BILL NUMBER: AB 2679CHAPTERED BILL TEXT CHAPTER 769 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 29, 2012 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 30, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 23, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 21, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 6, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 6, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 25, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 31, 2012 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 27, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Committee on Transportation (Assembly Members Bonnie Lowenthal (Chair), Jeffries (Vice Chair), Achadjian, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Buchanan, Eng, Furutani, Galgiani, Logue, Miller, Portantino, and Solorio) MARCH 6, 2012 An act to amend Sections 935.7, 14685, and 29532.4 of the Government Code, to amend Sections 99155, 99155.5, 99206.5, 99207, 99214, 99220, 99233.12, 99238, 99238.5, 99260.7, 99262, 99268.5, 99285.2, and 99401.5 of the Public Utilities Code, to amend Sections 6480.1 and 60116 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, to amend Sections 349, 366, 374, 392, 411, 446, 452, 478, 485, 493, 527, and 538 of, and to amend and repeal Section 410 of, the Streets and Highways Code, and to amend Sections 5201, 22112, 22500.5, 22504, 22651, and 29004 of the Vehicle Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2679, Committee on Transportation. Transportation: omnibus bill. (1) Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation (department) to pay claims or damages up to a maximum of $5,000 without the approval of the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. This bill would adjust the claim limit that may be paid by the department under these provisions to equal the maximum amount of a claim that can be brought in small claims court. (2) Existing law authorizes the Department of General Services to establish rules and regulations for the use and maintenance of state buildings and grounds. This bill would permit the riding of bicycles on designated pathways on the grounds of the State Capitol in order to access bicycle racks near the building entrances. (3) Existing law, the Mills-Alquist-Deddeh Act, also known as the Transportation Development Act, provides for funding of local public transit systems throughout the state and requires, among other things, specified special accommodations for handicapped persons, as defined, on public transit systems. This bill would replace the term "handicapped" with the term "disabled" throughout the act. (4) Existing law authorizes the Solano County Transportation Authority to claim up to 2% of local transportation funds available under the Transportation Development Act for countywide transit planning and coordination relative to Solano County. This bill would authorize the authority to claim up to 2.7% of those funds for these purposes. (5) Existing law creates transportation commissions or authorities in certain counties, including Imperial and Los Angeles Counties, with various responsibilities relating to transportation planning and programming, among other things. This bill would update various obsolete references to the Imperial County Transportation Commission and to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to reflect their current names. (6) Existing law provides for the California Transportation Commission to adopt locations for state highways on routes authorized by law, and provides for relinquishment of certain segments of state highways from the state to local agencies. This bill would acknowledge the relinquishment of the portion of Route 49 in the City of Auburn, the portions of Route 66 in the Cities of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and Claremont, the portions of Route 74 in the Cities of Palm Desert and Lake Elsinor, the portion of Route 92 in the City of Hayward, a portion of Route 110 in the City of Los Angeles, a portion of Route 111 in the unincorporated area of the County of Riverside and the portion of Route 111 in the City of Cathedral City, the portion of Route 146 in the City of Soledad, the portion of Route 152 in the City of Watsonville, the portion of Route 178 in the City of Bakersfield, the portion of Route 185 in the City of Hayward, the portion of Route 193 in the City of Lincoln, the portions of Route 227 in the Cities of Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo, and the portion of Route 238 in the City of Hayward. (7) Existing law regulates the displaying of vehicle license plates and requires that the rear license plate be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, with certain specified exceptions. This bill would add an additional exception by requiring that the rear license plate of a dump bed motortruck equipped with a trailing, load bearing swing axle, as defined, be mounted more than 12 inches, but not more than 107 inches, from the ground. (8) Existing law requires the driver of a schoolbus to activate a flashing amber light warning system on the approach to a schoolbus stop where pupils are loading or unloading from the schoolbus and to operate flashing red signal lights and a stop signal arm at all times when the schoolbus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils. Existing law also requires a schoolbus driver to load or unload pupils only at a schoolbus stop designated for pupils by the school district superintendent or authorized by the superintendent for school activity trips. This bill would also authorize the head or principal of a private school to designate schoolbus stops for loading or unloading pupils or for school activity trips. (9) Existing law prohibits a schoolbus driver from activating the amber warning light system or the flashing red signal lights and stop signal arm at a location determined by a school district, with the approval of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to present a traffic or safety hazard. This bill would also make this prohibition applicable to locations determined by private schools to present a traffic or safety hazard. (10) Existing law prohibits any person from stopping, parking, or leaving a vehicle standing, among other places, on a crosswalk, except for a bus engaged as a common carrier or a taxicab stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers, pursuant to a city ordinance. Existing law authorizes a transit system and a school district to enter into an agreement, by ordinance, for the loading or unloading of passengers alongside curb spaces designated for the loading or unloading of passengers of the transit system buses. This bill would authorize a transit system to enter into an agreement with a private school for the same purposes. (11) Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to designate a schoolbus stop at a place where there is not a clear view of the stop from a distance of 200 feet in each direction along a highway, if it is necessary for the safety of pupils being transported to and from schools, and the stop is authorized and approved by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. Existing regulations of the department also prohibit the designation of a schoolbus stop (A) upon the main traveled portion of a highway where there is not a clear view of the stop from 500 feet in each direction along the highway and the speed limit is more than 25 miles per hour unless approved by the department and (B) on a divided or multiple-lane highway where pupils must cross the highway to board or after exiting the bus, unless traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal. This bill would codify the above-specified regulatory provisions and require that the authorization for a schoolbus stop under the above criteria be upon the request of a school district superintendent or the head or principal of a private school. (12) Existing law imposes excise taxes and sales and use taxes on motor vehicle fuel, commonly known as gasoline, on jet fuel, and on diesel fuel. Existing law requires the State Board of Equalization to make specified annual adjustments to the tax rates to ensure the revenue neutrality under previously enacted statutory modifications of these tax rates, under which modifications certain taxes increased while others decreased. Existing law requires prepayment of a certain portion of the sales tax liability on these fuels based on annual estimates made by the State Board of Equalization that rely on a specified report of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to determine the retail price of fuel. This bill would require the annual adjustments to sales tax prepayment rates to be made at the same time as the annual adjustments of the fuel tax rates, and would provide for the prepayment rates to account for any changes in the fuel tax rates. The bill would delete the reference to the specified report for determining the retail price of fuels and would instead authorize the board to rely on industry publications reporting that information. The bill would make other related changes. (13) Existing law provides for the towing and impounding of vehicles that are, among other things, obstructing a highway, recovered as stolen, abandoned, or illegally parked and provides procedures for a person to recover his or her vehicle from impoundment. Existing law specifies requirements relating to securing towed vehicles on certain carriers. This bill would make technical changes to the procedures for towing a vehicle and for recovering a vehicle from impoundment. (14) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 5201 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 2489, to become operative if both AB 2489 and this bill are chaptered and become effective on or before January 1, 2013, and this bill is chaptered last. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 935.7 of the Government Code is amended to read: 935.7. (a) Notwithstanding Section 935.6, the Department of Transportation may deny or adjust and pay any claim arising out of the activities of the department without the prior approval of the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board if both of the following conditions exist: (1) The amount claimed is equal to or less than the amount specified as the small claims court jurisdictional amount in Section 116.221 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) The Director of Finance or the Director of Transportation certifies that a sufficient appropriation for the payment of the claim exists. (b) If the department elects not to pay any claim, the department shall provide the notice required by Section 913. (c) Any person who submits any claim arising out of any activity of the Department of Transportation shall comply with every other applicable provision of this part relating to claims against state agencies. SEC. 2. Section 14685 of the Government Code is amended to read: 14685. (a) The director shall appoint assistants, clerks, and employees as may be necessary to maintain the state buildings and grounds. The employees shall not have or perform the duties or functions of peace officers. The department may establish rules and regulations for the government and maintenance of the state buildings and grounds consistent with this section. Every person who violates or attempts to violate the rules and regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) Information regarding missing children provided by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 11114.1 of the Penal Code shall be posted in public areas of all state-owned or leased buildings that have at least 20,000 square feet of office space, or that are staffed by at least 50 employees, or where service is provided to the general public and in other public areas of state-owned or leased buildings as determined by the department to be reasonable. (c) (1) Consistent with this section, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may establish rules and regulations pertaining to the protection of state employees, properties, buildings and grounds, and occupants of state properties, including, but not limited to, the issuance of permits concerning the use of state buildings, properties, and grounds. (2) A violation of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) is a misdemeanor. (3) This subdivision does not apply to state buildings or grounds owned, leased, rented, controlled, used, or occupied by the University of California, the California State University, Hastings College of the Law, the California Exposition and State Fair, the state hospitals of the State Department of State Hospitals or the State Department of Developmental Services, the institutions and camps of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or the Division of Juvenile Justice, and the parks and beaches of the Department of Parks and Recreation. (d) Notwithstanding any other law, the riding of a bicycle on paved paths or walkways that are on the grounds of the State Capitol that the Department of the California Highway Patrol has designated as routes to access bicycle parking racks adjacent to entrances to the State Capitol is permitted only if the bicycle is ridden in a manner that is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for pedestrians, weather conditions, visibility, other traffic, and the surface and width of the path or walkway. SEC. 3. Section 29532.4 of the Government Code is amended to read: 29532.4. