Authority to remove vehicles.

Assembly Member Kalra proposes substantial changes to California's vehicle removal and impounding procedures through legislation that would limit law enforcement authority to tow vehicles solely for accumulated parking violations. The bill eliminates provisions allowing peace officers to remove vehicles when owners have five or more unaddressed parking citations or traffic violations.

The measure maintains existing authority for vehicle removal in situations affecting public safety and traffic flow, such as vehicles blocking fire hydrants, driveways, or legally parked cars. It also preserves towing authorization for unregistered vehicles, those involved in crimes, and autonomous vehicles operating without required permits.

For vehicles that are impounded, the bill modifies documentation requirements and lien procedures. Vehicle owners must now provide comprehensive evidence of identity, current address, and clearance of violations to retrieve impounded vehicles. The legislation also adjusts lien prioritization, ensuring existing financial claims are addressed before new liens from parking violations.

Local jurisdictions would need to revise their enforcement protocols under the new framework, which emphasizes removal based on immediate safety concerns rather than accumulated administrative violations. The changes affect how law enforcement agencies, towing companies, and local governments process vehicle removals and manage impounded vehicles, while maintaining their ability to address vehicles that pose immediate public safety risks.