California Assembly Bill AB984

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/21
• Refer: 3/4/21
• Report Pass: 4/6/21
• Refer: 4/8/21
• Report Pass: 4/26/21
• Refer: 4/28/21
• Refer: 5/19/21
• Report Pass: 5/20/21
• Engrossed: 6/1/21
• Refer: 6/2/21
• Refer: 6/16/21
• Report Pass: 6/24/21
• Refer: 6/28/21
• Report Pass: 7/1/21
• Refer: 7/1/21
• Report Pass: 7/14/21
• Refer: 7/15/21
• Refer: 8/23/21
• Report Pass: 8/26/21
• Refer: 8/30/22
• Enrolled: 8/31/22
• Chaptered: 9/29/22
• Passed: 9/29/22

Caption

Vehicle identification and registration: alternative devices.

Impact

The impact of AB 984 on state laws involves significant amendments to the Vehicle Code. Specifically, it provides a legal framework for using alternatives to conventional vehicle identification methods, which is seen as a step towards modernizing state vehicle regulations. The bill emphasizes consumer safety and accountability by mandating that alternative devices include features for defect notifications and malfunction corrections. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of GPS tracking technology in these devices, except for designated fleet or commercial vehicles, thereby addressing privacy concerns related to vehicle tracking.

Summary

Assembly Bill 984, introduced by Wilson, aims to modernize vehicle identification and registration by allowing the replacement of traditional license plates and registration stickers with alternative devices. These alternatives are subject to approval by the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill establishes a program for these alternatives and ensures that specific regulations and standards are maintained to ensure safety and reliability. The bill also expands upon the previous pilot program by extending its authorization and defining the conditions under which alternative devices can be used.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding AB 984 appears to be largely positive, with advocates highlighting the need for updated and flexible systems that can better serve current technological standards. However, some critics have expressed concerns about the implementation details and the monitoring capabilities related to employee vehicles. The balance between innovation and privacy rights is a recurring theme in discussions about the bill, indicating a need for clear guidelines to be established before full implementation.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the provisions safeguarding employee privacy. While the bill incorporates regulations to prevent unauthorized tracking during off-work hours, some participants in the legislative process have raised alarms about potential misuse of monitoring capabilities by employers. The introduction of civil penalties for violations of monitoring policies has been seen as a necessary measure, but concerns remain about the extent to which these protections will be enforced and how employees will be informed about monitoring practices.