SB 774: Department of Real Estate and the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers: Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Official summary

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

Existing law, the Automotive Repair Act, provides for the registration and regulation of automotive repair dealers by the Bureau of Automotive Repair in the Department of Consumer Affairs. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor unless otherwise specified. Existing law authorizes the Director of Consumer Affairs to adopt and enforce those rules and regulations that the director determines are reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of the act and declare the policy of the bureau. Existing law authorizes the director to include in the citation system a process for informal review of and recommendation on citations, as specified. Existing law subjects the bureau to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature, as specified, and requires that review to be performed as if the act were scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028.

Existing law authorizes the director to include in the citation system a process for an automotive repair dealer to prevent disclosure of the citation on the internet, as specified and subject to a certain eligibility requirement. Existing law also authorizes the bureau to require any employee of the automotive repair dealer who was involved in the violation resulting in the bureau’s issuance of the citation to attend remedial training with the automotive repair dealer to prevent disclosure of the citation. Existing law repeals these provisions on July 1, 2026.

This bill would extend the effective date of these provisions until January 1, 2028. By extending these provisions, the violation of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The Real Estate Law establishes the Department of Real Estate in the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency to license and regulate real estate licensees under that law, including real estate brokers and real estate salespersons. The Real Estate Appraisers’ Licensing and Certification Law establishes within the Department of Consumer Affairs the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers to license and regulate real estate appraisers. Under existing law, the powers and duties of the Department of Real Estate and the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers under those laws, respectively, are subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature as if those laws were to be repealed on January 1, 2026.

This bill would extend that date to January 1, 2030.

Existing law requires the department to register a service member or spouse of a service member who relocated to this state because of military orders for military service within this state and who holds a professional license in good standing outside of California, subject to satisfaction of specified requirements, and deems the person to be a licensee of the department for specified purposes.

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. October 13, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 786, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 13, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 23, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 12, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2998.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 12, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. September 11, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3276.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. September 4, 2025Ordered to third reading.
8. September 4, 2025Read third time and amended.
9. September 2, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 29).
11. August 20, 2025August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
12. July 9, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.