Bill Sponsor
California Senate Bill 1198
Session 20252026
Vehicles: reckless driving: impoundment.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on May 22, 2026
First Action
Feb 19, 2026
Latest Action
Jun 23, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1198
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
Under existing law, a court is authorized to suspend the driving privilege of a licensed driver convicted of a violation relating to the speed of vehicles or reckless driving for a period not to exceed 30 days for a first conviction, for a period not to exceed 60 days upon a 2nd conviction, and for a period not to exceed 6 months upon a 3rd or any subsequent conviction. This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2028, authorize a court, for a conviction of reckless driving, to suspend the driving privilege for a period not to exceed 60 days upon a first conviction and for a period of not less than 30 days and not to exceed 6 months upon a 2nd conviction, and would require a court to suspend the driving privilege for a period of not less than 90 days and not to exceed one year upon a 3rd or any subsequent conviction. Existing law authorizes a peace officer to arrest a person and seize the motor vehicle of the person if a peace officer determines that the person was engaged in a motor vehicle speed contest, reckless driving, or an exhibition of speed on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility. Existing law allows a vehicle seized under this provision to be impounded for up to 30 days. Existing law requires an impounding agency to release a motor vehicle to the registered owner or their agent prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period if, among other reasons, the person alleged to have been engaged in the motor vehicle speed contest was not authorized by the registered owner to operate the motor vehicle at the time of the commission of the offense, or if the registered owner was neither the driver nor a passenger of the motor vehicle or was unaware that the driver was using the motor vehicle to engage in the prohibited activities. If a peace officer determines that a person was engaged in reckless driving on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility, this bill would authorize the seized motor vehicle to be impounded for not less than 60 days and not more than 90 days if the person has a reckless driving conviction that occurred within 3 years before the current offense. If an impounding agency releases a motor vehicle to the registered owner or agent prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period, the bill would require the registered owner to provide evidence that the driver did not have authorization from the registered owner to operate the motor vehicle, as specified, or require the registered owner to submit a written, signed statement attesting that the registered owner was unaware that the driver was using the vehicle to engage in reckless driving. The bill would allow a registered owner or their agent to obtain their vehicle prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period based on the reason that the registered owner was not the driver or passenger of the motor vehicle or was unaware that the driver was engaging in reckless driving 3 times. The bill would prohibit a registered owner from using this reason to obtain the motor vehicle prior to the conclusion of the impoundment period for a 4th or any subsequent arrest that involves the same driver and vehicle. Existing law requires an impounding agency to release an impounded vehicle before the conclusion of the impound period if the charges against the driver are dismissed. This bill would prohibit the registered owner or driver of the vehicle from being charged any towing or storage fees if the vehicle is released for this reason.
Actions (16)
06/23/2026
Assembly
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 23).
06/01/2026
Assembly
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS.
05/22/2026
Assembly
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
05/22/2026
Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 32. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
05/18/2026
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/14/2026
Senate
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
05/14/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
05/08/2026
Senate
Set for hearing May 14.
04/13/2026
Senate
April 13 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
04/10/2026
Senate
Set for hearing April 13.
03/25/2026
Senate
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
03/24/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3661.) (March 24).
03/10/2026
Senate
Set for hearing March 24.
03/04/2026
Senate
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
02/20/2026
Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 22.
02/19/2026
Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 20, 2026 8:33:04 AM
Record Updated
Jun 24, 2026 9:20:08 AM