Committee adopts EV-storage study amendment and advances bill to collect data on damaged electric-vehicle batteries
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Summary
Senator Burgess amended SB 260 to create a fire-marshal-run data study (starting 01/01/2027) to collect VINs, battery damage details, state-of-charge estimates and storage timelines for electric-vehicle incidents to guide future rules on towing, storage fees and cleanup. Industry and tow operators signaled continued talks on time-in-yard limits.
Senator Burgess said the strike-all amendment to CS for SB 260 narrows the bill to create a data study administered by the state fire marshal to gather information about electric-vehicle incidents and storage practices. The amendment instructs the fire marshal to collect VIN numbers, damage descriptions to EV batteries, estimations of remaining battery charge where ascertainable, storage dates, and any fire-related incidents or other data the office deems relevant; collection would begin Jan. 1, 2027.
Stakeholders including tow-yard operators and EV manufacturers discussed implementation details. Jeff Sharkey representing Tesla told the committee the company supported focusing on damaged EV batteries and noted industry and stakeholders are still discussing a practical limit on how long a damaged EV can sit in storage yards before disposition. Tesla acknowledged the bill as drafted moves toward a workable approach while asking for a narrowly tailored time-in-yard rule.
The committee adopted the strike-all amendment creating the data study and reported the bill favorably.
What’s next: The study is expected to collect baseline information to inform subsequent rulemaking or legislation on towing, storage fees and procedures for EV incidents. The fire marshal will lead the data-gathering process beginning in 2027.
Speakers: Senator Burgess (sponsor), Jeff Sharkey (Tesla), representatives from Enterprise Mobility and tow operators.