BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1236 Page 1 Date of Hearing: July 2, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 1236 (Monning) - As Amended: April 24, 2014 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:15-0 (Consent) Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill allows certain transit district employees to enforce specified infractions and expands the actions constituting violations with respect to transit district property, facilities, or vehicles. Specifically, this bill: 1)Provides that the following are infractions subject to a fine of up to $75 for the first or second offense and a fine of up to $250 for a subsequent offense or by community service: a) Knowingly giving false information to a transit district employee or security officer engaged in enforcement of a district law or state ordinance or obstructing the issuance of a citation for a violation of such. b) Violating a transit district's conditions for boarding a transit district vehicle with a bike and stowing the bike. 2)Authorizes transit districts to designate employees, except union-represented employees who drive revenue-generating transit vehicles or contracted security officers, to enforce specified infractions established in state law on transit vehicles and district property. FISCAL EFFECT Likely minor increase in fine revenue. COMMENTS 1)Background . Current law allows several transit operators to SB 1236 Page 2 designate employees or contractors to issue citations for various infractions listed in Penal Code Section 640, but not those listed in Penal Code Section 640.5 and Public Utilities Code Section 99170. Designated individuals must complete a specialized training course and are not considered peace officers and have no authority to carry weapons or exercise the powers of arrest. According to the author, many transit operators must contact their local law enforcement agencies to enforce infractions on transit vehicles or in stations, which is burdensome on understaffed law enforcement agencies. 2)Purpose . This bill authorizes all transit districts to designate district employees, other than drivers or security officers contracted by the district, to issue citations for infractions on transit vehicles and on district property, and establishes two additional infractions. The author contends this bill will help transit operators increase safety on their vehicles and facilities without creating additional burdens on local law enforcement. Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081