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 29532, the county transportation commission created in the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino by Division 12 (commencing with Section 130000) of the Public Utilities Code shall not be designated by the Director of Transportation as the transportation planning agency for the area under its jurisdiction, and the Imperial Valley Association of Governments in Imperial County shall not be designated the transportation planning agency for the area under its jurisdiction. (b) Notwithstanding Section 29532, for the purposes of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 99200) of Part 11 of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code, "transportation planning agency" means the county transportation commission created in the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura by Division 12 (commencing with Section 130000) of the Public Utilities Code, and also includes the County Transportation Commission in Imperial County. The county auditor in each of those counties shall pay to the public transportation entities in the county the amounts allocated by the respective commissions or that association of governments, as the case may be. SEC. 4. Section 99155 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99155. (a) Each transit operator, whether publicly or privately funded all or in part, nonprofit or for profit, which offers reduced fares to senior citizens shall honor the federal Medicare identification card as sufficient identification to receive reduced fares. A transit operator which offers reduced fares to those senior citizens who are less than 65 years old shall also honor the senior citizen identification card issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 13000 of the Vehicle Code. (b) Each transit operator, whether publicly or privately funded, in whole or in part, nonprofit or for profit, which offers reduced fares pursuant to subdivision (a) shall also offer reduced fares to disabled persons, as defined by Section 99206.5, disabled persons, as defined by Section 295.5 of the Vehicle Code, and disabled veterans, as defined by Section 295.7 of the Vehicle Code, at the same rate established for senior citizens. A transit operator shall honor the disabled person or disabled veteran placard identification card issued pursuant to Section 22511.55 of the Vehicle Code. (c) Every transit operator that offers reduced fares to disabled persons shall honor any current identification card that is valid for the type of transportation service or discount requested and that has been issued to an individual with a disability by another transit operator. (d) This section also applies to any dial-a-ride, paratransit, or nonfixed route operator which serves the disabled, but does not apply to a private nonprofit entity which serves the disabled or elderly. (e) Nothing in this section prohibits a transit operator from issuing its own identification card, except that no such card shall be required to be presented in addition to either a federal Medicare card or a card issued pursuant to Section 22511.55 of the Vehicle Code. (f) A transit operator, as defined in subdivision (b), which receives funds pursuant to the Mills-Alquist-Deddeh Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 99200)), shall not require that a person requesting transportation be a resident of that transit operator's service area. SEC. 5. Section 99155.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99155.5. (a) The Legislature intends that dial-a-ride and paratransit services be accessible to disabled persons, as defined in Section 99206.5. It is intended that transportation service be provided for employment, education, medical, and personal reasons. Transportation for individuals with disabilities is a necessity, and allows these persons to fully participate in our society. The Legislature finds and declares that the term "paratransit," as used in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), refers to transportation services with specific criteria of quality and quantity, and which are required to be made available to limited classes of persons based on eligibility categories; this is often referred to as "ADA paratransit" or "complementary paratransit." The Legislature finds and declares that the terms "paratransit" and "dial-a-ride," as used in the laws of this state, apply to a broader range of transportation services and that not all individuals with disabilities under the laws of this state are eligible for "ADA paratransit" under the federal law. (b) Each transit operator, for profit or nonprofit, which provides, or contracts for the provision of, dial-a-ride or paratransit service for individuals with disabilities and which receives public funding pursuant to the Mills-Alquist-Deddeh Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 99200)) for that service shall provide the service without regard to either of the following: (1) Whether the person is a member of a household which owns a motor vehicle. (2) Whether the place of residence of the person who requests transportation service is within the service area of the provider. To the extent that they are eligible for the specified service requested, all persons requesting transportation service in the service area of the provider shall be provided service on the same terms and at the same price that service is provided to other persons residing within the service area of the provider. (c) Subdivision (b) does not preclude a provider from offering a subscription service, and does not require a reduction in the amount the provider charges other public or private agencies. (d) Except as required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336) and federal regulations adopted pursuant thereto or by higher standards prescribed by the laws of this state, nothing in this section requires any transit operator which provides service to individuals with disabilities in a manner consistent with subdivision (b) to make those services available outside the operator's established operating service area, or requires the operator to make the presentation of identification a condition to using the service. (e) A transit operator shall honor any current identification card which is valid for the type of transportation service or discount requested and which has been issued to an individual with disabilities by another transit operator. (f) Any person who believes an operator has violated Section 99155 or 99155.5 may file a report of the alleged violation with the transportation planning agency or county transportation commission. Any individual with disabilities may request the Attorney General to resolve any dispute as to compliance with Section 99155 or this section. SEC. 6. Section 99206.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99206.5. "Disabled person" means any individual who by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, including, but not limited to, any individual confined to a wheelchair, is unable, without special facilities or special planning or design, to utilize public transportation facilities and services as effectively as a person who is not so affected. As used in this section, a temporary incapacity or disability is an incapacity or a disability which lasts more than 90 days. SEC. 7. Section 99207 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99207. (a) "Included municipal operator" means a city or county which is included, in whole or in part, within a transit district or which has been extended the authority to join a transit district by that district's enabling legislation, and in which city or county public transportation services have continuously been provided, since at least January 1, 1971, by the city or county, by a nonprofit corporation or other legal entity wholly owned by the city or county, or by the University of California. (b) "Included municipal operator" also means the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda and Contra Costa with respect to any portion of the unincorporated area thereof, and any city in those counties, which is outside the area of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District and which is not receiving adequate local public transportation services, as determined by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, from any of the transit districts which includes the county or city, taking into consideration, among other things, the amount of such services needed in the county or city, the cost to provide such services, and the amount of such services provided in other areas of the transit district as compared to their needs. (c) "Included municipal operator" also means any city within the County of Sacramento which (1) is outside the activated boundaries of the Sacramento Regional Transit District, (2) contracts with the district for transit services, and (3) provides local transit services within the city that the Sacramento Area Council of Governments annually determines can be better provided by the city than the district, taking into consideration, among other things, the amount and the nature of the services required in the city, the ability of the district to provide the services, the coordination of the services with district services, the remoteness of the city in relation to other district services, the cost of providing the services, the funds available to provide the services, and the amount of services provided in other areas of the district compared to their needs. (d) "Included municipal operator" also means any city or unincorporated area within the County of Los Angeles (1) that is not receiving adequate local public transportation services, as determined by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, from either the Southern California Rapid Transit District or any currently "included municipal operator" as defined in this section, and (2) that meets the criteria established by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, taking into consideration, among other things, the cost to provide such services, the amount of such services needed in the county or city, the funds available to provide such services, and the amount of such services provided in other areas of the county as compared to their needs. SEC. 8. Section 99214 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99214. (a) "Transportation planning agency" means the entity designated in Section 29532 of the Government Code. (b) "Transportation planning agency" also includes, for purposes of this chapter, the county transportation commissions created in the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura pursuant to Division 12 (commencing with Section 130000). (c) "Transportation planning agency" also includes, for purposes of this chapter, the Imperial County Transportation Commission in Imperial County. SEC. 9. Section 99220 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99220. The Legislature finds and declares as follows: (a) Public transportation is an essential component of the balanced transportation system which must be maintained and developed so as to permit the efficient and orderly movement of people and goods in the urban areas of the state. Because public transportation systems provide an essential public service, it is desirable that such systems be designed and operated in such a manner as to encourage maximum utilization of the efficiencies of the service for the benefit of the total transportation system of the state and all the people of the state, including the elderly, the disabled, the youth, and the citizens of limited means. (b) The fostering, continuance, and development of public transportation systems are a matter of state concern. Excessive reliance on the private automobile for transportation has caused air pollution and traffic congestion in California's urban areas, and such pollution and congestion are not confined to single incorporated areas but affect entire regions. Furthermore, public transportation systems which are not designed so as to be usable by disabled persons foster increased welfare costs and the waste of human resources. Thus, the Legislature has elected to deal with the multiple problems caused by lack of adequate public transportation on a regional basis through the counties, with coordination of the programs being the responsibility of the state pursuant to contract with county governments. (c) While providing county assistance to a particular transportation system may not be of primary interest and benefit to each and every taxpayer in a county, providing an integrated and coordinated system to meet the public transportation needs of an entire county will benefit the county as a whole. