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SB 349: Emergency vehicles: blue warning lights.
What SB 349 does, verified February 3, 2026
The bill aims to amend the vehicle code to allow specified peace officers to display a blue warning light on their emergency vehicles. Currently, peace officers such as police officers, probation officers, and members of the California National Guard are authorized to display the light. The bill would also extend this authorization to parole officers who complete a 4-hour training course on the operation of emergency vehicles. This training would be certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officers Standards and Training.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 02, 2026 | Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| May. 23, 2025 | May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. |
| May. 16, 2025 | Set for hearing May 23. |
| May. 05, 2025 | May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr. 25, 2025 | Set for hearing May 5. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 12, 2025 · 480 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 349
| Introduced by Senator Archuleta |
February 12, 2025 |
An act to amend Section 25258 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 349, as introduced, 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 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 Officers Standards and Training.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 25258 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:25258.
(a) An authorized emergency vehicle operating under the conditions specified in Section 21055 may display a flashing white light from a gaseous discharge lamp designed and used for the purpose of controlling official traffic control signals.(b) (1) An authorized emergency vehicle used by a peace officer, as defined in Section 830.1 of, subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (i) of Section 830.2 of, subdivision (n) of Section 830.3 of, subdivision (b) of Section 830.31 of, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 830.32 of, Section 830.33 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.36 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.4 of, or Section 830.6 of, or a probation officer or parole officer, as defined in described in subdivision (a) of Section 830.5 of, the Penal Code, in the performance of the peace officer’s duties, may, in addition, display a steady or flashing blue warning light visible from the front, sides, or rear of the vehicle.
(2) Before a probation officer operates an emergency vehicle with a blue warning light, the officer shall complete a four-hour classroom training course regarding the operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Standards and Training for Corrections Division of the Board of State and Community Corrections.
(3) Before a parole officer operates an emergency vehicle with a blue warning light, the officer shall complete a four-hour classroom training course regarding the operation of emergency vehicles that is certified by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officers Standards and Training.
(3)
(4)
This subdivision does not expand any existing authority of a probation officer or parole officer to conduct a high-speed vehicle pursuit, nor does it change any existing training requirements for high-speed vehicle pursuits.(c) Except as provided in subdivision (a), a vehicle shall not be equipped with a device that emits any illumination or radiation that is designed or used for the purpose of controlling official traffic control signals.
Text of SB 349 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions