SB-1338 • 2026

Vehicles: repossession.

Children Crime Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Jones
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify who exactly is affected by this legislation beyond those interfering with the transport of repossessed vehicles.

Vehicles: Rules About Taking Cars

The bill changes the punishment for interfering with the transport of a repossessed car to either an infraction or a misdemeanor, instead of just an infraction.

What This Bill Does

Changes the penalty for stopping someone from moving a repossessed car to a storage place, auction, or dealer.
Makes it possible to punish this action as a misdemeanor, which is more serious than an infraction.

Who It Names or Affects

People who interfere with the transport of repossessed vehicles

Terms To Know

infraction: A minor violation that is less serious than a misdemeanor.
misdemeanor: A crime that is more serious than an infraction but not as severe as a felony.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
It does not provide details on how the change in punishment levels might affect enforcement or public behavior.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 21).
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 21.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
April 14 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1338, as amended, Jones.
Vehicles: repossession.
Existing law prohibits a person from interfering with the transport of a vehicle to a storage facility, auction, or dealer by an individual who is employed by a repossession agency or is licensed as a repossession agency once repossession is complete, as provided. A violation of these provisions would be an infraction pursuant to other provisions of law.
This bill would instead make the interference with the transport of a vehicle to a storage facility, auction, or dealer, as described above, punishable as
a misdemeanor.
an infraction or misdemeanor, as specified.
Because the bill would increase the punishment required by the crime, it 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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF