Utility workers and vehicles.

Existing law authorizes a public utility vehicle, or a vehicle of a duly authorized representative of a public utility, that is actually engaged in the construction, removal, maintenance, or inspection of public utility facilities to display flashing amber warning lights when necessarily parked on a highway or when moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic. Existing law requires a person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a specified stationary vehicle displaying emergency or warning lights to approach with due caution and either make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stationary vehicle or slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. Under existing law, a violation of this provision is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $50. This bill would additionally authorize vehicles owned by a local publicly owned electric utility, a community choice aggregator, or an irrigation district to display flashing amber warning lights when necessarily parked on a highway or when moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic. The bill would add utility vehicles, as defined, to the list of stationary vehicles for which a person driving on a freeway must approach with due caution and either make a lane change or slow to a reasonable and prudent speed. Existing law defines an assault as an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury upon another person, and provides that it is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding 6 months, or both that fine and imprisonment. Existing law defines a battery as a willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon another person, and provides that it is punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding 6 months, or both that fine and imprisonment. This bill would provide that a person who commits an assault or battery against a utility worker, as defined, be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by both that imprisonment and fine. Because the bill would create new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.