§ 25250.54. — 25250.54. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 68.)

(a)
(1)
On and after January 1, 2019, a manufacturer may apply to the department for a one-year, two-year, or three-year extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline established in Section 25250.53, except as provided in subdivision (h).
(2)
An extension application submitted pursuant to this section shall be submitted based on vehicle model, class, platform, or other vehicle-based category, and not on the basis of the brake friction material formulation.
(3)
The application shall be accompanied by documentation that will allow the advisory committee to make a recommendation pursuant to subdivisions (e) and (f).
(4)
The documentation shall include a scientifically sound quantitative estimate of the quantity of copper that would be emitted if the extension is granted, including a description of the assumptions used in arriving at that estimate.
(b)
No more than 30 days after receipt of an application for an extension pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall do all of the following:
(1)
Post a notice of receipt on the department’s internet website that includes the vehicle model, class, platform, or other vehicle-based category, whether the brake friction material is intended for use in original equipment or replacement parts, and the quantity of copper that would be emitted if the extension is granted.
(2)
Consult with the board and the State Air Resources Board.
(3)
Solicit comment from the public and from scientific and vehicle engineering experts on the availability of generally affordable compliant brake friction materials, their safety and performance characteristics, and the feasibility of brake pad copper emissions reduction through means other than friction material reformulation.
(c)
(1)
In consultation with the board, the department shall determine if sufficient documentation has been presented upon which to base a decision. If the department determines that further documentation is needed, it shall deliver a detailed request for further documentation to the applicant.
(2)
Not later than 30 days after receipt of the application for an extension pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall forward the application to the advisory committee for
the purpose of the advisory committee making a recommendation pursuant to subdivisions (e) and (f).
(d)
(1)
In considering any application for an extension, the advisory committee shall consider all of the documentation supplied by the applicant pursuant to subdivision (a).
(2)
The advisory committee may request, no later than 75 days after receipt of the application from the department pursuant to subdivision (c), further documentation from the applicant.
(3)
The advisory committee shall hold at least one public hearing at which it shall accept and consider comments from the public on each category of application. The advisory committee meetings shall be open to the public and are subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of
Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(e)
(1)
The advisory committee shall recommend to the secretary that the extension be approved if the advisory committee determines that there are no brake friction materials that are safe and available for individual or multiple vehicle models, classes, platforms, or other vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(2)
The advisory committee shall recommend to the secretary that the extension not be approved if the advisory committee determines that alternative brake friction materials are safe and available for individual or multiple vehicle models, classes, platforms, or other vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(3)
For purposes of this section, “safe and available” shall mean all of the following:
(A)
The brake system for which the alternative brake friction material is manufactured meets applicable federal safety standards, or if no federal standard exists, a widely accepted safety standard.
(B)
Acceptable alternative brake friction materials are commercially available for the individual or multiple vehicles, classes, platforms, or vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(C)
Adequate industry testing and production capacity exists to supply the alternative brake friction materials for use on the individual or multiple vehicles, classes, platforms, or vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(D)
The alternative brake friction material is technically feasible for use on the individual or multiple vehicles, classes,
platforms, or vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(E)
The alternative brake friction materials meet customer performance expectations, including noise, wear, vibration, and durability for the individual or multiple vehicles, classes, platforms, or vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(F)
The alternative acceptable brake friction material is economically feasible with respect to the industry and the cost to the consumer for the individual or multiple vehicles, classes, platforms, or vehicle-based categories identified in the application.
(4)
The advisory committee shall provide relevant data to the department and the board concerning the potential impacts of the extension on California watersheds for purposes of the report required pursuant to Section 25250.65.
(f)
(1)
No sooner than 60 days and no later than 120 days after the department solicits comments pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), the advisory committee shall make a recommendation to the secretary in accordance with subdivisions (d) and (e) as to whether the application for extension should be approved or not approved.
(2)
The recommendation of the advisory committee that the secretary approve or not approve the application for extension shall be accompanied by documentation of the basis for the recommendation.
(g)
(1)
The secretary shall make available the recommendation of the advisory committee and the accompanying documentation for public review and comment for 60 days following receipt of the recommendation from the advisory committee.
(2)
The secretary shall consider public comments on the advisory committee’s recommendation and issue a final decision on the application for extension no later than 45 days after the conclusion of the 60-day comment period.
(3)
In making the determination whether to approve or disapprove the extension, the secretary shall rely upon the recommendations made by the advisory committee pursuant to subdivision (f).
(4)
If the secretary does not follow the recommendation of the advisory committee made pursuant to subdivision (f), the secretary shall explain in writing the basis of the secretary’s decision.
(h)
(1)
On or before December 31, 2029, a manufacturer with an approved extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline established in
Section 25250.53, may reapply to the department for additional two-year extensions from the deadline in accordance with a schedule that may be established by the department.
(2)
Except as provided in subdivision (i), a manufacturer may not apply on or after January 1, 2030, for an extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline established in Section 25250.53.
(3)
The department shall comply with all of the requirements of this section when granting an additional extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline pursuant to this subdivision.
(i)
(1)
On and after January 1, 2030, a manufacturer of vehicle brake friction materials to be used on heavy-duty vehicles with an approved extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline established in Section 25250.53, may reapply to the department for additional two-year
extensions from the deadline established in Section 25250.53, that results in an extension of that deadline to a date on and after January 1, 2032.
(2)
The department shall comply with all of the requirements of this section when granting an additional extension of the January 1, 2025, deadline pursuant to this subdivision.
(j)
The department shall assess a fee for each application for an extension sufficient to cover actual costs incurred in implementing this section. The department may expend the fees collected pursuant to this subdivision, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for reimbursement for the costs incurred in implementing this section.
(k)
When granting an extension pursuant to this section, the department, board, advisory committee, and secretary shall comply with the requirements of Article 5
(commencing with Section 78480) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 45, to ensure the protection of trade secrets, as defined in Section 78480.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 68. (AB 2327) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 130 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 258.