BILL NUMBER: AB 1272	CHAPTERED  08/30/04

	CHAPTER  365
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 30, 2004
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 27, 2004
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 16, 2004
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 9, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 22, 2004
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 1, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 5, 2004
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 25, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Dutra

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Section 11713.17 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1272, Dutra.  Vehicles:  license plates.
   Under existing law, the Department of Motor Vehicles licenses and
regulates dealers of motor vehicles.  Existing law requires that when
2 license plates are issued by the department for use upon a
vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were
issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.
   This bill would provide that upon the retail sale or lease of a
motor vehicle for which the department issues 2 license plates, a
dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless certain conditions
are met regarding the securing of the front license plate.
   This bill would prohibit a vehicle manufacturer or distributor
from selling or distributing in this state a new motor vehicle for
which the department issues 2 license plates, unless that motor
vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of
securing the license plates.
   Because under existing law, it is a crime to violate or fail to
comply with the Vehicle Code, this bill would impose a state-mandated
local program by creating a new crime.
  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 11713.17 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

   11713.17.  (a) Following the retail sale or lease of a motor
vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer
may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following
occurs:
   (1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of
securing a front license plate.
   (2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the
person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the
following:
   (A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or
other means of securing the front license plate.
   (B) The person understands that California law requires a license
plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the
motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the
front plate is available from the dealer.
   (b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in
this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two
license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided
with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.