California Assembly Bill AB650 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 650AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 27, 2016 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 14, 2016 AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Low FEBRUARY 24, 2015 An act to amend Section 85 of the Code of Civil Procedure, to repeal Sections 53075.5, 53075.6, 53075.61, 53075.7, 53075.8, and 53075.9 of the Government Code, to amend Section 830.7 of the Penal Code, to amend Sections 5353, 5411.5, 5412.2, 5413.5, and 120269 of, and to add Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) to Division 2 of, the Public Utilities Code, and to amend Sections 1808.1, 12523.6, 16500, 21100, 21100.4, and 27908 of the Vehicle Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 650, as amended, Low. Public Utilities Commission: regulation of taxicabs. Existing law provides for regulation of various types of passenger carriers by the Public Utilities Commission, including passenger stage corporations and charter-party carriers of passengers. Existing law, among other transportation services, provides for regulation of limousines and transportation network companies by the commission as charter-party carriers of passengers. Existing law requires every city and county to adopt an ordinance to regulate taxicab service within its jurisdiction, and exempts taxicab service from commission regulation. This bill would enact the Taxicab Transportation Services Act and provide for the regulation of taxicab transportation services by the commission as a matter of statewide  concern.   concern, except taxicab transportation services originating in the City and County of San Francisco and at the San Francisco International Airport, which would continue to be locally regulated, but would be subject to certain requirements, including insurance and monitoring of taxicab drivers.  The bill would provide for issuance of permits by the commission  in all other areas of the state  to taxicab carriers authorizing carriers to operate in one or more of  7   6  designated regions in the state. The bill would require drivers of taxicabs  in those areas  to obtain a  taxi   taxicab  driver permit from the commission, and would specify the requirements that an applicant must meet. The bill would enact various provisions relating to insurance, vehicle inspections, monitoring of taxicab drivers, and other matters. The bill would exempt fares or fees charged by taxicab carriers from commission regulation, but would authorize the commission to require the disclosure of fares and fees, as specified. The bill would prohibit entities from providing taxicab transportation services without the required permit, and would provide for the commission to investigate and take action against unlicensed activity. The bill would repeal provisions providing for city and county regulation of taxicab services, but would authorize airports to continue to regulate the provision of taxicab transportation services to and from airports. The bill would require cities and counties that license taxicab services as of December 31, 2016,  excluding the City and County of San Francisco,  to forward to the commission licensure information for each licensee, as specified, and would thereby impose a state-mandated local program. The bill also would make conforming changes to other related provisions. A violation of the Taxicab Transportation Services Act would be a crime and in certain cases would also be subject to a civil penalty. The bill would also require applications for taxicab carrier permits to be verified under oath, and would require certain statements by taxicab carriers relative to workers' compensation to be submitted to the commission under penalty of perjury. The bill would thereby impose a state-mandated local program by creating new crimes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 85 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read: 85. An action or special proceeding shall be treated as a limited civil case if all of the following conditions are satisfied, and, notwithstanding any statute that classifies an action or special proceeding as a limited civil case, an action or special proceeding shall not be treated as a limited civil case unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) The amount in controversy does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). As used in this section, "amount in controversy" means the amount of the demand, or the recovery sought, or the value of the property, or the amount of the lien, that is in controversy in the action, exclusive of attorneys' fees, interest, and costs. (b) The relief sought is a type that may be granted in a limited civil case. (c) The relief sought, whether in the complaint, a cross-complaint, or otherwise, is exclusively of a type described in one or more statutes that classify an action or special proceeding as a limited civil case or that provide that an action or special proceeding is within the original jurisdiction of the municipal court, including, but not limited to, the following provisions: (1) Section 798.61 or 798.88 of the Civil Code. (2) Section 1719 of the Civil Code. (3) Section 3342.5 of the Civil Code. (4) Section 86. (5) Section 86.1. (6) Section 1710.20. (7) Section 7581 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (8) Section 12647 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (9) Section 27601 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (10) Section 31503 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (11) Section 31621 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (12) Section 52514 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (13) Section 53564 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (14) Section 53069.4 of the Government Code. (15) Section 5411.5 of the Public Utilities Code. (16) Section 5460.12 of the Public Utilities Code. (17) Section 9872.1 of the Vehicle Code. (18) Section 10751 of the Vehicle Code. (19) Section 14607.6 of the Vehicle Code. (20) Section 40230 of the Vehicle Code. (21) Section 40256 of the Vehicle Code. SEC. 2. Section 53075.5 of the Government Code is repealed. SEC. 3. Section 53075.6 of the Government Code is repealed. SEC. 4. Section 53075.61 of the Government Code is repealed. SEC. 5. Section 53075.7 of the Government Code is repealed. SEC. 6. Section 53075.8 of the Government Code is repealed. SEC. 7. Section 53075.9 of the Government Code is repealed.  SEC. 8.   Section 830.7 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 830.7. The following persons are not peace officers but may exercise the powers of arrest of a peace officer as specified in Section 836 during the course and within the scope of their employment, if they successfully complete a course in the exercise of those powers pursuant to Section 832: (a) Persons designated by a cemetery authority pursuant to Section 8325 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) Persons regularly employed as security officers for independent institutions of higher education, recognized under subdivision (b) of Section 66010 of the Education Code, if the institution has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the institution lies. (c) Persons regularly employed as security officers for health facilities, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, that are owned and operated by cities, counties, and cities and counties, if the facility has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the facility lies. (d) Employees or classes of employees of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection designated by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, provided that the primary duty of the employee shall be the enforcement of the law as that duty is set forth in Section 4156 of the Public Resources Code. (e) Persons regularly employed as inspectors, supervisors, or security officers for transit districts, as defined in Section 99213 of the Public Utilities Code, if the district has concluded a memorandum of understanding permitting the exercise of that authority, with, as applicable, the sheriff, the chief of police, or the Department of the California Highway Patrol within whose jurisdiction the district lies. For the purposes of this subdivision, the exercise of peace officer authority may include the authority to remove a vehicle from a railroad right-of-way as set forth in Section 22656 of the Vehicle Code. (f) Nonpeace officers regularly employed as county parole officers pursuant to Section 3089. (g) Persons appointed by the Executive Director of the California Science Center pursuant to Section 4108 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (h) Persons regularly employed by any department of the City of Los Angeles who are designated as security officers and authorized by local ordinance to enforce laws related to the preservation of peace in or about the properties owned, controlled, operated, or administered by any department of the City of Los Angeles and authorized by a memorandum of understanding with the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles permitting the exercise of that authority. Security officers authorized pursuant to this subdivision shall not be deemed peace officers for purposes of Sections 241 and 243. (i) Illegal dumping enforcement officers or code enforcement officers, to the extent necessary to enforce laws related to illegal waste dumping or littering, and authorized by a memorandum of understanding with, as applicable, the sheriff or chief of police within whose jurisdiction the person is employed, permitting the exercise of that authority. An "illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer" is defined, for purposes of this section, as a person employed full time, part time, or as a volunteer after completing training prescribed by law, by a city, county, or city and county, whose duties include illegal dumping enforcement and who is designated by local ordinance as a public officer. An illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer may also be a person who is not regularly employed by a city, county, or city and county, but who has met all training requirements and is directly supervised by a regularly employed illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer conducting illegal dumping enforcement. This person shall not have the power of arrest or access to summary criminal history information pursuant to this section. No person may be appointed as an illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer if that person is disqualified pursuant to the criteria set forth in Section 1029 of the Government Code. Persons regularly employed by a city, county, or city and county designated pursuant to this subdivision may be furnished state summary criminal history information upon a showing of compelling need pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11105.   SEC. 8.   Section 830.7 of the   Penal Code   is amended to read:  830.7. The following persons are not peace officers but may exercise the powers of arrest of a peace officer as specified in Section 836 during the course and within the scope of their employment, if they successfully complete a course in the exercise of those powers pursuant to Section 832: (a) Persons designated by a cemetery authority pursuant to Section 8325 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) Persons regularly employed as security officers for independent institutions of higher education, recognized under subdivision (b) of Section 66010 of the Education Code, if the institution has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the institution lies. (c) Persons regularly employed as security officers for health facilities, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, that are owned and operated by cities, counties, and cities and counties, if the facility has concluded a memorandum of understanding, permitting the exercise of that authority, with the sheriff or the chief of police within whose jurisdiction the facility lies. (d) Employees or classes of employees of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection designated by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, provided that the primary duty of the employee shall be the enforcement of the law as that duty is set forth in Section 4156 of the Public Resources Code. (e) Persons regularly employed as inspectors, supervisors, or security officers for transit districts, as defined in Section 99213 of the Public Utilities Code, if the district has concluded a memorandum of understanding permitting the exercise of that authority, with, as applicable, the sheriff, the chief of police, or the Department of the California Highway Patrol within whose jurisdiction the district lies. For the purposes of this subdivision, the exercise of peace officer authority may include the authority to remove a vehicle from a railroad right-of-way as set forth in Section 22656 of the Vehicle Code. (f) Nonpeace officers regularly employed as county parole officers pursuant to Section 3089. (g) Persons appointed by the Executive Director of the California Science Center pursuant to Section 4108 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (h) Persons regularly employed as investigators by the Department of Transportation for the City of Los Angeles and designated by local ordinance as public officers, to the extent necessary to enforce laws related to public transportation, and authorized