Air Quality Improvement Program: Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

Existing law establishes the Air Quality Improvement Program that is administered by the State Air Resources Board for the purposes of funding projects related to, among other things, the reduction of criteria air pollutants and improvement of air quality. Pursuant to its existing statutory authority, the state board has established the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, as a part of the Air Quality Improvement Program, to promote the production and use of zero-emission vehicles by providing rebates for the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles. The Charge Ahead California Initiative requires the state board to adopt, no later than June 30, 2015, revisions to the criteria and other requirements for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project to, among other things, limit eligibility based on income. This bill would require the state board to adopt regulations for the purposes of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project that would establish the maximum gross annual income at specified levels for a person to be eligible for a rebate; increase rebate payments by $500 for low-income applicants, as defined; include outreach to low-income households; and prioritize rebate payments for low-income applicants.