Assemblymember Rodriguez Advances Two Pieces of Critical Legislation to the Senate Floor

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved two pieces of legislation authored by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona). Assembly Bill (AB) 70 would require certain public and private buildings that undergo renovations or modifications with costs exceeding $100,000 to install and maintain six trauma kits on their premises to treat people needing emergency medical care. AB 902 would require toll authorities to contract with private ambulance providers regarding the payment of tolls on a vehicular crossing, toll highway, or high-occupancy lane. 

“As Chair of the Emergency Management Committee and a career first responder, I have a unique set of experiences that help guide me when authoring legislation. We cannot predict when an emergency will strike, but we can ensure we are equipped to respond as both bystanders and first responders. These measures strategically work toward that goal of overall preparedness,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez. 

AB 70 is an expansion of last year’s AB 2260 (Rodriguez, Chapter 556, Statutes of 2022), which now requires specific newly constructed public and private buildings to install and maintain six trauma kits on the building’s premises to treat individuals needing emergency medical care. Mass shooting events are increasing in frequency, and AB 70 will empower Californians to render emergency care when tragedy does strike.  

AB 902 will work to clarify discrepancies in current law that do not specifically include private ambulance companies in exemptions from paying vehicular tolls. In 2009, California enacted AB 254 (Jeffries, Chapter 425, Statutes of 2009), exempting ambulances from public agencies from paying any vehicular tolls when driving to and returning from an emergency call. 

AB 2270 (Seyarto, Chapter 497, Statutes of 2022) further required toll authorities, upon request, to establish contracts or Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with local emergency service providers to provide a system determining when and how an emergency vehicle pays tolls. Unfortunately, AB 2270 was unclear if it included private ambulance companies. AB 902 would require tolling authorities to respond to requests to establish contracts or MOUs to exempt them from toll payments.

“I am proud to continue moving a bill package that will better prepare all Californians for future emergencies while also ensuring our first responders can quickly and efficiently respond. Thank you to my colleagues for your support throughout the process,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.  

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.