AB-1085
Justice & Public Safety

License plates: obstruction or alteration.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits installing shades, tints, or devices that block electronic recognition of license plates by law enforcement.
  • Bans manufacturing license plate covers that obstruct electronic readings in California.
  • Increases fines to $1,000 per item for selling or making license plate obstruction devices.
  • Provides exemptions for wheelchair lifts and carriers when proper disability documentation is displayed.

Summary

Assembly Member Stefani's legislation expands California's prohibitions on license plate obstruction devices to address emerging technologies that impair electronic recognition systems. The measure adds shades and tints to the list of prohibited items that interfere with license plate readings by law enforcement equipment, toll facility sensors, and emissions testing devices.

The bill increases penalties for manufacturing or selling license plate obstruction devices in California from $250 to $1,000 per item, while maintaining existing $250 fines for operating vehicles with such devices or altering license plate reflective coatings. Current exemptions remain in place for weather protection covers on parked vehicles and security covers that don't obstruct registration tabs or plate numbers.

For vehicles transporting persons with disabilities, the legislation preserves accommodations allowing wheelchair lifts and carriers that may partially block license plate visibility. These vehicles must display a special department-issued decal with the license plate number in the rear window and either have disability license plates or a distinguishing placard for the wheelchair user.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Transportation Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Transportation Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Public Safety] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 1085 Stefani Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/15/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits installing shades, tints, or devices that block electronic recognition of license plates by law enforcement.
  • Bans manufacturing license plate covers that obstruct electronic readings in California.
  • Increases fines to $1,000 per item for selling or making license plate obstruction devices.
  • Provides exemptions for wheelchair lifts and carriers when proper disability documentation is displayed.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Stefani's legislation expands California's prohibitions on license plate obstruction devices to address emerging technologies that impair electronic recognition systems. The measure adds shades and tints to the list of prohibited items that interfere with license plate readings by law enforcement equipment, toll facility sensors, and emissions testing devices.

The bill increases penalties for manufacturing or selling license plate obstruction devices in California from $250 to $1,000 per item, while maintaining existing $250 fines for operating vehicles with such devices or altering license plate reflective coatings. Current exemptions remain in place for weather protection covers on parked vehicles and security covers that don't obstruct registration tabs or plate numbers.

For vehicles transporting persons with disabilities, the legislation preserves accommodations allowing wheelchair lifts and carriers that may partially block license plate visibility. These vehicles must display a special department-issued decal with the license plate number in the rear window and either have disability license plates or a distinguishing placard for the wheelchair user.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/15/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Transportation Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Transportation Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Public Safety] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 1085 Stefani Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6006PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member