BILL NUMBER: AB 604	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Olsen
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Baker, Calderon, Cristina Garcia,
Linder, Melendez, Mark Stone, and Waldron)

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2015

   An act to amend Section 21968 of, to add Section 313.5 to, and to
add Article 7 (commencing with Section 21290) to Chapter 1 of
Division 11 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 604, as introduced, Olsen. Electrically motorized skateboards.
   Existing law regulates the operation of bicycles, motorized
scooters, and electric personal assistive mobility devices, as
defined.
   This bill would define the term "electrically motorized skateboard"
and would provide that those devices are subject to the provisions
of law applicable to a driver of a vehicle, except as specified. By
making the operation of an electrically motorized skateboard subject
to existing laws, the violation of which are offenses, this bill
would expand the scope of existing crimes, and impose a
state-mandated local program.
    The bill would make it an infraction for a person to operate an
electrically motorized skateboard upon a highway while under the
influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined
influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. The bill would,
subject to restrictions, authorize the operation of electrically
motorized skateboards on highways, bikeways, and sidewalks, would
require an operator under 18 years of age to wear a helmet, and would
require an operator to be at least 12 years of age in order to
operate an electrically motorized skateboard on a highway or bikeway.
The bill would prohibit the operation of an electrically motorized
skateboard at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour. The bill would
require specified braking and lighting equipment for the operation of
an electrically motorized skateboard. A violation of these
provisions would be an infraction under existing law. By creating a
new infraction and expanding the scope of existing crimes, this bill
would impose a state-mandated local program.
   Existing law makes it a crime to operate a motorized skateboard on
any sidewalk, roadway, or any other part of a highway or on any
bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, or hiking or
recreational trail.
   This bill would provide that an electrically motorized skateboard
is not a motorized skateboard for those purposes.
   The bill would state findings and declarations of the Legislature
relative to electrically motorized skateboards.
   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 313.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   313.5.  (a) An "electrically motorized skateboard" is any
four-wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon
when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches
wide, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric
propulsion system averaging less than 1000 watts, the maximum speed
of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level
surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour. The device may be
designed to also be powered by human propulsion.
   (b) An electrically motorized skateboard does not include an
electric personal assistive mobility device, as defined in Section
313, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor-driven cycle,
as defined in Section 405, a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined
in Section 406, or a motorized scooter, as defined in Section 407.5.
  SEC. 2.  Article 7 (commencing with Section 21290) is added to
Chapter 1 of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code, to read:

