BILL NUMBER: SB 341	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 21, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2011

   An act to amend Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 341, as amended, Lowenthal. Vehicles: dump trucks: backup
alarms.
   (1) Existing law requires a refuse or garbage truck to be equipped
with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is
capable of emitting an audible sound meeting specified requirements.
 A violation of this requirement is a crime. 
   This bill would additionally require a  dump truck, as
defined, to be equipped withan automatic backup audible alarm
  commercial vehicle, as defined, with a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR), as defined, in excess of 14,000 pounds that
transports material to and from a mine or construction site, or both,
to be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on
backing and is   capable of emitting sound audible under
normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. 
 Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, it would
impose a state-mandated local program. 
   (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   27000.  (a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall
be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting
sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less
than 200 feet, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh
sound. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use
in conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits
sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section.
   (b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic
backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of
emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not
less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup
device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the
vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle
on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The
backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating
automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but
rolls backward.
   (c) A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a
rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting
waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after
January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera
providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements
the drivers' view behind the truck for the purpose of safely
maneuvering the truck. 
   (d) (1) A dump truck shall be equipped with an automatic backup
audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound
audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200
feet.  
   (2) For the purposes of this subdivision, "dump truck" means a
commercial vehicle used to transport loose materials, such as rock,
sand, gravel, asphalt, or dirt, primarily for construction purposes,
and includes a commercial vehicle used to pull a trailer transporting
loose materials.  
   (d) A commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
in excess of 14,000 pounds that transports materials to and from a
mine or construction site, or both, shall be equipped with an
automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable
of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of
not less than 200 feet. 
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.