BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2024
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Date of Hearing: May 2, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2024 (Mendoza) - As Amended: March 27, 2012
Policy Committee: Transportation
Vote: 14-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill states the intent of the Legislature that the Air
Resources Board (ARB) define "low-use vehicle," for purposes of
tax-exempt churches and religious organizations, to mean a
large, mainly diesel-powered vehicle that will be operated less
than 5,000 miles per year within California.
FISCAL EFFECT
Because the bill simply states the intent of the Legislature, it
has no direct state costs. However, this committee presumes
that ARB will strive to act consistent with Legislative intent.
Therefore, this bill will result in one-time costs of an unknown
but substantial amount to ARB. Development of regulations
consistent with the intent of this bill typical cost ARB between
$100,000 and $300,000 (Equivalent to one to three staff
members). At the time this analysis was written, ARB was not
able to provide a detailed cost estimate, however, ARB indicates
the bill would likely entail database creation and research,
resulting in costs that may run well above ARB's typical
regulation development costs (special fund).
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. The author intends to provide relief to nonprofit
churches and religious organizations that struggle to pay for
compliance with ARB's diesel emission retrofit requirements.
The author notes many of these organizations operate school
buses which, in part because they are driven more than 1,000
AB 2024
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miles a year in California, are subject to ARB's regulatory
retrofit requirement.
2)Background. ARB's In-Use On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles
Regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in
California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks
must be retrofitted with particulate matter filters beginning
January 1, 2012, and older trucks must be replaced starting
January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and
buses will need to have 2010 model-year engines or equivalent.
The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally
owned diesel fueled trucks and buses and to privately and
publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating
greater than 14,000 pounds. School buses operating less than
1,000 miles in a 12-month period are exempt from the general
requirements of the regulation.
3)Support. This bill is supported by dozens of individuals who
urge ARB to amend its regulation to allow churches to continue
to provide transportation services to children traveling to
and from church services.
4)There is no opposition formally registered to this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081