California AB1944: Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight.

What the bill says

An act to amend Section 35554 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. vehicles Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight. Existing law prohibits the maximum gross weight on any one axle of a bus from exceeding 20,500 pounds, except the maximum limit for the curb weight on any one axle of a transit bus procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued on or after January 1, 2019, is set at 22,000 pounds…

From the chaptered text, September 30, 2026:

An act to amend Section 35554 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. vehicles Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight. Existing law prohibits the maximum gross weight on any one axle of a bus from exceeding 20,500 pounds, except the maximum limit for the curb weight on any one axle of a transit bus procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued on or after January 1, 2019, is set at 22,000 pounds. Existing law, notwithstanding the previous provisions, sets specified higher maximum limits up to 25,000 pounds for the curb weight on any one axle of an articulated transit bus or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued during specified periods between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, inclusive, and sets the 22,000-pound maximum limit for an articulated transit bus or zero-emission transit bus procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued on or after January 1, 2022. A violation of this provision is a crime. This bill would, until January 1, 2032, establish specified higher weight limitations up to 25,000 pounds for zero-emission transit buses procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued at various specified periods between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2031 inclusive. MAJORITY NO …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Alex Lee (D, AD24) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. September 30, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 909, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. August 24, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
4. August 18, 2026: In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
5. August 18, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8. Page 5519.).
6. August 18, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 8.).
7. June 10, 2026: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. June 9, 2026: From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (June 9).
9. May 6, 2026: Referred to Com. on TRANS.
10. April 6, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 62. Noes 3. Page 4496.)

Votes

• Assembly 3rd Reading AB1944 Lee By Blakespear (August 18, 2026): 31 yea, 8 nay, passed
• Do pass (June 9, 2026): 10 yea, 3 nay, passed
• AB 1944 Lee Assembly Third Reading (April 6, 2026): 62 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Do pass. (March 23, 2026): 15 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is AB1944?

AB1944 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight.

What does AB1944 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Section 35554 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. vehicles Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight. Existing law prohibits the maximum gross weight on any one axle of a bus from exceeding 20,500 pounds, except the maximum limit for the curb weight on any one axle of a transit bus procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued on or after January 1, 2019, is set at 22,000 pounds…

What is the status of AB1944?

Chaptered as of September 30, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 909, Statutes of 2026. (September 30, 2026).

Who sponsored AB1944?

Alex Lee (D, AD24).

Where is the official record for AB1944?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1944