BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2111
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 16, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
                               Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
                    AB 2111 (Campos) - As Amended:  April 9, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :  Implements of husbandry

           SUMMARY  :  Adds utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) to those 
          implements of husbandry that are exempt from motor vehicle 
          registration requirements.  Specifically,  this bill  :  

          1)Defines a UTV as motor vehicle designed for off highway 
            operation that is suspended on four or more wheels, has a 
            steering wheel for steering control, and has one seat to 
            accommodate a driver and one passenger sitting side-by-side.  

          2)Defines a shade trailer as a device designed and utilized to 
            provide shade pursuant to California regulations regarding the 
            prevention of heat-illnesses in outdoor places of employment.  


          3)Adds UTVs used in agricultural operations to the statutory 
            list of implements of husbandry.  

          4)Provides that a trailer or semitrailer owned and used 
            exclusively by a farmer and is exempt from vehicle 
            registration requirements may haul shade trailers.  

           EXISTING LAW  :

          1)List various pieces of farm-related equipment that are 
            classified as implements of husbandry, including all-terrain 
            vehicles that are used in agricultural operations.  

          2)Exempts implements of husbandry from vehicle registration 
            requirements if their operations or movements over highways 
            are only incidental in nature.  

          3)Exempts trailers and semitrailers owned and used exclusively 
            by farmers from registration requirements if they haul 
            implements of husbandry, portable sanitary facilities, or 
            tools used exclusively for the production or harvesting of 
            agricultural products.  









                                                                  AB 2111
                                                                  Page  2

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  Unknown

           COMMENTS  :  The Western Growers Association notes that the UTV is 
          popular for carrying tools and small equipment for use on the 
          farm.  "Its size, fuel efficiency, and cost have made it very 
          useful for daily agricultural operations.  Shade trailers are 
          used on the farm to provide shade, a resting area, and water for 
          employees while they are working out in the field.  This bill 
          would clarify that shade trailers that are being deployed to 
          comply with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard will 
          be designated as implements of husbandry."  

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :  

           Support 
           
          California Cattlemen's Association
          California Farm Bureau Federation
          California Women For Agriculture
          Western Growers Association

           Opposition 
           
          None on file
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :    Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093