BILL NUMBER: AB 301	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  303
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 5, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 4, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 21, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 21, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 29, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 25, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 10, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Reyes
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Berg, Dutra, Frommer, Longville, and
Mountjoy)
   (Coauthor:  Senator Soto)

                        FEBRUARY 6, 2003

   An act to amend Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 301, Reyes.  Vehicles:  video displays.
   (1) Existing law prohibits any person from driving a motor vehicle
that is equipped with a television receiver, screen, or other means
of visually receiving a television broadcast, if the device is
located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the
driver's seat, or is visible to the driver while operating the motor
vehicle.  This prohibition does not apply to a mobile digital
terminal installed in a law enforcement vehicle.
   This bill would recast this prohibition and, additionally, would
prohibit any person from driving a motor vehicle if a video monitor,
or a video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying
a video signal that produces entertainment or business applications,
is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point
forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible
to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.  This prohibition
would not apply to specified equipment or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.  Because a
violation of this prohibition would be a crime, the bill would
establish a state-mandated local program.
  (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   27602.  (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any
other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or
video signal that produces entertainment or business applications,
is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward
of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the
driver while driving the motor vehicle.
   (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when
installed in a vehicle:
   (1) A vehicle information display.
   (2) A global positioning display.
   (3) A mapping display.
   (4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's
view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the
purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
   (5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video
screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a
television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an
interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the
equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in
paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
   (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal
installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.