AB-2719 • 2026

Vehicles: certificates of title.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Petrie-Norris
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on TRANS.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the bill affects practical handling of titles by the Department of Motor Vehicles beyond defining them more clearly.

Vehicles: Certificates of Title

AB-2719 defines 'title', 'certificate of title', and 'certificate of ownership' as official records that prove legal vehicle ownership, whether in paper or electronic form.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'title', 'certificate of title', and 'certificate of ownership' for the Vehicle Code as an official record proving legal ownership of a vehicle, regardless of whether it is on paper or electronically stored.

Who It Names or Affects

People who buy and sell cars
Co-owners of vehicles

Terms To Know

Certificate of Title: A document that proves legal ownership of a vehicle.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not change how the Department of Motor Vehicles handles titles in practical ways, only defines them more clearly.
It's unclear if this will affect how quickly or easily people can transfer ownership when buying a car.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-05-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 13).
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on TRANS.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2719, as amended, Petrie-Norris.
Vehicles: transfers of title or interest.
Vehicles: certificates of title.
Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a certificate of ownership to the legal owner of a vehicle upon registering the vehicle. Existing law requires the Director of Motor Vehicles to develop an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program to require that all lienholders’ title information be held in an electronic format, if the department determines that the program is cost effective compared to the current paper title and registration system.
This bill would define “title,” “certificate of title,” and “certificate of ownership” for purposes of the Vehicle Code as an official record, whether in paper or electronic form, establishing
and providing proof of legal ownership of a vehicle.
Existing law authorizes 2 or more coowners of a vehicle subject to registration to hold the title of ownership as joint interest, partnership interests, interests in common, or community interest of spouses, except as specified. Existing law authorizes the title to be transferred to 2 or more coowners, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF