BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 643
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
643 (Nazarian) - As Amended April 8, 2015
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| |Aging and Long Term Care | |7 - 0 |
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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
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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
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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