California Air Resources Board

Summary 

Provides specified direction for procedures that pertain to restitution or vehicle replacement pursuant to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act, commonly known as the “Lemon Laws.” Specifically, this bill would specify that a consumer seeking restitution for a vehicle repair or replacement must file their case within one year of the expiration of an applicable express warranty and in all cases must file their case within six years of the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle. Additionally, this bill, among other things, requires a consumer, at least 30 days prior to the commencement of a civil action seeking civil penalties related to the Lemon Laws, to notify the manufacturer of specified vehicle information and demand that the manufacturer repurchase or replace the motor vehicle. 

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Governor’s Signing Message 

To the Members of the California State Assembly:  

I am signing Assembly Bill 1755, which would significantly alter the procedures for handling vehicle defect claims under California's "Lemon Law." I commend the authors for their efforts to expedite resolution of Lemon Law claims and reduce litigation that is placing increasing pressure on court dockets.

Earlier this year, I was pleased to sign AB 2288 (Kalra) and SB 92 (Umberg), consensus measures that were the product of months of negotiation to address deficiencies in Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) litigation. In contrast to that consensus, this bill has drawn substantive opposition from several consumer groups and the majority of automakers, who were not party to the negotiations. While AB 1755 aims to speed resolution of Lemon Law claims and reduce litigation, many automakers, including smaller electric-vehicle automakers, have expressed serious concerns that some of the specific procedures prescribed in AB 1755 are unworkable for them. In light of those concerns, the authors have agreed to introduce a bill early in the 2025-2026 legislative session that would amend the statute enacted by this bill to make its new procedures subject to election by a given automaker. Automakers that do not elect to utilize the new procedures to resolve Lemon Law claims on their vehicles would be subject to existing Lemon Law rules. I urge the Legislature to adopt that compromise proposal swiftly.

The agreed-upon amendments would also require consumers who have made Lemon Law claims under this bill to give notice to prospective buyers if they sell their vehicles prior to resolution of their Lemon Law lawsuit, in order to ensure that buyers are aware of potential defects. The sale of vehicles to buyers unaware of pending Lemon Law claims on the vehicle is a broader problem under current law that puts buyers and the general public at risk from unsafe vehicles on the road, and I encourage the Legislature to consider additional solutions to that issue.

I also encourage the Legislature to consider whether additional changes to the Lemon Law are needed in light of the transition to electric vehicles and significant advancements in automotive technology. The Lemon Law was enacted in 1970, before cars were equipped with a single computer (today they have as many as 100 separate computers and related electronic sensors) and decades before the first mass-produced electric vehicle. While this issue was not the focus of AB 1755, I encourage the Legislature to consider whether additional updates to the Lemon Law are warranted.  

Sincerely,  

Gavin Newsom 

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Summary

Would have provided that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that provides that the policy of the State is to ensure that companies that contract with the State are not contributing to tropical deforestation, either directly or through their supply chains. Remains at the Assembly Desk.

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Summary

Provides that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that provides that the policy of the State is to ensure that companies that contract with the State are not contributing to tropical deforestation, either directly or through their supply chains. Remains atthe Assembly Desk.

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Summary 

Would have established the Smart Climate Agriculture Program to, among other things, provide grants to persons farming on small to midsize farms to transition from raising livestock or growing feed crops to plant-based agriculture. Was not heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

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Summary

Would establish the Smart Climate Agriculture Program to, among other things, provide grants to persons farming on small to midsize farms to transition from raising livestock or growing feed crops to plant-based agriculture. Was not heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

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Summary

Would have established the California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act. The bill would have required a contractor, and specified subcontractors, for any contract entered, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, contracting with a State agency for the procurement of products comprised wholly or in part of forest-risk commodities, to certify that the commodities were not grown, derived, harvested, reared, or produced on land where tropical deforestation occurred on or after January 1, 2022.

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Governor’s Veto Message

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 416 without my signature.

This bill would require the Department of General Services to issue a Deforestation-Free Code of Conduct covering contracts involving "forest-risk commodities," including wood, paper, rubber, palm oil, beef, and soy. It would require state contractors that provide products to the state that include forest-risk commodities to have a No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy and to make detailed certifications to the origin of each product. These contractors would be required to publicly disclose their supply chains back to the farm or forest where the commodity was grown or harvested.

Deforestation is a major contributor to the climate crisis that California and the world is facing right now. I share the author's commitment to preventing tropical deforestation. Unfortunately, this bill's extensive requirements would create a significant burden on California businesses - particularly small businesses - that are looking to participate in state contracts.

For example, under this bill, every time the state purchases a product that contains soy, the vendor providing that product would need to disclose the exact location where the soybeans were grown, who the farmer was, and where the soybeans were processed. Most small business suppliers do not have access to that information, and with nearly all the U.S. soybean supply coming from domestic producers, this requirement would place a significant burden on businesses without impacting the stated goal of preventing tropical deforestation.

For these reasons I cannot sign this bill; however, I remain committed to working with the author to advance our shared environmental goals and will consider future legislation that better targets those supply chains that directly impact tropical deforestation.

Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom

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Summary

Would have required the Secretary of State to adopt emergency regulations to provide appropriate and timely guidance to public entities and the public generally regarding signature requirements and to make regulatory changes needed no later than March 1, 2022, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.  The bill would have made such adopted emergency regulations effective only until nonemergency, final regulations are adopted and become effective through the regular rulemaking process.  Was not heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

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Summary

Would have declared it to be the goal of the State by 2030 to protect at least 30 percent of the State’s land areas and waters, to help advance the protection of 30 percent of the nation’s oceans, and to support regional, national and international efforts to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s land areas, waters, and oceans.  Held on suspense in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would have established the California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act that would have required a contractor contracting with a State agency for procurement of specified products to certify the materials used were not derived from land where tropical deforestation occurred on or after January 1, 2021.  The bill would have required the Department of General Services to issue a notice regarding this requirement and impose specified sanctions on contractors who violate the requirement.  Was not heard in the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee.

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Summary

Spot bill intended to encourage smart climate agriculture.  Remains in the Assembly Rules Committee.

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