BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 1772
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 21, 2010

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                   AB 1772 (Mendoza) - As Amended:  April 7, 2010 

          Policy Committee:                               
          TransportationVote:14-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes a vehicle equipped with idle reduction  
            technology to exceed its group axle weight limit by the weight  
            of the idle reduction technology, or up to 400 pounds.  The  
            bill also:

          1)Requires a vehicle operator, upon request by a law enforcement  
            officer, to provide proof that the idle reduction technology  
            is fully functional at all times and the gross vehicle weight  
            increase is due only to this equipment.  

          2)Defines "idle reduction technology" consistent with federal  
            law.  

           FISCAL EFFECT

           1)According to CalTrans, the added per axle weight limit would  
            have a significant impact on pavement deterioration,  
            eventually raising state road maintenance costs by more than  
            $1 million per year (special funds).

          2)State enforcement costs to CHP are minor and absorbable, and  
            local enforcement costs, if any, are not reimbursable.

           BACKGROUND
           
           1)Rationale  . This bill, sponsored the California Trucking  
            Association (CTA), is intended to allow California truckers to  
            regain the payload they lost when they were mandated to  
            install idle reduction technology.









                                                                  AB 1772
                                                                  Page  2

           2)Background  . "Idle reduction technology" is defined under  
            federal law to mean an advanced truck stop electrification  
            system, auxiliary power unit, or technology that is used to  
            reduce long-duration idling and allows for the main drive  
            engine or auxiliary refrigeration engine to be shut down.  
            Current regulations require 2008 and newer model year  
            heavy-duty diesel engines either to be equipped with a system  
            that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of  
            idling or, optionally, to meet a stringent oxides of nitrogen  
            idling emission standard. These regulations are enforced by  
            the California Air Resources Board and local environmental  
            agencies. Existing law also prescribes weight limits imposed  
            on the highway by any group of two or more consecutive axles  
            of heavy duty vehicles. Federal law authorizes states to  
            adjust these weight limits to accommodate for the weight of  
            idle reduction technology.  
           Analysis Prepared by  :    Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081