In the heart of Sacramento, a significant legislative battle is unfolding. On February 2, 2026, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris stood alongside Democratic and Republican lawmakers to address the media about a series of bills designed to combat California’s epidemic of dangerous driving. The goal? To reduce the alarming rates of DUI fatalities and injuries that have plagued the state.

Out of the 17 proposed laws this year, eight have survived the initial wave of political hearings and key votes, moving on to the opposite houses of the state Legislature. This jump, however, has historically proven challenging for similar measures. The public hearings this spring have revealed a clear divide between crash victims’ families and lawmakers advocating for tougher consequences, and progressive groups like the ACLU, who emphasize road design and traffic-calming measures.

The Divide in California’s Legislative Approach

At a recent Assembly committee hearing, Danica Rodarmel, speaking on behalf of Debt Free Justice California, expressed concerns about expanding mandatory breathalyzers for DUI offenders. She argued that such proposals are “expensive and difficult for many people to navigate.” Rodarmel emphasized the need for preventive measures that are easy to comply with, acknowledging that these concerns might seem “minuscule compared to what is at stake and what’s on the line.”

Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, a Southern California Democrat who has proposed a bill to expand in-car breathalyzers for the third time, found common ground with Rodarmel’s sentiment. “I could not agree more with that sentiment,” Petrie-Norris stated, underscoring the gravity of the issue.

Status of the Bills

Bills Still Alive

The following bills have made it through the initial legislative hurdles and remain alive:

  • Close the diversion loophole: AB1662 and SB953 aim to address the issue of judges granting diversion programs to drivers accused of killing someone with their car, resulting in clean records for such offenders.
  • Expand breathalyzer mandates: AB1830 seeks to mandate in-car breathalyzers, known as ignition interlock devices, for all DUI convictions, not just repeat offenses or crashes with injuries.
  • Increase penalties for repeat DUIs: AB1546 proposes making a third DUI within 10 years a “wobbler” offense, allowing prosecutors to pursue stiffer charges and more jail time sooner.
  • Longer suspensions and vehicle impoundment for reckless driving: SB1198 aims to increase the license suspension period and the amount of time a driver can have their vehicle impounded following reckless driving convictions.

Bills Alive but Watered Down

The following bills have been amended but still have a chance of passing:

  • Harsher DUI penalties: SB907 originally had five major provisions, but only three remain, including adding prison time for some repeat DUI offenders and increasing penalties for hit and runs with prior DUIs.
  • Increase points for vehicular manslaughter: AB1685 originally aimed to make all vehicular manslaughter convictions count as three points, but the amended version only adds a third point for intoxicated drivers acting with “gross negligence.”
  • Lengthen license revocation for repeat DUIs: AB1687 originally proposed an 8-year revocation period, but the current version gives the DMV discretion rather than making it mandatory.

Stalled or Dead Bills

The following bills have either stalled or failed to advance:

  • Change the start date of license revocations: AB1723 and AB1874 aimed to address the issue of courts failing to report manslaughter convictions to the DMV, but both bills have stalled.
  • Make it easier to charge repeat DUIs as a felony: AB1686 proposed giving prosecutors the discretion to charge a felony on a second or third DUI, but it has not advanced.
  • Make DUI vehicular manslaughter a felony: AB1747 aimed to make all DUI vehicular manslaughter cases a felony, but it failed in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
  • Extend DUI license suspensions: AB1748 proposed doubling the suspension period for a first-time DUI and permanently revoking a driver’s license after five DUI convictions within a decade, but it was voted down.
  • “Intelligent Speed Assistance” pilot project: AB2276 envisioned a pilot project to test technology designed to stop reckless drivers from speeding, but it failed to clear a key May deadline.
  • License stickers to limit post-DUI alcohol sales: AB1605 and AB1867 proposed requiring the DMV to mark licenses with phrases like “No alcohol sales” or “Repeat serious DUI offender,” but both bills failed.
  • Law enforcement DUI training: AB1814 aimed to expand training requirements for field sobriety tests and drug recognition, but it failed to advance.

The legislative journey to curb dangerous driving in California is far from over. As these bills continue to navigate the complex landscape of the state Legislature, the debate between tougher consequences and preventive measures remains at the forefront. Stay tuned for regular updates on the progress of these critical bills.