BILL NUMBER: AB 2245 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 6, 2010
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Hill
FEBRUARY 18, 2010
An act relating to vehicles to amend
Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles .
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2245, as amended, Hill. Vehicles: handicapped parking
spaces. horns.
Existing law requires a motor vehicle, when operated upon a
highway, to be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable
of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of
not less than 200 feet, but prohibits a horn from emitting an
unreasonably loud or harsh sound. A violation of the vehicle code is
a crime.
This bill would instead prohibit a horn from emitting an
unreasonably harsh sound or a sound level that is greater than an
unspecified level of decibels. By expanding the scope of an existing
crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
Existing law authorizes a disabled person who displays a special
license plate or a distinguishing placard to park in specified zones.
This bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature to
increase access to handicapped parking spaces while preventing
placard fraud and abuse by unlawful users.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no
yes . State-mandated local program: no
yes .
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 27000 of the Vehicle
Code is amended to read:
27000. (a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall
be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting
sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less
than 200 feet, but no a horn shall
not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound
or a sound level that is greater than ______decibels . An
authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use in
conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits
sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section.
(b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic
backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of
emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not
less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup
device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the
vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle
on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The
backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating
automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but
rolls backward.
(c) A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a
rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting
waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after
January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera
providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements
the drivers' view behind the truck for the purpose of safely
maneuvering the truck.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act
pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislating to increase access to handicapped parking spaces
while preventing placard fraud and abuse by unlawful users.