Employee Comment: Proposal to rescind presidential policy on hoverboards

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposal to rescind the Presidential Policy on Hoverboards. The policy is proposed to be rescinded to address the following key issues:

• The policy was envisioned as a temporary, emergency policy to address fire risks created by individuals charging hoverboard batteries in or on UC properties.  
• Since the policy was adopted, the following developments have occurred: 
• Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) testing and listing for lithium ion-powered equipment and batteries has become more prescriptive.
• The California Office of the State Fire Marshal released a guidance document (23-003) in April of 2023 related to the storage and charging of these types of devices.
• California Assembly Bill 712 was signed into law in July of 2023 and requires landlords to allow tenants to recharge micro-mobility devices in their units. UC Legal has determined this Assembly Bill does apply to UC housing.
• The UC Council of Campus Fire Marshals released guidance in August 2023 specific to this type of equipment and its use at UC locations.  
• With technology evolving rapidly, the University is better served by relying on outside standard-setting bodies, such as UL, and best practice guidance from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The proposed revisions to the policy may be viewed at https://ucanr.edu/sites/PCPA/Revisions/. 

If you have any questions or if you wish to comment on this policy revision, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than March 13, 2024. Please indicate “Hoverboard Policy Recission” in the subject line.