California Air Resources Board

Summary

Formalizes the existence of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development’s (GO-Biz) ZEV division as the ZEV Market Development Office in statute, as specified, and establishes the ZEV Equity Advocate, within the office, until January 1, 2028, as specified. Requires the ZEV Market Development Office to coordinate with relevant state agencies, including CARB.

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Summary

Requires CARB to coordinate with air quality management districts (Air Districts) and local nonprofit and community-based organizations (CBOs) to identify barriers to accessing the Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) program, and to develop outreach protocols and metrics to assess the success of outreach across the Air Districts. The bill also adds to CARB’s Annual Report on Program Performance pursuant to AB 630 (Cooper, Chapter 636, Statutes of 2017) by requiring the inclusion of an assessment identifying populations that are eligible for CC4A but underserved by the program. Additionally, the bill allows the Air Districts to utilize up to 10 percent of allocated funds for outreach, but requires the submission of additional justification and reporting requirements to CARB. The bill also provides an exemption from sales and use tax for someone participating in the CC4A program.

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Summary

Prohibits any person from purchasing a used catalytic converter from anybody other than certain specified sellers, including an automobile dismantler, an automotive repair dealer, or an individual possessing documentation, as specified, that they are the lawful owner of the catalytic converter. A violation of this provision is an infraction, punishable by a fine.

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Summary

Would have required Strategic Growth Council to coordinate and convene at least two meetings each calendar year with specified State agencies, including CARB, and regional entities, to coordinate their implementation of sustainable transportation policies including vehicle miles traveled reduction goals, zero-emission vehicle deployment goals, transit goals, and active transportation goals. The bill would have required those State agencies and regional entities, on or before December 31, 2023, and each year thereafter, to collaboratively develop a summary of actions undertaken as part of the meetings and would have required the summary to be publicly available on the Strategic Growth Council’s internet website. Moved to the Assembly Inactive File.

Summary

Would have added two environmental justice members, one appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, to the South Coast Air Quality Management Board (AQMD). The bill would have also authorized South Coast AQMD Board to create a Labor Advisory Panel composed of six representatives whose members perform work in the South Coast Air Basin. The bill would have required the Labor Advisory Panel to provide feedback and input on all district permitting, rules, regulations, and planning issues that have the potential to impact the workforce in the South Coast Air Basin. The bill would have required the South Coast AQMD Board to select the members of the Labor Advisory Panel from nominations provided by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the Inland Empire Labor Council, and the Orange County Labor Federation. Failed passage on the Senate Floor.

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Summary 

Prohibits the development of new oil and gas wells or infrastructure in health protection zones, as defined, except for purposes of public health and safety. The bill requires operators of existing oil and gas wells or infrastructure within health protection zones to undertake specified monitoring, public notice, and nuisance requirements. The bill requires CARB to consult and concur with California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) on leak detection and repair plans for these facilities, adopt regulations as necessary to implement emission detection system standards, and collaborate with CalGEM on public access to emissions detection data.

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Summary 

As related to CARB, would have required the newly formed Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) Office of Freight, in consultation with specified State agencies, to submit to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2024 an assessment of statewide economic growth, competitiveness, prosperity, resiliency, and sustainability for the State’s ports and freight sector, and update the assessment at least once every five years thereafter. In the consultation process, CARB would have met with specified State agencies as necessary to address and discuss ongoing freight and supply chain issues. The bill would have also required the assessment to include, among other things, the analysis of how the economic competitiveness for businesses and the freight sector can be supported under State and federal climate and air pollution policies, and the identification of challenges the California freight sector faces in meeting the State’s emission reduction goals, including the quantification of the costs and recommended strategies. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would require Strategic Growth Council to coordinate and convene at least two meetings each calendar year with specified State agencies, including CARB, and regional entities, to coordinate their implementation of sustainable transportation policies including vehicle miles traveled reduction goals, zero-Emission Vehicle deployment goals, transit goals, and active transportation goals. The bill would require those State agencies and regional entities, on or before December 31, 2023, and each year thereafter, to collaboratively develop a summary of actions undertaken as part of the meetings and would require the summary to be publicly available on the Strategic Growth Council’s internet website. Moved to the Assembly Inactive File.

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Summary

Expands the set of violations that can cause port drayage contractors to be placed on a Division of Labor Standards Enforcement list that extends joint liability for future violations to customers of that contractor. This legislation relates to the implementation of AB 794 (Chapter 748, Statutes of 2021) as violators named in this bill would be ineligible for CARB incentive programs named in AB 794.

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Summary

Would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to promote environmental justice by ensuring that disadvantaged communities, often low-income communities of color, do not continue to be overburdened with unfair shares of pollution. Was not heard by the Senate Rules Committee.

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