by a memorandum of understanding with the chief of police, permitting the exercise of that authority. For the purposes of this subdivision, "investigator" means an employee  defined in Section 53075.61 of the Government Code  authorized by local ordinance to enforce laws related to public transportation. Transportation investigators authorized by this section shall not be deemed "peace officers" for purposes of Sections 241 and 243. (i) Persons regularly employed by any department of the City of Los Angeles who are designated as security officers and authorized by local ordinance to enforce laws related to the preservation of peace in or about the properties owned, controlled, operated, or administered by any department of the City of Los Angeles and authorized by a memorandum of understanding with the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles permitting the exercise of that authority. Security officers authorized pursuant to this subdivision shall not be deemed peace officers for purposes of Sections 241 and 243. (j) Illegal dumping enforcement officers or code enforcement officers, to the extent necessary to enforce laws related to illegal waste dumping or littering, and authorized by a memorandum of understanding with, as applicable, the sheriff or chief of police within whose jurisdiction the person is employed, permitting the exercise of that authority. An "illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer" is defined, for purposes of this section, as a person employed full time, part time, or as a volunteer after completing training prescribed by law, by a city, county, or city and county, whose duties include illegal dumping enforcement and who is designated by local ordinance as a public officer. An illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer may also be a person who is not regularly employed by a city, county, or city and county, but who has met all training requirements and is directly supervised by a regularly employed illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer conducting illegal dumping enforcement. This person shall not have the power of arrest or access to summary criminal history information pursuant to this section. No person may be appointed as an illegal dumping enforcement officer or code enforcement officer if that person is disqualified pursuant to the criteria set forth in Section 1029 of the Government Code. Persons regularly employed by a city, county, or city and county designated pursuant to this subdivision may be furnished state summary criminal history information upon a showing of compelling need pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11105. SEC. 9. Section 5353 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 5353. This chapter does not apply to any of the following: (a) Transportation service rendered wholly within the corporate limits of a single city or city and county and licensed or regulated by ordinance. (b) Transportation of school pupils conducted by or under contract with the governing board of any school district entered into pursuant to the Education Code. (c) Common carrier transportation services between fixed termini or over a regular route that are subject to authorization pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 1031) of Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 1. (d) Transportation services occasionally afforded for farm employees moving to and from farms on which employed when the transportation is performed by the employer in an owned or leased vehicle, or by a nonprofit agricultural cooperative association organized and acting within the scope of its powers under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 54001) of Division 20 of the Food and Agricultural Code, and without any requirement for the payment of compensation therefor by the employees. (e) Transportation service rendered by a publicly owned transit system. (f) Passenger vehicles carrying passengers on a noncommercial enterprise basis. (g) Taxicab transportation services subject to regulation pursuant to Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section  5451).   5451) or exempt from regulation under that chapter pursuant to Section 5451.3.  (h) Transportation of persons between home and work locations or of persons having a common work-related trip purpose in a vehicle having a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less, including the driver, which are used for the purpose of ridesharing, as defined in Section 522 of the Vehicle Code, when the ridesharing is incidental to another purpose of the driver. This exemption also applies to a vehicle having a seating capacity of more than 15 passengers if the driver files with the commission evidence of liability insurance protection in the same amount and in the same manner as required for a passenger stage corporation, and the vehicle undergoes and passes an annual safety inspection by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. The insurance filing shall be accompanied by a one-time filing fee of seventy-five dollars ($75). This exemption does not apply if the primary purpose for the transportation of those persons is to make a profit. "Profit," as used in this subdivision, does not include the recovery of the actual costs incurred in owning and operating a vanpool vehicle, as defined in Section 668 of the Vehicle Code. (i) Vehicles used exclusively to provide medical transportation, including vehicles employed to transport developmentally disabled persons for regional centers established pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 4620) of Division 4.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (j) Transportation services rendered solely within the Lake Tahoe Basin, comprising that area included within the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact as set forth in Section 66801 of the Government Code, when the operator of the services has obtained any permit required from the Tahoe Basin Transportation Authority or the City of South Lake Tahoe, or both. (k) Subject to Section 34507.6 of the Vehicle Code, transportation service provided by the operator of an automobile rental business in vehicles owned or leased by that operator, without charge other than as may be included in the automobile rental charges, to carry its customers to or from its office or facility where rental vehicles are furnished or returned after the rental period. (  l  ) Subject to Section 34507.6 of the Vehicle Code, transportation service provided by the operator of a hotel, motel, or other place of temporary lodging in vehicles owned or leased by that operator, without charge other than as may be included in the charges for lodging, between the lodging facility and an air, rail, water, or bus passenger terminal or between the lodging facility and any place of entertainment or commercial attraction, including, but not limited to, facilities providing snow skiing. Nothing in this subdivision authorizes the operator of a hotel, motel, or other place of temporary lodging to provide any round trip sightseeing service without a permit, as required by subdivision (c) of Section 5384. (m) (1) Transportation of hot air balloon ride passengers in a balloon chase vehicle from the balloon landing site back to the original takeoff site, provided that the balloon ride was conducted by a balloonist who meets all of the following conditions: (A) Does not fly more than a total of 30 passenger rides for compensation annually. (B) Does not provide any preflight ground transportation services in their vehicles. (C) In providing return transportation to the launch site from landing does not drive more than 300 miles annually. (D) Files with the commission an exemption declaration and proof of vehicle insurance, as prescribed by the commission, certifying that the operator qualifies for the exemption and will maintain minimum insurance on each vehicle of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for injury or death of one person, three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for injury or death of two or more persons and one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for damage to property. (2) Nothing in this subdivision authorizes the operator of a commercial balloon operation to provide any round trip sightseeing service without a permit, as required by subdivision (c) of Section 5384. (n) (1) Transportation services incidental to operation of a youth camp that are provided by either a nonprofit organization that qualifies for tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or an organization that operates an organized camp, as defined in Section 18897 of the Health and Safety Code, serving youth 18 years of age or younger. (2) Any transportation service described in paragraph (1) shall comply with all of the following requirements: (A) Register as a private carrier with the commission pursuant to Section 4005. (B) Participate in a pull notice system for employers of drivers as prescribed in Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code. (C) Ensure compliance with the annual bus terminal inspection required by subdivision (c) of Section 34501 of the Vehicle Code. (D) Obtain the following minimum amounts of general liability insurance coverage for vehicles that are used to transport youth: (i) A minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) general liability insurance coverage for passenger vehicles designed to carry up to eight passengers. For organized camps, as defined in Section 18897 of the Health and Safety Code, an additional two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) general umbrella policy that covers vehicles. (ii) A minimum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) general liability insurance coverage for vehicles designed to carry up to 15 passengers. For organized camps, as defined in Section 18897 of the Health and Safety Code, an additional five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) general umbrella policy that covers vehicles. (iii) A minimum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) general liability insurance coverage for vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers, and an additional three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) general umbrella liability insurance policy that covers vehicles. SEC. 10. Section 5411.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 5411.5. (a) Whenever a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, arrests a person for operation of a charter-party carrier of passengers without a valid certificate or permit, the peace officer may impound and retain possession of the vehicle. (b) Whenever a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, arrests a person for operating a charter-party carrier of passengers as a taxicab in violation of Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section  5451)   5451) or in violation of a local ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority , the peace officer may impound and retain possession of the vehicle. (c) If the vehicle is seized from a person who is not the owner of the vehicle, the impounding authority shall immediately give notice to the owner by first-class mail. (d) The vehicle shall immediately be returned to the owner if the infraction or violation is not prosecuted or is dismissed, the owner is found not guilty of the offense, or it is determined that the vehicle was used in violation of Section 5411 without the knowledge and consent of the owner. The vehicle shall be returned to the owner upon payment of any fine ordered by the court. If the vehicle is seized due to a violation of a person other than the owner of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be returned to the owner after all impoundment fees are paid. After the expiration of six weeks from the final disposition of the criminal case, unless the owner is in the process of making payments to the court, the impounding authority may deal with the vehicle as lost or abandoned property under Section 1411 of the Penal Code. (e) At any time, a person may make a motion in superior court for the immediate return of the vehicle on the ground that there was no probable cause to seize it or that there is some other good cause, as determined by the court, for the return of the vehicle. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case. (f) No peace officer, however, may impound any vehicle owned or operated by a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which serves youth or senior citizens and provides transportation incidental to its programs or services or a rented motor vehicle that is being operated by a hired driver of a charter-party carrier of passengers that is providing hired driver service. SEC. 11. Section 5412.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 5412.2. (a) When a person is convicted of the offense of operating a taxicab without a valid permit required pursuant to Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section  5451),   5451) or pursuant to a local ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority,  in addition to any other penalties provided by law, if the court determines the operator has the ability to pay, the court shall impose a mandatory fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for a first conviction or five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a subsequent conviction. (b) When a person is convicted of the offense of operating a charter-party carrier of passengers without a valid certificate or permit, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, if the court determines the operator has the ability to pay, the court shall impose a mandatory fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for a first conviction or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for a subsequent conviction. (c) As used in this section, "taxicab" shall have the meaning as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 5451.4. "Taxicab" shall not include a charter-party carrier of passengers within the meaning of this chapter. SEC. 12. Section 5413.