Section 44125 Of Article 11. Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 11.
44125
. (a) No later than July 1, 2009, the state board, in
consultation with the bureau, shall adopt a program to commence on
January 1, 2010, that allows for the voluntary retirement of
passenger vehicles and light-duty and medium-duty trucks that are
high polluters. The program shall be administered by the bureau
pursuant to guidelines adopted by the state board.
(b) No later than June 30, 2015, the state board, in consultation
with the bureau, shall update the program established pursuant to
subdivision (a). The program shall continue to be administered by the
bureau pursuant to guidelines updated and adopted by the state
board.
(c) The guidelines shall ensure all of the following:
(1) Vehicles retired pursuant to the program are permanently
removed from operation and retired at a dismantler under contract
with the bureau.
(2) Districts retain their authority to administer vehicle
retirement programs otherwise authorized under law.
(3) The program is available for high polluting passenger vehicles
and light-duty and medium-duty trucks that have been continuously
registered in California for two years prior to acceptance into the
program or otherwise proven to have been driven primarily in
California for the last two years and have not been registered in
another state or country in the last two years. The guidelines may
require a vehicle to take, complete, or pass a smog check inspection.
(4) The program is focused where the greatest air quality impact
can be identified.
(5) (A) Compensation for retired vehicles shall be at least one
thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for a low-income motor vehicle
owner, as defined in Section 44062.1, and no more than one thousand
dollars ($1,000) for all other motor vehicle owners.
(B) Replacement or a mobility option may be an option for all
motor vehicle owners and may be in addition to compensation for
vehicles retired pursuant to subparagraph (A). For low-income motor
vehicle owners, as defined in Section 44062.1, compensation toward a
replacement vehicle or mobility option shall be no less than two
thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). Compensation toward a
replacement vehicle for all other motor vehicle owners shall not
exceed compensation for low-income motor vehicle owners.
(C) Compensation for either retired or replacement vehicles or a
mobility option for low-income motor vehicle owners may be increased
as necessary to maximize the air quality benefits of the program
while also ensuring participation by low-income motor vehicle owners,
as defined in Section 44062.1. Increases in compensation amounts may
be based on factors, including, but not limited to, the age of the
retired or replaced vehicle, the emissions benefits of the retired or
replaced vehicle, the emissions impact of any replacement vehicle,
participation by low-income motor vehicle owners, as defined in
Section 44062.1, and the location of the vehicle in an area of the
state with the poorest air quality.
(6) Cost-effectiveness and impacts on disadvantaged and low-income
populations are considered. Program eligibility may be limited on
the basis of income to ensure the program adequately serves persons
of low or moderate income.
(7) Provisions that coordinate the vehicle retirement and
replacement and mobility option components of the program with the
vehicle retirement component of the bureau's Consumer Assistance
Program, established pursuant to other provisions of this chapter, to
ensure vehicle owners participate in the appropriate program to
maximize emissions reductions.
(8) Streamlined administration to simplify participation while
protecting the accountability of moneys spent.
(9) Specific steps to ensure the vehicle replacement and mobility
option component of the program is available in areas designated as
federal extreme nonattainment.
(10) A requirement that vehicles eligible for retirement have
sufficient remaining life. Demonstration of sufficient remaining life
may include proof of current registration, passing a recent smog
check inspection, or passing another test similar to a smog check
inspection.
(d) When updating the guidelines to the program established
pursuant to subdivision (a), the state board shall study and consider
all the following elements:
(1) Methods of financial assistance other than vouchers.
(2) An option for automobile dealerships or other used car sellers
to accept cars for retirement, provided the cars are dismantled
consistent with the requirements of the program.
(3) An incentive structure with varied incentive amounts to
maximize program participation and cost-effective emissions
reductions.
(4) Increased emphasis on the replacement of high polluters with
cleaner vehicles or the increased use of public transit and car
sharing that results in the increased utilization of the vehicle
replacement and mobility option component of the program.
(5) Increased emphasis on the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions through increased vehicle efficiency or transit and car
sharing use as a result of the program.
(6) Increased partnerships and outreach with community-based
organizations.
(e) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(1) "Car sharing" has the same definition as in Section 44258.
(2) "Mobility option" means a voucher for public transit or car
sharing.