BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1890
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 9, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1890 (Solorio) - As Amended: March 28, 2012
SUBJECT : Motorcycles: electronic toll transponders
SUMMARY : Specifies lawful means by which a motorcyclist may
place or carry an electronic toll transponder. Specifically
this bill:
1)Allows a motorcyclist to carry a transponder in any one of the
following ways, so long as the transponder is able to be read
by the toll operator's detection equipment:
a. In his or her pocket;
b. Inside a cycle net that drapes over the gas tank of
a motorcycle;
c. Mounted on a license plate device, if the device is
provided by the toll operator;
d. In a glove or storage compartment of a motorcycle;
or,
e. Mounted on the windshield.
2)Exempts motorcyclists that use one of these alternative means
of placing or carrying a transponder from the requirement that
the transponder be visibly displayed at all times while at the
toll crossing or on a toll highway.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Generally allows signs, stickers, or other materials (e.g.,
toll transponders) to be affixed either in a five-inch square
in the lower corner of a the windshield nearest the driver or
in a seven-inch squire in the lower corner of the windshield
farthest from the driver.
2)Specifically allows toll transponders to be affixed to the
center uppermost portion of a windshield.
AB 1890
Page 2
3)Does not require that motorcycles be equipped with
windshields.
4)Makes it a violation to fail to pay a toll on a toll highway.
5)Requires that, if a transponder is being used to pay tolls,
the transponder must be visible at all times for enforcement
purposes while the vehicle is on the toll crossing or highway.
6)Provides that it is prima facie evidence of a toll evasion
violation to enter a vehicular crossing or toll highway
without either money to pay the toll or a transponder with an
associated account balance sufficient to pay the tolls.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the author, AB 1890 was introduced to
codify existing best practices of toll management authorities
regarding motorcyclists' use of electronic toll payment devices.
Existing law generally prescribes where on a vehicle's
windshield an electronic toll transponder may be placed.
However, motorcycles are not even required to have windshields
and, if they do, there may not be enough space on the windshield
to abide by the very specific provisions governing where on the
windshield the device may be placed. Consequently, existing
provisions regarding the placement of the transponder on the
windshield as well as provisions requiring that the transponder
be visible at all times are, in practice, unworkable.
This bill provides alternative means by which motorcyclists may
place or carry transponders, so long as the transponders can be
read by the toll operator's detection equipment.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
ABATE of California
Orange County Transportation Authority
Opposition
AB 1890
Page 3
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093