Small passenger vessels: emissions reductions: state funding.

The State Air Resources Board administers various regulatory programs designed to reduce emissions from different vessels. Through its Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, the state board seeks to reduce diesel particulate matter, oxides of sulfur, and oxides of nitrogen from diesel propulsion and auxiliary engines from harbor craft, as defined, that operate in specified waters. This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2024, the state board, to the extent feasible, to identify all sources of state funding available, and potentially available, to provide commercial rebates and other financial incentives to an owner or operator of a small passenger vessel to replace or upgrade the vessel, or a component of the vessel, to comply with the state board's 2022 amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation. The bill would require the state board, on or before July 1, 2024, for an existing source of state funding, to develop guidance for an owner or operator of a small passenger vessel to apply for that funding, and for a potential source of state funding, to develop and implement a program to make those funds available and provide guidance for an owner or operator of a small passenger vessel to apply for that funding. The bill would define "small passenger vessel" as a vessel that is registered with the Department of Fish and Wildlife as a vessel in connection with fishing operations for profit in the state pursuant to a specified law.