CA AB579

Requires 100% of all newly purchased or contracted schoolbuses by local educational agencies (school districts, county offices of education, charter schools) to be zero-emission vehicles, starting January 1, 2035, where feasible.

Allows a one-time extension of up to 5 years for local educational agencies that demonstrate zero-emission technology cannot service their daily bus routes due to terrain and route constraints, subject to State Air Resources Board approval.

Permits frontier local educational agencies (fewer than 600 pupils in average daily attendance or located in counties with population density below 10 persons per square mile) to request annual extensions through January 1, 2045, if zero-emission vehicles are not feasible.

Extends contract term limits to 15 years for continuing contracts and 20 years for lease or rental contracts with purchase or cancel options when using zero-emission schoolbuses, for school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools.

Directs reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for any state-mandated costs determined by the Commission on State Mandates pursuant to existing statutory procedures.