BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 469
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Date of Hearing: June 16, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
SB 469 (Corbett) - As Amended: June 10, 2014
SENATE VOTE : 34-0
SUBJECT : Vehicles: aerodynamic vehicles
SUMMARY : Updates state law to conform with existing federal
vehicle length exceptions pertaining to aerodynamic devices, as
defined. Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes changes to state law to conform with federal regulations
related to exceptions to vehicle width and length limitations,
specifically:
a) Defines "tarping system" as a movable device used to
enclose the cargo area of flatbed semitrailers or trailers.
b) Permits a tarping system to exceed existing vehicle
width limitations by no more than three inches on each side
of the vehicle.
c) Allows an aerodynamic device to be affixed to the rear
of a trailer or semitrailer that does not extend more than
five feet and meets certain criteria.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Limits the width of a vehicle to no more than 102 inches.
Provides specific exceptions that allow a vehicle's overall
width to extend up to three additional inches beyond each side
of the vehicle.
2)Limits the length of vehicles and combinations of vehicles
from exceeding a total length of 65 feet. Provides specific
exceptions that allow 75 foot truck tractor-trailer
combinations provided no trailer exceeds 28 feet, 6 inches.
3)At the federal level, provides specific vehicle width and
length limitations and provides certain width and length
SB 469
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exceptions, as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : Aerodynamic devices are mounted on vehicles (e.g.
truck tractor and trailer combinations) to reduce air turbulence
around the vehicle. These devices include gap fairings, which
are mounted on the back of the tractor or the front of the
trailer to reduce turbulence between the tractor and trailer;
rear fairings, which are mounted on the back of the trailer to
reduce turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of a trailer;
and side skirts, which are mounted underneath the trailer to
minimize wind under the trailer. Equipping large vehicles with
these aerodynamic devices improves gas mileage and, in turn,
reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with those vehicles.
This bill aligns state law with existing federal regulatory
vehicle width and length exemptions related to vehicle
aerodynamic devices. Existing state law authorizes a very
specific list of equipment that is allowed to project not more
than three inches on each side of the vehicle beyond the maximum
allowable width. Tarping systems are currently included in
federal regulations however not specified in state law.
Additionally, federal regulations allow specific aerodynamic
devices to extend up to five feet beyond the length of a vehicle
- typically on a trailer or semitrailer - if certain conditions
are met. Meanwhile, existing state law is silent on this
vehicle length exemption. Furthermore, most states, such as the
state of Washington for example, have updated their state laws
to remain consistent with the abovementioned federal
regulations. As a result, the provisions specified in this bill
will provide clarity and consistency with federal regulations
and allow commercial trucks engaged in interstate commerce to
remain in compliance when operating within the state.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
ATDynamics Inc.
California Police Chiefs Association
California Trucking Association
CALSTART
SB 469
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093