BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1224
Page 1
Date of Hearing: January 11, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Mike Eng, Chair
AB 1224 (Eng) - As Amended: January 4, 2010
SUBJECT : Utility trailers: definition
SUMMARY : Reinserts the definition of "utility trailer" to the
Vehicle Code. "Utility trailer" would be defined as any trailer
or semi-trailer used solely for the transportation of the user's
personal property or livestock, not in commerce, which does not
exceed a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or a manufacturer's gross
vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds.
EXISTING LAW :
(1)References "utility trailer" in various parts of the Vehicle
Code. Throughout the code sections, the term "utility
trailer" is used in conjunction with other vehicle
safety-related and other statutes such as:
a) Trailer brake requirements (based on trailer
weight);
b) Motor carrier permit requirements;
c) Applicability of vehicle safety inspection
programs; and,
d) Registration.
(2)In the past, the Vehicle Code contained a definition of
"utility trailer." That definition was s inadvertently
deleted by Chapter 826, Statutes of 2001 (AB 1472,
Longville).
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : This bill has been significantly amended and the
original bill language has been deleted. This bill as amended
is in response to traffic law enforcement personnel who have
requested that the definition of "utility trailer" be reinserted
back into statute. The definition was inadvertently deleted in
legislation enacted in 2001 (see above "Existing Law") thereby
AB 1224
Page 2
creating ambiguity elsewhere in the Vehicle Code where the term
is still used for trailer safety inspection, permit, and
registration requirements. Reinserting the definition back into
the code section will benefit personnel in the administration
and enforcement of trailer safety requirements.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Ed Imai / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093