BILL NUMBER: AB 2245	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 21, 2010
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 6, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hill

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act to amend Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2245, as amended, Hill. Vehicles:  horns. 
 aftermarket horns: decibel levels. 
   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   prohibit a motor vehicle
from being equipped with an aftermarket horn that emits a sound
greater than 110 dB(A)  . By  expanding the scope of an
existing crime   creating a new crime  , this bill
would  create   impose  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.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: 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 a horn shall not emit an unreasonably  loud or
 harsh sound  or a sound level that is greater than
______decibels   and a motor vehicle shall not be
equipped with an aftermarket horn that emits a sound greater than 110
dB(A)  . 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.