BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 901
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Senator S. Joseph Simitian, Chairman
2011-2012 Regular Session
BILL NO: SB 901
AUTHOR: Steinberg
AMENDED: As introduced
FISCAL: Yes HEARING DATE: January 11,
2012
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Randy Pestor
SUBJECT : ENHANCED FLEET MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
SUMMARY :
Existing law , under the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program:
1) Requires the State Air Resources Board (ARB) to adopt a
program for the voluntary retirement of passenger vehicles
and light-duty and medium-duty trucks that are high
polluters. The program must be administered by the Bureau
of Automotive Repair (BAR) pursuant to ARB adopted
guidelines.
2) Requires the guidelines to ensure that certain requirements
are met (e.g., retired vehicles are permanently removed
from operation and retired at a dismantler, program is
focused where the greatest air quality impact can be
justified).
This bill renames the program as the Vehicle Retirement
Program and:
1) Requires that the voluntary retirement program applies to
the highest, rather than high, polluters.
2) Revises the guideline requirements to:
a) Strike the requirement that the program be focused
where the greatest air quality impact can be identified.
b) Add a requirement that moneys appropriated for the
program are expended to retire the highest polluting
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vehicles in the state, with priority given to those
highest polluting vehicles registered in air basins that
are out of attainment with federal air quality
standards.
3) Make technical amendments.
COMMENTS :
1) Purpose of Bill . AB 118 (Nunez) Chapter 750, Statutes of
2007, enacted the California Alternative and Renewable
Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction
Act of 2007. The Act includes the Alternative and
Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, as well as
the Air Quality Improvement Program. AB 118 also added the
Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program. AB 118 contains
various fees to fund these programs. AB 109 (Nunez)
Chapter 313, Statutes of 2008, revised and clarified
various provisions of AB 118.
SB 901 is an effort to clarify certain provisions of the
Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program.
2) Revising the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program . As
noted above, AB 118 (Nunez) Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007,
enacted the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program. An
Enhanced Fleet Modernization Subaccount is created in the
High Polluter Repair or Removal Account, and all moneys
deposited in the subaccount must be available, upon
appropriation by the Legislature, to establish and
implement the program (Health and Safety Code §44126). The
program is funded by $1.00 from the vehicle registration
fee (Vehicle Code §9250.1), which generates about $30
million annually for the program. Compensation for retired
vehicles must be $1,500 for a low-income motor vehicle
owner and $1,000 for other motor vehicle owners. BAR must
primarily focus outreach efforts and solicit vehicles in
the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air basins (13 Cal.
Code of Regs. 2626(b)).
SB 901 renames the program; provides that the program is
available to the highest, rather than high, polluters; and
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clarifies that priority be given to those highest polluting
vehicles registered in air basins that are out of
attainment with federal air quality standards, rather than
where the greatest air quality impact can be identified.
3) Pending rereferral from Senate Transportation and Housing
Committee . SB 901 was referred to the Senate
Transportation and Housing Committee and the Senate
Environmental Quality Committee. This bill will be heard
by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee January
10, 2012, and will be heard by the Senate Environmental
Quality Committee January 11, 2012, pending referral from
that Committee.
SOURCE : Senator Steinberg
SUPPORT : Consumer Federation of California
OPPOSITION : None on file