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for such systems in those counties where they are needed. (d) The local transportation funds authorized by Article 11 (commencing with Section 29530) of Chapter 2 of Division 3 of Title 3 of the Government Code are made possible by the imposition of the state's sales and use taxes on motor vehicle fuel, which allows for a reduction in state taxes without a corresponding loss in revenue. By authorizing counties to increase their sales and use taxes, an additional source of revenue has been made available for public transportation within such counties. Applicants for a disbursement from a local transportation fund shall only be eligible for an allocation from the fund of the county in which such transportation is provided. SEC. 10. Section 99233.12 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99233.12. Notwithstanding anything in Sections 99233 to 99233.9, inclusive, to the contrary, the Solano Transportation Authority may file a claim, and the transportation planning agency may allocate, for the area representing the cumulative areas of the authority's member agencies, up to 2.7 percent of annual revenues for countywide transit planning and coordination purposes relative to Solano County. Funds allocated to the authority pursuant to this section shall be allocated after allocations are made pursuant to Sections 99233.1 and 99233.2 but prior to other allocations. SEC. 11. Section 99238 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99238. Each transportation planning agency shall provide for the establishment of a social services transportation advisory council for each county, or counties operating under a joint powers agreement, which is not subject to the apportionment restriction established in Section 99232. (a) The social services transportation advisory council shall consist of the following members: (1) One representative of potential transit users who is 60 years of age or older. (2) One representative of potential transit users who is disabled. (3) Two representatives of the local social service providers for seniors, including one representative of a social service transportation provider, if one exists. (4) Two representatives of local social service providers for the disabled, including one representative of a social service transportation provider, if one exists. (5) One representative of a local social service provider for persons of limited means. (6) Two representatives from the local consolidated transportation service agency, designated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 15975 of the Government Code, if one exists, including one representative from an operator, if one exists. (7) The transportation planning agency may appoint additional members in accordance with the procedure prescribed in subdivision (b). (b) Members of the social services transportation advisory council shall be appointed by the transportation planning agency which shall recruit candidates for appointment from a broad representation of social service and transit providers representing the elderly, the disabled, and persons of limited means. In appointing council members, the transportation planning agency shall strive to attain geographic and minority representation among council members. Of the initial appointments to the council, one-third of them shall be for a one-year term, one-third shall be for a two-year term, and one-third shall be for a three-year term. Subsequent to the initial appointment, the term of appointment shall be for three years, which may be renewed for an additional three-year term. The transportation planning agency may, at its discretion, delegate its responsibilities for appointment pursuant to this subdivision to the board of supervisors. (c) The social services transportation advisory council shall have the following responsibilities: (1) Annually participate in the identification of transit needs in the jurisdiction, including unmet transit needs that may exist within the jurisdiction of the council and that may be reasonable to meet by establishing or contracting for new public transportation or specialized transportation services or by expanding existing services. (2) Annually review and recommend action by the transportation planning agency for the area within the jurisdiction of the council which finds, by resolution, that (A) there are no unmet transit needs, (B) there are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet, or (C) there are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet. (3) Advise the transportation planning agency on any other major transit issues, including the coordination and consolidation of specialized transportation services. (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that duplicative advisory councils shall not be established where transit advisory councils currently exist and that those existing advisory councils shall, instead, become part of the social services transportation advisory council and shall assume any new responsibilities pursuant to this section. SEC. 12. Section 99238.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99238.5. (a) The transportation planning agency shall ensure the establishment and implementation of a citizen participation process appropriate for each county, or counties if operating under a joint powers agreement, utilizing the social services transportation advisory council as a mechanism to solicit the input of transit dependent and transit disadvantaged persons, including the elderly, disabled, and persons of limited means. The process shall include provisions for at least one public hearing in the jurisdiction represented by the social services transportation advisory council. Hearings shall be scheduled to ensure broad community participation and, if possible, the location of the hearings shall be rotated among the various communities within the advisory council's jurisdiction. Notice of the hearing, including the date, place, and specific purpose of the hearing shall be given at least 30 days in advance through publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The transportation planning agency shall also send written notification to those persons and organizations which have indicated, through its citizen participation or any other source of information, an interest in the subject of the hearing. (b) In addition to public hearings, the transportation planning agency shall consider other methods of obtaining public feedback on public transportation needs. Those methods may include, but are not limited to, teleconferencing, questionnaires, telecanvassing, and electronic mail. SEC. 13. Section 99260.7 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99260.7. In order to provide, or to contract to provide, transportation services using vehicles for the exclusive use of elderly or disabled persons, a city or a county, which is contributing funds it is eligible to receive under this article to a joint powers agency of which it is a member to operate a public transportation system, may also file a claim under this article and may also file a claim for funds made available pursuant to Section 99313. SEC. 14. Section 99262 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99262. Claims for public transportation systems may include claims for money for all purposes necessary and convenient to the development and operation of the system, including planning and contributions to the transportation planning process, acquisition of real property, construction of facilities and buildings, purchase and replacement of vehicles (including those usable by disabled persons), and system operation, maintenance, and repair, payment for any of which purposes may take the form of direct expenditures or payment of principal and interest on equipment trust certificates, bonded or other indebtedness, or any amounts in accomplishment of a defeasance of any outstanding revenue bond indenture. SEC. 15. Section 99268.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99268.5. (a) Commencing with claims for the 1980-81 fiscal year, no funds shall be allocated under this article in any fiscal year to an operator providing services using vehicles for the exclusive use of elderly and disabled persons, unless the operator maintains, for the fiscal year, a ratio of fare revenues to operating cost, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 99247, for those services at least equal to one-tenth or to the ratio it had for those services during the 1978-79 fiscal year, whichever is greater. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an operator which provides both exclusive transportation services for elderly and disabled persons and regular scheduled public transportation services may be allocated funds under this article for the exclusive service if the combined services qualify under Section 99268.1, 99268.2, 99268.3, or 99268.4, as the case may be, and the ratio of fare revenues to operating cost for the combined service shall not be less than the ratio required in order to make allocations to the operator for its regular scheduled services. (c) In a county which had less than 500,000 population as determined by the 1970 federal decennial census and more than 500,000 in population as determined by the 1980 or 1990 federal decennial census, an operator in the county shall maintain a ratio of fare revenues to operating cost, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 99247, at least equal to one-fifth if serving an urbanized area or one-tenth if serving a nonurbanized area. SEC. 16. Section 99285.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99285.2. Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 99285, any county transportation commission created pursuant to Division 12 (commencing with Section 130000) may adopt a resolution electing to approve the proposals to be funded and shall approve only those claims submitted for its approval. SEC. 17. Section 99401.