Purpose

This bill repeals Minnesota Rules parts 7023.0150, 7023.0200, 7023.0250, and 7023.0300. These rules created Minnesota’s Clean Car program, including standards for low-emission vehicles (LEV) and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and the state’s adoption of California regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 13) through incorporation by reference. In short, the bill ends Minnesota’s adopted framework for LEV and ZEV requirements and the related labeling, warranty, recall, reporting, and ZEV credit provisions tied to those California standards.

Main Provisions

• Repeal of Minnesota Rules parts 7023.0150, 7023.0200, 7023.0250, and 7023.0300 in their entirety.
• This repeal removes:
  • The scope and incorporation-by-reference of California emissions standards for low-emission and zero-emission vehicles.
  • The definitions used for those rules (e.g., first effective model year, ZEV, TZEV, light-duty and medium-duty vehicle categories, motor vehicle manufacturer, etc.).
  • The LEV standards, including fleet-average emissions limits and related credit systems.
  • The ZEV standards, including the required share of ZEVs in a manufacturer’s Minnesota sales fleet, ZEV credit banking (the California ZEV credit system), early-action credits, and the one-time credit allotment.
  • Environmental performance labels, warranty requirements, recall requirements, and reporting and recordkeeping provisions tied to those standards.
  • The reporting framework to CARB and the Minnesota commissioner, and the exceptions previously listed (e.g., exemptions for used vehicles, off-highway use, out-of-state registrations, certain emergency or military vehicles, etc.).
• The bill does not establish new Minnesota LEV or ZEV standards to replace the repealed rules; it simply removes the state’s adoption and enforcement of those California-based standards.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Ends incorporation-by-reference of California ARB (CARB) standards into Minnesota law.
• Eliminates defined terms and categories used to implement LEV and ZEV programs (e.g., first effective model year, ZEV, TZEV, fleet average emissions, environmental performance labels).
• Removes all LEV and ZEV requirements for new motor vehicles sold or leased in Minnesota, including fleet-emission targets, ZEV quotas, and related credit mechanisms.
• Removes labeling, warranty, recall, and compliance reporting requirements tied to the California-based standards.
• Eliminates Minnesota-specific compliance and reporting processes related to these standards, including the California ZEV credit system and related banking or early-action credits.

Implementation and Practical Impact

• Automakers and dealers would no longer be required to meet Minnesota-specific CA-derived LEV or ZEV standards for new vehicles sold or leased in Minnesota.
• The state would not enforce the prior labeling, recall, or warranty provisions associated with the repealed rules.
• The repeal reduces Minnesota’s alignment with California’s emissions framework and could affect how emissions-related programs operate in Minnesota going forward unless other laws apply.

Relevant terms and concepts from the bill are described in the sections above and pertain to the removal of a California-based, on-road vehicle emissions framework and its Minnesota-specific implementation.

Relevant Terms - low-emission vehicle standards (LEV) - zero-emission vehicle standards (ZEV) - California Code of Regulations title 13 - California ARB / CARB - environmental performance labels - fleet average emissions - nonmethane organic gas (NMOG) - oxides of nitrogen (NOx) - greenhouse gas (GHG) - transitional zero-emission vehicle (TZEV) - first effective model year - light-duty truck - medium-duty passenger vehicle - medium-duty vehicle - motor vehicle manufacturer - new motor vehicle - used motor vehicle - environmental labeling requirements - warranty requirements - recall requirements - reporting requirements - California ZEV credit system - ZEV credits and banking - early-action credits - onetime credit allotment - California ZEV credit system account - incorporation by reference