BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1429
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Date of Hearing: June 20, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Jim Frazier, Chair
SB
1429 (Nielsen) - As Amended March 28, 2016
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
SUBJECT: Vehicles
SUMMARY: Extends, from model-year 1969 or older for cars and
model-year 1972 or older for commercial vehicles and pickup
trucks to model-year 1980 or older for all motor vehicles, the
authority for the owner of a vintage motor vehicle to use
license plates from the year corresponding to the vehicle's
model-year in lieu of regular license plates, if the model-year
date license plates are legible and serviceable as determined by
the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
EXISTING LAW:
1)Requires DMV to issue two fully reflectorized license plates
for identification purposes upon registration of a motor
vehicle.
2)Authorizes the owner of a vehicle that is a 1969 or older
model-year vehicle or the owner of a commercial vehicle or a
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pickup truck that is a 1972 or older model year to utilize
license plates with the date of year corresponding to the
model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured, if the
model-year date license plate is legible and serviceable, as
determined by DMV, in lieu of regular license plates.
3)Authorizes DMV to consult with an organization of old car
hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the
license plate corresponds to the model-year date when the
vehicle was manufactured.
4)Requires a $45 fee for the application to use model-year
license plates.
5)Establishes the California Legacy License Plate Program,
authorizing DMV to issue newly manufactured license plates
that replicate the look of California license plates from the
state's past.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: Under current law, the owner of a motor vehicle that
is model-year 1969 or older or of a commercial vehicle or pickup
truck that is model-year 1972 or older may use license plates
corresponding to the vehicle's model-year for that vehicle,
pursuant to approval by DMV that the license plate is legible
and serviceable and upon paying an additional $45 fee. This
allows vintage or historical car hobbyists to display
'authentic' license plates and attain a greater degree of
historical accuracy for their vehicles. Currently the
authorization for using model-year plates includes the black and
gold license plates issued for motor vehicles until 1969 and for
trucks until 1972.
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This bill would extend that authorization to include the blue
and gold license plates issued for use on California motor
vehicles until 1980. According to the author, owners obtain
these vintage license plates from sources including relatives,
garages, or estate sales. Although these plates are already in
the possession of some owners, they would not be able to be used
on a vehicle until approved by DMV.
This bill would not alter the existing fee structure for the
model-year license plate program at DMV.
Previous legislation: AB 462 (Villines), Chapter 497, Statutes
of 2007, extended the authorization for an owner of a motor
vehicle to use model-year license plates from 1962 to 1969 for
motor vehicles and 1972 for commercial vehicles and pickup
trucks.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Association of California Car Clubs
Capital City Cruisers Car Club
El Dorado Early Ford V8 Car Club
Specialty Equipment Market Association
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Justin Behrens / TRANS. / (916)
319-2093