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 99401.5. Prior to making any allocation not directly related to public transportation services, specialized transportation services, or facilities provided for the exclusive use of pedestrians and bicycles, or any allocation for purposes of subdivision (f) of Section 99400, the transportation planning agency shall annually do all of the following: (a) Consult with the social services transportation advisory council established pursuant to Section 99238. (b) Identify the transit needs of the jurisdiction which have been considered as part of the transportation planning process, including the following: (1) An annual assessment of the size and location of identifiable groups likely to be transit dependent or transit disadvantaged, including, but not limited to, the elderly, the disabled, including individuals eligible for paratransit and other special transportation services pursuant to Section 12143 of Title 42 of the United States Code, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), and persons of limited means, including, but not limited to, recipients under the CalWORKs program. (2) An analysis of the adequacy of existing public transportation services and specialized transportation services, including privately and publicly provided services necessary to implement the plan prepared pursuant to Section 12143(c)(7) of Title 42 of the United States Code, in meeting the transit demand identified pursuant to paragraph (1). (3) An analysis of the potential alternative public transportation and specialized transportation services and service improvements that would meet all or part of the transit demand. (4) An analysis of the need to acquire or lease vans and related equipment for a farmworker vanpool program pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 99400. This analysis is only required, however, upon receipt by the transportation planning agency of a request of an interested party identifying a potential need. (c) Identify the unmet transit needs of the jurisdiction and those needs that are reasonable to meet. The transportation planning agency shall hold at least one public hearing pursuant to Section 99238.5 for the purpose of soliciting comments on the unmet transit needs that may exist within the jurisdiction and that might be reasonable to meet by establishing or contracting for new public transportation or specialized transportation services or by expanding existing services. The definition adopted by the transportation planning agency for the terms "unmet transit needs" and "reasonable to meet" shall be documented by resolution or in the minutes of the agency. The fact that an identified transit need cannot be fully met based on available resources shall not be the sole reason for finding that a transit need is not reasonable to meet. An agency's determination of needs that are reasonable to meet shall not be made by comparing unmet transit needs with the need for streets and roads. (d) Adopt by resolution a finding for the jurisdiction, after consideration of all available information compiled pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c). The finding shall be that (1) there are no unmet transit needs, (2) there are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet, or (3) there are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet. The resolution shall include information developed pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) which provides the basis for the finding. (e) If the transportation planning agency adopts a finding that there are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet, then the unmet transit needs shall be funded before any allocation is made for streets and roads within the jurisdiction. (f) The transportation planning agency shall not allocate funds for purposes of subdivision (f) of Section 99400 until all of the capital and operating funds necessary to meet unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet are allocated. The transportation planning agency shall not reduce funding to existing public transportation services, specialized transportation services, or facilities for the exclusive use of pedestrians and bicycles in order to allocate funds for purposes of subdivision (f) of Section 99400. The transportation planning agency shall not allocate funds under subdivision (f) of Section 99400 if the allocation replaces other federal, state, or local funds used to fund commuter vanpools by a county, city, transportation planning agency, or transit district. SEC. 18. Section 6480.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 6480.1. (a) At any time that motor vehicle fuel tax or diesel fuel tax is imposed or would be imposed, but for the dyed diesel fuel exemption in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 60100, or the train operator exemption in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 60100 or paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 7401, or, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 6480, would be deemed to be imposed, on any removal, entry, or sale in this state of motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel, the supplier shall collect prepayment of retail sales tax from the person to whom the motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel is sold. However, if no sale occurs at the time of imposition of motor vehicle fuel tax or diesel fuel tax, the supplier shall prepay the retail sales tax on that motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel. The prepayment required to be collected by the supplier constitutes a debt owed by the supplier to this state until paid to the board, until satisfactory proof has been submitted to prove that the retailer of the fuel has paid the retail sales tax to the board, or until a supplier or wholesaler who has consumed the fuel has paid the use tax to the board. Each supplier shall report and pay the prepayment amounts to the board, in a form as prescribed by the board, in the period in which the fuel is sold. On each subsequent sale of that fuel, each seller, other than the retailer, shall collect from his or her purchaser a prepayment computed using the rate applicable at the time of sale. Each supplier shall provide his or her purchaser with an invoice for, or other evidence of, the collection of the prepayment amounts which shall be separately stated thereon. (b) (1) A wholesaler shall collect prepayment of the retail sales tax from the person to whom the motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel is sold. Each wholesaler shall provide his or her purchaser with an invoice for or other evidence of the collection of the prepayment amounts, which shall be separately stated thereon. (2) Each wholesaler shall report to the board, in a form as prescribed by the board and for the period in which the motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel was sold, all of the following: (A) The number of gallons of fuel sold and the amount of sales tax prepayments collected by the wholesaler. (B) The number of tax-paid gallons purchased and the amount of sales tax prepayments made by the wholesaler. (C) In the event that the amount of sales tax prepayments collected by the wholesaler is greater than the amount of sales tax prepayments made by the wholesaler, then the excess constitutes a debt owed by the wholesaler to the state until paid to the board, or until satisfactory proof has been submitted that the retailer of the fuel has paid the tax to the board. (c) A supplier or wholesaler who pays the prepayment and issues a resale certificate to the seller, but subsequently consumes the motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel, shall be entitled to a credit against his or her sales and use taxes due and payable for the period in which the prepayment was made, provided that he or she reports and pays the use tax to the board on the consumption of that fuel. (d) The amount of a prepayment paid by the retailer or a supplier or wholesaler who has consumed the motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, or diesel fuel to the seller from whom he or she acquired the fuel shall constitute a credit against his or her sales and use taxes due and payable for the period in which the sale was made. Failure of the supplier or wholesaler to report prepayments or the supplier's or wholesaler's failure to comply with any other duty under this article shall not constitute grounds for denial of the credit to the retailer, supplier, or wholesaler, either on a temporary or permanent basis or otherwise. To be entitled to the credit, the retailer, supplier, or wholesaler shall retain for inspection by the board any receipts, invoices, or other documents showing the amount of sales tax prepaid to his or her supplier, together with the evidence of payment. (e) The rate of the prepayment required to be collected during the period from July 1, 1986, through March 31, 1987, shall be four cents ($0.04) per gallon of motor vehicle fuel distributed or transferred. (f) The rate of prepayment required to be collected for motor vehicle fuel, aircraft jet fuel, and diesel fuel as established by the board in effect on January 1, 2013, shall remain in effect through June 30, 2013. (g) On July 1 of each succeeding year, the prepayment rate per gallon for motor vehicle fuel, rounded to the nearest one-half of one cent ($0.005), of the required prepayment shall be established by the board based upon 80 percent of the combined state and local sales tax rate established by Sections 6051, 6051.2, 6051.3, 6051.5, 7202, and 7203.1, and Section 35 of Article XIII of the California Constitution on the arithmetic average selling price (excluding sales tax) as reported by an industry publication of all grades of gasoline sold through a self-service gasoline station. The board shall make its determination of the rate no later than March 1 of the same year as the effective date of the new rate. Immediately upon making its determination and setting of the rate, the board shall each year, no later than May 1, notify every supplier, wholesaler, and retailer of motor vehicle fuel. In the event the price of fuel decreases or increases or an exemption from sales tax for sales of fuel is enacted, and the established rate results in or could result in prepayments which consistently exceed or are significantly lower than the retailers' sales tax liability, the board may readjust the rate. (h) On July 1 of each succeeding year, the prepayment rate per gallon for aircraft jet fuel, rounded to the nearest one-half of one cent ($0.005), shall be established by the board based upon 80 percent of the combined state and local sales tax rate established by Sections 6051, 6051.2, 6051.3, 6051.5, 7202, and 7203.1, and Section 35 of Article XIII of the California Constitution on the arithmetic average selling price (excluding sales and state excise taxes) as determined by the board. The board shall make its determination of the rate no later than March 1 of the year prior to the effective date of the new rate. The rate of the prepayment required to be collected for aircraft jet fuel shall be equal to 80 percent of the arithmetic average selling price of aircraft jet fuel as specified by industry publications. Immediately upon making its determination and setting of the rate, the board shall each year, no later than May 1, notify every supplier, wholesaler, and retailer of aircraft jet fuel. In the event the price of aircraft jet fuel decreases or increases, and the established rate results in prepayments that consistently exceed or are significantly lower than the retailers' sales tax liability, the board may readjust the rate. (i) On July 1 of each succeeding year, the prepayment rate per gallon for diesel fuel, rounded to the nearest one-half of one cent ($0.005), shall be established by the board based upon 80 percent of the combined state and local sales tax rate established by Sections 6051, 6051.2, 6051.3, 6051.5, 6051.8, 7202, and 7203.1, and Section 35 of Article XIII of the California Constitution on the arithmetic average selling price (excluding sales and state excise taxes) as determined by the board. The board shall make its determination of the rate no later than March 1 of the same year as the effective date of the new rate. The rate of the prepayment required to be collected for diesel fuel shall be equal to 80 percent of the arithmetic average selling price of diesel fuel as specified by industry publications. Immediately upon making its determination and setting of the rate, the board shall each year, no later than May 1, notify every supplier, wholesaler, and retailer of diesel fuel. In the event the rate of sales tax imposed on sales of diesel fuel increases or decreases or the price of diesel fuel decreases or increases, and the established rate results in or could result in prepayments that consistently exceed or are significantly lower than the retailers' sales tax liability, the board may readjust the rate. (j) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, motor vehicle fuel sold by a supplier or wholesaler to a qualified purchaser who, pursuant to a contract with the State of California or its instrumentalities, resells that fuel to the State of California or its instrumentalities shall be