BILL ANALYSIS �
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
SB 1155 (Cannella) - Vehicle Length Limit Exception: Motor Truck
Combinations
Amended: As Introduced Policy Vote: T&H 5-4
Urgency: Yes Mandate: No
Hearing Date: April 30, 2012
Consultant: Mark McKenzie
This bill does not meet the criteria for referral to the
Suspense File.
Bill Summary: SB 1155 would create an exemption from the 65-foot
vehicle length limit until January 1, 2018 for motortruck and
trailer combinations used to transport agricultural products in
San Benito County, as specified.
Fiscal Impact:
Annual costs of approximately $59,000 until 2018 for CHP to
conduct quarterly inspections of vehicle combinations seeking
the exemption (Motor Vehicle Account).
One-time costs of approximately $70,000 over two years to
compile statistical data and prepare a study of the public
safety impacts related to the exemption (Motor Vehicle
Account).
Minor and absorbable costs to Caltrans to consult with CHP on
the study. (State Highway Account)
Background: Motortrucks are vehicles designed and used primarily
for transporting goods in their rear cargo areas, and they are
not specifically designed to pull trailers. These vehicles have
no special coupling devices to prevent rollovers when a trailers
load shifts, nor do they have additional power to facilitate
acceleration when pulling a load. Truck tractors or "big rigs"
are designed and used primarily for pulling trailers and only
move goods by pulling a trailer. Truck tractors have various
safety features, such as coupling devices or "fifth wheels,"
which enable them to pull trailers in a safe manner.
Existing law prohibits any combination of vehicles coupled
together, including any attachments, from exceeding a total
length of 65 feet, with certain exceptions, including an
SB 1155 (Cannella)
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exception that allows 75-foot long truck tractor-trailer
combinations, provided no trailer exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.
Proposed Law: This bill would authorize a combination of
vehicles consisting of a motortruck and two trailers with a
total length of up to 75 feet to operate on public highways in
San Benito County until January 1, 2018 under specified
conditions, including the following:
The vehicle combination is used exclusively for the transport
of agricultural products from the field to the first point of
handling and return if the total transport distance does not
exceed 160 miles, and from the first point of handling to a
truck route and return if the total travel distance is less
than 30 miles.
The combination of vehicles does not exceed a speed of 50
miles per hour.
The combination of vehicles successfully completes a
California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection on a quarterly
basis.
Agricultural entities, in consultation with CHP, develop safe
routing techniques; and
The governing body of affected local jurisdictions have
approved the use of these vehicle combinations on its roads.
SB 1155 would also require CHP, in consultation with the
Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to study the effect of
this exemption on public safety and report the results of the
study to the Legislature and Governor by April 1, 2014.
Related Legislation: AB 1742 (Maldonado) Chapter 560/2002
authorized a similar exemption for motortruck and trailer
combinations for the transportation of agricultural products in
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obisbo counties until January 1,
2006. This exemption was extended by SB 283 (Maldonado) Chapter
5/2006, SB 1237 (Maldonado) Chapter 450/2006, and SB 1228
(Maldonado), Chapter 394/2008 before sunsetting on January 1,
2010.
Staff Comments: SB 1155 would require CHP to conduct commercial
vehicle safety alliance inspections of motortruck and trailer
combinations on a quarterly basis in order for those vehicle
combinations to qualify for the exemption. As part of the study
on the impacts of previous legislation authorizing use of
motortruck and trailer combinations in Santa Barbara and San
SB 1155 (Cannella)
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Luis Obisbo County, CHP notes that it conducted 852 inspections
in a single year. CHP estimates it would conduct 650
inspections each year as a result of the authority provided in
this bill, at a cost of approximately $59,000 annually. CHP
also estimates costs in the range of $25,000 per year for data
compilation over two years, and one-time analysis and review
costs of approximately $20,000 related to the preparation of the
report.