BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1772
Page 1
CORRECTED - 06/02/2010 Technical change (Member name)
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1772 (Mendoza)
As Amended April 7, 2010
Majority vote
TRANSPORTATION 14-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Bonnie Lowenthal, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Jeffries, | | |
| |Bill Berryhill, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Blumenfield, Buchanan, | |Calderon, Coto, |
| |Eng, Furutani, Galgiani, | |Davis, Monning, Ruskin, |
| |Hayashi, Miller, Niello, | |Harkey, |
| |Norby, Portantino, | |Miller, Nielsen, Norby, |
| |Solorio | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Torrico |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes a vehicle equipped with idle reduction
technology to exceed group axle weight limits by the weight of
the idle reduction technology, or up to 400 pounds.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology to
exceed group axle weight limits by as much as the idle
reduction technology equipment, or 400 pounds, whichever is
less, but only on an axle group on the tractor and only one
axle group per vehicle combination, regardless of the number
of axles in the vehicle combination.
2)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 group axle weight
increase is due only to this equipment.
3)Defines "idle reduction technology" consistent with federal
law.
EXISTING LAW:
4)Sets forth truck weight limits, including specific weight
limits for individual axles, individual wheels, and gross
AB 1772
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vehicle weight.
5)Imposes fines for exceeding truck weight limits.
6)Defines, under federal law, "idle reduction technology" to
mean an advance 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.
7)Authorizes states, under the federal Energy Policy Act of
2005, to adjust heavy-duty vehicle weight limits to
accommodate for the weight of idle reduction technology.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
1)According to the Department of Transportation, 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 the California Highway Patrol are
minor and absorbable, and local enforcement costs, if any, are
not reimbursable.
COMMENTS : Regulations limiting idling of commercial
diesel-engine vehicles to five minutes have been in effect since
2005, except for sleeper berth trucks for which regulations have
been in effect since January of 2008. Anti-idling 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.
(Operators of sleeper berth-equipped trucks are required to
manually shut down their engine when idling more than five
minutes at any location within California.)
California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff and local air
quality officials enforce the idling regulations by monitoring
sleeper berths and commercial diesel vehicles where they
operate. First time violations for idling for greater than five
minutes, receive a minimum civil penalty of $300. Subsequent
penalties can be from $1,000 to $10,000.
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According to CARB, diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful
gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In
1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic
air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer,
premature death, and other health problems.
Each year, diesel particulate matter contributes to 2000
premature deaths, thousands of hospital admissions, asthma
attacks and other respiratory symptoms and lost workdays. Diesel
engine emissions are responsible for the majority of
California's known airborne cancer risks, and cause visibility
reduction.
This bill is sponsored by the California Trucking Association
(CTA). CTA asserts that AB 1772 will allow California's
truckers to regain the payload they lost when they were mandated
to install idle reduction technology.
Writing in opposition to this bill, the League of California
Cities argues that the increased truck weights puts other users
of city streets-motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists,
and bus riders-at increased risk. Additionally, it argues that
increased truck weights will have a negative impact on the
integrity of streets and roads, which are already in need of
repair or rebuilding in many areas of the state.
Fully loaded trucks virtually never reach the allowable gross
vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds. This is due to the fact that
the front axle is rarely loaded to its maximum allowable weight
of 12,000. Instead, fully loaded trucks typically have a gross
vehicle weight of about 76,000 pounds.
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093
FN: 0004684