Neighborhood electric vehicles: County of Los Angeles.

Existing law defines "low-speed vehicle" for purposes of the Vehicle Code as a motor vehicle with 4 wheels that is capable of a minimum speed of 20 miles per hour and a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and that has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds. Existing law imposes certain restrictions on the use of low-speed vehicles on public streets and highways, and generally requires an operator of a low-speed vehicle to have a driver's license. A low-speed vehicle is also known as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) . A violation of the Vehicle Code is an infraction, unless otherwise specified. Existing law authorizes certain local agencies to establish a NEV transportation plan subject to certain requirements. A person operating a NEV in a plan area in violation of certain provisions is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $100. This bill would authorize the County of Los Angeles or any city in the county to establish a similar NEV transportation plan, as specified, subject to the same penalties. The bill would require that the transportation plan have received a prior review and the comments of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and any agency having traffic law enforcement responsibilities in an entity included in the plan area. The bill, if the County of Los Angeles or a city in the county adopts a NEV transportation plan, would require the entity adopting the plan to submit a report, in consultation with SCAG, the department, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, and any applicable local law enforcement agency, as specified, to the Legislature within 2 years of the date the NEV transportation plan is adopted. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2040. Because the bill would create a new crime, it 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.