SB5811 – Allows the Department of Ecology to adopt Zero Emission Vehicle standards.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Nguyen (D; 34th District; White Center)
Current status – Referred to the Governor for signature.
In the Senate – (Passed by the Senate)
Returned to Senate Rules by the House at end of 2019 Session; reintroduced and retained in present status for 2020 session. Placed on 3rd reading by the Rules Committee. Passed by the Senate January 15th. Senate concurred in the House amendments March 9th.

In the House – (Passed by the House)
Referred to the House Committee on Environment and Energy. Had a hearing February 13th; replaced by a striker and passed out of committee February 20th. Referred to Appropriations; had a hearing there on February 29th. Passed out of Appropriations March 2nd and referred to Rules. Passed by the House March 5th.
Next step would be – Signature by the Governor.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.
HB1999 is an identical companion bill in the House.

Comments –
Coltura has a flyer about the bill.

The striker in the House Committee on Environment and Energy adopts the zero emissions vehicle standards, rather than simply removing the prohibition on adopting them from the current law. It no longer limits them to the model years that Oregon’s version covers, and it no longer says that vehicles for the model year in which the requirement comes into effect aren’t subject to the requirement. It also repeals current provisions (in RCW 70.120A.020) requiring Ecology to provide two systems of early credits and banking for ZEVs produced and sold before the implementation of the program in Washington.

2019 Legislative History –
In the Senate (Passed)
Had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, February 12th at 10:00 AM. Passed out of committee February 14th; sent to Rules for 2nd Reading; placed on 2nd Reading February 19th. Passed by the Senate March 4th.
In the House – 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Environment. Had a hearing Tuesday March 19th. Returned to Senate Rules by the House at end of 2019 Session;

Comments –
SB5336 would also do this, but it includes a lot of other measures to reduce transportation emissions.

Summary –
The bill removes the prohibition on adopting the California Zero Emission Vehicle standards from the current law authorizing Ecology to adopt the rest of California’s emissions standards.

(It may also extend the range of vehicles that Ecology’s authorized to regulate some by changing its authority over the emissions from “medium duty passenger vehicles” to authority over “medium duty vehicles”.)