AB-983
Justice & Public Safety

Vehicles: removal and impoundment.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes police to impound vehicles for up to 30 days when drivers exceed 100 mph on highways.
  • Requires impounding agencies to notify vehicle owners within two business days of impoundment.
  • Mandates a hearing within two court days if owners contest the impoundment.
  • Imposes a $2,000 fine on legal owners who improperly release impounded vehicles.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Member Macedo's vehicle impoundment legislation expands peace officers' authority to seize vehicles driven at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour through a magistrate-issued warrant. The measure adds excessive speeding to the existing list of violations that can trigger impoundment, which currently includes engaging in speed contests and evading police officers.

Under the proposal, impounding agencies must notify vehicle owners within two business days of seizure via certified mail or electronic service, providing warrant documentation and information about contesting the impoundment. Vehicles may be held for up to 30 days, though owners can request a hearing within 10 days to challenge the seizure's validity. The bill maintains current provisions allowing early release in specific circumstances, such as when the vehicle was stolen or when the registered owner can demonstrate they were not the driver who committed the violation.

The legislation delineates financial responsibilities between registered owners and legal owners like banks and rental agencies. While registered owners remain liable for towing, storage and administrative fees, certain legal owners can retrieve vehicles before the impoundment period ends without incurring additional charges if they meet specified documentation requirements. The measure also establishes misdemeanor penalties for legal owners who improperly release vehicles before the hold period expires.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Alexandra Macedo
Alexandra MacedoR
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 126
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes police to impound vehicles for up to 30 days when drivers exceed 100 mph on highways.
  • Requires impounding agencies to notify vehicle owners within two business days of impoundment.
  • Mandates a hearing within two court days if owners contest the impoundment.
  • Imposes a $2,000 fine on legal owners who improperly release impounded vehicles.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Alexandra Macedo
Alexandra MacedoR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Macedo's vehicle impoundment legislation expands peace officers' authority to seize vehicles driven at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour through a magistrate-issued warrant. The measure adds excessive speeding to the existing list of violations that can trigger impoundment, which currently includes engaging in speed contests and evading police officers.

Under the proposal, impounding agencies must notify vehicle owners within two business days of seizure via certified mail or electronic service, providing warrant documentation and information about contesting the impoundment. Vehicles may be held for up to 30 days, though owners can request a hearing within 10 days to challenge the seizure's validity. The bill maintains current provisions allowing early release in specific circumstances, such as when the vehicle was stolen or when the registered owner can demonstrate they were not the driver who committed the violation.

The legislation delineates financial responsibilities between registered owners and legal owners like banks and rental agencies. While registered owners remain liable for towing, storage and administrative fees, certain legal owners can retrieve vehicles before the impoundment period ends without incurring additional charges if they meet specified documentation requirements. The measure also establishes misdemeanor penalties for legal owners who improperly release vehicles before the hold period expires.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 126
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tom LackeyR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
John HarabedianD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assembly Member
Committee Member