BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 995
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Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
995 (Bigelow) - As Amended April 29, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill adds onion hauling trucks, as defined, to the list of
farm vehicles that are exempt from DMV registration
requirements, under specified conditions, including that the
AB 995
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truck is designed exclusively to transport onion a distance not
to exceed 20 miles from the field to a processing or packing
shed. The bill also requires the driver of an onion hauling
truck to have a valid Class A driver's license.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Potential, but very minor nonreimbursable costs for enforcement,
partially offset by fine revenues.
COMMENTS:
1)Background and Purpose. Current law, with certain exceptions,
requires that motor vehicles operated on highways be
registered with DMV. Additionally, existing law requires that
commercial vehicles comply with the Motor Carrier Safety
Improvement Act of 1996, which generally requires payment of
fees to support highway maintenance and enforcement programs,
periodic safety inspections conducted by the CHP, and
participation in operator drug and alcohol testing programs.
While use of farm vehicles on highways is generally restricted
to protect the safety of the traveling public, existing law
also exempts from registration requirements and commercial
vehicle safety requirements a number of farm vehicles that are
operated on highways beyond the typical one-mile limit. AB 995
exempts onion hauling trucks, as defined, from registration
requirements and allows them to travel up to 20 miles on
highways. If an onion farmer wanted to use the truck for some
other purpose, then the truck would have to be registered with
DMV in order to be operated on highways. AB 995 additionally
requires that these trucks comply with all commercial vehicle
safety requirements.
AB 995
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2)Prior Legislation. In 2014, AB 1908 (Bigelow), which would
have exempted onion hauling trucks from registration and
commercial motor vehicle safety requirements, was never heard
in policy committee at the author's request.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081