CA AB1706

Exempts transit buses from the 18,000-pound per-axle weight limit that applies to other vehicles, allowing them to operate up to 20,500 pounds per axle statewide.

Prohibits publicly owned or operated transit systems from procuring new transit buses exceeding 20,500 pounds per axle through solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2013, with limited exceptions for replacement buses or fleet class expansions approved by the transit system's governing board at a public hearing.

Requires state regulatory agencies (including the State Air Resources Board, California Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Motor Vehicles) to consider vehicle weight impacts and manufacturers' ability to comply with vehicle weight laws when promulgating regulations.

Establishes that these provisions remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, at which point Section 35554 is repealed and replaced with a permanent exemption for transit buses from general vehicle weight limits.

Provides that no state reimbursement is required for local compliance costs under Article XIII B of the California Constitution.