BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 12
Author: Corbett (D)
Amended: 8/23/12
Vote: 21
SENATE VOTES NOT RELEVANT
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 7-0, 8/30/12
(pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10)
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Harman, Kehoe, Lowenthal, Rubio,
Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Pavley, Simitian
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 80-0, 8/27/12 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Vehicles: aerodynamic devices
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill adds aerodynamic devices to the list
of equipment that may project three inches (on each side)
beyond the maximum allowable outside width of a vehicle or
its load as long as the devices does not adversely impact
the vehicle's swept width and turning characteristics and
its primary purpose is not for advertising. This bill also
defines "aerodynamic devices" as devices that minimize drag
and improve airflow over and around a vehicle.
Assembly Amendments delete the Senate version dealing with
Uniform Commercial Code on bulk sales and replace it with
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the above language.
ANALYSIS : Existing law authorizes certain equipment such
as door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain binders, and
display placard holders to extend a maximum of three inches
(on each side) beyond the maximum allowable width of a
vehicle.
This bill adds aerodynamic devices to the list of equipment
that may project three inches (on each side) beyond the
maximum allowable outside width of a vehicle or its load as
long as the devices does not adversely impact the vehicle's
swept width and turning characteristics and its primary
purpose is not for advertising. This bill also defines
"aerodynamic devices" as devices that minimize drag and
improve airflow over and around a vehicle.
Comments
According to the author's office, using aerodynamic devices
on vehicles helps to improve gas mileage and, in turn,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, these
aerodynamic devices are medium-weight, clear plastic
"skirts" that are mounted onto a vehicle to reduce air
turbulence around the vehicle. When mounted, these
aerodynamic devices project beyond the overall allowable
width of a vehicle by several inches.
The author's office notes that several companies have been
producing these devices but they have not been able to test
or market them in the state because they are not
specifically authorized under existing law. By adding
these devices to the list of authorized projecting
equipment, the companies that make these devices will be
able to continue to test and, ultimately, sell these
devices in the California marketplace, which the author's
office contends will have a significant beneficial impact
in terms of improved fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas
reduction.
This bill is also consistent with federal requirements.
Existing law authorizes a very specific list of equipment
that is allowed to project not more than three inches
beyond the maximum allowable width of a vehicle. Federal
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regulations, however, define "protruding devices" more
broadly as non-property-carrying devices. Under federal
law, "protruding devices" may extend up to three inches
beyond the maximum allowable width of a vehicle.
The author's office believes that aerodynamic devices
should be included in the list of protruding devices under
state law, since these devices meet the minimum width
distance of similar devices authorized under both state and
federal law. The author's office also notes that these
devices would provide substantial benefit in the form of
improved gas mileage and emissions reduction. Concerns
raised that the devices could potentially affect the
turning radius of a vehicle have been addressed by the
amendment authorizing use of aerodynamic devices as long as
they do not impact the swept width and turning
characteristics of the vehicle.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/29/12)
AT Dynamics
California Trucking Association
CALSTART
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 80-0, 8/27/12
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall,
Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford,
Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos,
Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson,
Donnelly, Eng, Feuer, Fletcher, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani,
Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon, Gorell,
Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Roger
Hernández, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones,
Knight, Lara, Logue, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor,
Mendoza, Miller, Mitchell, Monning, Morrell, Nestande,
Nielsen, Norby, Olsen, Pan, Perea, V. Manuel Pérez,
Portantino, Silva, Skinner, Smyth, Solorio, Swanson,
Torres, Valadao, Wagner, Wieckowski, Williams, Yamada,
John A. Pérez
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JJA:k 8/31/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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