Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 1878 by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Oakland, which will crack down on the noise, pollution and safety problems linked with motorized scooters in the wake of injuries, deaths and endless complaints from Californians.

"We want young people to go out and have fun, not to get into accidents," Chan said in a release. She serves on the Assembly Health Committee.

The other bill, AB 2193 by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, bans teens younger than 14 from using tanning facilities due to the harmful effects of cancer-causing radiation.

"I'm deeply concerned about the effect this has on our youth," Nation said in a release. "Many tanning establishments across the state actually target young people by enticing them with group promotions and reduced prices."

"The kids are particularly vulnerable because many believe that tanning facilities provide a 'safe' tan. But we cannot ignore the dangers to our children. This is a risk factor that we have the ability to control," he said.

More than 1 million people visit tanning salons on an average day across the nation. Many are unaware that indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, emit ultraviolet radiation that is similar to, and sometimes more powerful than, the sun, according to federal health officials.

The motor-scooter legislation follows complaints from numerous residents that riders often dart in and out of traffic, lack any driver training and modify the engines to dramatically increase the noise level.

Under current law, children younger than 16 have been prohibited from driving motorized scooters since 2000.

Under Chan's bill, it will be illegal to modify the engine to increase noise and to ride the scooters after dark or on freeways. In addition, riders will be required to hold a California driver's license or learner's permit.

At least three deaths have been associated with the machines. Two involved children, including a 6-year-old boy in California who died after falling off a motorized scooter. An 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania died when the scooter he was riding crashed into a truck.

More than 4,000 hospital emergency room treatments associated with the machines are logged across the nation each year.

The bill was sponsored by the city of Oakland. Chan worked with Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente and City Council members Jean Quan and Nancy Nadel.

Motorized scooters are similar to the unpowered scooters but equipped with either a 2-cycle gasoline engine or an electric motor and a battery.