CaliforniaVehicles: towing companies and storage facilities.
What it does
Existing law requires an authorized member of a public agency who directs the storage of a vehicle, as specified, to give notice to the legal owners within 48 hours and the opportunity for a poststorage hearing to determine the validity of the storage. Existing law requires an officer or employee, upon the removal of a vehicle from public or private property, to store the vehicle at the nearest garage or place of safety designated by the governmental agency. A violation of the Vehicle Code or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to that code is an infraction.
More detail
This bill would authorize the registered or legal owner, lienholder, or insurer of a vehicle to post a bond or other adequate security with the clerk of the court in the county where the vehicle is stored before the sale of the vehicle by a towing company, impound yard, or storage facility, as specified. The bill would require the court, upon the posting of the bond, to issue a certificate directing the towing company, impound yard, or storage facility to release the vehicle to the party who posted the bond. The bill would require the party that posted the bond to initiate judicial proceedings within 10 court days after the issuance of the certificate, alleging certain causes of action. The bill would prohibit an auto body shop, impound yard, or towing company from knowingly participating in, or profiting from, specified towing or storage practices. The bill would require the Bureau of Automotive Repair to, by January 1, 2028, develop and distribute a notice that states a vehicle owner's rights pursuant to these provisions. The bill would require a towing company, impound yard, storage facility, or auto body shop to post that notice where it is visible to consumers onsite. The bill would impose a civil fine against a towing company, impound yard, storage facility, or auto body shop, as specified, for a violation of these provisions. The bill would exempt certain towing companies, storage companies, or impound yards from these provisions when a vehicle was towed at the request of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, a local law enforcement agency, the Department of Transportation, or a local transportation department or agency, as specified.
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 Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 13August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.Latest
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jun 17Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jun 16From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 16).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 8From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- May 26Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- May 20In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 20Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 4371.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- May 5Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 4From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Apr 24Set for hearing May 4.
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 3978.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Apr 20Withdrawn from committee.Major
- Apr 16April 20 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
- Apr 16From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Major
- Apr 16Set for hearing April 21 in JUD. pending receipt.
- Apr 15Set for hearing April 20.
- Apr 13Re-referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and JUD.Minor
- Apr 13Withdrawn from committee.Major
- Apr 13April 14 hearing postponed by committee.
- Apr 9Set for hearing April 14.
- Apr 8Re-referred to Coms. on JUD. and B. P. & E.D.Minor
- Mar 25From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.Major
- Feb 26Referred to Com. on RLS.Minor
- Feb 18From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 20.
- Feb 17Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced