BILL ANALYSIS Ó
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 404|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CONSENT
Bill No: SB 404
Author: De León (D)
Introduced:2/25/15
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 9-0, 5/5/15
AYES: Beall, Allen, Bates, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza,
Roth, Wieckowski
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cannella, Gaines
SUBJECT: Vehicles: traffic officers
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill deletes the requirement that law enforcement
vehicles be painted, while retaining the requirement that those
vehicles be a distinctive color.
ANALYSIS: Existing law requires that motor vehicles used for
the primary purpose of traffic law enforcement be painted in
distinctive colors, as determined by the Commissioner of the
California Highway Patrol.
This bill deletes the reference to "painted," while retaining
the requirement that those vehicles be a distinctive color.
Comments
A relatively new way to change the appearance of vehicles is to
wrap them in colored or printed vinyl. These films are attached
with an adhesive and have a life of several years. Commercial
vehicles and buses can often be seen with messages, art, or
SB 404
Page 2
logos that cover the vehicle from end to end. This same
technique can also be used to change the color of vehicles.
The author believes that wrapping a vehicle can be less
expensive than painting. By amending the Vehicle Code to
eliminate the requirement that law enforcement vehicles be
painted, while still retaining the requirement that they be of a
distinctive color, the author seeks to create the flexibility
for law enforcement departments to reduce the cost of creating
their distinctive looks by using vinyl wraps or any other
technology that achieves the same effect, a technology-neutral
approach.
Supporters note that some automakers have started to ship
vehicles to law enforcement agencies using the vinyl wraps.
However, some law enforcement agencies have incurred the extra
expense to paint the vehicle because of California's law
requiring paint. Under this bill, such painting will be
unnecessary.
According to the author, the cost to wrap a car is $305-$840;
the cost to paint is $700-$900.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified5/6/15)
California Police Chiefs Association
California State Sheriffs' Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified5/6/15)
None received
SB 404
Page 3
Prepared by:Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121
5/6/15 16:16:18
**** END ****