HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - STATE LEGISLATIONO
Agenda Item: 3
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Lj
DATE: March 25, 2025
SUBJECT: STATE LEGISLATION: AB 271, AB 875, AB 1022, SB 264, and SB
265
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Support AB 271 (Hoover), AB 875 (Muratsuchi), SB 264 (Valladares), and SB 265
(Valladares).
2. Oppose AB 1022 (Kalra).
3. Transmit position statements to the authors of the bills, Santa Clarita's state legislative
delegation, appropriate legislative committees, Governor Newsom, and other stakeholder
organizations.
BACKGROUND
The following state legislative items were presented to the City Council Legislative Committee
on March 5, 2025. Included as part of this report is a brief summary of each piece of legislation
and its current status in the state legislative process. The state legislative items in this report are
related to public safety, specifically, crimes committed during emergencies and traffic safety.
Crimes Committed During Emergencies
During and following the Palisades and Eaton Fires, there were several reports of looting of
homes that were affected by the wildfires. To a lesser degree, reports of individuals
impersonating firefighters were also made, as some looters attempted to gain access to homes by
disguising themselves as first responders.
Under existing California law, looting is punishable as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on
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the crime's severity. Additionally, impersonating a peace officer, firefighter, or government
employee is currently a misdemeanor, resulting in a 90-day sentence in a county jail.
The following three bills make changes related to looting or impersonating a first responder
during an emergency or evacuation order.
Assembly Bill 271
Introduced by Assembly Member Josh Hoover (R-7-Folsom), Assembly Bill 271 makes burglary
within an area under a county or local state of emergency or an evacuation order, also known as
looting, punishable as a felony. Additionally, this legislation imposes a two-year sentence
enhancement for those who impersonate a government employee or first responder during the act
of looting.
Senate Bill 264
Introduced by Senator Suzette Valladares (R-23-Santa Clarita), Senate Bill 264 makes
impersonating a first responder or member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal during a state
of emergency or local emergency punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony, giving law
enforcement agencies and local prosecutorial officials the discretion to pursue charges greater
than a misdemeanor.
Senate Bill 265
Introduced by Senator Suzette Valladares (R-23-Santa Clarita), Senate Bill 265 makes burglary
within an area under a county or local state of emergency or an evacuation order, also known as
looting, punishable as a felony.
Traffic Safety
Assembly Bill 875
Introduced by Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi (D-66-Torrance), Assembly Bill 875 authorizes
law enforcement officers to impound an electric bicycle operating on a public street if it exceeds
the legally permitted speed for electric bicycles, including those with motors capable of
propelling the bicycle beyond 20 mph without pedaling. This bill would also authorize law
enforcement officers to remove a bicycle operated by a person who (1) is under 16 years of age
and is operating a Class III electric bicycle or (2) is operating a Class III electric bicycle without
a helmet.
Current State law categorizes electric bicycles into three classifications:
• Class I: Pedal -assist electric bicycle with a max speed of 20 mph that does not have a
throttle or a minimum age requirement;
• Class II: Pedal -assist electric bicycle with a max speed of 20 mph that has a throttle -
powered motor, also with no age requirement;
• Class III: Pedal -assist electric bicycle with a max speed of 28 mph that does not have a
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throttle but has a minimum age requirement of 16 years of age.
Often mistaken for an electric bicycle, another vehicle that is rapidly growing in popularity is
electric motorcycles, often with a maximum speed ranging from 45 mph - 65 mph, equipped
with throttle -powered motors, and typically do not come with pedals. Current State law prohibits
the use of electric motorcycles on sidewalks, bike paths or paseos, bike lanes, or any off-street
parking facilities.
California Vehicle Code Section 312.5 defines an electric bicycle as: (a) An "electric bicycle"
is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
Due to the motors on electric motorcycles exceeding the 750-watt limit, electric motorcycles
cannot be legally modified to be used on sidewalks, bike paths or paseos, bike lanes, or off-street
parking facilities.
In order to operate an electric motorcycle on public streets, the vehicle must be outfitted with
turn signals and the user must possess an M1 Drivers License and have the vehicle registered and
insured. The user must also wear a helmet while operating an electric motorcycle.
Although bicycle involved collisions in the City of Santa Clarita (City) have remained relatively
consistent in the last three years, bicycle collisions involving electric bicycles and electric
motorcycles has increased from 31 percent of all bicycle involved collisions in 2022 to 41
percent of all bicycle involved collisions in 2024. As these vehicles are growing in popularity,
predominantly among youth, data reflects that those under the age of 18 are more likely to be
involved in a collision using an electric bicycle or electric motorcycle than when using a
traditional bicycle with no motor.
Moreover, given the ability to accelerate at a more rapid rate and reach higher speeds, collisions
resulting in severe injury or fatality was higher among electric bicycles or electric motorcycles
than traditional non -motorized bicycles in the last three years. The City has had two recent
fatalities involving youth riding electric bicycles or electric motorcycles, a 17-year old who
collided with the side of a truck in October 2023, and most recently, a 14-year old who collided
head-on with a vehicle in January 2025.
Assembly Bill 1022
Introduced by Assembly Member Ash Kalra (D-25-San Jose), Assembly Bill 1022 prohibits a
law enforcement officer or parking enforcement officer from having a vehicle impounded or
immobilized due to having five or more unpaid parking citations.
Current State law authorizes a law enforcement officer or parking enforcement officer to
impound or immobilize a vehicle if it has five or more unpaid parking or traffic citations. The
City's Parking Enforcement administers state and City vehicle regulations, including the
impounding of vehicles that have five or more unpaid parking or traffic citations.
Local parking regulations help maintain traffic flow and enhance public safety. They
complement the City's commitment to promote a safe environment for residents, businesses, and
visitors. Parking Enforcement Officers patrol City streets and parking lots, and primarily respond
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to reports from residents. They also identify stolen, abandoned, inoperative, and unregistered
vehicles on public streets.
Additionally, the City imposes parking requirements to ensure adequate and reasonable access to
homes. These standards serve as a safeguard to prevent congestion of on -street vehicle parking
that may cause unsafe conditions for surrounding residents and businesses and access challenges
for emergency personnel, especially in the event of an emergency or evacuation.
Assembly Bill 1022 preempts the City's ability to maintain safe and accessible streets and
opposing this legislation is consistent in safeguarding the City's efforts with regard to parking
enforcement.
All five bills listed in this report are pending a hearing in their first policy committee or an
assignment to a policy committee, at the time this report was developed.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action, as provided by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The resources required to implement the recommended action are contained within the City of
Santa Clarita's adopted Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Assembly Bill 271 - Bill Text
Assembly Bill 875 - Bill Text
Assembly Bill 1022 - Bill Text
Senate Bill 264 - Bill Text
Senate Bill 265 - Bill Text
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3.a
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2025-26 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL
No. 271
Introduced by Assembly Member Hoover
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Hadwick)
January 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 463 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 271, as introduced, Hoover. Crimes: looting.
Existing law defines the crime of burglary, which consists of entering
specified buildings, places, or vehicles with the intent to commit grand
or petty theft or a felony. Existing law defines burglary of the first
degree as any burglary of an inhabited building and makes burglary of
the first degree punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2,
4, or 6 years. Existing law defines all other burglary as burglary of the
2nd degree and makes it punishable by imprisonment in the county jail
for one year or as a felony. Existing law makes the theft of money,
labor, or property petty theft punishable as a misdemeanor, whenever
the value of the property taken does not exceed $950. Under existing
law, if the value of the property taken exceeds $950, the theft is grand
theft, punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Existing law defines any 2nd-degree burglary or grand theft, during
and within an affected county in a state of emergency or local
emergency, as specified, as looting, punishable by either imprisonment
in a county jail for one year or as a felony. Existing law makes petty
theft committed during and within an affected county in a state of
emergency or local emergency a misdemeanor and requires a minimum
jail term of 90 days.
