California Air Resources Board

Would have required CARB to consider, for any future regulation or amendment regarding the procurement or use of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by a public or private fleet, that car rental customers are responsible for a car's miles driven and any associated emissions, rather than the rental company. The bill also would have required CARB to “consider” how rentals can help obligated entities comply with regulations in a more cost-effective and flexible manner, as well as a myriad of other perceived benefits.

View full bill text here

Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

 I am returning Assembly Bill 620 without my signature.

 This bill would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to consider, for any future regulation or amendment regarding the procurement or use of medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by a public or private fleet, that car rental customers are responsible for a car's miles driven and any associated emissions.

 In 2020, I issued Executive Order (EO) N-79-20, which directed CARB, among other things, to develop strategies to transition in-state sales of new passenger vehicles and trucks to 100 percent ZEVs by 2035, where feasible. Following this EO, CARB developed the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation. While the United States Environmental Protection Agency did not grant a waiver to authorize the ACF regulation before the climate-change-denying Trump Administration took office, California remains committed to transitioning to zero­-emission transportation. This is why I recently issued EO N-27-25 reaffirming California's leadership in promoting ZEVs to protect our future, health, and economy.

 In my veto message to Assembly Bill 637 (Jackson) last year, I encouraged rental vehicle companies to work with CARB to explore the environmental and economic benefits of MD/HD ZEV rentals through existing regulatory processes. I continue to encourage rental vehicle companies to do so.

 For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

 Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

View Governor’s veto message here