SAFE’s 2026 Legislation: Tackling Tough and Important Issues
We are well over halfway through the 2026 legislative year, and SAFE has been hard at work in Sacramento on important road safety legislation. I’d like to give you an overview of what we’ve been working on, what we are excited about, and what work remains to be done.
Every year SAFE tackles tough road safety issues across California in two ways:
By sponsoring and supporting key pieces of legislation related to road safety.
By hosting a robust policy, legislation, and advocacy internship to train, apprentice, and inspire the lawmakers of tomorrow to care about the safety of our roads.
During this 2025-2026 California Legislative Season, SAFE sponsored nine bills and worked on (supported or opposed) twenty-one bills total. These bills focus on a variety of transportation issues, including DUI legislation, E-bikes, distracted driving, speeding, street takeovers, reckless driving, and others.
This year, we also brought on a record six Policy, Legislation and Advocacy Interns, led by Executive Director, Damian Kevitt, and Policy and Legislative Coordinator, Kristen Weiss. Each intern took on a specific bill topic, such as e-bikes, DUI, and reckless driving.
Bills Summary
The following bills are co-sponsored by SAFE
AB 1588
Vehicles: Sideshow Accountability and Community Safety Act.
Author: Assemblymember Stefani
SPONSOR: Sideshows and street racing penalties
AB 311
Consumer Driving Data Protection Act of 2026
Author: Assemblymember McKinnor
SPONSOR: Incentives to drive safely and not text and drive.
AB 1198
Vehicles: reckless driving: impoundment.
Author: Senator Menjivar
SPONSOR: Reckless driving penalties
AB 1167
Vehicles: electric bicycles.
Author: Senator Blakespear
SPONSOR: E-bike and E-motos regulation
AB 1569
Pupil safety: electric bicycle parking: safety program.
Author: Assemblymember Davies and Assemblymember Chen
SPONSOR: E-bike safety education
AB 1685
Driving privilege: points.
Author: Assemblymember Lackey and Assemblymember Petrie-Norris
SPONSOR: DUI penalties
The following bills are supported by SAFE
AB 1662
Driving record: points: misdemeanor diversion.
Author: Assemblymember Wilson
SUPPORT: Reckless driving penalties
AB 1837
Video imaging of parking violations.
Author: Automated parking enforcement for bike lanes
SUPPORT: DUI penalties
AB 1279
City of Long Beach Pacific Coast Highway speed safety system pilot program.
Author: Senator Gonzalez
SUPPORT: Speeding enforcement on PCH
Author: Senator Archuleta
SUPPORT: DUI and hit-and-run penalties
AB 907
Driving under the influence and other driving offenses: comprehensive reform.
AB 922
Vehicles: local agency charges: use of streets or highways
Author: Senator Laird
SUPPORT: Road maintenance
AB 953
Driving record: points: vehicular manslaughter.
Author: Senator Niello
SUPPORT: Vehicular manslaughter penalties
AB 1976
Streets and highways: pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Author: Assemblymember Wicks
SUPPORT: Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
AB 2168
Active Transportation Program: guidelines.
Author: Assemblymember Wicks
SUPPORT: Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
AB 2502
Vehicles: driving under the influence: driving automation.
Author: Assemblymember Pellerin
SUPPORT: DUI and vehicle-assisted driving
AB 2484
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System: transactions and use tax: voter initiatives
Author: Assemblymember Alvarez
SUPPORT: Public transit in San Diego
AB 2059
California Environmental Quality Act: transportation impacts: vehicle miles traveled: mitigation
Author: Assemblymember Wilson
SUPPORT: Road safety infrastructure
AB 2361
Insurance: Personal Vehicle Sharing
Author: Assemblymember Pacheco
SUPPORT: Insurance
AB 1546
Vehicles: driving under the influence.
Author: Schultz
SUPPORT IF AMENDED: DUI penalties
AB 311 - Currently In Senate Appropriations
AB 311, introduced by Assemblymember McKinnor, also known as the Consumer Driving Data Protection Act of 2026, aims to incentivize safer driving habits through a voluntary program in which insurance companies can monitor how one drives and provide feedback on how to drive more safely, in exchange for significant discounts on car insurance. This tool is offered in every other state across the US and in many other countries. It has been proven to reduce speeding, distracted driving, and hard braking incidents, which all contribute to crashes and serious injuries. AB 311 would also ensure the strictest privacy and consumer protection safeguards compared to any other similar program across the US.
