LOW-CARBON SHOWDOWN: The California Air Resources Board on Thursday will hear an update on amendments being considered for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, a state program that seeks to incentivize electric vehicle infrastructure and alternative fuels. Environmental and environmental justice groups have argued against the ongoing crediting of biofuel produced from livestock and dairy manure and from crop-based feedstocks. They say incentivizing the production and burning of these and other combustible fuels, which make up 80 percent of the credits generated by the $4 billion-a-year program, increases air pollution in low-income communities. They have pushed for the board to realign the program incentives to boost electric vehicle infrastructure. Representatives from the dairy, renewable gas and other alternative fuel industries will be out in force to keep the credits long into the future. — Blanca Begert COUNTDOWN TO CARE: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s highly anticipated CARE Courts program will launch in seven counties next week, providing the first look at the state’s effort to treat people with serious mental illness. In the initial counties, including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego, family members and doctors will be able to refer people with severe psychotic disorders to a civil court for a mandatory treatment plan. “There has always been the capability to deliver this set of services,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Mark Ghaly told reporters today. “But too often we don't see that set of services actually coming together.” The state estimates that up to 3,100 people would be eligible for the CARE Court system in the first seven counties over the next year. Ghaly said he will evaluate the rollout, including for any signs of racial or ethnic bias. — Rachel Bluth ROUND TWO: After siding with Big Tech with a veto of an autonomous trucking bill, Newsom is facing pressure to sign a proposal that would put guardrails on artificial intelligence in public transit. Assemblymember Ash Kalra's Assembly Bill 96 would require public transit agencies to give 10 months notice if they intend to procure or deploy autonomous transit vehicle technology. The company would then be required to enter into bargaining with the union over the development and implementation of the technology. The bill has the backing of a slate of California labor giants, including the California Labor Federation, State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council. — Lara Korte
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