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AB 271 —2—
3.a
Existing law prohibits credibly impersonating a peace officer,
firefighter, or employee of a state or local government agency, or a
search and rescue team, as specified. A violation of these prohibitions
is punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill would make looting by the means of a 2nd-degree burglary
or grand theft punishable instead as a felony. The bill would define a
petty theft committed during and within an affected county in a state
of emergency or local emergency as looting and make it punishable by
imprisonment in the county jail for one year or as a felony. The bill
would require any person who in the course of committing or attempting
to commit the crime of looting impersonated a peace officer, firefighter,
or employee of a state or local government agency, or a search and
rescue team, subject to a penalty enhancement. By increasing the
punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state -mandated local
program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 463 of the Penal Code is amended to
2 read:
3 463. (a) (1) Every person who violates Section 459, punishable
4 as a second-degree burglary pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section
5 461, during and within an affected county in a "state of emergency"
6 or a "local emergency," or under an "evacuation order," resulting
7 from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot, or other natural or manmade
8 disaster shall be guilty of the crime of looting, punishable*
9 pursuant to
10 subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Any person convicted under this
11 subdivision who is eligible for probation and who is granted
12 probation shall, as a condition thereof, be confined in a county jail
13 for at least 180 days, except that the court may, in the case where
14 the interest of justice would best be served, reduce or eliminate
15 that mandatory jail sentence, if the court specifies on the record
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—3— AB 271
3.a
1 and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating that the
2 interest of justice would best be served by that disposition. In
3 addition to whatever custody is ordered, the court, in its discretion,
4 may require any person granted probation following conviction
5 under this subdivision to serve up to 240 hours of community
6 service in any program deemed appropriate by the court, including
7 any program created to rebuild the community.
8 F-of
9 (2) For purposes of this subdivision, the fact that the structure
10 entered has been damaged by the earthquake, fire, flood, or other
11 natural or manmade disaster shall not, in and of itself, preclude
12 conviction.
13 (b) Every person who commits the crime of grand theft, as
14 defined in Section 487 or subdivision (a) of Section 487a, except
15 grand theft of a firearm, during and within an affected county in
16 a "state of emergency" or a "local emergency," or under an
17 "evacuation order," resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot,
18 or other natural or unnatural disaster shall be guilty of the crime
19 of looting, punishable by imprisonment in a eounty jail for one
20 yearn pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Every person
21 who commits the crime of grand theft of a firearm, as defined in
22 Section 487, during and within an affected county in a "state of
23 emergency" or a "local emergency" resulting from an earthquake,
24 fire, flood, riot, or other natural or unnatural disaster shall be guilty
25 of the crime of looting, punishable by imprisonment in the state
26 prison, as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 489. Any person
27 convicted under this subdivision who is eligible for probation and
28 who is granted probation shall, as a condition thereof, be confined
29 in a county jail for at least 180 days, except that the court may, in
30 the case where the interest of justice would best be served, reduce
31 or eliminate that mandatory jail sentence, if the court specifies on
32 the record and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating
33 that the interest of justice would best be served by that disposition.
34 In addition to whatever custody is ordered, the court, in its
35 discretion, may require any person granted probation following
36 conviction under this subdivision to serve up to 160 hours of
37 community service in any program deemed appropriate by the
38 court, including any program created to rebuild the community.
39 (c) Every person who commits the crime of petty theft, as
40 defined in Section 488, during and within an affected county in a
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AB 271 —4-
3.a
1 "state of emergency" or a "local emergency," or under an
2 "evacuation order," resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot,
3 or other natural or manmade disaster shall be guilty of —a
4 .,..isde_...,.. not, the crime of looting, punishable by imprisonment
5 in a county jail for six m on not exceeding one year or pursuant
6 to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Any person convicted under
7 this subdivision who is eligible for probation and who is granted
8 probation shall, as a condition thereof, be confined in a county jail
9 for at least 90 days, except that the court may, in the case where
10 the interest of justice would best be served, reduce or eliminate
11 that mandatory minimum jail sentence, if the court specifies on
12 the record and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating
13 that the interest of justice would best be served by that disposition.
14 In addition to whatever custody is ordered, the court, in its
15 discretion, may require any person granted probation following
16 conviction under this subdivision to serve up to 80 hours of
17 community service in any program deemed appropriate by the
18 court, including any program created to rebuild the community.
19 (d) Any person who commits a violation of this section and who,
20 in the course of that violation or attempted violation, impersonates
21 a first responder, in violation of Section 538d, 538e, 538g, or 538h,
22 shall be subject to a penalty enhancement of an additional two
23 years, which shall be served consecutive to any other term imposed
24 by the court.
25 (-d)
26 (e) (1) For purposes of this section, "state of emergency" means
27 conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are, or are likely to
28 be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and
29 facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require
30 the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.
31 (2) For purposes of this section, "local emergency" means
32 conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are, or are likely to
33 be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and
34 facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require
35 the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.
36 (3) For purposes of this section, a "state of emergency" shall
37 exist from the time of the proclamation of the condition of the
38 emergency until terminated pursuant to Section 8629 of the
39 Government Code. For purposes of this section only, a "local
40 emergency" shall exist from the time of the proclamation of the
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3.a
1 condition of the emergency by the local governing body until
2 terminated pursuant to Section 8630 of the Government Code.
3 (4) For purposes of this section, "evacuation order" means an
4 order from the Governor, or a county sheriff, chief of police, or
5 fire marshal, under which persons subject to the order are required
6 to relocate outside of the geographic area covered by the order due
7 to an imminent danger resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood,
8 riot, or other natural or manmade disaster.
9 (5) Consensual entry into a commercial structure with the intent
10 to commit a violation of Section 470, 476, 476a, 484f, or 484g
11 shall not be charged as a violation under this section.
12 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
13 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
14 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
15 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
16 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
17 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
18 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
19 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
20 Constitution.
X
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3.b
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2025-26 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL
No. 875
Introduced by Assembly Member Muratsuchi
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Davies)
February 19, 2025
An act to amend Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 875, as introduced, Muratsuchi. Vehicle removal.
Existing law authorizes a peace officer or a regularly employed and
salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing
parking laws and regulations to remove a vehicle when, among other
things, the officer arrests a person driving or in control of a vehicle for
an alleged offense, and the officer is, by the Vehicle Code or other law,
required or permitted to take, and does take, the person into custody.
This bill would additionally authorize a peace officer to remove an
electric bicycle operated on the highway that is capable of speeds greater
than any speed permitted for an electric bicycle, as specified. The bill
would also authorize a peace officer to remove a bicycle operated by a
person who (1) is under 16 years of age and is operating a class 3 electric
bicycle or (2) is operating, or riding upon, a class 3 electric bicycle
without a helmet, as specified.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: no.
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AB 875 —2—
3.b
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code is amended
2 to read:
3 22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing
4 with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a
5 regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in
6 directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a
7 city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is
8 located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits
9 in which the officer or employee may act, under the following
10 circumstances:
11 (a) If a vehicle is left unattended upon a bridge, viaduct, or
12 causeway or in a tube or tunnel where the vehicle constitutes an
13 obstruction to traffic.
14 (b) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a
15 position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a
16 condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the highway.
17 (c) If a vehicle is found upon a highway or public land and a
18 report has previously been made that the vehicle is stolen or a
19 complaint has been filed and a warrant thereon is issued charging
20 that the vehicle was embezzled.
21 (d) If a vehicle is illegally parked so as to block the entrance to
22 a private driveway, and it is impractical to move the vehicle from
23 in front of the driveway to another point on the highway.
24 (e) If a vehicle is illegally parked so as to prevent access by
25 firefighting equipment to a fire hydrant, and it is impracticable to
26 move the vehicle from in front of the fire hydrant to another point
27 on the highway.
28 (f) If a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction
29 equipment, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than four
30 hours upon the right-of-way of a freeway that has full control of
31 access and no crossings at grade, and the driver, if present, cannot
32 move the vehicle under its own power.
33 (g) If the person in charge of a vehicle upon a highway or public
34 land is, by reason of physical injuries or illness, incapacitated to
35 an extent so as to be unable to provide for its custody or removal.
36 (h) (1) If an officer arrests a person driving or in control of a
37 vehicle for an alleged offense, and the officer is, by this code or
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3.b
1 other law, required or permitted to take, and, except as provided
2 in Section 23109.3, does take, the person into custody.
3 (2) If an officer serves a notice of an order of suspension or
4 revocation pursuant to Section 13388 or 13389.
