Bill Text: CA AB3179 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Emergency telecommunications medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-27 - Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. [AB3179 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB3179-Amended.html

---

Amended  IN  Senate  June 27, 2024

Amended  IN  Senate  June 06, 2024

Amended  IN  Senate  May 22, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 3179

---

Introduced by Assembly Member Juan Carrillo

February 16, 2024

---

An act to add and repeal Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 28510) of Division 12.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. Section 43109 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to air pollution.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 3179, as amended, Juan Carrillo. Emergency telecommunications medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

Under existing law, the State Air Resources Board has adopted the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations, which imposes various requirements for transitioning local, state, and federal government fleets of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, other high-priority fleets of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and drayage trucks to zero-emission vehicles, as provided.

This bill would, until January 1, 2036, prohibit any state regulation that seeks to require, or otherwise compel, the procurement of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles from applying to an emergency telecommunications vehicle, which includes a bucket truck owned and operated by a public or private entity that is required to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System or provide access to 911 emergency services, and a Cell on Wheels unit owned and operated by a public or private entity that provides wireless connectivity services for emergency and other wireless connectivity services outage circumstances, as specified. 2030, exempt emergency telecommunications vehicles owned or purchased by emergency telecommunications providers that are used to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System, to provide access to 911 emergency services, or to provide wireless connectivity during service outages from specified requirements in the above-described regulations.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

---

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Communications systems are critical to transmit information that first responders rely on during a crisis, including the restoration of telecommunications services to health care providers following a disaster. The ability of first responders to communicate must be dependable and time sensitive to help minimize the risk to life, property, and recovery during emergencies.

(b) Bucket trucks are operated under various weather and geographic conditions and must restore operations during prolonged power outages. Zero-emission vehicle mandates for these trucks should not hinder a public or private entity’s ability to respond to major disruption events, including, but not limited to, severe weather, wildfires, natural disasters, and physical attacks, and to maintain reliable communications services to California communities.

SEC. 2.Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 28510) is added to Division 12.5 of the Vehicle Code, to read:

2.Emergency Telecommunications Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

28510.

(a)Any state regulation that seeks to require, or otherwise compel, the procurement of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles shall not apply to an emergency telecommunications vehicle.

(b)For purposes of this section, “emergency telecommunications vehicle” includes both of the following:

(1)(A)A bucket truck owned and operated by a public or private entity that is required to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System or provide access to 911 emergency services.

(B)For purposes of this section, “bucket truck” means a vehicle configured with an affixed personnel or aerial lift system with a control platform at the end of the lift with a space for the operator to stand and work above the ground.

(2)(A)A Cell on Wheels unit owned and operated by a public or private entity that provides wireless connectivity services for emergency and other wireless connectivity services outage circumstances, including, but not limited to, support of FirstNet, the National Public Safety Broadband Network.

(B)For purposes of this section, “Cell on Wheels unit” means a mobile unit vehicle configuration that is equipped with telecommunication infrastructure, including, but not limited to, antennas or network equipment, that is typically mounted on a platform, and that enables rapid deployment of temporary network coverage in remote or emergency situations.

28511.

This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2036, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2.

 Section 43109 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

43109.

 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, Article 3.4 (commencing with Section 2015) of Chapter 1 of Division 3 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations does not apply to an emergency telecommunications vehicle owned or purchased by an emergency telecommunications provider that is used to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System, to provide access to 911 emergency services, or to provide wireless connectivity during service outages.

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

(1) “Emergency telecommunications service provider” means either of the following:

(A) A public or private entity that is required to participate in the federal Emergency Alert System or to provide access to 911 emergency services.

(B) A public or private entity that provides wireless connectivity services in emergencies or during other wireless connectivity services outages, including, but not limited to, providing support to the federal First Responder Network Authority and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.

(2) (A) “Emergency telecommunications vehicle” means either a bucket truck or a cell on wheels unit.

(B) “Bucket truck” means a vehicle configured with an affixed personnel or aerial lift system with a control platform at the end of the lift with a space for the operator to stand and work above the ground.

(C) “Cell on wheels unit” means a mobile unit vehicle configuration that is equipped with telecommunications infrastructure, including, but not limited to, antennas or network equipment, that is typically mounted on a platform and that enables the rapid deployment of temporary network coverage in remote areas or during emergency situations.

(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.