Existing law requires a vehicle to display a license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles on the rear of the vehicle. Existing law requires a vehicle to display tabs upon the license plate indicating the month and year of expiration of the vehicle registration and makes it a crime to display expired tabs. Existing law authorizes the department to conduct a pilot program, to be completed no later than January 1, 2019, to evaluate the use of alternatives to stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards, subject to certain requirements, and if the department conducts a pilot program, requires the department to submit a report of the results of the pilot program, as specified, to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2020.

This bill would extend the date for which the authorized pilot program is to be completed by the department to January 1, 2020.

Existing law requires a vehicle to display a license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles on the rear of the vehicle. Existing law requires a vehicle to display tabs upon the license plate indicating the month and year of expiration of the vehicle registration and makes it a crime to display expired tabs. Existing law authorizes the department to conduct a pilot program, to be completed no later than January 1, 2019, to evaluate the use of alternatives to stickers, tabs, license plates, and registration cards, subject to certain requirements, and if the department conducts a pilot program, requires the department to submit a report of the results of the pilot program, as specified, to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2020.

This bill would extend the date for which the authorized pilot program is to be completed by the department to January 1, 2020.

Existing law, operative under certain conditions, redesignates the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the Peninsula Rail Transit District, comprised of 9 members appointed from various governing bodies situated in the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara, with specified powers.

This bill would repeal the provisions relating to the Peninsula Rail Transit District.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 1387

Author:

:

Vote:

PRIOR SENATE VOTES NOT RELEVANT

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 8/28/18 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Vehicles: license plate pilot programs

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill extends the sunset date for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pilot program relative to studying alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards.

Assembly Amendments

delete provisions passed out of the Senate as they relate to the Peninsula Rail Transit District and incorporate provisions pertaining to the sunset extension of DMV’s license plate pilot program.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires DMV to issue two reflectorized license plates for vehicles and specifies that:
2. Each plate must display the word “California,” the vehicle's registration number, and the year for which the vehicle's registration is valid; and,
3. For license plates other than motorcycles, the license must be rectangular in shape, 12 inches in length, and six inches in width.
4. Prohibits DMV from contracting with any non-governmental entity for purposes of manufacturing license plates.
5. Authorizes DMV to issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of a license plate as specified.
6. Authorizes DMV to conduct a pilot program to evaluate alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards until no later than January 1, 2019, and requires DMV to report on the results of the pilot program to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2020.
7. Requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to approve any DMV-selected alternative to license plates or registration stickers and cards.
8. Requires a vendor to be responsible for the cost associated with any alternative products used in the pilot program.
9. Imposes various fees for the registration of vehicles and the purchase, transfer, and renewal of specialty license plates.

This bill extends existing authority for DMV to conduct a pilot evaluating alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2020.

Comments

1. Purpose. According to the author, “SB 1387 extends existing authority for Department of Motor Vehicles to conduct a pilot evaluating alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020. The purpose for extending the sunset date is to ensure the plates have sufficient miles-in-use and the hardware and software function properly, including how the digital plates interact with the cloud. In addition, SB 1387 will serve to align the sunset date of the pilot more closely to the date the DMV is required to submit their final report and recommendations to the Legislature, which is July 1, 2020 in current law.”
2. Driver's licenses. DMV has issued license plates and registration stickers since 1959. Currently, in order to register a vehicle, the registered owner must submit proof of insurance, pay registration and other fees, and when required, provide proof that the vehicle passed a smog check inspection. DMV then issues, typically by mail, a vehicle registration card and the appropriate sticker for the vehicle's rear license plate. For annual renewal of a vehicle registration, DMV mails the registered owner a notice and reply envelope approximately 60 days prior to the vehicle's renewal date. The owner can remit fees and required documentation by mail, via DMV's Internet Web site, in person at a DMV field office, DMV self-service terminal, or at the office of one of DMV's private industry partners. DMV registers 35 million vehicles annually, with over 10 million renewals taking place in DMV field offices each year.
3. Pilot Program. In 2013, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed SB 806 (Hueso, Chapter 569, Statutes of 2013) authorizing DMV to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards. SB 806 required DMV to complete the pilot by January 1, 2017, and report its findings to the Legislature by July 1, 2018. At the time, the author sought to facilitate DMV's ability to explore alternatives to the traditional metal license plate, plastic-coated registration stickers, and paper registration cards in order to improve efficiency and lower the cost of DMV vehicle registration services. In 2016, SB 1399 (Hueso, Chapter 155, Statutes of 2016) extended the pilot program to 2019 and reporting requirements to 2020 respectively to provide DMV and program participants additional time to study and evaluate alternatives.

