Electric vehicle charging stations: arenas: payments: internet-based applications.

Senator Richardson's proposal would allow electric vehicle charging stations at large arenas to require payment exclusively through internet-based applications, creating an exception to California's current regulations on charging station payment methods. Under existing law, charging stations must accept major credit and debit cards through contactless payment systems and provide either a toll-free phone number or SMS option for initiating charging sessions.

The amendment applies only to charging stations located at venues with at least 15,000 seats where access to the stations requires using the designated application. These facilities would be exempt from requirements that charging stations accept multiple payment methods and avoid mandatory subscriptions or memberships. All other provisions of current law remain in effect, including requirements for stations to disclose fees and location data to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and comply with federal labeling standards.

The measure maintains the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission's authority to modify payment method requirements starting in 2028 based on technological changes. It also preserves existing interoperability standards that require major charging networks - those operating 100 or more public stations in California - to accept payments from users of other major networks to facilitate driver access across different charging systems.