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 5413.5. (a) Whenever the commission, after hearing, finds that any person or corporation is operating as a charter-party carrier of passengers, including a charter-party carrier operating a limousine, without a valid certificate or permit, or fails to include in any written or oral advertisement the number of the certificate or permit required by Section 5386, the commission may impose a fine of not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for each violation. The commission may assess the person or corporation an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable expense of investigation incurred by the commission. The commission may assess interest on any fine or assessment imposed, to commence on the day the payment of the fine or assessment becomes delinquent. All fines, assessments, and interest collected shall be deposited at least once each month in the General Fund. (b) Whenever the commission, after hearing, finds that any person or corporation is operating a charter-party carrier of passengers as a taxicab without a valid permit in violation of Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section  5451),   5451) or a local ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority,  the commission may impose a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. The commission may assess the person or corporation an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable expense of investigation incurred by the commission. The commission may assess interest on any fine or assessment imposed, to commence on the day the payment of the fine or assessment becomes delinquent. All fines, assessments, and interest collected shall be deposited at least once each month in the General Fund. SEC. 13. Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) is added to Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code, to read: CHAPTER 8.5. TAXICAB TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ACT Article 1. General Provisions and Definitions 5451. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Taxicab Transportation Services Act. 5451.2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,  and except as otherwise provided in Section 5451.3,  this chapter shall apply to taxicab transportation services provided throughout the state. The commission shall regulate taxicab transportation services and enforce the requirements of this chapter, and may adopt regulations to further the objectives of this chapter. The Legislature finds and declares that  uniform  regulation of taxicab transportation services throughout the state constitutes a matter of statewide concern.  5451.3. This chapter shall not apply to taxicab transportation services originating in the jurisdiction of the City and County of San Francisco or at the San Francisco International Airport, including taxicab carriers and taxicab drivers associated with those services. Those taxicab transportation services shall remain under the regulation of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority, as the case may be.  5451.4. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) "Entity" includes a corporation, company, association, joint stock association, firm, partnership, individual, or any other form of business organization. (b) "Public highway" includes every public street, road, or highway in this state. (c) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle used on public highways that is self-propelled. (d) "Taxicab" means a passenger motor vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight passengers, excluding the driver, and used to carry passengers for hire as part of taxicab transportation services. (e) "Taxicab carrier" means an entity that is a permitted provider of taxicab transportation services to passengers under this chapter. (f) "Taxicab driver" means an individual who is a permitted driver of a taxicab under this chapter. (g) "Taxicab transportation services" means the provision of transportation services for compensation using motor vehicles designed for carrying not more than eight passengers, excluding the driver, but excludes transportation services provided by a charter-party carrier of passengers regulated by Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5351). (h) With respect to a motor vehicle used in taxicab transportation services by a taxicab carrier, "owner" means the entity that is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles as the owner of the motor vehicle, or that has a legal right to possession of the motor vehicle pursuant to a lease or rental agreement. (i) "Region" means one of the regions identified pursuant to Section 5451.6. 5451.6. The commission shall issue permits pursuant to this chapter authorizing taxicab carriers to operate in one or more of the following regions: (a) Region 1 shall include the Counties of Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Plumas, Glenn, Butte, Lake, Colusa, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Yolo, Sutter, Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado. (b) Region 2 shall include the Counties of Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Alameda, and Santa Clara.  Region 2 shall exclude taxicab transportation services originating at   the San Francisco International Airport in the County of San Mateo.   (c) Region 3 shall include the City and County of San Francisco.   (d)   (c)  Region  4   3  shall include the Counties of San Joaquin, Amador, Alpine, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mono, Merced, Mariposa, San Benito, Madera, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Tulare, and Kern.  (e)   (d)  Region  5   4  shall include the Counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.  (f)   (e)  Region  6   5  shall include the Counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside.  (g)   (f)  Region  7  6  shall include the Counties of San Diego and Imperial.  5451.7. A taxicab carrier regulated by the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority and not subject to regulation by the commission shall not be authorized to apply for a permit to operate taxicab transportation services originating within any of the regions regulated by the commission pursuant to Section 5451.6.  Article 2. Authorization to Operate as a Taxicab Carrier 5452. An entity shall not engage in taxicab transportation services  subject to regulation under this chapter  without first having obtained a taxicab carrier permit issued by the commission pursuant to this chapter. 5452.2. The commission shall issue permits to entities to operate taxicab transportation services as a taxicab carrier if otherwise qualified under this chapter. Each permit shall specify the region of the state in which the taxicab carrier is authorized to operate. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a taxicab carrier from holding permits to operate in multiple regions. 5452.4. A taxicab carrier holding a permit for a region shall not be restricted as to point of origin or destination within that region. 5452.6. A taxicab carrier shall include the number of its permit in every written, oral, or electronic advertisement of the services it offers and shall comply with the signing requirements of Section 27908 of the Vehicle Code. For the purposes of this section, "advertisement" includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of any card, sign, or device to any person, the causing, permitting, or allowing of the placement of any sign or marking on or in any building or structure, or in any media form, including newspaper, magazine, radiowave, satellite signal, or any electronic transmission, or in any directory soliciting taxicab transportation services subject to this chapter. 5452.8. (a) Applications for taxicab carrier permits shall be in writing and verified under oath, and shall be in the form and contain the information required by the commission. (b) An application for a taxicab carrier permit shall be accompanied by a filing fee as follows: (1) Permits (new): ____ dollars ($____). (2) Permits (renewal): ____ dollars ($____). 5452.10. (a) (1) Before a permit is issued or renewed, the commission shall require the applicant to establish reasonable fitness and financial responsibility to initiate and conduct or continue to conduct the proposed or existing taxicab transportation services. The commission shall not issue or renew a permit pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant meets all of the following requirements: (A) It is financially and organizationally capable of conducting an operation that complies with the rules and regulations of the Department of the California Highway Patrol relating to the safe operation of vehicles on the public highways. (B) It is committed to observing the hours of service regulations of state and, where applicable, federal law for all taxicab drivers, whether employees or contractors. (C) It has an inspection program in effect for its motor vehicles used to provide taxicab transportation services that conforms to Article 8 (commencing with Section 5458). (D) It participates in the pull notice program pursuant to Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code to regularly check the driving records of all taxicab drivers, whether employees or contractors. (E) It has a safety education and training program in effect for all taxicab drivers, whether employees or contractors. (F) It will maintain its motor vehicles used in taxicab transportation services in a safe operating condition and in compliance with the Vehicle Code and with regulations contained in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations relative to motor vehicle safety. (G) It has provided to the commission an address of an office or terminal where documents supporting the factual matters specified in the showing required by this subdivision may be inspected by the commission or the Department of the California Highway Patrol. (H) It provides for a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program pursuant to Section 5457.22. (2) With respect to subparagraphs (B) and (F) of paragraph (1), the commission may base a finding on a certification by the commission that an applicant has filed, with the commission, a sworn declaration of ability to comply and intent to comply. (b) In addition to the requirements in subdivision (a), taxicab carriers shall meet all other state and, where applicable, federal regulations as prescribed. 5452.12. (a) Every taxicab carrier shall furnish to the commission a list, prepared under oath, of all motor vehicles used by the carrier in taxicab transportation services during the period since the last inspection. The commission shall furnish a copy of the list to the taxicab carrier's insurer, if the taxicab carrier's accident liability protection is provided by a policy of insurance. (b) If the taxicab carrier's insurer informs the commission that the carrier has failed to obtain insurance coverage for any vehicle reported on the list, the commission may, in addition to any other penalty provided in this chapter, for a first occurrence, suspend the carrier's permit or impose a fine, or both, and, for a second or subsequent occurrence, suspend or revoke the permit or impose a fine, or both. 5452.14. The commission may, with or without hearing, issue a permit under this chapter. If the commission finds that the applicant possesses satisfactory fitness and financial responsibility to initiate and conduct the proposed taxicab transportation services, and will faithfully comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the commission with respect thereto, it shall issue the permit. 5452.16. A permit, or renewal thereof, is effective for three years, unless suspended or revoked by the commission. 5452.18. No permit issued pursuant to this chapter, or rights to conduct any of the services authorized by the permit, shall be sold, leased, or assigned, or otherwise transferred or encumbered, unless authorized by the commission. A filing fee of ____ dollars ($____) shall accompany all applications for that authorization. Article 3. Enforcement 5453. Upon receipt of a complaint containing sufficient information to warrant conducting an investigation, the commission shall investigate any entity that advertises or holds itself out as providing services that may be reasonably considered to be taxicab transportation services but that does not have a permit required by this chapter. The commission, in a rulemaking or other appropriate procedure, shall adopt criteria that establish the type of information, if contained in a complaint, that is sufficient to warrant an investigation. Pursuant to this investigation, the commission shall do all of the following: (a) Determine which entities, if any, are required to obtain a taxicab carrier permit pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 5452) but that do not have the required permit. (b) Inform any entity identified in subdivision (a) that the failure to obtain a permit is in violation of the law. (c) Within 60 days of informing the entity pursuant to subdivision (b), institute civil or criminal proceedings, or both, if the entity continues to be in noncompliance with this chapter. 5453.2. The commission shall not issue, renew, or authorize the transfer of a taxicab carrier permit under this chapter to any entity against whom a final judgment has been entered and whose name has been transmitted to the commission pursuant to Section 3716.4 of the Labor Code, unless that judgment has been satisfied or has been discharged in accordance with the bankruptcy laws of the United States. 5453.4. (a) The commission may cancel, suspend, or revoke a taxicab carrier permit issued pursuant to this chapter upon any of the following grounds: (1) The violation by the permitholder of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of the terms of a permit issued under this chapter. (2) The violation by the permitholder of any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission pursuant to this chapter. (3) The conviction of a taxicab carrier of any misdemeanor under this chapter while holding a taxicab carrier permit issued by the commission or the conviction of the carrier or its officers of a felony while holding a permit issued by the commission, limited to robbery, burglary, larceny, fraud, or intentional dishonesty for personal gain. (4) The rendition of a judgment against the taxicab carrier for any penalty imposed under this chapter. (5) The failure of a taxicab carrier to pay any fee imposed on the carrier within the time required by the commission. (6) On request of the taxicab carrier. (7) The failure of a taxicab carrier to operate and perform reasonable service. That failure may include repeated violations of the Vehicle Code or of regulations contained in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations relative to motor vehicle safety by employees of the taxicab carrier that support an inference of unsafe operation or willful neglect of the public safety by the carrier. (8) Consistent failure of the taxicab carrier to maintain its vehicles in a safe operating condition pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 5458) and in compliance with the Vehicle Code and with regulations contained in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations relative to motor vehicle safety, as shown by the records of the commission, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the carrier. (9) Failure of a taxicab carrier, or of any of its employees, to follow any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, ordinance, or other requirement established by the governing body of an airport, including solicitation practices, providing the requirements are consistent with subdivision (b) of Section 5459. (b) The commission may levy a civil penalty of up to seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) upon a taxicab carrier for any of the violations specified in subdivision (a), as an alternative to canceling, revoking, or suspending the carrier's permit. The commission may also levy interest upon the civil penalty, which shall be calculated as of the date on which the civil penalty is unpaid and delinquent. The commission shall deposit at least monthly all civil penalties and interest collected pursuant to this section into the General Fund. 5453.6. (a) A taxicab carrier shall have and shall make available for inspection by the commission, upon request, one of the following: (1) A certificate of workers' compensation coverage for its employees issued by an admitted insurer. (2) A certification of consent to self-insure issued by the Director of Industrial Relations. (3) A statement under penalty of perjury, stating that, in its operations as a taxicab carrier, it does not employ any person in any manner so as to become subject to the workers' compensation laws of this state. (b) The workers' compensation coverage certified to under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be in the form of a policy that remains effective until canceled. Cancellation of the policy shall require 30 days' advance notice. (c) If, after filing the statement described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the carrier becomes subject to the workers' compensation laws of this state, the carrier shall promptly notify the commission that the carrier is withdrawing its statement under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), and shall simultaneously file the certificate described in either paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a). 5453.8. The commission may, on a complaint alleging that an entity is operating taxicab transportation services without a valid taxicab carrier permit in violation of this chapter, or on its own motion without a complaint, with or without notice of a hearing, order the entity so operating to cease and desist from that operation until the commission makes and files its decision in the matter or until further order of the commission. Article 4. Trade Dress 5454. A taxicab carrier  subject to regulation under this chapter  shall not operate a motor vehicle on a public highway unless there is displayed on the vehicle a distinctive identifying symbol in the form prescribed by the commission. The identifying symbol shall not be displayed on any vehicle until a permit under this chapter has been issued to the carrier. 5454.2. The commission shall assign both trade name and trade dress within each region for taxicab transportation services. In doing so, the commission shall take into account taxicab carriers operating within each region on December 31, 2016, and shall minimize public confusion to consumers of taxicab transportation services in awarding trade name and trade dress in each region. The commission may assign the same or similar trade name and trade dress in different regions of the state in a manner that minimizes public confusion to consumers of taxicab transportation services. 5454.4. A taxicab carrier shall remove all markings required by the commission from a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is permanently withdrawn from service as a taxicab. 5454.6. The commission shall award initial trade name and trade dress in each region as soon as practicable on or after January 1, 2017. In doing so, the commission shall consider all of the following: (a) Historic trade name and trade dress granted to licensees by cities, counties, cities and counties, or any subdivision thereof as submitted to the commission pursuant to Section 5454.8. (b) The geographic service boundaries of the provision of taxicab services before January 1, 2017. (c) The cost to taxicab carriers of changing trade name or trade dress in accordance with the commission's order. 5454.8. Any  city, county, or city and   city or  county, or any subdivision thereof, that regulates or oversees the licensure of taxicab transportation services within its jurisdiction on December 31, 2016, shall forward to the commission licensure information for each taxicab transportation service licensee within its jurisdiction.  This section shall not apply to the taxicab transportation services exempted from this chapter pursuant to Section 5451.3.  The information shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (a) The name of the licensee, including the approved "doing business as" name granted to a licensee. (b) Information related to trade dress or exterior markings granted to each licensee within the jurisdiction. (c) The geographical boundaries, if any, granted to a licensee in the provision of taxicab transportation services. (d) Any other information the commission may require to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 5454.10. The commission may adopt an alternate process for awarding trade name and trade dress within each region subsequent to the initial award outlined in Section 5454.2, provided that the alternate process shall seek to minimize public confusion to consumers of taxicab transportation services in each region. Article 5. Insurance 5455. The commission, in granting a permit to a taxicab carrier pursuant to this chapter, shall require the taxicab carrier to procure, and to continue in effect during the life of the permit, protection against liability imposed by law upon the taxicab carrier for the payment of damages for personal bodily injuries, including death resulting therefrom, protection against a total liability of the taxicab carrier on account of bodily injuries to, or death of, more than one person as a result of any one accident, and protection against damage or destruction of property. The maximum requirements for these assurances of protection against liability shall be no more than  fifty   one hundred  thousand dollars  ($50,000)   ($100,000)  for death and personal injury per person,  one   three  hundred thousand dollars  ($100,000)   ($300,000)  for death and personal injury per incident, and  thirty   fifty  thousand dollars  ($30,000)   ($50,000)  for property damage. 5455.2. The protection required under Section 5455 shall be evidenced by the deposit of any of the following with the commission covering each motor vehicle used or to be used under the permit applied for: (a) A policy of insurance, issued by a company licensed to write insurance in this state, or by nonadmitted insurers subject to Section 1763 of the Insurance Code, if the policies meet the rules promulgated therefor by the commission. (b) A bond of a surety company licensed to write surety bonds in this state. (c) Evidence of the qualification of the taxicab carrier as a self-insurer as may be authorized by the commission. 5455.4. No entity holding a valid taxicab carrier permit issued by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be required by a city, county, city and county, or any other local agency to provide insurance in a manner different from that required by this article. 5455.6. The insurance requirements specified in this article shall only be applicable to motor vehicles while providing taxicab transportation services. When not providing those services, the insurance requirements for those vehicles shall be the minimum amounts otherwise applicable to motor vehicles not providing taxicab transportation services. 5455.8. With the consent of the commission, a copy of an insurance policy, certified by the company issuing it to be a true copy of the original policy, or a photocopy thereof, or an electronic copy thereof, or an abstract of the provisions of the policy, or a certificate of insurance issued by the company issuing the policy, may be filed with the commission in lieu of the original or a duplicate or counterpart of the policy. Article 6. Pricing and GPS Metering 5456. The commission shall not regulate either of the following with respect to provision of taxicab transportation services: (a) Fares or fees charged by taxicab carriers, including, but not limited to, meter rates, gate fees, or any other charge to the consumer related to the hiring of a taxicab. (b) The type of device used by taxicab carriers to calculate fares, including the use of global positioning system metering as a form of calculating fares. 5456.2. The commission may adopt rules requiring taxicab carriers to disclose fares, fees, and other pricing structures for taxicab transportation services. Any rules shall allow a taxicab carrier to disclose fares, fees, or other pricing structures on its Internet Web site or cellular telephone application. Article 7. Taxicab Drivers 5457. An individual shall not be a driver providing taxicab transportation service  regulated by this chapter  without first obtaining a taxicab driver permit from the commission pursuant to this article. 5457.2. A taxicab driver permit issued pursuant to this article shall be valid in any region in this state. 5457.4. The commission shall issue a taxicab driver permit to an applicant if the applicant meets all of the following requirements: (a) The applicant submits to the commission a written application for a taxicab driver permit. (b) The applicant pays a taxicab driver permit fee as determined by the commission. (c) The applicant is a minimum of 18 years of age. (d) The applicant possesses a current class C California driver's license. (e) The applicant is not afflicted with either a physical or mental incapacity that would preclude the individual from safely operating a taxicab and performing the duties normally associated with the profession. (f) The applicant passes a written exam as prescribed by the commission. (g) The applicant passes a background check through the Department of Justice's live scan system. 5457.6. An applicant may be required to submit a medical report and obtain a valid medical certificate if the application, or observation by the commission, indicates a physical or mental affliction. In that situation, the applicant may be granted a temporary taxicab driver permit for 30 days pending receipt of a valid medical certificate. Upon submittal of the valid medical certificate and its acceptance by the commission, a regular taxicab driver permit shall be issued to the applicant. 5457.8. An applicant shall be denied a taxicab driver permit if any portion of the application is found to be falsified. If the falsification is deemed to be willful and intentional, the applicant shall not be allowed to reapply for a taxicab driver permit for a one-year period from the time the falsification is first discovered. Should a repeat offense of falsification occur, the applicant shall not be allowed to reapply for a taxicab driver permit for a seven-year period from the time the additional falsification is discovered. 