SB-962 • 2026

Emergency vehicles: blue warning lights.

Budget

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Archuleta
Last action: 2026-06-04
Official status: Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide details on the exact nature of the training beyond it being a 4-hour classroom course.

Emergency Vehicles: Blue Warning Lights

This law allows parole officers to use blue warning lights on their emergency vehicles after completing a special training course, if the Legislature provides funding.

What This Bill Does

Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to install blue warning lights on emergency vehicles used by parole officers upon appropriation from the Legislature.
Allows parole officers to display these blue warning lights when performing their duties in an emergency vehicle after completing a 4-hour training course certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Who It Names or Affects

Parole officers who use emergency vehicles
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Terms To Know

Peace Officers: People like police officers, probation officers, and members of the National Guard who help keep order and enforce laws.
Emergency Vehicles: Vehicles used by people like police or firefighters when they are responding to emergencies.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill only applies if money is given from the Legislature.
It does not specify additional training requirements beyond the 4-hour course.

Bill History

2026-06-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.
2026-05-28 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-28 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-08 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 14.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3871.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 3760.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 7.
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-04 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 6.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 962, as amended, Archuleta.
Emergency vehicles: blue warning lights.
Existing law authorizes specified peace officers, including, among others, police officers, probation officers, and members of the California National Guard, in the performance of the officers’ duties, to display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of their emergency vehicles.
This bill, the Agent Joshua Byrd Memorial Act,
would authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to, upon an appropriation from the Legislature, install a blue warning light on an emergency vehicle operated by a parole officer. The bill
would additionally authorize parole officers to display the blue warning light from their emergency vehicles if they complete a 4-hour classroom training course regarding the
operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF