(1) Existing law prohibits a vehicle loaded with garbage, swill, cans, bottles, wastepapers, ashes, refuse, trash, or rubbish, or any other noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter, or anything being transported to a dumpsite for disposal from being driven or moved upon any highway unless the load is totally covered, as specified.

This bill would recast this prohibition to prohibit a vehicle from transporting, rather than prohibiting a vehicle loaded with, the materials specified above, and would include waste cardboard as one of the materials that would be required to be totally covered while being transported. The bill would also include transporting the matter for recycling, and would delete reference to a dumpsite. The bill would provide that vehicles transporting wastepaper, waste cardboard, or used cans or bottles, are in compliance with these provisions if appropriate binders including, but not limited to, bands, wires, straps, or netting are used to prevent the load, or any part of the load, from spilling or falling from the vehicle. The bill would exempt any vehicle transporting wet waste fruit or vegetable matter, or waste products to or from a food processing establishment, from application of its provisions.

Because this bill would expand the scope of an existing crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) 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.