5 (i) (1) If a vehicle, other than a rented vehicle, is found upon
6 a highway or public land, or is removed pursuant to this code, and
7 it is known that the vehicle has been issued five or more notices
8 of parking violations to which the owner or person in control of
9 the vehicle has not responded within 21 calendar days of notice
10 of citation issuance or citation issuance or 14 calendar days of the
11 mailing of a notice of delinquent parking violation to the agency
12 responsible for processing notices of parking violations, or the
13 registered owner of the vehicle is known to have been issued five
14 or more notices for failure to pay or failure to appear in court for
15 traffic violations for which a certificate has not been issued by the
16 magistrate or clerk of the court hearing the case showing that the
17 case has been adjudicated or concerning which the registered
18 owner's record has not been cleared pursuant to Chapter 6
19 (commencing with Section 41500) of Division 17, the vehicle may
20 be impounded until that person furnishes to the impounding law
21 enforcement agency all of the following:
22 (A) Evidence of their identity.
23 (B) An address within this state where they can be located.
24 (C) Satisfactory evidence that all parking penalties due for the
25 vehicle and all other vehicles registered to the registered owner of
26 the impounded vehicle and all traffic violations of the registered
27 owner have been cleared.
28 (2) The requirements in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall
29 be fully enforced by the impounding law enforcement agency on
30 and after the time that the Department of Motor Vehicles is able
31 to provide access to the necessary records.
32 (3) A notice of parking violation issued for an unlawfully parked
33 vehicle shall be accompanied by a warning that repeated violations
34 may result in the impounding of the vehicle. In lieu of furnishing
35 satisfactory evidence that the full amount of parking penalties or
36 bail has been deposited, that person may demand to be taken
37 without unnecessary delay before a magistrate, for traffic offenses,
38 or a hearing examiner, for parking offenses, within the county
39 where the offenses charged are alleged to have been committed
40 and who has jurisdiction of the offenses and is nearest or most
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AB 875 — 4 —
3.b
1 accessible with reference to the place where the vehicle is
2 impounded. Evidence of current registration shall be produced
3 after a vehicle has been impounded, or, at the discretion of the
4 impounding law enforcement agency, a notice to appear for
5 violation of subdivision (a) of Section 4000 shall be issued to that
6 person.
7 (4) A vehicle shall be released to the legal owner, as defined in
8 Section 370, if the legal owner does all of the following:
9 (A) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle.
10 (B) Submits evidence of payment of fees as provided in Section
11 9561.
12 (C) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the
13 impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was
14 not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of
15 the offenses relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to
16 a legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for
17 purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency shall have
18 a lien on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle, to which
19 the registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full
20 amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations
21 issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges
22 imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. The legal owner shall
23 promptly remit to, and deposit with, the agency responsible for
24 processing notices of parking violations from that surplus, on
25 receipt of that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for
26 all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all
27 local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5.
28 (5) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that
29 remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is
30 entitled pursuant to paragraph (4) has a deficiency claim against
31 the registered owner for the full amount of the parking penalties
32 for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for
33 all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section
34 22850.5, less the amount received from the sale of the vehicle.
35 0) If a vehicle is found illegally parked and there are no license
36 plates or other evidence of registration displayed, the vehicle may
37 be impounded until the owner or person in control of the vehicle
38 furnishes the impounding law enforcement agency evidence of
39 their identity and an address within this state where they can be
40 located.
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3.b
1 (k) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72
2 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance
3 authorizing removal.
4 (0 If a vehicle is illegally parked on a highway in violation of
5 a local ordinance forbidding standing or parking and the use of a
6 highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair,
7 or construction of the highway, or for the installation of
8 underground utilities, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may
9 be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the
10 removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance.
11 (m) If the use of the highway, or a portion of the highway, is
12 authorized by a local authority for a purpose other than the normal
13 flow of traffic or for the movement of equipment, articles, or
14 structures of unusual size, and the parking of a vehicle would
15 prohibit or interfere with that use or movement, and signs giving
16 notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at
17 least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant
18 to the ordinance.
19 (n) Whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local
20 authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking
21 and have authorized the removal of vehicles. Except as provided
22 in subdivisions (v) and (w), a vehicle shall not be removed unless
23 signs are posted giving notice of the removal.
24 (o) (1) If a vehicle is found or operated upon a highway, public
25 land, or an offstreet parking facility under any of the following
26 circumstances:
27 (A) (i) With a registration expiration date in excess of six
28 months before the date it is found or operated on the highway,
29 public lands, or the offstreet parking facility.
30 (ii) Prior to removing a vehicle pursuant to this subparagraph,
31 the officer or employee shall verify, using available Department
32 of Motor Vehicles records, that no current registration exists for
33 the vehicle. A vehicle shall not be removed pursuant to this
34 subparagraph if it has a current registration on file with the
35 Department of Motor Vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle
36 is in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 5204. If the officer
37 or employee does not have immediate access to those records, a
38 vehicle shall not be removed pursuant to this subparagraph.
39 (B) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, a registration card,
40 identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, special plate,
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3.b
1 registration sticker, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or
2 permit that was not issued for that vehicle or is not otherwise
3 lawfully used on that vehicle under this code.
4 (C) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, an altered, forged,
5 counterfeit, or falsified registration card, identification card,
6 temporary receipt, license plate, special plate, registration sticker,
7 device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit.
8 (D) (i) The vehicle is operating using autonomous technology,
9 without the registered owner or manufacturer of the vehicle having
10 first applied for and obtained a valid permit that is required to
11 operate the vehicle on public roads pursuant to Section 38750,
12 Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the
13 California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8 (commencing with
14 Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations.
15 (ii) The vehicle is operating using autonomous technology after
16 the registered owner or person in control of the vehicle received
17 notice that the vehicle's permit required for the operation of the
18 vehicle pursuant to Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with
19 Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations,
20 and Article 3.8 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of
21 the California Code of Regulations is suspended, terminated, or
22 revoked.
23 (iii) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms "autonomous
24 technology" and "autonomous vehicle" have the same meanings
25 as in Section 38750.
26 (iv) This subparagraph does not provide the authority for a peace
27 officer to stop an autonomous vehicle solely for the purpose of
28 determining whether the vehicle is operating using autonomous
29 technology without a valid permit required to operate the
30 autonomous vehicle on public roads pursuant to Section 38750,
31 Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the
32 California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8 (commencing with
33 Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations.
34 (2) If a vehicle described in paragraph (1) is occupied, only a
35 peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
36 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, may remove the vehicle.
37 (3) For the purposes of this subdivision, the vehicle shall be
38 released under any of the following circumstances:
39 (A) If the vehicle has been removed pursuant to subparagraph
40 (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), to the registered owner of, or
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1 person in control of, the vehicle only after the owner or person
2 furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current
3 registration and a valid driver's license to operate the vehicle.
4 (B) If the vehicle has been removed pursuant to subparagraph
5 (D) of paragraph (1), to the registered owner of, or person in control
6 of, the autonomous vehicle, after the registered owner or person
7 furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current
8 registration and a valid driver's license, if required to operate the
9 autonomous vehicle, and either of the following:
10 (i) Proof of a valid permit required to operate the autonomous
11 vehicle using autonomous technology on public roads pursuant to
12 Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of
13 Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8
14 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California
15 Code of Regulations.
16 (ii) A declaration or sworn statement to the Department of Motor
17 Vehicles that states that the autonomous vehicle will not be
18 operated using autonomous technology upon public roads without
19 first obtaining a valid permit to operate the vehicle pursuant to
20 Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of
21 Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8
22 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California
23 Code of Regulations.
24 (C) To the legal owner or the legal owner's agency, without
25 payment of any fees, fines, or penalties for parking tickets or
26 registration and without proof of current registration, if the vehicle
27 will only be transported pursuant to the exemption specified in
28 Section 4022 and if the legal owner does all of the following:
29 (i) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle.
30 (ii) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the
31 impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was
32 not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of
33 an offense relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to a
34 legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for
35 purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency has a lien
36 on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle to which the
37 registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full
38 amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking violations
39 issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges
40 imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. Upon receipt of any surplus,
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1 the legal owner shall promptly remit to, and deposit with, the
2 agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations
3 from that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for all
4 notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local
5 administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5.
6 (4) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that
7 remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is
8 entitled has a deficiency claim against the registered owner for the
9 full amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking
10 violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative
11 charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5, less the amount
12 received from the sale of the vehicle.
