BILL NUMBER: SB 1559	CHAPTERED  07/12/06

	CHAPTER  66
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 12, 2006
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  JULY 12, 2006
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 29, 2006
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JUNE 26, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 14, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 18, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2006

   An act to amend Section 385.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect
immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1559, Lowenthal  Vehicles: low-speed vehicles.
   Existing law defines "low-speed vehicle" for purposes of the
Vehicle Code as a motor vehicle other than a motor truck, having four
wheels on the ground and an unladed weight of 1,800 pounds or less,
that is capable of propelling itself at a minimum speed of 20 miles
per hour and a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, on a paved level
surface.  Existing law imposes certain restrictions on the use of
low-speed vehicles on public streets and highways, and generally
requires the operator of a low-speed vehicle to have a driver's
license.
   This bill would change the definition of a "low-speed vehicle" to
a motor vehicle that has 4 wheels, can attain a speed, in one mile,
of more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour,
on a paved level surface, and has a gross vehicle weight rating of
less than 3,000 pounds.
  The bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
urgency statute.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 385.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   385.5.  (a) A "low-speed vehicle" is a motor vehicle that meets
all of the following requirements:
   (1) Has four wheels.
   (2) Can attain a speed, in one mile, of more than 20 miles per
hour and not more than 25 miles per hour, on a paved level surface.
   (3) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds.
   (b) (1) For the purposes of this section, a "low-speed vehicle" is
not a golf cart, except when operated pursuant to Section 21115 or
21115.1.
   (2) A "low-speed vehicle" is also known as a "neighborhood
electric vehicle."
  SEC. 2.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to conform the definition of "low-speed vehicle" to the
federal definition at the earliest possible time, it is necessary
that this act take effect immediately.