5457.10. An applicant who has willfully and intentionally attempted to cheat in the taxicab driver permit exam process shall be immediately disqualified from the exam. First-time offenders shall be ineligible to retake the exam for a 180-day period. Repeat offenders shall be ineligible to retake the exam for a seven-year period. Test misconduct shall include, but not be limited to, using notes or other materials that have been prohibited, looking at other applicant test papers, talking to other applicants during the exam, failing to stop as requested at the end of the exam period, or in any way coercing others for exam information. 5457.12. While providing taxicab transportation services, a taxicab driver shall have in his or her immediate possession, and shall present, upon request, to a law enforcement officer, a representative of the commission, or a customer, both of the following: (a) A valid California driver's license. (b) A valid taxicab driver permit issued by the commission. 5457.14. A holder of a taxicab driver permit shall not drive a taxicab while his or her driver's license is expired, suspended, or revoked. 5457.16. A taxicab driver shall properly display his or her valid taxicab driver permit in the taxicab in a manner as prescribed by the commission. 5457.18. A taxicab driver shall not do any of the following: (a) Knowingly allow another individual to use his or her taxicab driver permit. (b) Duplicate a taxicab driver permit. (c) Use another person's taxicab driver permit. (d) Apply for, or possess, more than one taxicab driver permit issued by the commission. 5457.20. A holder of a taxicab driver permit that becomes invalid shall destroy the permit. 5457.22. (a) A taxicab carrier shall do all of the following: (1) Participate in a pull-notice system pursuant to Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code to regularly check the driving records of all taxicab drivers employed or contracted by the carrier. (2) Provide for a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program for taxicab  divers   drivers  employed or contracted by the carrier, as required by the commission. The program shall not be more strict than the program adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 1032.1 for transportation network company drivers. (b) Taxicab drivers hired or contracted by a taxicab carrier on or after January 1, 2017, shall be subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to employment or contracting. Drivers hired or contracted by a taxicab carrier before January 1, 2017, shall complete a drug and alcohol test before January 1, 2018. 5457.24. (a) A taxicab carrier  regulated pursuant to this chapter  shall not employ, or contract with, any of the following persons as a taxicab driver: (1) A person convicted, during the preceding seven years, of any offense relating to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics, controlled substances, or addictive or dangerous drugs, or of any act involving force, violence,  threat   threat,  or intimidation against persons, or of any sexual offense, or of any act involving moral turpitude, including fraud or intentional dishonesty for personal gain, or of any felony offense, or of any offense involving the possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon, or of any offense involving the solicitation or agreement to engage in or engagement in any act of prostitution, or of any act of resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer, public officer, or emergency medical technician, or of theft in either degree. For the purposes of this paragraph, a subsequent change of plea or vacation of verdict and dismissal of charges pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code does not release the applicant from the penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted. (2) A person required to register as a sex offender under Section 290 of the Penal Code or a person convicted of a felony involving any type of sexual offense; the manufacture, possession for sale, transportation, or distribution of narcotics, controlled substances, or addictive or dangerous drugs; force, violence, threat, or intimidation against persons; kidnaping; forgery, fraud, larceny, extortion, burglary, robbery, or theft; credit card fraud; possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon; resisting or obstructing a peace officer, public officer, or emergency medical technician; or use of a vehicle for hire in the commission of a felony. (3) A person convicted of any violation of Section 20001, 20003, 20004, 23104, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code. (b) For purposes of subdivision (a), out-of-state convictions for equivalent violations shall be given the same effect as in-state convictions. Article 8. Vehicle Inspection 5458. Upon initial placement into service and annually thereafter, a taxicab carrier shall inspect each of its motor vehicles used for taxicab transportation services, or have each vehicle inspected at a facility licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and shall maintain complete documentation of each inspection. The inspection shall cover all of the following components, and each component shall, at a minimum, be in satisfactory condition before a vehicle may be used in providing taxicab transportation services: (a) Foot brakes. (b) Emergency brakes. (c) Steering mechanism. (d) Windshield. (e) Rear window and other glass. (f) Windshield wipers. (g) Headlights. (h) Tail lights. (i) Turn indicator lights. (j) Stop lights. (k) Front seat adjustment mechanism. (l) Doors, including opening, closing, and locking. (m) Horn. (n) Speedometer. (o) Bumpers. (p) Muffler and exhaust system. (q) Tires. (r) Interior and exterior  rear view   rear-view  mirrors. (s) Safety belts for the driver and passengers. Article 9. Local Agencies and Airports 5459. (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this  article,   article and in Section 5451.3,  and notwithstanding any other provision of law, this chapter constitutes the exclusive regulation of taxicab carriers, taxicab drivers, and taxicab transportation services in this state and preempts all other regulation. In that regard, a local agency may not require a license, or impose a tax or fee, for the conduct of taxicab transportation services subject to regulation under this chapter. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a local agency from designating taxicab stands on public highways under its jurisdiction pursuant to Section 21112 of the Vehicle Code for use by taxicabs, or from designating other locations for taxicabs to stop pursuant to Section 22500 of the Vehicle Code. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the governing body of an airport from adopting and enforcing reasonable and nondiscriminatory local airport rules, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to access, use of highways, parking, traffic control, passenger transfers and occupancy, passenger solicitation practices, and the use of buildings and facilities, that are applicable to taxicab carriers operating on airport property. In that regard, the governing body of an airport may require a taxicab carrier to obtain an airport permit in order to operate taxicab transportation services to or from the airport. However, the governing body of an airport may not impose a fee on taxicab carriers that is based on the gross receipts of the carrier, and may not impose vehicle safety, vehicle licensing, or insurance requirements on taxicab carriers that are more burdensome than those imposed by this chapter or by commission regulation pursuant to this chapter. (d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any agreement entered into between a taxicab carrier and the governing board of an airport pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 21690.5) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 9. Article 10. Violations 5460. Every taxicab carrier and every officer, director, agent, employee, or contractor of any taxicab carrier who violates or fails to comply with, or who procures, aids, or abets any violation of, any provision of this chapter, or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission, or with any permit issued under this chapter, or who procures, aids, or abets any taxicab carrier in its failure to comply with the order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, requirement, or permit, is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than three months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. 5460.2. Every person other than a taxicab carrier who knowingly and willfully, either individually, or acting as an officer, agent, or employee of a person other than a taxicab carrier, who violates any provision of this chapter, or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission, or who procures, aids, or abets any taxicab carrier in its violation of this chapter, or in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement, is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than three months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. 5460.4. Every taxicab carrier and every officer, director, agent, employee, or contractor of any taxicab carrier who violates or fails to comply with, or who procures, aids, or abets any violation by any taxicab carrier of, any provision of this chapter, or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission, or with any permit issued under this chapter, or who procures, aids, or abets any taxicab carrier in its failure to comply with the order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, requirement, or permit, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each offense. 5460.6. Every person other than a taxicab carrier who knowingly and willfully, either individually, or acting as an officer, agent, or employee of a person other than a taxicab carrier, who violates any provision of this chapter, or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission, or who procures, aids, or abets any taxicab carrier in its violation of this chapter, or in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each offense. 5460.8. Every person who drives a taxicab in conjunction with providing taxicab transportation services subject to regulation under this chapter and who does not possess a valid taxicab driver permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than ____ dollars ($____) and not more than ____ dollars ($____) or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than ____ months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. 5460.10. Every violation of this chapter or of any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission by any person is a separate and distinct offense and, in case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof is a separate and distinct offense. 5460.12. (a) Whenever a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, arrests a person for the operation of a taxicab without a valid permit, the peace officer may impound and retain possession of the vehicle. (b) If the vehicle is seized from a person who is not the owner of the vehicle, the impounding authority shall immediately give notice to the owner by first-class mail. (c) The vehicle shall immediately be returned to the owner if the violation is not prosecuted or is dismissed, the owner is found not guilty of the offense, or it is determined that the vehicle was used in violation of Section 5460.8 without the knowledge and consent of the owner. The vehicle shall be returned to the owner upon payment of any fine ordered by the court. If the vehicle is seized due to a violation of a person other than the owner of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be returned to the owner after all impoundment fees are paid. After the expiration of six weeks from the final disposition of the criminal case, unless the owner is in the process of making payments to the court, the impounding authority may deal with the vehicle as lost or abandoned property under Section 1411 of the Penal Code. (d) At any time, a person may make a motion in superior court for the immediate return of the vehicle on the ground that there was no probable cause to seize it or that there is some other good cause, as determined by the court, for the return of the vehicle. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case. 5460.14. When a person is convicted of the offense of operating a taxicab without a valid permit, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, if the court determines the person has the ability to pay, the court shall impose a mandatory fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for a first conviction or five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a subsequent conviction. 