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 use of zero-emission vehicles by providing rebates for the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles. This bill would require the state board to develop a plan to provide for the funding of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, as specified. The bill would require the state board to provide to the Director of Finance a rebate structure designed to support the deployment of 5,000,000 zero-emission vehicles in the state by December 2030; a starting rebate level for all battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in a specified amount; rebate levels, if any, for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, as specified; and an estimate of the total amount of money to be paid as rebates between July 1, 2020, and the date at which 5,000,000 zero-emission vehicles are expected to be deployed. The bill would require the Department of Finance to specify a funding plan to maintain funding levels for any program impacted by that rebate structure and levels. The bill would require the state board to submit to the Legislature the proposed funding plan and rebate structure and levels.