AB 1588 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Vehicles: Sideshow Accountability and Community Safety Act.

Summary

Existing law prohibits a person from, among other things, engaging in, aiding, or abetting a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility. Under existing law, a violation of this prohibition is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than 90 days, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) , or by both that fine and imprisonment. Existing law, beginning on January 1, 2029, authorizes a court to suspend the privilege to operate a vehicle for 90 days to 6 months for a person who engages in, aids, or abets a motor vehicle exhibition of speed that occurred as part of a sideshow. For these purposes, existing law defines "sideshow" as an event in which 2 or more persons block or impede traffic on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility for the purpose of performing motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, motor vehicle exhibitions of speed, or reckless driving for spectators. This bill would revise the definition of sideshow to include the use or operation of any motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, motorcycles or off-highway motor vehicles, as specified, to barricade, block, impede, or otherwise obstruct traffic. The bill would also provide enhanced penalties for engaging in, aiding, or abetting a motor vehicle exhibition of speed as part of a sideshow, including, as specified, increasing fines, requiring a mandatory minimum jail sentence, and making the offense punishable as a misdemeanor or felony if the offense proximately causes injury to another person. By increasing the punishment for an existing crime, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 23109 of the Vehicle Code proposed by AB 1830 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1830 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Aug 2026

Assembly Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

Aug 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Aug 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

08/21/26 - Amended Senate → AB1588 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The final enrolled version of AB 1588 broadens the legal definition of a 'sideshow' compared to the Amended Senate version. The definition now covers barricading and obstructing access (not just blocking or impeding traffic), removes the requirement that the event be 'for spectators,' explicitly includes motorcycles and off-highway vehicles regardless of registration, and adds 'street takeover' as an alias. Additionally, a January 1, 2029 delay on license suspension penalties was removed in one alternative section, making that penalty available sooner.

DEFINITION

The sideshow definition was broadened from 'block or impede traffic on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility' to 'barricade, block, impede, or otherwise obstruct traffic upon or access to a highway or offstreet parking facility without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof.' This adds barricading and general obstruction as covered conduct, extends coverage to access points (not just the roadway itself), and adds a 'without consent' element.

The phrase 'for spectators' was removed from the sideshow definition. Previously, a sideshow required that the stunts or reckless driving be performed for an audience. Now any gathering meeting the other criteria qualifies as a sideshow regardless of whether spectators are present.

Added explicit language stating a sideshow 'may involve the use or operation of any motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, motorcycles or off-highway motor vehicles, regardless of whether or not those vehicles display license plates or are registered.' This closes potential loopholes where unregistered or non-standard vehicles could be used to avoid prosecution.

Added the statement 'A sideshow is also known as a street takeover,' providing an alternative name for law enforcement and courts to recognize the same conduct.

TIMELINE

In the alternative section (SEC 1.2, operative if both AB 1588 and AB 1830 are enacted), the 'Commencing January 1, 2029' delay on court-ordered license suspension for sideshow-related exhibition of speed was removed, making that penalty available immediately upon enactment rather than being delayed to 2029.

04/16/26 - Amended Assembly → 08/21/26 - Amended Senate · 9 edits · Aug 21, 2026

MAJOR

The Senate dramatically narrowed AB 1588 by removing two of its three operative sections: the vehicle seizure and impoundment procedures (Section 14602.7) and the vehicle forfeiture as public nuisance provision (new Section 23109.6). The bill now only amends Section 23109 to revise the sideshow definition, adjust penalties for sideshow-related speed exhibitions, and add administrative provisions. The Senate also lowered the maximum first-offense jail penalty from one year to 90 days and removed the 'performing vehicle' concept that had created a separate enhanced penalty track.

SCOPE

Entire Section 14602.7 amendment (vehicle seizure and impoundment procedures, including poststorage hearings, legal owner release rights, rental car agency provisions, and credit card payment requirements) was deleted from the bill.

Entire new Section 23109.6 (vehicle forfeiture as public nuisance, including notice procedures, forfeiture hearings, burden of proof on the Attorney General or district attorney, and impoundment/sale/disposal procedures for performing vehicles) was deleted from the bill.

Added a conditional provision incorporating additional changes to Section 23109 proposed by AB 1830, operative only if both bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

REQUIREMENT

The 'performing vehicle' concept and its associated enhanced penalty structure (first conviction up to one year in county jail with a $1,000 minimum fine) were removed. The Senate version instead uses a tiered penalty system based on injury level and repeat offense status.