SAFE is Sponsoring AB 311 (along with Streets For All)
SB 1279 - Currently in Assembly Appropriations
SB 1279, introduced by Senator Gonzalez, expands the speed camera pilot program established in AB 645 to include Long Beach's portion of the Pacific Coast Highway until January 1st, 2032, to minimize traffic violence and reckless driving. Additionally, this bill ensures adequate signage, image confidentiality, a reasonable penalty progression, and alternatives to fines for those who can demonstrate financial hardship, while maintaining the original pilot program structure.
SAFE Supports SB 1279.
AB 1588 - Currently in Senate Appropriations
AB 1588, introduced by Assemblymember Stefani, would increase penalties for participation in sideshows and expand the definition of a sideshow to include vehicles other than cars, accounting for a broader range of illegal activities that threaten community safety. The bill also increases sanctions for sideshow engagement, abetting, or aiding to match those found in anti-street racing provisions, such as thirty days to six months in county jail and/or a five hundred to one thousand dollar fine for bodily injury stemming from participation in street racing.
SAFE is Sponsoring AB 1588.
SB 1198 - Currently in Assembly Appropriations
SB 1198, introduced by Senator Menjivar, would increase the suspension period for drivers convicted of reckless driving to up to 60 days. If a reckless driving violation occurs twice within 10 years, the suspension is increased to between 30 days and 6 months. The bill would also require the court to suspend driving privileges for 3 to 12 months for third and subsequent reckless driving violations.
SAFE is Sponsoring SB 1198.
AB 1685 - Currently in Senate Appropriations
AB 1685, introduced by Assemblymember Lackey and Assemblymember Petrie-Norris, would increase California’s driving record point system from two points to three for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and with gross negligence. This bill will increase the consequences for driving recklessly and/or under the influence by adding more points to offenders' driving records.
SAFE is Sponsoring AB 1685.
AB 1687 - Currently in Senate Appropriations
AB 1687, also known as Irene’s bill, was another bill introduced by Assemblymember Lackey and aims to strengthen California’s response to repeat impaired driving offenses by authorizing the immediate removal of an individual’s license if they have three or more DUI-related offenses within ten years. Additionally, AB 1687 will increase the current reinstatement period from three to eight years unless the offender agrees to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
SAFE is Sponsoring AB 1687.
SB 1156 - Currently in Assembly Appropriations
SB 1156, introduced by Senator Caballero, requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to include information about DUI penalties and consequences on vehicle registration materials and digital registration platforms.
SAFE is Sponsoring SB 1156.
SB 907 - Currently in Assembly Appropriations
SB 907, introduced by Senator Archuleta, would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a crash that causes an injury to be either considered a misdemeanor or a felony. Furthermore, if a driver leaves the scene of a crash that causes death or serious injury, the bill would increase the felony penalty if the driver has one of those qualifying convictions within the previous 10 years.
SAFE Supports SB 907.
AB 1662 - Currently in Senate Appropriations
AB 1662, introduced by Assemblymember Wilson, would require courts to notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when a person receives diversion for certain offenses that would normally be reported to the DMV if the person had been convicted. Instead of sending a conviction record, the court would direct the prosecutor to ensure the DMV is notified of the arrest or incident.
SAFE Supports AB 1662.
AB 1569 - Currently in Senate Appropriations
AB 1569, introduced by Assemblymember Davies and Chen, would require, on or before March 1, 2028, the State Department of Education and the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop a statewide electric bicycle safety and training program for students in grades 7 to 12. The bill would authorize the State Department of Education and the Department of the California Highway Patrol to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies or local governments that have already implemented electric bicycle training programs to ensure the program reflects proven best practices.
SAFE is Sponsoring AB 1569.
SB 1167 - Currently in Assembly Appropriations
SB 1167, introduced by Senator Blakespear, seeks to clarify the legal definition of electric bicycles and ensures that higher-powered two-wheeled vehicles are not marketed or sold as e-bikes. The bill ensures these devices are properly classified and disclosed as motor-driven cycles or mopeds rather than electric bicycles.
