BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2111
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 2, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    AB 2111 (Campos) - As Amended:  April 9, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              
          TransportationVote:14-0

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

           SUMMARY  

          This bill adds utility terrain vehicles (UTV) to the list of 
          implements of husbandry, and adds shade trailers to the types of 
          equipment that may be hauled by a farmer's unregistered trailer 
          or semitrailer.  Specifically, this bill:

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

          2)Defines shade trailer as a device designed and utilized to 
            provide shade, consistent with existing regulations.

          3)Adds UTV to the types of vehicles classified as implements of 
            husbandry, which current law exempts from vehicle registration 
            requirements.

          4)Adds shade trailer to the type of equipment that may be hauled 
            by a trailer or semitrailer owned by a famer and which is 
            exempt from registration requirements.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Potential minor loss of registration revenue to the Department 
          of Motor Vehicles (DMV), resulting from foregone registration 
          revenue that would be paid by certain owners of UTVs, absent 
          this bill, (Motor Vehicle Account). 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.   The author notes that UTVs are popular among 







                                                                  AB 2111
                                                                  Page  2

            farmers for carrying tools and small equipment for use on the 
            farm. The author contends that, consistent with such use, 
            these vehicles only incidentally move across highways and 
            therefore should be considered implements of husbandry and 
            exempt from vehicle registration requirements.  The author 
            also contends it appropriate to classify as implements of 
            husbandry shade trailers used to meet workplace regulations.  

          2)Background.   Existing law classifies certain vehicles as 
            implements of husbandry which are used near-exclusively on the 
            farm.  Because these vehicles only incidentally use highways, 
            they are exempt from vehicle registration requirements.  
                 
            3)Support.   This bill is supported by several major agricultural 
            groups.  
                 
            4)There is no opposition registered to this bill.
           
           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081