BILL NUMBER: AB 1993	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nava

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2008

   An act to amend Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1993, as introduced, Nava. Motor vehicle operation: video
screens.
   Existing law makes it unlawful for a person to drive a motor
vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or
video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or
business applications, is operating and is located in the motor
vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is
operating and visible to the driver while he or she is driving the
motor vehicle.
   This bill would replace the term "similar means of" with "similar
device for" and makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to these
provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   27602.  (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver,  a  video monitor,  or a
 television or video screen, or any other  ,
 similar  means of   device for 
visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that
produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is
located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the
driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while
driving the motor vehicle.
   (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when
installed in a vehicle:
   (1) A vehicle information display.
   (2) A global positioning display.
   (3) A mapping display.
   (4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's
view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the
purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
   (5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video
screen, or any other  ,  similar  means of
  device for  visually displaying a television
broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device
that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for
all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to
(4), inclusive.
   (6) A mobile digital terminal installed in a vehicle owned or
operated by an electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of
the Public Utilities Code, a local publicly owned electric utility,
as defined in Section 9604 of that code, a gas corporation, as
defined in Section 222 of that code, or a telephone corporation, as
defined in Section 234 of that code, if the mobile digital terminal
is fitted with an opaque covering that does not allow the driver to
view any part of the display while driving, even though the terminal
may be operating.
   (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
   (d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in a vehicle owned or operated by an electrical
corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code,
a local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 9604
of that code, a gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of that
code, or a telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of that
code, when the vehicle is deployed in an emergency to respond to an
interruption or impending interruption of electrical, natural gas, or
telephone service.