BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 604
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
604 (Olsen) - As Amended April 20, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill authorizes public agencies, including, but not limited
to, the Regents of the University of California (UC) and the
Trustees of the California State University (CSU), to adopt
rules or regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions for,
AB 604
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the use of electrically motorized skateboards on public property
under the jurisdiction of that agency.
The bill defines "electrically motorized skateboard" as 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 1,000 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.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Negligible fiscal impact.
COMMENTS:
Background and Purpose. Current law prohibits the use of
motorized skateboards in California. This prohibition has been
in place since 1977 and came about in response to skateboards
that were being equipped with loud, polluting gas motors and
that had no brakes or other safety features. The motorized
skateboard of the 21st century is a very different product. The
boards are difficult to distinguish from regular skateboards
while in use, are silent and produce no emissions, and include
brakes.
AB 604 defines an electrically motorized skateboard and
authorizes local governments and other specified entities, such
as universities on their campuses, to regulate their use.
Effectively, the bill treats electrically motorized skateboards
the same way that current law treats skateboards. According to
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the author, the current prohibition on motorized skateboards
"directly affects manufacturers that build this product right
here in California. It is unacceptable that an environmentally
conscious and safe product, assembled and designed in our state,
cannot be legally operated under existing law."
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081