Bill Text: CA SB227 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Off-highway vehicles.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-08-26 - August 26 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. [SB227 Detail]
Download: California-2021-SB227-Amended.html
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Amended
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Assembly
June 23, 2021 |
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Amended
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Senate
May 25, 2021 |
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Amended
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Senate
April 19, 2021 |
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Amended
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Senate
April 05, 2021 |
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Amended
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Senate
March 04, 2021 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 227
| Introduced by Senator Jones (Coauthors: Senators Dahle, Hueso, Hurtado, and Rubio) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Frazier, Gray, Ramos, and Smith) |
January 15, 2021 |
An act to amend Sections 38010, 38012, 38014, 38170, 38225, 38286, 38365, and 38366 of, to amend and repeal Sections 38022, 38088, and 38232 of, and to add Sections 38011 and 38015 Section 38011 to, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 227, as amended, Jones.
Off-highway vehicles.
(1) Existing law generally requires motor vehicles that are operated or used exclusively off the highways to be issued and display an identification plate or device issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Under existing law, certain vehicles are exempt from this requirement, including 4-wheeled motor vehicles operated solely in organized racing or competitive events upon a closed course, as specified. Existing law permits a motorcycle issued a special transportation identification device to be transported on a highway to and from a closed course. Existing law authorizes a special transportation identification device to be issued upon payment of a fee.
This bill, effective January 1, 2023, would repeal provisions relating to special transportation identification devices for motorcycles and corresponding fees, and
would make other related conforming changes. The bill would additionally provide that competition all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not exempt from identification, pursuant to vehicle identification requirements prescribed by the bill.
(2) Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, upon identifying an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification, to issue to the owner a suitable identification plate or device that is capable of being attached to the vehicle, as specified. Existing law requires the department to determine the size, color, and letters or number of the identification plate or device issued for off-highway motor vehicles. A violation of the Vehicle Code is punishable as an infraction.
This bill would require, for the issuance or renewal of a competition identification, a specified configuration for the vehicle identification number and product identification number for an
off-highway motor vehicle or ATV that is model year 2022 or later and is used solely for competition not on a public highway. The bill would impose restrictions on the operation of a competition motorcycle or ATV on public lands, including, among others, a requirement that a rider possess a current and valid competition card from a competition-sanctioning organization when practicing for a sanctioned event on public lands. Because operating a competition motorcycle or ATV on public lands in violation of those requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3) Existing law requires all identification plates or devices to be displayed in a specified manner, including on the left fork leg of a motorcycle, either horizontal or vertical, and visible from the left side of the motorcycle.
This bill would require that a competition motorcycle display that identification plate or device on the left side of the motorcycle, commencing January 1, 2023. Because a violation of this requirement would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4) Existing law generally imposes specified fees on off-highway motor vehicles, including, among others, a service fee of $7 for the issuance or renewal of identification of off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification and a special fee of $33 paid at the time of payment of the service fee. Existing law requires the special fees, specified use fees for state vehicular recreation areas, and other specified funds to be deposited in the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, and requires moneys in the fund, upon appropriation, to be allocated for specified purposes related to off-highway recreation.
This bill, commencing January 1, 2023, would instead impose specified fees on competition motorcycles and ATVs model year 2022 and newer, including a special fee of $42 for those vehicles that will be operated on public lands for which funds from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund have been expended. The bill would require the department to collect that special fee at the time of issuance or renewal of a competition identification, and, after deducting its reasonable implementation costs, to deposit the fee in the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, to be used exclusively for the reasonable costs to the Department of Parks and Recreation related to the activities of those vehicles that are conducted on public lands.
(5) Existing law requires an off-highway motor vehicle to meet specified requirements, including, among others, a requirement that the vehicle be equipped with a spark arrester maintained in
effective working order. Existing law generally exempts from those requirements certain off-highway motor vehicles being operated in an organized racing or competitive event upon a closed course.
This bill would limit those exemptions by requiring competition-identified motorcycles and ATVs to be equipped with a muffler, spark arrester, and silencer or other device that limits noise emissions when operating on public lands.
(6) 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.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 38010 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38010.
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a motor vehicle specified in Section 38012 that is not registered under this code because it is to be operated or used exclusively off the highways, except as provided in this division, shall be issued and display an identification plate or device issued by the department.(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Motor vehicles specifically exempted from registration under this code, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles exempted pursuant to Sections 4006, 4010, 4012, 4013, 4015, 4018, and 4019.
(2) Implements of husbandry.
(3) Motor vehicles owned by the state, or any county, city, district, or political subdivision of the state, or the United States.
(4) Motor vehicles owned or operated by, or operated under contract with a utility, whether privately or publicly owned, when used as specified in Section 22512.
