Bill author: Assembly Member Betty Karnette (D-54)

SUMMARY
This bill allows the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a Clean Air sticker for a qualifying hybrid vehicle if its owner previously owned a hybrid with a Clean Air sticker, but that vehicle has been determined by the DMV to be a non-repairable vehicle or a total loss salvage vehicle. Requires such an owner to apply for the replacement sticker on or before March 31, 2009, or within six months of the date on which the previously-owned hybrid is declared to be a non-repairable vehicle or a total loss salvage vehicle, whichever date is later.

WHY IT MATTERS
Under current practice, DMV will issue a replacement decal for a hybrid vehicle if that vehicle's decal was destroyed. If the vehicle itself is destroyed, however, DMV believes it does not have authorization to issue a replacement decal for another hybrid purchased by the same owner.

THE GOALS OF AB 1209 INCLUDE:
• Simplifying DMV operations for replacing decals for hybrid vehicles and giving priority to designating hybrid vehicles that are eligible for Clean Air stickers.