Transportation: omnibus bill.

(1) Existing law generally regulates the operation of a bicycle, including, among other things, providing that a person operating a bicycle on the highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle. These provisions also apply to a pedicab, defined, among other things, as a bicycle with 3 or more wheels that is capable of transporting passengers on seats attached to the bicycle, that is operated by a person, and that is being used for transporting passengers for hire. Existing law defines a bicycle, for purposes of these provisions, as a device having one or more wheels upon which a person may ride that is propelled exclusively by human power, as specified. A violation of the provisions regulating the operation of a bicycle or pedicab is an infraction. This bill would expand the definition of a pedicab to include electric bicycles and would expand the definition of a bicycle to include electric bicycles. By expanding these definitions, this bill would expand an existing crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law generally regulates the operation of a motorized scooter, and a violation of provisions regulating the operation of a motor scooter is an infraction. Existing law defines a motor scooter, among other things, as any 2-wheeled device that has handlebars and a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding. Existing law specifies that a motor scooter may also have a driver seat that does not interfere with the ability of the rider to stand and ride. This bill would expand the definition of motorized scooter to include any 2-wheeled device that has handlebars and a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, as specified. By expanding the definition of a motorized scooter, this bill would expand an existing crime, thereby imposing a state-mandate local program. (3) Existing law authorizes a county, upon the adoption of a resolution by its board of supervisors, to impose a fee on motor vehicles, as specified, that is paid quarterly to the Controller and continuously appropriated for disbursement to the county, as specified, to be used to fund programs relating to vehicle theft crimes. Existing law requires a county that imposes this fee to issue an annual report to the Controller on or before August 31. Existing law requires the Controller to suspend a county's fee for one year if the county fails to submit the report by November 30 and requires the Controller to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles on or before February 1 that a county's authority to collect the fee is suspended. This bill would instead require a county that imposes this fee to issue the annual report to the Controller on or before November 30. (4) Under existing law, the Department of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) promulgates regulations and enforces laws relating to vehicle equipment and safety, as well as the safe operation and maintenance of commercial carriers, including carriers of property and passengers, tour bus carriers and modified limousine carriers, and towing vehicles. A violation of these provisions is an infraction. This bill would recast and revise specified provisions relating to the vehicle equipment and safety. Among other changes, the bill would (A) expand the types of commercial vehicles authorized to be equipped with identification lamps; (B) revise the circumstances under which the CHP is required to recommend that the Public Utilities Commission or the United States Department of Transportation take specified disciplinary actions against a tour bus carrier, modified limousine carrier, or private carrier of passengers; and (C) revise the requirements for securing vehicles transported as a load on a trailer. The bill would also revise the process for the CHP to adopt regulations relating to lighting devices to include specified standards. Because a violation of certain requirements of the bill would be an infraction, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. (5) 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. The bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.