AB 194 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Transportation.

AB 194 is a procedural resolution expressing the California Legislature's intent to enact statutory changes related to the Budget Act of 2025. It does not make immediate budget changes but serves as a formal step to guide future legislative action on budget-related laws. This resolution does not directly affect specific individuals or organizations, as it only outlines future intentions. It remains neutral, focusing on the legislative process rather than policy outcomes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Assembly Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Aug 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

08/28/26 - Amended Senate → AB194 · 1 edit

MINOR

The diff between these two versions of AB 194 reflects only a change in document format and presentation, not in substantive content. The 'from' version is a printed legislative document with line numbers and page headers, while the 'to' version is a web page rendering of the same bill text. All policy provisions, funding amounts, and legal language remain identical.

TECHNICAL

The document was reformatted from a printed legislative bill layout (with line numbers, page breaks, and column formatting) to a web page display format with navigation elements, search fields, and standard website structure. No substantive policy content was added, removed, or altered.

01/08/25 - Introduced → 08/28/26 - Amended Senate · 6 edits · Aug 28, 2026

MODERATE

AB 194 was transformed from a one-line placeholder expressing legislative intent to a multi-section bill with substantive policy changes. The amended version adds a zero-emission vehicle incentive program for first-time buyers, restricts Los Angeles from reducing traffic lanes near cemeteries, expands California Highway Patrol security coverage to immediate family members of state officials, and increases CHP capital funding by $189,000 plus an additional $4 million option for land acquisition.

Scope change

The bill expanded from a single-section placeholder expressing legislative intent into a five-section omnibus covering transportation (EV incentives), local government powers (cemetery lane restrictions in Los Angeles), public safety (CHP security for officials' families), and appropriations (CHP capital funding increase). It now applies to the State Air Resources Board, the City of Los Angeles specifically, the California Highway Patrol, and vehicle manufacturers.

FISCAL

Establishes a zero-emission electric vehicle incentive program using Budget Act of 2026 funds (Items 3900-101-3228 and 3900-102-0115) for first-time ZEV buyers. Incentives are provided at point of sale through grant agreements with vehicle manufacturers, with price caps of $50,000 for new vehicles and $25,000 for used vehicles. A curb weight limit of 8,500 pounds applies. The program sunsets September 1, 2031.

Increases the CHP capital outlay appropriation in the Budget Act of 2026 from $11,414,000 to $11,603,000 (a $189,000 increase) for tower and vault replacement. Additionally authorizes the Department of Finance to augment funds by up to $4,000,000 for option agreements to purchase critical parcels of real property, subject to 30-day legislative notification.

SCOPE

Creates an exemption from the price caps for California-headquartered zero-emission vehicle companies (defined as corporations with US-based headquarters in California whose entire fleet is zero-emission). Includes a severability clause so the rest of the program survives if this provision is struck down by a court.

Expands California Highway Patrol authority to provide physical security to immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children, parents, step-parents, in-laws, adoptive parents) of current or former constitutional officers and legislators. Requires a threat analysis upon request, a mandatory reassessment at 6 months, and prohibits changing the level or duration of security until that reassessment is complete. Also allows the Chief Justice to request protective services for state court members.

REQUIREMENT

Prohibits any city with a population of 2,000,000 or more (effectively only Los Angeles) from reducing vehicle travel lanes on a street that is the only access to two or more adjacent cemeteries without prior approval of the governing body and concurrence of the mayor. Requires a public hearing and written findings on alternatives, emergency access, fire hazard zones, and consistency with the city's mobility plan.

TECHNICAL

The bill's title, digest, and committee assignment were updated to reflect the expanded scope. The original one-section intent provision was retained at the end of the amended bill rather than removed.

Floor votes · Assembly Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

52–17

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 79

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic59

52 Yea 7

88% Yea

R Republican20

17 Nay 3

85% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 28, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 760.)

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on BUDGET.

lower

Jan 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.

lower

0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors