BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1595
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 9, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    AB 1595 (Cook) - As Amended:  March 29, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              
          TransportationVote:13-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          As proposed to be amended, this bill defines recreational 
          off-highway vehicle (ROHV) as a distinct type of off-highway 
          motor vehicle and subject to regulation as such, including 
          Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) identification requirements.  
          The bill also establishes operational requirements for ROHVs, 
          the violation of which is an infraction.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor, absorbable state costs.

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.   The author defines ROHVs in law and defines legal 
            requirements for their safe operation.  The author contends 
            such a definition and requirements will provide rangers and 
            other law enforcement a rational basis for enforcing 
            ROHV-specific safety standards.

           2)Background.   Current law defines off-highway motor vehicles 
            (OHVs) and generally prohibits their use on public roadways.  
            OHVs must display an identification plate or device issued by 
            DMV and are subject to safety training requirements 
            established by the Department of Parks and Recreation. 

            ROHVs are a relatively new type of OHV.  Unlike all-terrain 
            vehicles and motorcycles, the operator and passengers of a 
            ROHV do not straddle the vehicle and use body weight to guide 
            the vehicle.  Rather, ROHV operators sit in seats with 
            seatbelts and use a steering wheel to guide the ROHV.








                                                                  AB 1595
                                                                  Page  2


           3)Author amendments  further define a ROHV as having an engine 
            displacement equal to or less than 1,000ccs and to define the 
            circumstances under which a ROHV operator may allow a 
            passenger to grasp the occupant handhold. 

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081