Neighborhood electric vehicles.

Existing law, until January 1, 2017, authorizes the County of Orange to establish a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) transportation plan for the Ranch Plan Planned Community in that county. Under existing law, operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle in violation of certain provisions is an infraction. This bill would extend the operative period of these provisions until January 1, 2022. By extending the operative period of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires NEV lanes to be classified, as specified, for the purposes of the NEV transportation plan for the Ranch Plan Planned Community. Existing law requires that a lane used by both NEVs and conventional vehicle traffic on a street with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less be classified as a Class III NEV route. This bill would, instead, require that a lane used by NEVs and conventional vehicle traffic on a street with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less be classified as a Class III NEV route. Existing law requires the county to provide a report to the Legislature, by November 1, 2015, if the county adopts a plan as authorized. This bill would, instead, require the county to provide that report by November 1, 2020. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.