13 (5) As used in this subdivision, "offstreet parking facility" means
14 an offstreet facility held open for use by the public for parking
15 vehicles and includes a publicly owned facility for offstreet parking
16 and a privately owned facility for offstreet parking if a fee is not
17 charged for the privilege to park and it is held open for the common
18 public use of retail customers.
19 (p) If the peace officer issues the driver of a vehicle a notice to
20 appear for a violation of Section 12500, 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2,
21 14601.3, 14601.4, 14601.5, or 14604, and the vehicle is not
22 impounded pursuant to Section 22655.5. A vehicle so removed
23 from the highway or public land, or from private property after
24 having been on a highway or public land, shall not be released to
25 the registered owner or their agent, except upon presentation of
26 the registered owner's or their agent's currently valid driver's
27 license to operate the vehicle and proof of current vehicle
28 registration to the impounding law enforcement agency or upon
29 order of a court.
30 (q) If a vehicle is parked for more than 24 hours on a portion
31 of highway that is located within the boundaries of a common
32 interest development, as defined in Section 4100 or 6534 of the
33 Civil Code, and signs, as required by paragraph (1) of subdivision
34 (a) of Section 22658 of this code, have been posted on that portion
35 of highway providing notice to drivers that vehicles parked thereon
36 for more than 24 hours will be removed at the owner's expense
37 pursuant to a resolution or ordinance adopted by the local authority.
38 (r) If a vehicle is illegally parked and blocks the movement of
39 a legally parked vehicle.
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(s) (1) If a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction
equipment, an authorized emergency vehicle, or a vehicle that is
properly permitted or otherwise authorized by the Department of
Transportation, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than
eight hours within a roadside rest area or viewpoint.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if a commercial motor
vehicle, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section
15210, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than 10 hours
within a roadside rest area or viewpoint.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, a roadside rest area or
viewpoint is a publicly maintained vehicle parking area, adjacent
to a highway, utilized for the convenient, safe stopping of a vehicle
to enable motorists to rest or to view the scenery. If two or more
roadside rest areas are located on opposite sides of the highway,
or upon the center divider, within seven miles of each other, then
that combination of rest areas is considered to be the same rest
area.
(t) If a peace officer issues a notice to appear for a violation of
Section 25279.
(u) If a peace officer issues a citation for a violation of Section
11700, and the vehicle is being offered for sale.
(v) (1) If a vehicle is a mobile billboard advertising display, as
defined in Section 395.5, and is parked or left standing in violation
of a local resolution or ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision
err) (l) of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was
previously issued a warning citation for the same offense pursuant
to paragraph (2).
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or
county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance
prohibiting mobile billboard advertising displays adopted pursuant
to subdivision) (1) of Section 21100 may provide notice by
issuing a warning citation advising the registered owner of the
vehicle that they may be subject to penalties upon a subsequent
violation of the ordinance that may include the removal of the
vehicle as provided in paragraph (1). A city or county is not
required to provide further notice for a subsequent violation prior
to the enforcement of penalties for a violation of the ordinance.
(w) (1) If a vehicle is parked or left standing in violation of a
local ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision{P}
(o) of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was
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1 previously issued a warning citation for the same offense pursuant
2 to paragraph (2).
3 (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or
4 county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance regulating
5 advertising signs adopted pursuant to subdivision{p) (o) of Section
6 21100 may provide notice by issuing a warning citation advising
7 the registered owner of the vehicle that they may be subject to
8 penalties upon a subsequent violation of the ordinance that may
9 include the removal of the vehicle as provided in paragraph (1).
10 A city or county is not required to provide further notice for a
11 subsequent violation before the enforcement of penalties for a
12 violation of the ordinance.
13 (x) If a person is operating a bicycle with an electric motor that
14 is capable of speeds greater than any speed permitted by an electric
15 bicycle, including a bicycle with an electric motor capable with
16 the ability to exclusively propel the bicycle at a speed greater than
17 20 miles per hour, on a highway.
18 (y) If a person is operating a class 3 electric bicycle in violation
19 of Section 21213.
X
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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2025-26 REGULAR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL
No. 1022
Introduced by Assembly Member Kalra
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bryan, Elhawary, Haney, and Lee)
February 20, 2025
An act to amend Sections 22651, 22651.3, and 22851.1 of, and to
repeal Section 22651.7 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1022, as introduced, Kalra. Authority to remove vehicles.
Existing law authorizes a peace officer, as defined, or a regularly
employed and salaried employee, who is engaged in directing traffic
or enforcing parking laws and regulations, of a city, county, or
jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located, to remove
a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the officer or
employee may act, under designated circumstances, including, but not
limited to, when a vehicle is found upon a highway or public land, or
removed pursuant to the Vehicle Code, and it is known that the vehicle
has been issued 5 or more notices of parking violations to which the
owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded within
designated time periods, or the registered owner of the vehicle is known
to have been issued 5 or more notices for failure to pay or failure to
appear in court for traffic violations for which a certificate has not been
issued by the magistrate or clerk of the court hearing the case, as
specified. Under existing law, a vehicle that has been removed and
impounded under those circumstances that is not released may be subject
to a lien sale to compensate for the costs of towage and for caring for
and keeping safe the vehicle.
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This bill would remove the authority of a peace officer or public
employee, as appropriate, to remove a vehicle under the above -described
circumstances, and make conforming changes.
Existing law similarly authorizes a peace officer, as defined, or a
regularly employed and salaried employee, who is engaged in directing
traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations, of a city, county, or
jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located, to remove
a vehicle from an off-street parking facility located within the territorial
limits in which the officer or employee may act, when the vehicle is
known to have been issued 5 or more notices of parking violation over
a period of 5 or more days, to which the owner or person in control of
the vehicle has not responded or when any vehicle is illegally parked
so as to prevent the movement of a legally parked vehicle. Existing law
authorizes the vehicle to be impounded until the owner or person in
control of the vehicle furnishes to the impounding law enforcement
agency evidence of their identity and an address within this state at
which they can be located and furnishes satisfactory evidence that bail
has been deposited for all notices of parking violation issued for the
vehicle. In lieu of requiring satisfactory evidence that the bail has been
deposited, existing law authorizes the impounding law enforcement
agency to, in its discretion, issue a notice to appear for the offenses
charged, as specified. In lieu of either furnishing satisfactory evidence
that the bail has been deposited or accepting the notice to appear,
existing law authorizes the owner or person in control of the vehicle to
demand to be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate
within the county in which the offenses charged are alleged to have
been committed and who has jurisdiction of the offenses and is nearest
or most accessible with reference to the place where the vehicle is
impounded.
This bill would delete the authorization to remove a vehicle from an
off-street parking facility when the vehicle is known to have been issued
5 or more notices of parking violation over a period of 5 or more days,
to which the owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded.
The bill would also delete the impounding provisions described above.
Existing law authorizes a peace officer, as defined, or a regularly
employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or
enforcing parking laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which a
vehicle is located, to immobilize the vehicle that is located on a highway
or public lands located within the territorial limits in which the officer
or employee may act, if the vehicle is found upon a highway or public
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lands and it is known to have been issued 5 or more notices of parking
violations that are delinquent because the owner or person in control
of the vehicle has not responded to the agency responsible for processing
notices of parking violation within designated time periods, or the
registered owner of the vehicle is known to have been issued 5 or more
notices for failure to pay or failure to appear in court for traffic violations
for which no certificate has been issued by the magistrate or clerk of
the court hearing the case, as specified. Existing law authorizes the
vehicle to be immobilized until the person furnishes to the immobilizing
law enforcement agency evidence of their identity and an address within
this state at which they can be located and furnishes satisfactory
evidence that the full amount of parking penalties been deposited for
all notices of parking violation issued for the vehicle and any other
vehicle registered to the registered owner of the immobilized vehicle
and that bail has been deposited for all traffic violations of the registered
owner that have not been cleared.
This bill would delete that provision.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code is amended
2 to read:
3 22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing
4 with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a
5 regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in
6 directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a
7 city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is
8 located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits
9 in which the officer or employee may act, under the following
10 circumstances:
11 (a) If a vehicle is left unattended upon a bridge, viaduct, or
12 causeway or in a tube or tunnel where the vehicle constitutes an
13 obstruction to traffic.
