SENATE RULES COMMITTEE
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
SB 404
CONSENT
Bill No:
Author:
Introduced:
Vote:
SB 404
De León (D)
2/25/15
21
SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 9-0, 5/5/15
AYES: Beall, Allen, Bates, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth,
Wieckowski
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cannella, Gaines
SUBJECT: Vehicles: traffic officers
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill deletes the requirement that law enforcement vehicles be
painted, while retaining the requirement that those vehicles be a distinctive color.
ANALYSIS: Existing law requires that motor vehicles used for the primary
purpose of traffic law enforcement be painted in distinctive colors, as determined
by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.
This bill deletes the reference to “painted,” while retaining the requirement that
those vehicles be a distinctive color.
Comments
A relatively new way to change the appearance of vehicles is to wrap them in
colored or printed vinyl. These films are attached with an adhesive and have a life
of several years. Commercial vehicles and buses can often be seen with messages,
art, or logos that cover the vehicle from end to end. This same technique can also
be used to change the color of vehicles.
The author believes that wrapping a vehicle can be less expensive than painting.
By amending the Vehicle Code to eliminate the requirement that law enforcement
vehicles be painted, while still retaining the requirement that they be of a
SB 404
Page 2
distinctive color, the author seeks to create the flexibility for law enforcement
departments to reduce the cost of creating their distinctive looks by using vinyl
wraps or any other technology that achieves the same effect, a technology-neutral
approach.
Supporters note that some automakers have started to ship vehicles to law
enforcement agencies using the vinyl wraps. However, some law enforcement
agencies have incurred the extra expense to paint the vehicle because of
California’s law requiring paint. Under this bill, such painting will be unnecessary.
According to the author, the cost to wrap a car is $305-$840; the cost to paint is
$700-$900.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No
Fiscal Com.:
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/6/15)
California Police Chiefs Association
California State Sheriffs’ Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/6/15)
None received
Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121
5/6/15 16:16:18
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No
Local: No