(a) This chapter creates the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, pursuant to Section 44272, to be administered by the commission, and the Air Quality Improvement Program, pursuant to Section 44274, to be administered by the state board. The commission and the state board shall do all of the following in fulfilling their responsibilities pursuant to their respective programs:
(1) Establish sustainability goals to ensure that alternative and renewable fuel and vehicle deployment projects, on a full fuel-cycle assessment basis, will not adversely impact natural resources, especially state and federal lands.
(2) Establish a competitive process for the allocation of funds for projects funded pursuant to this chapter, which considers, among other factors, the benefit-cost score, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 44270.3, associated with a project for the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program or, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 44270.3, associated with a project, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 44270.3, for the Air Quality Improvement Program.
(3) Identify additional federal and private funding opportunities to augment or complement the programs created pursuant to this chapter.
(4) Ensure that the results of the reductions in emissions or benefits can be measured and quantified.
(5) Ensure that those revenues derived from fees imposed on motor vehicles that are expended pursuant to this chapter, as amended by Assembly Bill 8 of the 2013–14 Regular Session of the Legislature, are expended in compliance with Section 3 of Article XIX of the California Constitution, as were the revenues derived from fees imposed on motor vehicles pursuant to Assembly Bill 118 (Chapter 750 of the Statutes of 2007).
(b) The state board, in consultation with the commission, shall develop and adopt guidelines for both the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program and the Air Quality Improvement Program to ensure that programs meet both of the following requirements:
(1) Activities undertaken pursuant to the programs complement, and do not interfere with, efforts to achieve and maintain federal and state ambient air quality standards and to reduce toxic air contaminant and greenhouse gas emissions.
(2) Activities undertaken pursuant to the programs maintain or improve upon emission reductions and air quality benefits in the State Implementation Plan for Ozone, California Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline standards, and diesel fuel regulations.
(c) For the purposes of both of the programs created by this chapter, eligible projects do not include those required to be undertaken pursuant to state or federal law, district rules or regulations, memoranda of understanding with a governmental entity, or legally binding agreements or documents. For the purposes of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, the state board shall advise the commission to ensure the requirements of this subdivision are met.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 401, Sec. 11. (AB 8) Effective September 28, 2013.)