SB 194 California Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Transportation.

SB 194 is a procedural bill that expresses the California Legislature's intent to enact statutory changes related to the Budget Act of 2025. It does not specify any concrete policy changes or affect specific groups; instead, it serves as a formal step to signal future legislative action on budget-related statutes. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (28-10) and was referred to the Assembly for further consideration. As a procedural measure, it has no immediate budgetary impact or fiscal effect.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Aug 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

01/23/25 - Introduced 08/28/26 - Amended Assembly · 7 edits · Aug 28, 2026
MODERATE
SB 194 was transformed from a one-line placeholder expressing legislative intent into a multi-topic omnibus bill covering four distinct policy areas: a zero-emission vehicle incentive program for first-time buyers, a Los Angeles-specific protection preventing lane reductions near cemeteries, expanded California Highway Patrol physical security for elected officials' immediate families, and an increased CHP capital appropriation. The bill now takes effect immediately as a budget-related measure.
SCOPE

Added a zero-emission electric vehicle incentive program (Health and Safety Code 43215) funded by the Budget Act of 2026, providing point-of-sale incentives for first-time buyers of new and used light-duty passenger EVs registered to California residents. New vehicles capped at $50,000 MSRP, used vehicles at $25,000 sales price, with a curb weight limit of 8,500 pounds. Incentives must be matched by participating manufacturers.

Expanded Vehicle Code Section 2400 to authorize the CHP commissioner to provide physical security to the immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, children, parents including step/in-laws/adoptive) of current or former constitutional officers or legislators. Requires a threat analysis upon request, mandatory reassessment at 6 months and at least annually thereafter, and prohibits altering security level or duration until the 6-month reassessment is complete. Also allows the Chief Justice to request protective services for state appellate and supreme court judges.

ELIGIBILITY

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

REQUIREMENT

Added Streets and Highways Code Section 1811 prohibiting cities with a population of 2,000,000 or more (effectively targeting Los Angeles) from reducing vehicle travel lanes on streets that are the only access to two or more adjacent cemeteries without prior approval of the governing body plus mayoral concurrence, a duly noticed public hearing, and written findings on alternatives, emergency access, fire hazard severity zones, and consistency with the city's mobility plan.

FISCAL

Increased the CHP capital outlay appropriation in Budget Act of 2026 Item 2720-301-0001 from $11,414,000 to $11,603,000 (a $189,000 increase) for tower and vault replacement. Also authorized the Department of Finance to augment Schedule 2 funds by up to $4,000,000 for option agreements to purchase critical real property parcels, subject to Property Acquisition Law.

TIMELINE

The EV incentive program (Section 43215) becomes inoperative on September 1, 2031 and is repealed as of January 1, 2032. The entire bill takes effect immediately upon enactment as a budget-related measure.

TECHNICAL

Added legislative findings (Section 5) declaring that a special statute is necessary for the cemetery lane-reduction provision due to uniquely complex traffic patterns in Los Angeles, satisfying the constitutional requirement for special legislation. Also added a provision exempting the EV program from Administrative Procedure Act requirements for guidelines and standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

2810
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 40
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic30
28 Yea 2
93% Yea
R Republican10
10 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Aug 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on BUDGET.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on BUDGET.
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 10. Page 461.) Ordered to the Assembly.
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.