RCRC is sponsoring Senate Bill 496, authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), This measure creates additional pathways for local agency fleets to receive necessary exemptions under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations.
ACF sets ambitious compliance deadlines for fleets to transition to an increasing proportion of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and requires access to adequate utility infrastructure for alternative fueling such as EV charging. While ACF allows that fleets may request exemptions granting compliance flexibility in cases where, for reasons beyond their control, fleets cannot meet the compliance timetables, it does not provide clarity on how such exemption requests are to be evaluated and decided upon, nor does it provide a process for any administrative review of exemption request denials by CARB.
SB 496 establishes an Appeals Advisory Committee by which local agencies may request a review of exemption request denials. Additionally, SB 496 would update the emergency vehicle exemption, allowing those vehicles that respond to and support critical operations related to emergencies and disasters, often under austere conditions, to continue to protect our communities. Finally, SB 496 promotes affordability in the midst of 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.
SB 496 passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 2, 2025, and awaits action in the Senate Transportation Committee.
RCRC requests that counties send letters of support to the Senate Committee on Transportation. A template is available here.
Counties are highly encouraged to submit the letter through the legislative portal (see here).
For assistance or additional information, please contact Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.