14 (b) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a
15 position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a
16 condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the highway.
17 (c) If a vehicle is found upon a highway or public land and a
18 report has previously been made that the vehicle is stolen or a
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1 complaint has been filed and a warrant thereon is issued charging
2 that the vehicle was embezzled.
3 (d) If a vehicle is illegally parked so as to block the entrance to
4 a private driveway, and it is impractical to move the vehicle from
5 in front of the driveway to another point on the highway.
6 (e) If a vehicle is illegally parked so as to prevent access by
7 firefighting equipment to a fire hydrant, and it is impracticable to
8 move the vehicle from in front of the fire hydrant to another point
9 on the highway.
10 (f) If a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction
11 equipment, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than four
12 hours upon the right-of-way of a freeway that has full control of
13 access and no crossings at grade, and the driver, if present, cannot
14 move the vehicle under its own power.
15 (g) If the person in charge of a vehicle upon a highway or public
16 land is, by reason of physical injuries or illness, incapacitated to
17 an extent so as to be unable to provide for its custody or removal.
18 (h) (1) If an officer arrests a person driving or in control of a
19 vehicle for an alleged offense, and the officer is, by this code or
20 other law, required or permitted to take, and, except as provided
21 in Section 23109.3, does take, the person into custody.
22 (2) If an officer serves a notice of an order of suspension or
23 revocation pursuant to Section 13388 or 13389.
24 (i) (1) *Until January 1, 2026, if a vehicle, other than a rented
25 vehicle, is found upon a highway or public land, or is removed
26 pursuant to this code, and it is known that the vehicle has been
27 issued five or more notices of parking violations to which the
28 owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded within
29 21 calendar days of notice of citation issuance or citation issuance
30 or 14 calendar days of the mailing of a notice of delinquent parking
31 violation to the agency responsible for processing notices of
32 parking violations, or the registered owner of the vehicle is known
33 to have been issued five or more notices for failure to pay or failure
34 to appear in court for traffic violations for which a certificate has
35 not been issued by the magistrate or clerk of the court hearing the
36 case showing that the case has been adjudicated or concerning
37 which the registered owner's record has not been cleared pursuant
38 to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 41500) of Division 17,
39 the vehicle may be impounded until that person furnishes to the
40 impounding law enforcement agency all of the following:
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1 (A) Evidence of their identity.
2 (B) An address within this state where they can be located.
3 (C) Satisfactory evidence that all parking penalties due for the
4 vehicle and all other vehicles registered to the registered owner of
5 the impounded vehicle and all traffic violations of the registered
6 owner have been cleared.
7 (2) The requirements in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall
8 be fully enforced by the impounding law enforcement agency on
9 and after the time that the Department of Motor Vehicles is able
10 to provide access to the necessary records.
11 (3) A notice of parking violation issued for an unlawfully parked
12 vehicle shall be accompanied by a warning that repeated violations
13 may result in the impounding of the vehicle. In lieu of furnishing
14 satisfactory evidence that the full amount of parking penalties or
15 bail has been deposited, that person may demand to be taken
16 without unnecessary delay before a magistrate, for traffic offenses,
17 or a hearing examiner, for parking offenses, within the county
18 where the offenses charged are alleged to have been committed
19 and who has jurisdiction of the offenses and is nearest or most
20 accessible with reference to the place where the vehicle is
21 impounded. Evidence of current registration shall be produced
22 after a vehicle has been impounded, or, at the discretion of the
23 impounding law enforcement agency, a notice to appear for
24 violation of subdivision (a) of Section 4000 shall be issued to that
25 person.
26 (4) A vehicle shall be released to the legal owner, as defined in
27 Section 370, if the legal owner does all of the following:
28 (A) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle.
29 (B) Submits evidence of payment of fees as provided in Section
30 9561.
31 (C) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the
32 impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was
33 not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of
34 the offenses relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to
35 a legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for
36 purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency shall have
37 a lien on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle, to which
38 the registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full
39 amount of the parking penalties for all notices of parking violations
40 issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges
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1 imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. The legal owner shall
2 promptly remit to, and deposit with, the agency responsible for
3 processing notices of parking violations from that surplus, on
4 receipt of that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for
5 all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all
6 local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5.
7 (5) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that
8 remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is
9 entitled pursuant to paragraph (4) has a deficiency claim against
10 the registered owner for the full amount of the parking penalties
11 for all notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for
12 all local administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section
13 22850.5, less the amount received from the sale of the vehicle.
14 0) If a vehicle is found illegally parked and there are no license
15 plates or other evidence of registration displayed, the vehicle may
16 be impounded until the owner or person in control of the vehicle
17 furnishes the impounding law enforcement agency evidence of
18 their identity and an address within this state where they can be
19 located.
20 (k) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72
21 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance
22 authorizing removal.
23 (0 If a vehicle is illegally parked on a highway in violation of
24 a local ordinance forbidding standing or parking and the use of a
25 highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair,
26 or construction of the highway, or for the installation of
27 underground utilities, and signs giving notice that the vehicle may
28 be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the
29 removal by a local authority pursuant to the ordinance.
30 (m) If the use of the highway, or a portion of the highway, is
31 authorized by a local authority for a purpose other than the normal
32 flow of traffic or for the movement of equipment, articles, or
33 structures of unusual size, and the parking of a vehicle would
34 prohibit or interfere with that use or movement, and signs giving
35 notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at
36 least 24 hours prior to the removal by a local authority pursuant
37 to the ordinance.
38 (n) Whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local
39 authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking
40 and have authorized the removal of vehicles. Except as provided
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1 in subdivisions (v) and (w), a vehicle shall not be removed unless
2 signs are posted giving notice of the removal.
3 (o) (1) If a vehicle is found or operated upon a highway, public
4 land, or an offstreet parking facility under any of the following
5 circumstances:
6 (A) (i) With a registration expiration date in excess of six
7 months before the date it is found or operated on the highway,
8 public lands, or the offstreet parking facility.
9 (ii) Prior to removing a vehicle pursuant to this subparagraph,
10 the officer or employee shall verify, using available Department
11 of Motor Vehicles records, that no current registration exists for
12 the vehicle. A vehicle shall not be removed pursuant to this
13 subparagraph if it has a current registration on file with the
14 Department of Motor Vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle
15 is in compliance with subdivision (a) of Section 5204. If the officer
16 or employee does not have immediate access to those records, a
17 vehicle shall not be removed pursuant to this subparagraph.
18 (B) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, a registration card,
19 identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, special plate,
20 registration sticker, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or
21 permit that was not issued for that vehicle or is not otherwise
22 lawfully used on that vehicle under this code.
23 (C) Displaying in, or upon, the vehicle, an altered, forged,
24 counterfeit, or falsified registration card, identification card,
25 temporary receipt, license plate, special plate, registration sticker,
26 device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit.
27 (D) (i) The vehicle is operating using autonomous technology,
28 without the registered owner or manufacturer of the vehicle having
29 first applied for and obtained a valid permit that is required to
30 operate the vehicle on public roads pursuant to Section 38750,
31 Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the
32 California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8 (commencing with
33 Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations.
34 (ii) The vehicle is operating using autonomous technology after
35 the registered owner or person in control of the vehicle received
36 notice that the vehicle's permit required for the operation of the
37 vehicle pursuant to Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with
38 Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations,
39 and Article 3.8 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of
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1 the California Code of Regulations is suspended, terminated, or
2 revoked.
3 (iii) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms "autonomous
4 technology" and "autonomous vehicle" have the same meanings
5 as in Section 38750.
6 (iv) This subparagraph does not provide the authority for a peace
7 officer to stop an autonomous vehicle solely for the purpose of
8 determining whether the vehicle is operating using autonomous
9 technology without a valid permit required to operate the
10 autonomous vehicle on public roads pursuant to Section 38750,
11 Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of Title 13 of the
12 California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8 (commencing with
13 Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations.
14 (2) If a vehicle described in paragraph (1) is occupied, only a
15 peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
16 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, may remove the vehicle.
17 (3) For the purposes of this subdivision, the vehicle shall be
18 released under any of the following circumstances:
19 (A) If the vehicle has been removed pursuant to subparagraph
20 (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), to the registered owner of, or
21 person in control of, the vehicle only after the owner or person
22 furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current
23 registration and a valid driver's license to operate the vehicle.
