AB 72: Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside.

Official summary

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

Existing law, the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, expresses a goal of creating good-paying energy efficiency and clean energy jobs in California. Existing law establishes in state government the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, under the supervision of the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, which consists of the Office of the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development and the California Workforce Development Board, among others. Existing law creates the position of Deputy Secretary for Climate within the agency, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of assisting in the oversight of California’s workforce transition to a sustainable and equitable carbon neutral economy.

This bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, establish an Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone (EVEOZ) for the County of Riverside, administered by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for the purpose of creating programs to make electric vehicle manufacturing jobs and education more accessible to lower income communities. The bill would require the agency to collaborate with the County of Riverside in determining the geographical boundaries of the EVEOZ. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the agency to partner with educational institutions, electric vehicle manufacturing businesses, and local and national financial intuitions to develop EVEOZ education, training, and investment programs, as specified.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Riverside.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. June 17, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 8, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L., P.E. & R. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
5. May 6, 2026Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and L., P.E. & R.
6. January 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
7. January 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 3828.)
8. January 22, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. January 22, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (January 22).
10. January 22, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
11. January 22, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3806.)
12. January 13, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.