CaliforniaCalifornia Highway Patrol would set rules for electronic crash reports
California's signed law would require the highway patrol to set electronic crash report rules by January 1, 2030, and reporting agencies to send reports electronically.
What it does
The highway patrol would no longer have to provide crash report forms. By January 1, 2030, it would set electronic reporting rules and provide a system for submitting reports.
Law enforcement agencies would send crash investigation reports electronically on the highway patrol's schedule. Coroners and medical examiners would electronically report motor vehicle crash deaths; available test results would remain in writing.
A driver, injured person, or other person with a recognized connection to a crash would get an electronic copy of the investigation report at no charge if they request it.
Argument forEligible drivers and injured people could get crash reports without paying for printed copies, making the reports easier to review.
Argument againstLocal law enforcement agencies might spend staff time changing how they file reports. State repayment would depend on a commission finding that the costs are required.
More detail
The California Highway Patrol would no longer have to provide crash report forms and would set rules for electronic reports. The rules would cover all crash investigation reports required by state vehicle law. The patrol would provide a reporting system to police, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or people. The patrol would have to set the rules and provide the system by January 1, 2030.
Law enforcement agencies would send completed crash investigation reports electronically. Coroners and medical examiners would electronically report deaths from motor vehicle crashes. Death reports would cover people who died during the previous month because of a traffic crash involving a motor vehicle. Law enforcement agencies would follow the highway patrol's rules and submission schedule. Available chemical test results would still be reported in writing. Coroners and medical examiners would report deaths from the previous month by the 10th day of each month.
The highway patrol or agency that received a crash report would provide an electronic copy at no charge to an eligible requester. Eligible requesters include drivers, injured people, and owners of damaged property. Requesters would need a recognized connection to the crash. Printed copies could still carry a fee no higher than the cost of providing them.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 964, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 27Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 20In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.Minor
- Vote recorded Special Consent AB2761 Petrie-Norris et al. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 20Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5593.).Passed Senate
- Aug 18Ordered to special consent calendar.
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 1From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 30
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 2761 Petrie-Norris Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5397.)Passed Assembly
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 14From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 14Coauthors revised.
- Apr 13
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- Mar 19From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 19Referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Feb 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
TransportationPublic Safety