exempt from the prepayment requirements. (2) A qualified purchaser who acquires motor vehicle fuel for subsequent resale to the State of California or its instrumentalities pursuant to this subdivision shall furnish to the supplier or wholesaler from whom the fuel is acquired an exemption certificate, completed in accordance with any instructions or regulations as the board may prescribe. The supplier or wholesaler shall retain the certificate in his or her records in support of the exemption. To qualify for the prepayment exemption, both of the following conditions shall apply: (A) The qualified purchaser does not take possession of the fuel at any time. (B) The fuel is delivered into storage tanks owned or leased by the State of California or its instrumentalities via facilities of the supplier or wholesaler, or by common or contract carriers under contract with the supplier or wholesaler. (3) For purposes of this subdivision, "qualified purchaser" means a wholesaler who does not have or maintain a storage facility or facilities for the purpose of selling motor vehicle fuel. SEC. 19. Section 60116 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 60116. (a) Commencing January 1, 1998, and on each January 1 up to and including January 1, 2013, the board shall establish a tax rate per gallon, rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a cent ($0.001), by multiplying the average retail price per gallon (including the federal excise tax and excluding the state excise tax and the sales and use tax) of diesel fuel sold in this state by a percentage equal to the combined state and local sales tax rate established by Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) and Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 35 of Article XIII of the California Constitution. The average retail price per gallon shall be the average of weekly retail prices for the 12-month period ending August 31 of the year prior to the effective date of the new rate. In determining the average retail price per gallon, the board shall use the weekly average retail price published by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, in its publication "Fuel Price And Supply Update." In the event the "Fuel Price And Supply Update" is delayed or discontinued, the board may base its determination on other sources of the average retail price of diesel fuel. The board shall make its determination of the rate no later than October 1 of the year prior to the effective date of the new rate. (b) The tax rate established by the board on January 1, 2013, shall remain in effect only through June 30, 2013. (c) Commencing on July 1, 2013, and on each July 1 thereafter, the board shall establish a tax rate per gallon, rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one cent ($0.001), by multiplying the average retail price per gallon (including the federal excise tax and excluding the state excise tax and the sales and use tax) of diesel fuel sold in this state by a percentage equal to the combined state and local sales tax rate established by Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) and Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 35 of Article XIII of the California Constitution. The average retail price per gallon shall be the average of weekly retail prices for the 12-month period ending on the last day of January prior to the effective date of the new rate. In determining the average retail price per gallon, the board shall use the weekly average retail price as reported by the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the event the EIA information is delayed or discontinued, the board may base its determination on other sources of the average retail price of diesel fuel. The board shall make its determination of the rate no later than March 1 of the same year as the effective date of the new rate. SEC. 20. Section 349 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 349. (a) Route 49 is from: (1) Route 41 near Oakhurst to Route 140 at Mariposa. (2) Route 140 at Mariposa to Route 120 near Moccasin. (3) Route 120 near Chinese Camp to Route 80 near Auburn via the vicinity of Sonora; via Angels Camp, San Andreas, and Jackson; and via the vicinity of El Dorado, Diamond Springs, and Placerville. (4) Route 80 near Auburn to Route 20 in Grass Valley. (5) Route 20 at Nevada City to Route 89 near Sattley via Downieville. (6) Route 89 near Sierraville to Route 70 near Vinton via Loyalton. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 49 within the City of Auburn is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 49, the City of Auburn shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 49 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 49, including any traffic signal progression. The city may apply to the department for approval of a business route designation in accordance with Chapter 20, Topic 21, of the Highway Design Manual. SEC. 21. Section 366 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 366. (a) Route 66 is from: (1) Route 210 near San Dimas to the Los Angeles-San Bernardino county line at the western city limit of the City of Upland. (2) The eastern city limit of the City of Fontana near Maple Avenue to Route 215 in San Bernardino. (b) The relinquished former portions of Route 66 within the city limits of the Cities of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, and Upland are not state highways and are not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the portions of Route 66 relinquished under this section, the Cities of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, and Upland shall maintain within their respective jurisdictions signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 66 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portions of Route 66, including any traffic signal progression. (c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may relinquish to the City of Claremont the portion of Route 66 that is located within the city limits or the sphere of influence of the city, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state. (2) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective immediately following the recordation by the county recorder of the relinquishment resolution containing the commission's approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment. (3) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of the following shall occur: (A) The portion of Route 66 relinquished under this subdivision shall cease to be a state highway. (B) The portion of Route 66 relinquished under this subdivision may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81. (4) The City of Claremont shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 66, including any traffic signal progression. (5) For the relinquished portion of Route 66, the City of Claremont shall maintain signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 66. SEC. 22. Section 374 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 374. (a) Route 74 is from: (1) Route 5 near San Juan Capistrano to Route 15 near Lake Elsinore. (2) Route 15 near Lake Elsinore to Route 215 near Perris. (3) Route 215 near Perris to the southern city limit of Palm Desert. (4) Highway 111 in Palm Desert to Route 10 near Thousand Palms. (b) The relinquished former portions of Route 74 within the Cities of Palm Desert and Perris are not state highways and are not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portions of Route 74, the Cities of Palm Desert and Perris shall maintain within their respective jurisdictions signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 74 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portions of Route 74, including any traffic signal progression. (c) (1) The commission may relinquish to the City of Lake Elsinore the portion of Route 74 located within the city limits of that city, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state. (2) Any relinquishment agreement shall require that the City of Lake Elsinore administer the operation and maintenance of the highway in a manner consistent with professional traffic engineering standards. (3) Any relinquishment agreement shall require the City of Lake Elsinore to ensure that appropriate traffic studies or analyses will be performed to substantiate any decisions affecting the highway. (4) Any relinquishment agreement shall also require the City of Lake Elsinore to provide for public notice and the consideration of public input on the proximate effects of any proposed decision on traffic flow, residences, or businesses, other than a decision on routine maintenance. (5) Notwithstanding any of its other terms, any relinquishment agreement shall require the City of Lake Elsinore to indemnify and hold the department harmless from any liability for any claims made or damages suffered by any person, including a public entity, as a result of any decision made or action taken by the City of Lake Elsinore, its officers, employees, contractors, or agents, with respect to the design, maintenance, construction, or operation of that portion of Route 74 that is to be relinquished to the city. (6) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective immediately after the county recorder records the relinquishment resolution that contains the commission's approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment. (7) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of the following shall occur: (A) The portion of Route 74 relinquished shall cease to be a state highway. (B) The portion of Route 74 relinquished may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81. (8) The City of Lake Elsinore shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 74, including any traffic signal progression. (9) For relinquished portions of Route 74, the City of Lake Elsinore shall maintain signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 74. SEC. 23. Section 392 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 392. (a) Route 92 is from: (1) Route 1 near Half Moon Bay to Route 280. (2) Route 280 to Route 580 near Castro Valley and Hayward. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 92 within the City of Hayward is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 92, the City of Hayward shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 92 or to the state highway system, as applicable, and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 92, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 24. Section 410 of the Streets and Highways Code, as amended by Section 30 of Chapter 525 of the Statutes of 2003, is amended to read: 410. (a) Route 110 is from Route 47 in San Pedro to Glenarm Street in Pasadena. (b) The relinquished former portions of Route 110 that are located between 9th Street and Gaffey Street in the City of Los Angeles and Glenarm Street and Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena are not state highways and are not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portions of Route 110, the Cities of Los Angeles and Pasadena shall maintain within their respective jurisdictions signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 110 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 110, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 25. Section 410 of the Streets and Highways Code, as added by Section 1 of Chapter 669 of the Statutes of 2008, is repealed. SEC. 26. Section 411 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 411. (a) Route 111 is from: (1) The international border south of Calexico to Route 78 near Brawley, passing east of Heber. (2) Route 78 near Brawley to Route 86 via the north shore of the Salton Sea. (3) The western city limits of Cathedral City to Route 10 near Whitewater. (b) The relinquished former portions of Route 111 within the unincorporated area of the County of Riverside and the Cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage are not state highways and are not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portions of Route 111, the County of Riverside and the Cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert, as applicable, shall maintain within their respective jurisdictions signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 111 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portions of Route 111, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 27. Section 446 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 446. (a) Route 146 is from: (1) Route 101 near Soledad to Pinnacles National Monument. (2) Pinnacles National Monument to Route 25 in Bear Valley. