Cal. HSC § 44258.7 — California Code / Code hsc / Division 26 / Part 5 / Chapter 8.5 / Section 44258.7
Section 44258.7
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Mobility option” has the same meaning as defined in Section 44124.

(2) “Zero-emission or near-zero-emission vehicle incentive program” means a program to provide incentives to an individual for the purchase of a light-duty zero-emission or near-zero-emission vehicle.

(b) This section applies to zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicle incentive programs that receive funding from, or are administered by, the state board, as applicable, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The Clean Cars 4 All Program established pursuant to Section 44124.5.

(2) The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project established as a part of the Air Quality Improvement Program (Article 3 (commencing with Section 44274) of Chapter 8.9).

(3) The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program established as a part of the Air Quality Improvement Program (Article 3 (commencing with Section 44274) of Chapter 8.9).

(c) (1) The state board shall create a single unified education and application portal that enables an applicant for any of the programs subject to this section to access information about the program and to submit one application for all of the programs.

(2) The development of the education and application portal described in paragraph (1) is contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature for that purpose, and shall be completed no more than two years following an appropriation by the Legislature for that purpose.

(3) When the education and application portal informs an applicant about the incentives that the applicant prequalifies for under programs subject to this section, the state board shall ensure that the portal also informs the applicant about other incentives that may be available to them, such as the California Clean Fuel Reward program and relevant local or regional incentives.

(d) (1) On or before July 1, 2024, the state board shall, where the state board finds it feasible, adopt revisions to the requirements of zero-emission and near-zero-emission vehicle incentive programs subject to this section to ensure an opportunity to become prequalified for an incentive is provided in order to ensure that the incentive is guaranteed to the applicant before the applicant purchases a vehicle, mobility option, or other item or service for which the incentive is provided, in line with current best practices that permit applicants to apply incentive moneys toward the purchase at the point of sale.

(2) If the state board finds it infeasible to adopt the revisions described in paragraph (1) to the requirements, the state board shall prepare, on or before July 1, 2024, a report describing the rationale for those findings. The state board shall post the report on its internet website and provide notice of the report to the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(A) A description of why the proposed revision is infeasible.

(B) Any complementary or overlapping efforts to achieve the policy goals that are underway at the state board.

(C) Where appropriate, an identification of any necessary statutory changes that would enable the proposed revisions.