24 (B) If the vehicle has been removed pursuant to subparagraph
25 (D) of paragraph (1), to the registered owner of, or person in control
26 of, the autonomous vehicle, after the registered owner or person
27 furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current
28 registration and a valid driver's license, if required to operate the
29 autonomous vehicle, and either of the following:
30 (i) Proof of a valid permit required to operate the autonomous
31 vehicle using autonomous technology on public roads pursuant to
32 Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of
33 Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8
34 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California
35 Code of Regulations.
36 (ii) A declaration or sworn statement to the Department of Motor
37 Vehicles that states that the autonomous vehicle will not be
38 operated using autonomous technology upon public roads without
39 first obtaining a valid permit to operate the vehicle pursuant to
40 Section 38750, Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 227.00) of
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1 Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, and Article 3.8
2 (commencing with Section 228.00) of Title 13 of the California
3 Code of Regulations.
4 (C) To the legal owner or the legal owner's agency, without
5 payment of any fees, fines, or penalties for parking tickets or
6 registration and without proof of current registration, if the vehicle
7 will only be transported pursuant to the exemption specified in
8 Section 4022 and if the legal owner does all of the following:
9 (i) Pays the cost of towing and storing the vehicle.
10 (ii) Completes an affidavit in a form acceptable to the
11 impounding law enforcement agency stating that the vehicle was
12 not in possession of the legal owner at the time of occurrence of
13 an offense relating to standing or parking. A vehicle released to a
14 legal owner under this subdivision is a repossessed vehicle for
15 purposes of disposition or sale. The impounding agency has a lien
16 on any surplus that remains upon sale of the vehicle to which the
17 registered owner is or may be entitled, as security for the full
18 amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking violations
19 issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative charges
20 imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5. Upon receipt of any surplus,
21 the legal owner shall promptly remit to, and deposit with, the
22 agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations
23 from that surplus, the full amount of the parking penalties for all
24 notices of parking violations issued for the vehicle and for all local
25 administrative charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5.
26 (4) The impounding agency that has a lien on the surplus that
27 remains upon the sale of a vehicle to which a registered owner is
28 entitled has a deficiency claim against the registered owner for the
29 full amount of parking penalties for any notices of parking
30 violations issued for the vehicle and for all local administrative
31 charges imposed pursuant to Section 22850.5, less the amount
32 received from the sale of the vehicle.
33 (5) As used in this subdivision, "offstreet parking facility" means
34 an offstreet facility held open for use by the public for parking
35 vehicles and includes a publicly owned facility for offstreet parking
36 and a privately owned facility for offstreet parking if a fee is not
37 charged for the privilege to park and it is held open for the common
38 public use of retail customers.
39 (p) If the peace officer issues the driver of a vehicle a notice to
40 appear for a violation of Section 12500, 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2,
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14601.3, 14601.4, 14601.5, or 14604, and the vehicle is not
impounded pursuant to Section 22655.5. A vehicle so removed
from the highway or public land, or from private property after
having been on a highway or public land, shall not be released to
the registered owner or their agent, except upon presentation of
the registered owner's or their agent's currently valid driver's
license to operate the vehicle and proof of current vehicle
registration to the impounding law enforcement agency or upon
order of a court.
(q) If a vehicle is parked for more than 24 hours on a portion
of highway that is located within the boundaries of a common
interest development, as defined in Section 4100 or 6534 of the
Civil Code, and signs, as required by paragraph (1) of subdivision
(a) of Section 22658 of this code, have been posted on that portion
of highway providing notice to drivers that vehicles parked thereon
for more than 24 hours will be removed at the owner's expense
pursuant to a resolution or ordinance adopted by the local authority.
(r) If a vehicle is illegally parked and blocks the movement of
a legally parked vehicle.
(s) (1) If a vehicle, except highway maintenance or construction
equipment, an authorized emergency vehicle, or a vehicle that is
properly permitted or otherwise authorized by the Department of
Transportation, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than
eight hours within a roadside rest area or viewpoint.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if a commercial motor
vehicle, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section
15210, is stopped, parked, or left standing for more than 10 hours
within a roadside rest area or viewpoint.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, a roadside rest area or
viewpoint is a publicly maintained vehicle parking area, adjacent
to a highway, utilized for the convenient, safe stopping of a vehicle
to enable motorists to rest or to view the scenery. If two or more
roadside rest areas are located on opposite sides of the highway,
or upon the center divider, within seven miles of each other, then
that combination of rest areas is considered to be the same rest
area.
(t) If a peace officer issues a notice to appear for a violation of
Section 25279.
(u) If a peace officer issues a citation for a violation of Section
11700, and the vehicle is being offered for sale.
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1 (v) (1) If a vehicle is a mobile billboard advertising display, as
2 defined in Section 395.5, and is parked or left standing in violation
3 of a local resolution or ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision
4 (m) of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was
5 previously issued a warning citation for the same offense pursuant
6 to paragraph (2).
7 (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or
8 county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance
9 prohibiting mobile billboard advertising displays adopted pursuant
10 to subdivision (m) of Section 21100 may provide notice by issuing
11 a warning citation advising the registered owner of the vehicle that
12 they may be subject to penalties upon a subsequent violation of
13 the ordinance that may include the removal of the vehicle as
14 provided in paragraph (1). A city or county is not required to
15 provide further notice for a subsequent violation prior to the
16 enforcement of penalties for a violation of the ordinance.
17 (w) (1) If a vehicle is parked or left standing in violation of a
18 local ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (p)
19 of Section 21100, if the registered owner of the vehicle was
20 previously issued a warning citation for the same offense pursuant
21 to paragraph (2).
22 (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 22507, a city or
23 county, in lieu of posting signs noticing a local ordinance regulating
24 advertising signs adopted pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section
25 21100 may provide notice by issuing a warning citation advising
26 the registered owner of the vehicle that they may be subject to
27 penalties upon a subsequent violation of the ordinance that may
28 include the removal of the vehicle as provided in paragraph (1).
29 A city or county is not required to provide further notice for a
30 subsequent violation before the enforcement of penalties for a
31 violation of the ordinance.
32 SEC. 2. Section 22651.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to
33 read:
34 22651.3. {Any peace officer, as that term is defined in
35 Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2
36 of the Penal Code, or any regularly employed and salaried
37 employee, who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking
38 laws and regulations, of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state
39 agency in which any vehicle, other than a rented vehicle, is located
40 may remove the vehicle from an offstreet public parking facility
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AB 1022 —12 —
3.c
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—13 — AB 1022
3.c
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AB 1022 —14 —
3.c
1 are alleged to have beett eommitted and who has ittrisdietion o
2 the offenses and is nearest or most aeeessible with referettee to the
4 registration shall be produeed after a vehiele has beett immobilize
5 ,
6 a notiee to appear for violation of subdivision (a) of Seetion 4000
7 shall be issued to that person.
8 ,
9 .
10 SEC. 4. Section 22851.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to
11 read:
12 22851.1. (a) If the vehicle is impounded prior to January 1,
13 2026, pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 22651 and not released
14 as provided in that subdivision, the vehicle may be sold pursuant
15 to this chapter to satisfy the liens specified in Section 22851 and
16 in subdivision (b) of this section.
17 (b) A local authority impounding a vehicle pursuant to
18 subdivision (i) of Section 22651 shall have a lien dependent upon
19 possession by the keeper of the garage for satisfaction of bail for
20 all outstanding notices of parking violation issued by the local
21 authority for the vehicle, when the conditions specified in
22 subdivision (c) have been met. This lien shall be subordinate in
23 priority to the lien established by Section 22851, and the proceeds
24 of any sale shall be applied accordingly. Consistent with this order
25 of priority, the term "lien," as used in this article and in Chapter
26 6.5 (commencing with Section 3067) of Title 14 of Part 4 of
27 Division 3 of the Civil Code, includes a lien imposed by this
28 subdivision. In any action brought to perfect the lien, where
29 required by subdivision (d) of Section 22851.8 of this code, or by
30 subdivision (d) of Section 3071 or subdivision (d) of Section 3072
31 of the Civil Code, it shall be a defense to the recovery of bail that
32 the owner of the vehicle at the time of impoundment was not the
33 owner of the vehicle at the time of the parking offense.