This bill extends DMV's authority to conduct the pilot program one more year, to January 1, 2020. According to the author, this is necessary to properly conduct and complete the study. This bill does not extend the report deadline of July 1, 2020, which will not delay the submission of the results to the Legislature.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

• • • • Minor cost to DMV to operate the pilot program for one additional year.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/28/18)

New Car Dealers Association

Reviver Auto

Silicon Valley Leadership Group

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/28/18)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 8/28/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kamlager-Dove, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rivas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

Prepared by:

8/28/18 21:27:57

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 1387

Author:(Beall)

As Amended Ver:June 20, 2018

Majority vote

SENATE VOTE: 39-0

SUMMARY: Extends existing authority for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to conduct a pilot evaluating alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires DMV to issue two reflectorized license plates for vehicles and specifies that:
2. Each plate must display the word "California," the vehicle's registration number, and the year for which the vehicle's registration is valid; and,
3. For license plates other than motorcycles, the license must be rectangular in shape, 12 inches in length, and six inches in width.
4. Prohibits DMV from contracting with any non-governmental entity for purposes of manufacturing license plates.
5. Authorizes DMV to issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of a license plate as specified.
6. Authorizes DMV to conduct a pilot program to evaluate alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards until no later than January 1, 2019, and requires DMV to report on the results of the pilot program to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2020.
7. Requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to approve any DMV-selected alternative to license plates or registration stickers and cards.
8. Requires a vendor to be responsible for the cost associated with any alternative products used in the pilot program.
9. Imposes various fees for the registration of vehicles and the purchase, transfer, and renewal of specialty license plates.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to Assembly Appropriations Committee, minor cost to DMV to operate the pilot program for one additional year.

COMMENTS: DMV has issued license plates and registration stickers since 1959. Currently, in order to register a vehicle, the registered owner must submit proof of insurance, pay registration and other fees, and when required, provide proof that the vehicle passed a smog check inspection. DMV then issues, typically by mail, a vehicle registration card and the appropriate sticker for the vehicle's rear license plate. For annual renewal of a vehicle registration, DMV mails the registered owner a notice and reply envelope approximately 60 days prior to the vehicle's renewal date. The owner can remit fees and required documentation by mail, via DMV's Internet web site, in person at a DMV field office, DMV self-service terminal, or at the office of one of DMV's private industry partners. DMV registers 35 million vehicles annually, with over 10 million renewals taking place in DMV field offices each year.

In 2013, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed SB 806 (Hueso), Chapter 569, Statutes of 2013, authorizing DMV to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards. SB 806 required DMV to complete the pilot by January 1, 2017, and report its findings to the Legislature by July 1, 2018. At the time, the author sought to facilitate DMV's ability to explore alternatives to the traditional metal license plate, plastic-coated registration stickers, and paper registration cards in order to improve efficiency and lower the cost of DMV vehicle registration services.

Since the enactment of SB 806, DMV has developed specifications and completed procurements for each of the three authorized alternatives. The procurement process ran longer than was anticipated when SB 806 was initially considered, and field testing for some of the technologies by the contracted vendors did not begin until as late as November 2015. Due to the abbreviated nature of the testing window and at the behest of the vendors carrying out the pilot, Governor Brown signed SB 1399 (Hueso), Chapter 155, Statutes of 2016, extending the authorization of the pilot until 2019 and the deadline for DMV to report on the pilot until 2020.

This bill extends DMV's authority to conduct the pilot program one more year, to January 1, 2020. According to the author, this is necessary to properly conduct and complete the study. This bill does not extend the report deadline, however, and therefore will not delay the submission of the results to the Legislature.

