Relating to: teacher and administrator licensure in parental choice programs and in the Special Needs Scholarship Program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 14 co-sponsors

CARB must consider how rental and shared MD/HD ZEVs affect emissions, compliance, and education when designing related fleet procurement regulations.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

Purpose / intent

AB 620 would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB or “state board”) to explicitly consider the role and impacts of renting medium‑ and heavy‑duty zero‑emission vehicles (MD/HD ZEVs) when it adopts or amends regulations to implement the Medium‑ and Heavy‑Duty Zero‑Emission Vehicle Fleet Purchasing Assistance Program (a program within the Air Quality Improvement Program) or any other regulation concerning procurement or use of MD/HD ZEVs by public or private fleets. The bill is aimed at ensuring rental and shared‑mobility uses are evaluated as part of regulatory design.

Key provisions

Adds Section 44274.16 to the Health and Safety Code.

Requires CARB, for any relevant regulation adopted or amended under the article (and for other MD/HD ZEV procurement/use regulations), to consider — with respect to rental MD/HD ZEVs — all of the following:

(a) Customers, not rental companies, drive rental vehicles and are responsible for miles driven and associated emissions.
(b) How rental/shared mobility of MD/HD ZEVs can help obligated entities comply with regulations more cost‑effectively and flexibly.
(c) How rental/shared mobility can expose fleet operators/customers to ZEV technology and charging infrastructure and educate them about benefits (e.g., lower maintenance and fuel costs).
(d) Public health, air quality, and climate benefits of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by fossil‑fueled MD/HD vehicles or of increasing MD/HD ZEV VMT via rentals.
(e) Environmental and supply‑chain benefits of renting MD/HD ZEVs compared to outright procurement.

Who is affected

CARB (regulatory consideration duties).

Public and private MD/HD fleet operators (potentially when complying with future regulations).

Vehicle rental and shared‑mobility providers (may be considered in rule design).

Vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and associated supply chains (as regulators consider procurement vs. rental impacts).

Communities concerned with air quality and public health (indirectly via regulatory outcomes).

Procedural history and status

Introduced: Feb 13, 2025.

Passed both houses with unanimous or strong support through relevant committees (transportation, environmental quality, appropriations) and floor votes.

Fiscal committee review required; bill contains no direct appropriation.

Enrolled and presented to the Governor Sept 11, 2025.

Vetoed by the Governor on Oct 3, 2025.

Practical effect and limits

The bill does not create funding, change emissions standards, or mandate rentals; it imposes a statutory duty to consider specific factors in rulemaking.

Outcomes depend on how CARB applies these considerations in subsequent regulations. Because the bill was vetoed, its requirements did not become law.

Bill