AB-696 • 2026

Lithium-ion vehicle batteries: emergencies: advisory group.

Energy

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor: Ransom
Last action: 2026-01-22
Official status: Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was officially vetoed by the governor on January 22, 2026. It is not clear if lawmakers will attempt to override this veto.

Lithium-Ion Vehicle Batteries: Emergency Advisory Group

This bill requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to create an advisory group that will study and advise on policies related to the safety and management of lithium-ion vehicle batteries in emergency situations.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to convene a Lithium-Ion Car Battery Advisory Group by December 31, 2026, to review and advise on policies pertaining to the safety and management of lithium-ion vehicle batteries involved in emergencies.
The advisory group must meet at least quarterly until July 1, 2028.
The group is required to consult with universities and research institutions that have conducted research in the area of lithium-ion batteries, manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and both state and local first responders.
Develops standards by July 1, 2028, based on guidance and research from local, state, and national sources, aimed at ensuring best practices for first responders to handle lithium-ion vehicle battery emergencies safely and efficiently.

Who It Names or Affects

The Office of the State Fire Marshal
Members appointed to the advisory group from specified departments, agencies, vocations, and organizations
Universities and research institutions studying lithium-ion batteries

Terms To Know

Lithium-Ion Vehicle Batteries: Batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles that store energy to power the car.
Emergency Services Act: A law that sets up how California handles emergencies, including natural disasters and technological issues.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill was vetoed by the governor on January 22, 2026.
It is unclear if lawmakers will try to override this veto.

Bill History

2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
2025-10-11 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2025-10-11 California Legislative Information
Vetoed by Governor.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
2025-09-03 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 2860.).
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2396.).
2025-08-21 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
From Consent Calendar.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2025-08-19 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
2025-06-30 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on G.O. and E.Q.
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 2067.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-12 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-03-11 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and NAT. RES.
2025-02-15 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.
2025-02-14 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 696, Ransom.
Lithium-ion vehicle batteries: emergencies: advisory group.
Existing law requires the Secretary for Environmental Protection, until January 1, 2027, to convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group to review, and advise the Legislature on, policies pertaining to the recovery and recycling of lithium-ion batteries sold with motor vehicles in the state, and requires the secretary to appoint members to the committee from specified departments, vocations, and organizations.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the Governor’s office, under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services, and makes the office 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 the State Fire Marshal on or before December 31, 2026, to convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Advisory Group to review, and advise the Legislature on, policies pertaining to the safety and management of lithium-ion vehicle batteries involved in an emergency situation, as provided. The bill would require the Office of the State Fire Marshal to appoint members to the advisory group from specified departments, agencies, vocations, and organizations. The bill would require the advisory group to meet at least quarterly until July 1, 2028, and to consult with universities and research institutions that have conducted research in the area of lithium-ion batteries, with
manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and both state and local first responders. The bill would require the group to develop standards, on or before July 1, 2028, based on local, state, and national guidance and research, aimed at ensuring that best standards and practices are created that allow first responders to respond to lithium-ion vehicle battery emergencies in a safe and efficient manner. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2029.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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