SAFE is Sponsoring SB 1167 (along with Streets For All, CalBike, and People for Bikes)
Meet our State Policy and Legislation Team
The second way we work to improve California’s road safety and transportation is by investing in the future, our future leaders and possibly even future elected officials. This is done through our State Policy, Legislation, and Advocacy internship. Now in its 5th year, we bring on 4-6 interns (undergrad and grad students, as well as working professionals) for an intensive training and apprenticeship program focused on state-level policy and legislation, as well as advocacy techniques.
This internship runs from January through July, and while it’s not paid, we offer a significant stipend at the end of the internship, depending on the funding available that year.
I’d like you to meet this year’s team:
Kristen Weiss
Kristen serves as SAFE’s Policy and Legislative Coordinator. Along with Damian Kevitt, the Executive Director, she leads the organization’s state advocacy efforts and runs the Policy, Legislation and Advocacy internship. She recently graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's in political science, and has been with SAFE for the past three years. In her free time, she goes hiking, plays tennis, and watches movies.
SAFE’s 2025/26 Interns
Kristian Nunez
Kris is a third-year student studying public policy at USC. As an intern with SAFE, he works on bills that deal with reckless driving and pedestrian safety. In his free time, he enjoys traveling abroad, running, and going to concerts with his friends.
Reid Krebs
Reid Krebs is a second-year UCLA Environmental Science student from San Diego. He is passionate about sustainability, public transportation, and road safety as he comes from a family of cyclists and grew up enjoying Southern California’s great outdoors. When he’s not in class or writing letters of support, you can find Reid practicing with UCLA Men’s Rowing at Marina Del Rey or taking the metro to new places in LA.
Bella Dechant
Bella Dechant is a Public Policy student with experience in policy research, legislative analysis, and professional writing, with a strong focus on how institutions shape human outcomes across communities. Her academic work emphasizes evidence-based analysis, public systems, and the broader social impact of policy decisions. She is particularly interested in contributing to work that advances ethical solutions to complex challenges at both the domestic and international level.
Stephanie Dena
Stephanie Dena is a junior at San Diego State University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Urban Studies. Originally from San Clemente, California, they are interested in SAFE because it offers an opportunity to combine positive urban development with public policy and serves as a strong foundation for their future career. They are driven by a passion for creating more thoughtful and well-planned communities. Outside of academics, they are adventurous and enjoy exploring national parks, often hiking through mountains and seeking new experiences.
Delina Seare
Delina is a junior at UCSD majoring in Political Science. She chose to intern at SAFE because she is interested in legislation and wanted to learn more about how policies are created, a career that she may pursue in the future. Outside of the internship, Delina enjoys creative writing, playing video games, and learning how to play the guitar.
Spencer Lee
Spencer is a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Political Science and Environmental Economics & Policy, with a minor in Public Policy. He was drawn to SAFE’s holistic approach, which combines policy and legislative work with grassroots advocacy, public education, and support for those affected by traffic violence, and was interested in supporting SAFE’s mission to reduce traffic-related fatalities to zero.
Thank you!
As you can see, the team at SAFE is working to make California safer for all road users. These bills can do a lot of good, and more legislation is needed in future years to continue making progress.
This is all possible thanks to support from our donors and sponsors, and to the many people who show up for our Finish The Ride and Run events. Also, much of this couldn’t be done without the many volunteers and support from partner organizations across the State of CA and the US — far too many to count — and we are grateful for all of you.
More Work to Go, Stay Up to Date
Legislative action alone is not sufficient. Public engagement and awareness remain critical to the policymaking process, and we encourage individuals, advocates, and community stakeholders to stay informed, communicate with their elected officials, and participate in ongoing policy discussions.
It often still takes work at the local level to ensure these laws are correctly implemented, but that’s another area of SAFE and a different team led by Aaron Garcia, SAFE’s Director of LA County Advocacy.
To stay updated on legislation, policy developments, and future bill activity, we also encourage readers to sign up for our newsletter for additional updates and information throughout the legislative session or reach out to the Policy and Legislative Coordinator at policy@streetsareforeveryone.org.