BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: AB 1772
SENATOR ALAN LOWENTHAL, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: mendoza
VERSION: 4/7/10
Analysis by: Carrie Cornwell FISCAL: yes
Hearing date: June 22, 2010
SUBJECT:
Vehicle weight exemptions: idle reduction technology
DESCRIPTION:
This bill allows a vehicle equipped with idle reduction
technology to exceed its legal weight limit by the weight of the
idle reduction technology up to 400 pounds.
ANALYSIS:
Existing state law establishes maximum weight limits for a
variety of vehicles and vehicle combinations on the state's
roads. For example, no combination of vehicles may exceed a
total weight of 80,000 pounds. Existing law also prescribes
lower maximum weights for certain vehicles based on their number
of axles and for groups of axles on a vehicle.
Under its authority to regulate air emissions, the Air Resources
Board (ARB) has adopted regulations that limit the idling of
various heavy-duty vehicles to no more than five minutes in
order to limit human exposure to the toxic air contaminants that
they emit when running. Among these regulations are rules that
took effect in February of 2005 that 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.
ARB staff and local air quality officials enforce these idling
regulations by monitoring commercial diesel vehicles where they
operate. AB 233 (Jones), Chapter 592, Statute of 2007 provided
that first time violations for idling in excess of five minutes
receive a minimum civil penalty of $300. The penalties for
AB 1772 (MENDOZA) Page 2
subsequent violations can range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Federal law defines "idle reduction technology" 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.
This bill :
1.Allows a vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with idle
reduction technology to exceed its legal weight limit by the
weight of the idle reduction technology or 400 pounds,
whichever is less.
2.Permits this exemption to be applied only to an axle group on
the truck tractor, as opposed to a trailer, and only one time
per vehicle combination (i.e., each truck and trailer or
trailers), regardless of the number of axles in the vehicle
combination.
3.Requires the vehicle operator to provide proof to an
appropriate law enforcement officer that the idle technology
is fully functional and that the excess weight over the group
axle weight limit is not for any other purpose than the idle
reduction technology.
4.Adopts in state law the federal definition of "idle reduction
technology."
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose . This bill is sponsored by the California Trucking
Association (CTA). CTA asserts that this bill will allow
California's truckers to regain the payload they lost when
ARB's regulations mandated that these vehicles have idle
reduction technology installed.
2.Idle reduction technology . The California Highway Patrol (CHP)
inspects heavy-duty vehicles, typically at "weigh stations"
along state highways, to determine if these vehicles exceed
their legal weight limits. CHP reports that idle reduction
technology affixed to these vehicles typically weighs well
less than 400 pounds and is not a significant contributor to
overweight vehicles. This bill, however, clarifies that when
weighing a vehicle, CHP should deduct the weight of a
AB 1772 (MENDOZA) Page 3
functional idle reduction device that is attached to the
vehicle.
3.Opposition . The League of California Cities and Teamsters
oppose this bill and note that the weight of a truck affects
the stability and control of a truck, the way it interacts
with other traffic, and the impact it has when colliding with
other vehicles. Noting that trucks share city streets with
other users-such as motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and
motorcyclists-the League expresses concern that increased
truck weight allowed under this bill will put these users at
risk. In addition, both argue that increases in truck weight
have a negative impact on the integrity of streets and roads,
which are already in need of repair or reconstruction in many
areas of the state.
Assembly Votes:
Floor: 75 - 0
Appr: 17 - 0
Trans: 14 - 0
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 16, 2010)
SUPPORT: California Trucking Association (sponsor)
OPPOSED: League of California Cities
Teamsters