BILL NUMBER: AB 1385	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 31, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Miller

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to amend Section 25258 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1385, as amended, Miller. Vehicles: authorized emergency
vehicles: blue warning lights.
   Existing law allows an authorized emergency vehicle used by a
peace officer, as defined, in the performance of his or her duties to
display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the
front, sides, or rear of the vehicle.
   This bill would expand the definition of peace officer for
purposes of that provision to include  certain 
members of an arson-investigating unit  , members of a fire
department or fire protection agency, voluntary fire wardens as
designated by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, and
firefighters/security guards designated by the Military Department
  , regularly paid and employed in that capacity, of a
fire department or fire protection   agency of a county,
city, city and county, district, or the state, if the primary duty of
these peace officers is the detection and apprehension of persons
who have violated any fire law or committed insurance fraud  .

   The bill would also limit the authorization to display a steady or
flashing blue warning light to authorized emergency vehicles used by
peace officers in accordance with the above provisions. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 25258 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   25258.  (a) An authorized emergency vehicle operating under the
conditions specified in Section 21055 may display a flashing white
light from a gaseous discharge lamp designed and used for the purpose
of controlling official traffic control signals.
   (b) An authorized emergency vehicle used by a peace officer, as
defined in Section 830.1 of, subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
(f), (g), or (i) of Section 830.2 of, subdivision (b) of Section
830.31 of, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 830.32 of, Section
830.33 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.36 of,  subdivision (a)
of  Section 830.37 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.4 of, or
Section 830.6 of, the Penal Code, in the performance of the peace
officer's duties, may, in addition, display a steady or flashing blue
warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle.

   (c) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a vehicle shall not
display a steady or flashing blue warning light.  
   (c) 
    (d)  Except as provided in subdivision (a), a vehicle
shall not be equipped with a device that emits any illumination or
radiation that is designed or used for the purpose of controlling
official traffic control signals.