SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In October 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed 890 bills into law with the vast majority set to go into effect on January 1.
One of those laws prohibits cities and local governments from passing anti-cruising ordinances that ban owners of lowriders from driving on public streets.
Here is what you need to know about Assembly Bill 436.
Assembly Bill 436 - 'Cruising is not a crime'
Authored by State Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), Assembly Bill 436 prohibits cities and counties from passing bans against lowriders and other anti-cruising ordinances.
The new law now prevents local law enforcement from pulling drivers over for cruising and driving modified cars that are low to the ground and often feature hydraulic suspension systems that allow drivers to make the car bounce.
What's New
The current law, which was passed in 1988, gave local jurisdictions the authority to make cruising or driving lowriders on city streets a traffic offense.
Doing so, said proponents of Assembly Bill 436, prompted bans in cities across the state that unfairly targeted Latinos and other minorities.
While some cities across the state such as Sacramento and National City have already outlawed the ban against lowriders, Assembly Bill 436 will make it mandatory across the state.
What do critics say?
Critics say the bill takes control away from local authorities and jurisdictions.
Yet, while Assembly Bill 436 did have a handful of legislators cast a no-vote against AB 436, opponents did not submit any official statements looking to stop the bill from passing the state legislature.