Zero-emission vehicle incentive programs: gasoline superusers.

Existing law generally designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency with the primary responsibility for the control of vehicular air pollution. Existing law establishes various incentive programs that are administered or funded by the state board to provide financial assistance for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles by individuals, including, among others, the Clean Cars 4 All Program. This bill would require the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to ensure that beginning January 1, 2025, an additional incentive, to be known as a "superuser incentive," is awarded under a zero-emission vehicle incentive program that is administered or funded by the state board to a gasoline superuser, as defined, who otherwise qualifies for an incentive under the zero-emission vehicle incentive program. The bill would require the state board to set the amount of the superuser incentive at a level that maximizes the displacement of gasoline and the reduction of emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases per dollar spent. The bill would require specified information to be provided by an applicant for the additional incentive under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the state board, on or before January 1, 2025, to develop and implement a strategy to, among other things, identify the drivers who are gasoline superusers and are low or moderate income and expedite the replacement of the vehicles of those drivers, as specified. The bill would require the state board to submit a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, regarding the zero-emission vehicle incentive programs administered or funded by the state board. 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.