(5) Special construction equipment described in Section 565, regardless of whether those motor vehicles are used in connection with highway or railroad work.
(6) A motor vehicle with a currently valid special permit issued under Section 38087.5 that is owned or operated by a nonresident of
this state and the vehicle is not identified or registered in a foreign jurisdiction. For the purposes of this paragraph, a person who holds a valid driver’s license issued by a foreign jurisdiction is presumed to be a nonresident.
(7) Commercial vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds unladen.
(8) Any motorcycle manufactured in the year 1942 or prior.
(9) Commencing January 1, 2023, four-wheeled motor vehicles operated solely in organized racing or competitive events upon a closed course when those events are conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction. Competition all-terrain vehicles are not exempt from identification, pursuant
to Section 38011.
(10) A motor vehicle with a currently valid identification or registration permit issued by another state.
SEC. 2.
Section 38011 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:38011.
(a) An off-highway motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle that is model year 2022 or newer and is used solely for competition not on a public highway, in accordance with Section 39048 of the Health and Safety Code, shall have a vehicle identification number (VIN) or product identification number (PIN) configured with a “3” or “C” as the eighth digit to qualify for issuance or renewal of an identification pursuant to this division. The 10th digit of the VIN or PIN shall correspond to the model year as specified by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or the Society of Automotive Engineers’ ICS-1000 (ISO 10261:2002E).(b) (1) An identification
issued pursuant to this division is required for the operation of a competition motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle on public lands specified in Section 38001.
(2) Upon payment of the fees set forth in Section 38225, the department shall issue to the owner of a competition motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle the identification required pursuant to paragraph (1).
SEC. 3.
Section 38012 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38012.
(a) As used in this division, “off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification” means a motor vehicle subject to subdivision (a) of Section 38010.(b) As used in this division, “off-highway motor vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) A motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
(2) A snowmobile or other vehicle designed to travel over snow or ice, as defined in Section 557.
(3) A motor vehicle commonly referred to as a sand buggy, dune buggy, or all-terrain vehicle.
(4) A motor vehicle commonly referred to as a jeep.
(5) A recreational off-highway vehicle as defined in Section 500.
As used in this division, “closed course” includes, but is not limited to, a course in which motocross, enduro, cross country, or observed trial racing events are conducted, or a prescribed and defined route of travel on or off a highway where competition motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle use is allowed that is closed to all motor vehicles other than those of participants. A closed course is one that is not available at any time, or during a competition event, for vehicular access by the general public, except for the United States Forest Service or other jurisdictions that prohibit the restriction of public access.
(a)The State Air Resources Board, in consultation with the Department of Parks and Recreation, shall adopt a regulation by January 1, 2024, prescribing when competition motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles may operate on public lands to practice for sanctioned competition events.
(b)A rider shall possess a current and valid competition card from a competition-sanctioning organization when practicing for a sanctioned competition event on public lands.
(c)The public land manager having jurisdiction shall administer competition practice in accordance with the regulation developed pursuant to
subdivision (a). Until that regulation is adopted, the public land manager having jurisdiction shall administer competition practice in accordance with the off-highway vehicle areas and riding seasons schedule contained in Table 1 of Section 2415 of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, as that regulation read on January 1, 2020.
(d)Commencing January 1, 2023, a competition practice rider shall have a current competition identification sticker correctly affixed to the motorcycle before practicing.
SEC. 4.
Section 38014 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38014.
As used in this division, “closed course” includes, but is not limited to, a speedway, racetrack, or a prescribed and defined route of travel on or off a highway that is closed toSEC. 6.SEC. 5.
Section 38022 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38022.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4000, motorcycles issued a special transportation identification device pursuant to Section 38088 may be transported upon a highway to and from a closed course.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 7.SEC. 6.
Section 38088 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38088.
(a) Upon payment of the fee specified in Section 38232, the department shall issue to the owner of a motorcycle, which the owner has certified as being used exclusively in racing events on a closed course, a special transportation identification device for the purpose of identifying the motorcycle while it is being transported upon a highway to and from racing events on a closed course. Such device may be either a plate or a sticker, whichever is determined by the department to be the most appropriate.(b) Such device is nonrenewable, nontransferrable, and becomes invalid when the vehicle for which it was issued is sold or dismantled.
(c) A certificate of ownership may not be issued in conjunction with a special transportation identification device.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 8.SEC. 7.
Section 38170 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38170.
(a) An off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification shall have displayed upon it the identification number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, together with the word “California” or the abbreviation “CAL” and the year number for which it is issued or a suitable device issued by the department for validation purposes, which device shall contain the year for which it is issued.(b) The identification plate or device shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which it is issued and shall be mounted or affixed in a position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. A covering shall
not be used on the identification plate or device.
