SB 233 — AN ACT AUTHORIZING USE OF STEADY BLUE LIGHTS ON WRECKERS.

Senate General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

233206 February Session, 2024 LCOSenate Bill No.

1359233 ReferredSenate, toApril 3, 2024 The Committee on PUBLICPublic SAFETYSafety ANDand SECURITYSecurity Introducedreported by:through SEN.

(PS)GASTON ANof ACTthe AUTHORIZING23rd USEDist., OFChairperson STEADYof BLUEthe LIGHTSCommittee ONon WRECKERS.the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING USE OF STEADY BLUE LIGHTS ON WRECKERS.

[or] (2) motor vehicles or equipment that are (A) equipped with lights in accordance with this section, (B) owned or leased by the federal government, the stateof Connecticut, or anyanyother other state, commonwealth or local municipality, and (C) registered to such governmental entity;

or (3) wreckers registered pursuant to section 14-66 that are equipped with lightsSB233 in/ accordanceFile withNo. subsection (k) of this section.

When206 used1 inSB233 LCOFile 1359 \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00233-R011 of 5 SB.docx Bill No.

233206 thislights section,in theaccordance termwith "flashing"subsection shall(k) beof consideredthis tosection. include the term "revolving".

When used in this section, the term "flashing" shall be considered to include the term "revolving".

Such permit shall be on a form provided by the commissionerSB233 and/ mayFile be revoked by such chief executive officer or LCO 1359 {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00232 of 5 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.

233206 successor.2 SB233 File No.

206 commissioner and may be revoked by such chief executive officer or successor.

(e) The commissioner may issue a permit for a flashing red light or lights which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment (1) used by paid fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (2) used by volunteer fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (3) used by members of the fire police on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations at the scene of a fire or emergency, (4) used by chief executive officers of emergency medical service organizations, as defined in section 19a-175, the first or second deputies,oriftherearenodeputies,thefirstorsecondassistants,ofsuch an organization that is a municipal or volunteer or licensed organization, (5) used by local fire marshals, (6) used by directors of emergency management,management,or or (7)used by aconstable,appointedpursuant to an ordinance authorized by section 9-185 or elected pursuant to section 9-200, on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations.

A yellow or amber light or lights, including a flashing yellow or amber light or lights, may be used without obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles LCOSB233 1359/ {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-002333File of 5 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.

233206 [on3 wreckersSB233 registeredFile pursuantNo. to section 14-66,] on vehicles of carriers in rural mail delivery service or on vehicles operated by construction inspectors employed by the state of Connecticut, authorized by the Commissioner of Transportation, used during the performance of inspections on behalf of the state.

206 [on wreckers registered pursuant to section 14-66,] on vehicles of carriers in rural mail delivery service or on vehicles operated by construction inspectors employed by the state of Connecticut, authorized by the Commissioner of Transportation, used during the performance of inspections on behalf of the state.

(i) The commissioner may issue a permit for ambulances, as defined in section 19a-175, which may, in addition to the flashing light or lights allowed in subsection (h) of this section, use flashing lights of other LCOSB233 1359/ {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-002334File of 5 R01-SB.docx } Bill No.

233206 colors4 specifiedSB233 byFile federalNo. requirements for the manufacture of an ambulance.

206 colors specified by federal requirements for the manufacture of an ambulance.

(j)A green, yellowor amber light or lights,including aflashinga flashing green, yellow or amber light or lights or any combination thereof, may be used on a maintenance vehicle owned and operated by the Department of Transportation.

Section 1 October 1, 2024 14-96q PS Joint Favorable LCOSB233 1359/ {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2024SB-00233-5File ofNo. 5 R01-SB.docx }

206 5 SB233 File No.

206 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill, which does not result in a fiscal impact, authorizes the use of steady blue lights on wreckers (i.e., tow trucks).

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None SB233 / File No.

206 6 SB233 File No.

206 OLR Bill Analysis SB 233 AN ACT AUTHORIZING USE OF STEADY BLUE LIGHTS ON WRECKERS.

SUMMARY By law, registered wreckers may use steady or flashing yellow or amber lights.

The bill further allows them to use (1) any combination of steady or flashing yellow and amber lights and (2) steady blue lights while the wrecker is stationary.

The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.

Under existing law and the bill, registered wreckers may use these lights without getting a permit from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) commissioner.

Existing law, unchanged by the bill, also allows police officers and DMV inspectors operating a state or local police vehicle to use steady red, blue, or red and blue lights, visible from the vehicle’s front.

EFFECTIVE DATE: