(a) The state board shall adopt and implement motor vehicle emission standards, in-use performance standards, and motor vehicle fuel specifications for the control of air contaminants and sources of air pollution which the state board has found to be necessary, cost effective, and technologically feasible, to carry out the purposes of this division, unless preempted by federal law.

(b) The state board shall, consistent with subdivision (a), adopt standards and regulations for light-duty and heavy-duty motor vehicles, medium-duty motor vehicles, as determined and specified by the state board, portable fuel containers and spouts, and off-road or nonvehicle engine categories, including, but not limited to, off-highway motorcycles, off-highway vehicles, construction equipment, farm equipment, utility engines, locomotives, and, to the extent permitted by federal law, marine vessels.

(c) Prior to adopting standards and regulations for farm equipment, the state board shall hold a public hearing and find and determine that the standards and regulations are necessary, cost effective, and technologically feasible. The state board shall also consider the technological effects of emission control standards on the cost, fuel consumption, and performance characteristics of mobile farm equipment.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the state board shall not adopt any standard or regulation affecting locomotives until the final study required under Section 5 of Chapter 1326 of the Statutes of 1987 has been completed and submitted to the Governor and Legislature.

(e) Prior to adopting or amending any standard or regulation relating to motor vehicle fuel specifications pursuant to this section, the state board shall, after consultation with public or private entities that would be significantly impacted as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f), do both of the following:

(1) Determine the cost-effectiveness of the adoption or amendment of the standard or regulation. The cost-effectiveness shall be compared on an incremental basis with other mobile source control methods and options.

(2) Based on a preponderance of scientific and engineering data in the record, determine the technological feasibility of the adoption or amendment of the standard or regulation. That determination shall include, but is not limited to, the availability, effectiveness, reliability, and safety expected of the proposed technology in an application that is representative of the proposed use.

(f) Prior to adopting or amending any motor vehicle fuel specification pursuant to this section, the state board shall do both of the following:

(1) To the extent feasible, quantitatively document the significant impacts of the proposed standard or specification on affected segments of the state’s economy. The economic analysis shall include, but is not limited to, the significant impacts of any change on motor vehicle fuel efficiency, the existing motor vehicle fuel distribution system, the competitive position of the affected segment relative to border states, and the cost to consumers.

(2) Consult with public or private entities that would be significantly impacted to identify those investigative or preventive actions that may be necessary to ensure consumer acceptance, product availability, acceptable performance, and equipment reliability. The significantly impacted parties shall include, but are not limited to, fuel manufacturers, fuel distributors, independent marketers, vehicle manufacturers, and fuel users.

(g) To the extent that there is any conflict between the information required to be prepared by the state board pursuant to subdivision (f) and information required to be prepared by the state board pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the requirements established under subdivision (f) shall prevail.

(h) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state board act as expeditiously as is feasible to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles, marine vessels, and other categories of vehicular and mobile sources which significantly contribute to air pollution problems.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 687, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)