Mandate Joined by 17 trade associations, pro-business organization takes aim at Northern District of California’s denial of intervention against California’s challenge of federal laws that block Newsom’s 100% EV mandate
Washington D.C. – Today, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) led a powerful coalition of trade associations and business leaders appealing a California judge’s ruling that erroneously refused to allow automakers, fuel producers, dealers, and others to intervene in defense of recent federal legislation that blocks state rules that would have mandated 100% electrification.
Read the opening brief, which was filed today in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, here.
In August 2025, AmFree Chamber moved to intervene against California’s legal challenge to three bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions (H.J. Res. 88, H.J. Res. 87, and H.J. Res. 89). These bipartisan resolutions, signed by President Donald Trump in June 2025, are federal law and block California and aligned states’ ability to enforce their disastrous EV mandates. The Northern District of California denied AmFree Chamber’s intervention, as well as intervention motions from the auto and oil and gas industries, leading to today’s appeal.
“President Trump and bipartisan majorities of Congress agreed that California should not be allowed to enforce its extreme ban on internal-combustion engines, which threatens hardworking entrepreneurs and businesses across the nation,” stated Gentry Collins, CEO of AmFree Chamber. “Electric vehicles are more expensive, and the ‘energy transition’ is unachievable and would wreak havoc on the automotive industry, workers, and the millions of ordinary Americans who depend on cars and trucks with internal combustion engines every day. AmFree Chamber will continue to aggressively fight California’s efforts to impose its impractical and extreme EV mandates and any court’s attempt to subvert the will of elected representatives who answer to voters.”
In the denial, the Northern District of California claimed that neither automakers, nor motor vehicle dealers, nor fuel producers had any protectable legal interest in the outcome. In today’s appeal, AmFree Chamber and its coalition partners argue for a reversal of the denial, laying out a three-part argument:
- The coalition’s motion to intervene was timely.
- As automakers, motor vehicle dealers, fuel producers/marketers, and business leaders, the coalition has protectable legal interests that would be impeded by state EV mandates.
- The interests of the federal defendants do not adequately represent the coalition’s interests since the U.S. government has repeatedly changed positions on the legality of California’s EV mandates.
The underlying issue is California’s effort to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035, which also triggered 11 other states to follow suit, effectively banning sales of new internal-combustion engine cars and light trucks in about 30% of the U.S. market by 2035.
Groups joining AmFree Chamber’s appeal include: Alliance for Automotive Innovation, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, American Petroleum Institute, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Indiana Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Michigan Corn Growers Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Tennessee Corn Growers Association, Texas Corn Producers, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Automobile Dealers Association, and National Corn Growers Association.
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About AmFree Chamber
The American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) is a trade organization representing American businesses of all sizes. It is dedicated to advancing the principles of free enterprise, free markets, limited government, and American leadership globally. AmFree Chamber is chaired by the Honorable Terry E. Branstad, who previously served as Ambassador to China and was the longest-serving Governor in American history.
AmFree Chamber has members representing dozens of industries and from across the United States. Since its founding in 2022, AmFree Chamber has aggressively represented its members’ interests through legislative outreach, regulatory comments, and judicial briefing.