By: @Anthony Tannehill
CSDA, in partnership with local government advocates representing cities and counties, has co-sponsored SB 496 (Hurtado) to provide relief to local agencies in their efforts to comply with the ambitious deadlines and requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) / Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandates.
As local agencies strive to achieve the State’s climate and emissions goals, while confronting the barriers outside their control, SB 496 will help state and local agencies more effectively navigate the ACF regulation and its associated risks and costs to our communities. Of critical concern to local governments, the ACF mandates on medium-duty and heavy-duty fleets are creating unnecessary challenges to maintaining the many critical services Californians rely upon for their most essential daily needs as well as during emergencies and disasters.
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SB 496 will help state and local agencies meet both the needs of our communities and California’s climate goals in three important areas:
- Protecting the health and safety of our communities:
- SB 496 updates the emergency vehicle exemption within the ACF to allow those vehicles that respond to and support critical operations related to emergencies and disasters, often under austere conditions, to continue to protect our communities. Our front-line workers need to be able to rely on their vehicle working under any condition during a fire, earthquake, storm, or other emergency where their service is critical.
- Prioritizing affordability for our hard-working families:
- SB 496 modifies the requirements of the daily usage exemption, removing barriers for the applicant to comply with the mandate. Moreover, the legislation promotes affordability amid rapidly rising cost pressures on essential local services by averting the costly acquisition of ZEVs before it is possible to install the infrastructure required to use them.
- Promoting transparency and accountability for our government:
- SB 496 establishes an Appeals Advisory Committee by which local agencies may request a review of exemption request denials. This ensures transparency while protecting due process for those seeking further review.
CARB passed its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation effective October 1, 2023. It mandates state and local agencies annually report all vehicles added to and removed from a state or local government agency’s fleet. In addition to the required reporting, state and local agencies must determine which lower-emissions vehicles can meet their needs while instituting a process to go about procuring, fueling/charging, and acquiring the necessary infrastructure and training to maintain and service these vehicles.
SB 496, authored by State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), is a bi-partisan bill that is co-authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), and Assembly Member Juan Alanis (R-Modesto). CSDA is co-sponsoring the legislation together with the League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties, and the Rural County Representatives of California.
Join the fight and take action at Advanced Clean Fleets Reform Measure - California Special Districts Association where you can learn more about the ACF mandate and the CSDA co-sponsored reform measure. Download a sample letter to send to your legislator or fill out our Automated Form Letter for CSDA to use in its advocacy on your behalf.
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