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SB 897

Vehicles: abandoned vehicles.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Choi and 2 co-sponsors

SB 897 allows counties to form service authorities to abate abandoned vehicles with a $1 fee, and grants Laguna Woods a special use of those funds for highway enforcement within th

Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
#vehicles #abandonedvehicles
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Bill Summary · SB 897

Summary of SB 897 (2025-2026, California) — Vehicles: Abandoned Vehicles

1) Purpose and Intent

  • SB 897, introduced by Senator Choi with coauthors Dixon and Strickland, amends the Vehicle Code to address abatement of abandoned vehicles and to accommodate a specialized provision for the City of Laguna Woods.
  • The bill preserves the existing framework that allows counties to establish service authorities to abate abandoned vehicles and to impose a $1 vehicle registration fee, funded through the Abandoned Vehicle Trust Fund, with uses limited to abatement, removal, and disposal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles.
  • A distinctive element of the bill is a targeted exception allowing Laguna Woods to use abandoned vehicle abatement funds (including interest) from a service authority that formerly operated in Orange County to enforce provisions on public highways within Laguna Woods. The measure includes legislative findings supporting a special statute for Laguna Woods.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 22710 amendments (Vehicle Code)

    • Establishment of Service Authorities:
    • A county may create a service authority for the abatement of abandoned vehicles and impose a $1 registration fee, if:
      • The county board of supervisors votes by two-thirds, and
      • A majority of the cities with a majority of the county’s incorporated population adopt resolutions.
    • Membership of the authority is determined by concurrence of the board and a majority vote of the majority of the cities.
    • Authority powers and staffing:
    • The authority may contract and undertake actions necessary to carry out applicable laws.
    • It shall be staffed by existing personnel of the city, county, or county transportation commission.
    • Abatement program and cost recovery:
    • The authority may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for abatement, removal, and disposal of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles (or parts) from private or public property, and may recover costs as allowed under Government Code sections 25845 or 38773.5, or through the authority’s enforcement.
    • Cost recovery must be undertaken by a responsible entity (county, city, or department) under contract with the service authority.
    • Use of funds:
    • Funds received under 9250.7 and this section must be used solely for abatement, removal, or disposal of abandoned/wrecked/dismantled/inoperative vehicles or parts from property.
    • Unexpended funds may be carried forward to the next fiscal year, per agreement among the service authority and member agencies.
    • Plan and program approvals:
    • Abandoned vehicle abatement programs/plans require approval by the county and a majority of the cities with majority incorporated population.
    • The Department of Transportation (or corresponding department) provides guidelines for the program, including reporting to the Controller on an annual basis.
    • Service authorities must submit plans to the Department and Controller by specified dates; the Department approves or provides revisions, and then the Controller reviews allocations.

  • Funding formulas and reporting:

    • Governmental agencies receiving funds must submit annual reports detailing expenditures and the number of vehicles abated.
    • Funds allocated to agencies are distributed based on a two-component formula:
    • 50% by each agency’s share of total abatements (i.e., abatements performed by that agency).
    • 50% by population and geographic area as determined by the service authority.
    • The service authority must provide a detailed explanation of the apportionment method when the formula is submitted or revised.
    • Humboldt County special allocations and Laguna Woods special-use provision:
    • The Controller may allocate certain historical funds to Humboldt County for 2000-2001.
    • Laguna Woods may use funds from the former Orange County service authority to enforce provisions on public highways.

  • Oversight and termination:

    • A service authority ceases to exist when all revenues from this and related sections have been expended.
    • The statute provides a governance framework to resolve conflicts with other laws and to govern disbursement of money.

  • Section 2 (Findings)

    • The Legislature states that Laguna Woods requires a special statute due to unique circumstances in abating abandoned vehicles within that city.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Local governments:
    • Counties, cities, and city-county transportation authorities that establish or participate in abandoned vehicle abatement service authorities.
  • Abatement programs and personnel:
    • Local staff of cities/counties/transportation commissions would staff service authorities.
  • Property owners:
    • Private or public properties with abandoned vehicles may experience abatement actions and cost recoveries.
  • Laguna Woods:
    • Receives a targeted authorization to use abatement funds for enforcing provisions on public highways within the city, reflecting its unique status.
  • Humboldt County:
    • Potential, historical allocation of certain funds remains specified in the bill.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Funding and planning:
    • Plan submissions: After plan approval, the service authority must submit to Department by August 1; Department has until October 1 to approve or require revisions; then plan goes to Controller.
    • Annual reporting: Agencies receiving funds must file annual reports on expenditures and abatements; authorities must report to Controller as part of annual reporting.
  • Allocations:
    • The Controller allocates funds based on the statutory framework and approved plans; failure to comply with guidelines can trigger suspension of allocations.
  • Termination:
    • A service authority ends when all revenues are expended.
  • Effective date:
    • The bill language indicates introduction on January 16, 2026, with hearings and passage culminating in third reading by April 23, 2026, and subsequent assembly steps.

Note: The bill text emphasizes a mix of standard statewide abandoned-vehicle abatement governance and a targeted, city-specific provision for Laguna Woods. If enacted, Laguna Woods would gain a tailored option to apply abatement funds to highway-enforcement purposes within its jurisdiction.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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