5460.16. Whenever the commission, after hearing, finds that any entity is operating as a taxicab carrier without a valid permit in violation of this chapter, the commission may impose a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. The commission may assess the entity an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable expense of investigation incurred by the commission. The commission may assess interest on any fine or assessment imposed, to commence on the day the payment of the fine or assessment becomes delinquent. All fines, assessments, and interest collected shall be deposited at least once each month in the General Fund. SEC. 14. Section 120269 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read: 120269. (a) If the board licenses or regulates any transportation service, pursuant to Section 120266, or any passenger jitney service, pursuant to Section 120267, and the licensed or regulated service employs, or contracts with, any driver who (1) is not required to be tested for controlled substances and alcohol pursuant to Part 382 (commencing with Section 382.101) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1032.1 or 5457.22 of this code, or Section 34520 of the Vehicle Code, and (2) is not exempted under Section 34520 of the Vehicle Code, the board shall adopt, by ordinance or resolution, a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program for those drivers. (b) The program adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall meet substantially the requirements set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 53075.5 of the Government Code, as that paragraph read on December 31, 2016. (c) Evidence derived from a positive test result collected pursuant to the program adopted under subdivision (a) shall not be admissible in a criminal prosecution concerning unlawful possession, sale, or distribution of controlled substances. SEC. 15. Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 1808.1. (a) The prospective employer of a driver who drives a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall obtain a report showing the driver's current public record as recorded by the department. For purposes of this subdivision, a report is current if it was issued less than 30 days prior to the date the employer employs the driver. The report shall be reviewed, signed, and dated by the employer and maintained at the employer's place of business until receipt of the pull-notice system report pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c). These reports shall be presented upon request to an authorized representative of the Department of the California Highway Patrol during regular business hours. (b) The employer of a driver who drives a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall participate in a pull-notice system, which is a process for the purpose of providing the employer with a report showing the driver's current public record as recorded by the department, and any subsequent convictions, failures to appear, accidents, driver's license suspensions, driver's license revocations, or any other actions taken against the driving privilege or certificate, added to the driver's record while the employer's notification request remains valid and uncanceled. As used in this section, participation in the pull-notice system means obtaining a requester code and enrolling all employed drivers who drive a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) under that requester code. (c) The employer of a driver of a vehicle specified in subdivision (k) shall, additionally, obtain a periodic report from the department at least every 12 months. The employer shall verify that each employee's driver's license has not been suspended or revoked, the employee's traffic violation point count, and whether the employee has been convicted of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153. The report shall be signed and dated by the employer and maintained at the employer's principal place of business. The report shall be presented upon demand to an authorized representative of the Department of the California Highway Patrol during regular business hours. (d) Upon the termination of a driver's employment, the employer shall notify the department to discontinue the driver's enrollment in the pull-notice system. (e) For the purposes of the pull-notice system and periodic report process required by subdivisions (b) and (c), an owner, other than an owner-operator as defined in Section 34624, and an employer who drives a vehicle described in subdivision (k) shall be enrolled as if he or she were an employee. A family member and a volunteer driver who drives a vehicle described in subdivision (k) shall also be enrolled as if he or she were an employee. (f) An employer who, after receiving a driving record pursuant to this section, employs or continues to employ as a driver a person against whom a disqualifying action has been taken regarding his or her driving privilege or required driver's certificate, is guilty of a public offense, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in a county jail for not more than six months, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that confinement and fine. (g) As part of its inspection of bus maintenance facilities and terminals required at least once every 13 months pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 34501, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall determine whether each transit operator, as defined in Section 99210 of the Public Utilities Code, is then in compliance with this section and Section 12804.6, and shall certify each operator found to be in compliance. Funds shall not be allocated pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 99200) of Part 11 of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code to a transit operator that the Department of the California Highway Patrol has not certified pursuant to this section. (h) (1) A request to participate in the pull-notice system established by this section shall be accompanied by a fee determined by the department to be sufficient to defray the entire actual cost to the department for the notification service. For the receipt of subsequent reports, the employer shall also be charged a fee established by the department pursuant to Section 1811. An employer who qualifies pursuant to Section 1812 shall be exempt from any fee required pursuant to this section. Failure to pay the fee shall result in automatic cancellation of the employer's participation in the notification services. (2) A regularly organized fire department, having official recognition of the city, county, city and county, or district in which the department is located, shall participate in the pull-notice program and shall not be subject to the fee established pursuant to this subdivision. (3) The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun, and its port agent shall participate in the pull-notice system established by this section, subject to Section 1178.5 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, and shall not be subject to the fees established pursuant to this subdivision. (i) The department, as soon as feasible, may establish an automatic procedure to provide the periodic reports to an employer by mail or via an electronic delivery method, as required by subdivision (c), on a regular basis without the need for individual requests. (j) (1) The employer of a driver who is employed as a casual driver is not required to enter that driver's name in the pull-notice system, as otherwise required by subdivision (a). However, the employer of a casual driver shall be in possession of a report of the driver's current public record as recorded by the department, prior to allowing a casual driver to drive a vehicle specified in subdivision (k). A report is current if it was issued less than six months prior to the date the employer employs the driver. (2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a driver is employed as a casual driver when the employer has employed the driver less than 30 days during the preceding six months. "Casual driver" does not include a driver who operates a vehicle that requires a passenger transportation endorsement. (k) This section applies to a vehicle for the operation of which the driver is required to have a class A or class B driver's license, a class C license with any endorsement issued pursuant to Section 15278, a class C license issued pursuant to Section 12814.7, or a certificate issued pursuant to Section 12517, 12519, 12520, 12523, 12523.5, or 12527, a passenger vehicle having a seating capacity of not more than 10 persons, including the driver, operated for compensation by a charter-party carrier of passengers or passenger stage corporation pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity or a permit issued by the Public Utilities Commission, or a taxicab as defined in subdivision  (d)   (b)  of Section  545.14 of the Public Utilities Code.   27908.  (  l  ) This section shall not be construed to change the definition of "employer," "employee," or "independent contractor" for any purpose. (m) A motor carrier who contracts with a person to drive a vehicle described in subdivision (k) that is owned by, or leased to, that motor carrier, shall be subject to subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (j), (k), and (  l  ) and the employer obligations in those subdivisions. SEC. 16. Section 12523.6 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 12523.6. (a) (1) On and after March 1, 1998, no person who is employed primarily as a driver of a motor vehicle that is used for the transportation of persons with developmental disabilities, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall operate that motor vehicle unless that person has in his or her possession a valid driver's license of the appropriate class and a valid special driver certificate issued by the department. (2) This subdivision only applies to a person who is employed by a business, a nonprofit organization, or a state or local public agency. (b) The special driver certificate shall be issued only to an applicant who has cleared a criminal history background check by the Department of Justice and, if applicable, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (1) In order to determine the applicant's suitability as the driver of a vehicle used for the transportation of persons with developmental disabilities, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall require the applicant to furnish to that department, on a form provided or approved by that department for submission to the Department of Justice, a full set of fingerprints sufficient to enable a criminal background investigation. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), an applicant shall furnish to the Department of the California Highway Patrol evidence of having resided in this state for seven consecutive years immediately prior to the date of application for the certificate. (3) If an applicant is unable to furnish the evidence required under paragraph (2), the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall require the applicant to furnish an additional full set of fingerprints. That department shall submit those fingerprint cards to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall, in turn, submit the additional full set of fingerprints required under this paragraph to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check. (4) Applicant fingerprint forms shall be processed and returned to the area office of the Department of the California Highway Patrol from which they originated not later than 15 working days from the date on which the fingerprint forms were received by the Department of Justice, unless circumstances, other than the administrative duties of the Department of Justice, warrant further investigation. Upon implementation of an electronic fingerprinting system with terminals located statewide and managed by the Department of Justice, the Department of Justice shall ascertain the information required pursuant to this subdivision within three working days. (5) The applicant shall pay, in addition to the fees authorized in Section 2427, a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for an original certificate and twelve dollars ($12) for the renewal of that certificate to the Department of the California Highway Patrol. (c) A certificate issued under this section shall not be deemed a certification to operate a particular vehicle that otherwise requires a driver's license or endorsement for a particular class under this code. (d) On or after March 1, 1998, no person who operates a business or a nonprofit organization or agency shall employ a person who is employed primarily as a driver of a motor vehicle for hire that is used for the transportation of persons with developmental disabilities unless the employed person operates the motor vehicle in compliance with subdivision (a). (e) Nothing in this section precludes an employer of persons who are occasionally used as drivers of motor vehicles for the transportation of persons with developmental disabilities from requiring those persons, as a condition of employment, to obtain a special driver certificate pursuant to this section or precludes any volunteer driver from applying for a special driver certificate. (f) As used in this section, a person is employed primarily as  a  driver if that person performs at least 50 percent of his or her time worked including, but not limited to, time spent assisting persons onto and out of the vehicle, or at least 20 hours a week, whichever is less, as a compensated driver of a motor vehicle for hire for the transportation of persons with developmental disabilities. (g) This section does not apply to any person who has successfully completed a background investigation prescribed by law, including, but not limited to, health care transport vehicle operators, or to the operator of a taxicab regulated pursuant to Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code. This section does not apply to a person who holds a valid certificate, other than a farm labor vehicle driver certificate, issued under Section 12517.4 or 12527. This section does not apply to a driver who provides transportation on a noncommercial basis to persons with developmental disabilities. SEC. 17. Section 16500 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 16500. Every owner of a vehicle used in the transportation of passengers for hire, when the operation of the vehicle is not subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission, shall maintain, whenever he or she may be engaged in conducting those operations, proof of financial responsibility resulting from the ownership or operation of the vehicle and arising by reason of personal injury to, or death of, any one person, of at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), and, subject to the limit of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each person injured or killed, of at least thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for the injury to, or the death of, two or more persons in any one accident, and for damages to property of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) resulting from any one accident. Proof of financial responsibility may be maintained by either: (a) Being insured under a motor vehicle liability policy against that liability. (b) Obtaining a bond of the same kind, and containing the same provisions, as those bonds specified in Section 16434. (c) By depositing with the department thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), which amount shall be deposited in a special deposit account with the Controller for the purpose of this section. (d) Qualifying as a self-insurer under Section 16053. The department shall return the deposit to the person entitled thereto when he or she is no longer required to maintain proof of financial responsibility as required by this section or upon his or her death.  