BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2245
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2245 (Hill)
As Amended April 21, 2010
Majority vote
TRANSPORTATION 8-4 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Bonnie Lowenthal, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Ammiano, |
| |Blumenfield, Buchanan, | |Bradford, |
| |Eng, Furutani, Galgiani, | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| |Hayashi, Solorio | |Davis, |
| | | |De Leon, Hall, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Torlakson, |
| | | |Torrico |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Jeffries, Bill Berryhill, |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, |
| |Miller, Niello | |Nielsen, Norby |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Prohibits a motor vehicle from being equipped with an
aftermarket horn emitting a sound in excess of 110 dB(A).
EXISTING LAW requires any motor vehicle operating on 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, and prohibits the horn from emitting an unreasonably
loud or harsh sound.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee
analysis, there will be local enforcement costs that are not
reimbursable.
COMMENTS : In response to complaints about what was thought to be
excessive train noise in his San Mateo County district, the author
reports that he has been working with the US Department of
Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), local
governments, constituents, and the railroad industry. FRA recently
conducted a study on freight train horns in the cities of South San
Francisco, Burlingame, and San Mateo at his request. The study
concluded that the train horns are sounding within the legally
prescribed decibel limit at each grade separation. However, FRA
staff informed the author that aftermarket car horns had been
identified as a possible factor leading to these complaints.
AB 2245
Page 2
Aftermarket car horns are currently available to consumers and can
produce decibel levels that far exceed 110 dB(A) - the sound limit
that currently applies to locomotives. These car horns also imitate
train horns and can be confusing and dangerous to drivers and
pedestrians. This bill would still allow for the sale of these
aftermarket products as long as they meet the 110 dB(A) standard.
The current standard for noise from a car horn is that it may not be
unreasonably loud or harsh. A standard that identifies a specific
decibel level would appear to be a much more objective criterion.
Some might question how a law enforcement agency would administer
this standard as most traffic officers are unlikely to be in
possession of sound measurement equipment. It is possible, however,
that in a given community where car horns are perceived to be a
problem, the local police or sheriffs might choose to carry such
equipment in response to public clamor for relief.
Analysis Prepared by : Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN:
0004197