AB-855
Energy & Environment

Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires California to create a statewide action plan for responding to electric commercial vehicle battery fires by 2027.
  • Mandates safety protocols to protect first responders, drivers, and communities from toxic emissions and fire risks.
  • Establishes guidelines to prevent infrastructure damage and minimize road closures during battery fire incidents.
  • Requires consultation with truck manufacturers, safety agencies, and labor groups to develop best practices.

Summary

Assembly Member Lackey's proposal directs California's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to create a comprehensive action plan addressing electric commercial vehicle battery fires, establishing new protocols for emergency response and risk mitigation by January 2027.

The mandated action plan must outline best practices across multiple safety dimensions, including assessment protocols for high-voltage hazards after collisions, protection measures for drivers and first responders, and strategies to contain toxic emissions through appropriate safety buffers. The plan will also address infrastructure protection, focusing on preventing structural damage to bridges and overpasses while minimizing road closure durations. Additional requirements include protocols for efficient resource deployment and specific measures to reduce wildfire risk and prevent battery reignition.

To develop these guidelines, OES must collaborate with key stakeholders including the State Fire Marshal, California Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations. The office may also consult additional state and federal agencies to inform the plan's development. This coordinated approach aims to incorporate technical expertise and operational experience from across the transportation and emergency response sectors.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tom Lackey
Tom LackeyR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires California to create a statewide action plan for responding to electric commercial vehicle battery fires by 2027.
  • Mandates safety protocols to protect first responders, drivers, and communities from toxic emissions and fire risks.
  • Establishes guidelines to prevent infrastructure damage and minimize road closures during battery fire incidents.
  • Requires consultation with truck manufacturers, safety agencies, and labor groups to develop best practices.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tom Lackey
Tom LackeyR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Lackey's proposal directs California's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to create a comprehensive action plan addressing electric commercial vehicle battery fires, establishing new protocols for emergency response and risk mitigation by January 2027.

The mandated action plan must outline best practices across multiple safety dimensions, including assessment protocols for high-voltage hazards after collisions, protection measures for drivers and first responders, and strategies to contain toxic emissions through appropriate safety buffers. The plan will also address infrastructure protection, focusing on preventing structural damage to bridges and overpasses while minimizing road closure durations. Additional requirements include protocols for efficient resource deployment and specific measures to reduce wildfire risk and prevent battery reignition.

To develop these guidelines, OES must collaborate with key stakeholders including the State Fire Marshal, California Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations. The office may also consult additional state and federal agencies to inform the plan's development. This coordinated approach aims to incorporate technical expertise and operational experience from across the transportation and emergency response sectors.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
7007PASS

Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member