Vehicle registration fees.

Existing law authorizes a county, upon the adoption of a resolution by its board of supervisors, to impose a fee of $1 or $2 on all motor vehicles, except as provided, in addition to other fees imposed for the registration of a vehicle, and an additional service fee of $2 on specified commercial motor vehicles. Existing law requires these fees to be paid to the Controller quarterly, as specified. Existing law provides that these moneys are continuously appropriated for the administrative costs of the Controller, and for disbursement by the Controller to each county that has adopted a resolution to impose the fees described above, as specified. Existing law requires the moneys allocated to a county to be expended exclusively to fund programs that enhance the capacity of local police and prosecutors to deter, investigate, and prosecute vehicle theft crimes. However, in any county with a population of 250,000 or less, existing law allows the moneys to also be expended for the prosecution of crimes involving driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, vehicular manslaughter, or any combination of those crimes. This bill would revise the above provision to apply to any county with a population of 300,000 or less. By expanding the purposes for which continuously appropriated funds may be expended, this bill would make an appropriation.