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 146 within the City of Soledad is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 146, the City of Soledad shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 146 until the entire route has been relinquished and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 146, including any traffic signal progression. (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may relinquish to the County of Monterey the portion of Route 146 within the limits of that county, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may relinquish to the County of San Benito the portion of Route 146 within the limits of that county, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state. (3) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective immediately after the county recorder records the relinquishment resolution that contains the commission's approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment. (4) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, that portion of Route 146 relinquished shall cease to be a state highway and may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81. (5) For portions of Route 146 relinquished under this subdivision, the Counties of Monterey and San Benito shall maintain within their jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 146 until the entire route has been relinquished. SEC. 28. Section 452 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 452. Route 152 is from: (a) Route 1 near Watsonville via Hecker Pass to Route 101 in Gilroy. (b) Route 101 near Gilroy to Route 65 near Sharon via Pacheco Pass. (c) The commission may relinquish to the City of Watsonville the portion of Route 152, beginning at Route 1 and ending at Beverly Drive or some segment thereof, within the city limits of the City of Watsonville, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state. (d) A relinquishment under this section shall become effective immediately following the county recorder's recordation of the relinquishment resolution containing the commission's approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment. (e) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of the following shall occur: (1) The portion of Route 152 relinquished under this section shall cease to be a state highway. (2) The portion of Route 152 relinquished under this section shall be ineligible for future adoption under Section 81. (f) The City of Watsonville shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portions of Route 152, including, but not limited to, any traffic signal progression. (g) For those portions of Route 152 that are relinquished, the City of Watsonville shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 152. SEC. 29. Section 478 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 478. (a) Route 178 is from: (1) Bakersfield to Route 14 near Freeman via Walker Pass. (2) Route 14 near Freeman to Route 127. (3) Route 127 to the Nevada state line in Pahrump Valley. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 178 within the City of Bakersfield is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 178, the City of Bakersfield shall install and maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 178 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 178, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 30. Section 485 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 485. (a) Route 185 is from Route 92 in Hayward to Route 77 in Oakland. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 185 within the City of Hayward is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 185, the City of Hayward shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 185 or to the state highway system, as applicable, and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 185, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 31. Section 493 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 493. (a) Route 193 is from: (1) Route 65 near Lincoln to Route 80 near Newcastle. (2) Route 49 near Cool to Route 49 near Placerville via Georgetown. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 193 within the City of Lincoln is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 193, the City of Lincoln shall install and maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 193 to the east and to Routes 65 and 80 to the west and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 193, including any traffic signal progression. The city may apply to the department for approval of a business route designation in accordance with Chapter 20, Topic 21, of the Highway Design Manual. SEC. 32. Section 527 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 527. (a) Route 227 is from Route 1 south of Oceano to Route 101 in San Luis Obispo. (b) The relinquished former portions of Route 227 within the Cities of Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo are not state highways and are not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 227, the Cities of San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande shall maintain within their respective jurisdictions signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 227 and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 227, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 33. Section 538 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 538. (a) Route 238 is from Route 680 in Fremont to Route 61 near San Lorenzo via Hayward. (b) The relinquished former portion of Route 238 within the City of Hayward is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 238, the City of Hayward shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 238 or to the state highway system, as applicable, and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 238, including any traffic signal progression. SEC. 34. Section 5201 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows: (a) The rear license plate on a tow truck or repossessor's tow vehicle may be mounted on the left-hand side of the mast assembly at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (b) The rear license plate on a tank vehicle hauling hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, or asphalt material may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (c) The rear license plate on a truck tractor may be mounted at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, but not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (d) The rear license plate of a vehicle designed by the manufacturer for the collection and transportation of garbage, rubbish, or refuse that is used regularly for the collection and transportation of that material by a person or governmental entity employed to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, rubbish, or refuse may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (e) The rear license plate on a two-axle livestock trailer may be mounted 12 inches or more, but not more than 90 inches, from the ground. (f) (1) The rear license plate on a dump bed motortruck equipped with a trailing, load bearing swing axle shall be mounted more than 12 inches, but not more than 107 inches, from the ground. (2) As used in this section, a trailing, load bearing swing axle is an axle which can be moved from a raised position to a position behind the vehicle that allows for the transfer of a portion of the weight of the vehicle and load to the trailing axle. (g) A covering shall not be used on license plates except as follows: (1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. A peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle. (2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. (h) A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle. (i) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that an accommodation be made to persons with disabilities and to those persons who regularly transport persons with disabilities, to allow the removal and relocation of wheelchair lifts and wheelchair carriers without the necessity of removing and reattaching the vehicle's rear license plate. Therefore, it is not a violation of this section if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed or impaired by a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier and all of the following requirements are met: (A) The owner of the vehicle has been issued a special identification license plate pursuant to Section 5007, or the person using the wheelchair that is carried on the vehicle has been issued a distinguishing placard under Section 22511.55. (B) (i) The operator of the vehicle displays a decal, designed and issued by the department, that contains the license plate number assigned to the vehicle transporting the wheelchair. (ii) The decal is displayed on the rear window of the vehicle, in a location determined by the department, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, so as to be clearly visible to law enforcement. (2) Notwithstanding any other law, if a decal is displayed pursuant to this subdivision, the requirements of this code that require the illumination of the license plate and the license plate number do not apply. (3) The department shall adopt regulations governing the procedures for accepting and approving applications for decals, and issuing decals, authorized by this subdivision. (4) This subdivision does not apply to a front license plate. SEC. 34.5. Section 5201 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 5201. (a) License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows: (1) The rear license plate on a tow truck or repossessor's tow vehicle may be mounted on the left-hand side of the mast assembly at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (2) The rear license plate on a tank vehicle hauling hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, or asphalt material may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (3) The rear license plate on a truck tractor may be mounted at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, but not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (4) The rear license plate of a vehicle designed by the manufacturer for the collection and transportation of garbage, rubbish, or refuse that is used regularly for the collection and transportation of that material by a person or governmental entity employed to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, rubbish, or refuse may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground. (5) The rear license plate on a two-axle livestock trailer may be mounted 12 inches or more, but not more than 90 inches, from the ground. (6) (A) The rear license plate on a dump bed motortruck equipped with a trailing, load bearing swing axle shall be mounted more than 12 inches, but not more than 107 inches, from the ground. (B) As used in this section, a trailing, load bearing swing axle is an axle which can be moved from a raised position to a position behind the vehicle that allows for the transfer of a portion of the weight of the vehicle and load to the trailing axle. (b) A covering shall not be used on license plates except as follows: (1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. A peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle. (2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. (c) A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle. (d) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that an accommodation be made to persons with disabilities and to those persons who regularly transport persons with disabilities, to allow the removal and relocation of wheelchair lifts and wheelchair carriers without the necessity of removing and reattaching the vehicle's rear license plate. Therefore, it is not a violation of this section if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed or impaired by a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier and all of the following requirements are met: (A) The owner of the vehicle has been issued a special identification license plate pursuant to Section 5007, or the person using the wheelchair that is carried on the vehicle has been issued a distinguishing placard under Section 