AB 855: Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.

Official summary

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

Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to regulate the safe operation of certain vehicles, including, but not limited to, motortrucks of 3 or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, truck tractors, and specified other motortrucks regulated by the department, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or the United States Secretary of Transportation. Existing law establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the office of the Governor and requires the office to be responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies.

This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, on or before January 1, 2027, to develop and post on its internet website an action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires that covers specified topics, including best practices for reducing wildfire risk and mitigating the risk of battery reignition. The bill would require the office, in developing the action plan, to consult with certain stakeholders, including the Department of the California Highway Patrol, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 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. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. May 23, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
4. May 14, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5. April 29, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. April 10, 2025Re-referred to Com. on E.M. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
7. March 5, 2025Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
8. March 4, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.
9. March 3, 2025Referred to Com. on TRANS.
10. February 20, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
11. February 19, 2025Read first time. To print.