Vehicles: homelessness.

Senator Arreguín's vehicle abatement legislation expands local government authority to remove and dispose of vehicles used as temporary shelter, while modifying existing procedures for handling abandoned and inoperable vehicles. The bill authorizes cities and counties to adopt ordinances specifically addressing vehicles formerly used as shelter, regardless of their operational status or registration.

The legislation adjusts several key procedural requirements for vehicle removal. It eliminates the dual requirement that vehicles be classified as public nuisances and property owners sign releases before removal without prior notice. Local authorities gain the ability to conduct emergency removals of vehicles creating immediate health and safety hazards. The bill also extends vehicle removal ordinances to cover public agency buyback programs targeting vehicles used as shelter.

New disposal options allow local authorities to scrap and dismantle qualifying vehicles on-site when commercial disposal channels are inadequate. The legislation maintains existing protections like 10-day advance notice requirements in most cases and hearing rights for vehicle and property owners, while establishing clear procedures for emergency removals and disposal of low-value vehicles. These changes apply within the constitutional framework requiring vehicle removals to be reasonable and necessary for community safety or property protection.