Department of Motor Vehicles: records.
Overall, AB 2671 seeks to balance the public's right to access important vehicle and license information with the necessity of protecting individual privacy and ensuring the Department's operations are conducted fairly.
If enacted, AB 2671 would modify existing laws that govern how the DMV permits the inspection and sale of its records. Currently, the DMV can charge at least the actual cost, but the bill specifies that charges should never exceed this cost, which could lead to more affordable access to information for individuals and entities seeking these records. Additionally, the bill introduces regulations regarding the request process, requiring individuals to adequately identify themselves and state their reasons for the request.
Assembly Bill 2671, introduced by Assembly Member Fong, aims to amend Section 1810 of the Vehicle Code concerning the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and how it handles vehicle registration and driver's license information. The bill proposes to set the maximum charge for the inspection or sale of this information to not exceed the actual cost incurred by the DMV, thereby ensuring that users are not overcharged for accessing such data. The bill emphasizes transparency and fairness in the fees charged for these services.
Discussions around AB 2671 may highlight concerns regarding privacy and the potential for misuse of personal data. The requirement for individuals to identify themselves and state their reasons for accessing records could be seen as a protective measure against identity theft and privacy violations. However, some opponents may argue that this could complicate access for legitimate users who need information but do not have a strong rationale to provide, possibly leading to bureaucratic delays.