34 (c) A lien shall exist for bail with respect to parking violations
35 for which no person has answered the charge in the notice of
36 parking violation given, or filed an affidavit of nonownership
37 pursuant to and within the time specified in subdivision (b) of
38 Section 41103.
I
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3.d
SENATE BILL
No. 264
Introduced by Senators Valladares and P6rez
(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Alvarado -Gil, Choi, Dahle, Grove,
Hurtado, Jones, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Seyarto, and Stern)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Chen, Davies, Hadwick,
Sanchez, and Wallis)
February 3, 2025
An act to amend Sections 538d and 538e of the Penal Code, relating
to crimes.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 264, as introduced, Valladares. Impersonation of a peace officer
or firefighter during a state of emergency or local emergency.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, authorizes the
Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, as defined, under specified
circumstances. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate a
peace officer or an officer or member of a fire department or the Office
of the State Fire Marshal.
This bill would make impersonating a peace officer or an officer or
member of a fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal
during a state of emergency or local emergency punishable as either a
misdemeanor or a felony, as specified. By increasing the punishment
of a crime, this bill would impose a state -mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: yes.
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SB 264 —2—
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The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 538d of the Penal Code is amended to
2 read:
3 538d. (a) Any person other than one who by law is given the
4 authority of a peace officer, who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses
5 the authorized uniform, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate,
6 card, or writing, of a peace officer, with the intent of fraudulently
7 impersonating a peace officer, or of fraudulently inducing the
8 belief that they are a peace officer, or who willfully and credibly
9 impersonates a peace officer through or on an internet website, or
10 by other electronic means, for purposes of defrauding another, is
11 guilty of a misdemeanor.
12 (b) (1) Any person, other than the one who by law is given the
13 authority of a peace officer, who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses
14 the badge of a peace officer with the intent of fraudulently
15 impersonating a peace officer, or of fraudulently inducing the
16 belief that they are a peace officer, is guilty of a misdemeanor
17 punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one
18 year, by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by
19 both that imprisonment and fine.
20 (2) Any person who willfully wears or uses any badge that
21 falsely purports to be authorized for the use of one who by law is
22 given the authority of a peace officer, or which so resembles the
23 authorized badge of a peace officer as would deceive any ordinary
24 reasonable person into believing that it is authorized for the use
25 of one who by law is given the authority of a peace officer, for the
26 purpose of fraudulently impersonating a peace officer, or of
27 fraudulently inducing the belief that they are a peace officer, is
28 guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county
29 jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed two thousand
30 dollars ($2,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
31 (c) (1) Except as provided in subdivision)-, (e), any person
32 who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses, or who willfully makes,
33 sells, loans, gives, or transfers to another, any badge, insignia,
34 emblem, device, or any label, certificate, card, or writing, which
35 falsely purports to be authorized for the use of one who by law is
36 given the authority of a peace officer, or which so resembles the
37 authorized badge, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate, card,
38 or writing of a peace officer as would deceive an ordinary
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1 reasonable person into believing that it is authorized for the use
2 of one who by law is given the authority of a peace officer, is guilty
3 of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not
4 to exceed six months, by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars
5 ($2,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine, except that any
6 person who makes or sells any badge under the circumstances
7 described in this subdivision is subject to a fine not to exceed
8 fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
9 (2) A local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction that files
10 charges against a person for a violation of paragraph (1) shall seize
11 the badge, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate, card, or
12 writing described in paragraph (1).
13 (d) Any person convicted of violating subdivision (a), (b), or
14 (c) during a state of emergency or local emergency, as defined in
15 Section 463, shall be punished either by imprisonment in a county
16 jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed two thousand
17 dollars ($2, 000), or by both that imprisonment and fine, or by
18 imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 and by
19 a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10, 000).
20 (-d)
21 (e) (1) The head of an agency that employs peace officers, as
22 defined in Sections 830.1 and 830.2, is authorized to issue
23 identification in the form of a badge, insignia, emblem, device,
24 label, certificate, card, or writing that clearly states that the person
25 has honorably retired following service as a peace officer from
26 that agency. The identification authorized pursuant to this
27 subdivision is separate and distinct from the identification
28 authorized by Article 2 (commencing with Section 25450) of
29 Chapter 2 of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6.
30 (2) If the head of an agency issues a badge to an honorably
31 retired peace officer that is not affixed to a plaque or other
32 memento commemorating the retiree's service for the agency, the
33 words "Honorably Retired" shall be clearly visible above,
34 underneath, or on the badge itself.
35 (3) The head of an agency that employs peace officers as defined
36 in Sections 830.1 and 830.2 is authorized to revoke identification
37 granted pursuant to this subdivision in the event of misuse or abuse.
38 (4) For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "honorably
39 retired" does not include an officer who has agreed to a service
40 retirement in lieu of termination.
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1 (-e)
2 0 (1) Vendors of law enforcement uniforms shall verify that
3 a person purchasing a uniform identifying a law enforcement
4 agency is an employee of the agency identified on the uniform.
5 Presentation and examination of a valid identification card with a
6 picture of the person purchasing the uniform and identification,
7 on the letterhead of the law enforcement agency, of the person
8 buying the uniform as an employee of the agency identified on the
9 uniform shall be sufficient verification.
10 (2) Any uniform vendor who sells a uniform identifying a law
11 enforcement agency, without verifying that the purchaser is an
12 employee of the agency, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable
13 by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
14 (3) This subdivision shall not apply if the uniform is to be used
15 solely as a prop for a motion picture, television, video production,
16 or a theatrical event, and prior written permission has been obtained
17 from the identified law enforcement agency.
18 SEC. 2. Section 538e of the Penal Code is amended to read:
19 538e. (a) Any person, other than an officer or member of a
20 fire department, who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses the
21 authorized uniform, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate,
22 card, or writing of an officer or member of a fire department or a
23 deputy state fire marshal, with the intent of fraudulently
24 impersonating an officer or member of a fire department or the
25 Office of the State Fire Marshal, or of fraudulently inducing the
26 belief that they are an officer or member of a fire department or
27 the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or who willfully and credibly
28 impersonates such an officer or member on an internet website,
29 or by other electronic means, for purposes of defrauding another,
30 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
31 (b) (1) Any person, other than the one who by law is given the
32 authority of an officer or member of a fire department, or a deputy
33 state fire marshal, who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses the badge
34 of a fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal with
35 the intent of fraudulently impersonating an officer, or member of
36 a fire department, or a deputy state fire marshal, or of fraudulently
37 inducing the belief that they are an officer or member of a fire
38 department, or a deputy state fire marshal, is guilty of a
39 misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to
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1 exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars
2 ($2,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
3 (2) Any person who willfully wears or uses any badge that
4 falsely purports to be authorized for the use of one who by law is
5 given the authority of an officer or member of a fire department,
6 or a deputy state fire marshal, or which so resembles the authorized
7 badge of an officer or member of a fire department, or a deputy
8 state fire marshal as would deceive any ordinary reasonable person
9 into believing that it is authorized for the use of one who by law
10 is given the authority of an officer or member of a fire department
11 or a deputy state fire marshal, for the purpose of fraudulently
12 impersonating an officer or member of a fire department, or a
13 deputy state fire marshal, or of fraudulently inducing the belief
14 that they are an officer or member of a fire department, or a deputy
15 state fire marshal, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
16 imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not
17 to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by both that
18 imprisonment and fine.
19 (c) Any person who willfully wears, exhibits, or uses, or who
20 willfully makes, sells, loans, gives, or transfers to another, any
21 badge, insignia, emblem, device, or any label, certificate, card, or
22 writing, which falsely purports to be authorized for the use of one
23 who by law is given the authority of an officer, or member of a
24 fire department or a deputy state fire marshal, or which so
25 resembles the authorized badge, insignia, emblem, device, label,
26 certificate, card, or writing of an officer or member of a fire
27 department or a deputy state fire marshal as would deceive an
28 ordinary reasonable person into believing that it is authorized for
29 use by an officer or member of a fire department or a deputy state
30 fire marshal, is guilty of a misdemeanor, except that any person
31 who makes or sells any badge under the circumstances described
32 in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine
33 not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
34 (d) Any person who, for the purpose of selling, leasing or
35 otherwise disposing of merchandise, supplies or equipment used
36 in fire prevention or suppression, falsely represents, in any manner
37 whatsoever, to any other person that they are a fire marshal, fire
38 inspector or member of a fire department, or that they have the
39 approval, endorsement or authorization of any fire marshal, fire
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SB 264
3.d
1 inspector or fire department, or member thereof, is guilty of a
2 misdemeanor.
