Administrative
Report
H.11., File # 22-3898 Meeting Date: 4/5/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
APPROVE SENDING A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF AB 2074 WHICH WOULD EXPAND THE AIR
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ALLOW THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD
TO CREATE A MICROMOBILITY DEVICE REBATE PROGRAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments has requested its member cities support AB 2074.
The Bill, if adopted, would expand the Air Quality Improvement Program and allow the California Air Resources Board to create a micromobility device rebate program for CA residents who invest in alternative personal transportation equipment modes such as e-scooters and neighborhood electric vehicles.
BACKGROUND
The Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) was established by the California Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007. The AQIP is administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is a source of funding for projects related to the reduction of criteria air pollutants and improvement of air quality. As a part of the AQIP, CARB established the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project which promotes the production of zero-emission vehicles and provides rebates for the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles. Existing law specifies the types of projects and vehicles eligible to receive funding under the program, with the most recent addition being the purchase of e-bikes (AB 117).
AB 2074, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, seeks to further expand the AQIP to include micromobility devices as eligible vehicles for rebates. Micromobility devices are defined as lowspeed vehicles powered by an electric powertrain with a top speed of 25 miles per hour. AB 2074 would require CARB to establish a Micromobility Device Incentives Project to provide incentives, in the form of vouchers, to individuals for the purchase of micromobility devices such as e-scooters and neighborhood electric vehicles. The rebate program would need to launch no later than July 1, 2023, and rebates of 30%, up to a purchase price of $3,000, would be made available to program participants.
On March 21, 2022, the bill passed the Assembly Transportation Committee with no opposing votes and was advanced to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The South Bay Cities Council of Governments reached out to cities with information pertaining to the bill and provided a template letter for those agencies interested in submitting a letter of support. A draft letter supporting AB 2074
H.11., File # 22-3898 Meeting Date: 4/5/2022
is attached for consideration.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s office prepared this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with the preparation of this report.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Letter of Support for AB 2074