AB 2055: Vessels: operation: registration.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law prohibits a for-hire vessel from operating or navigating on the waters of this state, except as provided. A violation of this prohibition is a crime. Existing law defines “for-hire vessel” to include any vessel propelled by machinery carrying more than 3 passengers for hire, except as provided.

This bill would instead define “for-hire vessel” to include any vessel propelled by machinery carrying one or more passengers for hire, except as provided. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(2)Under existing law, failure of an operator of a vessel involved in towing a skier to display or cause to be displayed a ski flag, as provided, is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $15.

This bill would additionally make a failure of an operator of a vessel to display or cause to be displayed a ski flag to indicate a swimmer in the vicinity of the vessel an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding $15, as specified. By expanding the scope of an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(3)Existing law requires a vessel that is not required to have and does not have a valid marine document issued by a federal agency and that uses the waters or is on the waters of this state to be numbered in accordance with applicable state or federal law. A violation of this requirement is an infraction. Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide a number for a vessel upon registration.

This bill would, from January 1, 2028, until January 1, 2034, and to the extent permissible under federal law, require every recreational vessel, as defined, using the waters or on the waters of this state to be registered with the department. The bill would require the owner of a vessel that is required to or that has a valid marine document issued by a federal agency to obtain a decal from the department if the vessel remains in California waters for more than 60 days, and to display it on the vessel if the vessel remains in California waters for more than 90 days, as specified. By expanding the scope of an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
3. August 25, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
4. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
6. August 13, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).
7. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
8. July 1, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
9. June 16, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
10. June 9, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
11. May 27, 2026Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and TRANS.
12. May 18, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.