Parking violations.

Assembly Members Bryan and Celeste Rodriguez propose modifications to California's parking violation procedures that would expand payment options and relief measures for individuals facing financial hardships. The legislation amends the Vehicle Code to authorize issuing agencies to reduce or waive parking penalties based on documented inability to pay or other extenuating circumstances, including homelessness status.

The bill removes existing deadlines for payment plan enrollment, allowing individuals to request installment arrangements at any time. For those qualifying as indigent under state criteria, agencies must offer plans with monthly payments capped at $25 for penalties totaling $500 or less, with up to 24 months to complete payment. The legislation caps processing fees at $5 for indigent participants and $25 for others, while mandating the waiver of late fees and penalties when indigent individuals enroll in payment arrangements.

Educational institutions face new requirements under the measure, as California State University and community college districts must implement citation payment policies for students with multiple unpaid violations. These policies must suspend late fees during active payment plans, prevent DMV registration holds while plans remain in good standing, and ensure campus-wide awareness through website posting. Districts that do not create their own policies must adopt the standard payment plan framework outlined in the bill.

The amendments maintain existing administrative hearing procedures while adding protections for hearing officers' independence and training. Examiners must complete 20 hours of relevant instruction, though agencies may substitute up to 12 hours with equivalent experience. The bill preserves agencies' ability to pursue civil judgments for unpaid penalties exceeding $400, while establishing fraud penalties for willfully false indigency claims.