A taxicab carrier regulated by the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority shall comply with the insurance requirements of Section 5455 of the Public Utilities Code.  SEC. 18. Section 21100 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 21100. Local authorities may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution regarding all of the following matters: (a) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the highways. (b) Regulating traffic by means of traffic officers. (c) Regulating traffic by means of official traffic control devices meeting the requirements of Section 21400. (d) (1) Regulating traffic by means of a person given temporary or permanent appointment for that duty by the local authority when official traffic control devices are disabled or otherwise inoperable, at the scenes of accidents or disasters, or at locations as may require traffic direction for orderly traffic flow. (2) A person shall not be appointed pursuant to this subdivision unless and until the local authority has submitted to the commissioner or to the chief law enforcement officer exercising jurisdiction in the enforcement of traffic laws within the area in which the person is to perform the duty, for review, a proposed program of instruction for the training of a person for that duty, and unless and until the commissioner or other chief law enforcement officer approves the proposed program. The commissioner or other chief law enforcement officer shall approve a proposed program if he or she reasonably determines that the program will provide sufficient training for persons assigned to perform the duty described in this subdivision. (e) Regulating traffic at the site of road or street construction or maintenance by persons authorized for that duty by the local authority. (f) (1) Licensing and regulating the operation of tow truck service or tow truck drivers whose principal place of business or employment is within the jurisdiction of the local authority, excepting the operation and operators of any auto dismantlers' tow vehicle licensed under Section 11505 or any tow truck operated by a repossessing agency licensed under Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code and its registered employees. (2) The Legislature finds that the safety and welfare of the general public is promoted by permitting local authorities to regulate tow truck service companies and operators by requiring licensure, insurance, and proper training in the safe operation of towing equipment, thereby ensuring against towing mistakes that may lead to violent confrontation, stranding motorists in dangerous situations, impeding the expedited vehicle recovery, and wasting state and local law enforcement's limited resources. (3) This subdivision does not limit the authority of a city or city and county pursuant to Section 12111. (g) Operation of bicycles, and, as specified in Section 21114.5, electric carts by physically disabled persons, or persons 50 years of age or older, on public sidewalks. (h) Providing for the appointment of nonstudent school crossing guards for the protection of persons who are crossing a street or highway in the vicinity of a school or while returning thereafter to a place of safety. (i) Regulating the methods of deposit of garbage and refuse in streets and highways for collection by the local authority or by any person authorized by the local authority. (j) (1) Regulating cruising. (2) The ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall regulate cruising, which is the repetitive driving of a motor vehicle past a traffic control point in traffic that is congested at or near the traffic control point, as determined by the ranking peace officer on duty within the affected area, within a specified time period and after the vehicle operator has been given an adequate written notice that further driving past the control point will be a violation of the ordinance or resolution. (3) A person is not in violation of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision unless both of the following apply: (A) That person has been given the written notice on a previous driving trip past the control point and then again passes the control point in that same time interval. (B) The beginning and end of the portion of the street subject to cruising controls are clearly identified by signs that briefly and clearly state the appropriate provisions of this subdivision and the local ordinance or resolution on cruising. (k) Regulating or authorizing the removal by peace officers of vehicles unlawfully parked in a fire lane, as described in Section 22500.1, on private property. A removal pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent, to the extent possible, with the procedures for removal and storage set forth in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650). (  l  ) Regulating mobile billboard advertising displays, as defined in Section 395.5, including the establishment of penalties, which may include, but are not limited to, removal of the mobile billboard advertising display, civil penalties, and misdemeanor criminal penalties, for a violation of the ordinance or resolution. The ordinance or resolution may establish a minimum distance that a mobile billboard advertising display shall be moved after a specified time period. (m) Licensing and regulating the operation of pedicabs for hire, as defined in Section 467.5, and operators of pedicabs for hire, including requiring one or more of the following documents: (1) A valid California driver's license. (2) Proof of successful completion of a bicycle safety training course certified by the League of American Bicyclists or an equivalent organization as determined by the local authority. (3) A valid California identification card and proof of successful completion of the written portion of the California driver's license examination administered by the department. The department shall administer, without charging a fee, the original driver's license written examination on traffic laws and signs to a person who states that he or she is, or intends to become, a pedicab operator, and who holds a valid California identification card or has successfully completed an application for a California identification card. If the person achieves a passing score on the examination, the department shall issue a certificate of successful completion of the examination, bearing the person's name and identification card number. The certificate shall not serve in lieu of successful completion of the required examination administered as part of any subsequent application for a driver's license. The department is not required to enter the results of the examination into the computerized record of the person's identification card or otherwise retain a record of the examination or results. (n) (1) This section does not authorize a local authority to enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that establishes a violation if a violation for the same or similar conduct is provided in this code, nor does it authorize a local authority to enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that assesses a fine, penalty, assessment, or fee for a violation if a fine, penalty, assessment, or fee for a violation involving the same or similar conduct is provided in this code. (2) This section does not preclude a local authority from enacting parking ordinances pursuant to existing authority in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 22500) of Division 11. (o) (1) Regulating advertising signs on motor vehicles parked or left standing upon a public street. The ordinance or resolution may establish a minimum distance that the advertising sign shall be moved after a specified time period. (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any of the following: (A) Advertising signs that are permanently affixed to the body of, an integral part of, or a fixture of a motor vehicle for permanent decoration, identification, or display and that do not extend beyond the overall length, width, or height of the vehicle. (B) If the license plate frame is installed in compliance with Section 5201, paper advertisements issued by a dealer contained within that license plate frame or any advertisements on that license plate frame. (3) As used in paragraph (2), "permanently affixed" means any of the following: (A) Painted directly on the body of a motor vehicle. (B) Applied as a decal on the body of a motor vehicle. (C) Placed in a location on the body of a motor vehicle that was specifically designed by a vehicle manufacturer as defined in Section 672 and licensed pursuant to Section 11701, in compliance with both state and federal law or guidelines, for the express purpose of containing an advertising sign. SEC. 19. Section 21100.4 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 21100.4. (a) (1) A magistrate presented with the affidavit of a peace officer establishing reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle, described by vehicle type and license number, is being operated as a taxicab or other passenger vehicle for hire in violation of Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code  or in violation of an ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority  shall issue a warrant or order authorizing the peace officer to immediately seize and cause the removal of the vehicle. (2) The warrant or court order may be entered into a computerized database. (3) A vehicle so impounded may be impounded for a period not to exceed 30 days. (4) The impounding agency, within two working days of impoundment, shall send a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the legal owner of the vehicle, at an address obtained from the department, informing the owner that the vehicle has been impounded and providing the owner with a copy of the warrant or court order. Failure to notify the legal owner within two working days shall prohibit the impounding agency from charging for more than 15 days' impoundment when a legal owner redeems the impounded vehicle. The law enforcement agency shall be open to issue a release to the registered owner or legal owner, or the agent of either, whenever the agency is open to serve the public for regular, nonemergency business. (b) (1) An impounding agency shall release a vehicle to the registered owner or his or her agent prior to the end of the impoundment period and without the permission of the magistrate authorizing the vehicle's seizure under any of the following circumstances: (A) When the vehicle is a stolen vehicle. (B) When the vehicle was seized under this section for an offense that does not authorize the seizure of the vehicle. (C) When the vehicle is a rental car. (2) A vehicle may not be released under this subdivision, except upon presentation of the registered owner's or agent's currently valid permit to operate the vehicle under the requirements of Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities  Code,   Code or an ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority,  and proof of current vehicle registration, or upon order of the court. (c) (1) Whenever a vehicle is impounded under this section, the magistrate ordering the storage shall provide the vehicle's registered and legal owners of record, or their agents, with the opportunity for a poststorage hearing to determine the validity of the storage. (2) A notice of the storage shall be mailed or personally delivered to the registered and legal owners within 48 hours after issuance of