BILL ANALYSIS AB 953 Page 1 Date of Hearing: January 21, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Kevin De Leon, Chair AB 953 (Eng) - As Amended: January 6, 2010 Policy Committee: TransportationVote:14-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill clarifies that certain disclosure authorizations provided to insurance companies under current law apply to the authorized agents as well as employees of the companies. Specifically, the bill: 1)States that the authorization applies in cases where the employee or agent is seeking information about vehicle owners and drivers involved in accidents with individuals insured by the insurance companies the employees and agents represent. 2)Subjects information obtained under this provision to the use or disclosure limitations and security requirements currently governing insurance companies under state and federal law. 3)Requires the DMV to enforce the limitations and security requirements. FISCAL EFFECT Minimal costs to DMV, as the bill essentially clarifies existing law. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The bill, sponsored by the California Association of Collectors, is intended to facilitate the timely and accurate collection of address information financially responsible parties in traffic accidents. 2)Background . Existing law holds confidential home addresses AB 953 Page 2 maintained by DMV and prohibits DMV from disclosing residence addresses to any person, except a court, law enforcement, or other governmental agency. Current law exempts from this prohibition licensed insurance companies that state, under penalty of perjury, that they are requesting the information for the purpose of obtaining the address of a motorist or vehicle owner involved in an accident with someone covered by the company's insurance policy. This bill makes it clear that the exemption applies to authorized agents as well as employees of the insurance companies. Analysis Prepared by : Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081