Added a provision requiring the court to consider whether a medical, personal, or family hardship exists when deciding on driver's license suspension or restriction for sideshow violations.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'sideshow' was expanded from 'an event in which 2 or more persons block or impede traffic' to 'an event or gathering in which two or more persons barricade, block, impede, or otherwise obstruct traffic upon or access to a highway or offstreet parking facility without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof.' It now explicitly includes motorcycles and off-highway motor vehicles regardless of registration or license plates, and notes that a sideshow is also known as a street takeover.

ENFORCEMENT

Maximum first-offense jail penalty for sideshow-related speed exhibition was reduced from one year in county jail (Assembly version) to 90 days (Senate version). The minimum fine was reduced from $1,000 to $355. A new tier for serious bodily injury (as defined in Section 23109.1) allows state prison sentencing.

TECHNICAL

Added subdivision (m) naming the section the 'Louis Friend Memorial Act.'

Added subdivision (j) requiring courts to clearly mark license restrictions and notify the DMV, and subdivision (k) allowing courts to order jail time on non-employment days.

01/15/26 - Introduced → 03/16/26 - Amended Assembly · 9 edits · Mar 16, 2026

MAJOR

AB 1588 was substantially expanded from a technical cleanup of existing speed contest provisions into a comprehensive anti-sideshow law. The amendment adds a new criminal prohibition on participating in or aiding sideshows with enhanced penalties for drivers of performing vehicles, creates a vehicle forfeiture mechanism, and significantly expands the vehicle seizure statute to allow video-based affidavits and add procedural protections for legal owners.

Scope change

The bill expanded from a technical, nonsubstantive cleanup of existing speed contest provisions into a substantive new anti-sideshow law with new criminal penalties, vehicle forfeiture authority, and expanded seizure powers. It now applies to sideshows involving any motor vehicle type including motorcycles and off-highway vehicles, regardless of registration status.

SCOPE

The bill now amends Section 14602.7 and adds new Section 23109.6 to the Vehicle Code, in addition to the original amendment of Section 23109. The bill is renamed the Sideshow Accountability and Community Safety Act.

REQUIREMENT

Subdivision (c) of Section 23109 now explicitly prohibits engaging in or aiding/abetting a 'sideshow' on a highway or offstreet parking facility, not just a motor vehicle exhibition of speed.

Section 14602.7 now includes extensive new provisions for releasing vehicles to legal owners (banks, dealers, financial institutions), rental car agencies, and poststorage hearings with specific notice requirements, timelines, and fee protections.

ENFORCEMENT

New enhanced penalties for a person driving a 'performing vehicle' in a sideshow: first conviction is a misdemeanor with up to 1 year county jail and a minimum $1,000 fine; second or subsequent conviction is a misdemeanor or felony (state prison option) with a minimum $1,000 fine; causing bodily injury elevates to misdemeanor or felony.

New Section 23109.6 establishes that a performing vehicle used in a sideshow is subject to forfeiture as a public nuisance upon conviction of the operator. The Attorney General or district attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the operator was convicted and the vehicle was used in the violation. The court must consider undue hardship to non-defendant persons before ordering forfeiture.

Section 14602.7 (vehicle seizure) now allows a peace officer's affidavit to be based on video from a reasonably reliable source, not just in-person observation. Sections 23109(a) and (c) were added to the list of offenses triggering vehicle seizure.

DEFINITION

New definition of 'performing vehicle' as a vehicle present at a sideshow that engages in stunts, speed contests, exhibitions of speed, or reckless driving.

The definition of 'sideshow' was expanded from 'an event in which two or more persons block or impede traffic' to 'an event or gathering in which two or more persons barricade, block, impede, or otherwise obstruct traffic upon or access to a highway or offstreet parking facility without the consent of the owner, operator, or agent thereof.' It now also explicitly covers motorcycles and off-highway motor vehicles regardless of registration or license plates.

FISCAL

The bill now requires fiscal committee review and creates a state-mandated local program (both changed from 'no' to 'yes'), reflecting the new criminal offense and forfeiture procedures that impose costs on local agencies.

Floor votes · Senate Aug 30, 2026 · Assembly May 26, 2026

How they voted

40–0

Passed

Total votes 40

Aug 30, 2026

D Democratic30

30 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican10

10 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.

lower

Aug 30, 2026

Introduced

In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

lower

Aug 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).

upper

Aug 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

upper

Aug 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).

upper

Aug 3, 2026

Committee

In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

upper

Jul 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

upper

Jun 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

upper

Jun 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.

upper

May 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0.)

lower

May 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

lower

May 6, 2026

Committee

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read second time and amended.

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Introduced

From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14).

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Committee

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS.

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee February 15.

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors