation and resilience priorities. The Strategic Growth Council’s recommendations may include indicative percentages of investment allocations across identified priority sectors. The Strategic Growth Council shall inform the bank of the advice provided to the Legislature.