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AB-1747 • 2026

Crimes involving vehicles.

Crimes involving vehicles.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Sanchez
Last action
2026-03-24
Official status
In committee: Set, second hearing. Failed passage.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's failure during committee hearings means it did not become law, so its effects are speculative.

Crimes Involving Vehicles

AB-1747 changes the punishment for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from either a misdemeanor or felony to only a felony.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the law so that vehicular manslaughter while driving drunk is always punished as a felony, not just a misdemeanor.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who drive vehicles while intoxicated and cause someone's death
  • Law enforcement agencies that handle such cases

Terms To Know

Felony
A serious crime that is usually punished by a year or more in prison.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime that is usually punished by up to one year in jail.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass the legislature and failed during committee hearings.
  • It does not specify how much prison time would be given for this felony.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-24 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, second hearing. Failed passage.

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  3. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. 2026-02-10 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.

  5. 2026-02-09 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1747, as introduced, Sanchez.
Crimes involving vehicles.
Existing law defines vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle while intoxicated and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, but without gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, but without gross negligence. Under existing law, a violation of this provision is punishable as a misdemeanor or felony.
This bill would make a violation of the above provision punishable only as a felony.
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