      Article 7.  Operation of Electrically Motorized Skateboards


   21290.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) This state has severe traffic congestion and air pollution
problems, particularly in its cities, and finding ways to reduce
these problems is of paramount importance.
   (2) Reducing the millions of single passenger automobile trips of
five miles or less that Californians take each year will
significantly reduce the pollution caused by fuel emissions and
aggravated by automobile congestion.
   (3) Electrically motorized skateboards enable California
businesses, public officials, and individuals to travel farther and
carry more without the use of traditional vehicles, thereby promoting
gains in productivity, minimizing environmental impacts, and
facilitating better use of public ways.
   (b) The Legislature is enacting this article as part of its
program to promote the use of zero-emission transportation.
   21292.  For purposes of this article, an electrically motorized
skateboard is defined in Section 313.5.
   21294.  A person operating an electrically motorized skateboard
upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the
provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division,
including, but not limited to, provisions concerning driving under
the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, and by Division 10
(commencing with Section 20000), Division 17 (commencing with Section
40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with Section 42000), except
those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no
application.
   21296.  (a) Notwithstanding Section 21294, it is unlawful for a
person to operate an electrically motorized skateboard upon a highway
while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or
under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug.
   (b) A person arrested for a violation of this section may request
to have a chemical test made of the person's blood or breath for the
purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of that person's
blood pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 23612, and, if so
requested, the arresting officer shall have the test performed.
   (c)  A conviction of a violation of this section shall be punished
by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
   21298.  Notwithstanding any other law, an electrically motorized
skateboard may be operated on a bikeway, unless the local authority
or the governing body of a local agency having jurisdiction over that
bikeway prohibits that operation by ordinance.
   21300.  (a) Whenever a Class II or Class IV bikeway has been
established on a roadway, a person operating an electrically
motorized skateboard upon the roadway shall ride within the bikeway,
except that the person may move out of the bikeway under any of the
following situations:
   (1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle or pedestrian
within the bikeway or when about to enter the bikeway if the
overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the bikeway.
   (2) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and
dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge
of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on
foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 21949).
   (3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bikeway to avoid debris
or other hazardous conditions.
   (4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
   (b) A person operating an electrically motorized skateboard shall
not leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with
reasonable safety, and then only after giving an appropriate signal
in the manner provided in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100)
if a vehicle may be affected by the movement.
   21302.  (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a person
operating an electrically motorized skateboard upon a highway at a
speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same
direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the
right-hand curb or right edge of the roadway, except under the
following situations:
   (1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction.
   (2) When preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and
dismount as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge
of the roadway and complete the turn by crossing the roadway on
foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 21949).
   (3) (A) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including,
but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles,
pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes,
which make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or right
edge of the roadway, subject to Section 21656.
   (B) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a "substandard width lane"
is a lane that is too narrow for an electrically motorized skateboard
and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
   (b) A person operating an electrically motorized skateboard upon a
highway that carries traffic in one direction only and has two or
more marked traffic lanes may operate the electrically motorized
skateboard as near the left-hand curb or left edge of that roadway as
practicable. However, when preparing for a right turn, the operator
shall stop and dismount as close as practicable to the left-hand curb
or left edge of the highway and complete the turn by crossing the
roadway on foot, subject to the restrictions placed on pedestrians in
Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21949).
   21304.  The operator of an electrically motorized skateboard shall
not do any of the following:
   (a) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard unless it is
equipped with a brake or braking function that will enable the
operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
   (b) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard on a highway with
a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the electrically
motorized skateboard is operated within a Class II or Class IV
bikeway.
   (c) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard without wearing a
properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards
described in Section 21212, if the operator is under 18 years of
age.
   (d) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard with any
passengers in addition to the operator.
   (e) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard upon a sidewalk
at a speed in excess of five miles per hour or the pace of pedestrian
traffic, whichever is slower, except as may be necessary to enter or
leave adjacent property.
   (f) Leave or park an electrically motorized skateboard on any
sidewalk, in any position, so that there is not an adequate path for
pedestrian traffic.
   (g) Attach the electrically motorized skateboard or operator,
while on the roadway, by any means, to any other vehicle on the
roadway.
   (h) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard on a highway or
bikeway if the operator is under 12 years of age.
   (i) Operate an electrically motorized skateboard at a speed in
excess of 20 miles per hour.
   21306.  An electrically motorized skateboard operated upon a
highway or bikeway during darkness shall be equipped with the
following:
   (a) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached
to either the electrically motorized skateboard or the operator and
visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of
the electrically motorized skateboard.
   (b) Either a red reflector, or reflectorized material meeting the
requirements of Section 25500, attached to the operator, or a lamp or
lamp combination, emitting red light attached to the electrically
motorized skateboard, and visible from a distance of 500 feet to the
rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a
motor vehicle.
   21308.  (a) A person operating an electrically motorized
skateboard is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to
financial responsibility, registration, and license plate
requirements, and, for those purposes, an electrically motorized
skateboard is not a motor vehicle.
   (b) An electrically motorized skateboard is exempt from the
equipment requirements in Division 12 (commencing with Section
24000), except for Sections 24003 and 27400, Article 4 (commencing
with Section 27450) of Chapter 5 of Division 12, and Section 27602.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an electrically motorized
skateboard may be equipped with equipment authorized by Division 12
(commencing with Section 24000).
   (d) An electrically motorized skateboard equipped with lighting
equipment that is authorized by Division 12 (commencing with Section
24000) shall meet the lighting requirements in Article 1 (commencing
with Section 24250) of Chapter 2 of Division 12 for that equipment.
   21310.  This article does not prevent a local authority, by
ordinance, from regulating the registration of electrically motorized
skateboards and the parking and operation of electrically motorized
skateboards on pedestrian or bicycle facilities and local streets and
highways, if that regulation is not in conflict with this code.
   21312.  If the operator of an electrically motorized skateboard is
injured or causes injury to another person or property, arising out
of the operator's failure to adhere to the limitations and
restrictions included in this article, the local government authority
having jurisdiction over the street where the injury occurred shall
be immune from liability for the injury, except as otherwise provided
by law.
  SEC. 3.  Section 21968 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21968.   No   (a)     A
 motorized skateboard  may   shall not
 be propelled on any sidewalk, roadway, or any other part of a
highway or on any bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail,
or hiking or recreational trail. 
   (b) For purposes of this section, an electrically motorized
skateboard, as defined in Section 313.5, is not a motorized
skateboard. 
  SEC. 4.  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.