BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1520
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Date of Hearing: April 9, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1520 (Mendoza) - As Introduced: January 17, 2012
SUBJECT : Vehicles: mobile billboard advertising displays: local
ordinances
SUMMARY : Expands the definition of "mobile billboard
advertising display" to include an advertising display that is
attached to any registered vehicle and is for the summary
purpose of advertising.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Defines a vehicle as a device that can be propelled or moved
upon a highway, except for those that are moved exclusively by
human power or that use stationary rails or tracks.
2)Prohibits a person from driving, moving, or leaving standing
on a highway any vehicle that is not registered with the
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
3)Defines a "mobile billboard advertising display" as an
advertising display that is attached to a mobile,
non-motorized vehicle, device or bicycle that carries, pulls,
or transports a sign or billboard for the primary purpose of
advertising.
4)Specifies that vehicles may be removed from public and private
roadways, under certain circumstances.
5)Permits local authorities to enact, by ordinance or
resolution, prohibitions or restrictions on the stopping,
parking, or standing of vehicles, including, on certain
streets or highways during all or certain hours of the day.
6)Exempts from regulation by local authorities, advertising
signs that are painted directly upon or are permanently
affixed to the body of a motor vehicle for permanent
decoration, identification, or display so long as they do not
extend beyond the overall length, width, or height of the
vehicle.
AB 1520
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7)Authorizes the legislative body of a city or county to adopt
ordinances that regulate, among other things, signs and
billboards.
8)Authorizes local governments to regulate advertising on
motorized and non-motorized vehicles on public streets.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : This bill's sponsor, the City of Artesia, notes that
despite recent legislation regulating mobile billboards (AB
1298, Blumenfield, Chapter 538, Statutes of 2011), advertising
abuses have continued to be a nuisance as well as a public
safety hazard. Specifically, the City of Artesia notes that in
recent years there has been an increase in advertisements of
business establishments or services on both motorized and
non-motorized vehicles parked on the public right-of-way. The
City of Artesia reports that these advertisements are made from
a variety of materials and are temporarily attached to trucks
and passenger vehicles as well as house cars and recreational
vehicles. The City of Artesia describes this method of
advertising as a form of blight that creates driver distraction,
invites traffic congestion and collisions, and blocks view of
businesses.
This bill seeks to broaden the definition of a mobile billboard
to include advertising displays on all types of registered
vehicles. By broadening the definition of a mobile billboard,
local jurisdictions would be able to use existing authorities to
cite and remove these displays from streets and roads in their
communities.
Related legislation :
AB 1298 (Blumenfield) Chapter 538, Statutes of 2011, expanded
the ability of local governments to regulate advertising on
motorized and non-motorized vehicles on public streets.
AB 2756 (Blumenfield) Chapter 615, Statutes of 2010, expanded
the definition of a "mobile billboard advertising display" to
include advertising displays that are attached to a wheeled
mobile.
AB 1798 (Levine) of 2004, would have authorized a city or county
by resolution or ordinance to prohibit or restrict the stopping,
AB 1520
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parking, or standing of a vehicle, other than a motor vehicle,
on designated streets or highways, or portions thereof, during
all or certain hours of the day. The bill passed off the
Assembly Floor 63-6; however the Senate deleted the Assembly
provisions of the bill.
Double-referral : This bill has also been referred to the
Committee on Local Government.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
City of Artesia (Sponsor)
The American Planning Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-
2093