Authorized emergency vehicles.

Assembly Member Hadwick's proposal to expand California's emergency vehicle permit system would allow county and city emergency services offices to obtain permits for vehicles used in disaster response operations. The legislation adds these local emergency services vehicles to the existing categories of vehicles eligible for emergency permits from the California Highway Patrol Commissioner.

Under the proposed changes, vehicles owned by county, city, or joint city-county offices of emergency services could receive emergency vehicle permits when used by public employees responding to disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, or hazardous materials spills. The authorization would apply only during active disaster response operations. The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol retains authority to issue permits and enforce regulations, with violations classified as misdemeanors.

The measure builds upon current law that authorizes emergency vehicle permits for various categories including police vehicles, public utility vehicles, firefighting equipment, ambulances, and hazardous materials response team vehicles. The existing permit system requires the Commissioner to determine that vehicles are used for emergency response, life preservation, or law enforcement purposes.