Vehicles: offstreet parking: electric vehicles.

(1) Existing law authorizes a local authority, by ordinance or resolution, and a person in lawful possession of an offstreet parking facility, to designate stalls or spaces in an offstreet parking facility owned or operated by that local authority or person for the exclusive purpose of fueling and parking a vehicle that displays a valid zero emission vehicle (ZEV) decal identification posted on the driver's side rear window or bumper of the vehicle or, if the vehicle does not have a rear window or bumper, on the driver's side of the windshield, issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to these provisions. Existing law, for purposes of those provisions, defines a "zero emission vehicle" to mean any car, truck, or other vehicle that produces no tailpipe or evaporative emissions. This bill would instead allow only a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes to park in these designated stalls or spaces, and would define "electric vehicle" to mean any car, truck, or other vehicle that does not produce tailpipe or evaporative emissions or is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) , as that term is used by the State Air Resources Board. The bill would also authorize the removal of these vehicles from an offstreet parking facility if they are not connected for electric charging purposes. The bill would delete the requirement for the display of decal identification from this provision. Existing law further prohibits a person from parking or leaving standing a vehicle in a stall or space so designated for a zero emission vehicle unless a valid zero emission vehicle decal identification is displayed on that vehicle. A violation of that law is a crime. This bill would instead apply that prohibition to a vehicle in a stall or space designated pursuant to the above provisions unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes. The bill would also prohibit a person from parking or leaving standing a specified vehicle unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes. The bill would delete the requirement for the display of decal identification from this provision. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.