3 (e) Any person convicted of violating subdivision (a), (b), (c),
4 or (d) during a state of emergency or local emergency, as defined
5 in Section 463, shall be punished either by imprisonment in a
6 county jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed two
7 thousand dollars ($2, 000), or by both that imprisonment and fine,
8 or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170
9 and by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10, 000).
10 (-e)
11 (f) (1) Vendors of uniforms shall verify that a person purchasing
12 a uniform identifying a firefighting agency or department is an
13 employee or authorized member of the agency or department
14 identified on the uniform. Examination of a valid photo
15 identification card issued by a firefighting agency or department
16 that designates the person as an employee or authorized member
17 of the agency or department identified on the uniform shall be
18 sufficient verification.
19 (2) If a person purchasing a uniform does not have a valid photo
20 identification card issued by a firefighting agency or department,
21 the person shall present an official letter of authorization from the
22 firefighting agency or department designating that person as an
23 employee or authorized member of the agency or department. The
24 person shall also present a government issued photo identification
25 card bearing the same name as listed in the letter of authorization
26 issued by the agency or department.
27 (3) Any uniform vendor who sells a uniform identifying a
28 firefighting agency or department without verifying that the
29 purchaser is an employee or authorized member of the agency or
30 department is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not
31 more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
32 (4) This subdivision shall not apply if the uniform is to be used
33 solely as a prop for a motion picture, television, video production,
34 or a theatrical event, and prior written permission has been obtained
35 from the identified firefighting agency or department.
36 ()
37 (g) This section shall not apply to either of the following:
38 (1) Use of a badge solely as a prop for a motion picture,
39 television, or video production, or an entertainment or theatrical
40 event.
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3.d
1 (2) A badge supplied by a recognized employee organization
2 as defined in Section 3501 of the Government Code representing
3 firefighters or a state or international organization to which it is
4 affiliated.
5 SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
6 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
7 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
8 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
9 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
10 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
11 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
12 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
13 Constitution.
X
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3.e
SENATE BILL No. 265
Introduced by Senator Valladares
(Coauthors: Senators Alvarado -Gil, Choi, Dahle, Grove, Hurtado,
Jones, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, and Seyarto)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Alanis, Chen, Davies, Gallagher,
Sanchez, and Wallis)
February 3, 2025
An act to amend Section 463 of the Penal Code, relating to crimes.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 265, as introduced, Valladares. Crimes: looting.
Existing law defines the crime of burglary, which consists of entering
specified buildings, places, or vehicles with the intent to commit grand
or petty theft or a felony. Existing law defines burglary of the first
degree as any burglary of an inhabited building and makes burglary of
the first degree punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 2,
4, or 6 years. Existing law defines all other burglary as burglary of the
2nd degree and makes it punishable by imprisonment in the county jail
for one year or as a felony.
Existing law defines any 2nd degree burglary during and within an
affected county in a state of emergency or local emergency, as specified,
as looting, punishable by either imprisonment in a county jail for one
year or as a felony.
This bill would make that crime punishable instead as a felony. By
increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a
state -mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
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SB 265 —2—
3.e
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act
for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 463 of the Penal Code is amended to
2 read:
3 463. (a) (1) Every person who violates Section 459,
4 punishable as a second-degree burglary pursuant to subdivision
5 (b) of Section 461, during and within an affected county in a "state
6 of emergency" or a "local emergency," or under an "evacuation
7 order," resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot, or other
8 natural or manmade disaster shall be guilty of the crime of looting,
9 punishable by imprisonment in a eounty jail for one year o
10 pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Any person convicted
11 under this subdivision who is eligible for probation and who is
12 granted probation shall, as a condition thereof, be confined in a
13 county jail for at least 180 days, except that the court may, in the
14 case where the interest of justice would best be served, reduce or
15 eliminate that mandatory jail sentence, if the court specifies on the
16 record and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating
17 that the interest of justice would best be served by that disposition.
18 In addition to whatever custody is ordered, the court, in its
19 discretion, may require any person granted probation following
20 conviction under this subdivision to serve up to 240 hours of
21 community service in any program deemed appropriate by the
22 court, including any program created to rebuild the community.
23 F-of
24 (2) For purposes of this subdivision, the fact that the structure
25 entered has been damaged by the earthquake, fire, flood, or other
26 natural or manmade disaster shall not, in and of itself, preclude
27 conviction.
28 (b) Every person who commits the crime of grand theft, as
29 defined in Section 487 or subdivision (a) of Section 487a, except
30 grand theft of a firearm, during and within an affected county in
31 a "state of emergency" or a "local emergency," or under an
32 "evacuation order," resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot,
33 or other natural or unnatural disaster shall be guilty of the crime
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1 of looting, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for one
2 year or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Every person
3 who commits the crime of grand theft of a firearm, as defined in
4 Section 487, during and within an affected county in a "state of
5 emergency" or a "local emergency" resulting from an earthquake,
6 fire, flood, riot, or other natural or unnatural disaster shall be guilty
7 of the crime of looting, punishable by imprisonment in the state
8 prison, as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 489. Any person
9 convicted under this subdivision who is eligible for probation and
10 who is granted probation shall, as a condition thereof, be confined
11 in a county jail for at least 180 days, except that the court may, in
12 the case where the interest of justice would best be served, reduce
13 or eliminate that mandatory jail sentence, if the court specifies on
14 the record and enters into the minutes the circumstances indicating
15 that the interest of justice would best be served by that disposition.
16 In addition to whatever custody is ordered, the court, in its
17 discretion, may require any person granted probation following
18 conviction under this subdivision to serve up to 160 hours of
19 community service in any program deemed appropriate by the
20 court, including any program created to rebuild the community.
21 (c) Every person who commits the crime of petty theft, as
22 defined in Section 488, during and within an affected county in a
23 "state of emergency" or a "local emergency," or under an
24 "evacuation order," resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood, riot,
25 or other natural or manmade disaster shall be guilty of a
26 misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for six
27 months. Any person convicted under this subdivision who is
28 eligible for probation and who is granted probation shall, as a
29 condition thereof, be confined in a county jail for at least 90 days,
30 except that the court may, in the case where the interest of justice
31 would best be served, reduce or eliminate that mandatory minimum
32 jail sentence, if the court specifies on the record and enters into
33 the minutes the circumstances indicating that the interest of justice
34 would best be served by that disposition. In addition to whatever
35 custody is ordered, the court, in its discretion, may require any
36 person granted probation following conviction under this
37 subdivision to serve up to 80 hours of community service in any
38 program deemed appropriate by the court, including any program
39 created to rebuild the community.
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3.e
1 (d) (1) For purposes of this section, "state of emergency" means
2 conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are, or are likely to
3 be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and
4 facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require
5 the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.
6 (2) For purposes of this section, "local emergency" means
7 conditions that, by reason of their magnitude, are, or are likely to
8 be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and
9 facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require
10 the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.
11 (3) For purposes of this section, a "state of emergency" shall
12 exist from the time of the proclamation of the condition of the
13 emergency until terminated pursuant to Section 8629 of the
14 Government Code. For purposes of this section only, a "local
15 emergency" shall exist from the time of the proclamation of the
16 condition of the emergency by the local governing body until
17 terminated pursuant to Section 8630 of the Government Code.
18 (4) For purposes of this section, "evacuation order" means an
19 order from the Governor, or a county sheriff, chief of police, or
20 fire marshal, under which persons subject to the order are required
21 to relocate outside of the geographic area covered by the order due
22 to an imminent danger resulting from an earthquake, fire, flood,
23 riot, or other natural or manmade disaster.
24 (5) Consensual entry into a commercial structure with the intent
25 to commit a violation of Section 470, 476, 476a, 484f, or 484g
26 shall not be charged as a violation under this section.
27 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
28 Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because
29 the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
30 district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
31 infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
32 for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
33 the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
34 the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
35 Constitution.
X
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