Amended IN Assembly April 07, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 12, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 438Introduced by Assembly Member HadwickFebruary 06, 2025An act to amend Section 165 2416 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 438, as amended, Hadwick. Authorized emergency vehicles.Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to issue authorized emergency vehicle permits for certain vehicles, including any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility and any vehicle owned and operated by a fire company, as specified, upon a finding that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property, or the apprehension of law violators.This bill would authorize the commissioner to issue an emergency vehicle permit to any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.Existing law imposes specific requirements on drivers and pedestrians when an authorized emergency vehicle is sounding a siren and exhibiting its red lights. Existing law also exempts an authorized emergency vehicle or a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from certain requirements while the vehicle is responding to an emergency. Existing law defines an authorized emergency vehicle as, among other things, a publicly owned vehicle operated by any forestry or fire department of any public agency.This bill would expand the definition of authorized emergency vehicle for these purposes to include any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2416 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.SECTION 1.Section 165 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:165.An authorized emergency vehicle is:(a)Any publicly owned and operated ambulance, lifeguard, or lifesaving equipment or any privately owned or operated ambulance licensed by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls.(b)Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies, or organizations:(1)Any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.(2)Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code.(c)Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, and equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment.(d)Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue, or communications calls and operated either by the Office of Emergency Services or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the Office of Emergency Services has assigned the vehicle.(e)(1)Any vehicle owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls. For the purposes of this section and the provisions of Sections 2501 and 2510, a vehicle used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe is considered an authorized emergency vehicle.(2)Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government when the vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work.(f)Any vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.(g)Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.
Amended IN Assembly April 07, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 12, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 438Introduced by Assembly Member HadwickFebruary 06, 2025An act to amend Section 165 2416 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 438, as amended, Hadwick. Authorized emergency vehicles.Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to issue authorized emergency vehicle permits for certain vehicles, including any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility and any vehicle owned and operated by a fire company, as specified, upon a finding that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property, or the apprehension of law violators.This bill would authorize the commissioner to issue an emergency vehicle permit to any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.Existing law imposes specific requirements on drivers and pedestrians when an authorized emergency vehicle is sounding a siren and exhibiting its red lights. Existing law also exempts an authorized emergency vehicle or a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from certain requirements while the vehicle is responding to an emergency. Existing law defines an authorized emergency vehicle as, among other things, a publicly owned vehicle operated by any forestry or fire department of any public agency.This bill would expand the definition of authorized emergency vehicle for these purposes to include any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly April 07, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 12, 2025
Amended IN Assembly April 07, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 12, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 438
Introduced by Assembly Member HadwickFebruary 06, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Hadwick
February 06, 2025
An act to amend Section 165 2416 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 438, as amended, Hadwick. Authorized emergency vehicles.
Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to issue authorized emergency vehicle permits for certain vehicles, including any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility and any vehicle owned and operated by a fire company, as specified, upon a finding that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property, or the apprehension of law violators.This bill would authorize the commissioner to issue an emergency vehicle permit to any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.Existing law imposes specific requirements on drivers and pedestrians when an authorized emergency vehicle is sounding a siren and exhibiting its red lights. Existing law also exempts an authorized emergency vehicle or a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from certain requirements while the vehicle is responding to an emergency. Existing law defines an authorized emergency vehicle as, among other things, a publicly owned vehicle operated by any forestry or fire department of any public agency.This bill would expand the definition of authorized emergency vehicle for these purposes to include any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.
Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to issue authorized emergency vehicle permits for certain vehicles, including any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility and any vehicle owned and operated by a fire company, as specified, upon a finding that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property, or the apprehension of law violators.
This bill would authorize the commissioner to issue an emergency vehicle permit to any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.
Existing law imposes specific requirements on drivers and pedestrians when an authorized emergency vehicle is sounding a siren and exhibiting its red lights. Existing law also exempts an authorized emergency vehicle or a driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from certain requirements while the vehicle is responding to an emergency. Existing law defines an authorized emergency vehicle as, among other things, a publicly owned vehicle operated by any forestry or fire department of any public agency.
This bill would expand the definition of authorized emergency vehicle for these purposes to include any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2416 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.SECTION 1.Section 165 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:165.An authorized emergency vehicle is:(a)Any publicly owned and operated ambulance, lifeguard, or lifesaving equipment or any privately owned or operated ambulance licensed by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls.(b)Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies, or organizations:(1)Any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.(2)Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code.(c)Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, and equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment.(d)Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue, or communications calls and operated either by the Office of Emergency Services or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the Office of Emergency Services has assigned the vehicle.(e)(1)Any vehicle owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls. For the purposes of this section and the provisions of Sections 2501 and 2510, a vehicle used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe is considered an authorized emergency vehicle.(2)Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government when the vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work.(f)Any vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.(g)Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 2416 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
SECTION 1. Section 2416 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
2416. (a) The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol may issue authorized emergency vehicle permits only for the following vehicles, and then only upon a finding in each case that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement or for enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property property, or for the apprehension of law violators:
(1) Any vehicle maintained in whole or in part by the state, a county or a city a city, a county, or a city and county, and privately owned and operated by a marshal, deputy marshal, or person who is a member of, and who receives salary from, and is regularly employed by, a police department or sheriffs department, provided if the state, county or city a city, a county, or a city and county does not furnish to that person a publicly owned authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) Any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility, used primarily to accomplish emergency repairs to utility facilities or used primarily by railroad police officers, who are commissioned by the Governor, in the performance of their duties.
(3) Firefighting or rescue equipment designed and operated exclusively as such.
(4) Any vehicle operated by the chief, assistant chief, or one other uniformed person designated by the chief of a fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code or the Government Code or pursuant to a special act of the Legislature.
(5) Any vehicle of an air pollution control district used to enforce provisions of law relating to air pollution from motor vehicles.
(6) Any vehicle operated by the chief of any a fire department established on any base of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States.
(7) Any vehicle owned and operated by any a fire company organized pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 14825) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code.
(8) Privately owned ambulances A privately owned ambulance licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 2500).
(9) Vehicles Any vehicle other than a privately owned ambulances ambulance used by privately owned ambulance operators exclusively to transport medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel to the scene of an emergency when a request for medical supplies, lifesaving equipment, or personnel has been made by any person or public agency responsible for providing emergency medical transportation. These vehicles The vehicle shall display a sign or lettering not less than two and one-half inches in height, in a color providing a sharp contrast to its background, on each side showing the name of the ambulance operator.
(10) Any vehicle owned and operated by an office or department of a city, county, city and county, or district which that is designated by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of that local agency as a hazardous materials response team vehicle for response to hazardous materials emergencies.
(11) Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.
(b) The commissioner may adopt and enforce regulations to implement this section.
(c) Violation of any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section is a misdemeanor.
An authorized emergency vehicle is:
(a)Any publicly owned and operated ambulance, lifeguard, or lifesaving equipment or any privately owned or operated ambulance licensed by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to operate in response to emergency calls.
(b)Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies, or organizations:
(1)Any federal, state, or local agency, department, or district employing peace officers as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.
(2)Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code.
(c)Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, and equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment.
(d)Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue, or communications calls and operated either by the Office of Emergency Services or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the Office of Emergency Services has assigned the vehicle.
(e)(1)Any vehicle owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls. For the purposes of this section and the provisions of Sections 2501 and 2510, a vehicle used in responding to emergency, fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls owned or operated by a federally recognized Indian tribe is considered an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2)Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government when the vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance, or lifesaving calls or is actively engaged in law enforcement work.
(f)Any vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.
(g)Any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee in responding to any disaster, including, but not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, or hazardous materials spill.