BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                     AB 808


                                                                    Page  1





          Date of Hearing:  May 20, 2015


                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS


                                 Jimmy Gomez, Chair


          AB  
          808 (Ridley-Thomas) - As Amended May 4, 2015


           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
          |Policy       |Business and Professions       |Vote:|13 - 0       |
          |Committee:   |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
          |             |                               |     |             |
           ----------------------------------------------------------------- 


          Urgency:  No  State Mandated Local Program:  YesReimbursable:   
          No


          SUMMARY:


          This bill expands the authority of the California Department of  
          Food and Agriculture's Division of Measurement Standards to  
          include alternative fuels and new automotive products, and  








                                                                     AB 808


                                                                    Page  2





          establishes appropriate methods of sale for such fuels that are  
          consistent with national standards.


          FISCAL EFFECT:


          Minor and absorbable impacts to the Department of Food and  
          Agriculture.


          COMMENTS:


          1)Purpose.  According to the author, "California is at the  
            forefront of alternative and renewable fuel and vehicle  
            technology.  As more vehicles in California are powered by  
            alternative fuels, it is imperative that the state protect its  
            consumers and businesses by providing clear standards and  
            guidelines to prevent consumer confusion and unfair business  
            practices that could harm the marketplace.  This bill will  
            provide the necessary regulatory framework to ensure that  
            alternative motor vehicle fuels and automotive products are  
            regulated in a similar manner as traditional fuels and  
            automotive products."  
          2)Background. The California Department of Food and Agriculture  
            is the state agency with the authority to regulate the quality  
            of fuel and automotive products.  According to the Department,  
            in order for the Department to comply with Executive Order  
            B-16-12, existing law must be amended to adequately define  
            "alternative motor vehicle fuels,"  thus giving the Department  
            clear authority to regulate fuel quality, advertising, and  
            labeling, thereby protecting consumers.  


          Governor's Executive Order B-16-2012.  Recognizing the multiple  
            benefits of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), as well as  
            challenges to growing the market, Governor Brown issued  
            Executive Order B-16-2012 on March 23, 2012 that directed  








                                                                     AB 808


                                                                    Page  3





            California to "encourage the development and success of  
            zero-emission vehicles to protect the environment, stimulate  
            economic growth and improve the quality of life in the State."  
             The Governor's Executive Order sets a long-term target of  
            reaching 1.5 million ZEVs on California's roadways by 2025.  
            The Executive Order also sets a longer term target of reducing  
            transportation-related greenhouse gas emission by 80 percent  
            below 1990 levels by 2050.  The Executive Order established  
            several milestones on a path toward 1.5 million ZEVs in  
            California by the year 2025. The 2013 ZEV Action Plan was  
            subsequently released, which identifies specific strategies  
            and actions that state agencies will take to meet milestones  
            of the executive order. 


          3)Prior Related Legislation.  
             a)   AB 1907 (Ridley-Thomas), Chapter 805, Statutes of 2014,  
               specified requirements for the retail sale of compressed  
               natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
             b)   AB 8 (Perea), Chapter 401, Statutes of 2013, extended  
               until January 1, 2024, extra fees on vehicle registrations,  
               boat registrations, and tire sales in order to fund  
               programs, including the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and  
               Vehicle Technology Program, that support the production,  
               distribution, and sale of alternative fuels and vehicle  
               technologies, as well as air emissions reduction efforts.
             c)   SB 454 (Corbett), Chapter 418, Statutes of 2013, created  
               the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Open Access Act,  
               which would prohibit the charging of a subscription fee on  
               persons desiring to use an electric vehicle charging  
               station, as defined, and would prohibit a requirement for  
               persons to obtain membership in any club, association, or  
               organization as a condition of using the station. 


             d)   AB 1007 (Pavley), Chapter 371, Statutes of 2005,  
               required that, not later than June 30, 2007, the State  
               Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission,  
               in partnership with the State Air Resources Board, and in  








                                                                     AB 808


                                                                    Page  4





               consultation with other relevant state agencies, to develop  
               and adopt a state plan to increase the use of alternative  
               transportation fuels.





          


          Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081