BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1595 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 9, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair AB 1595 (Cook) - As Amended: March 29, 2012 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:13-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY As proposed to be amended, this bill defines recreational off-highway vehicle (ROHV) as a distinct type of off-highway motor vehicle and subject to regulation as such, including Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) identification requirements. The bill also establishes operational requirements for ROHVs, the violation of which is an infraction. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbable state costs. COMMENTS 1)Rationale. The author defines ROHVs in law and defines legal requirements for their safe operation. The author contends such a definition and requirements will provide rangers and other law enforcement a rational basis for enforcing ROHV-specific safety standards. 2)Background. Current law defines off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) and generally prohibits their use on public roadways. OHVs must display an identification plate or device issued by DMV and are subject to safety training requirements established by the Department of Parks and Recreation. ROHVs are a relatively new type of OHV. Unlike all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, the operator and passengers of a ROHV do not straddle the vehicle and use body weight to guide the vehicle. Rather, ROHV operators sit in seats with seatbelts and use a steering wheel to guide the ROHV. AB 1595 Page 2 3)Author amendments further define a ROHV as having an engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000ccs and to define the circumstances under which a ROHV operator may allow a passenger to grasp the occupant handhold. Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081