California Assembly Bill AB2245 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2245AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 21, 2010 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 6, 2010 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Hill FEBRUARY 18, 2010 An act to amend Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2245, as amended, Hill. Vehicles:  horns.   aftermarket horns: decibel levels.  Existing law requires a motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, to be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but prohibits a horn from emitting an unreasonably loud or harsh sound. A violation of the vehicle code is a crime. This bill would  instead prohibit a horn from emitting an unreasonably harsh sound or a sound level that is greater than an unspecified level of decibels   prohibit a motor vehicle from being equipped with an aftermarket horn that emits a sound greater than 110 dB(A)  . By  expanding the scope of an existing crime   creating a new crime  , this bill would  create   impose  a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 27000 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 27000. (a) A motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but a horn shall not emit an unreasonably  loud or  harsh sound  or a sound level that is greater than ______decibels   and a motor vehicle shall not be equipped with an aftermarket horn that emits a sound greater than 110 dB(A)  . An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with, and use in conjunction with the siren on that vehicle, an air horn that emits sounds that do not comply with the requirements of this section. (b) A refuse or garbage truck shall be equipped with an automatic backup audible alarm that sounds on backing and is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 100 feet or shall be equipped with an automatic backup device that is in good working order, located at the rear of the vehicle and that immediately applies the service brake of the vehicle on contact by the vehicle with any obstruction to the rear. The backup device or alarm shall also be capable of operating automatically when the vehicle is in neutral or a forward gear but rolls backward. (c) A refuse or garbage truck, except a vehicle, known as a rolloff vehicle, that is used for the express purpose of transporting waste containers such as open boxes or compactors, purchased after January 1, 2010, shall also be equipped with a functioning camera providing a video display for the driver that enhances or supplements the drivers' view behind the truck for the purpose of safely maneuvering the truck. SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.