Senate BillIntroducedVehicle
SB 1121: Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.
What SB 1121 does, verified March 5, 2026
The proposed bill aims to enhance the safety of commercial electric vehicles in California. It requires the Office of Emergency Services to develop an action plan by January 1, 2028, outlining the state's response to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires. The plan should cover best practices for reducing wildfire risk and mitigating the risk of battery reignition. The Office will consult with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of the California Highway Patrol, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations, to ensure the plan is comprehensive and effective.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: Referred to Com. on E.M. (2026-03-04)Alert me
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions3 total · showing 3
| Mar. 04, 2026 | Referred to Com. on E.M. |
| Feb. 18, 2026 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 20. |
| Feb. 17, 2026 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 17, 2026 · 460 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 1121
| Introduced by Senator Seyarto |
February 17, 2026 |
An act to add Section 34521 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1121, as introduced, Seyarto. Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.
Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to regulate the safe operation of certain vehicles, including, but not limited to, motortrucks of 3 or more axles that are more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, truck tractors, and specified other motortrucks regulated by the department, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or the United States Secretary of Transportation. Existing law establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the office of the Governor and requires the office to be responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or man-made disasters and emergencies.
This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services, on or before January 1, 2028, to develop and post on its internet website an action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires that covers specified topics, including best practices for reducing wildfire risk and mitigating the risk of battery reignition. The bill would require the office, in developing the action plan, to consult with certain stakeholders, including the Department of the California Highway Patrol, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 34521 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:34521.
(a) On or before January 1, 2028, the Office of Emergency Services shall develop and post on its internet website an action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires.(b) The action plan shall include, at a minimum, best practices that address all of the following:
(1) Assessing high-voltage hazards and fire risk following a collision.
(2) Ensuring the safety of commercial drivers, first responders, other motorists, pedestrians, and surrounding communities.
(3) Evaluating the health risks posed by toxic materials emitted into the air and establishing a safe and reasonable safety buffer to mitigate these risks.
(4) Reducing wildfire risk.
(5) Preventing structural damage to bridges and overpasses.
(6) Achieving the most effective results using the least resources possible, including, but not limited to, water and air support resources.
(7) Minimizing the duration of roadway closures.
(8) Mitigating the risk of battery reignition.
(c) In developing the action plan, the office shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation, electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations.
(d) In developing the action plan, the office may also consult with any relevant state or federal agency.
Text of SB 1121 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions