Unless the context requires otherwise, for the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) (1) “Bidder” means a private entity that applies, bids, or seeks qualification for a covered public contract. “Bidder” may be more than a single entity.

(2) “Bidder” shall not include a firm, as defined in § 4525 of the Government Code.

(b) “Contractor” means a private entity that has been awarded a covered public contract.

(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), “covered public contract” means, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, a public contract awarded by a relevant public agency for the acquisition of zero-emission transit vehicles or electric vehicle supply equipment valued at ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or more.

(2) (A) “Covered public contract” does not mean contracts for the construction or design of infrastructure, including, but not limited to, roads, bridges, or highways.

(B) “Covered public contract” does not mean a local agreement approved by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency that creates high road jobs.

(C) “Covered public contract” does not mean a contract relating to architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental services, land surveying, or construction project management.

(D) “Covered public contract” does not include any of the following:

(i) A contract awarded before January 1, 2023.

(ii) A contract awarded based on a solicitation issued before January 1, 2023.

(iii) A grant or contract related to a grant award announced pursuant to a call for projects that occurred before January 1, 2023.

(d) “High road job standards” means a set of contract terms developed pursuant to Section 6983 that is a material part of the final contract between the bidder and the relevant public agency. Noncompliance with these commitments would violate the terms of the covered public contract.

(e) “Relevant public agency” means the Department of General Services or the Department of Transportation.

(f) “Subcontractor” means a private entity performing a portion of the work of the covered public contract through a subcontract or subgrant.

(g) “Zero-emission transit vehicle” means a vehicle, including, but not limited to, one operated on rails or tracks, which is used for public transportation service and which carries more than 20 persons, including the driver, that produces no emissions of criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gases when stationary or operating.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 875, Sec. 1. (SB 674) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 6986.)