SB 1112: Vehicles: towing companies and storage facilities.

Official summary

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

Existing law requires an authorized member of a public agency who directs the storage of a vehicle, as specified, to give notice to the legal owners within 48 hours and the opportunity for a poststorage hearing to determine the validity of the storage. Existing law requires an officer or employee, upon the removal of a vehicle from public or private property, to store the vehicle at the nearest garage or place of safety designated by the governmental agency. A violation of the Vehicle Code or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to that code is an infraction.

This bill would authorize the registered or legal owner, lienholder, or insurer of a vehicle to post a bond or other adequate security with the clerk of the court in the county where the vehicle is stored before the sale of the vehicle by a towing company, impound yard, or storage facility, as specified. The bill would require the court, upon the posting of the bond, to issue a certificate directing the towing company, impound yard, or storage facility to release the vehicle to the party who posted the bond. The bill would require the party that posted the bond to initiate judicial proceedings within 10 court days after the issuance of the certificate, alleging certain causes of action. The bill would prohibit an auto body shop, impound yard, or towing company from knowingly participating in, or profiting from, specified towing or storage practices. The bill would require the Bureau of Automotive Repair to, by January 1, 2028, develop and distribute a notice that states a vehicle owner’s rights pursuant to these provisions. The bill would require a towing company, impound yard, storage facility, or auto body shop to post that notice where it is visible to consumers onsite. The bill would impose a civil fine against a towing company, impound yard, storage facility, or auto body shop, as specified, for a violation of these provisions. The bill would exempt certain towing companies, storage companies, or impound yards from these provisions when a vehicle was towed at the request of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, a local law enforcement agency, the Department of Transportation, or a local transportation department or agency, as specified.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 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 13, 2026August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. August 5, 2026August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
3. June 17, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 16, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 16).
5. June 8, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
6. May 26, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.
7. May 20, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
8. May 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 4371.) Ordered to the Assembly.
9. May 5, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. May 4, 2026From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
11. April 24, 2026Set for hearing May 4.
12. April 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 3978.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.