An act to amend Section 25724 of the Public Resources Code, relating to the state vehicle fleet.
Summary
SB 1413 would amend Section 25724 of the Public Resources Code governing the state vehicle fleet, but it does not appear to change the substance of the existing zero-emission vehicle mandate. Current law requires the Department of General Services, beginning no later than the 2024-25 fiscal year, to ensure that at least 50% of light-duty vehicles purchased for the state fleet each year are zero-emission vehicles, subject to specified exceptions. The bill restates that requirement and related exceptions in amended form.
The measure preserves the existing exemption for vehicles with special performance requirements needed for public safety, as defined by the Department of General Services. It also keeps the existing process allowing the department to hold a public hearing, notify the Secretary of State, and stop implementing the requirement if it determines the state cannot be served while complying, including where costs are not substantially absorbable. Because the bill is described by the Legislative Counsel as making only nonsubstantive changes, it functions primarily as a technical or clarifying amendment rather than a policy expansion.
Impact
SB 1413 would leave the underlying state fleet procurement policy in place: at least half of light-duty vehicles purchased for the state fleet must be zero-emission vehicles, unless an exception applies. The bill would not create a new program, expand the mandate, or add new funding requirements; instead, it would amend the existing statute in the Public Resources Code with largely technical wording changes. The affected parties are the Department of General Services and state fleet procurement operations, along with any state agencies relying on fleet vehicles, especially those with public safety or special-performance needs.
Sentiment
There is little evidence of controversy or divided sentiment around SB 1413 based on the available record. The bill had no recorded committee discussion or votes in the materials provided and was referred to Senate Rules shortly after introduction. Its characterization as making nonsubstantive changes suggests it is generally procedural and likely noncontroversial, with no indication of organized support or opposition in the available context.
Contention
The main substantive issue embedded in the statute, rather than in the bill’s text changes, is the balance between the state’s zero-emission purchasing mandate and operational flexibility for public safety vehicles or situations where compliance would impose costs that are not substantially absorbable. Those exceptions give the Department of General Services discretion to suspend implementation if necessary. Because SB 1413 is only a technical amendment, any contention would likely focus on the broader underlying fleet electrification policy and the scope of those exemptions, not on the bill’s specific changes.
Concerning authorizing the clean fleet enterprise to encourage the replacement of high-emitting trucks with low-emitting trucks in motor vehicle fleets.