(c) An identification plate or device issued on or after January 1, 1996, shall be displayed as follows:
(1) On the left fork leg of a motorcycle, either horizontal or vertical, and shall be visible from the left side of the motorcycle.
(2) On the left quadrant of the metal frame member of sand rails, rail-type buggies, and dune buggies, visible from the rear of the vehicle.
(3) On the left rear quadrant on permanent plastic or metal frame members of all-terrain vehicles, visible to outside inspections.
(4) On the left tunnel on the back quadrant of
snowmobiles.
(5) Commencing January 1, 2023, on the left side of a motorcycle identified for competition, and shall be visible from its left side.
SEC. 9.SEC. 8.
Section 38225 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38225.
(a) (1) A service fee of seven dollars ($7) shall be paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of identification of off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, except as expressly exempted under this division.(2) Commencing January 1, 2023, in lieu of the fee specified in paragraph (1), a service fee of nine dollars ($9) shall be paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of identification for competition off-highway motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles model year 2022 and newer, as identified in Section 38011.
(b) (1) In addition to the service fee required by
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), a special fee of thirty-three dollars ($33) shall be paid at the time of payment of the service fee for the issuance or renewal of an identification plate or device.
(2) Commencing January 1, 2023, in addition to the service fee required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), a special fee of forty-two dollars ($42) shall be paid at the time of payment of the service fee for a competition off-highway motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle model year 2022 and newer that will be operated on public lands for which funds from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund have been expended. The special fee set forth in this paragraph shall be for the purposes described in, and subject to, subdivision (d). A vehicle subject to this paragraph is not subject to the special fee in paragraph (1).
(c) All money transferred pursuant to Section 8352.6 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all fees received by the department pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), and all day use, overnight use, or annual or biennial use fees for state vehicular recreation areas received by the Department of Parks and Recreation shall be deposited in the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, which is hereby created. There shall be a separate reporting of special fee revenues by vehicle type, including four-wheeled vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. All money shall be deposited in the fund, and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be allocated according to Section 5090.61 of the Public Resources Code.
(d) Commencing January 1, 2023, after deducting its reasonable
costs for implementing Section 38011, the balance of the special fee described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall be deposited by the department into the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund and, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, that amount shall be used exclusively for the reasonable costs to the Department of Parks and Recreation related to the activities of vehicles described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) that are conducted on public lands.
(e) Any money temporarily transferred by the Legislature from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund to the General Fund shall be reimbursed, without interest, by the Legislature within two fiscal years of the transfer.
SEC. 10.SEC. 9.
Section 38232 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38232.
(a) A special fee of fifteen dollars ($15) shall be paid to the department for the issuance of a special transportation identification device issued pursuant to Section 38088 and shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account in the Transportation Tax Fund. The fee is in lieu of the fees provided in Section 38225.(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 11.SEC. 10.
Section 38286 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38286.
(a) Article 3 (commencing with Section 38305), Article 4 (commencing with Section 38312), Article 5 (commencing with Section 38316), Section 38319, and subdivision (h) of Section 38370 do not apply to a motor vehicle being operated in an organized racing event that is conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction.(b) Competition-identified motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are not exempt from subdivision (h) of Section 38370 when operated on public lands.
SEC. 12.SEC. 11.
Section 38365 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38365.
(a) An off-highway motor vehicle, as defined in Section 38006, shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to meet the requirements of Section 38370. A muffler or exhaust system shall not be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a vehicle being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event upon a closed course or in a hill climb or drag race that is conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction.
(c) Competition-identified motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are not exempt from subdivision (a) when operated on public lands.
SEC. 13.SEC. 12.
Section 38366 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38366.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 4442 of the Public Resources Code, and except for a vehicle with mufflers as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 27150) of Chapter 5 of Division 12, a person shall not use, operate, or allow to be used or operated, an off-highway motor vehicle, as defined in Section 38006, on any forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land unless the vehicle is equipped with a spark arrester maintained in effective working order.(b) A spark arrester affixed to the exhaust system of a vehicle subject to this section shall not be placed or mounted in a manner that allows flames or heat from the exhaust
system to ignite any flammable material.
(c) A spark arrester is a device constructed of nonflammable materials specifically for the purpose of removing and retaining carbon and other flammable particles over 0.0232 of an inch in size from the exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine or that is qualified and rated by the United States Forest Service.
(d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a vehicle being operated off the highway in an organized racing or competitive event upon a closed course, which is conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body and by permit issued by the fire protection authority having jurisdiction.
(e) Subdivision (a) applies to competition-identified motorcycles and
all-terrain vehicles when operated on public lands.
