BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 225
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 1, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                   AB 225 (Nestande) - As Amended:  April 18, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                               
          TransportationVote:12-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes the operation of medium-speed electric  
          vehicles (MSV), as defined, subject to specified safety  
          standards and operational requirements, including prohibiting  
          operation exceeding 45 miles per-hour and prohibiting operation  
          on a roadway with a speed limit exceeding 45 mph.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor non-reimbursable costs to cities and counties for  
          enforcement of MSV operating restrictions, offset to some extent  
          by fine revenues.

           COMMENTS  

           Background and Purpose  . Current state and federal law provides  
          for the use of low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) on public  
          highways.  LSVs are generally limited to fairly controlled  
          environments-roads with low allowable maximum speeds-and thus  
          have fewer safety features than typical passenger vehicles.  

          Manufacturers have begun to produce LSVs capable of going  
          greater than 25 mph, but these vehicles currently cannot  
          lawfully operate on California streets because they are not made  
          to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for  
          regular passenger vehicles. 

          This bill specifies that MSV meet specified federal safety  
          standards. Proponents assert that MSVs have a number of positive  
          environmental impacts, including a reduction in the consumption  
          of fossil fuels and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.  








                                                                  AB 225
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           Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081