22511.55. (B) (i) The operator of the vehicle displays a decal, designed and issued by the department, that contains the license plate number assigned to the vehicle transporting the wheelchair. (ii) The decal is displayed on the rear window of the vehicle, in a location determined by the department, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, so as to be clearly visible to law enforcement. (2) Notwithstanding any other law, if a decal is displayed pursuant to this subdivision, the requirements of this code that require the illumination of the license plate and the license plate number do not apply. (3) The department shall adopt regulations governing the procedures for accepting and approving applications for decals, and issuing decals, authorized by this subdivision. (4) This subdivision does not apply to a front license plate. SEC. 35. Section 22112 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 22112. (a) On approach to a schoolbus stop where pupils are loading or unloading from a schoolbus, the schoolbus driver shall activate an approved amber warning light system, if the schoolbus is so equipped, beginning 200 feet before the schoolbus stop. The schoolbus driver shall deactivate the amber warning light system after reaching the schoolbus stop. The schoolbus driver shall operate the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm, as required on the schoolbus, at all times when the schoolbus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils. The flashing red light signal system, amber warning lights system, and stop signal arm shall not be operated at any place where traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or at any location identified in subdivision (e) of this section. The schoolbus flashing red light signal system, amber warning lights system, and stop signal arm shall not be operated at any other time. (b) The schoolbus driver shall stop to load or unload pupils only at a schoolbus stop designated for pupils by the school district superintendent or the head or principal of a private school, or authorized by any of those individuals for school activity trips. (c) When a schoolbus is stopped on a highway or private road for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils, at a location where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer, the driver shall, before opening the door, ensure that the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm are activated, and that it is safe to enter or exit the schoolbus. (d) When a schoolbus is stopped on a highway or private road for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils, at a location where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal, the schoolbus driver shall do all of the following: (1) Escort all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped. The driver shall use an approved hand-held "STOP" sign while escorting all pupils. (2) Require all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped to walk in front of the bus as they cross. (3) Ensure that all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped have crossed safely, and that all other pupils and pedestrians are a safe distance from the schoolbus before setting the schoolbus in motion. (e) Except at a location where pupils are loading or unloading from a schoolbus and must cross a highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped, the schoolbus driver may not activate the amber warning light system, the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm at any of the following locations: (1) Schoolbus loading zones on or adjacent to school grounds or during an activity trip, if the schoolbus is lawfully stopped or parked. (2) Where the schoolbus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown. The driver of a relief bus that arrives at the scene to transport pupils from the disabled schoolbus shall not activate the amber warning light system, the flashing red light system, and stop signal arm. (3) Where a pupil requires physical assistance from the driver or authorized attendant to board or leave the schoolbus and providing the assistance extends the length of time the schoolbus is stopped beyond the time required to load or unload a pupil that does not require physical assistance. (4) Where the roadway surface on which the bus is stopped is partially or completely covered by snow or ice and requiring traffic to stop would pose a safety hazard as determined by the schoolbus motor carrier. (5) On a state highway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher where the schoolbus is completely off the main traveled portion of the highway. (6) Any location determined by a school district or a private school, with the approval of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to present a traffic or safety hazard. (f) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may require the activation of an approved flashing amber warning light system, if the schoolbus is so equipped, or the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm, as required on the schoolbus, at any location where the department determines that the activation is necessary for the safety of school pupils loading or unloading from a schoolbus. SEC. 36. Section 22500.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 22500.5. Upon agreement between a transit system operating buses engaged as common carriers in local transportation and a public school district or private school, local authorities may, by ordinance, permit schoolbuses owned by, or operated under contract for, that public school district or private school to stop for the loading or unloading of passengers alongside any or all curb spaces designated for the loading or unloading of passengers of the transit system buses. SEC. 37. Section 22504 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 22504. (a) Upon any highway in unincorporated areas, a person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the roadway when it is practicable to stop, park, or leave the vehicle off such portion of the highway, but in every event an unobstructed width of the highway opposite a standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles and a clear view of the stopped vehicle shall be available from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon the highway. This section shall not apply upon a highway where the roadway is bounded by adjacent curbs. (b) This section does not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled in such a manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled vehicle on the roadway. (c) (1) A schoolbus stop shall not be designated where there is not a clear view of a proposed or existing schoolbus stop from a distance of 200 feet in each direction along a highway, or upon the main traveled portion of a highway where there is not a clear view of the stop from 500 feet in each direction along the highway and the speed limit is more than 25 miles per hour, unless approved by the Department of the California Highway Patrol upon the request of the school district superintendent or the head or principal of a private school. If the schoolbus stop is approved by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation, in respect to state highways, and local authorities, in respect to highways under their jurisdiction, shall place sufficient signs along the highway to give adequate notice to motorists that they are approaching such bus stops. (2) A school bus stop shall not be designated on any divided or multiple-lane highway where pupils must cross the highway to board or after exiting the bus, unless traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal. For purposes of this section, a multiple-lane highway is defined as any highway having two or more lanes of travel in each direction. SEC. 38. Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee, who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations, of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located, may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the officer or employee may act, under the following circumstances: (a) When a vehicle is left unattended upon a bridge, viaduct, or causeway or in a tube or tunnel where the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic. (b) When a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the highway. (c) When a vehicle is found upon a highway or public land and a report has previously been made that the vehicle is stolen or a complaint has been filed and a warrant thereon is issued charging that the vehicle was embezzled. (d) When a vehicle is illegally parked so as to block the entrance to a private driveway and it is impractical to move the vehicle from in front of the driveway to another point on the highway. (e) When a vehicle is illegally parked so as to prevent access by firefighting equipment to a fire hydrant and it is impracticable to move the vehicle from in front of the fire hydrant to another point on the highway. (f) When a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction equipment, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than four hours upon the right-of-way of a freeway that has full control of access and no crossings at grade and the driver, if present, cannot move the vehicle under its own power. (g) When the person in charge of a vehicle upon a highway or public land is, by reason of physical injuries or illness, incapacitated to an extent so as to be unable to provide for its custody or removal. (h) (1) When an officer arrests a person driving or in control of a vehicle for an alleged offense and the officer is, by this code or other law, required or permitted to take, and does take, the person into custody. (2) When an officer serves a notice of an order of suspension or revocation pursuant to Section 13388 or 13389. (i) (1) When a vehicle, other than a rented vehicle, is found upon a highway or public land, or is removed pursuant to this code, and it is known that the vehicle has been issued five or more notices of parking violations to which the owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded within 21 calendar days of notice of citation issuance or citation issuance or 14 calendar days of the mailing of a notice of delinquent parking violation to the agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations, or the registered owner of the vehicle is known to have been issued five or more notices for failure to pay or failure to appear in court for traffic violations for which a certificate has not been issued by the magistrate or clerk of the court hearing the case showing that the case has been adjudicated or concerning which the registered owner's record has not been cleared pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 41500) of Division 17, the vehicle may be impounded until that person furnishes to the impounding law enforcement agency all of the following: (A) Evidence of his or her identity. (B) An address within this state at which he or she can be located. (C) Satisfactory evidence that all parking penalties due for the vehicle and all other vehicles registered to the registered owner of the impounded vehicle, and all traffic violations of the registered owner, have been cleared. (2) The requirements in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall be fully enforced by the impounding law enforcement agency on and after the time that the Department of Motor Vehicles is able to provide access to the necessary records. (3) A notice of parking violation issued for an unlawfully parked vehicle shall be accompanied by a warning that repeated violations may result in the impounding of the vehicle. In lieu of furnishing satisfactory evidence that the full amount of parking penalties or bail has been deposited, that person may demand to be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate, for traffic offenses, or a hearing examiner, for parking offenses, within the county in which the offenses charged are alleged to have been committed and who has jurisdiction of the offenses and is nearest or most accessible with reference to the place where the vehicle is impounded. Evidence of current registration shall be produced after a vehicle has been impounded, or, at the discretion of the impounding law enforcement agency, a notice to appear for violation of subdivision (a) of Section 4000 shall be issued to that