Intermodal chassis.

Existing law authorizes an ocean marine terminal that receives and dispatches intermodal chassis, as defined, to conduct an intermodal roadability inspection program in lieu of other provisions that require every operator of certain types of vehicles to cause the vehicle to be inspected at least every 90 days, or more often to ensure safe operation. Existing law establishes criteria for an ocean marine terminal to meet in order to be eligible to conduct the inspection program, including, among others, that more than 1,000 chassis are based at the ocean marine terminal. Existing law specifies what is required to be inspected on the chassis, including, among other things, the brake system components, suspension systems, and vehicle connecting devices. Existing law requires the signature, under penalty of perjury, of the ocean marine terminal operator or an authorized representative that the inspection has been performed. Existing law requires records of inspections of those intermodal chassis be kept at the relevant ocean marine terminal for 90 days. Existing law establishes a terminal inspection program administered by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. Existing law provides that following a terminal inspection in which the department determines that an operator of an ocean marine terminal has failed to comply with the requirements of the intermodal roadability inspection program, the department shall conduct a reinspection within 120 days. Existing law generally provides that a violation of the Vehicle Code is a criminal offense. This bill would require, rather than authorize an ocean marine terminal to conduct the inspection program and would delete the conditions for inspection, and thus would require an inspection to be conducted on any chassis based at the ocean marine terminal. The bill would require a chassis to be inspected whether it is leased, owned, or rented, and would include frame damage on the chassis as a component to be inspected. The bill would require the signature certifying that the inspection has been completed to be made by the ocean marine terminal operator or an authorized mechanic representative. The bill would require defects noted on the chassis to be repaired within 10 days after the inspection and prior to leaving the terminal. The bill would require inspection records to be retained at the relevant terminal for 2 years, and reinspections to be performed within 30 days. By creating new crimes, and by expanding the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions. 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.