SB 620

ANTIQUE EME RGENCY VEHICLES Present law provides that, i n order to facilitate efficient and uniform enforcement of motor vehicle laws , motor vehicles, excepting such motor vehicles as are constructed for the purpose of transporting tangible personal property or othe r property, and passenger motor vehicles operating for hire, are classified, and the respective registration taxes imposed . Upon receipt of an application applying for registration and certifying that the motor vehicle is an " antique motor vehicle, "" the c ommissioner may issue license plates to the owner of the antique motor vehicle. Such a license plate must bear the word "" ANTIQUE "" in capital letters at the bottom of the plate, and a unique identifying number in the center of the plate. As used in presen t law, "" antique motor vehicle "" means a motor vehicle over 25 years old with a nonmodified engine and body that is used for all of the following :  For participation in, or transportation to and from, club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses as a collector's item ;  On the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of, or obtaining repairs to or maintenance on such motor vehicle ; and  For general transportation on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays . This bill adds that, if the antique motor vehicle is an antique emergency vehicle, then the vehicle may also be used for participation in, or transportation to and from, community or educational events, including displays at fairs, festivals, and schools. For purposes of thi s provision, an ""antique emergency vehicle"" means an ambulance, fire department vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle that meets the criteria of an antique motor vehicle. LIGHTS REQUIRED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES Present law provides a number of rules and prohi bitions concerning lights on vehicles operated in this state, including, but not limited to, the following:  G enerally every motor vehicle must be equipped with two red tail lamps and two red stoplights on the rear of the vehicle, and one tail lamp and one stoplight shall be on each side .  Generally prohibits a nonemergency vehicle from operat ing or install ing emergency flashing light systems in tail light lamp, stoplight area, or factory installed emergency flasher and backup light area .  G enerally prohibits a vehicle from being equipped with any flashing lights in any color or combination of colors that display to the front of the vehicle, other than factory installed emergency flashers . This bill clarifies that the prohibitions described in the rules and prohibitions concerning lights on vehicles operated in this state in present law regarding the installation of emergency flashing lights do not apply to a registered privately owned antique emergency vehicle as long as the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured. Additionally, this bill:  Prohibits a person from operat ing or illuminat ing red, white, or blue lights, in any combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this bill.  Authorizes a person to operate or illuminate red, white, or blue lights, in any combination, that are steady-burning or flashing and installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and (i) the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction ; (ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and ( iii) the lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights . HORNS, BELLS, SIRENS, AND EXHAUST WHISTLES Present law requires every motor vehicle, when operated upon any road, street or highway of the state, to be equipped with a horn in good working order capable of emitting sound audible under normal con ditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, and it is unlawful, except as otherwise provided in this section, for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use upon a vehicle any siren, exhaust, compression or spark plug whistle or for a n y person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device. This bill clarifies that such prohibitions do not apply to a registered p r ivately owned antique emergency vehicle registered as long as any equipped bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured. Additionally, this bill:  Prohibits a person from operating a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this bill .  Authorizes a person to operate a bell, siren, or exhaust whistle installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and (i) the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency or fire department, as applicable to the type of antique emergency vehicle being operated in the jurisdiction; (ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and (iii) the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle is operated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; is operated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or is operated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate the bell, siren, or exhaust whistle . BLUE FLASHING EMERGENCY LIGHTS In certain counties, present law generally provides that it is a Class C misdemeanor offense for anyone to install, maintain or exhibit blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emerg ency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights, except full-time, salaried, uniformed law enforcement officers of the state, county, or city and municipal governments of the state, and commissioned members of the Tennessee bureau of investi g ation when their official duties so require. This bill clarifies that such prohibition regarding the installation or maintenance of blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights does no t apply to a registered privately owned antique emergency vehicle as long as the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured. Additionally, this bill:  Prohibits a person from operating or illuminating blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on a privately owned antique emergency vehicle except in accordance with this bill .  Authorizes a person to operate or illuminate blue flashing emergency lights or blue flashing emergency lights in combination with red flashing emergency lights that are installed on an antique emergency vehicle if the lights are representative of the era when the antique emergency vehicle was manufactured and (i) the person has been authorized to do so in writing by the chief of the local law enforcement agency where the vehicle is being operated; (ii) the person maintains a copy of the written authorization in their possession and provides it to a law enforcement officer upon request; and (iii) the lights are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is stationary and on public property at a community or educational event, including while the vehicle is being used as a display at a fair, festival, or school; are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on a public road, in motion or stationary, when the vehicle is being used as part of an organized parade, procession, or other ceremonial event; or are operated or illuminated while the vehicle is on private property, in motion or stationary, and the person has permission from the property owner to operate or illuminate the lights. CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION Present law provides that a person commits criminal impersonation who pretends to be a law enf orcement officer for the purpose of ( i ) e ngaging in an activity that is ordinarily and customarily an activity established by law as a law enforcement activity; and ( ii ) c ausing another to believe that the person is a law enforcement officer. This bill cl arifies that a person does not commit criminal impersonation under this provision solely for operating an antique emergency vehicle in accordance with this bill."