person. (4) A vehicle shall be released to the legal owner, as defined in Section 370, if the legal owner does all of the following: (A) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle. (B) Submits evidence of payment of fees as provided in Section 9561. (C) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of the offenses relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to a legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency shall have a lien on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle to which the registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. The legal owner shall promptly remit to, and deposit with, the agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations from that surplus, on receipt of that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. (5) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is entitled pursuant to paragraph (4) has a deficiency claim against the registered owner for the full amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5, less the amount received from the sale of the vehicle. (j) When a vehicle is found illegally parked and there are no license plates or other evidence of registration displayed, the vehicle may be impounded until the owner or person in control of the vehicle furnishes the impounding law enforcement agency evidence of his or her identity and an address within this state at which he or she can be located. (k) When a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal. (l) When a vehicle is illegally parked on a highway in violation of a local ordinance forbidding standing or parking and the use of a highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the highway, or for the installation of underground utilities, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance. (m) When the use of the highway, or a portion of the highway, is authorized by a local authority for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or for the movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size, and the parking of a vehicle would prohibit or interfere with that use or movement, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance. (n) Whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking and have authorized the removal of vehicles. Except as provided in subdivisions (v) and (w), a vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal. (o) (1) When a vehicle is found or operated upon a highway, public land, or an offstreet parking facility under the following circumstances: (A) With a registration expiration date in excess of six months before the date it is found or operated on the highway, public lands, or the offstreet parking facility. (B) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, a registration card, identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, special plate, registration sticker, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit that was not issued for that vehicle, or is not otherwise lawfully used on that vehicle under this code. (C) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, an altered, forged, counterfeit, or falsified registration card, identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, special plate, registration sticker, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit. (2) When a vehicle described in paragraph (1) is occupied, only a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, may remove the vehicle. (3) For the purposes of this subdivision, the vehicle shall be released under either of the following circumstances: (A) To the registered owner or person in control of the vehicle only after the owner or person furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current registration and a currently valid driver's license to operate the vehicle. (B) To the legal owner or the legal owner's agency, without payment of any fees, fines, or penalties for parking tickets or registration and without proof of current registration, if the vehicle will only be transported pursuant to the exemption specified in Section 4022 and if the legal owner does all of the following: (i) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle. (ii) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of an offense relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to a legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency has a lien on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle to which the registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. Upon receipt of any surplus, the legal owner shall promptly remit to, and deposit with, the agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations from that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. (4) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is entitled has a deficiency claim against the registered owner for the full amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5, less the amount received from the sale of the vehicle. (5) As used in this subdivision, "offstreet parking facility" means an offstreet facility held open for use by the public for parking vehicles and includes a publicly owned facility for offstreet parking, and a privately owned facility for offstreet parking if a fee is not charged for the privilege to park and it is held open for the common public use of retail customers. (p) When the peace officer issues the driver of a vehicle a notice to appear for a violation of Section 12500, 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2, 14601.3, 14601.4, 14601.5, or 14604 and the vehicle is not impounded pursuant to Section 22655.5. A vehicle so removed from the highway or public land, or from private property after having been on a highway or public land, shall not be released to the registered owner or his or her agent, except upon presentation of the registered owner's or his or her agent's currently valid driver's license to operate the vehicle and proof of current vehicle registration, to the impounding law enforcement agency, or upon order of a court. (q) When a vehicle is parked for more than 24 hours on a portion of highway that is located within the boundaries of a common interest development, as defined in Section 4100 of the Civil Code, and signs, as required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22658 of this code, have been posted on that portion of highway providing notice to drivers that vehicles parked thereon for more than 24 hours will be removed at the owner's expense, pursuant to a resolution or ordinance adopted by the local authority. (r) When a vehicle is illegally parked and blocks the movement of a legally parked vehicle. (s) (1) When a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction equipment, an authorized emergency vehicle, or a vehicle that is properly permitted or otherwise authorized by the Department of Transportation, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than eight hours within a roadside rest area or viewpoint. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), when a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 15210, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than 10 hours within a roadside rest area or viewpoint. (3) For purposes of this subdivision, a roadside rest area or viewpoint is a publicly maintained vehicle parking area, adjacent to a highway, utilized for the convenient, safe stopping of a vehicle to enable motorists to rest or to view the scenery. If two or more roadside rest areas are located on opposite sides of the highway, or upon the center divider, within seven miles of each other, then that combination of rest areas is considered to be the same rest area. (t) When a peace officer issues a notice to appear for a violation of Section 25279. (u) When a peace officer issues a citation for a violation of Section 11700 and the vehicle is being offered for sale. (v) (1) When a vehicle is a mobile billboard advertising display, as defined in Section 395.5, and is parked or left standing in violation of a local resolution or ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was previously issued a warning citation for the same offense, pursuant to paragraph (2). (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance prohibiting mobile billboard advertising displays adopted pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 21100, may provide notice by issuing a warning citation advising the registered owner of the vehicle that he or she may be subject to penalties upon a subsequent violation of the ordinance, that may include the removal of the vehicle as provided in paragraph (1). A city or county is not required to provide further notice for a subsequent violation prior to the enforcement of penalties for a violation of the ordinance. (w) (1) When a vehicle is parked or left standing in violation of a local ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was previously issued a warning citation for the same offense, pursuant to paragraph (2). (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance regulating advertising signs adopted pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 21100, may provide notice by issuing a warning citation advising the registered owner of the vehicle that he or she may be subject to penalties upon a subsequent violation of the ordinance that may include the removal of the vehicle as provided in paragraph (1). A city or county is not required to provide further notice for a subsequent violation prior to the enforcement of penalties for a violation of the ordinance. SEC. 39. Section 29004 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 29004. (a) (1) Except as required under paragraph (2), a towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, cable, or equivalent device in addition to the regular drawbar, tongue, or other connection. (2) A vehicle towed by a tow truck shall be coupled to the tow truck by means of at least two safety chains in addition to the primary restraining system. The safety chains shall be securely affixed to the truck frame, bed, or towing equipment, independent of the towing sling, wheel lift, or under-reach towing equipment. (3) A vehicle transported on a slide back carrier tow truck or on a trailer shall be secured by at least four tiedown chains, straps, or an equivalent device, independent of the winch or loading cable. This subdivision does not apply to vehicle bodies that are being transported in compliance with Sections 393.100 to 393.136, inclusive, of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (b) All safety connections and attachments shall be of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the regular hitch, coupling device, drawbar, tongue, or other connection. All safety connections and attachments also shall have a positive means of ensuring that the safety connection or attachment does not become dislodged while in transit. (c) No more slack may be left in a safety chain, cable, or equivalent device than is necessary to permit proper turning. When a drawbar is used as the towing connection, the safety chain, cable, or equivalent device shall be connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the drawbar so as to prevent the drawbar from dropping to the ground if the drawbar fails. (d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly, and does not apply to a towed motor vehicle when steered by a person who holds a license for the type of vehicle being towed. (e) For purposes of this section, a "tow truck" includes both of the following: (1) A repossessor's tow vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 615. (2) An automobile dismantler's tow vehicle, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 615. (f) A vehicle towed by a repossessor's tow vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 615, is exempt from the multisafety chain requirement of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) so long as the vehicle is not towed more than one mile on a public highway and is secured by one safety chain. SEC. 40. Section 34.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 5201 of the Vehicle Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2489. It shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2013, (2) each bill amends Section 5201 of the Vehicle Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2489, in which case Section 34 of this bill shall not become operative.