BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 604
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
604 (Olsen)
As Amended April 20, 2015
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
|----------------+------+--------------------+-----------------------|
|Transportation |11-3 |Achadjian, Baker, |Frazier, Nazarian, |
| | |Bloom, Chu, Daly, |Santiago |
| | |Dodd, Kim, Linder, | |
| | |Medina, Melendez, | |
| | |O'Donnell | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+--------------------+-----------------------|
|Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, | |
| | |Bloom, Bonta, | |
| | |Calderon, Chang, | |
| | |Daly, Eggman, | |
| | |Gallagher, Eduardo | |
| | |Garcia, Holden, | |
| | |Jones, Quirk, | |
| | |Rendon, Wagner, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Defines "electrically motorized skateboard" and
authorizes cities and counties to regulate their use.
AB 604
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Specifically, this bill:
1)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.
2)Specifies that an electrically motorized skateboard may be
designed to also be powered by human propulsion.
3)Specifies that an electrically motorized skateboard is not a
motorized skateboard for purposes of an existing ban on
motorized skateboards on sidewalks, roadways, highways,
bikeways, bicycle paths, bike trails, equestrian trails, hiking
trails, and recreational trails.
4)Provides that an electrically motorized skateboard is not an
electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorcycle, a
motor-driven cycle, a motorized bicycle or moped, or a motorized
scooter.
5)Authorizes local authority to adopt rules and regulations by
ordinance or resolution prohibiting or restricting persons from
riding or propelling electrically motorized skateboards on
highways, sidewalks, or roadways.
6)Authorizes a transit development board to adopt ordinances,
rules, or regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions
for, the use of electrically motorized skateboards on property
AB 604
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under the control of, or any portion of property used by, the
board.
7)Authorizes public agencies, including, but not limited to, the
Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the
California State University, to adopt rules or regulations to
restrict, or specify the conditions for, the use of electrically
motorized skateboards on public property under the jurisdiction
of that agency.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Prohibits motorized skateboards on sidewalks, roadways,
highways, bikeways, bicycle paths, trails, equestrian trails,
hiking trails, and recreational trails.
2)Authorizes local authorities to adopt rules and regulations by
ordinance or resolution prohibiting or restricting persons from
riding skateboards on highways, sidewalks, or roadways.
3)Authorizes a transit development board to adopt ordinances,
rules, or regulations to restrict, or specify the conditions
for, the use of bicycles, motorized bicycles, skateboards, and
roller skates on property under the control of, or any portion
of property used by, the board.
4)Authorizes public agencies, including, but not limited to, the
Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the
California State University, to adopt rules or regulations to
restrict, or specify the conditions for, the use of bicycles,
motorized bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates on public
property under the jurisdiction of that agency.
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FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, negligible fiscal impact.
COMMENTS: 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.
This bill defines an electrically motorized skateboard and
authorizes local governments and other specified entities, such as
universities on their campuses, to regulate their use.
Effectively, this bill treats electrically motorized skateboards
the same way that current law treats skateboards. According to 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."
While there appears to be little reason to continue to ban
motorized skateboards, the boards do raise safety concerns with
respect to use by children. These boards can reach speeds of up
to 20 miles per hour and, unlike bicycles, do not have handlebars
or some other steering mechanism to help the rider maintain
control. Younger children may not have the level of maturity or
judgment necessary to safely operate a motorized skateboard.
Limiting the use of these devices to those 16 and over would
enhance safety for both riders and for other road and sidewalk
users with whom riders will come into contact.
AB 604
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Analysis Prepared by:
Anya Lawler / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0000358