Emergency telecommunications medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

Assembly Member Carrillo's proposal to exempt emergency telecommunications vehicles from California's Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations addresses potential conflicts between zero-emission mandates and critical emergency response capabilities. The legislation creates specific carve-outs for vehicles owned by emergency telecommunications providers that support the federal Emergency Alert System, provide 911 services, or maintain wireless connectivity during outages.

The exemption applies to two categories of specialized vehicles: bucket trucks, which feature aerial lift systems for above-ground repairs, and cell on wheels units, which provide mobile telecommunications infrastructure for temporary coverage. To qualify, these vehicles must be operated by public or private entities that either participate in the federal Emergency Alert System, provide access to 911 services, or support emergency wireless connectivity, including through the federal First Responder Network Authority and Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.

The bill's findings note that telecommunications systems transmit essential information to first responders during crises and support service restoration for healthcare providers following disasters. These systems operate across varied weather conditions and geographic terrain, often during extended power outages. The exemption aims to preserve emergency response capabilities while the broader Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations continue transitioning other medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets to zero-emission technologies.