BILL ANALYSIS Ó ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 12| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 CONTINUED SB 12 Page 2 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 CONTINUED SB 12 Page 3 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 CONTINUED SB 12 Page 4 JJA:k 8/31/12 Senate Floor Analyses SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE **** END **** CONTINUED