AB-1686 • 2026

Vehicles: driving under the influence: felonies.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lackey
Last action: 2026-04-21
Official status: In committee: Set, final hearing. Failed passage.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status is 'Passed Legislature' but it failed during its final hearing on April 21, 2026. The exact implications of this are unclear.

Driving Under the Influence: Felony Penalties

AB-1686 proposes to allow felony charges for individuals with one or two prior DUI convictions within ten years, in addition to misdemeanor penalties.

What This Bill Does

Changes current law so that a person convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) and having had one or two previous DUIs within ten years can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Who It Names or Affects

People who have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in California.
Local law enforcement and courts dealing with DUI cases.

Terms To Know

Felony: A serious crime that can result in more than one year in prison or a fine of over $1,000.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime that usually results in jail time for up to one year or a smaller fine.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass the legislature and failed during its final hearing.
It is unclear how this change would affect people with only one DUI conviction compared to those with two.

Bill History

2026-04-21 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, final hearing. Failed passage.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, final hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-03-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-02-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 5.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1686, as introduced, Lackey.
Vehicles: driving under the influence: felonies.
Under existing law, it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in one’s blood. A first violation of this prohibition is punishable as a misdemeanor. Under existing law, if a person is convicted of a DUI violation and the offense occurs within 10 years of one or 2 separate DUI violations that resulted in specified convictions, the offense is also punishable as a misdemeanor, as specified, with escalating fines, suspensions, and other sanctions. Under existing law, if a person is convicted of a DUI violation and the offense occurs within 10 years of 3 or more separate DUI violations that resulted in specified convictions, the offense is punishable either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.
This bill would make a conviction of a DUI violation with the offense occurring
within 10 years of one or 2 separate DUI violations that resulted in specified convictions also punishable either as a misdemeanor or as a felony. By increasing the punishment for a crime, the bill imposes 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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF