Plain English Breakdown
The official text confirms the bill removes authority based on specific counts of violations but does not explicitly list alternative enforcement methods.
AB-1022: Removing Authority to Tow or Immobilize Vehicles for Unpaid Parking Tickets
This law removes the power of peace officers and public employees to tow, impound, or immobilize vehicles when owners have five or more unpaid parking tickets or traffic violations.
What This Bill Does
- Removes authority to remove a vehicle from highways or public land if it has received 5 or more unresponded-to parking violation notices within designated time periods.
- Deletes the rule allowing removal of vehicles for having 5 or more failure-to-pay or failure-to-appear court notices without a certificate issued by the magistrate or clerk.
- Eliminates the power to tow cars from off-street parking facilities when they have received 5 or more parking tickets over at least 5 days with no response.
- Removes provisions that allow law enforcement to impound vehicles until owners provide identity, an in-state address, and proof of bail deposit for violations.
- Deletes rules requiring vehicle immobilization on highways or public lands due to delinquent parking notices or unpaid traffic violation penalties.
Who It Names or Affects
- Peace officers who enforce traffic laws
- Regularly employed city, county, or state agency employees who direct traffic or enforce parking rules
- Vehicle owners with five or more outstanding parking tickets or court notices
Terms To Know
- Peace officer
- A law enforcement official authorized to enforce laws and regulations.
- Immobilize
- To make a vehicle unable to move, often by using a device like a wheel clamp or boot.
- Impound
- To take possession of a vehicle and hold it in custody until requirements are met.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill text does not state when this law will officially go into effect.
- The source material does not explain what other methods agencies might use to collect unpaid fines after these removal powers end.
- The document does not specify if any exceptions remain for vehicles blocking traffic or creating immediate safety hazards.