BILL NUMBER:  AB 2151
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2010




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2151 without my signature.

This bill would provide that peace officers, members of the
California Highway Patrol, and firefighters would not be required to
report any accidents to their private automobile insurer while
operating their personal vehicles at the request and direction of
their employer.  This bill would further require all state and local
agencies employing peace officers or firefighters to pay the costs of
any accident and all damages regardless of whether the driver of the
vehicle was acting recklessly or with gross negligence.

While there may be reasons for state and local entities to pay the
costs of automobile accidents while employees are responding to
emergency situations in their private vehicles, this measure would
require indemnification in all situations regardless of the driver's
fault, which is unwarranted.  Moreover, the Internal Revenue
Service-established mileage reimbursement rate already covers costs
for insurance for employees that use their private vehicles for work
purposes.  Since this measure will unreasonably shift costs to public
employers in a time of fiscal crisis, I am unable to sign this bill.


Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger