Legislative Update: What Legislation Didn't Make It to the First Checkpoint - Streetsblog California

A legislative deadline required bills to move through Appropriations and/or Finance committees in their house of origin or wait for the next session. Assembly Bill 1421 directs the California Transportation Commission to continue and deepen a study on whether a road usage charge could replace the gas tax, and it has passed the Assembly but has no Senate hearing date. The bill drew attention from right-wing influencers with claims about replacing or adding VMT fees, but it has not advanced since the prior update and has gained supporting organizations. Assembly Bill 1546 would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders and has passed Appropriations, moving to the Assembly Floor. Assembly Bill 1557 limits e-bike motor output to 750 watts, received no Appropriations hearing, and is dead for the session.

"Last Friday was the first "deadline" for legislation to have moved through the Appropriations and/or Finance Committees in its house of origin or it would have to wait for the next legislative session for a chance to become law. As a result a lot has changed since Streetsblog's last update two weeks ago, so read on to find out if your favorite, or least favorite, piece of legislation is still alive."

"Assembly Bill 1421, Vehicles: Road Usage Charge Technical Advisory Committee, directs the California Transportation Commission to continue and deepen a study into whether a road usage charge could eventually serve as an alternative to the state's traditional gas tax. Passed the Assembly in January and was assigned to the Rules Committee in the Senate. No Hearing date has been set in the Senate."

"This is the legislation that created a stir with right-wing influencers who told followers either that it would replace the gas tax with a vehicle miles traveled fee, that it was already passed and would do so, or would add a VMT fee to the existing gas tax. In both article and short video, Streetsblog explained how none of that was true. While the legislation has not moved since the last update, it has added a list of supporting organizations."

"Assembly Bill 1546, Driving under the influence, would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders to bring California law more in line with other states. This legislation passed the Appropriations Committee and is headed to the Assembly Floor. Assembly Bill 1557, Vehicles: Electric Bicycles, would limit the motor output of e-bikes sold in the state to a maximum of 750 watts, aligning with existing federal e-bike definitions. This legislation did not receive a hearing in Appropriations and is dead for this session."

Read at Streetsblog California