Abandoned recreational vehicles.

The bill text was reformatted from the official chaptered document layout (with page numbers like '92' and headers like 'Ch. 699') to a web-based display format on the California Legislature website, adding navigation menus, version history links, and search functionality. No changes to the substantive provisions of Section 22851.5 or the legislative findings in Section 2 were made.

In subdivision (b)(15), the phrase 'Public Local public agencies' was corrected to 'Local public agencies,' removing a redundant word that appeared to be a drafting error. This provision requires annual reporting on recreational vehicle removals to the agency's governing body.

The entire amendment to Vehicle Code Section 22851.3 was deleted. Previously, the bill would have modified the general statewide vehicle disposal law to add recreational vehicle provisions (30-day claim period, inoperable verification, reporting requirements) applicable to all local agencies. This is now gone.

The bill title changed from 'An act to amend Section 22851.3 of add and repeal Section 22851.5' to 'An act to add and repeal Section 22851.5,' confirming the removal of the general law amendment.

The state mandate reimbursement provision (requiring the Commission on State Mandates to determine and reimburse costs mandated by the state) was removed. The fiscal note changed from 'State-mandated local program: yes' to 'no,' reflecting that the bill no longer imposes statewide costs on local agencies.

In the new Section 22851.5, paragraph (15) changed 'Public agencies authorized and designated to remove recreational vehicles' to 'Local public agencies authorized and designated to remove recreational vehicles,' clarifying that the annual reporting requirement applies specifically to local agencies in the two covered counties.

Header changed from enrolled bill format (with passage dates and clerk signatures) to chaptered law format (STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL, CHAPTER 699).

Page numbers changed from 93 to 92 and running headers changed from AB 630 to Ch. 699, reflecting the final pagination of the chaptered law.

The Governor approval line was completed with his initial (O) and the date October 13, 2025, confirming the bill was signed into law.

The recovery period for recreational vehicles after the registered owner is notified was extended from 15 days to 30 days, giving owners more time to reclaim their RVs before disposal.

A new provision requires that if the removing agency cannot identify the registered or legal owner at the time of removal (including inability to obtain the VIN), the agency must place and affix at least two copies of the notice in close geographic proximity to the removal location.

For operable recreational vehicles posing an environmental or public safety hazard, the authority to authorize disposal shifted from the lienholder requesting authorization to the public agency itself authorizing disposal.

The standard for when a public agency is responsible for towing and storage costs was changed. Previously, the agency was liable if 'reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle was abandoned' were not established. Now the agency is liable if it is determined the vehicle was not inoperable or was not a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare - a potentially broader trigger for agency liability.

The fiscal note was corrected to clearly state the bill imposes a state-mandated local program (previously showed an ambiguous 'no yes'), with added language specifying it applies 'to the extent these provisions would increase costs for local governmental entities.'

The annual reporting requirement was narrowed from 'each jurisdiction' to 'each jurisdiction agency that is authorized and designated to remove vehicles pursuant to this section,' limiting which entities must report data on RV removals to their local legislative governing body.

The bill no longer amends Section 68501 of the Government Code, which dealt with the Judicial Council's authority to appoint advisory committees. This unrelated technical amendment was dropped entirely.

Recreational vehicle owners now have 30 days (instead of 15) from the date of notice to claim their vehicle before it can be disposed of.

Before a public agency can authorize disposal of a recreational vehicle, the authorization must include verification that the RV is inoperable. If the RV is operable, disposal authorization may only be issued if it was towed due to an environmental or public safety hazard.

The notice posted on a recreational vehicle must now include: (1) notification that the RV can be recovered for at least 15 days after the registered owner is notified, and (2) contact information for an individual to learn where the vehicle and other possessions may be recovered.

The fee collection provision now explicitly extends to 30 days for recreational vehicles: if an RV is claimed within 30 days, the lienholder may collect reasonable service fees but not lien sale fees.

A new definition establishes that a recreational vehicle is 'inoperable' if it can only be moved by a tow truck.

Each jurisdiction must report annually to its local legislative body: the number of RVs removed, the number of people found in the RV prior to removal, the number that were operable, and the number that were inoperable.

A new Section 2 provides that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill contains state-mandated costs, reimbursement shall be made to local agencies under existing statutory provisions. The fiscal note was updated to reflect a state-mandated local program and fiscal committee applicability.

The bill now amends Vehicle Code Section 22851.3 in addition to Government Code Section 68501, expanding its subject matter from a single technical court statute fix to include abandoned recreational vehicle disposal procedures.

Recreational vehicles (as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18010) with an estimated value of $4,000 or less are now included in the abandoned vehicle disposal process. Previously, only regular vehicles valued at $500 or less were covered.

New procedural requirements include: 72-hour advance notice before removal (waived for vehicles valued at $300 or less), notification to the Stolen Vehicle System within 48 hours, owner notification by certified or first-class mail within 48 hours of removal, and a post-storage hearing available within 10 days of the notice date.

Disposal of vehicles under this section may only go to a licensed dismantler or scrap iron processor. A disposed vehicle may not be reconstructed or made operable unless it qualifies for horseless carriage or historical vehicle license plates.

If a hearing determines that reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle was abandoned are not established, the public agency is responsible for all towing and storage costs. Disposal authorization cannot be issued before conclusion of any requested hearing or judicial review.

Government Code Section 68501: 'chairman' changed to 'chairperson' and a duplicated word 'attorneys attorneys' corrected to 'attorneys.'

Fiscal committee review changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the amended bill now has fiscal implications requiring committee analysis.