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Thronson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0004129

Date of Hearing: August 8, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1387

Author:(Beall) – As Amended Ver:June 20, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill extends existing authority, from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020, for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to conduct a pilot evaluating alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Minor cost to DMV to operate the pilot program for one additional year.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. In 2013, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed SB 806 (Hueso), Chapter 569, Statutes of 2013, authorizing DMV to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards. SB 806 required DMV to complete the pilot by January 1, 2017, and report its findings to the Legislature by July 1, 2018. Since the enactment of SB 806, DMV has developed specifications and completed procurements for each of the three authorized alternatives. The procurement process ran longer than was anticipated when SB 806 was initially considered, and field testing for some of the technologies by the contracted vendors did not begin until as late as November 2015. Due to the shortened testing window and at the request of the vendors carrying out the pilot, Governor Brown signed SB 1399 (Hueso), Chapter 155, Statutes of 2016, extending the authorization of the pilot until 2019 and the deadline for DMV to report on the pilot until 2020. As recently as last year there were only a handful of digital plates being tested as part of the pilot program. Over the last year pilot program participation has increased significantly, which will provide a much larger sample of data for DMV to evaluate.
2. Purpose. This bill would extend DMV’s authority to conduct the pilot program one more year, to January 1, 2020. According to the author, this is necessary to properly conduct and complete the study.

Analysis Prepared by: Jessica Peters / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 25, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1387

Author:(Beall) – As Amended Ver:June 20, 2018

SENATE VOTE: vote not relevant

SUBJECT: Vehicles: license plate pilot programs

SUMMARY: Extends existing authority for Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to conduct a pilot evaluating alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires DMV to issue two reflectorized license plates for vehicles and specifies that:
2. Each plate must display the word “California,” the vehicle's registration number, and the year for which the vehicle's registration is valid; and,
3. For license plates other than motorcycles, the license must be rectangular in shape, 12 inches in length, and six inches in width.
4. Prohibits DMV from contracting with any non-governmental entity for purposes of manufacturing license plates.
5. Authorizes DMV to issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of a license plate as specified.
6. Authorizes DMV to conduct a pilot program to evaluate alternatives to vehicle license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards until no later than January 1, 2019, and requires DMV to report on the results of the pilot program to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2020.
7. Requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to approve any DMV-selected alternative to license plates or registration stickers and cards.
8. Requires a vendor to be responsible for the cost associated with any alternative products used in the pilot program.
9. Imposes various fees for the registration of vehicles and the purchase, transfer, and renewal of specialty license plates.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: DMV has issued license plates and registration stickers since 1959. Currently, in order to register a vehicle, the registered owner must submit proof of insurance, pay registration and other fees, and when required, provide proof that the vehicle passed a smog check inspection. DMV then issues, typically by mail, a vehicle registration card and the appropriate sticker for the vehicle’s rear license plate. For annual renewal of a vehicle registration, DMV mails the registered owner a notice and reply envelope approximately 60 days prior to the vehicle’s renewal date. The owner can remit fees and required documentation by mail, via DMV’s Internet web site, in person at a DMV field office, DMV self-service terminal, or at the office of one of DMV’s private industry partners. DMV registers 35 million vehicles annually, with over 10 million renewals taking place in DMV field offices each year.

In 2013, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed SB 806 (Hueso), Chapter 569, Statutes of 2013, authorizing DMV to establish a pilot program to evaluate the use of alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards. SB 806 required DMV to complete the pilot by January 1, 2017, and report its findings to the Legislature by July 1, 2018. At the time, the author sought to facilitate DMV’s ability to explore alternatives to the traditional metal license plate, plastic-coated registration stickers, and paper registration cards in order to improve efficiency and lower the cost of DMV vehicle registration services.

Since the enactment of SB 806, DMV has developed specifications and completed procurements for each of the three authorized alternatives. The procurement process ran longer than was anticipated when SB 806 was initially considered, and field testing for some of the technologies by the contracted vendors did not begin until as late as November 2015. Due to the abbreviated nature of the testing window and at the behest of the vendors carrying out the pilot, Governor Brown signed SB 1399 (Hueso), Chapter 155, Statutes of 2016, extending the authorization of the pilot until 2019 and the deadline for DMV to report on the pilot until 2020.

This bill would extend DMV’s authority to conduct the pilot program one more year, to January 1, 2020. According to the author, this is necessary to properly conduct and complete the study. This bill does not extend the report deadline, however, and therefore will not delay the submission of the results to the Legislature.

Previous Legislation: SB 1399 (Hueso), Chapter 155, Statutes of 2016, extended the sunset on the DMV pilot program evaluating alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards to January 1, 2019, and the deadline for DMV to report on the pilot to July 1, 2020.

SB 806 (Hueso), Chapter 569, Statutes of 2013, authorized DMV to conduct a pilot program to evaluate alternatives to license plates, registration stickers, and registration cards.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

ReviverAuto

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Thronson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

 CONSENT  

Bill No: SB 1387

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 13-0, 4/3/18

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Dodd, Gaines, Galgiani, McGuire, Morrell, Roth, Skinner, Vidak, Wieckowski, Wiener

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill deletes obsolete provisions of law creating the Peninsula Rail District.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Re-designates the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the Peninsula Rail Transit District (District) and specifies the composition of the District’s governing board.
2. Vests the District, additionally, with specified powers and duties necessary for the operation of rail passenger and freight services between San Francisco and Alma^[1], as well as the authority to provide commuter rail service between San Jose and Gilroy, as specified.

This bill deletes unnecessary provisions of law establishing the District and giving it specified powers.

Background

1. A history of Caltrain. Caltrain is a commuter rail line that provides service along the San Francisco Peninsula, through the South Bay to San Jose and Gilroy. The line began in 1980, when Caltrans started providing rail service in the corridor, sharing operating subsidies with San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. The state assumed sole responsibility for station acquisitions and other capital improvements until the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board was formed in 1987 to manage the line. In 1988, the Legislature enacted statutes re-designating the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the District. However, the District was never formed. Instead, in 1992, the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board became the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board and assumed operating responsibilities for Caltrain.
2. Technical cleanup. This bill provides technical cleanup to existing state law by removing provisions that are now obsolete.

Comments

1. Purpose. The author notes, “SB 1387 repeals obsolete provisions in the Public Utilities Code enabling creation of a Peninsula Rail District to operate commuter rail service on the San Francisco Peninsula. Such a district was never formed. Rather, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board was formed under the Joint Powers Agency law in the Government Code to manage the commuter rail service now known as Caltrain.”

The author further highlights, "the fact that there is an unused and unnecessary body of law referring to a different agency as operator of rail service on the Peninsula causes confusion to those who administer various grants, provide services to, and oversee the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board."

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/4/18)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/4/18)

None received

Prepared by:

4/4/18 14:19:29

**** END ****

1. Alma is currently a drowned, ghost town in Santa Clara County that lies beneath the waters of Lexington Reservoir. It used to be an important rail stop for the logging industry. ↑

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 4/3/2018

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill deletes obsolete provisions of law creating the Peninsula Rail District.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Re-designates the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the Peninsula Rail Transit District (District) and specifies the composition of the District’s governing board.
2. Additionally vests the District with specified powers and duties necessary for the operation of rail passenger and freight services between San Francisco and Alma^[1], as well as the authority to provide commuter rail service between San Jose and Gilroy, as specified.

This bill deletes unnecessary provisions of law establishing the District and giving it specified powers.

COMMENTS

1. Purpose. The author notes, “SB 1387 repeals obsolete provisions in the Public Utilities Code enabling creation of a Peninsula Rail District to operate commuter rail service on the San Francisco Peninsula. Such a district was never formed. Rather, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board was formed under the Joint Powers Agency law in the Government Code to manage the commuter rail service now known as Caltrain.”

The author further highlights, "the fact that there is an unused and unnecessary body of law referring to a different agency as operator of rail service on the Peninsula causes confusion to those who administer various grants, provide services to, and oversee the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board."

1. A history of Caltrain. Caltrain is a commuter rail line that provides service along the San Francisco Peninsula, through the South Bay to San Jose and Gilroy. The line began in 1980, when Caltrans started providing rail service in the corridor, sharing operating subsidies with San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. The state assumed sole responsibility for station acquisitions and other capital improvements until the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board was formed in 1987 to manage the line. In 1988, the Legislature enacted statutes re-designating the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board as the District. However, the District was never formed. Instead, in 1992, the Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board became the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board and assumed operating responsibilities for Caltrain.
2. Technical cleanup. This bill provides technical cleanup to existing state law by removing provisions that are now obsolete.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

March 28, 2018.)

SUPPORT:

None received.

OPPOSITION:

None received.

-- END --

1. Alma is currently a drowned, ghost town in Santa Clara County that lies beneath the waters of Lexington Reservoir. It used to be an important rail stop for the logging industry. ↑