The California General Assembly has OK’d a bill to bring California law into line with a number of federal regulations, guidelines and requirements.

The bill, AB3049, was approved by the state Senate Aug. 24 by a vote of 38-0; it received final approval from the Assembly Aug. 26 by a vote of 77-0. It is now before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger awaiting his signature.

Among other things, the bill will:

• Prohibit a truck driver from refusing to comply with an out-of-service order issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Disqualify a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the rest of his or her life if that person has, on more than one occasion, refused a request to take a chemical test.
• Impose harsher driving restrictions on truck drivers who violate out-of-service orders involving transportation of hazardous materials.
• Impose civil penalties on the driver and on the driver's employer if that employer knowingly allowed or required an employee to drive after the vehicle was placed out-of-service.
• End the practice of allowing drivers to clear their records by pleading to a lesser offense in court and attending driving school.