AB 168: Public Resources.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission), consisting of 5 members appointed by the Governor. Existing law requires the Governor to designate one of those members as the chair and another member as the vice chair. Existing law establishes an annual salary for the commission members and a higher annual salary for the chairperson, as prescribed.

This bill would require the vice chair of the Energy Commission, operative July 1, 2027, to receive an annual salary that is at the midpoint between the annual salary of the other commission members and that of the chairperson.

Existing law establishes the California membership of the board of directors of the Western Climate Initiative, Incorporated (WCI, Inc.) as part of the state’s implementations of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Existing law requires certain procurement and contracts proposed by the WCI, Inc. to meet requirements that include, among others, notification to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. The State Contract Act generally provides a contracting process for state agencies and exempts specific state entities from its provisions relating to contracts for the acquisition of information technology goods and services.

This bill would exempt the Western Climate Initiative, Incorporated from provisions of the State Contract Act relating to the acquisition of information technology goods and services and consider a certain type of contract with WCI, Inc. as a membership agreement.

Existing law establishes various incentive programs that are administered or funded by the State Air Resources Board to provide financial assistance for the purchase of vehicles by individuals and fleet purchasers.

This bill would, with funds provided in the 2026 Budget Act, require the state board to establish a new zero-emission electric vehicle incentive program for first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers and, as part of that program, to enter into grant agreements with light-duty passenger vehicle original engine manufacturers to provide incentives for consumers for the purchase or lease of new, and the purchase of used, light-duty passenger electric vehicles at the point of sale and registered to California residents. This bill would make these provisions inoperative on September 1, 2031, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2032.

Sponsors

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 6, 2026Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Laird.
2. June 29, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. June 29, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 5.) (June 29).
4. June 26, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
5. April 2, 2025Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
6. March 20, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
7. March 20, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 747.)
8. March 18, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. March 17, 2025(Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 643.)
10. March 17, 2025Ordered to second reading.
11. March 17, 2025Withdrawn from committee.
12. February 3, 2025Referred to Com. on BUDGET.