 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
vehicle fuels; infrastructure; legislative authority
Purpose
Prohibits the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) or a state agency from adopting or enforcing a state or regional program to regulate motor vehicle fuel for certain motor vehicles or fueling infrastructure without express legislative authority.
Background
Current statute defines light class motor vehicle as a motor vehicle that uses use fuel on highways in Arizona but excludes a road tractor, truck tractor, truck or passenger carrying vehicle having a declared gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds or having more than two axles. Statute defines use class motor vehicle as a motor vehicle that uses use fuel on a highway in Arizona and that is a road tractor, truck tractor, truck or passenger carrying vehicle having a declared gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds or having more than two axles (A.R.S. § 28-5601).
The ACC is the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Arizona, established by Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution. The ACC recently approved a draft implementation plan that provides guidelines to public service corporations on how to implement electric vehicle pilot programs, including a focus on: 1) infrastructure; 2) education and outreach; 3) the location of charging stations; 4) best practices and consumer protections; 5) rate design, incentives and rebates; and 6) cost recovery.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the ACC or a state agency from adopting or enforcing a state or regional program to regulate motor vehicle fuel for light class motor vehicles or use class motor vehicles or fueling infrastructure without express legislative authority.
2. Specifies that it is not the intent of this legislation to prohibit the ACC from setting electricity rates.
3. Defines fueling infrastructure as the structures, facilities and equipment that provide the delivery of any type of motor vehicle fuel.
4. Defines motor vehicle fuel as the energy sources that power motor vehicles, including those derived from petroleum, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
5. Prescribes the same meaning to light class motor vehicles and use class motor vehicles as provided in statute.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Specifies that it is not the intent of this legislation to prohibit the ACC from setting electricity rates.
Senate Action
TPS 2/19/20 DP 5-3-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2020
ZD/OL/kja