BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 643 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 643 (Nazarian) - As Amended April 8, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Transportation |Vote:|15 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | |Aging and Long Term Care | |7 - 0 | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill authorizes the CHP to activate messages on changeable message signs when a law enforcement agency determines that a Silver Alert subject may be in a vehicle, and specific information about that vehicle is available for public AB 643 Page 2 dissemination. FISCAL EFFECT: Any additional costs to the CHP will be minor and absorbable. COMMENTS: 1)Background. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service providers, and direct broadcast satellite providers to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. State and local authorities may also use the system to deliver important emergency information. AB 415 (Runner)/Chapter 517, Statutes of 2002, created California's Amber Alert program and authorized law enforcement agencies to use the national EAS to disseminate relevant child abduction information. SB 839 (Runner)/Chapter 311, Statutes of 2010, established the Blue Alert program, which also uses the EAS to provide for public notification when a law enforcement officer has been attacked. The Silver Alert program, originally established by SB 1047 (Alquist)/Chapter 651, Statutes of 2012, provides for public notification when a person who is age 65 years or older, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired is missing. California has 790 changeable message signs on state highways that are governed by both federal and California regulations. These regulations generally limit the use of changeable message signs to traffic operations, regulatory, warning and guidance information. Additionally, use of the signs is AB 643 Page 3 authorized in statute for Amber Alerts and Blue Alerts, but not for Silver Alerts. 2)Purpose. This bill authorizes use of changeable message signs for Silver Alerts. According to the author, use of these signs, "?will reach millions of motorists and will ensure that California is taking all possible measures in aiding with the safe return of a missing person." 3)Related Legislation. AB 8 (Gatto), pending in this committee, authorizes CHP to assist other law enforcement agencies in investigating certain hit-and-run incidents by issuing a "Yellow Alert" via a local digital sign. AB 400 (Alejo), pending in the Senate, authorizes the use of changeable message signs for voter registration and Election Day reminders. Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081