the warrant or court order, excluding weekends and holidays, by the person or agency executing the warrant or court order, and shall include all of the following information: (A) The name, address, and telephone number of the agency providing the notice. (B) The location of the place of storage and a description of the vehicle, which shall include, if available, the name or make, the manufacturer, the license plate number, and the mileage of the vehicle. (C) A copy of the warrant or court order and the peace officer's affidavit, as described in subdivision (a). (D) A statement that, in order to receive their poststorage hearing, the owners, or their agents, are required to request the hearing from the magistrate issuing the warrant or court order in person, in writing, or by telephone, within 10 days of the date of the notice. (3) The poststorage hearing shall be conducted within two court days after receipt of the request for the hearing. (4) At the hearing, the magistrate may order the vehicle released if he or she finds any of the circumstances described in subdivision (b) or (e) that allow release of a vehicle by the impounding agency. (5) Failure of either the registered or legal owner, or his or her agent, to request, or to attend, a scheduled hearing satisfies the poststorage hearing requirement. (6) The agency employing the peace officer who caused the magistrate to issue the warrant or court order shall be responsible for the costs incurred for towing and storage if it is determined in the poststorage hearing that reasonable grounds for the storage are not established. (d) The registered owner or his or her agent is responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment, and any administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5. (e) A vehicle removed and seized under subdivision (a) shall be released to the legal owner of the vehicle or the legal owner's agent prior to the end of the impoundment period and without the permission of the magistrate authorizing the seizure of the vehicle if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The legal owner is a motor vehicle dealer, bank, credit union, acceptance corporation, or other licensed financial institution legally operating in this state or is another person, not the registered owner, holding a security interest in the vehicle. (2) (A) The legal owner or the legal owner's agent pays all towing and storage fees related to the seizure of the vehicle. A lien sale processing fee shall not be charged to the legal owner who redeems the vehicle prior to the 15th day of impoundment. Neither the impounding authority nor any person having possession of the vehicle shall collect from the legal owner of the type specified in paragraph (1), or the legal owner's agent, any administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5 unless the legal owner voluntarily requested a poststorage hearing. (B) A person operating or in charge of a storage facility where vehicles are stored pursuant to this section shall accept a valid bank credit card or cash for payment of towing, storage, and related fees by a legal or registered owner or the owner's agent claiming the vehicle. A credit card shall be in the name of the person presenting the card. "Credit card" means "credit card" as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1747.02 of the Civil Code, except, for the purposes of this section, credit card does not include a credit card issued by a retail seller. (C) A person operating or in charge of a storage facility described in subparagraph (B) who violates subparagraph (B) shall be civilly liable to the owner of the vehicle or to the person who tendered the fees for four times the amount of the towing, storage, and related fees, but not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). (D) A person operating or in charge of a storage facility described in subparagraph (B) shall have sufficient funds on the premises of the primary storage facility during normal business hours to accommodate, and make change in, a reasonable monetary transaction. (E) Credit charges for towing and storage services shall comply with Section 1748.1 of the Civil Code. Law enforcement agencies may include the costs of providing for payment by credit when making agreements with towing companies on rates. (3) (A) The legal owner or the legal owner's agent presents to the law enforcement agency or impounding agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, a copy of the assignment, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 7500.1 of the Business and Professions Code; a release from the one responsible governmental agency, only if required by the agency; a government-issued photographic identification card; and any one of the following as determined by the legal owner or the legal owner's agent: a certificate of repossession for the vehicle, a security agreement for the vehicle, or title, whether paper or electronic, showing proof of legal ownership for the vehicle. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any other governmental agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, shall not require the presentation of any other documents. (B) The legal owner or the legal owner's agent presents to the person in possession of the vehicle, or any person acting on behalf of the person in possession, a copy of the assignment, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 7500.1 of the Business and Professions Code; a release from the one responsible governmental agency, only if required by the agency; a government-issued photographic identification card; and any one of the following as determined by the legal owner or the legal owner's agent: a certificate of repossession for the vehicle, a security agreement for the vehicle, or title, whether paper or electronic, showing proof of legal ownership for the vehicle. The person in possession of the vehicle, or any person acting on behalf of the person in possession, shall not require the presentation of any other documents. (C) All presented documents may be originals, photocopies, or facsimile copies, or may be transmitted electronically. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any person in possession of the vehicle, or anyone acting on behalf of them, shall not require any documents to be notarized. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, may require the agent of the legal owner to produce a photocopy or facsimile copy of its repossession agency license or registration issued pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any person in possession of the vehicle, or anyone acting on behalf of them, that the agent is exempt from licensure pursuant to Section 7500.2 or 7500.3 of the Business and Professions Code. (D) An administrative cost authorized under subdivision (a) of Section 22850.5 shall not be charged to the legal owner of the type specified in paragraph (1) who redeems the vehicle unless the legal owner voluntarily requests a poststorage hearing. A city, county, city and county, or state agency shall not require a legal owner or a legal owner's agent to request a poststorage hearing as a requirement for release of the vehicle to the legal owner or the legal owner's agent. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any other governmental agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, shall not require any documents other than those specified in this paragraph. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or other governmental agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, may not require any documents to be notarized. The legal owner or the legal owner's agent shall be given a copy of any documents he or she is required to sign, except for a vehicle evidentiary hold logbook. The law enforcement agency, impounding agency, or any person acting on behalf of those agencies, or any person in possession of the vehicle, may photocopy and retain the copies of any documents presented by the legal owner or legal owner's agent. (4) A failure by a storage facility to comply with any applicable conditions set forth in this subdivision shall not affect the right of the legal owner or the legal owner's agent to retrieve the vehicle, provided all conditions required of the legal owner or legal owner's agent under this subdivision are satisfied. (f) (1) A legal owner or the legal owner's agent that obtains release of the vehicle pursuant to subdivision (e) shall not release the vehicle to the registered owner of the vehicle or the person who was listed as the registered owner when the vehicle was impounded or any agents of the registered owner until the termination of the impoundment period. (2) The legal owner or the legal owner's agent shall not relinquish the vehicle to the registered owner or the person who was listed as the registered owner when the vehicle was impounded until the registered owner or that owner's agent presents his or her valid driver's license or valid temporary driver's license, and an operator' s permit that is in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities  Code,   Code or an ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco or its airport authority,  to the legal owner or the legal owner's agent. The legal owner or the legal owner' s agent or the person in possession of the vehicle shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that the license and permit presented are valid and possession of the vehicle will not be given to the driver who was involved in the original impoundment proceeding until the expiration of the impoundment period. (3) Prior to relinquishing the vehicle, the legal owner may require the registered owner to pay all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment and the administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5 that were incurred by the legal owner in connection with obtaining the custody of the vehicle. (4) Any legal owner who knowingly releases or causes the release of a vehicle to a registered owner or the person in possession of the vehicle at the time of the impoundment or any agent of the registered owner in violation of this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a civil penalty in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000). (5) The legal owner, registered owner, or person in possession of the vehicle shall not change or attempt to change the name of the legal owner or the registered owner on the records of the department until the vehicle is released from the impoundment. (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the registered owner and not the legal owner shall remain responsible for any towing and storage charges related to the impoundment and the administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5 and any parking fines, penalties, and administrative fees incurred by the registered owner. (h) The law enforcement agency and the impounding agency, including any storage facility acting on behalf of the law enforcement agency or impounding agency, shall comply with this section and shall not be liable to the registered owner for the improper release of the vehicle to the legal owner or the legal owner' s agent if the release complies with this section. The legal owner shall indemnify and hold harmless a storage facility from any claims arising out of the release of the vehicle to the legal owner or the legal owner's agent and from any damage to the vehicle after its release, including the reasonable costs associated with defending any such claims. A law enforcement agency shall not refuse to issue a release to a legal owner or the agent of a legal owner on the grounds that it previously issued a release. SEC. 20. Section 27908 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 27908. (a) In every taxicab operated in this state there shall be a sign of heavy material, not smaller than 6 inches by 4 inches, or such other size as the Public Utilities  Commission   Commission, or other regulating agency pursuant to Section 5451.3 of the Public U   tilities Code,  provides for other notices or signs required to be in every taxicab, securely attached and clearly displayed in view of the passenger at all times, providing in letters as large as the size of the sign will reasonably allow, all of the following information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicable unit of the Public Utilities Commission or other regulating agency  that regulates the operation of the taxicab. (2) The name, address, and telephone number of the taxicab carrier that has been issued a permit to provide taxicab transportation services by the Public Utilities  Commission.   Commission   or other regulating agency.  (b) As used in this section, "taxicab" means a passenger motor vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and used to carry passengers for hire as part of taxicab transportation services regulated pursuant to Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 5451) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities  Code.   Code or by another regulating agency pursuant to Section 5451.3 of the Public Utilities Code.  "Taxicab" shall not include a charter-party carrier of passengers within the meaning of the Passenger Charter-party Carriers' Act (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5351) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities  Code.)   Code).  SEC. 21. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution. However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.