BILL NUMBER: SB 949	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Oropeza

                        FEBRUARY 4, 2010

   An act to amend Sections 21 and 21100 of the Vehicle Code,
relating to vehicles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 949, as introduced, Oropeza. Vehicles: local authority:
assessing penalties.
   Existing law prohibits a local authority from enacting or
enforcing an ordinance on matters covered by the Vehicle Code unless
expressly authorized.
   This bill would expressly prohibit a local authority from enacting
or enforcing an ordinance that assesses a penalty for a violation of
matters covered by the Vehicle Code that is different than the
penalty expressly provided for in that code unless expressly
authorized.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21.  Except as otherwise expressly provided, the 
 (a)     The  provisions of this code are
applicable and uniform throughout the  State and in all
counties and municipalities therein   state  , and
 no   a  local authority shall  not
 enact or enforce  any   an  ordinance
on the matters covered by this code unless expressly authorized
 herein   by this code  . 
   (b) A local authority shall not enact or enforce an ordinance that
assesses a penalty for a violation of matters covered by this code
that is different than the penalty expressly provided for in this
code unless expressly authorized by this code. 
  SEC. 2.  Section 21100 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21100.  Local authorities may adopt rules and regulations by
ordinance or resolution regarding the following matters:
   (a) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the
highways.
   (b) Licensing and regulating the operation of vehicles for hire
and drivers of passenger vehicles for hire.
   (c) Regulating traffic by means of traffic officers.
   (d)  (1)    Regulating traffic by means of
official traffic control devices meeting the requirements of Section
21400. 
   (2) This subdivision does not limit or supercede the requirements
of Section 21. 
   (e)  (1)    Regulating traffic by means of a
person given temporary or permanent appointment for that duty by the
local authority whenever 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. 
   A 
   (2)    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.
   (f) Regulating traffic at the site of road or street construction
or maintenance by persons authorized for that duty by the local
authority.
   (g) (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) Nothing in this subdivision shall limit the authority of a
city or city and county pursuant to Section 12111.
   (h) 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 the public sidewalks.
   (i) 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.
   (j) 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.
   (k) (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.
   (  l  ) 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).