BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1385
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1385 (Miller)
As Amended September 2, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |79-0 |(May 4, 2009) |SENATE: |39-0 |(September 4, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: TRANS.
SUMMARY : Authorizes certain members of an arson-investigating
unit regularly paid and employed in that capacity whose primary
duty is the detection and apprehension of persons who have
violated any fire law or committed insurance fraud, to display a
steady or flashing blue warning light from their vehicle in the
performance of his or her duties.
The Senate amendments prohibit the use of blue warning lights
for any reason other than for performance of duties by a
designated officer.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Authorizes a peace officer, as specified, while in performance
of his or her duty to display a steady or flashing blue
warning light visible from the front, sides or rear of the
vehicle.
2)Defines a peace officer, for purposes of using a steady or
flashing blue warning lights while in performance of his or
her duty, as any sheriff, under-sheriff, or deputy sheriff,
employed in that capacity, of a county, any chief of police of
a city or chief, director, or chief executive officer of a
consolidated municipal public safety agency that performs
police functions.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : According to the sponsor, the California State
Firefighters' Association (CSFA), this bill would "add peace
AB 1385
Page 2
officers that work for a fire department to the existing list of
peace officers permitted to operate a vehicle equipped with
steady or flashing blue lights." The author adds that many fire
departments in California that serve large populations maintain
their own law enforcement personnel to better focus on such
dangerous crimes as arson, terrorism, illegal fireworks, and
destructive devices.
CSFA points out that allowing a peace officer from a fire
department to use flashing blue lights will allow for easier
recognition of fellow peace officers from other agencies and
will facilitate assistance and cooperation among agencies.
Analysis Prepared by : Alejandro Esparza / TRANS. / (916)
319-2093
FN: 0002877