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AB-855 • 2026

Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.

Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Lackey
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify what happens if the action plan is not completed by January 1, 2027.

Commercial Electric Vehicle Safety Plan

This law requires two state agencies to create and post an action plan for dealing with battery fires in commercial electric vehicles by January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Emergency Services to develop and post on their websites an action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires before January 1, 2027.
  • The plan must cover best practices for reducing wildfire risk and mitigating the risk of battery reignition.
  • Needs input from electric truck manufacturers and labor organizations when making the plan.

Who It Names or Affects

  • California Highway Patrol
  • Office of Emergency Services
  • Electric truck manufacturers
  • Labor organizations

Terms To Know

Commercial electric vehicle
A large electric-powered truck used for business purposes.
Battery fire
When the battery of an electric vehicle catches on fire.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify consequences if the plan is not made by the deadline.
  • The bill does not explain how much it will cost to make and post the safety plans.
  • It only talks about making a plan, but doesn't say anything about enforcing or following the plan.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-05-14 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-29 California Legislative Information

    From 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. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on E.M. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.

  7. 2025-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

  8. 2025-03-04 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

  9. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on TRANS.

  10. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  11. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 855, as amended, Lackey.
Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.
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
Department of the California Highway Patrol,
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
department,
office,
in developing the action plan, to consult with certain stakeholders, including
electric truck manufacturers
the Department of the California Highway Patrol, electric truck manufacturers,
and labor organizations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF